Copperhead EVO 2023

The Bulls Copperhead EVO is the German ZEG brand's Bosch-powered aluminium hardtail eMTB line, and for 2023 it ran as three numbered trims, EVO 1, EVO 2 and EVO 3, all sharing a 120 mm fork, a Bosch Performance Line CX (Smart System) motor rated at 85 Nm and a 625 Wh PowerTube battery (a 750 Wh PowerTube version was sold alongside as the EVO 1 750). Geometry on the Diamond 29in frame is sporty cross-country rather than aggressive trail: a 66 degree head angle, 74 degree seat angle, 455 mm chainstays and a 437 mm reach in medium, sized M, L, XL and a usefully tall XXL.

The trims climb in a logical ladder. EVO 1 pairs an SR Suntour XCM coil fork with a 10-speed Deore drivetrain and Supero Anti-Puncture tyres; EVO 2 upgrades to an SR Suntour XCR Air fork, 11-speed Deore and Vee Tire Crown Gem rubber; EVO 3 tops the line with Bulls' own Lytro 34 Air fork, a 12-speed Deore groupset, a four-piston Shimano brake and folding Schwalbe Wicked Will tyres. All three are offered in Diamond, Trapeze and Wave step-through frame shapes and in 29in or 27.5in wheels, so the family sprawls across many catalogue entries despite the small core spec ladder.

This is a value-focused, do-it-all e-hardtail rather than a trail weapon, aimed at fire-road and light-singletrack riding. It is discontinued. Bulls has since rebuilt the Copperhead EVO range around the newer Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor, with the current EVO 1 and EVO 2 hardtails carrying the line forward alongside the full-suspension Copperhead EVO AM models.