Better Than a Surron... 2026 Bonnell 775 MX Review

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.

Video Review

Written Review

The Bonnell 775 MX exists in a category that did not really have a name until now. It looks like a downhill mountain bike, rides like a downhill mountain bike, and draws zero sideways glances on public trails. But underneath that familiar geometry lives a CYC motor peaking at 6,000W with 280 Nm of torque, a 1,300 Wh battery packed with Samsung 50S cells, and enough power to make Surron comparisons not just inevitable but actually appropriate. The Freshly Charged team put it through single track, steep climbs, drops, and jumps, and the verdict is that this bike redraws the line between e-bike and eMoto in ways that matter.

• Current pricing of the Bonnell 775 MX: https://bit.ly/4stfSLz
• Check out the next level eMotos that Bonell is cooking: https://bit.ly/484TsJj

Specification Breakdown

Starting from the front: the 775 MX runs Suntour front suspension with 200mm of travel, a 220mm brake rotor, and four-piston Magura hydraulic brakes. The tires are Maxxis Assegai and measure in at 29 x 2.5 inches up front. In the rear, there is Suntour suspension with 170mm of travel, a 203mm rotor with matching four-piston Maguras, and a 27.5 x 2.5 inch tire. The mullet setup is intentional, with the larger front wheel clearing obstacles with ease while the smaller rear keeps the handling nimble and quick to respond.

The motor sits low in the frame, chain-driven, and peaks at 6,000W with 280 Nm of torque. The battery is a removable 65V / 20Ah pack (1,300 Wh), loaded with Samsung 50S cells specifically chosen for their high discharge rates and lower heat dissipation under hard use. Weight comes in at approximately 75 lbs, which is light enough to be transported like an e-bike, but still heavy enough that you know it means business.

The display is a round-form-factor unit that Jimmy and Andrew describe as one of the more visually refined they have encountered. Controls for the display and assist levels sit on the left bar, and a full twist throttle on the right. Dropper post is included, which is not optional on a bike like this and is load-bearing for anyone hitting drops.

What It Does Well on Trail

The team's assessment after riding this through single track, chunky uphills, and jump sections is unambiguous: climbing is where this bike earns its asking price. Sections that require consistent pedaling on every other e-bike tested were handled on throttle alone. The power delivery is smooth enough for technical climbing and instant enough for anything flat or rolling.

Downhill behavior is where the MTB geometry pays off. The 200mm of front travel and 170mm rear is forgiving enough that a self-described novice rider absorbed bad landings without incident across the full session. On single track, the combination of the mullet wheel setup, centralized motor weight, and long-travel suspension produced handling the team describes as more capable and more enjoyable than an eMoto in tight terrain — specifically because eMoto rear-weight bias kills nimbleness in narrow corridors.

The app is deeper than it sounds. Throttle dead zone, throttle sensitivity, power output by assist level, and acceleration curve are all tunable. You can configure this to behave like a tamped-down trail cruiser or a full-send machine depending on who is riding. For riders who have a specific riding style or want that level of control, this customization is genuinely impressive.

The Public Trail Factor

One of the most substantive points the team raises is not about performance, but is about social and regulatory reality. Where Jimmy and Andrew live, Surron style bikes are already banned at one local high school. On shared-use public trails, eMoto riders regularly get confronted by other trail users (or at the very least receive dirty looks). The 775 MX blends in completely, instead looking more like a mountain bike despite the power under the hood. During the review session, a parks maintenance worker pulled up, inspected the bike, and left without incident; a result the team explicitly notes would not have happened with an eMoto. For riders who want Sur-Ron level power in spaces where Sur-Rons are increasingly unwelcome, this is not a minor consideration.

The Criticisms

Pedaling without motor assist is real work. On flat ground you can manage around 10 mph under human power, but it is laborious. On any incline with a dead battery, this bike becomes a significant physical burden. Plan your rides around battery capacity accordingly.

Battery security is a legitimate concern. The pack is easily removable, but anyone with basic tools could extract it. For outdoor storage situations, that is a problem given the battery's cost and future Bonnell bikes would benefit from a lock mechanism.

There is no official IPX water resistance rating. The team flags this directly. Wet-condition riding is at the rider's own discretion.

Ground clearance is reduced by the low-mounted motor and controller. The team made contact with rocks and rollers during testing. It is not catastrophic, but technical rocky terrain will require awareness.

The power-on sequence requires two separate button presses and several seconds to initialize. Minor, but worth knowing. A related quirk: it is possible to turn off the display while the main battery controller stays powered, which creates a quiet drain risk that is easy to miss.

The Freshly Charged Verdict

Riders who want downhill mountain biking without ever pedaling uphill have a purpose-built answer in the 775 MX. The power-to-weight ratio and geometry combination is not something you can replicate by retrofitting a motor onto an existing bike. The team is explicit that Bonnell engineered the MTB around the motor — not the other way around —and it shows on trail. For anyone who has been considering a Surron but wants something that travels easily, blends into mixed-use environments, and rides with genuine MTB competence rather than just raw speed, this is the more complete package. The price is not low, but as the team frames it, you are buying a legitimate downhill mountain bike and an eMoto simultaneously. On that math, the value is hard to argue with.

• Current pricing of the Bonnell 775 MX: https://bit.ly/4stfSLz
• Check out the next level eMotos that Bonell is cooking: https://bit.ly/484TsJj