SONIC AM 1 29/27.5

On an MTB, the speed score centers on rolling efficiency when you're pedaling, especially on easier terrain. Most of the story comes from typical trail-width tires, wheel momentum that helps it carry speed between pedal strokes, and a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value. All combined, they influence momentum - how hard it is to get moving and how hard it is to keep moving.

On steep roads, it comes in at 7.0/10. Within e-mountain bikes, it sits above average. It has an easy low gear for steady climbing. The easiest gear works out to about 18.2 gear inches. On the ‘easier low gear’ scale, it sits around ~59% versus similar bikes. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. E-assist can take the sting out of steep ramps, especially at lower speeds. It’s set up so climbs feel controlled rather than a grind. Real-world feel depends on setup and size, and some details aren’t always listed, so this is best seen as a well-informed estimate.

For suspension control, it lands at 7/10. Category: “High-impact ready”. It typically supports higher-speed rough sections where impacts stack up quickly. Full suspension helps the bike stay calmer under braking and cornering on rough sections. This level is meant to keep the bike composed when hits are bigger and frequent. On rough trails, this level aims to keep the bike settled under braking and cornering through repeated hits.

Comfort fit - a relaxed road posture that stays friendly on longer rides. Mostly geometry-based, with a small category-based estimate.

Overall, it falls into Adjustable. Why this fit flexibility rating: A modular front-end gives more freedom to change stem length or bar width, The front-end is easier to work on, supporting fit tweaks over time - Seatpost details do not strongly point to a very locked-in or very flexible system. Put simply, it describes how practical it is to reconfigure your position later.

This scores 8.1/10 for comfort, so it feels highly forgiving out on the road. That’s the reason it lands as Race-Stiff. The posture is neutral (posture 5/10), which gives a steady, predictable feel without pushing you too far forward.

This sits in a nice value spot for its category. The value score is 1–10. Higher means better value for money; lower means the price is high for what you get. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). On the spec estimate, the price is close to what we’d expect for a comparable build. In its peer group, it tends to be better-priced than many, beating about 73% of listings. To anchor it: price €5.459 versus an estimated €5.521 for a similar build. Bottom line: it compares well against similar bikes.

This setup suits steeper, rockier terrain and harder hits. It has about 150 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which helps on rough, technical trails. Suspension type (Full) fits this kind of terrain.