In late summer around Brixen, the air is still warm, the trails are dusty, and the vineyards glow heavy and rich. This is exactly where we took the BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 out for a ride, an e-gravel bike that, according to the German manufacturer, is meant to cover everyday riding and bikepacking in equal measure. To make that possible, it relies on a one-piece, full-carbon monocoque frame, molded from a single continuous carbon structure. The setup is rounded off by a Bosch Performance Line SX motor with a 400 Wh battery, an integrated lighting system and a suspension fork.
On paper, the overall concept sounds coherent. In size L, our test bike tips the scales at 16.36 kg, retailing at €5,999. But spec sheets only tell half the story. What really matters is how this e-gravel bike performs in the real world, on daily commutes and where enjoyment meets terrain.
The New BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 2026 in Detail
The BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 isn’t exactly a waif by e-gravel standards, yet it comes across as composed, well balanced, and neatly proportioned. The lines flow calmly, without harsh breaks. Even the motor area blends into the overall design in a very discreet way. The Kwiqsand paint finish with black decals on the top of the downtube ensures an understated, restrained and elegant look.
A closer look reveals just how seriously BULLS take versatility as the core idea behind the MACHETE EVO SX 2. Numerous mounting points on the downtube, seat tube and the underside of the top tube open up plenty of options for bags, bottles and additional luggage. As a result, the bike always feels ready for longer tours, whether you’re heading for the Alps or rolling through the flat Dutch hinterland. The permitted total weight of 135 kg is something you should keep in mind. A mount for a kickstand is also included, further underlining the bike’s everyday credentials.
BULLS also rely on contemporary solutions for the cockpit. The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the headset, which is now standard on gravel and e-gravel bikes, and helps keep the overall look clean and tidy. Sitting directly on the stem is the MonkeyLink 2.0 interface in the form of a top cap. Combined with a suitable SP Connect case, a smartphone can be mounted quickly and with minimal fuss.
If you want, the optional E-Cap Charging module, priced at €69.99, even lets you charge your phone directly from the ebike’s main battery. Handy if you do not want to lose your way among the vines on a tour through the vineyards around Brixen and prefer to navigate with purpose.
Even if you lose track of time along the way, the bike still lights your path reliably. The Supernova Starstream Mini is fully integrated into the handlebars, with only a small central window remaining visible. Visually, it’s a very elegant solution. Functionally, however, it calls for compromise: the beam cannot be adjusted independently and is instead set via the handlebar angle. What sounds like a limitation on paper did not matter in our test. Once properly set up, the light pattern worked just fine, even on fast descents.
At the rear, the MonkeyLink Twinlight sits at the frame dropouts. It shines brightly and is easy to spot, but we would still recommend adding an extra light to your jacket or backpack. Especially in traffic, that noticeably improves visibility.
The Spec of Our BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 2026
The power on/off button is one of those details you’ll likely have to hunt for the first time you encounter the bike. It’s tucked neatly beneath the top tube, well out of sight. The same goes for charging: the port isn’t immediately obvious either, sitting just ahead of the system controller on the underside of the top tube. Sheltered from wind and weather, it turns out to be a thoroughly sensible, ergonomic location – once you know where to look.
Assistance is provided by a Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55 Nm of torque, which draws its power from a removable 400 Wh battery. The latter slides out from the bottom of the downtube, and is secured with a key and protected by a battery cover with a twist lock. Simple and intuitive, exactly as it should be. If 55 Nm is not enough, you can increase the maximum torque to 60 Nm via an update in the Bosch Flow app.
A Bosch Purion 400 display shows all essential riding data, while a Mini Remote on the left of the stem lets you change support modes. Discreet, easy to reach and quick to get used to. Nice.
For the components, BULLS rely on the new SRAM Force XPLR AXS groupset, which comes remarkably close to its more expensive sibling, the SRAM Red XPLR AXS, in terms of quality. The ergonomically adjustable levers can be dialled in neatly to suit your riding position and, paired with 160 mm brake rotors front and rear, deliver consistently sharp braking performance. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM Force XPLR AXS drivetrain, which works reliably and with great precision even under load.
Mavic supplies the Mavic Allroad S Carbon wheelset, which strikes a great balance between stiffness and compliance. The wheels are paired with 45 mm Schwalbe G-One RX tires, with a tread pattern that offers plenty of traction off-road. If you plan to use the bike mainly for your daily commute rather than on rough terrain, it’s worth considering a less aggressive tire depending on the surface. Even so, rolling resistance remains pleasantly low. The balancing act between everyday use and adventure works here. How that plays out in reality… to be continued.
Tuning-Tipp: For added everyday practicality, fitting a kickstand and a set of mudguards comes highly recommended.
Added comfort comes courtesy of the RockShox Rudy XL Ultimate, offering a generous 60 mm of travel and clearance for tyres up to 57 mm. Spoiler alert: on longer rides and rougher surfaces, that extra comfort quickly makes itself felt, without diluting the direct ride feel you expect from a gravel bike.
Cut! The New BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 2026 on the Road
Unlike its name suggests, the BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 doesn’t surge forward like a bull on steroids. Nor does it paw the ground, at least not in the well-balanced Auto mode that we rode in most of the time. However, switch to Turbo and the motor does flex its muscles a little more. At the same time, the limited torque is always noticeable, though it never detracts from the ride feel. The tall front end, the suspension fork and the perceptible weight give you a sense from the outset that you are sitting on something solid and reassuring, rather than a razor-sharp, uncompromising thoroughbred.
The riding position is relaxed and slightly upright. You feel less like you are perched on the bike and more like you are sitting in it. Your gaze is directed further ahead rather than down, and your upper body stays calm. That suits the character of the MACHETE EVO SX 2 perfectly. This is not a bike for a quick espresso spin, but rather for the cappuccino afterwards. For commuting, it feels spot on: less rush, more overview.
When accelerating, the other side of that calm character comes to life. Getaways are solid and, with assistance, certainly powerful, but never explosive. You can feel the weight and the suspension fork wanting to be carried along. Without motor support, the bike feels rather sluggish, more like a fully loaded touring bike that prefers to roll than to sprint. That is behaviour it shares with most ebikes. With assistance, however, the Bosch Performance Line SX pushes decisively. For an e-gravel bike, it feels surprisingly confident, almost as if the motor were saying: take your time, I’ve got this.
Handling remains predictable at all times. The bike feels calm, almost stoic, never nervous or twitchy. Beginners in particular should feel at home here very quickly. The steering does not demand constant corrections, instead it follows clean, clear lines, almost as if on rails. In the drops especially, the wide handlebar inspires a lot of confidence. Here, the MACHETE EVO SX 2 feels like a small tank: broad-based, hard to unsettle and precisely for that reason, easy and pleasant to ride.
Compliance is high, with bumps being absorbed rather than passed onto the rider. Rough tarmac loses its bite, cobblestones become manageable, and kerbs suddenly feel lower. The RockShox Rudy suspension fork acts like a filter between road and body, taking the edge off without completely isolating you from what is happening. That brings comfort, but also control, and with it a sense of security that feels closer to a touring bike than a classic gravel bike.
Who Should Take a Closer Look at the BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2?
In everyday use, the BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 rides in a safe and predictable way. In city traffic, it offers calmness, overview and control; off-road, it inspires confidence. It is exactly this mix that defines its character. The MACHETE EVO SX 2 feels most at home where tarmac turns into gravel and where surfaces are not always perfect. It invites you to take shortcuts, not question detours and add an extra loop after work.
The spec suits both worlds. Lighting, motor and comfort clearly cater to everyday riding, while the geometry, tyre clearance and mounting points are geared towards longer tours and bikepacking. If you commute regularly, the only real addition worth making is a set of mudguards.
The BULLS MACHETE is a bike for anyone who wants to be outside without having to decide whether the day calls for leisure, terrain or simply the mundane ride to work.
Conclusions about the BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 2026
The BULLS MACHETE EVO SX 2 is not an e-gravel bike for chasing personal bests, but for riders who want to get around in a relaxed and reliable way. The integrated lighting system is implemented very sensibly, while the removable 400 Wh battery noticeably boosts everyday practicality. Off-road, the bike feels safe and composed, while with motor support it also becomes a genuinely pleasant commuter. The balance between adventure and daily use works thanks to features such as the kickstand mount and the numerous mounting points. Mudguards do need to be added separately, though. If you can live with that, you get a dependable companion that convincingly brings enjoyment and terrain together.
Tops
- MonkeyLink 2.0 interface
- Integrated lighting system
- Removable battery
Flops
- On/off button a little fiddly
More information at BULLS.com
Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Jan Fock
