Santa Cruz presents the new Bullit e-mountainbike with MX wheels. The enduro bike with 170 millimetres of front and rear suspension travel is powered by the latest version of the tried-and-tested Bosch Performance Line CX motor and runs on MX wheels. The carbon frame is available in five sizes from S to XXL. Four equipment variants cover a price range from 7,649 to 11,699 euros.
Optimised handling and more power
According to the manufacturer, the enduro bike is designed for the toughest terrain and combines the characteristics of a downhill bike with the support of a powerful electric motor. Handling and riding fun were at the top of the priority list during development, which is why the Americans decided in favour of the small 600cc battery. The Americans want the carbon frame to be robust and lightweight - they give a lifetime guarantee on the frame and bearings. The chassis was designed for maximum downhill performance. Santa Cruz has optimised the geometry according to size to give everyone the ideal riding position.
A four-bar linkage? What's going on there?
Santa Cruz and VPP kinematics are synonymous. The two go together like Whistler and bike parks, Utah and Rampage, Sam Hill and flat pedals. But e-bikes are shaking up the MTB world. In order to install the much-praised Bosch motor, the American designers threw their VPP kinematics overboard and turned the new Bullit into a four-link, just like its smaller brother Vala shortly before it. However, the new frame shape suits the bikes well, even if the USP is somewhat lost. No limits", promises the manufacturer, anything goes with the Bullit. That's why Santa Cruz gave the carbon racer plenty of travel (170 mm front and rear), a super-slack head angle (63.3°), a generous wheelbase and reach (480/1280 mm in L) and components that are tough as Sram's monster Maven brakes.
Chassis and drive for demanding trails
With 170 millimetres of travel front and rear, Santa Cruz is positioning the Bullit as a powerful enduro bike with downhill ambitions. In the past, we would have called it a mini downhiller. Or even earlier: freerider. The fact is that the Bullit has a very wide range of use thanks to the Bosch drive. Even trail rides on undulating trails are fun. The drive is the Bosch Performance Line CX, which is considered to be particularly powerful and reliable. The battery in the down tube has a capacity of 600 watt hours, which can be optionally extended to 850 watt hours with a 250 watt hour range extender. According to the manufacturer, this should enable tours of 1000 to 1500 metres in altitude without recharging. The drive system is controlled via a wireless remote control and a discreet display.
Frame details and geometry
The four-link rear triangle, which has already proven itself on the Vala model, enables the integration of the large motor, a long dropper post and the desired suspension characteristics. The steep seat angle (78.4°) and longer chainstays (445 mm/L) allow the bike to climb well. The chainstay length increases with the frame size to provide a balanced geometry for all body sizes.
Equipment variants and prices
Santa Cruz offers the Bullit in four equipment variants. The top version, the X0 AXS RSV, weighs 21.85 kilograms and costs 11,699 euros. The entry-level model Bullit 70 weighs 22.4 kilograms and is available for 7,649 euros. In between are the GX AXS model for €9,799 and the Bullit 90 for €8,699. All models are equipped with MX wheels, i.e. a 29-inch front wheel combined with a 27.5-inch rear wheel. This combines the advantages of both wheel sizes.
Individual customisation options
Santa Cruz has integrated two FlipChips to adapt the riding behaviour to personal preferences. The geo-chip allows the bottom bracket height to be adjusted by 4 millimetres and the steering angle by 0.3 degrees. The progression chip can be used to change the characteristics of the rear triangle. This allows you to adapt the response behaviour and progression to your individual riding style. Santa Cruz emphasises that stability and durability were at the forefront of the design. All pivot points are designed to be robust and easy to maintain.
Technical specifications of the Santa Cruz Bullit
Frame
- Material: CC & C Carbon
- Rear suspension travel: 170 mm
- Wheel sizes: MX (29" front, 27.5" rear)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Drive
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: 600 Wh (integrated)
- Range extender: Optional 250 Wh
Chassis
- Front suspension travel: 170 mm
- Steering angle: 63.3°
- Seat angle: 78.4°
- FlipChips: Geo-Chip and Progression-Chip
Equipment variants
- Bullit X0 AXS RSV: 21.85 kg, RRP 11,699 euros
- Bullit GX AXS: 22.35 kg, RRP 9,799 euros
- Bullit 90: 22.3 kg, RRP 8,699 euros
- Bullit 70: 22.4 kg, RRP 7,649 euros
Our impression: This is how the Bullit rides
Big calibre immediately comes to mind when you get on the new Bullit. 170 mm suspension travel, low centre of gravity, good traction - the Bullit harks back to its early days when Rampage winner Tyler "Super T" Klassen rode the freerider through the terrain. There are no excuses with the new Bullit either. Especially in size L (reach 480 mm) with a rider height of 1.80 metres, the bike inspires brutal self-confidence, making you want to turn into the fall line or choose the big drop instead of the small one. Unfortunately, there was only one small drop in Maribor; we would have liked to have shat ourselves off a high drop to challenge the Bullit at least a little. The bike could only smile wearily at the jumps in the Maribor bike park. The snappy Sram Maven brakes are a good match for the full-throttle bike. Despite its high DH performance, the Bullit is not a lumbering lorry, on the contrary: the agile handling is impressive - pulling the bike onto the rear wheel works without pulling a muscle. No need to say a word about the Bosch CX, the motor is tried and tested. However, the battery in the down tube is small (600 Wh).
For the background...
This might also interest you:
+ The little brother of the Bullit: Santa Cruz Vala with 150 mm suspension travel
+ Why did Santa Cruz decide in favour of the Bosch motor?
+ Or rather accelerate yourself: Santa Cruz Bronson
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
