Bulls Sonic EN-R Review

E-mountain bikes over €7000 have a target audience, but it’s not huge. And it gets even smaller when you focus on EMTB racing specifically. Is the new Bulls EN-R an absolute niche bike, or is it fun for non-racers too?

For the second time in a year, a Bulls bike has generated a wow effect in our editorial office. In spring, the Sonic Evo AM SL impressed us with its lively handling, razor-sharp steering precision, and low weight. Now Bulls is back with another entry, and once again, a “wow” echoes through our office. The new Bulls Sonic EN-R is a full-power e-bike designed for e-enduro racing. The name EN-R for Enduro Racing speaks for itself. And just like its smaller sibling, the Sonic EN-R excels in weight—particularly in its suspension and even more so in its price category.

22.65 kg is what the scale shows for frame size L. This makes the Bulls 1 kg heavier than the recently introduced Santa Cruz Vala – with the same motor, same battery capacity, and same wheel size. However, the Bulls outdoes the Santa with 10 mm more travel and a hefty 5,000 Euro price difference. And the most important difference in this detail: Unlike the Santa Cruz, the battery is even removable! So the weight checks out.

The price is explained by the budget-friendly components with which Bulls enters the Sonic EN-R 2 into the race. While the top model EN-R 1 dazzles with a premium RockShox Ultimate suspension, the mid-range EN-R 2 focuses on value for money, featuring a RockShox ZEB and a SuperDeluxe shock – both at Select level. It brakes with TRP C2.3 RX brakes, with the front brake biting into a massive 220 mm rotor. Tacky Chan and Big Betty tires with Ultra Soft Compound and Super Trail casing provide contact with the ground. Unfortunately, Schwalbe’s new wonder casing called Radial is not found on the Sonic.

For €8,000, you can get a lot of well-equipped E-enduros these days due to ongoing market consolidation. The Mondraker Crafty, for example, is similarly equipped, costs €500 more, and outshines the Bulls with sharper Sram Maven brakes and a larger battery. However, it is also 1.5 kilos heavier and has 10 mm less travel.

Those who have set their sights on 170 mm of travel and don’t consider weight the most critical factor in their purchasing decision will find a serious contender in the new Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE77 against the Bulls. Cube relies on a large 800-Wh battery and sends its new E-enduro with a Fox Factory Kashima suspension and Shimano XT 4-piston brakes onto the trail for only €7,199. Such high-quality equipment at a fiercely competitive price comes with a hefty 24.2 kg.

In the price war, the Bulls holds its ground but cannot easily set itself apart from the competition. All the more reason for it to prove its worth on the trail.

The steep seat angle of the Bulls positions the rider quite far forward over the bike despite the 25mm offset of the seatpost. This puts a lot of pressure on the front wheel and allows for relaxed climbing even on steep sections—even in the low geometry setting. Sliding the shock mount of the geometry adjustment backwards raises the bottom bracket and the head and seat angles rise by 1°. Since the bolt is located on the top of the top tube and the tool hangs within reach on the underside of the top tube, you don’t even have to get off the bike for the conversion.

The difference from the low position is not extreme in uphill but still noticeable. Since the conversion can be done in less than a minute with just two screws and the included tool, it’s worth the change if technically challenging uphills are ahead.

The rear suspension works surprisingly actively and can maintain optimum ground contact despite high load on the drivetrain. This way, the 2.6” wide rear tire confidently transfers the power of the Bosch CX motor to the track. Even in blocky uphill sections, the Bulls rides surprisingly nimbly, allowing the bike to maneuver agilely through tight switchbacks, over steps, and on loose ground towards the summit. The climbing capabilities of the Bulls are convincing.

Bulls achieves the low weight with Bosch’s new 600-Wh in-tube battery. If you’re worried that the compact battery might limit your long-distance Alpine tours, you can relax. If you’re ready to switch to Eco mode, tackling 2,000 vertical meters is a breeze. This was demonstrated on my tour to the Malga Saval at Lake Garda, which I pedaled for a SUPERTRAILS trail showcase with the Bulls Sonic.

The new Bosch CX motor shows no weaknesses on the Bulls either—though it’s worth noting that the system exhibits a fluctuating noise level. Without any apparent reason, the motor’s volume varies noticeably throughout the ride, depending on power output, cadence, but also temperature.

The motor remains clearly audible—though quieter than its predecessor. At full throttle on steep or technical climbs, the motor hums the loudest.

The Bulls feels lively and amazingly nimble on the trail. Especially quick changes in direction are a breeze for this bike. Like a pinball, you can shoot from corner to corner and gain momentum with each directional change. A characteristic you wouldn’t expect from a dedicated race bike, but one you can truly enjoy on the trail.

However, the terrain shouldn’t get extremely rough. The rear end, in particular, then transmits some of the hits to the rider. This could also be due to the rear suspension’s progression, which gives the bike some pop but also means that when faced with quick successive hits that drive deep into the travel, the rear end struggles to keep up with the hit staccato. It’s worth noting that this is high-level nitpicking.

The ZEB Select fork exhibits a similar character to the rear suspension. The fork seems somewhat overwhelmed with rapid succession hits and doesn’t track the terrain as well as the pricier Ultimate models. However, this character is only apparent at V-Max in extreme situations. Staying within the bike’s comfort zone, the fork, with its chunky 38 mm stanchions, primarily delivers precise steering.

All in all, the Sonic EN-R exudes a sense of security that can be especially enjoyed in the low geometry setting. The bike tracks smoothly while remaining lively, allowing for good and predictable handling.

The Sonic EN-R is a confident descender. But those who crave speed must also be ready for some serious stopping power. Providing that stopping power are the TRP C2.3 RX brakes. TRP is the premium brand from the component manufacturer Tektro, a major Taiwanese supplier in the bicycle industry. With their top model “EVO,” TRP has long been able to hold its own against established high-end braking systems like SRAM’s Code Ultimate or Shimano’s XT 4-piston. Thus, our expectations for the new entry-level model C2.3 RX were high.

While the TRP “EVO” model stands out mainly for its precise modulation, the C2.3 RX felt somewhat undefined in comparison. Above all, lots of finger strength is required to extract the necessary braking force from the brake on steep trails. The ergonomics of the brake lever are largely responsible for this impression. This is because the caliper and thick rotors are identical to the braking models that already impressed us in the Conway Ryvon.

The integration of the Monkey-Link 2.0 adapter, which sits under the stem and can hold a light via magnetic contacts while powering it directly from the main battery, is elegantly done. The Monkey-Link adapter is screwed onto the underside of the stem and is therefore hardly noticeable. What works well in everyday use and looks aesthetically pleasing on the bike has repeatedly come loose on the trail. Thread-locking compound could provide a solution here.

It’s crazy because Bulls has clearly thought through the Sonic EN-R down to the last detail. Many individual details and solutions show that the manufacturer has taken on high costs to create a thoroughly well-conceived product. For example, there’s the ample chainstay protector that generously covers the chainstay and is even screwed on for durability. Just a reminder: the €13,000 Pivot Shuttle LT comes with glued-on frame protectors, some of which came off the frame after washing with a pressure washer. Respect to Bulls for opting for a consistent solution that poses no problems.

Even with the charging port, they use an elaborate injection-molded part with a cover instead of the usual rubber flap that Bosch typically offers for its charging ports. However, at this point, the Bulls developers unfortunately did not go the extra mile: the plastic cover of the charging port is pushed back by a spring but has no lock, causing it to rattle. It also lacks a sealing lip. A pity.

The fully integrated Eightpins Dropper Post might not be a novelty anymore, but it still remains a rarity. The post is utilized by just five manufacturers, including Liteville, Ghost, and Bulls. Since the post’s stanchion is guided through bushings in the frame, it doesn’t require a seat clamp. Adjusting the saddle height is done via a lever at the top of the post – never has adjusting saddle height been so easy. And because the post is guided internally, you can be sure the saddle is always perfectly aligned with the frame.

When the post first hit the market, it stood out due to its enormous travel range. Nowadays, the Eightpins no longer holds a unique selling point in this regard. With an inseam length of 860 mm and a saddle height of 775 mm, it offers a travel range of 185 mm. This is good, but today’s standards are even better. On the plus side for the Eightpins is its durability, as the direct guide in the frame allows the post to use a 33 mm stanchion and correspondingly large bushings.

The Bulls Sonic EN-R will hit the market in 2025 in three different versions. The most affordable model is priced at €5,999, but already comes with the same frame, motor, and battery as the top model for €9,999. However, compromises have to be made with the suspension. Our test bike, with an MSRP of €7,999, strikes a middle ground between entry-level and high-end. It is likely to appeal to a wide range of customers. With a click on the arrow icon , you can compare all EMTB models from our extensive market overview.