Bakcou Mule SD-The Next Generation of E-Bikes

The evolution of e-bikes has been extremely rapid in the last 10 years. E-bikes were nearly completely unknown 10 years ago, and today there are so many options available. Trying to find a bike with all the right features and accessories for your style of riding and hunting can be daunting. I’ve been using e-bikes for hunting since 2016, and in that time I have used and owned e-bikes from four major brands. The one that has stood the test of time for me is the Bakcou Mule. I bought my Bakcou Mule in 2019 and it’s been with me on many hunts all across the West. I’ve beat the crap out of this bike, and it just keeps going. I’ve been so satisfied with my 2019 Mule that I’ve never even considered upgrading. That is until I caught wind of the new Bakcou Mule SD (Super Duty). New for 2025, Bakcou has completely redesigned the Mule, and I’ve had the privilege of testing one out this spring!

New Frame

The first thing to discuss about the new SD Mule is the completely redesigned frame. There was nothing wrong with the old frame, this new frame is just better. First, you will notice that there is no upper cross tube, this means that it is a step-through design. That sounds like a nice way of saying this bike was designed for old grandpas who can’t swing their leg over the top tube. If that’s what you are thinking, you are horribly mistaken. This thing is burly and rugged, and the convenience of stepping through (the frame) to get on the bike versus swinging your leg over is actually really, really nice.

What I appreciate the most about the elimination of the top tube is being able to dismount from the seat with both feet flat on the ground on either side of the bike without having that top tube jammed into my crotch, as happens with my 2019 Mule on a sloping trail. I straddle the bike like this often, while I am scouting, to glass intermittently as I cruise down a trail quickly, stopping as I go.

You will also notice right away that the battery is now contained inside the frame, which just adds to the protection of the battery (which is probably the single most expensive part of the bike). The battery is a 52V Samsung lithium-ion and has a 20 amp-hour capacity, but the cells have been upgraded to be more efficient. The new 20 amp-hour battery gives the same (if not a little more) output as the 25 amp-hour battery of a few years ago.

The feel of this new frame is night and day better than the old frame. The handlebars sit up a little higher and wider, and the end result is a more comfortable ride. Instead of feeling like your back is arching over to grab the handlebars, with the new SD Mule, your posture is much straighter, more upright, and more comfortable. The angle of the front wheel fork has changed on the new SD, and that helps with posture comfort as well.

New Display

The other major frame change is the integrated display that is built directly into the handlebar stem. The display no longer sticks up and out and is just more sleek and rugged on the new SD. I’ll touch on that more later on.

New Hardware

The new front fork shock has 20% more travel than the previous Mule and has an inverted (upside down) design. The inverted front fork offers increased rigidity, less flex, and improved handling/responsiveness for the rider. To accompany the front fork, the Mule SD (which is a hardtail model) has a new shock-absorbing suspension seat post. The old Mule had this, as well, but this new one has more travel and is more comfortable.

Rounding out the hardware, the new Mule SD has smaller upgrades across the board with bigger rotors, quad-piston hydraulic brakes, and best of all, a new 11-speed cassette (11tx42t vs 11tx36t) for better climbing. Those bigger gears have really helped me tackle some steep terrain this spring. All of the cables for the brakes and shifting are internally routed inside the frame, which is a subtle but substantial improvement. The Mule SD continues to use the Bafang M620 Ultra smart torque-sensing motor. This thing is undeniably the most capable and rugged mid-drive motor in the e-bike world. It is the best, and you can’t argue with me about that

Speaking of the Bafang Ultra motor, the Mule SD has unique on-demand programming that allows for easy (at home) selection and modification of the e-bike classification selections (rules regulating the output and speed of the motor). This is easily changed right in the electronic display in the stem. You can easily switch between Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and unrestricted modes to stay within the legal bounds of the area that you are riding. To further this, Bakcou has included an easily removable throttle for strict adherence to Class 1 rules.

Modularity and Accessories

Arguably, the best part about the new SD series is how modular the system/frame is. If you have been a reader of Western Hunter for a few years, you likely read my review about the Bakcou Mule Jager. The Jager model has a Rohloff speed hub transmission in place of a conventional derailleur. I rave about this Rohloff hub. If in the future you ever want to upgrade to the Rohloff speed hub on the Mule SD, that’s easy because of the modularity of the frame. The other thing that is so great about the system modularity is the accessories.

Do you want to double your battery capacity and go twice as far? Easy. Bakcou has designed the rear rack to accommodate a quick-release 20 amp-hour battery pack. That is a total of 40 amp-hours of capacity! It snaps in and still gives you a rack to use for panniers or other accessories. Want a large and rigid basket to store and transport things? No problem. The SD has that covered. You can even install a rack on the front of the bike over the front tire.

Bakcou Connect

The last feature that I want to cover on the new Mule SD is likely the most unique of all: Bakcou Connect. Bakcou Connect is a new, intuitive smartphone app that takes your user experience to the next level. The app links to the bike via satellite, which allows you to track the location, mileage, battery life, and health of the bike. You can even remotely disable the bike if it is ever stolen.

I think this is a great feature for the location tracking and remote disable functions. E-bikes are a big purchase and as hunters, we often lock them up and leave them unattended for hours (or days) as we hunt. The peace of mind that Bakcou Connect provides is worth the subscription price of $99 per year (the first year is free). Bakcou didn’t just stop with the Mule with the new SD series, they have also upgraded the Flatlander and the Kodiak models. Both of these bike models include many of the SD features described here.

Conclusion

I have used e-bikes for hunting about as long as anyone. I’ve used enough of them to know which are well put together with the best components and how well the bike system works together. I have beaten the crap out of my 2019 Mule, so I know firsthand that Bakcou knows how to build an e-bike. This new SD Mule takes it to a whole new level. It truly is the latest and greatest generation of e-bikes from Bakcou with some outstanding improvements. You can learn more about the Bakcou Mule SD at Bakcou.com.