BULLS advertise the new SONIC EN-R TEAM as a thoroughbred eMTB racer. It combines a mullet wheel setup and 170/160 mm of travel front and rear. BULLS’ new e-enduro racer relies on the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor and countless clever features. Read the full review to find out more.
BULLS have been manufacturing bikes since 1995 and, as part of ZEG – Europe’s largest specialist bicycle retail association – is one of the biggest bike brands in Germany. Their wide portfolio ranges from city bikes to road and gravel bikes, as well as E-MTBs, which tend to focus more on touring. But BULLS can do performance too. They proved this with the SONIC EVO AM in our big e-mountainbike comparison test with 27 eMTBs. Now BULLS are taking things a step further with the new SONIC EN-R TEAM, which is their race-focused e-enduro. It’s lighter than all other bikes in the SONIC range and relies on a new Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 600 Wh battery. With its mullet wheel setup and 170/160 mm of travel, it’s set to smash records on the trail. The sleek design and innovative geometry adjustments promise to make the SONIC EN-R TEAM a one of a kind in BULLS’ portfolio. We tested the 22.38 kg bike in the Dolomites and can tell you whether it’s worth the € 9,999 price tag.
The new 2025 BULLS SONIC EN-R TEAM in detail
With its bright-red paint finish on the top tube and the brushed alloy shock mount and skid plate, the new EN-R is a real head turner and makes a statement even when stationary. The white BULLS decals stands out against the matte grey downtube, rounding off the overall sophisticated look of the bike.
The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the headset, which relies on 1.8-inch bearings. These not only allow for a sleek frame design but also provide extra space for the cables to run through the stem. The BULLS SONIC features a MonkeyLink 2.0 interface, which comes with an integrated Garmin charger. Unfortunately, we were unable to test this function, as our model was still a 3D-printed pre-production version.
BULLS clearly focused on E-Enduro racing with the SONIC EN-R, providing it with their proprietary Powerstage tool, which is attached to the underside of the top tube. The tool can be easily removed with a simple 90° twist, even with gloves. However, we were somewhat disappointed, because, despite its impressive size, it only has three tools: a 4 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm Allen key. At least it doesn’t rattle on the trail.
A clever shock mount allows for quick trailside geometry adjustments using the Powerstage tool. Additionally, the integrated flip-chip provides even more flexibility for the bike – but more on this later.
Even though the 5th generation Bosch Performance Line CX motor looks almost identical to its predecessor on paper, still delivering 85 Nm of torque and 600 watts peak power, there are some exciting changes on the inside. In our in-depth review of the new CX drive you’ll find all details. The new Bosch motor is discreetly integrated into the frame and protected against impacts by an aluminium skid plate rather than a conventional motor cover,which also improves air flow.
The new Bosch motor is paired with a 600 Wh PowerTube battery, which, in typical BULLS fashion, can be removed from the side of the downtube. To do so, you’ll have to remove the battery cover by turning the bolt on the downtube half a turn using the 4 mm Allen key of the Powerstage tool. With the same key, now you can turn the slightly deeper battery lock another half turn to release the battery. Important: since the battery lock doesn’t have a spring, you’ll have to turn it back manually when reinserting the battery. This might sound a little complicated, but it works smoothly and isn’t fiddly.
If the 4 mm Allen key battery lock isn’t secure enough for you, you can opt to retrofit a proper battery lock, which requires a key to activate. Additionally, the battery can be expanded using Bosch’s optional 250 Wh Range Extender, which can be easily stored on a rail that fits into the bottle cage mounts on the downtube. The battery doesn’t necessarily need to be removed for charging, as the charging port is conveniently positioned at the intersection between the downtube and toptube, right next to the headset. However, BULLS didn’t quite manage to get the cover of the charging port right – it feels a bit cheap and rattles loudly while riding.
The Bosch motor is paired with a wireless, bar-mounted Bosch Mini Remote and a System Controller in the top tube. The latter provides minimal information about battery level and selected riding modes but fits well with the bike’s sporty orientation.
The chainstay protector is integrated directly into the chainstay, and prevents paint chips and chain slap.
The specs of the new 2025 BULLS SONIC EN-R TEAM
We tested the BULLS Sonic EN-R TEAM variant, which comes equipped with a 170 mm RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork. The production bike comes standard with the fork in Rockshox’s “Electric Red” finish, which rounds off the overall harmonious look. However, our test model was a pre-production version with a grey fork. A RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock controls 160 mm of travel at the rear. Both suspension elements offer easy adjustment options and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XX Eagle Transmission AXS drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur. The latter draws its power directly from the bike’s main battery and is paired with an ergonomic SRAM EC AXS Rocker controller, which is integrated seamlessly into the cockpit.
MAGURA GUSTAV PRO four-piston brakes with 220/203 mm rotors (f/r) do stopping duties.They were tested thoroughly by our sister magazine ENDURO, and impressed with excellent modulation and powerful braking torque.
The SONIC EN-R comes equipped with a RUMBLE Altimate PRO Carbon one-piece handlebar/stem unit, which, at 780 mm, follows the current trend towards narrower bars. The one-piece design ensures a clean look but only allows for limited adjustments.
The EightPins NGS 2 dropper post is bolted directly to the frame and offers up to 265 mm of travel. The most striking feature, however, is the stepless adjustability. A small lever on the seat clamp allows you to easily adjust the height by opening or closing the lock. Despite the fixed integration, the post can be removed and replaced without issues when needed. In our test, however, we found the dropper post took some getting used to, as it requires you to unload the weight before dropping the saddle.
Mavic supply the Deemax Enduro SL aluminium wheelset, which is paired with a Schwalbe Tacky Chan tire in the Ultra Soft rubber compound and Super Trail casing at the front and a Schwalbe Big Betty in the same Super Trail casing and slightly harder, more durable Soft rubber compound at the rear. If you like to get rowdy on the trail, we recommend upgrading to the more robust Super Gravity casing, which offers better puncture protection and allows to run lower air pressures – more grip, baby!
Spec variants of the new 2025 BULLS SONIC EN-R
Alongside the SONIC EN-R TEAM version we tested, there are two other variants. All three models share the same carbon frame and are available in the same sizes. The one-piece cockpit is the same too.
The more affordable EN-R 2 model retails at € 7,999 and has a solid spec. The suspension consists of a 170 mm RockShox ZEB fork and RockShox Super Deluxe shock. Shifting is taken care of by a slightly more affordable but equally reliable wireless SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain. TRP C2.3RX TRAIL brakes with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 203 mm disc at the rear ensure powerful, reliable deceleration. An EightPins H01 dropper post and Mavic E-Deemax wheelset with the same SCHWALBE tires as the top-tier model complete the package.
Retailing at € 6,799, the EN-R 1 entry-level model is the most affordable version of the BULLS SONIC EN-R. It features a 170 mm RockShox Domain Gold R 1.8 fork and RockShox Deluxe Select+ RL shock, which controls 160 mm of travel at the rear. Shifting is taken care of by an 11-speed Shimano DEORE XT drivetrain, which has a slightly narrower gear range. The Shimano DEORE brakes, combined with 220 mm rotors at the front and 203 mm at the rear, deliver far less braking power than the MAGURA GUSTAV PRO of the flagship model. LIMOTEC supply the Alpha dropper post, while Mavic provide the E-Deemax wheelset, which is paired with Schwalbe Magic Mary tires at the front and Big Betty at the rear. However, the tires come in the flimsy Performance casing, so we recommend upgrading to more robust tires.
The geometry of the new BULLS SONIC EN-R TEAM
Now onto the real highlight of the SONIC EN-R, the adjustable geometry. BULLS’ engineers came up with something special. There are two bolts on the top tube that can be loosened with just two turns, allowing you to shift the shock mount. The bike offers three geometry settings that can be easily adjusted for different riding scenarios: the starting point is Trail mode, which can be switched to either Uphill or Downhill mode.
The head angle ranges from 64.5° (Uphill) to 64.0° (Trail) and 63.5° (Downhill), while the bottom bracket height changes from 355 mm in Uphill mode to 347.5 mm in Trail mode and 340 mm in Downhill mode. At the same time, the seat tube angle becomes slightly steeper in Uphill mode and slacker in Downhill mode. Additionally, the reach increases slightly in Uphill mode, while the stack decreases, which should enabling a sportier riding position for more efficient climbing on steep gradients. In Downhill mode, the bike should provide a more descent-oriented geometry, offering greater stability and control on fast, technical trails.
Switching between modes is quick and straightforward, even on the trail, thanks to the special Powerstage tool. A particularly well-thought-out detail is that you don’t have to work in the dirt or worry about losing parts – a practical solution for on-the-fly adjustments.
With the SONIC EN-R, BULLS aim to deliver a versatile E-Enduro that can be converted into a climbing machine for power stages or a downhill beast for technical descents during E-Enduro races. We took it out on the trails to test whether it truly lives up to this promise.
The flip chip is hidden in the pivot point that connects the silver shock mount to the rocker of the rear suspension. It’s important to note that there’s a small, conical spacer between the bearing and the shock mount, which must be positioned correctly. This adjustment alters the travel and allows you to switch between 160 mm (100% downhill-oriented) and 145 mm to improve climbing performance – all without affecting the bike’s geometry. However, this adjustment isn’t intended for on-the-go trail use but requires a steady hand and a bit of time – around 5 minutes, after which you can enjoy a coffee.
| Size | M | L |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | 455 mm | 475 mm |
| Stack | 612 mm | 630 mm |
| Chainstay | 445 mm | 445 mm |
| BB Offset | 12.5 mm | 12.5 mm |
| Seat tube | 435 mm | 465 mm |
| Headangle | 64° | 64° |
| Seatangle | 76° | 76° |
| Top tube | 591 mm | 615 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 120 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1234 mm | 1263 mm |
The new BULLS SONIC EN-R TEAM on the trail
With the geo-adjust in Trail mode, you’re integrated less deeply into the bike, but balanced between the front and rear wheel. This inspires slightly less confidence on descents but enables a more efficient pedalling position. Uphill, the front end of the SONIC EN-R remains stable and responds precisely to steering input, even in technical sections. The powerful motor pushes you willingly over roots and rocks, engaging and disengaging more smoothly than its predecessor – nice!
The rear suspension is on the firmer side, and doesn’t always generate optimal traction on loose terrain, ensuring efficient performance on fire roads and less demanding climbs instead – no need to reach for the climb switch, as there’s no noticeable pedal bob. Switching the geo-adjust into Uphill mode improves climbing performance only marginally. The steeper seat and head angles put a bit more pressure on the front end, which can be helpful in steep sections.
Descending in Downhill mode, the SONIC EN-R integrates you deeper into the frame, which is mainly due to the slightly lower bottom bracket. On flowing trails, the bike delivers tons of fun, with the firm suspension making it easy to generate plenty of speed by pumping through rollers and berms.
However, on rougher trails, the SONIC EN-R lacks composure. When riding fast, the firm suspension passes bigger hits on to the rider almost unfiltered, especially in nasty rock gardens and root carpets. This requires an active riding style and careful line choice to maintain control, making the BULLS less beginner-friendly. It takes an experienced rider to fully enjoy descents on this machine. That said, the suspension still offers enough reserves for botched landings, bigger jumps and drops in bike parks.
Who should take a closer look at the new 2025 BULLS SONIC EN-R TEAM?
With its powerful Bosch CX motor, the BULLS SONIC EN-R is an efficient, keen climber, while the upright pedalling position makes it an ideal companion for long days in the saddle, ensuring a comfortable experience on epic backcountry expeditions. On flowy trails, it delivers plenty of fun and excitement. However, before tackling harder and more technical trails, it’s worth scouting them beforehand, as the bike demands a precise line choice, making it more appealing to experienced riders.
Conclusions about the new BULLS SONIC EN-R TEAM
The BULLS SONIC EN-R delivers tons of fun on flowy trails. The upright riding position makes it well-suited for long tours, while the powerful Bosch CX motor ensures impressive climbing performance. However, on rougher trails, the lack of composure becomes evident, requiring an experienced rider to navigate the e-MTB safely. The geometry adjustment feature allows you to fine-tune the bike to suit various riding scenarios, although not even the Downhill mode makes up for the lack of composure. That said, we have to admit that the design of the BULLS EN-R TEAM is undeniably striking.
Tops
- Easy geometry adjustment
- Polarising design
- Fun on flow trails
Flops
- limited functionality of the tool
- Demanding handling on technical terrain
- limited composure
More info on the BULLS website.
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Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Peter Walker
