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BULLS SIX50 E 1.5 Review

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Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Electric Bike Review
Bulls Six50 E 1 5
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Alloy Motor Cover
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Bosch Powerpack 500 Electric Bike Battery
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Bosch Ebike Control Pad Intuvia
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Sr Suntour Xcn Spring Suspension Fork 15 Thru Axle
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Tektro 180 Mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Shimano Deore Drivetrain
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Rear Rack Bosses And Bottle Cage Bosses
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Bosch Ebike Charger
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Electric Bike Review
Bulls Six50 E 1 5
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Alloy Motor Cover
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Bosch Powerpack 500 Electric Bike Battery
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Bosch Ebike Control Pad Intuvia
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Sr Suntour Xcn Spring Suspension Fork 15 Thru Axle
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Tektro 180 Mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Shimano Deore Drivetrain
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Rear Rack Bosses And Bottle Cage Bosses
Bulls Six50 E 1 5 Bosch Ebike Charger

Summary

  • A hardtail trail ready e-bike with comfortable plus sized tires and a spring suspension fork (with lockout), sturdy tapered head tube, rigid thru-axles, and Boost
  • Capable as a commuting platform if you prefer a mountain bike vs. hybrid or city because it features threaded eyelets for fenders, a rear rack, and a bottle cage!
  • Available in four frame sizes from a wide network of dealers and solid warranty support, well priced at just over $3k, relatively lightweight at just over 50 lbs
  • Mid-level Shimano Deore drivetrain with ten gears, capable Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors, upgraded Bosch Powerpack 500 battery

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$0 (0 €)$38,500 (36,190 €)
0 lbs (0 kg)175 lbs (79 kg)
0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)
0 watt3,000 watt
0 in (0.00 cm)22 in (55.88 cm)
0 Newton meters160 Nm
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Video Review

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Introduction

Make:

BULLS

Model:

SIX50 E 1.5

Price:

$3,099

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Trail, Mountain

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Years Motor and Battery, 5 Years Frame

Availability:

Europe, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand

Model Year:

2017

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

50.5 lbs (22.9 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.8 lbs (2.63 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.8 lbs (3.99 kg)

Frame Material:

7005 Aluminium Alloy

Frame Sizes:

16.1 in (40.89 cm)18.1 in (45.97 cm)20.0 in (50.8 cm)22.0 in (55.88 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

30.5" Stand Over Height

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Matte Black with Gloss White and Blue Accents

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour XCN-32 Spring Suspension, 120 mm Travel, Preload Adjust, Lockout, Boost 110 mm / 15 mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

Boost 142 mm / 12 mm Thru Axle with Quick Release

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano Deore, 11-36

Shifter Details:

Shimano Deore Triggers on Right

Cranks:

SR Suntour Cranks, 175 mm Length, 15T Chainring with Alloy Bash Guard

Pedals:

Wellgo Alloy Platform, Cage Style

Headset:

Tapered 1-1/8" to 1-1/2"

Stem:

STYX Alloy, 7° Rise, 31.8 mm Bore, Lengths: (70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm)

Handlebar:

STYX Alloy Low Rise, 740 mm Width, 25 mm Rise, 9° Bend, 31.8 mm Bore

Brake Details:

Tektro HD-M285 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Tektro Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Velo Rubber Ergonomic, Locking

Saddle:

Selle Royale, Active

Seat Post:

STYX Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.9 mm

Rims:

Bulls, Alloy, Double Wall, 35 mm Width, 32 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge Front, 13 Gauge Rear, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Smart Sam, 27.5" x 2.6"

Wheel Sizes:

27.5 in (69.85cm)

Tire Details:

20 to 45 PSI, K-Guard Active Line Puncture Protection

Tube Details:

Presta Valve

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, 1.6 lb 4 Amp Charger

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Bosch Performance Line CX

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Motor Torque:

75 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

13.4 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

482.4 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

4 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

70 miles (113 km)

Display Type:

Bosch Intuvia, Removable, Adjustable Angle, Grayscale, Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Speed, Assist Level (Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo), Battery Level (1-5), Odometer, Trip Distance, Estimated Range, Clock, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip Time, Shift Assist Recommendation

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad with Tactile Feedback on Left, 5 Volt Micro USB Port on Display

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence and Pedal Torque, Power Output Relative to Pedal Input: Eco 50%, Tour 120%, Sport 190%, Turbo 275%)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Written Review

Bulls created something special with their SIX50 E 1.5. This is an affordable, trail capable, city capable, electric bike offered in four sizes, running top-of-the-line Bosch drive systems. For just over $3k you’re getting a bike that looks good, is sold through a wide network of dealers globally (in the US since late 2015), and should last for years. Compared with other similarly priced models like the IZIP E3 Peak+, this e-ebike offers bottle cage bosses and fender bosses but has a higher stand-over height. Both bikes have thru-axles with quick release for easy trail maintenance or transport… but the SIX50 E 1.5 comes with a 25% larger Bosch Powerpack 500. The styling on this bike is good with an angled downtube that compliments the bulge of the battery pack and blends smoothly into the the motor casing. Note the Aluminum alloy skid plate mounted beneath the motor for protection. I was really impressed with the 50.5 lb weight of the medium size frame I tested for the video review above. That’s a good weight considering this has a coil fork vs. air, is running the larger battery pack size, and has plus sized tires with Boost (elongated) axles. As someone who loves commuting through urban environments on mountain bike frames (because of the comfortable tires and shock absorbers), I could see this ebike working great as a daily ride and weekend toy. And it would definitely handle both environments, this is more of a mountain bike that was specced slightly down to mid-level vs. a cheap urban bike that looks like it could handle trails. To set it up right, I’d grab a disc brake compatible rear rack, lightweight bottle cage, and possibly some small mud guards.

Driving the bike is a Bosch Performance Line CX mid-motor. This thing is rated at 250 watts nominal but tops out above 500 watts and is capable of a peak 73 Newton meters of torque. It’s compact, super fast, and one of the smartest motors around. The motor controller measures rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque one thousand times per second, and it even listens for shifting to reduce drivetrain wear. It’s the same motor used on ultra high-end full suspension mountain bikes and I hear from shops and customers that it is one of the most reliable. Admittedly, I’m a Bosch fanboy because they were one of the first systems to arrive in the US that delivered the kind of power and efficiency I was craving for true mountain biking. It might actually be a little overkill on this bike, if you use it mostly for city commuting and light smooth trails, but it’s good to know that it’s so capable. Note that the motor does produce a bit of whirring noise at high RPM but that it is capable of up to 120 RPM while some other systems peak out around 100. This allows it to assist you up to the maximum speed of 20 mph in a wider range of gears, not just the highest gear. The chainring chosen for the Bulls SIX50 E 1.5 has 15 teeth vs. 18 on the comparable IZIP mentioned earlier but they both use a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain. What this means is that the Bulls is going to be a more capable climber and fit the 20 mph range better. The chainring on Bosch powered e-bikes spins at 2.5 revolutions per crank arm revolution so you can multiply the teeth to get a comparable traditional chainring size (38 tooth in this case). There’s a small metal chainring guard to keep pants and other debris clear and this might also act as a guide to keep the chain from coming all the way off if it bounces free.

Powering the bike is a high capacity Bosch Powerpack 500 with 36 volts and 13.4 amp hours of capacity. It’s impressive to see this pack on a bike that is priced so low because you get 25% more capacity in the same form factor as the older Powerpack 400 and the energy dense cells used for it are in high demand. The battery mounts from the top down and can be charged on or off the frame. Make sure it’s clicked securely in place before riding because sometimes the mounts are a bit tight when they are brand new. There’s a handle at the top for easier carrying and an LED power indicator on the left side. If you’ve got the battery stored separately from the bike, to reduce exposure to extreme temperatures or just for safe keeping, I recommend topping it off every couple of months if you haven’t used it. The battery can be stored comfortably at about half-full (which is how it ships) and should be very easy to find and replace for years to come because it’s so standardized… but you may not be able to find the same sticker pattern so consider keeping that if your old pack wears completely out. Expect upwards of 1,000 full charge cycles and years of use from this pack. The charger that ships with the SIX50 E 1.5 is a faster 4 Amp model that manages to stay fairly compact and lightweight at roughly 1.7 lbs. You can buy additional chargers (including a smaller 2 Amp version) from your dealer and this could be useful to store at the office if you’re commuting.

To power up the bike, just charge and mount the battery, then press the power button near the lower left corner of the display. The screen flashes to life very quickly showing your speed, battery level, and assist level in monochrome. It’s backlit with a faint blue that isn’t super distracting but also isn’t controllable. You can have lights wired into the system by some shops and this is handy because the display has a lights on/off button and integrated lights are just easier to work with than click-on independent models, in my opinion. Again, this is most relevant to people who might want to use the bike as a commuting platform. Look for Supernova lights that are made with sturdy alloy housings that can withstand trail use. A good example of these lights in action is the Riese & Müller Delite electric bike. Anyway, the display panel is easy to interact with by using the i button either on the Intuvia LCD or the remote button pad mounted near the left grip. I love how close the buttons are and how the center i button is rubberized while the up and down arrows on this remote pad are smooth and clicky. They become second nature very quickly and that’s key if you’re riding in traffic or a dynamic trail and don’t want to look down. And with the Bosch CX motor system, you can have the firmware updated to change Sport mode to eMTB mode which acts more like a torque sensor with the full range of power. Basically, it gives you all four levels in one mode, perfect for those conditions where you don’t want to be distracted looking down or clicking around. The display is a real highlight on this and other Bosch powered electric bicycles for me. I like how large it is, that you can swivel it to reduce glare, and that it’s removable and replaceable or even swappable with the COBI smart system that uses your phone as a display panel and includes integrated lights with turn signals. The COBI system is sold separately but was designed to just click into the Intuvia mount.

There’s so much to say about this electric bike because it’s so versatile. Maybe $3k doesn’t sound affordable to you, but just one year ago it was difficult to find any Bosch powered electric bike for under $4k in the US, and it wouldn’t have had the high-capacity 500 watt-hour battery or the high-performance CX motor. Bulls offers a wide range of models and I feel that some look nicer or have great features like full suspension or the clean integrated Brose battery vs. the stuck-on Bosch Powerpack, but they all cost a lot more. This is the kind of e-bike that you could buy and keep, ride around and bang up, expect to last for many years, and really use. The top tube is a bit higher with that traditional diamond layout and the resulting higher seat tube might make adding a seat post suspension uncomfortable if you’ve got a shorter inseam length compared to the IZIP E3 Peak Plus I keep referencing. Both models are interesting to me because of what they offer and the wide audience that could enjoy it. You do get suspension lockout here and a strong pair of 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes. The Schwalbe Smart Sam tires have active line puncture protection to reduce flats and the PSI range is a bit higher than the IZIP which combines with the slightly narrower tires for a more efficient ride. Big thanks to Bulls for partnering with me on this post and inviting me out to their headquarters in Southern California to do some back-to-back tests and reviews. I’m glad that they and other European companies are entering the US and delivering some high quality products.

Pros:

  • I love that even though this ebike is trail worthy, it has rear rack, fender, and bottle cage bosses! It’s a perfect platform for weekend mountain biking and weekly commuting around the city all rolled up into one
  • I think Bulls had the urban/trail commuting use-case in mind when they specced the ergonomic grips and low-rise handlebar, they hand position feels great and the grips reduce tingling in your hands for longer or more repetitive rides
  • At $3,099 this is one of the most affordable BULLS electric bikes and preserves the styling, warranty, wide dealer network, and quality that the company is known for
  • You get four frame sizes to choose from! That’s incredible at this price, and it’s important given the diamond frame (high-step) because the top tube is fairly high
  • A 120 mm spring suspension and plus sized tires offer comfort and traction, I’d consider adding a 30.9 mm seat post suspension like the Thudbuster ST for an even smoother ride
  • Stiff thru-axles on both wheels with longer Boost thru-axles, this provides stronger bracing angle for the spokes and accommodates the plus sized tires
  • Considering this ebike is using a spring suspension, I’m very impressed with the 50.5 lb weight, spring suspensions require less maintenance and tend to be very responsive
  • Diamond frames tend to be stiff and strong without additional metal (and weight), I like that you can lift them easily and carry them on hang-style racks
  • Beautifully integrated mid-motor and battery pack, notice how the frame tubing cups the base of the battery and helps it blend into the frame
  • The Bosch CX motor offers high torque and can be updated to eMTB mode which changes Sport into a wide range “do everything” setting that works more like a pure torque sensor, it’s perfect for off-road when you don’t want to fiddle with power level
  • Solid mid-level Shimano Deore drivetrain with 10 speeds to work with, this is enough for climbing and exceeding the top electric-assisted 20 mph speed
  • Responsive hydraulic disc brakes with large 180 mm rotors and adjustable reach levers, great for trail riding and the levers are nice if you get the smaller frame and have smaller hands or ride with thick gloves
  • I love that you get the latest Bosch Powerpack 500 with this bike, especially considering the price point, this pack offers 25% higher capacity than the standard Bosch Powerpack 400 but is backward compatible with that pack if you happen to already own one
  • The motor controller measures pedal cadence, pedal torque, and rear wheel speed 1,000x per second and feels very natural, it also listens for when you shift gears and tries to ease off power to reduce wear on the chain, sprockets, and derailleur
  • The motor is angled up and built into the downtube and seat tube area of the bike, this raises clearance, Bulls chose minimal casing to keep the bike looking sleek but did add an alloy skid plate along the bottom for protection against rocks and other obstacles
  • I love how the battery pack and display can be easily removed for safe storage or charging, this is a big deal if you commute with the bike and have to park outside at a public rack
  • The Bosch Intuvia display panel has a Micro USB port built in that sends 5 Volts at 500 milliamps so you could maintain a phone or charge other portable electronics while riding, this is great if you use your phone for GPS
  • This and most other Bosch powered electric bikes have walk mode which allows the bike to push itself forward slowly, this is especially useful if you have a rack loaded with gear in the city or are pushing up a steep hill in the mountains (like a technical section that you decided to walk)

Cons:

  • While the Bosch Performance Line motors are super responsive, they do produce a bit of hum or whining noise when used in the highest levels of assist or operating at high RPM
  • Many of the Bosch powered electric bikes stand out as being electric because the battery is connected to the frame vs. being slotted inside of it, but this makes removing and charging the pack easier and the standardized configuration makes it easier to replace
  • Plus sized tires tend to be a little heavier but the 2.6 is a good compromise (lighter than 2.8 or 3.0), you could always run them tubeless, still, they will add some drag and produce some buzzing noise on pavement
  • If you do plan to use this as a commuting platform, make sure you lock both wheels and the saddle because the quick release systems make them easier to steal
  • Sometimes when the Bosch battery packs are new, they require additional effort to click into place, just make sure it’s secure before riding off to avoid damage, shops can loosen or tighten the interface which is designed to reduce rattling
  • The pedals are a bit basic, I would consider replacing them with something with a wider platform and adjustable pins if you plan to ride trails or all-mountain, these Magnesium Wellgo pedals are a good option
  • The alloy bash guard on the chainring seems like it’s spaced out pretty far from the actual chainring, I haven’t noticed chain drops being an issue with Bosch? Perhaps this extra clearance reduces chain suck in muddy conditions?

Resources:

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Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

Affected models:

-2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 2 27.5 PLUS
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 2 FS 27.5 PLUS
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 3 27.5 PLUS
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 3 29
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 45 FS 27.5
- 2017 BULLS CROSS LITE E
- 2017 BULLS DAIL E GRINDER 45
- 2017 BULLS SIX50 E 1.5
- 2017 BULLS SIX50 E 2 STREET
- 2017 BULLS SIX50+ E FS 2 27.5
- 2017 BULLS SIX50+ E FS 3 27.5

Posted in:
Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

I took the updated BULLS Six50+ for a ride today.

My initial thoughts:

Provides a certain level of cognitive ease. If your shifting techniques aren't sharp then the motor will compensate for it and the experience is quite enjoyable.
Dynamic assist is useful when climbing some steep technical sections and when you don't want to lose the momentum.
Loss of range. On my other Haibike (S Rx), I only use Tour mode and very rarely the sport mode. This gives me ~30 miles on a 400whr powerpack.
But on a eMTB with knobby tires, eMTB mode and 500whr powerpack, I only got 29miles. I rode mostly on single tracks and it was not hilly. I can attribute this to the higher consumption in eMTB mode.
Personally, I would not get this update. Simply because the system is exerting itself too much and sometimes I feel like I only need minimal assistance. It suits those who doesn't care about the range and prefer very sporty riding dynamics. Sadly, there is no option to revert back to the older firmware once you update it.

My experience with eMTB mode (version 1.7.0.0) was different on my BULLS Six50+ FS 3. I found the assist level was generally weaker than sport mode and it required me to use my legs more than before the update. I also liked startups on the steeps better, it was not as abrupt and had less wheel spin. Eco, tour and turbo modes are still there so there should be very little difference to those who don't use sport mode much. Since updating to eMTB mode I've only been on one 10.5 mile ride with some very steep sections and so far I haven't noticed an increase in battery consumption, I'll have a more informed opinion about eMTB range after I get a few more rides in.

Posted in:
Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

I've had my Bulls SIX50+ E FS 3 about 3 weeks now and I've ridden it about 16 times for a total of 170 miles. I've been very happy with the ride and performance. Luckily for me the LBS notified me that the manufacturer notified him of the crank arm bolts coming loose. I checked them and they were very loose and I tightened them. About 4 rides later the left crank arm came off while I was riding and I was lucky to be sitting on the saddle when it came off. I was able to find the bolt and put back together. The LBS had said that he was waiting for a "Bulls" fix but I guess they haven't got back to him yet. I'm thinking of using blue loctite after I clean the threads, what do you think?

SR Suntour has a "corrective action" on the cranks depending on the Bulls bike model number and the model number of the crank arm. From Suntour:

"SR SUNTOUR has found that the cranks supplied on some BULLS E-Bike Models(See attachment for complete list) tend to loosen over time.
Re-tightening the crank only works for a short time then becomes loose again. SR SUNTOUR has therefore decided to have all crank arms and bolts
replaced."

Posted in:
Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

I have a 2017 Bulls SIX50+ E FS 3 that I've ridden about 25 times for a total distance of approximately 250 miles. My 10.5 mile loop has a 22 degree grade for about mile and then has some shorter steeper climbs as well. Two days ago I had the firmware updated from 1.6.0.0 to 1.7.0.0 which gave me the new eMTB mode. I didn't like it at first but after a couple miles I liked it better than regular sport mode. It does reduce the number of pedal assist level changes and I was hoping they had fixed the surging problem when in a larger gear on the flats but they didn't. I've only been on one 10.5 mile ride with the new mode so haven't had a chance to determine the effect on range. Someone else reported that they saw an increase in battery consumption but I didn't see that on my first ride. I'll post again once I've ridden with the new mode a few more times.

Posted in:
Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

EMTB Mode launched last week and we've been upgrading BOSCH CX models now with a lot of great feedback. I had a chance to try the EMTB mode on a ski resort a few weeks ago in France on some Moustache ebikes. Love it and this changes everything with how the Bosch system functions.

Your bike can be upgraded if you have the Walk Assist option enabled. Once you do upgrade though, Walk Assist goes away and there's no undoing the upgrade.

Look for more tweaks in the months ahead from Bosch.

My 2017 Bulls SIX50+ E FS 3 was updated to the new eMTB mode a couple days ago. Walk assist still works just fine, It was not disabled.

Posted in:
Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

I have a 2017 Bulls SIX50+ E FS 3 that I've ridden about 25 times for a total distance of approximately 250 miles. My 10.5 mile loop has a 22 degree grade for about mile and then has some shorter steeper climbs as well. Two days ago I had the firmware updated from 1.6.0.0 to 1.7.0.0 which gave me the new eMTB mode. I didn't like it at first but after a couple miles I liked it better than regular sport mode. It does reduce the number of pedal assist level changes and I was hoping they had fixed the surging problem when in a larger gear on the flats but they didn't. I've only been on one 10.5 mile ride with the new mode so haven't had a chance to determine the effect on range. Someone else reported that they saw an increase in battery consumption but I didn't see that on my first ride. I'll post again once I've ridden with the new mode a few more times.

Posted in:
Ravi Kempaiah
4 weeks ago

I took the updated BULLS Six50+ for a ride today.

My initial thoughts:

Provides a certain level of cognitive ease. If your shifting techniques aren't sharp then the motor will compensate for it and the experience is quite enjoyable.
Dynamic assist is useful when climbing some steep technical sections and when you don't want to lose the momentum.
Loss of range. On my other Haibike (S Rx), I only use Tour mode and very rarely the sport mode. This gives me ~30 miles on a 400whr powerpack.
But on a eMTB with knobby tires, eMTB mode and 500whr powerpack, I only got 29miles. I rode mostly on single tracks and it was not hilly. I can attribute this to the higher consumption in eMTB mode.
Personally, I would not get this update. Simply because the system is exerting itself too much and sometimes I feel like I only need minimal assistance. It suits those who doesn't care about the range and prefer very sporty riding dynamics. Sadly, there is no option to revert back to the older firmware once you update it.

1/1
Posted in:
Craig Crowder
2 weeks ago

I've had my Bulls SIX50+ E FS 3 about 3 weeks now and I've ridden it about 16 times for a total of 170 miles. I've been very happy with the ride and performance. Luckily for me the LBS notified me that the manufacturer notified him of the crank arm bolts coming loose. I checked them and they were very loose and I tightened them. About 4 rides later the left crank arm came off while I was riding and I was lucky to be sitting on the saddle when it came off. I was able to find the bolt and put back together. The LBS had said that he was waiting for a "Bulls" fix but I guess they haven't got back to him yet. I'm thinking of using blue loctite after I clean the threads, what do you think?

****UPDATE 8/4/17****

SR Suntour has a "corrective action" on the cranks depending on the Bulls bike model number and the model number of the crank arm. From Suntour:

"SR SUNTOUR has found that the cranks supplied on some BULLS E-Bike Models(See attachment for complete list) tend to loosen over time.
Re-tightening the crank only works for a short time then becomes loose again. SR SUNTOUR has therefore decided to have all crank arms and bolts
replaced."

Affected models:

-2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 2 27.5 PLUS
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 2 FS 27.5 PLUS
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 3 27.5 PLUS
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 3 29
- 2017 BULLS E-STREAM EVO 45 FS 27.5
- 2017 BULLS CROSS LITE E
- 2017 BULLS DAIL E GRINDER 45
- 2017 BULLS SIX50 E 1.5
- 2017 BULLS SIX50 E 2 STREET
- 2017 BULLS SIX50+ E FS 2 27.5
- 2017 BULLS SIX50+ E FS 3 27.5

1/1
Posted in:
JeffDG
2 months ago

Thanks everyone for your responses!!
Too bad that most of the Haibikes are limited at 20mph.
I do like the design of the RadCity, though I don't think I'd take that off road (edit: single track). The other day we went to Columbus OH and road some e-bikes...Haibike, Juiced, Raleigh... and fell in love with the center Drive system...and I only rode the Yamaha, which was fantastic. The Juiced CrossCurrent was nice enough, but just didn't feel very natural, rather dead on start; but did better at higher (~15mph) speeds. The mid-drive worked marvelous throughout the entire speed range. It's true...it really felt like it was "more me" riding.

Two I did fine that meet almost all my criteria, but are budget busters are the Bulls six50 E Street ---28mph, center Drive, 100mm shock...but $3800... yikes. The other is the Haibike Hardnine Street 4.5 which loses out because it's only a 20mph, 29er, and almost $4k. Hmm...if I'm stuck in this price range, I feel like I could get a center-drive commute and convert my Trek Marlin.

Posted in:
goatbear
3 months ago

Hi All,
I recently purchased a Bulls six50+ E FS 3. Picked it up in Boise,Id from Boise Electric Bikes. I haven't had a chance to test it out on trails much, as I'm new to the area and don't know where many are. My commute to work has been much faster and plesent though. I did get a flat the 1st day from goat thorns on my rear tire, and the LBS doesn't carry any 27.5 tubes... Anyone got any recommendations for trails in Idaho's magic valley or ways to protect against goat thorns.

Thanks,
Doug

Posted in:
burmesepython
3 months ago

Hi Goodair,

Thank you for listing your concerns. I just received my Bulls Six50 E FS RSi with the Bosh motor this past Friday. I understand they are updating the firmware for the Bosh as well? Please let me know how your firmware update works out, I'd like to do the same for my E-bike.

Thank you

Posted in:
pxpaulx
4 months ago

I'm now leaning towards getting a commuter bike instead of a mountain bike. Most of my riding will be on paved roads, and I now think I'll enjoy having the fenders, lights, and racks built into the bike. I'm leaning towards the izip bikes as they appear to be a great value and have the twist throttle. I'm trying to decide between the dash and the pro tour. Does anyone have any thoughts on each bike? Is the pro tour basically the same bike with a sleeker battery and fancier display system? I also saw that izip's website has a sale on 2016 dash for $1,000 discount. Has the 2017 dash changed much?

They are 2 different motors, one 350w the other 500w - both are speed pedelecs, max 28mph. Both of the batteries are only 417wh - this is a little behind the bigger players (or a lot...) - bosch and yamaha motors now come with 500wh batteries, and bulls has a brose bike with 650wh batteries as well. Also, don't pay retail - shop around (local if possible and online) and negotiate a price you're comfortable with.

Check out these reviews - a little more money than the izip brand, but they are running the best motors in the business (transx is a known company, but not as established as bosch or brose):

Bulls six50 E2 Street:

https://electricbikereview.com/bulls/six50-e2-street/

Bulls Lacuba 45 (there is a normal high step version along with the step through Court reviewed):

https://electricbikereview.com/bulls/lacuba-evo-e45/

Haibike also has a couple of treking and MTB Xduro 'S' versions that are 28mph as well - check out their website as Court hasn't reviewed any of this year's models yet.

...also and a new raleigh 28mph with a brose motor, though no suspension:

https://electricbikereview.com/raleigh/redux-ie/

Posted in:
JRA
4 months ago

@Ravi Kempaiah,

I do know that there are internal gear ratios and that ratio does account for the final drive ratio. One figure I have seen is 2.5:1 which using the Bulls with the 22t sprocket as an example gives a highest gear ratio of 140"es (22t x 2.5 ÷ 11t x 28") so they do get it. Using the same formula with the Six50 it has a 95" gear which clearly isn't enough for 28 mph but probably sufficient for 20 mph. I am not sure about how they work changing their internal gear ratio's via software unless they have some sort of a CVT inside however. And yes, changing sprockets is not a difficult task.

But.....now that they have enough gear ratio to compensate on the top end with only one range of gearing given a single sprocket on the front they have also dictated the lower gear ratio is now perhaps too high? The Bulls will now have a low gear of 55"es (22t x 2.5 ÷ 28t x 28") which is a pretty stiff gear for hills as most gear systems perform best with a more 1:1 ratio on the low end. Not too bad as long as there is power available but hard to get going without.

For me I don't see that mid drives are that important for road type bikes. A good direct drive hub is much simpler and the final drive is not as influenced by its operation so that one can use any type of gearing system they want or are used to.

Posted in:
Ravi Kempaiah
4 months ago

I live in Portland and I would wager that 90% or more of the commuters ride drop bar bikes. It is hard enough to get them to think about e bikes but having to switch over to flat bar bikes is another issue and finally the manufacturers are getting with the program and offering drop bar e bikes. Raleigh also showed a drop bar bike at Sea Otter and Giant has one also, although the review I read indicated it was limited to 20 mph.

The only problem I am seeing is that it doesn't look like these bikes have high enough gearing to support effective human pedaling at the upper end. To pedal with resistance and maintain a reasonable cadence at 28mph you need at least a 130" gear and preferably more. My highest gear is 150" and I don't use it a lot but when I am going downhill with a tail wind it is there, but more importantly when I am feeling frisky and want to go fast I still have pedal enough to stay on top of the motor instead of vice versa which is important to me.

@JRA and @JayVee ,

The gearing is not just external. For example, the BULLS Dail-E Grinder has a 22T front sprocket while the flat bar Six50 E2 Street has 15T front sprocket. Initially, I was surprised by the difference. When I was updating firmware on those bikes, I noticed an option for changing the internal gearing ratio in the Bosch diagnostic software and the ratios for those 2 bikes are different. It compensates for any changes in the external physical gearing difference.
Both have the same Bosch Speed motor. It's just a tad easier to maintain 26mph on the Grinder but changing to the sprocket to a bigger one and adjusting the internal gearing is not difficult at all.

Posted in:
loginhater
4 months ago

Really liked the BULLS SIX50 E2 Street but didn't have the budget for it:

https://electricbikereview.com/bulls/six50-e2-street/

Posted in:
Lenny
4 months ago

Hi all,
I am a 42 year old 6'0" chubby guy pushing 280 lbs and I need to get back on the bike to commute for health and sanity sake. I ride 16-22 miles round trip to work over some hilly roads. Right now on my commuter bike I take about an hour to do the trip when I am feeling good. I want an e-bike to speed things up a bit for the commute. I have narrowed down my choices between the Izip E3 Dash or the Bulls Lacuba Evo for a commuter e-bike and need some input. Price wise the Izip is a little easier to digest where as the Bulls looks like a better motor and battery. So looking for suggestions and input?

BULLS Lacuba EVO 45 or the belt drive version EVO are really high-quality bikes built for heavy duty use. BULLS also has bigger battery (650Whr compared to 418whr on the izip) which means you can do a complete roundtrip commute without recharging at office. Lower the capacity, more charge cycles for the same distance. If you are going to be putting 20 miles everyday, we suggest you go with the higher capacity version. There are lots of benefits to this. One day if you just want to use the highest level of assist for your commute, you won't have worry about running out of charge and you won't have worry about upgrading your batteries for 2 more years.

BULLS is slightly on the heavier side (although not so much compared to izip).

I would also recommend you look at Six50 E2 street. This would be a better commuter bike than the 2 you mentioned.

http://www.bullsebikes.com/product/six50-e-2-street/

Posted in:
Griego
5 months ago

Great site! Thanks to all of those involved.
I have some mid drive bikes in my compare bucket. It's rarely possible to test ride everything I'm interested in even tough I live in a major city (Chicago). That's the toughest part about having the desire to buy an electric bike. I couldn't possibly buy a bike I've never been on but with a little extra help I can certainly narrow it down. I would really appreciate some input from anyone that actually rides any of the following bikes:
Trek XM700+
Gazelle CityZen C8 HM
Walleräng M.01
Raleigh Misceo Sport IE
BULLS SIX50 E2 Street
Thank you in advance!

Posted in:
Mark Peralta
5 months ago

No, and that would be a deal breaker for me if I was in the market for a commuter. The new Specialized Vado will have suspension.
Dumbar, For the same price of the super commuter,
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/city-bikes/electric-city-bikes/super-commuter/super-commuter-8s/p/1367000-2017/
you can get this full suspension ebike (STARCKBIKE Asphalt Ebike) with the same other features.
https://www.motostrano.com/MOUSTACHE-Starkbike-Asphalt-Ebike-p/mstarka.htm
This is another worthy alternative with front suspension.
https://www.motostrano.com/BULLS-Six50-E2-Street-Ebike-p/bulls-620e2.htm

Posted in:
a esbj
2 months ago

I love the responsiveness and also actually the sound of the performance line motors when they accelerate. I've never tried anything but the Bosch performance line that is on my Cube. Once you get to know it you can really "feel" it, from standing still or balancing you can control it with so small movements of the pedals.
From this and your other videos I gather that the competitors don't offer quite the same experience in terms of control and response? I also wanted to ask, do you feel any difference between the earlier 60 Nm Bosch motors and the new 75 Nm ones in terms of the above?

srgrounds
2 months ago

Three grand affordable? Maybe in your world.

James Mason
2 months ago

remains me of my bike

James Mason
2 months ago

It's a scott aspect with a bionx 350 PL conversion kit

ElectricBikeReview.com
2 months ago

Cool, which one do you have James?

NothingHereToWatch
2 months ago

Hey bro its a nice bike

ElectricBikeReview.com
2 months ago

Agree, this is a solid bike for the money in my opinion

Vicki Boyer
2 months ago

love it when you have imaginary conversations with your team mate Mr. Motor! More please!

Vicki Boyer
2 months ago

well actually i guess it was talking to you when it told you to shift. You responded accordingly and then said something fascinating about it sensing your cadence- not to suggest you are e-doping your ride but it just suggests a kind of collaborative conversation - at least to me :-D

ElectricBikeReview.com
2 months ago

Wait, when was I talking to the motor?! :P

tommystock64
2 months ago

Te chain is hitting the tire .