Bulls vs Conway: E-MTB full-suspension bikes with smart system in comparison
Florian Vesenbeckh
· 02.05.2022
Smart houses, smart watches, smart cars. Today, everything that wants to be modern is smart. As Last year, Bosch launched the new generation of its top-of-the-range Performance CX it was clear that the Swabians would also move with the times. Since then, Bosch bikers have been able to update their system from the comfort of their own home or adjust the support levels to their personal preferences via an app. And this is just the beginning of the many options that can be added to the system in the future. However, the new "Smart System", as it is officially known, is only available with a range of new components. These include the giant Powertube 750 battery, which means a hefty price increase. The e-bike manufacturers are compensating for this by equipping their cheapest models with the old system. So if you want to be in possession of the latest Bosch technology, you have to look around in the €5,000 price range, where you will only find a manageable number of full-suspension e-mountainbike models. We went on a search in precisely this entry-level range and fished out two candidates in the all-mountain class from the market.
Both brands, Bulls and Conway, are known for their good price-performance ratio. Conway is asking 4900 euros for the Xyron S 4.9. This makes the bike the cheapest fully with a Smart system in the company's portfolio. The Conway's rival, the Bulls Sonic Evo AM 3 Carbon, already has a carbon fibre chassis for 300 euros more - a tempting luxury in this price range (the bike is available from 4600 euros as an aluminium model, also with the Bosch Smart System). The equipment on both bikes in the test is decent, but you shouldn't expect miracles in this price range. Conway invests in strong suspension. The good Fox 36 Performance is a clear advantage over the inexpensive Rockshox 35 on the Bulls. This is clearly noticeable off-road. However, Xyron riders have to make do with eleven gears on the Deore drivetrain, while the Sonic has twelve. The need to save money is also somewhat noticeable in the tyres. Both candidates rely on the affordable performance version of the Schwalbe tyres. The Nobby Nic profile on the Conway is clearly focussed on touring and smooth, fast rolling, while the combination of Magic Mary and Hans Dampf on the Bulls feels comfortable even on difficult terrain. Pleasing: The detailed solutions on the frame are harmonious on both bikes. The charging port is easy to use, the speed sensor is securely integrated and the battery removal is well thought out and functional. Both batteries are secured with a key. There is a clear difference in the choice of frame sizes. Bulls offers the Sonic in M, L and XL, while the Xyron is available in five sizes from S to XXL.
The rivals are on a par when it comes to suspension travel. 150 millimetres at the front and rear are currently more or less standard in the all-mountain league. There are differences in the wheel concept. Conway favours classic 29-inch wheels, while the developers at Bulls opted for the MX mix with a smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel. Accordingly, the geometry of the Sonic is designed to be sportier with a shorter rear end and longer main frame, while the Xyron focusses on comfort and riding safety. There are few surprises in terms of weight: as mentioned at the beginning, both bikes are equipped with the large but heavy Bosch Powertube with 750 watt hours of battery capacity. Our big all-mountain test from page 32 shows that even in the high-priced segment, record weights are hardly possible with this energy source. Even a bike like the Scott Patron eRide 900 Tuned - costing 9,000 euros and equipped with a full carbon frame - weighs in at 24 kilos. The 24.9 kilos of the relatively inexpensive Bulls is fine. The Conway Xyron lands above the pain threshold. 26.5 kilos is a real pound in view of the rather tame tyres, which is also clearly noticeable in the handling of the bike.
Who has the edge on the trail?
All in all, the off-road character is very different. The Sonic makes its sporty character clear right from the start. You sit a little more stretched out on the bike, the front is lower. This gives it a more direct and lively character. Especially on tame trails, the Bulls is clearly ahead. It's agile and easy to steer, pull onto the rear wheel and get airborne without too much effort. All of this is much more difficult with the Conway. This is partly due to the high weight, but also to the longer chainstays and the comfort-orientated suspension. The riding position is more upright and comfortable for long tours. But the Xyron can also score points on steeper descents or rougher passages. The rider feels safe behind the high front end, and the sensitive Fox suspension absorbs impacts with a lot of comfort - the Conway conveys more safety.
The rear suspension of the Bulls also works very well, but has been designed to be sportier. The inexpensive Rockshox 35 suspension fork, on the other hand, shows weaknesses: although it works sensitively, it is not very forgiving in difficult terrain. On steep downhills, it provides too little support, sags and throws the bike off balance. In any case, the short geometry is not designed for immense smoothness. As a result, the Sonic can't take advantage of the better tyres and longer reach on rough downhills.
The smart system: everything can, nothing must
Next discipline: the uphill. This is where the long geometry of the Conway Xyron scores points. Even steep ramps can be tackled calmly and safely on the bike. The Sonic requires significantly more physical effort from its rider. To prevent the front wheel from rising too early, you have to actively push your weight forwards.
Both bikes work well on long tours, with the large Bosch battery providing plenty of endurance. And as befits a smart tool, the drive communicates with the WWW on request. All tours and journeys can be recorded automatically via the new E-Bike Flow app - without having to start or stop manually. An interesting technical feature that allows data lovers to analyse their tours and riding performance in detail. Another practical feature for everyday touring is the option to adjust the support levels to personal preferences. This can be particularly helpful when adapting to weight and performance differences in the group. Unfortunately, the two progressive modes Tour+ and E-MTB are excluded from this function. Eco and Tour can be adjusted quickly and easily using the app. But don't worry: if you want, you can simply ride the powerful and easily modulated Bosch drive - and let the smart system be smart. Everything can, nothing has to.
Conclusion on the test duel
Bulls Sonic Evo AM3 Carbon
The Sonic series from Bulls is aimed at sporty e-mountain bikers. Our test bike comes with a high-quality carbon frame that catches the eye with its angular, wide top tube. The frame has a number of technical refinements: The head tube accommodates extra-thick 1.8-inch fork steerer tubes for greater stiffness and a positive fit. The battery removal from the top/side of the down tube is a particular plus after or during a ride in the mud. Then there are the clever light and accessory solutions, partly via magnetic connectors (front light and water bottle). The carbon fibre chassis is also impressive in terms of weight. Compared to the heavy Conway, it is sportier and more manoeuvrable on flat trails. The geometry with a low front puts the rider in an active position, so the bike whizzes round bends willingly.
The rear suspension works very well despite the low-cost shock. Thanks to significant progression, it has reserves for wild riding manoeuvres. However, if you take it easy, you won't be able to utilise the suspension travel. The inexpensive Rockshox 35 suspension fork can't keep up, which is the bike's biggest weakness. On steep descents, it hangs low, which has a negative effect on the riding position. As a result, the Sonic can't show off its qualities on demanding descents and exudes only moderate confidence. The riding position of the bike is stretched out. On steep climbs, you almost pedal from behind, which weakens the uphill characteristics. The front wheel starts to wobble early on in steep terrain. If you have technical climbs on the agenda, you should push the saddle all the way forwards. The saddle rails offer a very large adjustment range.
EMTB conclusion on the Bulls Sonic Evo AM3 Carbon:
Sporty trail and touring bike with a top carbon frame and harmonious detail solutions. The favourable fork prevents better marks off-road. It is less fond of extreme uphills.
Conway Xyron S 4.9
The Xyron S is the all-rounder in the Conway programme. It wants to take part in moderate weekend excursions as well as sporty off-road tours. The equipment on our test bike is harmonious. Above all, the good Fox suspension is anything but a matter of course in this price range. For 2022, Conway has not only fitted the aluminium bike with the new Bosch Smart system with a large 750 battery, but also large 29er wheels. Unfortunately, both are clearly noticeable on the scales. At 26.5 kilos, the bike is an absolute heavyweight. It is pleasing that the Xyron is nevertheless easy to steer and control. The geometry is comfortable and, with its rather upright riding position, makes both comfort-conscious cyclists and real mountain bikers happy. For trail detours, there is a large portion of off-road capability on top.
The strong suspension with the high-quality Fox 36 fork provides comfort and absorbs even bigger impacts on rough terrain with ease. The linear rear suspension is generous with its travel, which benefits moderate riders. On steep descents, you are comfortably behind the front wheel and remain calmly in control of the situation. At extreme speeds, the moderate tyres and then the soft suspension are the first limiting factors. However, you have to make significant compromises in terms of manoeuvrability. When the trail winds playfully through the terrain or roots invite you to jump off-road, the Xyron feels very sluggish. On the climbs, the bike is absolutely competent - whether at a sporty, extreme or moderate pace. The front wheel stays in contact with the ground for a long time, the rear suspension works sensitively and is nicely high in its travel.
EMTB summary of the Conway Xyron S 4.9:
Comfortable touring bike with good equipment and harmonious handling. It rides safely and neutrally off-road, but lacks manoeuvrable trail character. Unfortunately very heavy.
You can download the entire test duel "Bulls Sonic EVO AM 3 Carbon vs. Conway Xyron 4.9" from EMTB 1/2022 as a PDF below the article. The test report costs 1.49 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in EMTB. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, namely tens of thousands of euros every year.
