ABS bikes from Bulls, Canyon & Cube: These are the e-MTBs with Bosch e-bike ABS
Adrian Kaether
· 18.12.2023
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Contents:
Bulls: ZEG shows six ABS models from Hardtail to All Mountain
With over 500 dealers in Germany alone, the large bicycle purchasing co-operative ZEG is one of the absolute giants on the bicycle market. With its own Bulls brand, ZEG is adding various e-MTBs with ABS to its programme. What's special about Bulls: The brakes from the cooperation between Bosch and Tektro are used here for the first time on E-MTBs. Bulls' ABS bikes were on show for the first time at Eurobike 2023, the four available models all belong to the 2024 model year and will officially appear on the Bulls website from the beginning of January 2024. The first models should be available at dealers by then at the latest.
Bulls Copperhead ABS: Hardtail at a favourable price?
Bulls' tried and tested hardtail is the first ABS mountain bike with Tektro brakes. The equipment is kept very simple with a Suntour fork and no dropper post, only the Shimano Cues gears from the particularly durable Linkglide series exude quality. As the ABS naturally costs extra money, the price for a hardtail is still quite high. Depending on the battery size, the bike costs up to 4399 euros. In addition to the Copperhead Evo 2 ABS, the ABS hardtail from Bulls is also available as the Copperhead Evo 3 ABS XXL for particularly tall and heavy riders. Here, the permissible total weight increases with the frame size to 150 kilos and the equipment is somewhat more valuable. The Evo 3 ABS XXL is available from 4599 euros.
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 500-750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 or 27.5 inches
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Permissible total weight: 130 kg
- Price: From 3999 euros (500 Wh)
Bulls Iconic ABS: SUV hardtail with ABS
The classic Copperhead hardtail is already trimmed for everyday use with Monkey-Link interfaces and particularly durable parts. The Iconic SUV hardtail goes one better with mudguards, a side stand and pannier rack. Like the Copperhead, the Iconic is also available with a diamond frame or as a step-through model. The weight approval is 150 kilograms and the price is between 4799 and 5199 euros, depending on the battery size
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 500-750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 or 27.5 inches
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Permissible total weight: 150 kilograms
- Price: from 4799 Euro
Bulls Copperhead Evo AM ABS: Affordable touring fully with aluminium frame
Don't be fooled by the name: Although the bike is called Copperhead, like the hardtail, the Copperhead Evo with the AM suffix offers rear suspension and a full 150 millimetres of travel. This means that the affordable aluminium full-suspension bike should perform well even in difficult terrain. The geometry has been trimmed for comfort and is rather solid, but this could benefit the Evo AM in everyday and touring use. The ABS model is the Evo AM 2 equipment variant, which comes with favourable Suntour suspension and Shimano gears. Prices range between 5199 and 5599 euros, depending on the battery size.
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 500-750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch (Mullet)
- Suspension travel: 150 mm
- Permissible total weight: 130 kilograms
- Price: from 5199 Euro
Bulls Sonic Evo AM ABS: all-mountain bike with carbon frame
The Sonic carbon fibre fully will be the top model among Bulls' ABS bikes. The sporty bike with the carbon main frame and the aluminium rear triangle has been convincing in our tests so far. The sporty geometry with the short chainstays was particularly appealing. Exclusively in the Bulls portfolio, the Sonic comes with the TRP Trail Evo trail brake, while the cheaper models have to make do with the Tektro Volans SUV brake. As an ABS bike, the Sonic will be available in two versions, which differ mainly in terms of the drivetrain and the wheels. The cheaper Sonic Evo AM 2 comes with a twelve-speed Deore and Rodi rims, while the Sonic Evo AM 3 relies on Shimano's XT and Mavic wheels. Both bikes are available with 625 or 750 watt hours in the battery, with prices starting at 5799 and 6299 euros respectively. The large battery costs 200 euros more.
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 625-750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch (Mullet)
- Suspension travel: 150 mm
- Permissible total weight: 150 kilograms
- Price: from 5799 Euro
Canyon Grand Canyon:On 9: Test-winning hardtail with ABS
In our test of nine affordable hardtails one bike stood out in a particularly positive light. The Grand Canyon:On 8 from mail-order company Canyon in Koblenz. The bike is very well thought out, rides easily and smoothly on tours and trails and the equipment is also of high quality for an entry-level hardtail. Fox fork, Shimano gears, Tele support: everything you need is here. Only the permanently installed battery is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. The ABS bike is called the Grand Canyon:On 9, but apart from the brakes it offers the same equipment as our test winner without ABS, the surcharge for the ABS is 500 euros.
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Permissible total weight: 130 kilograms
- Price: 4299 Euro
Cube: 3 ABS models from hardtail to all-mountain test winner
Industry giant Cube presented the first ever e-MTBs with ABS in spring 2023. The Waldsassen-based company has added three models for off-road use to its range. Starting with the affordable Reaction Hybrid hardtail, the Stereo Hybrid 120 touring bike and the Stereo Hybrid 140 all-mountain bike, each of which only comes with upper mid-range equipment.
Cube Reaction Hybrid ABS 750
The Reaction Hybrid is Cube's good-natured E-MTB hardtail for all-round use. Accordingly, Cube has fitted Schwalbe's Smart Sam crossover tyres and dispensed with a dropper post. However, the Fox fork and the twelve-speed Shimano drivetrain are of high quality and the battery, with a full 750 watt hours, is quite long-lasting. The price is 4599 euros.
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Permissible total weight: 150 kilograms
- Price: 4599 Euro >> available here
Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 ABS 750
With long chainstays and moderate geometry, the Stereo Hybrid 120 in Cube's portfolio is more of a comfortable alternative to the Reaction hardtail than a classic trail bike. However, we are familiar with the uncomplicated riding characteristics from some tests, and the equipment of the ABS model is of high quality with Fox suspension, Tele support and Shimano twelve-speed drivetrain. Thanks to the aluminium frame, the price is pretty fair for a well-equipped fully, but the weight is quite high at 26.4 kilograms (factory specification).
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Permissible total weight: 135 kilograms
- Price: 4999 Euro >> available here
Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC ABS 750
The classic: We already know the Cubes Stereo Hybrid 140 from many tests. The uncomplicated character and the wide range of use brought the all-mountain bike with carbon frame various good results. In the last test of affordable fullys the Cube was even able to snatch the test victory. A handy and versatile bike that can be recommended to anyone with a clear conscience.
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Battery: 750 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
- Permissible total weight: 135 kilograms
- Price: 5499 Euro >> available here
Conclusion on the E-MTBs with ABS from Bulls, Canyon & Cube
So far, the selection of e-MTBs with the Bosch ABS system is still quite small. However, in addition to Magura, another brake manufacturer, Tektro, has been on board as a partner since 2023, which also has an exciting brake for sporty mountain bikers in its programme with the TRP Trail Evo. Not least because of this, the range of ABS bikes for 2024 and beyond could expand significantly once again. - Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB Magazine
Adrian Kaether
Editor
