Bulls Wild Ronin 2 Review

Extravagant looks, striking color, and lightweight. The Bulls Wild Ronin is an all-mountain bike that doesn’t skimp on its charms. But does the bike also impress when taken off the showroom floor and tested on the trail?

The most striking feature of the Ronin is its unique rear triangle. The entire structure, described by Bulls as a 4-link, is essentially a single pivot with a linkage-driven shock. This principle, in a modified form known from brands like Crossworx, results in a very low center of gravity within the frame, which benefits handling and central weight distribution.

In practice, the rear triangle impresses with an impressive pedaling neutrality. Even when pedaling out of the saddle or on smooth climbs, the rear remains remarkably calm. This efficiency makes platform damping (lockout) on the shock not just nearly, but actually redundant. Even under load while braking, the system remains stable: the rear triangle stays active, does not dive excessively, and maintains the geometry.

The kinematics are designed with a lot of progression. This is a double-edged sword: It reliably prevents the shock from bottoming out, even on hard hits or jumps. However, the rear becomes noticeably firmer in the last third of the travel, which reduces grip during hard, fast hits in technical sections. It’s definitely not a “cushy ride,” but a firm, sporty suspension. Those looking for a comfort miracle or who want to push it more downhill would be better off with bikes like the Canyon Neuron or Cube Stereo One44, which both play in the same league.

The unique design features make it suitable for touring, but it has its quirks. A notable positive aspect is the service hatch under the bottom bracket. This detail makes cable changes easier and demonstrates that Bulls have thoughtfully worked to enhance maintenance accessibility. Additionally, crucial for touring riders: There is space for two water bottles.

However, some details require a bit more effort. While the press-fit bottom bracket is standard, it makes maintenance in this area somewhat burdensome compared to a threaded bottom bracket. Also, servicing the rear suspension levers takes longer due to the need for extended screwing. The internal cable routing through the headset looks very clean and worked flawlessly in the test but complicates changes to the stem position. Inside the frame, the cables also tend to rattle slightly while descending—a small but present annoyance.

The high stiffness and steering precision of the frame, which contributes to a direct ride feel, is worth highlighting. For more aggressive use, there is also an ISCG mount for a chain guide.

When things get real on the trail, the Bulls Wild Ronin gets loud. Unmistakably loud. For one, the cables rattle slightly inside. However, the bigger noise maker is the chain.

The top chain line runs through a very small triangle of the rear triangle between the crank and the cassette. When bumps hit the rear, the chain slaps against both the seat stay and the chain stay. And this can be heard loud and clear on rough downhills. Even trailing riders hear this sound.

Bulls covered both the upper (seat stay) and lower (chain stay) areas with rubber protectors from the factory to shield the carbon. These thin rubber protectors are sufficient at first to protect the paint or carbon from damage, but they can’t eliminate the noise. Anyone choosing the Bulls should definitely consider applying much thicker slapper tape to keep things quiet.

The Wild Ronin 2 is an efficient climber and tour rider. Thanks to its kinematics, the rear suspension remains remarkably calm even when standing on the pedals, ensuring loss-free propulsion. The uphill performance is further emphasized by the very low overall weight of 13.3 kilos. In direct comparison, the similarly positioned but more expensive Orbea Occam SL was 300 grams heavier in the test configuration.

The lively take-off primarily comes from the lightweight wheels. Bulls relies on 25 mm wide Mavic rims, significantly saving weight compared to the currently standard 30-mm rims, which makes a noticeable difference when accelerating. The riding position, with the handlebars mounted high, is not too sporty and offers comfort for long days in the saddle.

The seat angle is a steep but not excessive bit over 76 degrees. This ensures a lot of pressure on the pedal on flat terrain but requires an active shift to the front of the saddle on very steep inclines to keep the front wheel on the ground and maintain sufficient pressure on the front.

When heading downhill, the Ronin clearly showcases its focus: it’s not an all-out high-speed shredder but a very playful bike. Its low weight and low center of gravity make it extremely agile. Manuals and spontaneous jumps are easily executed, providing high riding fun.

The powerful braking system delivers full power even for heavier riders or on steep, long descents, providing security at all times. However, the progressive rear suspension shows its limits here: it’s no plush ride and becomes increasingly firmer due to the high progression. While this does preserve the shock, it limits the reserves in truly rough terrain.

A noticeable compromise is also evident with the tires and rims. The Nobby Nic tires and narrow 25 mm rims do not offer massive volume. Compared to wider tires, grip, comfort, and puncture protection are reduced. Additionally, we had to re-true the Mavic rear wheel after just a few test rides. This downside on the descent is the price you pay for the exceptionally light and sprightly uphill climb. Thus, the Ronin is a fun bike downhill that can be ridden actively but does not offer endless reserves for extreme challenges.

The Shimano 1×12 SLX drivetrain is paired with an XT derailleur and performs without any complaints. However, it doesn’t thrill the tuning scene. On the other hand, the XT 4-piston brake is an anchor you can rely on.

Regarding the wheels and the RockShox Select suspension, the feeling remains: In the past, Bulls offered better specs for over €4000 MSRP. Cube, as a dealer brand, also enters the race more aggressively with its Stereo One44, offering even a Fox Factory suspension and a flawless XT drivetrain at a comparable price. Functionally, there’s no criticism of the Bulls’ setup; it suits its intended use. But in terms of bling factor, it’s primarily the paint job that stands out on this bike.

The Bulls Wild Ronin 2 enters a fiercely competitive segment. Compared to the major competitors in the trail/all-mountain category with similar travel (130–140 mm), it shows: