Uncompromising race machine or a sheep in wolf’s clothing? – Bulls SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 with Bosch CX Race motor first ride review

The SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 wants to be BULLS’ eMTB of choice for the rough stuff. With its new Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor, it was designed to ruffle some feathers in tough EWS-E stages. Have BULLS created a thoroughbred racing machine or is the SONIC EVO AM-Team a sheep in wolf’s clothing for everyday riding?

While BULLS’ racing achievements have previously been attributed mainly to Karl Platt, a true legend in the MTB marathon- and stage-circuit, in 2019, German enduro racer Christian Textor (AKA Texi) has helped the Cologne-based bike manufacturer to put its name on the gravity world map. Since then, BULLS have been successfully competing in both the Enduro World Series (EWS) and its electric equivalent, the EWS-E. To provide Texi with the best possible work tool, BULLS have equipped the SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 with the brand-new Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor. The EWS-E places the highest demands not only on the downhill performance, but also the climbing capabilities of a bike, while providing its participants with the ultimate adrenaline kick and rave-like heart rates, both up and downhill! At € 11,199, the SONIC EVO AM Team Carbon 2023 is no bargain and, according to BULLS’ own statement, it’s ready to conquer the world.

If you’ve learned to ignore the bold marketing claims typical of our sector and take a closer look at the BULLS, it doesn’t look too extreme. The 150 mm travel front and rear are pure all-round material, just like the big 750 Wh battery, which makes more sense for long tours than short race stages. On top of that, the frame of the SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 is trailer approved and features mounting points for a lighting system and kickstand. Does this make it a thoroughbred racer suitable for everyday use? Or does the new Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor promise racing performance that isn’t there? Is BULLS’ eMTB racer a sheep in wolf’s clothing? We took a closer look at the bike, and sat down with Texi to find out how he optimised his rig for the EWS-E races.

The Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor

The new Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor shares near identical key specs with the previous Performance Line CX motor, but its software has been adapted to suit the harsh conditions of eMTB racing. To make this possible, the German motor expert picked the brains of its team riders. The magic happens in the new RACE mode, which prolongs the sustained response of the motor and speeds up power development while at the same time increasing the maximum pedal assistance to a whopping 400%. As the name suggests, the motor is produced in a limited number of units and should only be installed by manufacturers on race-oriented eMTBs. BULLS combine the Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor with a big 750 Wh battery (or the smaller 626 Wh battery for frame size S, which is € 200 cheaper – how cool is that!).

The Bulls SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 in detail

For the beefy, square-edged frame of the mixed-wheel SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023, BULLS combine a carbon front triangle and a 27.5″ alloy swingarm. The top tube merges seamlessly into the seatstays, drawing a straight line from the hump at the front all the way to the dropouts. While the look might take some getting used to, it lends the BULLS a certain elegance despite its imposing appearance – a sort of hunchback of Notre Dame in an Armani suit! To ensure a clean cockpit, BULLS route the cables internally. The Bosch Mini Remote sits on the handlebars while the Bosch System Control LED is integrated into the top tube of the bike. The latter is rather minimalistic but extremely easy and intuitive to operate with the thumb. Unfortunately, it’s also the only option available, meaning that fans of big displays are left empty handed.

The BULLS comes standard with a Fidlock bottle cage in the down tube. This isn’t just meant to hold water bottles – if you twist it to the side, it also acts as a latch to open the battery cover. That said, the battery itself is still secured to the frame with a conventional key lock. While being able to remove and change the battery is definitely a perk with a race bike, a keyless system for quick pit stops would be a far better option. Trying to remember where the key is in normal everyday scenarios is already a pain but having to look for it in the paddock to replace an empty battery under pressure could potentially spell disaster.

There are several more details that make us sceptical about the racing DNA of the BULLS SONIC EVO AM Team Carbon 2023. One of them is the Monkey Link headlight mount on the handlebars, which on our test bike also includes the light and allows you to install any Monkey Link headlight without the need for tools. This is complemented by two tail lights integrated into the dropouts of the bike. While the light mount is a cool feature for commuters and tourers, it seriously questions the BULLS’ racing ambitions. There are no night stages at the EWS-E (yet) and the tunnel transfers at the Petzen/Jamnica race a few years back were a bizarre exception. On the other hand, if you tend to get overtaken on race-day, you better work on your riding technique rather than strapping on fancy tail lights.

The standard kickstand mount adapter and trailer approval push the BULLS SONIC EVO AM Team Carbon 2023 even more into the touring and everyday corner. But aren’t racers family people too? Drop the kids at school, ride back home, get ready, take off the trailer and get to the start line by 10 AM, just in time for the race – no problem with the BULLS SONIC EVO AM Team Carbon 2023 ;).

The spec of the Bulls SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023

According to BULLS own product fiche, compromising on the quality of materials was out of the question with the SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023. For starters, we don’t agree!

For the suspension, BULLS rely exclusively on RockShox components, combining a Lyrik Ultimate fork with 35 mm stanchions and SuperDeluxe AIR Select+ RT shock, both generating 150 mm of travel. While the Lyrik is one of the most versatile forks in RockShox’s portfolio, it doesn’t deliver the same excellent performance as the beefier ZEB model downhill. The air shock, on the other hand, ensures easy setup and works flawlessly on the trail, but forgoes external low and high speed compression adjustments, which allow experienced riders (and especially racers) to fine tune the rear suspension to suit their preferences and riding style.

BULLS haven’t skimped on the drivetrain of the SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023, speccing SRAM’s top tier, 12-speed drivetrain, the electronic SRAM XX1 AXS. We love the fact that BULLS haven’t followed the cheeky (and quite annoying) trend of pairing a bling rear derailleur with a cheaper shifter and cassette – awesome! Moreover, the electronic AXS rear derailleur is wired straight into the main battery, allowing you to dispense with one of the AXS batteries and guaranteeing up to 300 gear shifts even once the main battery is drained. While the TRP DH-R EVO brakes are still a rare sight on European trails, they deliver a very good performance. The brakes are paired with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm at the rear, providing powerful and reliable deceleration even on the gnarliest racetracks. The 192 mm Eightpins NGS 2 dropper post of our test bike works flawlessly and allows you to adjust the travel to suit your inseam using a dial on the saddle clamp head.

While shopping for components at the bling store, BULLS also threw an E*thirteen TRS Race carbon wheelset in the trolley. For the tires, the German manufacturer teamed up with fellow nationals Schwalbe, using two Magic Mary tires with ADDIX soft rubber compound. As befits a racer, the BULLS features the robust Super Gravity casing at the rear, which perfectly suits the intended use of the SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023. Unfortunately, the thinner Super Trail casing at the front is more prone to punctures and provides less additional damping, which could potentially lead to costly damage, especially in combination with the expensive carbon rims. Ambitious racers and rowdy riders should upgrade to a more robust front tire to prevent punctures and protect the wheels. The ADDIX soft compound was designed to offer a good compromise between traction and durability and is a great option for most riders, both at the front and rear. If you’re after even more grip, you can upgrade the front tire with a model with the even softer SuperSoft rubber compound.

The geometry of the BULLS SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023

The BULLS SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 is available in four sizes, S to XL, and relies on a rather short reach across all sizes, with values ranging between 420 mm for the smallest size and 490 mm for the biggest XL (450 mm on our test bike in size M). Moreover, the SONIC EVO AM employs 450 mm chainstays across the board and a steep 65.5° head angle, which looks a little outdated with modern eMTBs averaging around 64°. Unfortunately a long seat tube across all sizes restricts the freedom of movement while at the same time making it harder for small and short-legged riders to upsize for more stability. As a result, you’ll have to choose the size based on your inseam rather than your preferences or riding style. Overall, the geometry of the SONIC EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 is very moderate and almost old-school, which is quite the opposite of what you expect from a racer.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	586 mm	616 mm	634 mm	658 mm
Seat tube	410 mm	440 mm	470 mm	510 mm
Head tube	110 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	75°	75°	75°	75°
Chainstay	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm
BB Drop	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Wheelbase	1,193 mm	1,218 mm	1,238 mm	1,269 mm
Reach	420 mm	450 mm	470 mm	490 mm
Stack	632 mm	632 mm	630 mm	640 mm

Our first riding impressions of the BULLS Sonic EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023

We’ve already had the opportunity to ride the BULLS Sonic EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 on our home trails over a period of several weeks. When you swing your leg over the saddle and start heading towards the trailhead, the BULLS puts you in a central and well-balanced pedalling position. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear and puts very little pressure on your hands, which is rather pleasant on long days in the saddle. On steep and technical climbs, the central riding position works its magic: the front always remains planted on the ground, making it easy to negotiate steep climbs together with the powerful motor. While at first, the direct, powerful response and prolonged assistance in RACE mode might take some getting used to, it makes your life a lot easier on steep, technical climbs. Since the motor keeps assisting longer after you stop pedalling, you can shift your weight more actively and pull up the front wheel to negotiate obstacles.

Riding downhill, the position is still fairly central, but the low front and steep head angle pull you slightly over the front. While this makes it easy to weight the front wheel and generate traction in flat corners, in steep trail sections and big compressions, you’ll have to be careful not to dive into the loam headfirst. The 150 mm travel convinces with excellent small-bump sensitivity and closely follows the contours of the trail. On rough trails, however, it quickly reaches its limits and feels undefined, especially in the second half of the stroke, losing traction with increasing speed and leaving you wishing for more reserves. The rougher the trail, the louder the BULLS Sonic EVO AM Team Carbon 2023 is, with the rattling noise of the brake line slamming against the swing arm playing the lead part in the big noise concert. Beginners and intermediate riders will get along well with the direct and predictable handling of the BULLS, which requires very little input to change direction.

Christian Textor’s BULLS Sonic EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023

Of course, we didn’t miss the chance to take a closer look at Texi’s bike at the EWS-E in Europe’s bike mecca, Finale Ligure. He also shared a few setup secrets with us and explained how the Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor works most efficiently.

The most evident upgrade on Texi’s bike is the suspension. The three times German enduro champion swapped the standard 35 mm Lyrik fork for a beefier and stiffer 38 mm ZEB Ultimate, which also generates 10 mm more travel for more reserves. Moreover, Texi uses a RockShox SuperDeluxe COIL Ultimate shock, which is more sensitive to small bumps than air shocks and ensures a more composed rear end. However, finding the sweet spot with coil shocks can be a little complicated and involves testing different-rate springs, which might not be a problem for a sponsored pro like Texi, but can be a time-consuming and expensive affair for mere mortals like us.

For his cockpit, Texi replaced the stock BULLS carbon handlebars and alloy stem with a Gradient cockpit from his sponsor FSA. Particularly striking are the Sendhit Nock V2 handguards, which convey a pretty rad moto look and prevent the brake levers from snapping during a crash. Another priceless feature for a racer like Texi is the OneUp-Components multitool in the steerer tube, which allows him to carry all his trail essentials without having to strap a backpack or hip pack to his back.

While BULLS deliver the production bike with a carbon wheelset, Texi’s race bike is clear proof that carbon doesn’t necessarily make you faster, even if you compete against the fastest riders in the world. Instead, he uses a DT Swiss HX 1501 alloy wheelset, which is more compliant than a carbon model and gets dented with harsh impacts instead of shattering into a thousand pieces. In a race, this can make the difference between making it to the finish line or sitting on the hillside cursing at a wrecked wheel.

Texi also runs a different tire configuration for more traction, which is decisive when you have to fight for a few tenths of a second. At the front, he runs the same Schwalbe Magic Mary as the production bike and combines it with Schwalbe’s rear-specific enduro tire, the Big Betty. Both tires come in the robust Super Gravity casing and Ultra Soft rubber compound, providing excellent puncture protection and maximum grip. As a racer and sponsored rider, Texi doesn’t really care about the shorter service life of soft rubber compounds. What he cares about is making it to the end of the race with intact tires and wheels, so he uses a tire insert in the rear wheel. This provides additional support and extra damping on the rear tire. A little pro setup tip for tire pressures: when racing, Texi runs 1.5 bar at the front and 1.7 bar at the rear wheel. For uphill stages, where traction at the rear is everything, he lets some air out of the tires before the stage and pumps them up again at the top. As for the Bosch Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition 2023 motor, Texi rides almost exclusively in the eMTB mode and only resorts to RACE mode on brutal stages.

Our conclusions about the BULLS Sonic EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023

Thoroughbred racer or everyday eMTB? The BULLS Sonic EVO AM-Team Carbon 2023 doesn’t want to be pigeonholed. On one hand, it flexes its muscles with the new Bosch motor and bling components but on the other hand, the conservative geometry and everyday features like the light mount push it deep into the everyday and touring box. In race trim, it could already hold its own under Texi at the EWS-E – quite the wolf – in the tamed standard spec version, however, it rather meets the taste of average eMTB Joe.

For more info, visit BULLS’ website

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Words: Felix Rauch Photos: Peter Walker, Mike Hunger, Manfred Schmitt