The Bull's Copperhead 3 we have already identified as the ideal bike for beginners. But if you are a bit more ambitious or even want to start one or the other race, you should take a look at the Bulls Copperhead Carbon S. We took a closer look at the bike and hit the local trails.
Bulls Copperhead Carbon S: Stylish, high-quality carbon frame
At a price of €1999 for the complete bike, a carbon frame is by no means a matter of course. On closer inspection you can see the high-quality processing of the material; the tube shapes are beautifully designed, but also specific to the needs of each frame component. The struts on the rear triangle are a bit more filigree, so that more comfort is created on the rear triangle.
When it comes to the color scheme, Bulls largely relies on the natural matt black carbon look. This is complemented by glossy black elements and silver-grey accents to loosen things up a bit. Together they result in a very high-quality and timeless look.
The frame is designed for 27,5 inch wheels and suspension forks with 100 mm travel; Two bottles can be accommodated in the frame triangle. A front derailleur is mounted on the seat tube, so configurations with more than one chainring on the crank are also possible. There is also a so-called chainsuck plate on the chainstay, which protects the fine carbon from contact with the chain. A thru-axle in the Boost standard is installed at the rear, which ensures greater frame rigidity.
Bulls Copperhead Carbon S: Strong equipment for ambitious riders
A great frame can only work well with the right parts. When skimming through the specifications for the Bulls Copperhead Carbon S, an overall very positive impression emerges. For the drive, the Cologne-based company relies on Shimano XT 2×11 – an option with a large range of gear ratios that can still be shifted in a sporty manner. The double crank with 36/26 teeth is combined with an 11-42 cassette; so you won't run out of gears, even on the steepest climbs.
A real eye-catcher at the front is the high-quality Fox Rhythm suspension fork with 100 mm travel and 32 mm stanchions. There is a remote control on the right handlebar grip that can be used to lock the fork. This prevents the fork from sinking in unintentionally when pedaling out of the saddle. With the tried-and-tested Fit cartridge and the Grip damping, shocks are absorbed in the best possible way, so that the rider always retains control of the bike.
A fast bike needs to be broken in from time to time. The proven Magura MT 4 are responsible for this on the Bulls Copperhead Carbon S. With 180 mm brake discs, the braking system shouldn't overheat so quickly, even on longer descents; in any case, they brought the bike and rider to a safe standstill at all times during our intensive test laps.
The wheels consist of "WTB XC21-D" rims and Formula hubs - a good compromise between weight and stability, although the former still has tuning potential. Schwalbe's cross-country classic Rocket Ron with a width of 2,1 inches ensures good ground contact; the high-quality Addix rubber compound ensures optimum grip.
For the handlebars, stem and seat post, Bulls relies on in-house components that make a high-quality impression. The Rampage from Selle Royal is used as the saddle, which underlines the sporty character of the bike.
Together with the frame and fork, all components result in a very good total weight of 10,9 Kilo. This is an ideal basis for a light touring hardtail with which you can get a taste of racing at a local level.
Bulls Copperhead Carbon S: On the trail
The key data of the hardtail promise agility and lively acceleration; before we put the bike to the test on our local routes, we first do a few laps in the parking lot. The Bulls Copperhead Carbon S already shows here that it is very agile and manoeuvrable thanks to the 27,5 inch wheels; it also proves to be lively when accelerating. The seat test is also positive: you sit sportily, but not too stretched out. The handlebars are a comfortable width, the saddle elevation is not too extreme. Only the handles don't quite fit into the overall picture, as they feel less high-quality.
The XT shifter changes gears quickly and is not overwhelmed even under load. The front derailleur is not inferior to the rear derailleur and does its job without a murmur. The low weight and stiff frame of the bike are noticeable on the first climb. It's easy to climb even steep ramps, and if you find yourself stepping out of the saddle, the fork can be locked so that hardly a watt is lost.
The bike is very agile on the trail. It maneuvers easily around tight corners; the Fox Rhythm suspension fork absorbs both light and heavy hits and doesn't make the bike nervous. The bike makes a safe impression on the descents and you dare to reach higher speeds. The very easy to dose Magura MT4, which are always ready for hard braking manoeuvres, help here.
Overall, the impression of a light touring hardtail, with which you can go to the starting line, is confirmed. The Bulls is definitely recommended for smaller drivers; For larger ones we would recommend a hardtail with 29er wheels, the advantages of which simply outweigh the disadvantages here. At the price of € 1.999, you certainly don't make a bad buy, you get a solid bike that could even be tuned a bit over time.
