Ebike Industry Updates

Had we published this review some months back, we would have come away impressed and reporting that this is a great, cost-effective eMTB that’s worth a look by anyone who needs to stay within a sane budget. There are plenty of reasons to like the Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750. That said, they reduced this eMTB’s price from $5,500 to less than $4000, taking it from a smart buy to a steal (not literally, thank heaven).

Not only is the Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 a terrific value these days, it will continue to be a great eMTB for some time to come. Any time you buy an e-bike, you are locked into the frame, the motor and the battery. Everything else—fork, shock, drivetrain, brakes, wheels, dropper post and especially tires—can be upgraded. For that reason, it’s important to invest in an eMTB that can grow with you, which is precisely what Bulls has built with the Copperhead EVO AM 3 750. The Bosch Performance Line CX is one of the best motors being spec’d in eMTBs, and it would be hard, if not impossible, to find a better motor in an eMTB at this price. Add to that the sizable 750Wh battery and a durable aluminum frame with 150mm of travel and a mullet setup, and you have an eMTB that is very contemporary.

Those are elements on which a very nice eMTB can be built. Because Bulls chose Shimano Deore components in the drivetrain and brakes and because they are arguably the most affordable components that can stand up to the demands placed on an eMTB, what we have is an eMTB with a relatively low initial investment, but with enough underlying quality that later upgrades make good sense. When we consider the difference between Shimano’s Deore and Deore XT groups, the single biggest difference between the two is durability; the Deore parts won’t last as long as the Deore XT parts, so for the rider who needs to keep their spend down but plans to ride plenty, they can begin upgrading parts as they wear out a year or two down the line.

Our criticisms of the Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 are relatively minor. An eMTB this capable should have dropper posts matched to frame sizes; the bigger the frame, the greater the length the dropper should be.

Our other criticism of the Bulls Copperhead EVO AM 3 750 is its weight. At 59.9 lbs., it is one of the heaviest eMTBs we’ve tested. Its weight won’t be an issue for most riders in most circumstances, but if riding in a group, a rider on this eMTB may find it difficult to keep up on steeper climbs. We have a responsibility to note that this is a heavy eMTB, but it’s heavy because they have made choices that will make for a lasting investment.

Ride Quality is not measurable in the same way that our other tests are, and much of it comes down to personal preference. Many factors affect how the Buzz Drone feels to ride, but we can examine it broadly to evaluate its effectiveness. Some of the primary factors are sizing and fit, comfort, handling, motor engagement, and the bike’s user interface.

Buzz Bicycles does not advertise a specific height range for the Drone but instead says that it will fit “most riders.” Moped-style e-bikes accommodate their riders differently than most other types of e-bikes since they do not require pedaling, so this makes sense. As long as you can sit comfortably and reach the handlebars, the Drone should work for you.

At 5’11”, I found the bike generally comfortable; its size and geometry felt much like I expected based on previous testing of similar models. My legs assumed a somewhat crouched position while my upper body was upright. With a long reach, my arms were fully extended, but the bike’s handlebars could be angled to adjust this to a limited degree.

With its relatively low weight and 20×4” Kenda tires, the bike handled quickly and felt stable when riding and cornering. Its suspension fork, while somewhat limited in its travel, offered enough cushion to soften bumps, and when tire pressure is reduced, the tires themselves can serve as a sort of suspension.

Motor engagement was another area in which we felt the Drone could be improved. The bike uses Throttle-After-Pedal (TAP), meaning that its throttle cannot engage unless the bike is moving. We feel that Throttle-On-Demand (TOD), which would allow starting from a complete stop, would be a better fit with the Drone’s style and feel.

It largely comes down to personal preference, but we also generally prefer twist throttles to thumb throttles—especially on longer rides—as they are easier and more comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. The Drone’s thumb throttle was functional, but we would like at least the option to switch to a twist throttle at purchase.

While more subjective than our previous test sections, ride quality is no less important. This section covers the Quick Haul Long’s sizing, comfort, handling, user interface, accessories, and overall feel.

Tern offers the D9 in a single frame size intended for riders between 5’1” and 6’1”. The bike includes a long seatpost and a telescoping stem with approximately 9.5” of saddle height and 4.5” of handlebar height adjustment to customize its fit. At 5’11”, I had both points of adjustment set near their maximum, so the advertised height range made sense.

I found the bike generally comfortable; its ergonomic handlebars and rubber grips were easy to hold for long rides. Its saddle was on the slim/firm side, though that was not unexpected considering the bike’s commuter/city bike influence.

The Quick Haul Long’s riding position is forward-leaning (slight to moderate, depending on the handlebar height) with a bottom bracket that felt somewhat shifted forward, so pedaling seemed to require more outward force instead of downward pressure. I found that this took some getting used to, but the adjustment period was short.

As mentioned previously, the bike felt relatively light and nimble for its size; its wide 700 mm handlebars offered controlled steering and its small wheels felt quick to turn.

In terms of features and the user interface, the Quick Haul Long took a minimalist approach. Its small display/control panel occupied the left handlebar while the right hosted the Tektro trigger shifter and a small bell. The bike includes lights and fenders, but no other bells or whistles; this helps to keep its cost relatively low in comparison to other Tern models.

The ride quality of any bike is crucial. How it feels, handles, and provides comfort are all factors you can’t really ‘feel’ before buying online. So, I’ll break it down for you.

First up, the posture and frame sizing. The riding posture on the Euphree Stellar Falcon feels like a commuter bike with a slight rise in the handlebar, ergonomic grips, and step-through frame geometry. The wide handlebars and short stem create a hybrid position—not fully upright like a cruiser and not fully forward like a mountain bike, but somewhere in the middle.

For frame sizing, the Euphree Stellar Falcon offers configurations that should fit most people. The step-through version we tested has a low standover height, making mounting and dismounting easy.

Next, suspension and tires. The Euphree Stellar Falcon stands out with its air fork suspension, which offers preload and lockout options. If you’ve never ridden a bike with an air fork, it’s miles ahead of coil springs in performance and comfort. Preload adjusts the fork to match your weight and riding style, making bumps smoother. Lockout turns off the suspension on flat surfaces, so you don’t lose pedaling efficiency. It’s like having the best of both worlds.

But, Euphree didn’t stop there—they also included an SR Suntour linkage and hydraulic suspension seatpost. While I never cared about suspension seat posts before, I might be sold now. They remove impacts felt through the rear tire, seat bones, lower back, and spine. With more miles on me than my peers, I’ve learned to love these hidden comforts that actually deliver, unlike some buzzword features.

The Euphree Stellar Falcon’s 750W rear hub motor pumps out a peak of 1200 watts with 90 Newton Meters of torque. It’s quiet compared to most e-bikes at this price, but it can get louder during sprints or hill climbs. It’s not uncommon for e-bikes to have these quirks—each has its personality. However, the torque sensor on this bike lacks refinement.