Bike check - Karl Platt's Bulls Wild Edge
An in-depth look at the all-new Bulls Wild Edge bike of the greatest Cape Epic racer of all time.
Karl Platt is one of three riders to have won the Absa Cape Epic five times, with many of these wins coming alongside teammate Stefan Sahm. With an illustrious history, Team Bulls has become one of the most successful outfits in the race's 20-year history. Today, much of the POV Cape Epic racing footage is provided by former champion Stefan Sahm and teammate Thomas Dietsch riding Bulls Vuca EVO AM2 belt-driven electric mountain bikes. Karl Platt might not be racing at the sharp end of the field anymore but he still competes in the Master category, having won this year's race with Tomi Misser as Bulls Masters (raising funds for NPO charity I Love Boobies).
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Platt's hands-on involvement with the team and Bulls Bikes plays a vital role in the development of new equipment and bikes and, for 2024, they debuted a new Wild Edge Team bike with an assortment of equipment. Setup and fine details were run through a team training camp before the Cape Epic. With some visual delving by photographers Lokito Mansur and Ewald Sadie, off.road.cc was able to prod team manager Vincent Durand for the skinny on Karl Patt's Bulls Wild Edge Team.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_000.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Karl Platt's debutant Bulls Wild Edge Team. The most obvious departure is the shock orientation. Suspension travel is 120mm which would likely update frame geometry with the new suspension setup. Compared to the previous Wild Edge, frame lines are more refined with the head tube junction being the most obvious. We'd posit that this goes beyond aesthetics and reduces weight. There are some new equipment points with tyres, wheels and cockpit. Interestingly Bulls works within a quality standard ZEG and, as of 2023, also became a member of the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_001.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Bull's new Wild Edge suspension is nestled in the downtube/BB junction with a wishbone link attached to a unified swingarm through the seat tube. Dubbed by Bulls as "4 Link Swingarm".
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_002.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Another angle of the shock orientation provides an overview of the wishbone link and shock placement. The eagle-eyed might notice the cable for manual suspension modes, whereas several UCI teams (even some amateurs) were running the new RockShox Flight Attendant. This is not by accident as Bulls opted for the security and possible reliability of a proven system. Flight Attendant takes a period of dialling for riders.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_003.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Schwalbe First Ride rubber with Addix Speed compound – its red label matched to a set of red anodised Flow Worx valves. A valve design developed and patented over several seasons by team mechanic, Udo Juterbock. The coreless valve design eliminates clogging from sealant, allowing for accurate pressures and improved airflow.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_004.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
More cross-country bikes are appearing with integrated bar-stem cockpits. For a fit-and-forget cross-country setup, this makes more sense than not– other than headset cable routing at least. The Rumble branded setup appears to be an in-house brand under Bulls Bikes, appearing in its 176-page catalogue. The URL is currently reserved under United Domains.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_005.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Wide Open, Pedal and Lockout is actuated via a RockShox TwistLoc Ultimate grip shift system.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_006.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Tried and proven, Topeak Ergon's SR Men Team saddle with carbon rails is the perch of choice for the team.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_007.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Shimano XTR Calipers and trail levers keep 160mm centre-lock Ice Tech rotors.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_008.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
It's pretty much official now: 120mm front and rear travel is commonplace for cross-country mountain bikes.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_009.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
One of the cleanest front-end setups we've seen at this year's Absa Cape Epic. 120mm SID suspension, Shimano XTR braking and what looks to be some new wheel/rim profile design. Most apparent is the Schwalbe First Ride rubber, note the blue strip along the headline indicating increased pinch-flat protection.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_011.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
Spacious bottle area and a lightweight compact thermoplastic tube from Schwalbe mounted under the top tube for speedy access if required.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_012.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
The RockShox AXS Dropper is activated by a grip-recessed blip button on the bars.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_013.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
A general view of the Schwalbe First Ride rubber, showing an intermediate tread pattern profile and spread of blocks. Given the rounded tyre profile, we reckon this is aimed at a fast-rolling multi-condition tyre.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_014.jpg, by Dino Lloyd
A Sigma Rox GPS computer keeps track of all training and race data. Karl Platt has had close involvement for nearly 15 years with the 40-year-old brand.
Cape Epic_OffRoadCC_Karl Platt_018.jpeg, by Dino Lloyd
Karl Platt and Tomi Misser celebrate their stage win and masters GC overall win.
