Only 100 of These Bikes Will Ever Be Built, and a Fresh One Costs More Than Some New Cars

Folks, the bicycle before you today has been dubbed the Sonic Evo EN SL Daytona. A whole lot of names, but for a whole lot of bikes. Oh, and just so we're all on the same page, what you're looking at cruises in with a price tag of no less than €14,200 ($16,000 at current exchange rates), assuming you don't pay any taxes or shipping fees. Better put a helmet on for this one because it's going to rattle your brain just a little bit.

Now, the Daytona is a machine that's limited to just 100 pieces. It's also crafted by Bulls, a cycling team that has been aiming for the stars since 1995, in the process of creating a name for themselves among the cycling community. But, it wasn't until 2007 that the brand really kicked things into high gear by creating Team Bulls, their top-notch and professional sports division.

Well, whether or not Team Bulls had anything to do in bringing the Daytona to life isn't mentioned, but that doesn't even matter; this thing is a beast by any standards. Actually, it's considered the proverbial flagship for this class of bikes. Only one other option exists, selling for €5,200 ($5,800), the SL1.

As the flagship, the Daytona is meant to brandish all the very best this brand has to offer, and with that, we start our journey by taking a closer look at that full-suspension frame. Overall, carbon fiber is used to craft this beast, but there's o mention of what sort of layup techniques are used, nor anything on the resins. However, the result is a sleek frame with a dropped top tube, integrated battery, and a rear triangle that scares me in a good way. It's even dropper post-ready.

Speaking of dropper posts, this brings me to my next point; this bike wouldn't be all that different from the rest on the market selling at this price if it weren't for those secondary components. I'm talking about that funky inverted fork, massive brakes, and 12-speed drivetrain. After all, the electronic components are simply offered by Shimano. Nonetheless, it's all top-shelf stuff, so don't worry; we just might be getting our money's worth.

Starting with the front of this bugger, I want to point out that massive fork. Here, an Intend Edge fork brings 160 mm (6.3 in) of travel to your cycling game. That's downhill MTB-worthy! At the rear, 150 mm (6 in) of travel is granted yet again by Intend, with a Hover Gamechanger shock. Sure enough, these hand-crafted shocks from Germany are good for any hardcore MTB riding style, including downhill and enduro. Internal floating pistons (IFP) for the win!

What does this sort of suspension system mean for possible owners of the Daytona? It means the smoothest rides, customizable response and dampening, and the goods to take this beast to the trails and competitions and bring home some damn gold medals to make up for the price tag. Sounds about right.

Furthermore, the rest of the goodies are also the best of the best currently found on the market. Overall, the drivetrain is granted by SRAM and tuned to 12 speeds, and sports an Eagle 10-52T cassette. Best of all, shifting will be handled wirelessly with an AXS Rocker shifter and Eagle AXS derailleur. Brakes, on the other hand, are from a manufacturer I've never heard of before, TRP, with a set of DH-R Evo brakes that cruise in with a price tag of up to $300 without the rotors. At the front, 220 mm (8.7 in) rotors are there for the stopping power, while the rear is sporting 203 mm (8 in). Not too much, not too little, just right.

As for the electric power behind this machine, I mentioned that it's Shimano. Here, a Steps EP801 is in place and bringing 85 Nm (63 lb-ft) of torque to the game. The only downside is that it's limited to a 25 kph (15.5 mph) top speed. Anything beyond that, it's all you. It's just how they do things over in Europe, but this is a software-limited speed, so things can be different for you, wink-wink.

But, when we start talking about the battery, something different happens. It would appear that Bulls is showing off proprietary goods with a V10 Light Core 725 with 750 Wh of amped-up juice. Best of all, it's a removable system, so you should be able to pick up another pack and double your range, whatever it may be.

Now, this isn't the end of this story; there are countless other components that have been specifically selected to ensure your experience is as solid as can be and to ensure you don't change your mind and want your money back. But, to go through those, we'd need an entirely new article. Let me put things this way, everything that can be crafted from carbon fiber surely is, and gear is selected from the highest shelves possible.

In the end, if you happen to buy a Daytona, ride it, and don't like it but can't return it, sell it for parts. Sure, you won't get all your money back, but maybe you can trade up in the world. Until the next pocket-draining unicorn pops up in the world, bid you safe riding.