Randoms: New eMTBs, Smart Helmets & More from Sea Otter Play

Sep 18, 2020
by Ed Spratt  
Although we didn't get to visit Sea Otter in person this year the organisers put together a virtual trade show that allows you to browse stalls, chat to a range of brands and watch talks. We have clicked through the virtual trade halls for some of the latest products.

Bulls


Bulls brought along their new 2021 lineup of eMTBs to the virtual Sea Otter trade show with the standout from the updated range being the all-new Adventure EVO AM. This new model is a 27.5" full suspension eMTB that features 150mm of travel front and rear and it comes with two batteries.

The Bosch Gen 4 Performance CX motor draws its power from a total of 1125Wh batteries. This comes from 625Wh Powertube battery in the downtube and an extra 500Wh from a Powerpack battery mounted on the underside of the top tube. The dual battery setup does give the Adventure Evo AM a distinct look that means this isn't an eMTB that could be mistaken for a normal mountain bike.

At the front, the bike uses a Fox Factory 36 Float fork and a Fox Float DPS shock is out back, the head angle comes out at 66.5° and the seat tube angle is 74°. Across the size range, the reach goes from 419mm to 494mm with every size using 445mm chainstays. The long chainstays for a 27.5" bike are used to mount plus-size tires with the Adventure EVO AM coming with 2.8" tires front and rear.

The rest of the spec features a mix of Shimano XT and SLX drivetrain, Magura MT5 4-piston brakes with 203mm rotors and a collection of Bull's own componentry. The 2021 Bulls Adventure EVO AM is going to be available from November and costs $7,399.



Also joining the Bulls range of eMTBs for 2021 is the Wild Flow trail bike which uses 120mm of travel and has a Fazua motor which claims to be resistance free as it decouples when not in use. This model is available now and prices start at $5,999.



Finally, Bulls announced a women's-specific trail eMTB with the Aminga EVA TR which will be coming in February 2021. The Aminga uses 120mm of travel and it is fitted with the same Bosch Gen4 CX motor as the Adventure EVO Am but it only has the one 625Wh battery. The Aminga EVA TR starts at $4,999.


Küat


Küat has launched an updated version of its tray-style hitch rack with the Transfer V2. The new version will still be available in 1,2 and 3 bike options and all models come with a range of improvements of their predecessors. The biggest changes with the V2 Transfer are clearance for larger tires, smaller wheel compatibility and a wider base to accommodate longer bikes.

Pricing for the Transfer V2 starts at $249 for the one bike rack and it goes all the way up to $449 for the three bike option. The one bike add-on can be used on nearly all of the new models and it is priced at $129.


Bimotal


Bimotal are showing off their new Elevate motor system which allows you to turn any mountain bike into an eMTB by using their disc rotor motor.

While the idea of fitting a motor to a standard bike is nothing new, the Bimotal's system takes a different approach. The Bimotal Elevate uses a toothed brake rotor and a small motor unit attached to the rear brake mounts, this is powered by a battery that is the size of a water bottle.

The 750W motor is able to deliver 50Nm of torque consistently with a boost of up to 100Nm and it weighs around 1kg, which is lighter than similar hub motor systems. Currently, the range for the Elevate is only 15 to 30 miles which definitely limits its use for people who want a big day out on the bike. Bimotal has said that they are looking into add regenerative power in the future which could allow for battery charging when you hit the descents.


The Bimotal Elevate is not yet available with a current launch date of early 2021.


Sena
Sena gave a sneak peek at their new smart mountain bike helmet which features a hands-free intercom system. The Sena M1 helmet uses a Bluetooth intercom system that lets you connect with four other nearby cyclists using the Sena helmet, but the EVO model uses the Mesh Intercom platform allowing for communication with multiple riders within a half-mile (900 meters) range and incorporates up to 9 channels. Other features included with both helmets are smartphone access to music, GPS directions, calls and rear light on the back of the helmet.

bigquotesThe all-new M1 and M1 EVO helmets are bringing wireless, touchless, and seamless communication and audio to you and your friends while on the trails. Sena’s proven technology quickly melts away uncovering a shared riding experience like never before. Talk with each other. Listen to music, GPS directions, or training app cues. Make or take a call.— Sena


The M1 and M1 EVO helmets will be available in 2021 with Medium and Large sizes and three different colors: matte black, matte white, and cement gray.



Posted In:
eMTB Reviews and Tech Randoms Sea Otter Play


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71 Comments

  • 50 4
 Bulls should relaunch with an a instead of u. Those look like complete balls.
  • 14 0
 "have you got the Balls? Grab life by the Balls. We have Balls. Now you can too. You're gonna love our Balls." the marketing writes itself.
  • 11 0
 @conv3rt: The top tube on our Balls will destroy your balls!
  • 1 0
 It defies all current trends with the gas tank look, for people who want their e bike to look like a motorcycle.
  • 4 0
 I've been crossing my fingers for the Bulls Hit.
  • 31 0
 "this isn't an eMTB that could be mistaken for a normal mountain bike"

That is a nice way to put it. It fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
  • 10 0
 Lets spend heaps of time revising our mountain bike frame so the weight is as low as possible - then let's put a heavy second battery as high as possible on the frame to undo all that good design work.
  • 3 2
 To be fair: Bulls also released good looking ebikes for 2021. Just search for “bulls sonic ep8 2021”.
Maybe this is a regional thing – release the most ugly bikes for America, keep the good looking stuff for Europe?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Santa Cruz V10 at some point.
  • 21 0
 At first I didn't see the smaller inner geared ring on the rotor and thought that it somehow grabbed onto the rotor to propel it forward.
  • 14 1
 Is Bulls intentionally making ugly bikes?
  • 7 8
 It is an ebike.
  • 1 2
 There are non-ugly ebikes? Wouldn't ever have come across one...
  • 1 0
 @BenTheSwabian: To be honest I think that Kellys bike does look pretty cool. I'm just a sucker for low top tubes and the Kellys Theos does have that. I get different people have different tastes though.
  • 7 0
 That bimotal thing looks like a really cool idea, but I'd be curious about the forces being applied to the brake mounts, especially considering how the motor is detatched from the drivetrain, and can't necessarily freewheel. Definitely gonna be keeping my eye on it though.
  • 1 1
 Ya, brake mounts are tough as nails, but only in one direction. This is pulling on the mounts instead of pushing.
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: In the image, the mount is IS so pulling or pushing wouldn't really matter. If it mounts to a PM then yeah, it would. But then again, I don't think the power applied by such a motor is even remotely comparable to what a brake dishes out. If a motor would accelerate me at the same rate a brake would decelerate me then yeah, I'd call it a motorcycle too Wink .

I can definitely see a purpose for this stuff though. I mostly ride from home but about once a week or so, I ride at trails about 30km from home. I could pedal to go there but it hugely affects how explosive (hence) fun my ride can be there and obviously I need to have some reserves in the tank for my way back home. So usually I take the car to get there, which isn't the most sustainable way of course. I could use this on my ride to get there, then leave it at the restaurant to charge as I ride these trails for about two hours or so. After the ride I chill some, have a drink and I'd even be willing to pay for the charging (though it seems most restaurants here offer customers to charge their batteries for free) and head back home. If it goes 15 to 30 miles on a single charge, it seems just perfect for my purpose. I once considered a complete e-bike for this purpose (and it might eventually pay for itself) but I can see this make much more sense. I'm happy with the bike I have and I have a bottle mount I'm not using. So if this thing implies I can easily head to these trails without driving a car then it seems like a huge win!

Edit: Ok, just checked their website:
bimotal.com/shop/preorder
Nearly 2k USD and you need to use their brake rotor with teeth I can't see working well when covered in a bit of dirt and leaves. There may be an audience for this kind of stuff, but it isn't me. Bummer, something like this could make sense. I don't have a clue about power outputs etc but 25km/h on level road, maybe 4bft headwind, well below 200W should easily be enough for what I'd use it for.
  • 11 2
 What the actual fk is that first contraption.....destroy the eggs and burn it with fire
  • 3 0
 I like the fact that it's identifiable in the woods as a powered machine.
  • 9 0
 What's the deal with short travel ebikes? I would just want an ultimate trail smasher if it was going to be so heavy.
  • 9 0
 Trek: "We just made the fuglyest e-bike ever"

Bulls: "Hold my beer!"
  • 4 0
 I got all excited about the Kuat Transfer v2, as the wheelbase restriction has prevented it from working with even a few year old size L and XL bikes wheelbases, so I never considered it.

But then I did some research to figure out what the new max wheelbase is... and they didn't go far enough to be useful. The new max is 50" (1270mm). That means again, that most modern long travel bikes in size L/XL are close to the limit, or are already over that size.

Its a shame, it would be nice to have a bike rack on the market that didn't cost a fortune, and that fit "normal" sized bikes.
  • 2 0
 The V1 Transfer fits my very modern and long XL just fine. You have to keep the rear wheel mounts loose enough to rotate to accommodate the large wheelbase. That being said this is one of the worst racks on the market. I bought it because of the low price but highly regret not saving a bit more. There is way too much play in all of the plastic interfaces and the bikes shift around excessively no matter how tight you secure your bikes. Doesn't look like this new version fixes this issue but we will see.
  • 1 0
 @Caveman22:

Interesting. Thats both good news... and bad news I guess.

My current size L has a WB > 48in (the max listed for the V1), and most of the bikes I'm looking to replace it with are all over 50in long (XL Norco Sight, P4 Privateer 141/161, Banshee Titan, etc). So guess I had assumed that they wouldn't work, but obviously hadn't tried it.

But sucks to hear its not a good rack anyway.

Guess I'll keep using my homemade one for the time being. Until I decide if I want a 1up, or something like a Northshore/Lolo.
  • 5 1
 I'm going luddite on those helmets. The potential of full blown CoD voice chat coming to the trails is too high and too dangerous. Kill them with fire before other brands join in.
  • 3 0
 Older Husband and wife e-cyclist will buy the absolute shit out of those things. Which will be great.
  • 2 0
 Take a call in the middle of that big move! Sounds ideal.
  • 1 0
 Does this helmet include Jarvis, Friday, or Cortana? Imagine: voice control integration with AXS and Fox Live Valve!
  • 1 1
 @showmethemountains: Hehe, you have just predicted the future.....Alexa, i want to hit the next black after this one, "Alexa...I'm sorry, you dont have the required subsciption for this trail".....
  • 3 0
 Seems a good time to tell Bulls that if I bought my lass a bike called Aminga she'd think I was giving her an immense insult, minger being a description of an ugly woman... dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/minger
  • 10 8
 Hard to believe how far and how fast Pinkbike has fallen since Richard Cunningham's departure less than 9 months ago. A principled defender of its readers and its sport from the corporate dinguses degenerated into a sad pile of industry leghumpers in less than a year.
  • 3 5
 Downvotes from every execbro at Spesh and Cannondale in 3, 2, 1 ...
  • 5 0
 You Sena better looking helmet?
  • 1 0
 "Finally, Bulls announced a women's-specific trail eMTB…" While I realise that the "finally" is in reference to it's location in the article, I initially read it as "Finally" as in the people had been waiting for this one... which I'm not sure is the case.
  • 2 1
 'Talk with each other.' Uhm, can't I do that already? These are half shells, I can hear you perfectly fine. Perfect example of where line extension from full face moto road helmet does not make sense.

'Listen to music, GPS directions, or training app cues. Make or take a call.' Really? FFS, we don't have enough f!cktards already with headphones in their own little world, oblivious to their surroundings.
  • 2 0
 So we buy a mountain bike to go outdoors and be out there enjoying trails and nature. Then a helmet bring us back to the city. That sounds great. Humanity is lost! #ComeGiantMeteor #ComeFast
  • 1 0
 E-bikes will most likely continue to be a common sight wherever you ride, as they appeal to human being's inherent laziness. Hardly anyone likes riding uphill, and riding uphill on a tough singletrack trail even less. I'm seeing them more and more on my local trails, and I wouldn't be surprised that within ten years, e-bikes outnumber the good old fashioned pedal mountain bikes, that I will never, ever give up on. As a great man once said, they'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!
  • 8 4
 Bimotal seems RAD!!! would love to try this out! Very clever and ingenious
  • 2 0
 Too little range, but if they get the range extended by regen braking the game would change.
  • 2 0
 Problem is that it would be great on a hardtail but would add too much unsuspended weight on a full suspension bike.
  • 2 0
 @Notmeatall: the battery is so small just bring another one with you, by either dual water bottle mounts on some frames or just in a pack
  • 2 1
 now someone is screwing with brakes. What the hell is next? Imagine a rear failure on a descent after assisted up to 7,000'. Great idea any others? Autolube when you hit the 11 tooth rear would be nice
  • 3 0
 Just what I always wanted in a bike, two heavy batteries and no water bottle mounts.
  • 3 0
 The top Bulls bike legitimately looks like it has a broken top tube/was in an accident.
  • 3 0
 Bimotal motor is Is stronger & lighter than the one on my levo sl. Cheeky speshy boys got me.
  • 1 1
 Sena should come out with the same external unit they have for motorcycles (the most popular and best option on earth rn) and package it slightly smaller for MTBs, we dont need that much battery life anyways.
We could then use it on any helmet, the full face for chairlift days and the open helmet for trail heads.
GO GO SENA
  • 1 0
 You would spend $400 a pop on those devices? and make you're friends buy them? and have to ride with that particular friend. Insane amount of money to spend to have the distraction of someone yacking in your ear down A-line.
  • 7 4
 Imagine that Kuat rack with 3 e-bikes on it...tumbling down the freeway.
  • 1 4
 Just a lovely thought
  • 3 0
 I would rename it the Bulls Hit!
  • 1 0
 @verskis: root vegetable is a vegetable i guess!
  • 1 0
 The hunch bike of Moto Dame
  • 1 0
 Love you PB. thank you for bringing the comedy.
  • 1 2
 E-bikes just keep getting uglier somehow. And it looks like I'm not the only one who is appalled by these monstrosities.
  • 3 5
 Womens specific eMTB? Because eMTBs already sell so well?
  • 8 1
 There are other places that are not the US where eMTBs sell very well.
  • 13 1
 I live in the southeast US and I'd estimate 1 in 10 bikes I've seen on the trails recently is an e-bike. We also mix pasta with mayonnaise and have the audacity to call it a "salad" though so we might not be representative of the whole country.
  • 3 0
 @Counsel: should try potatoes with mayo. But the propper way. Boil some potatoes, hard boil 2 eggs. When the potato cool down a bit, peel and slice, not thin. hand shake the hard boiled yolks with 2 fresh yolks, adding little by little of oil, until you have enought of the mayonnaise. put a little bit of vinegar on the potatoes, salt, the freshly made mayonnaise and voyla, some delicious potato salad.
  • 1 1
 @Counsel: Interesting, I live in VT, haven't seen a single eMTB yet. @wang-chung Point taken.

We prefer the potato in the so called "salad", though, seeings how it's not a vegetable the term salad is still questionable.
  • 2 0
 in Europe>>YES
  • 4 2
 @wang-chung: We're getting it in America, the wheels have been set in motion and can't be stopped. We're inching closer to the inflection point of 3 huge rider groups coming around to eMTB.
Purists are getting old, DH/enduro bros realizing more down with no truck or chairlift, kids on XC teams seeing their coach riding an eMTB at practice.
  • 2 1
 @iduckett:
Potato is not a vegetable?
  • 2 0
 @coletrane-mtb: I don't like this but you have a point. Take my up vote and go away!
  • 4 0
 @wang-chung: in Germany there are some tours in the alps where it’s 99% e bikes and people look at you weird or compliment you when you still ride a normal bike. Mostly old farts or young tourist couples with zero alpine experience. A friend‘s mother works in the nearby accident clinic, she says the numbers of injured mountainbikers has gone up exponentially over the last years, and most of them were e bikers.


But yeah, here e bikes sell like hot cakes and you can rent them everywhere.
  • 1 1
 @verskis: "Potatoes are botanically classified as a vegetable, but they are classified nutritionally as a starchy food,' says a DoH spokesperson. This is because when eaten as part of a meal, they are generally used in place of other starchy carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta or rice."

Or so says my nutrition food science major wife. It doesn't get bonus points when I make dinner, lets put it that way.

@Upduro: Noted! Wouldn't mind trying one myself.
  • 1 1
 @iduckett: potato = Tuber
  • 2 5
 Way too long of a chain stay on the Bulls, smart idea on the extra battery though. Looks better than most ebikes.
  • 2 0
 You think that bik looks good?!
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