BULLS E-Mountainbike News 2018 – Shimano Twin Tube, Bosch PowerTube, Brose Drive S
Germany’s ZEG [Bicycle Purchasing Co-operative] unites more than 960 independent bike shops nationwide, with a reputation that has cemented it in the lexicon of virtually every cyclist in the country. Right now the industry giant has just dropped its products for 2018 under its own label BULLS. Here’s our run-through of their most exciting E-MTB releases.
BULLS E-Core EVO series with Shimano Twin Core batteries
A while back we added fuel to the fire of a Shimano Dual battery prototype that had been doing the rounds and now it has been officially revealed on the new BULLS E-Core EVO TR! All of the E-MTBs from BULLS with a Shimano motor now feature a revised downtube design with space for two batteries. The batteries hail from BMZ and each have a 375 Wh capacity. The bikes only come delivered with one battery, however, as the second battery slot also doubles as storage for tools. Yet it’s this double battery capacity that’s really going to create some hype, lending the bikes a generous 750 Wh capacity that’ll hold mass appeal for customers.
The E-Core line-up is lorded over by the E-Core EVO EN whose 180 mm of suspension, downhill-tuned geometry and uncompromising spec lends it real clout for tough terrain. The E-Core EVO RS and AM take a more moderate approach, with both bikes kitted out with 150 mm of travel and classic geometry fare. If you’re looking for something with more of a pop then the E-Core EVO TR is a 120 mm-travel E-MTB with the Twin Core system. The E-Core bikes will hit shops in February 2018 and it looks like BULLS have covered the spectrum of wants and needs for all riders.
The spec of the BULLS E-Core EVO EN Di2 – € 6,499
Fork RockShox Lyric RC 180 mm
Rear shock FOX Float X2 180 mm
Motor/Battery Shimano E8000
Battery Twin Core, 375 Wh (expandable to 750 Wh)
Brakes Shimano Saint
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT Di2
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm
Handlebar BULLS 780 mm
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.6″
Rims/Hubs DT Swiss HX-1501
Geometry of the BULLS E-Core EVO EN
| Size | 44 | 49 | 54 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
| Top tube | 606 mm | 620 mm | 639 mm |
| Head angle | 65 ° | 65 ° | 65 ° |
| Seat angle | 74.5 ° | 74.5 ° | 74.5 ° |
| Chainstay | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1214 mm | 1224 mm | 1246 mm |
| Reach | 435 mm | 450 mm | 465 mm |
| Stack | 586 mm | 612 mm | 625 mm |
The spec of the BULLS E-Core EVO RS – € 6,499
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory 150 mm
Rear shock FOX FLOAT DPS 150 mm
Motor Shimano E8000
Battery Twin Core, 375 Wh (expandable to 750 Wh)
Brakes Magura MT7
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT Di2
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar FSA Gradient 800 mm
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.6″
Rims/Naben DT Swiss HX-1501
The spec of the BULLS E-Core EVO AM – € 5,499
Fork RockShox Yari RC 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 150 mm
Motor Shimano E8000
Battery Twin Core, 375 Wh (expandable to 750 Wh)
Brakes Magura MT5
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT Di2
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm
Handlebar BULLS 760 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
Geometry of the BULLS E-Core EVO RS & AM
| Size | 39 | 44 | 49 | 54 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 390 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
| Top tube | 590 mm | 604 mm | 623 mm | 642 mm |
| Head angle | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° |
| Seat angle | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° |
| Chainstay | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1154 mm | 1169 mm | 1190 mm | 1211 mm |
| Reach | 420 mm | 435 mm | 450 mm | 465 mm |
| Stack | 589 mm | 589 mm | 603 mm | 617 mm |
The spec of the BULLS E-Core EVO TR2 – € 4,199
Fork SR Suntour Aion 35 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 150 mm
Motor Shimano E8000
Battery Twin Core, 375 Wh (expandable to 750 Wh)
Brakes Magura MT5/MT4
Drivetrain Shimano Deore
Seatpost BULLS Aluminium
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS Aluminium
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
Geometry of the BULLS E-Core EVO TR
| Size | 41 | 46 | 51 | 56 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 410 mm | 460 mm | 510 mm | 560 mm |
| Top tube | 597 mm | 612 mm | 631 mm | 650 mm |
| Head angle | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° |
| Seat angle | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° |
| Chainstay | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1144 mm | 1159 mm | 1179 mm | 1200 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm | 470 mm |
| Stack | 600 mm | 600 mm | 614 mm | 627 mm |
BULLS Six50-Serie with Bosch PowerTube-Integration
The Six50 series from BULLS relies on the trail-proven Bosch CX motor and features the all-new Bosch PowerTube battery for 2018. Sleekly integrated, the bikes all have a lean silhouette, and it looks like this fully integrated battery is going to be a mass hit across the market. With 150 mm of travel, the BULLS Six50 AM looks like it’ll have the broadest appeal, while the Six50 TR and its 120 mm of suspension is BULLS’s entry-level offering. The Six50 bikes will be available from January 2018 onwards.
The spec of the BULLS Six50 AM4 – € 6,499
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory 150 mm
Rear shock FOX FLOAT DPS 150 mm
Motor Bosch Performance CX
Battery Bosch Powertube 500 Wh
Brakes Magura MT-Trail
Drivetrain Shimano XTR/Deore XT
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 760 mm
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.8″
Rims/Naben DT Swiss H1700 Spline
The spec of the BULLS Six50 AM3 – € 4,999
Fork RockShox Yari RC 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 150 mm
Motor Bosch Performance CX
Battery Bosch Powertube 500 Wh
Brakes Magura MT5
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 760 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
Geometry of the BULLS Six50 AM
| Size | 39 | 44 | 49 | 54 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 390 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
| Top tube | 590 mm | 604 mm | 623 mm | 642 mm |
| Head angle | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° |
| Seat angle | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° |
| Chainstay | 479.5 mm | 479.5 mm | 479.5 mm | 479.5 mm |
| BB Drop | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1196 mm | 1211 mm | 1231 mm | 1253 mm |
| Reach | 420 mm | 435 mm | 450 mm | 465 mm |
| Stack | 589 mm | 589 mm | 603 mm | 617 mm |
The spec of the BULLS Six50 TR3 – € 4,999
Fork RockShox Relevation 120 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 120 mm
Motor Bosch Performance CX
Battery Bosch Powertube 500 Wh
Brakes Magura MT5/MT4
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 740 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
The spec of the BULLS Six50 TR2 – € 4,199
Fork SR Suntour Aion 35 120 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 120 mm
Motor Bosch Performance CX
Battery Bosch Powertube 500 Wh
Brakes Magura MT5/MT4
Drivetrain Shimano Deore
Seatpost BULLS Aluminium
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 740 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
Geometry of the BULLS Six50 TR
| Size | 41 | 46 | 51 | 56 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 410 mm | 460 mm | 510 mm | 560 mm |
| Top tube | 597 mm | 612 mm | 631 mm | 650 mm |
| Head angle | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° |
| Seat angle | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° |
| Chainstay | 479.5 mm | 479.5 mm | 479.5 mm | 479.5 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1185 mm | 1200 mm | 1221 mm | 1242 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm | 470 mm |
| Stack | 600 mm | 600 mm | 614 mm | 628 mm |
BULLS E-Stream-Serie with Brose Drive S-Motor
The E-Stream series is BULLS’s nod to using a Brose motor on certain bikes, and these lucky ones get the all-new, much more powerful Brose Drive S motor, which is basically a guarantee for an indisputable performance. They’re all kitted with a new display from Marquardt to boot. These Brose-equipped bikes also come with one 150 mm-travel model, the E-Stream EVO AM, and the shorter travel E-Stream EVO TR with 120 mm.
The spec of the BULLS E-Stream EVO AM4 – € 5,199
Fork RockShox Lyric 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 150 mm
Motor/Battery Brose S Motor, 650 Wh
Brakes Magura MT5
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 760 mm
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary/Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
The spec of the BULLS E-Stream EVO AM3 – € 4,899
Fork RockShox Yari RC 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 150 mm
Motor/Battery Brose S Motor, 650 Wh
Brakes Magura MT5/MT4
Drivetrain Shimano Deore
Seatpost Kindshock Lev Integra
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 760 mm
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
Geometry of the BULLS E-Stream EVO AM
| Size | 39 | 44 | 49 | 54 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 390 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
| Top tube | 590 mm | 604 mm | 623 mm | 642 mm |
| Head angle | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° | 67.5 ° |
| Seat angle | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° |
| Chainstay | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm |
| BB Drop | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1176 mm | 1192 mm | 1212 mm | 1233 mm |
| Reach | 420 mm | 435 mm | 450 mm | 465 mm |
| Stack | 589 mm | 589 mm | 603 mm | 617 mm |
The spec of the BULLS E-Stream EVO TR2 – € 3,899
Fork SR Suntour Aion 35 120 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RT 120 mm
Motor/Battery Brose S Motor, 650 Wh
Brakes Tektro
Drivetrain Shimano Deore
Seatpost Bulls Aluminium
Stem Monkey Link 55 mm – 65 mm
Handlebar BULLS 740 mm
Tires Schwalbe Smart Sam 2.6″
Rims/Naben BULLS Eccentric35/Styx
Geometry of the BULLS E-Stream EVO TR
| Size | 41 | 46 | 51 | 56 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 410 mm | 460 mm | 510 mm | 560 mm |
| Top tube | 597 mm | 612 mm | 631 mm | 650 mm |
| Head angle | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° | 68.5 ° |
| Seat angle | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° | 74 ° |
| Chainstay | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1166 mm | 1181 mm | 1201 mm | 1222 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm | 470 mm |
| Stack | 600 mm | 600 mm | 614 mm | 627 mm |
Our first impression
BULLS have put their foot on the gas! This flurry of new models for 2018 brings with it a host of exciting developmenets. The Six50 models with the Bosch motor have adopted a wholly contemporary approach to battery integration, while their E-Stream line-up is set to benefit from the masses of extra power from the Brose Drive S motor. Without a doubt the highlights have to be the E-Core bikes with BULLS’s own in-house developed Twin Core battery system–the luxury of 750 Wh in such a compact design has really thrown down the gauntlet! We’re excited to see how these bikes will perform on the trails now.
For more information head to bulls.de!
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Words: Photos: Manne Schmitt
