Test Bulls Six50 E2 Street: Sporty off-roader or pedelec suitable for everyday use? This e-bike falls right in between, but is a bike that adds value rather than compromises.
When it comes to mountain biking, many cyclists primarily think of purely sporting use – off-road tours through difficult terrain with a bike backpack, cycling shorts and all the trimmings. But it is quickly forgotten that mountain bikes have long since made a name for themselves as all-rounders. Their wide, non-slip tires also take on the frost heaves and root damage of the bike path that is used every day; a suspension fork digests the roots on the trail as well as potholes and curbs. And in addition to the way to work or to university, an MTB can be used for a workout and for exhausting energy.
The Bulls Six50 E2 Street fills the gap between sport and everyday life
The same applies to e-bikes. Touring models with narrow tires and hub gears may do a good job on slippery asphalt if you walk calmly, but when it gets rougher and faster, they quickly reach their limits. But is that why you buy a thoroughbred mountain bike?
Bulls addresses this problem with a model that many cyclists may have been waiting for: The Bulls Six50 E2 Street fills the gap between sport and everyday life - but not in such a way that compromises have to be made on both sides. Rather, the discreetly styled power pack is an extension of the spectrum on both sides. Instead of extremely rough-treaded off-road tires, the product developers gave the wheel Schwalbe's "Smart Sam" on the way, which rolls easily on asphalt due to the narrow tread blocks on the tread, but offers a lot of grip with pronounced shoulder lugs, be it in curves or on slippery, loose surfaces underground. The large volume ensures good shock and vibration absorption; Instead of mounting 28 inch wheels, the Bulls Six50 E2 Street uses the current MTB size of 27,5 inches, which ensures optimal handling.
This also means that a sensitive, long-travel suspension fork can be installed - on 28-inch bikes, on the other hand, the suspension travel is usually limited to a good 60 mm. With its 100 mm, the fork can be tuned softly without bottoming out on larger impacts. In terms of comfort, the Bulls Six50 E2 Street is clearly superior to conventional touring pedelecs.
The Bulls Six50 E2 Street beats every MTB when it comes to suitability for everyday use
On the other hand, the Bulls beats pretty much every MTB in terms of suitability for everyday use. The mudguards fit tightly and are therefore visually not out of the ordinary; In any case, they are indispensable for everyone who is not just a pure fair-weather cyclist. There is also a side stand on the bike – everyday life is simply not possible without it. The lighting system is well integrated; the rear light is in the mudguard, the headlight is inconspicuous and sits high under the display of the Bosch drive. The MTB genes of the all-rounder are also evident here: With the Bosch Performance Line CX, the supplier's most potent propellant is specified, which not only provides thrust on the trail, but also when towing a child trailer. The stable braking system with a four-piston caliper at the front is actually already oversized for everyday use, but is reliable and safe on fast descents - and also helpful when driving with the said trailer.
However, the Bulls Six50 E2 Street differs significantly from the MTB in one thing: the shape of the frame. At first glance, this does not seem sporty, especially given the low step-through, but it makes sense. On the one hand, it makes it easier to get off the bike, which is more common in everyday life, and on the other hand, the large difference in height between the saddle and the handlebars follows the realization that most cyclists prefer a somewhat more upright posture, which is also the norm with trail MTBs used for sport. There is no need for a large stack of spacer sleeves - they look pretty unsportsmanlike.
