Established in 2025 by Matt Wauters of EBMX, Bonnell is an electric mobility company headquartered in Austin Texas that focuses on the development of off road two wheeled vehicles. The brand emerged from competitive racing roots, having achieved team champion honors in the FIM Explorer World Cup before transitioning into consumer production. Bonnell specializes in hardware that bridges the divide between mountain biking and motocross, utilizing race developed technology to engineer chassis and drivetrains from the ground up. The initial product catalog centers on the 775 series, which includes all mountain and touring configurations, while planned expansions like the 805 and 902 models target the mid size and full size electric dirt bike markets. Bonnell’s market positioning is defined by several key factors:
- Racing Proven Engineering: Products are derived from active competition experience, prioritizing performance metrics such as torque and precision handling
- Proprietary Technology: The brand develops internal systems such as the JoyCon programmable controller and swappable battery packs to ensure an integrated ecosystem
- Material Selection: Frames often utilize 4130 chromoly and forged aluminum components to balance weight and durability for aggressive terrain
- Global Operations: While based in the United States, the company maintains a presence in Perth, Hong Kong, and Dongguan to manage research and manufacturing
In a professional context, Bonnell is recognized for its clean sheet designs and technical innovation in the electric off road sector. While the brand emphasizes user tunability via smartphone applications, its focus on high power outputs and purpose built off road geometry represents a niche alternative to the utility oriented electric bicycle manufacturers currently in the industry.
The Bonnell 775 MX is the rare machine that genuinely earns the "best of both worlds" label. It climbs like an eMoto, descends like a true downhill bike, and looks enough like a mountain bike that nobody on a shared trail gives it a second glance. That last point matters more than it used to, given how aggressively Surron style bikes are being pushed off public trails and out of communities. The 775 MX fills that void without asking you to compromise on fun, and with Bonnell already fielding bikes like the 805 and 902 that are winning races at venues like Glen Helen Raceway, it is increasingly clear this is not a one-hit brand. The 775 MX is a strong product from a company that looks like it is just getting started.