Bulls Cross Lite EVO
Bulls Cross Lite EVO is a Great Commuter eBike for Adventure & Fun
At first glance, the Bulls Cross Lite EVO looks like your everyday commuter e-bike. But upon closer examination, you quickly realize that this ride is much more than a daily transportation option. If adventure and fun are on the menu, this e-bike is ready to take you beyond your morning commute and tackle everything from epic gravel trails to cross-country getaways.
Powered by the latest Bosch Gen 4 Performance CX 250-watt drive that features 85Nm of torque, this compact, lightweight, and extremely powerful system weighs in at just 2.9kg. Although designed for the eMTB market, this top-end e-drive is very much at home on the Cross Lite EVO.
Combined with a Bosch PowerTube 625Wh lithium-ion battery (the most powerful the company produces), you’ll receive maximum ride time even while climbing hills or packing a heavy touring load. With a range of up to about 100 miles (160 km), the battery is integrated seamlessly into the downtube and can be fully charged in under five hours.
Your ride experience is managed by the small, barmounted and highly intelligent Bosch Kiosk display unit.
Route navigation, fitness management, specific ride data and more are all available through the full-colour display. The
Kiosk is designed to function with its Bluetooth connection to the eBike Connect smartphone app. You can easily change the ride mode selection and scroll through the Kiosk screens with the 4-button control unit mounted on the left side of the handlebar.
Reliable, durable and performance-driven components embody the Cross Lite EVO. Shimano’s SLX 12-Speed shifter and rear derailleur provide seamless movement up and down the mountain bike–inspired 10-51T cassette. Peace-of-mind braking for any adventure is provided by Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors.
The 6061 Black Label aluminum frame is designed for an upright, comfort-driven ride, with the adjustable stem allowing for fine-tuning to a more custom fit. The city, commuter-inspired SR Suntour NRX front fork provides 63mm of travel with a lockout option. A strong and dependable wheel-tire combination includes 36-spoke WTB rims wrapped in 28x1.5” Schwalbe Marathon Racers.
The Cross Lite EVO is offered in three sizes with three frame options including Wave (low step), Step-Thru (mid step) and Diamond (high step). It comes fully accessorized with fenders, kick stand, a rack with a spring-loaded rat-trap, bell and Fuxon light.
For my first test ride, I took a quick spin through town and found this light, sub-50-pound e-bike was quite nimble and responsive through traffic. It always handled well and felt ready to take on any journey. Plus, it was much easier to lift and place at the back of my vehicle for transport when needed.
Next up was accessing some great gravel trails just east of town. Once at the trails, the Cross Lite EVO did not disappoint. The benefits of the eMTB savvy Performance CX’s new sensor motor control functions shone through its ability to automatically adjust to the changing terrain conditions. Loose gravel, slick roots and rocky pitches were no match for me and my new amigo.
Despite the minimal treaded tires, steep climbs were a breeze — even at a standstill. The motor’s wider cadences range, along with the low gearing options of the mountain bike rear cassette, truly helped engage the bike to the offroad conditions. If more regular gravel-riding is in your plans for this e-bike, you might consider upgrading to tires with a bit more tread, especially for descending more technical terrain.
The Bulls Cross Lite EVO is an e-bike that can take you to work as easily as it can take you exploring the hills out of town, or on any holiday excursion. It’s that one e-bike with a personality that can fill many voids — it’s practical, adventurous and, most of all, fun.
The SRP is $6,399. www.bullsbikesusa.com.