BULLS CLOSSLITE EVO Review

To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by BULLS North America. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of BULLS products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the BULLS electric bike forums.

Observations:

• Bosch Gen 4 motor no longer uses a reduction gear, the standard sized chainring freewheels without producing any drag and the Performance Line motors don’t clunk when you stop pedaling
• BULLS really stepped up their game with the charging port and battery locking core position, both up high and on the right side of the frame, making them easier to reach, and having a leash so the cover won’t go missing
• The Powerpack 625 weighs a pound more than the 500 (~14% heavier) but gives you 25% more battery capacity! It means you can ride to work and back without charging in between, or even use this ebike for trekking and adventuring long range
• BULLS offers a few neat proprietary hardware features on their 2020 models, including a disc brake rotor integrated magnet that helps for measuring rear wheel speed… it’s a lot more protected and durable than the older spoke-mounted designs, they have a cool ACR branded rectangular spacer system for the stem that break apart for easier height adjustment while concealing the Bosch button pad electrical wire, and the magnetic Monkey Link bottle cage option (which can be removed if you prefer traditional bolt-on accessories like bottle cages, folding locks, and mini pumps)

Pros:

• An efficient high-quality hybrid/city model with a beautiful aesthetic and lots of utility extras, reliable drive system from Bosch, high capacity 625 watt hour integrated battery, upgraded Kiox color display panel is removable and features a Micro-USB charging port
• The bike comes in three frame styles (wave deep step-thru, mid-step, and diamond high-step) as well as three frame sizes. The CROSSLITE EVO is more of a platform than a single ebike, it’s one the most popular models from BULLS and that’s why they offer it in so many different combinations
• Every frame style offers bottle cage bosses, and BULLS even throws in a magnetic Monkey Link adapter for their optional quick swivel Monkey Bottle. This adapter can be removed for standard threaded eyelets below… note that the mid-step and high-step models offer two sets of bottle cage bosses while the wave step-thru only offers one
• This is a feature complete electric bike that comes with quality integrated lights, aluminum alloy fenders, a full-length chain cover, a sturdy rear rack, and a high capacity integrated battery that can take you further than most… especially given the Class 1 20mph (32km/h) top speed
• Safety is a priority for me, especially on an ebike that could be used for commuting at night, since the CROSSLITE EVO only comes in black, I appreciate that the lights both have side windows so you can be seen from more angles. I also appreciate the reflective sidewall stripes on the puncture resistant Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires
• Comfort is also a big deal to me, the high capacity battery pack means the bike can go further… but if you’re not comfortable, you may not enjoy the distance, so the lightweight adjustable air suspension fork, ergon locking grips, and gender specific Velo Comodoro saddle really shine here. Note that even though the tires aren’t as wide as some competing products, they roll more efficiently and still offer good comfort because of the larger 700c (28″) diameter, which increases air volume and lowers the attack angle to smooth over bumps
• Large 180mm hydraulic disc brake rotors provide a mechanical advantage for stopping larger wheels, they cool faster, and the front caliper offers four pistons (two on each side) that support a longer brake pad that also stops more efficiently with more surface area that cools faster… the rear caliper is a standard dual piston (one on each side), which is still excellent for a Class 1 ebike like this
• I’m very impressed with the ~52.5lb weight of this electric bicycle, especially with the high capacity battery, metal fenders, and rear rack… I think the air suspension fork and 4th gen Bosch motor really made a difference here
• I like adjustable angle stems because they provide a range of body position options (forward for efficiency and performance or upright for comfort). However, sometimes these stems can wiggle loose over time. The one BULLS chose for their CROSSLITE EVO is excellent and should be reliable over time because of the sturdy design
• I noticed that the stem and spacers here are a rounded rectangle vs. standard circle, and this provides room for the Bosch button pad cable to run through and be hidden, the spacers are actually two parts that can be taken apart to change positions and de-couple from the cable! Note the beautiful internal cable routing of the other electronics, shifter, and brake line all across the frame, it looks nice and keeps the cables safe
• I tested both the wave and diamond frames for the video review above and noticed that the wave was fairly solid and stiff… sometimes these deep step-thru frame styles can feel flexy and even introduce speed wobble, but BULLS reduced that a lot with the addition of a secondary tube near the bottom bracket for stiffness and strength
• Both wheels offer quick release with standard 9mm axles and QR skewers. This makes the bike easy to service on the go, or easy to break down and pack into the trunk of an SUV… it’s a great choice for a hybrid style commuter bicycle
• Excellent 12-speed drivetrain here, note the high-end Shimano SLXRD-M7100 derailleur with adjustable clutch (click into the up-left position to tighten clutch and reduce chain bounce or click down-forward for easier rear wheel removal and drivetrain service) and super wide 10 to 51 tooth cassette! That’s overkill for a Class 1 ebike with 20mph (32km/h) top speed in my opinion, but a welcome addition that should be extra reliable and able to handle a wide range of terrain types
• Wide 31.6mm seat post provides extra strength and lots of options for seat post droppers (usually only found on mountain bikes, but this frame is pre-wired for it) or a suspension seat post that can reduce back and neck sensitivity over long rides! Consider the Cirrus Cycles KINEKT or SR Suntour NCX
• Adjustable length kickstand is positioned perfectly at the rear end of the bike, clear of the left crank arm and not colliding with the large 180mm disc brake rotor… it should support a loaded rack well from its position
• Premium 4th generation Bosch Performance Line CX motor is 2.5lbs lighter than Gen 3, offers just as much torque at 75nm, and is more compact. I like how BULLS tips it up and blends it into the downtube… it’s almost hidden behind the 44 tooth chainring from the right hand side. I found the motor to be smoother and more dynamic than previous generations. It still offers shift detection and can support over 120 pedal strokes per minute, so you don’t have to upshift gears to maintain motor support
• It really surprised me to see that the chainring uses a narrow wide tooth pattern! This locks the chain in so you don’t get drops as easily and reduces the need for a full chain guide, which weighs more
• Top-end PowerTube 625 battery pack offers the highest possible capacity for this generation of ebikes with the Bosch drive system, it’s a 25% increase over the standard Bosch PowerTube 500 or PowerPack 500
• The included high speed 4 amp charger is a perfect fit for the higher capacity battery, it features a proprietary plug that won’t get mixed up with other Bosch products and the compact size (with removable wall-side cable) and lightweight 1.7lb design makes it easy to bring on longer rides
• I love that BULLS not only included a charging port cover on the frame (to keep dust and water out as you ride), but they also moved the charging port location up high on the right side of the frame! This means you don’t have to bend way over to plug in the bike and your charging cable won’t get snagged as easily on the crank arms
• A high-end ABUS locking core is used to secure the battery pack and the keyset includes a code card that lets you order ABUS locks with the same core. Ultimately, this means you can use the same key for your bike and locks instead of multiple keys that add weight, clutter, and hassle
• The Kiox display panel is well protected at the center of the bar, is connected via magnets and can be removed easily, uses Gorilla Glass so it won’t scratch up like plastic if it gets dropped, and it offers Micro-USB charging for portable electronics. The display is fairly easy to interact with using the remote button pad, mounted near the left grip
• I love that the Kiox LCD is color because it’s easy to interpret which assist level you’re in without squinting to read a small font (the display isn’t especially large at 1.9″ diagonal). I love that it lists battery percentage in addition to range estimate for more precise trip planning, and I love that Bosch is working on Bluetooth applications which could sync with heart rate monitors and other devices in the future
• 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
• BULLS updated their battery cover design to a more universal black plastic, which is much lighter than the older aluminum alloy shields that were paint matched… these are lighter, cheaper, and much easier to replace

Cons:

• The rear rack seems to have been chosen because it’s sleek, lightweight, and has a rear light integration… I was surprised that it didn’t have independent pannier hanger bars or bungee loops on the sides. This is a minor complaint given the standard gauge tubing that makes up the top platform section, which should work for most panniers
• Although the bike is high-quality and fitted with many brand name components, the higher price could be a factor for some people, there are a lot of cheap options out there these days and this bike does fantastic to set itself apart from them, but for many, that $4,899 price will be hard to swallow… it’s what makes all of the frame styles, sizes, and high-capacity battery possible
• For individuals considering the deep step-thru frame style, keep in mind that it may flex a bit if the rear rack is loaded up or the rider is larger. This should be less of an issue on the mid-step and high-step frames. Note that the step-thru and mid-step will also require a crossbar adapter if you’re hanging them on some car racks vs. a platform rack
• BULLS has mounted the headlight on top of the suspension fork arch vs. the steering tube or stem/handlebar, so it’s a bit lower and may bounce up and down if the terrain gets bumpy vs being suspended
• As cool as the rear rack-integrated light looks, I find that it can be more vulnerable to contact with walls or the street and will cost more or be more difficult to replace than an independent light mounted below and behind the rack tubing (where the rear reflector is positioned on this bike)
• The wave frame with deep step-thru design weighs more than the mid-step and high-step by about 3lbs (1.36kg) based on the measurements I took, this is due to the additional metal reinforcements added to reduce frame flex
• Despite moving away from the reduction gear (with smaller chainring) the high-powered Bosch ebike motors still produce a fairly audible whine at high RPM and high power settings, it’s not a deal killer, but seems a bit louder than Brose at times, keep in mind that the video was filmed on a demo bike with pre-production motor… so it might be quieter on the final units
• This is a minor thing, but the chainring doesn’t cycle backwards when you backpedal, this changes how drivetrain service is done… you basically need a bike maintenance stand or a friend to lift the bike and pedal to clean and lubricate the chain. One positive note here, is that Bosch has setup the bottom bracket with some resistance so the cranks won’t spin as freely backwards, which could lead to more shin scrapes and shin bumps otherwise, I also found that the Performance Line Gen 4 motors don’t “clunk” when you stop pedaling the way that some Active Line motors do… which do allow for backwards chain cycling
• Be careful when lifting and transporting the Powertube battery because it does not have an integrated handle like the Powerpack mid-frame and rear-rack models, I do appreciate how it clicks down one step before completely coming off the bike, you are less likely to drop it when removing

Useful Resources:

• Official BULLS North America website
• Bosch Kiox display panel overview
• Bosch 4th Gen Motors (including the Performance Line Speed)