To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by BULLS. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of BULLS products.
BULLS has recently release their Twenty9 EVO 1. The bike is a hardtail 29er mountain bike with a Bosch power plant and tons of ways you can deck it out. This comes in part from its rack bosses, fender bosses, bottle cage bosses, and even Monkey Link provisions and an optional kickstand mount… A lot to take in, so let’s look at the bike overall first. The bike is $3,899 which is more value priced compared to other bikes offered from BULLS. The aluminum frame comes in 2 sizes and 1 frame style (this high-step), and 1 color. Today we are checking out the Large size (51cm) and it weighs 53.8lbs. Some of that weight may be in part to this 100m travel SR Suntour XCM front suspension fork. It has 34mm stanchions, a basic compression slider adjustment, and preload adjust. Overall, it provides comfort well, however, I might add a suspension seat post to that 30.9mm post for more cushion. For tires, you get these Kenda ‘Ace of Pace’ grippy 29” tires that are rated for 30-50psi and ebike approved. I love the blacked out spokes here, they are 14 gage in the front and 13 gage in the rear and each wheel gets a quick release. However, the axles are just standard 9mm axles, so, no through axles, no boost hub spacing, just kind of average. I also wanted to mention the Monkey Link bottle option. Although $46 is a lot to pay for a bottle, it is very intelligent setup using this magnetic easy-on-easy-off type system. Also they have Monkey Link light provisions for both the front and rear. Again, these are magnetic and tap into the high capacity battery and is just a really clever setup. However, the cost to this is high too, as the sight setup is an additional $170. I did notice if you get that rear light, you might want to be careful about dropping the seat post, it could come down and strike that. Other than that, it really is a slick setup, and the headlight is even aimable. The included pedals here are ones I would personally swap out, they are metal with sharp teeth, these are the kind that can get bent if the bike takes a spill and scratch up your leg. Also, there is no kickstand or provisions here, but I should mention that BULLS has an adapter that fits on to the brake system that creates kickstand provisions as shown in the photos and video. Other features include a clear plastic slap guard, locking ergonomic grips, ABUS key card for getting 1 matched key for any locks across the bike, and internally routed cables.
Driving this electric bicycle is a trail optimized mid-motor from Bosch called the Performance Line CX. It’s rated up to 75 newton meters, considerably more than the standard Performance Line and Performance Line Speed, which peak at 63nm. Given the slightly heavier footprint of this bike, it’s a great choice. It probably inflates the price a bit, but you do benefit from a special eMTB drive mode that only the Bosch CX offers. In this mode, which is the third step up just before Turbo, the motor performance can operate from 120% to 300% based on how hard you push. The other modes (Eco, Tour, and Turbo) have more limited power bands. This drive mode was introduced as a way to make motor performance more automatic and intuitive for mountain bikers who might be focusing on trail obstacles and gear shifting. For the Twenty9 EVO 1, which has super smooth Shimano shifting and is designed for trail riding, eMTB mode is just one more way that the bike can be ridden without distraction or thought. Just hop on, arrow up to eMTB, start pedaling, and the bike will respond naturally based on how hard you pedal. All current generation Bosch Performance Line motors weigh roughly 8.8lbs, which is more than Shimano, Yamaha, or Brose drive units. The CX produces more noise, especially in high power and a higher pedal speeds, and it also uses more energy… but it’s known for being reliable and having a good network of certified repair shops. This motor responds based on three signals: rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque. It uses some of the most advanced sensors and can even sense when gears are being shifted. Mechanically, the bike the bike is operated by an 9 speed, 11-36 tooth cassette via Shimano system. For brakes you get these Tektro180mm rotor hydraulic brakes, really a top notch choice for stopping the Performance Line CX motor.
Powering the bike is a high capacity Bosch PowerTube 500 battery which offers 36 volts and 13.4 amp hours for a total of 482.4 watt hours. Bosch has been supplying ebike batteries to North America since 2013 and is well known for reliability and cross compatibility between different brands. That’s less common now with the PowerTube, because there is a vertical mount and side mount option, and each manufacturer can opt for a custom interface and cover. BULLS has chosen a bottom-load design that’s easy to click in without needing a key but can be a little tricky to remove… their aluminum alloy covers look great, but add nearly a pound of weight and are color-matched so don’t look good if you swap between different bike models. As for the PowerTube battery, there’s no carry loop at the top or side, which means you have to use extra care connecting and disconnecting it from the frame. It still has a 5-LED battery indicator on the end (near the charging port) so you can quickly judge capacity even if you store it separately from the bike frame. I almost always take the pack off before lifting the bike for service or transport. The charging port of the battery is replicated on the left side of the bike frame, near the base of the downtube, so you can charge without removing the battery every time. The thing is, this port is located very near the left crank arm and I could imagine a snag or disconnect if you’re charging and bump the pedals… it also seemed like the protective rubber cap for this port didn’t seat as easily as some competing designs. The PowerTube battery pack requires a bit of extra flexibility and patience to remove from the frame. First, you have to insert the key and unlock it, then the pack sort of pops out (downwards) half an inch near the head tube. At this, point the pack is unlocked but it won’t come out completely. To fully release it, you have to press a little plastic button inside the crack. I have relatively small fingers, so it wasn’t too difficult to remove the pack. Once you actually press the button, the pack is completely free at the top and will swing down towards the front tire. It weighs about 7.2lbs total, with the attached metal shield, so expect a bit of weight and please be careful not to drop the battery because they are like $900 to replace. Again, the PowerTube battery for BULLS doesn’t have a handle built in, and with the metal shield it weighs more than the older Powerpack… and, since it’s coming down vs. resting as you lift up, it just seems more precarious. Perhaps that is why Bosch encased the PowerTube itself in an Aluminum alloy box. As a side note, to best care for the lithium-ion cells that are packed inside the PowerTube, I have heard that you should avoid storing it in extreme heat or cold, and that you should leave it around 50% full for long periods of disuse vs. completely full or empty. Charging the pack is fast and easy with the included 4 amp Bosch charger. It is one of my favorite chargers because it is so compact and lightweight at ~1.7 lbs. You will probably have better luck sticking this charger into a backpack than trying to bring along a second PowerTube battery to extend range. Bosch does offer a compact travel charger that delivers 2 amps, but it’s only 0.5lbs lighter and just a little bit slimmer, so I’d probably just stick with the original. In conclusion, I feel that the PowerTube battery offers a mixed bag of benefits and trade-offs. It’s hidden, positioned low, doesn’t rattle, and offers a relatively high capacity, but is heavy and less easy to swap and use with a second pack because of the screwed-on shield design.
Operating this bike is very natural Bosch Intuvia display panel and control pad. Once the battery is charged and connected to the frame, you simply press the power button on the Bosch Intuvia display panel, and it quickly loads some menus. The main dashboard shows bike speed, battery level (a five bar indicator), chosen level of assist (four levels) and a power meter to the right. Along the bottom, a rotating menu shows trip stats including max speed, average speed, clock, trip distance, clock, and dynamic range estimate (that changes as you select different assist levels). You can cycle through these menus using the i button on the display and also on the button pad mounted near the left grip. You really only need that i button and the up/down arrows on the control pad to use the bike once it’s switched on, and they produce a satisfying tactile click that helps you understand what’s happening, even if you can’t look down while riding. You slide through gear ratios (since technically there are no gears) using a half-grip twist shifter on the right. Given the potential power of the Bosch motor, I found shifting to be most efficient and comfortable when done as I eased off of the pedals a bit (which decreases motor output). I should mention the integrated Mini-USB port, great for maintaining smartphones for GPS or music on the go, and I want to call out the always-on white backlighting of the Intuvia LCD. It’s convenient in the dark, but can sometimes feel a bit bright and distracting. There’s also a walk mode, which is accessible if you are in one of the four assist levels and press the button on the top edge of the control pad and then hold +. This activates the motor very slowly, to help you push through grass or limp home if the tire goes flat. It’s very handy if the rear rack does have cargo or you have a flat tire. In closing, the Intuvia display panel delivers almost everything I have grown to know and appreciate in the world of ebikes. It’s removable, easy to read, full of useful features but not too complicated… I just wish it showed battery percentage in addition to or in place of the basic five bar infographic.
The Twenty9 EVO1 is defiantly on more on the entry level side of BULLS lineup, however, there is a lot to like from the larger wheel size, Bosch mid-drive, integrated PowerTube battery, and even all the mounting points for more accessories! But there are some tradeoffs, so let’s go through some of those. I noticed the charging port is positioned next to the crank arm so that could get in the way of the pedals. I was a little surprised there was no USB port for charging to take advantage of that high capacity battery. Another gripe would be having to buy the additional lights and bottle setup, $170 for the lights, and $46 for the bottle. This seems kind of high, especially since this bike is supposed to be a value priced offering. If you do get that rear light, it is in the way of the dropper seat post, so that was also disappointing. I do wish it came with a kickstand, especially with the metal pedals here that could get bent if the bike dropped, but BULLS tells me they actually have a brake caliper mount for a kickstand you can purchase as well. These may be some smaller gripes, but they are necessary to call out. Overall for $3,899, I think this is a really fun hard tail bike that can fulfill a lot of uses and will likely make many people happy with its hydraulic brakes and bosch motor. Thank you to BULLS for letting me come out to check out this new bike.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the BULLS Ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- A hardtail mountain bike with 29” tires, hydraulic disc brakes, high capacity battery, and a reliable Bosch Performance Line CX Motor
- Not every electric bicycle company has mastered the design aesthetic of integrating the Bosch motor as well as BULLS has, in my opinion, look at how it’s angled up and incorporated into the seat tube and downtube to raise ground clearance, it really blends in compared to the big plastic housing used by many other companies
- Great Kenda Ace of Pace tires, 29” with 30-50psi, they give you some great float and excellent grip, as well as being ebike rated
- The front suspension here utilizes a SR Suntour setup with 100mm of travel and 34mm stanchions, really adding to the comfort of the bike
- Excellent two year warranty covers everything on the bike, including the motor, battery, and display system with a vast network of dealers in the US and other parts of the world who can help with fit and maintenance
- I like the Monkey Link bottle option, it is very intelligent setup using this magnetic easy-on-easy-off type system, also they have Monkey Link light provisions for both the front and rear, again, these are magnetic and tap into the high capacity battery and is just a really clever setup
- Hydraulic brakes are a big preference for me, so I was happy to see a 180mm rotor in both the front and rear
- The PowerTube 500 battery is really well integrated into the frame and it offers a decent capacity as well
- The battery is also housed in this aluminum alloy casing, so very durable and protected
- I love the ABUS Plus locking core card that lets you get your keys for locks matched or ‘keyed-to-like’ with the same key you use for the battery
- The Intuvia display is compact, out of the way, definitely helps the stealthy feel of the Bosch motor and integrated battery
- Given the high-capacity Bosch PowerTube 500 battery, it’s nice that BULLS opted to include the faster four amp charger, it’s relatively lightweight at ~1.7lbs and fairly compact, so you can bring it along on rides to top off when taking a break
- With the Bosch Performance Line CX motor you get access to very high torque output, up to 75 newton meters, and eMTB drive mode which dynamically responds to your pedaling for low and high power output without having to interact with the display, it’s based more on torque and was developed with input from pro mountain bike riders by Bosch, it works pretty well and feels natural
- The Bosch motor controller is extremely smart and consistent, it measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque over 1,000 per second while also listening for pressure changes from shifting and then easing off, this protects the drivetrain a bit from mashing
- Another great feature with Bosch Performance Line motors is that they can support higher pedal rates without fading out and losing power, you can reach 120 RPM (pedal strokes per minute) and the motor will still be there for you, this allows you to downshift when going into a hill without losing support
- With all of the Bosch motors, there’s a shift detection software system built in that can sense that gears are being changed and it tries to ease off of the power to reduce strain on the drivetrain, it’s not perfect but it’s better than nothing and really comes in handy with a 12 speed drivetrain!
- The bike has walk mode enabled, which is especially useful if you encounter a section of road or trail that you aren’t comfortable riding or maybe you get a flat tire, considering that the bike weighs ~60lbs and has pannier racks for cargo, it could be really nice to get help moving it along in some situations
Cons:
- I love the blacked out spokes here and they are 14 gage in the front and 13 gage in the rear, however, the axles are just standard 9mm axles, so, no through axles, no boost hub spacing, just kind of average
- As with any premium electric bike with name brand components and a leading drive system that is custom-integrated into the frame, this ebike costs more money, but at least it is sold through dealers who can offer support and comes with a great 2+ year comprehensive warranty
- The Bosch CX motor is responsive and powerful but also draws energy faster, produces more noise, and weighs a bit more than competing products like the Shimano STePs E8000 or Yamaha mid-drive
- In addition to Bosch Performance Line motors being heavier and larger than the Brose S, Shimano E8000, and Yamaha PW-X they also have a wider minimum Q-Factor (so the bottom bracket can be wider)
- Because the motor uses reduction gearing system with a smaller 15 tooth chainring (which spins 2.5 revolutions for each crank revolution), you end up with some friction if the motor isn’t assisting, this adds just a touch of work… but the upside is that the smaller sprocket grabs the chain well and offers a mechanical advantage tot he motor
- Minor gripe here, the front MonkeyLink accessories cost a bit extra, if you wanted the entire setup of both lights and water bottle, you need an additional $216
- The location of the battery charging port on the left side of the bike frame is pretty close to the left crank arm, and actually blocks the rotation path when plugged in, just be careful not to bump the pedals when the bike is plugged in, or consider charging the battery off the bike, the rubber cover protector for this port is also a bit finicky to get in (at least for me)
- I’m not a huge fan of metal pedals like the ones included with this bike because they don’t offer a lot of surface area and can easily bend and become sharp when laying the bike down on its side, consider swapping for some Wellgo alloy or magnesium platform pedals if you’re concerned about slipping off or have larger feet
- I do wish it came with a kickstand, especially with the metal pedals here that could get bent if the bike dropped, but BULLS tells me they actually have a brake caliper mount for a kickstand you can purchase as well
Resources:
Dave C
6 years agoGreetings, I watched your review of this bike on Youtube and in the video you quickly show and mention a disk brake kickstand adapter. I would like to know where I can get the adapter and kickstand. I looked on the bulls website but didn’t find it. Please let me know.
Thanks,
ReplyDave C
Court
6 years agoHi Dave! Yeah, you can actually see the kickstand and adapter in the last two photos (before the white ones) in the photo album on the review here. Unfortunately, I don’t have details about where to get the stand mount. My guess would be to show your dealer these pictures and ask them to order it from BULLS. Or, you could contact BULLS in North America (if that’s where you’re at) to get one directly. Their contact page is here and has a form. If you can’t reach them, just text me (my phone number is on the EBR contact page here) and I’ll send you a number to call ;)
ReplyMorgan
4 years agoWere the wheels tubeless ready?
ReplyCourt
4 years agoGreat question Morgan! I usually include those details when printed on the tires, but must not have seen them in this case. Worth asking BULLS about directly, they respond quickly to emails and have a US phone number as well back at the official website :)
Reply