The Wild Ronin is the latest trail bike in the stable of Bulls. The carbon frame is fitted as standard with 2.8 inch wide plus tyres on 35 millimetre wide rims. With the help of Boost, the Wild Ronin can also be retrofitted with 29er tyres. This change does not alter the geometry apart from the bottom bracket height. The latter moves up a few millimetres with 29-inch wheels. We rode the 140-millimetre bike with both 29er and Plus tyres.
The equipment is of very high quality: A Simano XT drivetrain changes gears on the top model tested for 3599 euros, while high-quality Rock Shox suspension elements provide damping: a Pike fork at the front and a Deluxe shock at the rear. A Reverb Stealth for lowering the saddle is also on board.
Uphill, the comfortable riding position is pleasing and the shock behaves calmly. Only a pedalling attack can upset it a little. The 22 gears offer a wide range. The 29er naturally rolls a little better on tarmac, but the plus tyres provide plenty of traction on soft ground.
Downhill, the Wild Ronin with Plus tyres is much smoother than with 29ers, as the higher rotating mass provides stability and the bottom bracket is slightly lower. The moderate 67° steering angle does not make for an excessively smooth ride, but it does maintain agility. While the wide tyres score points on gravel, the 29-inch tyres impress with their agility on tighter trails. The playfulness is also much more pronounced with the large wheels. Annoying: The internally routed cables on the test bikes rattle - allegedly a problem with the pre-series.
Test summary of the first ride test of the Bulls Wild Ronin Carbon
With the Wild Ronin, Bulls is sending a versatile bike onto the trails. The choice of wheels strongly influences the handling behaviour. Plus tyres are particularly recommended for less experienced riders, as they provide grip and comfort and increase smoothness. The 29er tyres, on the other hand, require a more secure hand when going downhill fast. On the other hand, the bike is much more agile, playful and rolls more smoothly on firm surfaces. The narrower tyres also provide significantly more feedback from the ground and ride more directly.
