The question of whether the world needs fat bikes or not divides the non-motorised bike world into several camps, some of which cannot be explained by sober facts. Some simply think the oversized bikes are cool. Others, who think fat is stupid, usually argue with the high rolling resistance. Of course, rolling kilos of rubber around costs energy. And this is exactly where the electric drive comes into play. Because thanks to Bosch & Co., rolling resistance is largely unnecessary.
The whirring of the tyres drowns out the engine noise of the CX-Performance when you accelerate the Monster ES on the road. Dragster feeling. It's clear that energy is wasted here, but it doesn't matter. It only gets interesting off-road anyway. First special stage: gravel. The mini shocks are absorbed by the thick tyres as if they weren't even there. The suspension fork has no say in the matter. It only reacts to bigger impacts. The monster bike crunches over the gravel, it's a joy. Until the first pothole arrives. Here it becomes clear, quite literally, that a 4.0 tyre is no substitute for rear suspension. You can't sit still, otherwise the shock will shoot into your spinal discs. Off into the singletrack. Tightly winding, forest floor interspersed with roots. It's actually all about setting the rough line here. The tyres do the rest. Slippery roots, caught at an acute angle without bumping - no matter. Ruts from forest vehicles - no matter. A stream bed with loose gravel - no matter. The tyres provide lift and simply roll through everywhere. Pure safety. You still have to work and get out of the saddle - as I said, the fat tyres provide manageable suspension and zero damping. The fatbike definitely makes sacrifices. There is also a considerable lack of steering precision and agility - the riding experience cannot be compared with a normal bike: The Monster can only be steered into bends with a lot of physical effort.
ConclusionBulls realises the fat bike theme with an elegantly curved frame and good geometry with flying colours. The attachments fit, and the powerful Bosch motor delivers plenty of propulsion. Above all, the Monster ES proves that fat is not necessarily stupid. Rather: a question of taste.
Drive
Motor/position Bosch Performance CX/mid-engine
Max. Torque 75 Nm
Battery/display Lithium Ion, 500 Wh/Bosch Intuvia
Switching/translation Shimano XT, front 15, rear 10-speed (10 x 42)
Equipment
Frame material/sizes Aluminium M/L
Fork Rock Shox Bluto RL Solo Air
Brake/disc fore/aft Shimano Deore BR-M615 | 180/180 mm
Impellers Bulls 80 millimetre rims, Bulls hubs
Tyres Schwalbe Jumbo Jim Snake Skin 26 x 4.0 Evo TLE Pace Star
Info
www.bulls.de
Model Monster ES
Weight 23.4 kilos
Price 3999 Euro
