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No other bike from the Test group of MTB hardtails up to 1500 euros (2020 vintage) is better equipped than the Copperhead 3 S 29 from Bulls. A complete Shimano XT drivetrain and the Fox suspension fork are not only nominally high quality, but - in combination with the light wheels - also reduce the weight to under 12 kilos. The best mark in the test! The seat angle could be a little steeper for a more effective pedalling position. We therefore pushed the saddle all the way forwards. Nevertheless, the Bulls Copperhead 29er remains the most powerful bike on the climbs. On singletrack, the Fox fork responds well and handles bigger hits better than the other suspension forks in the test. Thanks to the large 180 mm brake discs, the Magura MT4 brakes have sufficient power. The offset handlebar allows the rider to stand upright behind the front wheel, which makes for a safe riding experience. The steep steering angle, the relatively high bottom bracket and the tyres without puncture protection minimally slow down the downhill fun.
Test summary of the Bulls Copperhead 3 S 29:
Uphill, the Bulls Copperhead 3 is unbeatable due to its low weight. That wins the test. On the descents, however, it becomes clear that the geometry of the frame is in need of an update.
BULLS Copperhead 3 S 29" - model year 2020
Price 1499 Euro (specialised trade)
Material / Sizes Aluminium/ 41 / 46 / 51 / 56 / 61 cm
Weight without pedals 11.75 kg (2155 gram frame)
Frame rigidity (absol. / STW) 57 N/mm / 26.45 N/mm/kg
Front suspension travel 104 mm
Fork Fox 32 Rhythm Remote
Cranks / gears Shimano XT / Shimano XT / 1x12 gears
Gear ratio / handlebar width 32; 10-51/ 730 mm
Brake system / Disc front / rear Magura MT4 / 180 mm / 180 mm
Seat post / seat comfort / diameter Bulls / 5.59 mm / 31.6 mm
Wheels / tyres Shimano MT400/500 hubs; Bulls XC 21 rims / Schwalbe Rocket Ron Evo Addix Speed Liteskin 29 x 2.25 tyres
Reach / Stack / BB-Offset 433 / 626 mm / -57 mm
BIKE judgement GOOD (163.75 points)¹
You can conveniently download the complete comparison test of seven mountain bike hardtails for € 999-1499 from BIKE 4/20 as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 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 BIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
You can find these 2020 mountain bike hardtails in the test:
- Bulls Copperhead 3 S 29
- Canyon Grand Canyon AL SL 8.0
- Ghost Nirvana Tour Essential
- Merida Big.Nine NX-Edition
- Radon Jealous AL 8.0
- Rockrider XC 500 29
- Specialised Chisel
The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
