BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS – In our big 2024 eMTB comparison test under € 7,000

Efficiency with out compromises? That’s what BULLS promise with their SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS. The German producer depends on a Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor, mullet wheel setup and an ABS braking system. Regardless of being loaded with options, the SONIC EVO is the most affordable bike in the complete check area, retailing at € 6,299. However how does it fare towards the competitors?

BULLS are amongst probably the most well-known bike manufacturers in Europe. In our 2024 sub € 7,000 eMTB comparability check, the German producer enters the race with the SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS. The SONIC vary is intensive, with a number of totally different drive methods and journey configurations. We’ve already examined the Bosch SX-powered BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I in our large 2024 e-mountainbike group check, whereas in final 12 months’s sub € 7,000 check, BULLS took on the competitors with the Shimano EP801-based SONIC EVO EN-SL 1. The SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS on this check comes with a Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor, paired with a mullet wheel setup and 150/150 mm of journey. So far as cash goes, our check bike is an actual assertion, because the SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS retails at € 6,299, which makes it the most affordable competitor on this check. That leaves you with slightly below € 700 for upgrades if you wish to preserve below the € 7,000 mark. Tipping the scales at 26.1 kg in measurement L, the SONIC EVO is the heaviest bike on this check, along with the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 875. That stated, the utmost permissible weight of 150 kg leaves you with a really beneficiant 124 kg max. payload – the very best in the complete check area. However is the most affordable competitor within the check nice worth for cash, or have some corners been minimize?

For an summary of the check fleet head to the group check: One of the best eMTB of 2024 below € 7,000 – 5 inexpensive fashions in our comparability check

Toro Toro! – What units the BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS aside from the competitors?

For those who’re aware of BULLS’ portfolio, you’ll in all probability recognise the SONIC – it matches proper in with the remainder of the vary. The square-edged body silhouette is each placing and understated, with the highest tube merging seamlessly into the seat stays. Subsequent to the opposite bikes on this check, which all depend on pretty plain paint finishes, the SONIC EVO pops a little bit bit extra with its full of life inexperienced color. Just like the Propain Sresh and Canyon Try:ON, the SONIC depends on a principal carbon principal body, however combines this with an alloy swingarm. The body appears to be like as if forged from a single mould, with solely the kink within the high tube interrupting the clear, flowing strains – however then, that’s simply our opinion! That stated, the kink additionally will get in the way in which of the brake levers on the handlebars once you flip all of them the way in which in, which might shortly end in scratches on the body, so no cool bar spins on the soar line should you’re using the BULLS, we’re sorry to say.

There’s one other element we’re not precisely keen on: the underside bracket space may be very pronounced: BULLS haven’t managed to combine the large Efficiency Line CX motor fairly as cleanly as in Canyon’s Try:ON CFR. Nonetheless, at 85 Nm torque and with 600 watts of peak energy, the motor actually packs a punch, drawing its energy from a 750 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery which is built-in into the down tube. Sadly, the smaller body in measurement S solely permits for a 625 Wh battery. That stated, should you purchase a smaller body, there’s a great probability that you simply’re additionally a lighter rider, which implies that you’ll more than likely use much less energy on a comparable route. If that’s your case, you is likely to be higher off with the smaller battery in spite of everything, as a result of it’s lighter and in addition prices € 200 much less. No matter which measurement you go for, the battery might be simply faraway from the facet of the down tube and is secured moreover to the body with a key lock. This makes the SONIC EVO the bike with probably the most sensible battery elimination system in the complete check area. The FIDLOCK bottle cage on the down tube doubles as a lock for the battery cowl. If you wish to cost the battery instantly on the bike, you’ll discover a charging port on the down tube. Whereas there isn’t any show on the SONIC EVO, a Bosch System Controller within the high tube offers all of the fundamentals, together with battery cost standing and present assist mode, indicated by colored LEDs. The motor system will also be managed through the bar-mounted Bosch Mini Distant.

The SONIC EVO takes on the competitors with a singular function, the Bosch ABS braking system. This depends on oil strain and wheel velocity sensors to recognise when the wheels start to lock up, and makes use of software program to mechanically alter the braking pressure. In line with the producer, this prevents the entrance wheel from locking utterly. The ABS brake system of the BULLS SONIC EVO is paired with TRP Path EVO ABS 2.3 brakes, that are mixed with 203 mm rotors entrance and rear.

The mind of the braking system, the Bosch ABS management unit, is secured to a 150 mm SR Suntour 36 AION fork (also called the BULLS Lytro 36 Supreme SL 1.8 Increase). Sadly, that is extremely arduous to regulate, with the rebound dial requiring extraordinarily sturdy fingers – or perhaps a software. Aside from that, the fork doesn’t look significantly prime quality – the uncooked end of the steerer tube appears to be like distinctly low-budget in comparison with extra premium forks. The fork is paired with a SR Suntour EDGE Comp 2CR air shock, which controls 150 mm of rear journey and solely options an externally adjustable rebound setting.

Mavic provide the Crossride 1 CL MS mullet alloy wheelset, which is paired with a 2.6″ Schwalbe Magic Mary Efficiency tire on the entrance and a pair of.4″ Huge Betty Efficiency on the rear. We haven’t seen Schwalbe’s Efficiency sequence tires on any of our check bikes for a very long time. Regardless of what their identify suggests, they don’t ship an enormous quantity of efficiency on the path – or traction, for that matter. Shifting is taken care of by a 12-speed Shimano DEORE XT drivetrain, although that is mixed with a less expensive DEORE cassette.
BULLS depend on a flexible spec and numerous on a regular basis options, together with the built-in MonkeyLink Twinlight within the seat stays and optionally available headlight mount. Due to the clear integration, these don’t get in your means on the path. We wish to see extra of this as commonplace tools on eMTBs.

Tuning tip: With € 700 to spare on our € 7,000 finances, there’s nonetheless sufficient room for a couple of respectable upgrades. We’d substitute the tires first, upgrading to the next high quality tire with a grippier rubber compound.

What’s the BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS succesful on the path?

The BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS locations you in a barely stretched pedalling place, making it considerably much less snug than the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 875. Alternatively, the Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor is noticeably extra highly effective than the Shimano EP801 drive of the MERIDA, regardless of delivering the identical torque. Because of this, the BULLS SONIC EVO makes it simple to sort out the climbs, no matter whether or not you’re making your method to the trailhead on hearth roads or steep, technical trails, however doesn’t come near the climbing skills of the opposite E-MTBs within the group check.

“The BULLS SONIC EVO AM3 ABS options probably the most sensible battery elimination idea in the complete check area, permitting you to take away the Bosch PowerTube battery from the facet of the downtube.

When gravity takes over, the SONIC locations you on high of the bike reasonably than integrating you between its wheels, and, after only a few crank spins, you’ll discover the reasonably demanding dealing with, which is something however intuitive. In different phrases, the BULLS doesn’t reply to steering enter the way in which you anticipate it to, twitching arduous in quick corners and thus making it arduous to decide to a line.

This makes it significantly arduous to journey for novices – if it’s not your first rodeo, you would possibly stand a greater probability of taming the bull, but it surely’s nonetheless a little bit of a wild journey. When braking from excessive speeds, you’ll first should get used to the brand new brake really feel of the ABS system. Though abrupt emergency braking is feasible in precept, it takes some talent and familiarity to attain, with braking distances growing considerably on free terrain. This requires you to vary your using and braking habits. As a substitute of slamming on the brakes earlier than a nook in race-mode fashion, you’ll be able to cruise via lengthy bends together with your palms on the brake levers with out having to fret in regards to the entrance wheel locking up. And whereas this is likely to be of nice profit for eMTB newbies, it’s completely out of query for racing purists – the identical means it was a giant no-go 50 years in the past for skilled automotive racers, as a result of they although it wasn’t needed for a talented driver. Nonetheless, ABS has lengthy been accepted within the automotive sector and we’re curious to see the way it will develop within the ebike sector. That stated, you’ll be able to simply swap off the ABS system when using on the path, and reactivate it for the journey again dwelling. This could stop the entrance wheel from slipping uncontrolled. For riders who like to embark on epic mountain excursions and persist with gravel forest paths for the descents, it provides nice added worth.

With its highly effective Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor, the BULLS SONIC EVO AM3 ABS packs a punch uphill, each on flat hearth roads and steep climbs.

Whereas the suspension nonetheless works effectively on average trails, it will possibly’t sustain when issues get sooner, missing sensitivity to bumps and feeling reasonably stiff general. Together with the shallow-profiled tires, this leads to poor traction and management. Regardless of the agency journey over small bumps, the suspension has the other drawback when issues get tough, blowing via its journey far too simply with quick consecutive hits. For sure, this additionally impacts the bike’s directional stability and makes it arduous to carry your line in rock gardens and compressions, particularly when using at increased speeds – not a great scenario to be in should you’re approaching a soar. With its 150 mm of journey, the LIMOTEC Alpha 1 dropper is the shortest in the complete check area, which generally is a drawback, particularly in steep path sections, the place it robs you of confidence.

Who ought to take a more in-depth have a look at the BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS and who ought to look elsewhere?

The BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS is much better suited to leisurely vacationers and trekking riders who need a succesful climber, than to those that wish to have a little bit enjoyable on the way in which again down. The lighting system additionally makes it appropriate for commuters who commute utilizing their eMTB and wish to take the good distance dwelling alongside some trails. Though the ABS braking system ensures extra security on mellow terrain, the BULLS SONIC EVO isn’t the appropriate alternative for riders who wish to push their limits on the path, which is partly because of the suspension’s poor efficiency. If that’s your case, you would possibly wish to take a more in-depth have a look at the Canyon Try:ON.

Our conclusions in regards to the BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS

The BULLS SONIC EVO AM 3 ABS has some very helpful on a regular basis options, together with the built-in lights and highly effective Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor. Nonetheless, the SONIC EVO doesn’t actually wish to transcend its consolation zone. If it does, it requires an skilled rider to tame the demanding dealing with. The general idea of the BULLS SONIC EVO isn’t totally convincing, and there are much better all-rounders on this check area.

Tops

• Helpful on a regular basis options
• Highest max. payload in the complete check area at 124 kg
• Sensible lateral battery elimination

Flops

• Shallow-profiled tires
• Demanding dealing with
• Stretched pedalling place
• Agency suspension

For extra data, go to bulls.com

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For an summary of the check fleet head to the group check: One of the best eMTB of 2024 below € 7,000 – 5 inexpensive fashions in our comparability check

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Phrases: Benedikt Schmidt Images: Mike Starvation