The German brand BULLS have just launched their brand new Sonic range for 2020. The bikes are all fitted with the new Bosch Performance CX 2020 motor, though that is just one of their many highlights. We had the exclusive opportunity to test the BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon and spoke with the Cologne-based brand about their new superweapon.
BULLS recently formed a focus group dubbed “Commission E”, which has looked at the usage scenarios, demands of and future technologies required for the ebike boom. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute, thorough tests and analyses were conducted to better understand and inform what is the “right” way to design a modern eMTB. Those first insights have informed Bull’s design of the new Sonic range.
What’s so special about the BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon 2020?
The BULLS Sonic EVO AM with its 150 mm travel is part of the Sonic family which encompasses everything from hardtails to 180 mm bike park bruisers. The complete range is fitted with the new Bosch Performance CX 2020 motor and benefits from its outstanding trail performance – but the Sonic EVO scores points with much more than just that.
The design – an eye-catching delight!
Even at a first glance you can tell how much work went into the design of the BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon. Clear and defined shapes, continuous lines and harmonious proportions – the Bulls team have done an outstanding job. Up until now, BULLS haven’t exactly been known for particularly compelling designs, but that has changed with the new Sonic line. The smooth flow between head tube, down tube, motor, massive chainstays and fat seat tube which holds the EightPins dropper post are subtly refined. The cohesive transitions together with the continuous lines that connect the top tube and seat stays of the aluminium rear end result in a very sleek design – according to BULLS that is maintained across all sizes in the range.
New 1.8” headset standard – innovative or unnecessary?
The new Sonics haven’t just been designed to look good. The voluminous designs are also claimed to offer several technical advantages. In cooperation with RockShox, SR Suntour and bearing specialist ACROS, BULLS have created a new headset standard.The forks feature a steerer that tapers from 1.8 to 1 ⅛” for increased stiffness and more balanced proportions between fork, head tube and the typically huge down tube of an ebike thanks to the enlarged fork crown. According to BULLS, the increased space around the top headset cup can be used to route shift cables and brake hoses through the headset. However, currently only the wiring for the display and MonkeyLink light interface are internally routed. Nonetheless, the cable routing on the new BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 looks very neat.
Whether this headset will actually result in a new standard remains to be seen. Whilst the technology is open to use, our discussions with other manufacturers revealed some hesitation. While the system offers a measurable increase in stiffness, there was less certainty whether that is actually required in this area of the bike. There’s no doubt that the large array of standards and the confusion amongst consumers over the last few years means the industry has also become somewhat more careful about introducing yet more.
Clever integration solution on the BULLS Sonic 2020 models
In terms of integration the Sonic EVO AM offers lots of technical ingenuity. The Bosch PowerTube 625 battery has been cleverly integrated into the down tube so that it can be removed comfortably at a 45° angle from the top. The patent pending design results in a stronger down tube thanks to the smaller “cut out” required to access the battery. The battery compartment is closed with a magnetic cover and provides a satisfying clunk when put into place. It is then secured in place by twisting the MonkeyLink bottle holder. While in principle the movement to do this is a simple one, it does take a little bit of practice for instinct to take over.
As with the current BULLS models, the new Sonic bikes feature the same MonkeyLink interface, allowing you to mount a front light that gets powered by the ebike battery. We recommend the powerful Supernova M99 Mini PRO-25 with dipped and high beam, but there are less expensive options available too.
Unique design language, novel standards and innovative feature – BULLS has stepped it up a notch with the new Sonic EVO AM!
The stem fitted to the bike is also a new development. It is designed to work with MAGURA’s new Cockpit Integration system and allows cables to be run internally. In addition, it offers the possibility of attaching standard mounts for smartphones or navigation devices such as a Garmin. One more unique feature: BULLS use a speed sensor and magnet which are integrated into the rear of the frame and the disc rotor respectively. The attention to detail inherent in the new BULLS Sonic can be found all over the bike, from the neat brake mount at the rear, to the clean cable routing through the down tube or the 90° angle at the brake lever that allow the brake hoses to run along the bars so that they almost vanish from sight. The Bosch Performance CX motor is protected by a composite bash plate which is designed to maintain ventilation and airflow to the motor. In muddy conditions, it inevitably accumulates muck, but it should also be easy to clean when that happens.
The EightPins dropper post isn’t just visually appealing but also offers up to an incredible 228 mm of travel. The post uses the frame’s seat tube as the sleeve for the bushings to support the shaft and as a result, is integrated seamlessly into the frame. Depending on the Sonic model, the bike may also be fitted with a Limotech dropper post.
BULLS Sonic EVO AM 2020 model overview
As mentioned previously, for 2020 it’s not just the BULLS Sonic EVO AM that is new but a whole new Sonic family with Bosch motors as well. The most affordable model starts at € 2,999 while the most expensive model costs € 7,399. With all models you have the choice of a 400 Wh, 500 Wh or 625 Wh battery, allowing you to select the one which suits your needs as well as possibly saving on both weight and money. It’s especially lighter riders who tend to go on shorter outings that will be pleased to have the choice between the 400 and 625 Wh options, which differ by exactly € 400 in price and 700 g in weight.
Your entry into the Sonic range is provided for by the BULLS Sonic EVO hardtails with 120 mm travel and an aluminium frame. These Sonic EVO models are perfect for trekking and touring thanks to their modern geometry and are available with both 29” and 27.5” wheels. The Sonic EVA models are designed specifically for women and the lower down tube and 27.5” wheels result in a lower standover for increased security while riding and to make it easier to get on and off the bike.
The Sonic EVO TR range consists of 120 mm travel fullys with 29” wheels which are intended to be used for touring and light trail riding. Both aluminium and carbon versions are available. As before, there are two 27.5”-wheeled Sonic EVA TR models for women.
Your kids and younger riders won’t go empty handed either. BULLS offers both a size XS, Sonic EVO hardtail, with 26” wheels and 100 mm travel and the Sonic EVO TR fully with 120 mm travel and mixed wheel sizes – 27.5” up front and 26” at the rear! During our visit, Product Manager Marc Faude told us enthusiastically about rides with his 12-year-old son in the Swabian Alps which wouldn’t have been possible without a kid’s ebike!
Towards the top end of the Sonic range, there are two BULLS Sonic EVO EN bikes with aluminium frames, 180 mm travel and mixed wheel sizes.
The BULLS Sonic EVO AM we tested is available in six different specs priced between € 3,499 and € 7,399, four of which feature a carbon front triangle and two of which are completely aluminium. All models use mixed wheels size with a 29” wheel up front and a 27.5” x 2.6” tyre at the rear for traction and agility.
Specs
The pre-production BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon we tested was not fitted with the standard factory spec and was equipped with SR Suntour suspension instead. In contrast to our pre-production model, the Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon will also come with a Bosch Kiox instead of a Purion display. The factory spec that it will come with is listed below, with the bike due to be available from August.
Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RCT3, 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe RT Select+, 150 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, 10–50t
Brakes MAGURA MT7 220/203 mm
Handlebar Bulls, 780 mm
Stem Bulls Custom with MonkeyLink linkage, 50 mm
Wheels DT Swiss HX1501 SPLINE
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 29 x 2.35 / Hans Dampf 27.5 x 2.60
Seatpost EightPins, 228 mm
Weight 22,7 kg (Size M, production model with 500 Wh battery)
Pricing € 6,999 (400 Wh) / € 7,199 (500 Wh) / € 7,399 (625 Wh)
All models offer you the choice between a 400, 500 or 625 Wh battery – that lets you choose the battery that suits your needs, as well as offering the potential to save money and weight.
The aluminium model of the Sonic EVO AM is available in five sizes – S, M, L, XL and XXL – and the carbon version is available in four – S, M, L, XL. One further feature to note is the differing geometry between the models, where the aluminium version features a slightly shorter top tube resulting in a more upright position. For a size M frame, the difference in reach is 1 cm.
The geometry of the all-new Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Top tube | 580 mm | 593 mm | 618 mm | 641 mm |
Head tube | 120 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 140 mm |
Head angle | 66° | 66° | 66° | 66° |
Seat angle | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
Chainstay | 450 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm |
BB offset | 17.5 mm | 17.5 mm | 17.5 mm | 17.5 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,198 mm | 1,213 mm | 1,238 mm | 1,262 mm |
Reach | 425 mm | 440 mm | 461 mm | 482 mm |
Stack | 619 mm | 619 mm | 630 mm | 639 mm |
First ride review: BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon 2020 – more than just sexy?
Product Manager Marc Faude visited us in our office and gave us the exclusive first look at the new bikes. ACROS was also there to provide information about the new headset and bearings for the 1.8” head tube. We also had a week to thrash the BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon 2020 on our home trails. As the bike was a pre-production model and not yet equipped with the factory spec, we can only offer our first ride impression, but in brief, it’s “damn promising!” The modern, performance-oriented geometry of the carbon model will suit ambitious riders who want to ride trails fast. Well-balanced and highly precise, the bike can be raced along the trails. It’s not a super playful bike and instead tends more towards stability and composure.
With 450 mm chainstays and a wheelbase of 1213 mm for a size M, that’s not particularly surprising! In turn, the BULLS Sonic feels right at home on high-speed sections and steep terrain, as well as staying secure and stable when airborne. As expected, the new Bosch Performance CX motor’s sensitive and powerful performance is a joy whilst out riding. However, as we already found in our full test of the Bosch Performance CX 2020, the motor is relatively loud – in addition, the voluminous carbon frame seems to resonate resulting in a little more noise.
The production EVO AM 6 Carbon will come with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RCT3 fork and RockShox Super Deluxe RT Select+ shock instead of the SR Suntour suspension fitted here. This hadn’t yet been tuned to suit the kinematics and as a result, we can’t comment on the suspension performance right now.
Conclusion
Innovative feature, cohesive design language and a competitive price make the BULLS Sonic EVO AM 6 Carbon a very interesting option for 2020. Depending on how you ride and how comfortable you want to be, it may make sense to consider the aluminium model with its more upright position. Ambitious riders should, of course, choose the more performance-oriented carbon version. Whether it actually needs the 1.8” head tube remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt in our minds that this package might well result in other manufacturers breaking a sweat! This bike offers very promising trail performance at a very competitive price and is so much more than just sexy!
Tops
- Design language
- 45° battery integration
- Value for money in terms of components fitted
- Different battery capacities available
Flops
- Loud: chain slap and motor noise
For more information head to bulls.de
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Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Robin Schmitt, Valentin Rühl, ZEG