I use it as my do everything bike and whilst it is heavy it really is a 'just ride what ever you want and forget about the bike underneath you' sort of vehicle and that means that it is perfect.
5 Chillies for value as you only need the one bike.
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky Primo, Giant AC, Giant DH Comp
Bike Setup: Chris King Headset, Carbon Fibre Bars, Gravity Dropper Seat Post, Ti Railed Seat, Race Face Cranks 26/36, Stem, XT front Mech, U-Turn Rock Shox Lyriks 4.5-6.5"s of travel, those new XO mech and (twist) Shifters, SRAM 990 cluster 11/34, DT Swiss X450 rims with a 20 MM front hub and DT revolution spokes.
Strengths: Versatile. Durable. Relatively light weight considering what this bike is capable of. Great geometry. Great cable routing.
Weaknesses: The non-replaceable cable hanger has been a non-issue.
Only one issue arose after riding this bike for a year. The bearings in the pivots got a bit sticky. Removing them was ridiculously easy. I popped off the bearing seals, WD'd them, repacked with grease, resealed and puttem' back. Good as new. About a 10 min job... so I'd actually call that a strength. I suppose if it was a Turner with bushings and zerks it would be easier.
Bottom Line:
This is a "year later" repost. After having more than a year on this bike I can say I'm probably more satisfied with it now than I ever have been (and I started out pretty darn happy with the bike).
The most versatile bike ever. It will do almost everything well... aggressive trail riding, FR, DH. I think what makes this bike as versatile as it is, is because of it's simple design. The design allows for a light weight yet strong and durable frame.
I'm cosidering getting another to have two in the stable.
Similar Products Used: Many bikes but none quite as sweet as this Bullit.
Bike Setup: 5th Element rear. I have a few variations on the Bullit's set up. When I've got a shuttle it's built up with a Super T and a full blown downhill wheelset with a bolt on rear thru axel. When I have to pedal uphill but still want to FR and DH it gets a lighter tires. When I want a trail bike it gets a Z1 TA up front with a lighter wheelset and a Gravity Dropper post (one sweet piece of gear).
Strengths: Its so plush! Freakin awsome for jumping, free riding and mountain cross, i just got it and have only had one problem but its no biggie.
Weaknesses: freakin derailer.... and it bob's a bit when pedaling, but its not a problem
Bottom Line:
bottom line is- if your looking for a bike that can handel it all, this is it. Ive only had it for a little bit and im still getting used to it, its jumps awsomely, pedals like no tomorrow and rides....well as close to perfect as you can get. My recomendation is to get a new derailer A-sap, mine is a bit off, and it gets way annoying hearing the chain rub on the front drailer, ill probably switch to a sram 9.0 in a bit. but other than that IT ROCKS!!
Bike Setup: currently setup for mountain cross, rock shox psylo w/ 20mm thu axle, easton monkey bars, hayes hydros, and a fox vanilla rc w/ pro pedal (way plush)and ryno lite dh wheel set
Strengths: beutiful, light, simple, bulit lika a tank, amazing pedaling uphill, and everything else.
Weaknesses: like most people before me here have said-deraller hanger. i snapped one last ywar and had to get a new swingarm. it was a little bit of a hassle, but the only reason it snapped is becasuse it fell out of the back of my truck on the outobon doing about 93. and the deraller hanger was the only thing that broke, so i guess thats just nother strength.
Bottom Line:
i jumped on one of these in 2004 and never got off. i fell in love with its simplicity, yet lightnes and overall beastliness. it come in some sweet colors too. i have orange. it can be used for almost anything from xc to extreme downhill.right now i have it set up for more of a freeride-dirtjumping enviornment, but slap a couple of d-321's on that bad larry and go downhillin'.if you are a new guy looking to step up a little bit from small dirt jumps and light freeride to big jumps and intense freeride, or if you are a seasoned veteran looking for a tank and a half to take whatever you dish out, the bulit is for you. maybe a little pricey, but its well worth the money.
Similar Products Used: giant dh team,comp, big hit, sc v10
Bike Setup: hayes hydrollic, race face nortsh shore dh cranks mrp, super t, sun rhyno lite front and rear, xtr drivetrain
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Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin, Ireland
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005
Strengths: the ability to cycle it uphill! general robustness.
Weaknesses: The stickers. (?!?!? is this really a weakness) Oh, and theres a LITTLE bit of 'feedback' while pedalling & 'bouncing' at the same time.
Bottom Line:
this frame is extremely flexible. i have it setup for free-riding, but could just as easily be used as a heavy duty downhill rig, or even a longhauler for those epic all-day rides. i'm not the fittest/strongest of riders out there, but am fully capable of pedalling it all/most of the way uphill. sure i'm absolutely knackered when i get home, but the ride back down the hill is worth it. i've ridden some really rocky terrain over the past year, and this bike just eats it up. also, it takes some huge hits in its stride, without even flinching. handles really well, my current setup had the perfect head-tube angle.
who should buy it? anyone looking for all-rounder (leaning towards heavier/abusive riding)
maybe a little expensive. worked out lots cheaper buying online (a shop here in dub quoted 1900eur for frame alone).
Submitted by
Travis Allen
a Downhiller
from lewiston Idaho
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2005
Strengths: "Bullit" proof design with travel that feels endless, good looking. Handles harsh landings extremely smooth with no flimsy feel in the rear. Instills complete confidence on 6+ foot drops and higher. Very versatile and easy to modify the rear for over 8" of travel. Fantastic approach angle and great standover.
Weaknesses: I dont have more!
Bottom Line:
For a Free ride bike or DH person this bike hands down has vps technology beat with it's reliability. Although not as plush a 4 link or virtual pivot, Its as good or better in a great deal of cases. Strength 10+, travel 10+ (with good shock, rideability and handling 10+, peddling 9+. I would recomend this frame to anyone that wants to ride extremelty aggresive and doesn't want to worry about buying another frame anytime soon. The bike rides like a dream and lands incredible on flat bottom drops. Anyone complaining about the peddling is a perfect example of evolution at a stand still. It's a hardcore MT. bike, not a XC bike.
Strengths: Strong, simple single pivot design, relatively lightweight, nimble geometry, Santa Cruz reputation, all around use bike...
Weaknesses: Brake jack, non-replacable rear derailleur drop-out (I actually bent it, but managed to bend it back into shape)
Bottom Line:
Great freeride bike that can double as an all-around bike. This bike can be setup in many different ways depending on the rider and the terrain. Frame geometry inspires confidence and stability. Beautiful craftsmanship and welds. Even though there are more evolved bikes out there, the Bullit has it's own free spirit that only a Bullit rider can understand. Ride one before you buy your next bike...
Similar Products Used: Devinci 8-Flat-8 = + more rear travel, + no brake jack, - heavy, - akward geometry, - basic fork (Jr. T) Specialized Demo 9 Pro = + nine inches travel, + low centre of gravity, - really, really heavy, -strickly downhill, no other use
Bike Setup: 2002.5 Bullit frame 7" travel with Fox Vanilla RC, Manitou Sherman Slider Plus fork 7" travel with SPV, Hayes HFX-Mag disc brakes with 8" rotors, Mavic D321 rims with front Formula Hub and rear Deore hub, XT rear derailleur, LX shifter, Race Face LP cranks, Race Face bashguard, DMR chain guide, Race Face handlebars, Radical Ingot stem, Pazzaz seatpost, Titec seat, Wellgo platform pedals, Maxxis Mofo DH 2.35" tires, Odi lock-on grips, FSA Pig DH headset, etc...
Single pivots are tough and easy to fix (unlike VVPs). A long travel single pivot provides more than enough high quality suspension to get the job done, and without the high maintenance headaches of flimsy, sloppy multipivot bikes.
Relatively light given the frame's strength and amount of travel. A multi pivot frame of the same cost and strength would likely outwiegh the Bullit by a significant amount.
Sweet geometry.
5th Element is great. (Good customer service as well.)
Very well thought out cable routing.
Weaknesses: Just maybe the nonreplaceable derailure hanger. It looks quite tough and I'd expect to break off the derailure before the hanger would bend. We'll see.
Bottom Line:
I'm convinced that the Bullit is the ultimate bike. For the type of riding that I've evolved into the Bullit would be hard to beat. It's the ultimate all around "all mountain/trail bike". From my perspective trailriding is not pure XC, FR, DH, but rather a trail/ride that encompasses technical elements of all. I love to wind through the smooth winding single track and climb the tough, technical climbs, but on the same ride I like to hit the tall drops and bomb down the rocky, steep descents. That's where the Bullit fits in so well.
Several weeks ago I moved up to a Bullit...Wow!!!! I couldn't be happier. I've been riding since about '92 and have not felt so good on a bike. This bike does it all.
I've got 2 setups for the bike. Z1 thru axel with Mavic 519s with Conti Vert/Survival wheels for trail riding. Super fast on any real mountain bike trail (ie. not buffed grass side walks). It climbs the rough stuff like crazy with the ETA down on the Z1. Set up number two for the wilder sturr. Set up is with a Sherman Slider+ and Mavic F219s with a Weirwolf/Nevegal setup. I've got an 8" Avid mech caliper on both forks. To switch from the Supreme Trail Machine to the Nimble Downhill-Hucker takes me about 7 minutes!!!
Don't belive the hype... costly, complicated, breakage prone, heavy, multi pivot suspensions offer little if any performance benefit over a well executed single pivot.
Simple is still better. Tougher, lighter, cheaper, better. Go Bullit!!!
Hey SC!!! Don't ever stop making the Bullit. Just find the proper marketing niche. It is the true all mountain machine.
Similar Products Used: Gemini (geat bike also but poor cable routing and TT a bit long on the large), Heckler. Many others...including VVPs. I've tried some other new-breed, long travel-light weight "all mountain" frames and what a joke. (I won't mention names) They are basically long-legged xc bikes that would likely crush like an aluminum can at the first 5 foot to flat drop. More like "All Molehill" bikes.
Strengths: strong frame. 7 inches of travel. Rootbeer color is awsome.
Weaknesses: haven't found one yet
Bottom Line:
SWEET bike. I like to jump and ride off drops. I weigh 220 pounds so I abuse bikes. I have broken 6 other bike frames and I think the Bullit will hold up to my beatings. In the short time I have had it I haven't held back. It also climbs well also for a big bike. I have gone on some 30 mile rides with a good bit of climbing and am still alive.
Bike Setup: bomber Z-1 freeride fork. 5th element shock. full xtr except xt breaks with 8 inch roters. time z petals. tioga 2.3DH tires.
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Submitted by
Niklas Dahlin
a Downhiller
from Stockholm/Sweden
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004
Strengths: The geometry is very nice and the 5th ele is superb
Weaknesses: I doesnt have the money to get a new one for next year ?
Bottom Line:
Great allaround bike but I love it as a freeride/downhill bike. It gives me confidense to go bigger than I thougt I would dare on other bikes I have owned and borrowed. Pritty bombproof downtube and I like the simple rearsuspension system. Great for swedish conditions. Bit expensive with my set up but that has noting do to with the fram :/
Strengths: strength and durability...low maintenance...proven design...Santa Cruz reputation
Weaknesses: single pivot brake jack and pedal-bob (not a major issue)...original "shock shuttle" (the "new" one is great)
Bottom Line:
Slap the new SPV suspension on if you want a do-anything bike that can pedal really well. I'm 225 lbs. and I pound this frame. I jump it, drop it, climb it, DH and XC with it. I don't have the SPV suspension and it's built up with beefy parts...I'm not complaining! Ya, it may be considered "too heavy" by some, but i need a frame that can be ready for anything and actually survive it. This frame has stood the test of time...Whistler, Downieville DH race, Sea Otter DH race, countless miles of XC, and drops to flat...almost 3 years of abuse! I can't do the tech-talk...all I know is that I've been completely happy with the way this frame has performed and I don't plan on replacing it anytime soon.
Bike Setup: stock 2001 Fox Vanilla RC and a 2001 Fox Forx Vanilla 125R
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Submitted by
Mo Elinsky
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethesda, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004
Strengths: 5th element shock, strong frame construction, nice paint (before it gets scratched off), bearings at pivots, great pedaling, front derailleur compatibility.
Weaknesses: uh... i'll write one when i find one. Actually a weakness is that the 5th element shock with all the adjustments is a little confusing at first, but the manual is great.
Bottom Line:
If you see this frame at a price below $1000, buy it. I love mine and you will love it too. It is much cheaper and better than a lot of other frames. It pedals well, and i use for XC, FR, everything.
Bike Setup: '03 DJ2, prodigy dh cranks, evolve fr BB, hayes 8", XT drivetrain, singletrack, 317.
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Submitted by
Gingus Campo
a Downhiller
from Oneonta, NY
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003
Strengths: I think I could run my car over this bike (how my other bike went under) and it would get up, laugh, and then kick my A&&. This frame is ultra burly, and a quality investment. Ultra burly, only beef is the rear deraileeur hanger, but if you break that, youll be in worse shape than the bike so count you blessings
Weaknesses: Be careful about your selection of a bottom bracket. the non drive side of the bottom bracket, if too short, will cause you to rail the frame or jam a rock in there (took a deep digger form this)Get a race face 118 X 68 or 73 isis Dh bracket with the offset for the chainguide, and you will be mad pimp
Bottom Line:
This bike shouldbe idolized in books. I mean...lets start a new religion based around this bike GET THIS BIKE TO HEEL WITH ANYTHING ELSE!!!
Bike Setup: SC bullit w/ boxxer race and mad nice hookups
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Submitted by
JekyllSan
a Weekend Warrior
from SF Bayarea
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002
Strengths: Stable yet nimble handling, fun to ride, wide variety of setting up this frame, nice Fox Vanilla RC rear shock.
Weaknesses: maybe got a defective one, cracked the rear swing arm that connects to the shock and bent the shock hanger on the front triangle. Hoping to get a replacement for a resonable price. Should have longer warrenty than 1 yr for this price.
Bottom Line:
Nice frame if yours doesn't crack like mine. I believe I have received a defective frame and just out of luck that cracked after warrenty period. I don't do crazy jumps or drops, just regular DH runs with small drops (3-4') and some bunnyhops. Bottom out the frame lightly a few times and it CRACKED? Really looking forward to the warrenty policy and their customer service. Bought it for their reputation and the words from other riders. Didn't expect it at all. However, a great frame and joyable rides when it works.
If anyone has experienced the warrenty replacement or out of warrenty situation like mine, please email me your story at johnshuej@netscape.net
Similar Products Used: Giant AC1 (5 yr warrenty), Kona Stinky (not as good of handling at high speed), and some freeride hardtails.
Bike Setup: White Bros DH-2, XT, Hope hubs, Rhyno Lite XL rims(fantastic rims), 175lbs rider w/ 450 spring rate. Hayes hydro disks (a real stopper on DH)
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Submitted by
dave t
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado, usa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002
Strengths: Climbs like a ring-tailed lemur (helpful when you don't live at the bottom of a lift); tracks very well; nimble; sure-footed (is this a DH bike?)
Weaknesses: the gravamen of this trivial nit is that the progressive shock is way too adjustable (i just wanna ride, not tweak that last 1/10th of a second off my DH time); equally whiny is the manual specs didn't match shock - had to trust factory & local shop setup. I could speak to the paint, but think the girls sniveled enough already.
Bottom Line:
Nice welds, cable routing. Chain entirely beneath the frame. Firm ride up, plush down, without any adjustments to preload. Quite light, considering its charter as a FR/DH rig. Nothing spongy about it. Adjusts to fit easily. No big surprises/gotchas. Don't mistake being a great all-around bike to mean it's sufficiently weak all-around -- it isn't! It'll be quite a while before i have the fitness married to courage to find its limits, if any.
In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller: "If you have the means, I highly recommend it."
