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Submitted by
tony
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durability, simplicity of design, great geometry for all day riding, flexy rear end, great bargain | | Weaknesses: | Weight, drivetrain induced pedal feedback | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Truth, Titus Motolite, Trek Liquid, Trek Fuel, Titus Loco Moto, Santa Cruz Superlight......many, many more | | Bike Setup: | XC | | Bottom Line: | I've been beating this thing for 5 years now and this is a follow up review. While the Bullit is no longer being made, I have to say the design is a lasting one as there is an iteration of the single pivot from almost every manufacturer these days. While the biggest detractor is the pedal feedback in the small ring, there's not much else to complain about outside of the heft. It was never meant to be an xc racer and for my use as an all-mountain/xc ride, there's hardly anything new out there today that can match the Bullit in regard to durability, weight, value, and sheer performance.
Nothing fancy about this design, but it just plain works. If the Santa Cruz Bullit were a car, it'd be that hard working, beat up, reliable pick-up truck that just gets the job done.
I've gone through steel, carbon, ti, 4-bar, mac-strut, other single-pivots and I can say that of the 20+ bikes I've owned, the Bullit has been my tried and true favorite.
The best thing I can say about this is that if it ever breaks, I'll go out and get another one........new or used. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Bowers
a Downhiller
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dogbone, Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Everything. Great at downhill, freeride, dirt jumping... etc. Strong, single pivot design. can be set up for agressive XC or FR and DH. Inspires confidence. | | Weaknesses: | fox rc is decent, but upgrade to a 5th element and 7 inches travel | | Similar Products Used: | specialized bighit, yeti asx, cortina dh8, demo 9, enduro, kona stinky, V10, orange 222 etc...
| | Bike Setup: | bullit, whitebrothers dh2, hayes, MRP, North Shore cranks, trail pimps, azonic, chris king, thomson... | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike and wouldn't trade it for anything... except maybe the vp free. It feels great on steeps, 15 foot drops, big jumps, rockgardens... it feels a lot more nimble and not as sluggish as a full on dh bikes. The perfect bike if you are looking for a freeride bike that is also good at downhill and is possable to ride uphill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from The Right Coast
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with rocks | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Mid State Cycles | | Strengths: | Durable
Excellent ride, corners, handles excellent.
Suspension works well | | Weaknesses: | None at all | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Zoke 5" QR20 fork
LX/XT Mix
CK Wheels
Hayes Hydros
Carbon bar
Thomson post | | Bottom Line: | What can I say? Going on four seasons and riding this bike still makes me happy. The pivot bearing is still tight and smooth and the brakes outside of swapping the pads have never been touched. This bike has a few thousand miles on it easily. The shock needs to be serviced (for the 2nd time) so I'll take this opportunity to upgrade to a 5th element. I guess I'll hang on to this frame until it cracks, which may be a long time from now !
If you're looking for a long travel trail bike and don't mind the additional heft I can't see how you can go wrong !
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Modesto, CA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up review for the frame...I'm 230 lbs. and I have hammered this bike! I've broken two Specialized full suspension frames. I use it for XC, trail riding, jumping, and DH. Now keep in mind my weight...it's survived 5 foot drops to concrete, 6-8 foot drops onto dirt transitions (basically any drop I can get up the courage to do), and BMX track jumping when all I knew how to do was case every double. It's biggest claim to fame is how well it performs and holds up to my weight on harsh DH chair lift days (i.e. Whistler mountain bike park). I'm amazed at how much abuse it can take! I do stuff on it that should be reserved for a full-blown DH bike. And it rides so smooth. It's simplistic design makes it effortless to maintain and ensures years of reliable service. So you do end up breaking it...Santa Cruz offers a no-fault lifetime warranty to the original owner (you can get a new main frame for around $450 and a swing arm for around $250). That's a lot cheaper than shelling out $1,200 again. Bottom line: it's one of the best performers and THE best value in the business! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlos
a Downhiller
from zaragoza aragon españa
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | pinares de venecia in my city | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | a guy from guadalajara (SPN) | | Strengths: | the best of the bike is the well contruction of the frame, don´t crack!! | | Weaknesses: | the worst thing is unavailable disc of 8" and the part where i fix the shifter, doesn´t remove | | Similar Products Used: | a national brand, monty, made a similar frame, about 6" of travel, giant atx 1 dh,... | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi jr. t ´01 formula 4racing 03, stronlgiht century, xt/xtr, mavic d521, michelin, kujo dh.... | | Bottom Line: | la bici esta bien pero lo dicho, lo de la puntera del shifter y no poder poner disco de 8"... eso es lo malo, pero para subir lo hace bien y el bajar mejor.
ARAGON YE NAZION! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE D.
a Weekend Warrior
from BRUSSELS BELGIUM
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | COTE QUI CRAQUE | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | HOT WHEELZ | | Strengths: | CLEAN DESIGN ,HANDLING ,SUSPENSION FEEL WITH 5TH ELEMENT ,A 7" TRAVEL BIKE THAT ACTUALLY CLIMBS! | | Weaknesses: | NO REPLACEABLE DROPOUT(CURED WITH A SRP WRECK DEFIER BOLT).BIT OF CHAIN GROWTH. | | Similar Products Used: | KONAS ,SPECIALIZED ,SUS1300(great lateral travel,not much vertical though) ETC. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 17" FRAME,5TH ELEMENT ,SUPER T PRO 2003 ,HOPE M4 ,KING H/SET AND HUBS ,MAVIC D3.1 ,GAZZALODDIS ,DEORE ,XT ,AZONIC STEM ,THOMSON ,DMR PEDALS ,SDG ,ODI. | | Bottom Line: | WANT A BIG HIT BIKE BUT NEED TO RIDE UP THE HILL?HERE'S YER TICKET MATE! AWESOME HANDLING WITH THE SUPER T ,5TH ELEMENT SHOCK IS FAB:100 TIMES BETTER THAN THE FOX. IDEAL BIKE FOR HEAVY DUTY FREERIDE AND AMATEUR DH RACING.NOTHING BAD TO BE SAID REALLY.BIT OF PEDAL FEEDBACK MAYBE... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike DiStefano
a Downhiller
from Scottsdale, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Papago Canal Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Showcase | | Strengths: | This bike rules the trails. Not only can you drop the sickest lines or huck the big gaps, you can also climb back up the hill! | | Weaknesses: | 8' rotor in the rear would be key, no replacable dropout. build kit is weak, beef up the bb | | Similar Products Used: | bighit, kona stinky, giant atc | | Bike Setup: | large frame, monster t, sun doublewides,azonic stem,bars,loveseat,raceface ns with bash,fox vanilla rc | | Bottom Line: | I have thought about getting a dh only frame, but you can do all the big stuff on the bullit.I am 100/ satisfied with this one and recomend anyone to take one for a spin. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Radford
a Weekend Warrior
from Roblin, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whiskey on the Rocks, Rossland,B.C. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$5500.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame and Fork West Coast Cycles/ build kit at Larry's Bike Shop in Kelowna | | Strengths: | Very nimble on the trails and on the stunts. Very solid feel on the little hits and on the 10 footers. More than decent climber considering it weighs in around 40lbs. The Fifth Element has 7 inches and lots of dialing in to work with-have been playing with the rebound dampening and have found that is very nice on the bigger hits. Very plush and capable 7" boxxer with ti/nitride up front. front and back 8" rotors in fr/back are very nice when you need them. | | Weaknesses: | My rear-fifth element- shock needs to have the air pressure pumped up on every ride(but the manual does tell you this). I am wondering where my air pressure is going and will this be a problem in the future? I keep it at around 125psi. but on the next ride it is always around 110psi. I am not sure that my Fox pump which came with the fork is messing with me or not? There is some pressure loss when you take the pump off the shock valve so you need to put the pressure higher if you want a good setting.
My frame is a 2002 but SC has made changes midway through the 2002 model. The seat tube is now straight, there are cable/hydraulic hose routings, and a beefy top/down/head tube gusset was added in (all great additions so look for the differences if you are buying soon).
The paint, yah well. It just looks tough with the chips! And really i drop the dam thing on rocks so what do you expect!
| | Similar Products Used: | Norco VPS Launch and Team DH, Specialized FSR. And a handful of others that didn't make enough of an impression to remember their names. | | Bike Setup: | Dream Bike for me! Full XTR, Hayes Hydraulic 8" fr/back, Boxxer with Ti/nitride 7", Progressive Fifth Element with 7", Race Face Diablo stem, Chris King headset, Race Face DH bar, RF XY seatpost(warrantied once allready), RF splined BB and DH crankset, Mavic 521 with Formula(F) and XT(R) hubs, ODI grips and Lockjaws(fantastic), Schwalbe Space 2.35 tires. | | Bottom Line: | I took my time riding a lot of different bikes, some good and some not so. But it came down to two things for me. One, it fit me really well(large size)and comfort in the saddle means a lot more time spent on the ride! Two, SC Bullit has a great reputation as a bike that can do the dirty deeds we tend to enjoy in our little freeride world!
You can build up your bullit a lot cheaper or even more expensive but if your gonna do it... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Braden
a Downhiller
from St.Albert AB Canada
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The One I Haven't Ridden | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3250.00 | | Purchased At: | A BIke Shop | | Strengths: | Everything...Basicly i think every part of this bike is beautiful..Amazing craftsmanship, Beautiful Shock, Sexy Paint, And I'll Never have to worry about bending another derailer hanger. | | Weaknesses: | I havn't found one yet | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Vps 1, All sorts of Devincis, Rocky Rm7, Giant DH Comp,Fisher Repack, Norco Shore,Specialized Team DH, Specialized Big Hit Pro, Santacruz Super 8 | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Bullit Frame, Fox Vanilla RC, 2002 Marzocchi Super T, Shimano XTR cranks, Shimano XT Hydros, Mavic D 321's | | Bottom Line: | If you want an absolutly perfect bike which feels plush yet never bottoms is light for what it is and can take the big hits and u like to upgrade over the years basicly u can tack anything on to a bullit without worrying about compatibility (24 inch wheels a Monster T Shivers etc.)and now with all the available shock upgrades its more versatile than ever.THIS IS DEFINATLY THE BIKE FOR YOU and you can't complain about the indestructable hanger and sexy custom paint jobs which they offer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Runcidude
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire, UK
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Cafe, Canmore | | Strengths: | Great frame, light, climbs well for the amount of travel it has. Thinking of realising its full potential though by adding a 5th Element Ti shock and Risse Trixxy fork = 7" of lush travel at each end. | | Weaknesses: | Weak paint jobs - SC should spend some of the time that other manufacturer's do on a good paint job or hard anodising. cables rub through in days. Fox Vanilla RC shock - ask yourself why Santa Cruz have changed to Progressive's 5th Element????? Because the Fox is crap and the their service is worse. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche, GT Zaskar LE, GT Zasker Race, GT LTS DH, San Andreas, | | Bike Setup: | Bullit 01 frame, Z1 MCR QR20s (new Dirtjump lowers), WTB Laserdisc DH wheels, Conti Survival Pro 2.3s. Hope M4 (awesome brakes), Monkey lite carbon bar, ODI lock-ons, Raceface Northshore, V12 pedals, XTR/XT mix, Avid Flakjackets. | | Bottom Line: | About to get a serious additional upgrade as I realise I am only using half the potential of this frame. Risse Trixxy 7" going on the front end, current Z1s are good but out of synch with the potential of the rear end. 5th Element with Ti spring going on there (7.5") as the Fox Vanilla RC is crap and has blown after very little hard work at all. What can one say, I would love to be able to ride this bike as hard as it can take it. The set up helps build confidence and skills fast catching up after several years off due to work commitments. This like is what MTB riding is all about. A classic and if I don't upgrade it I will keep it as is and buy the 2002 frame to build into a Dh/ freeride beast. Full 7" travel and good climbing ability with a 34lb build. People in my club give me strange looks when I turn up for a XC ride but the additional work on the uphills is rewarded on the down where I can hit almost anything and ride away from it. The fun has just begun with this baby and it is going to love forever as far as I am concerned. Would give it 6/5 if I could. Would only get 4/5 if I wasn't replacing the Fox (POS that it is!!!). Get out there and buy one and open a whole new world of riding!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Rogers
a Downhiller
from Prince Rupert B.C.
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | celltower | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | mcbike /terrace | | Strengths: | This bike is the best bike I have ever ridin!! It handles every thing 6 to 10 foot drops and I dont even feel them! the over sized tubing is really #$%#@ strong and there is not much to mess up on the frame it is real simple. | | Weaknesses: | These really dont matter but the only ones are no 8" on the back and weak paint but those dont really matter. | | Similar Products Used: | This bike is better then all the other bikes I have ridin | | Bike Setup: | Santacruz bullit 2001,Dirt jumper 1's, fox 6" rear,hays 8" front, 6" rear, North Shore XS,XT rear D, and so on... | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I have ever tried If u are looking for a new bike stop now and buy this bike it u will be very happy with it. It does it all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Downhiller
from Corona, Ca, US
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skyline (Troy Lee Trail) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | sshhhhh | | Strengths: | OMFG yes the stiffness is so good. The frame itself is pretty light and the single pivot design is so simple, pretty hard to screw something up there. The fox shock was ok until i bolted on my 9" romic which put my 01 bullit at 7" plush plush plush inches of speed sensitive travel. | | Weaknesses: | NO 8" ROTOR IN THE REAR?!?!!@#$% whats the deal with that. The bike is yelling for an 8" rotor when riding fast trails like snow summit. Other than that none. Except I have one small question. Santa Cruz says the 01 bullit cant handle a 7" fork.. Well I just put my 02 super T on it and now I am afraid to hit anything big:(
If theres anyone else out there running an 01 bullit with 7" or more in the front let me know!!! | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive (CRAP CRAP CRAP OMFG SO MUCH CRAP) | | Bike Setup: | 01 bullit, 02 super t, xt shifter pod and der, mrp guide, intense 2.7s front and rear!! romic shock (omg dont waste your money and time waiting for SC to come out with the progressive kit, just go to romic in hisperia and they will build you a shock right infront of you for $350. this shock is so amazing, will make your bike feel like a dirtbike) | | Bottom Line: | If an 8" rotor could fit on the back of this pig i'd be happy with this bike for life. WTF am i talking about i'm still happy with this bike. Im gonna give it 5 flaming thingies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dougie
a
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep n' deep | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | The sheer Beefiness of this baby. Takes everything I throw at it with ease. Santa Cruz' reputation is second to none. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | everything else. And I mean everything: Kona, Intense, Fisher, Karpiel, Ellsworth, GT, Yeti, K2, Schwinn, Marin, etc. (i'm a bike tester for a magazine), | | Bike Setup: | boxxer, hayes, race face NS cranks, Answer pro taper, Tioga Ithys, Sun double wides, Maxxis MOFO's | | Bottom Line: | I've tried alot of bikes, and there's alot of crap out there that shouldn't be. The Bullit isn't one of them. This bike is the most capable whip i've ever rode. I travel to North Van on a monthly basis, and it's like the bike was carved from there. Do yourself a favor, stop looking right now. I mean it...STOP!!! You're not listening to me. You have to end your search ....right now! The Bullit really is the living end. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Richards
a Weekend Warrior
from farmington NM US
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | PTP | | Strengths: | Basically every aspect of this is a strength. It is an all around bad ass rig. Eats drops for breakfast. And plus it climbs very well for a longer travel full suspension. | | Weaknesses: | None, except i would like to be able to run a larger tire size. | | Bike Setup: | Lg frame transparent red with black swing arm, Mrp kit with Race Face north shore cranks. Xt Derailleur. Hayes Hydralic disk brakes with 8" rotor up front and 6" in the rear. Monster T. Wtb laser disk dh wheels and Wtb Moto 2.4 tires. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line can be summarized using two words Mutha Trucka. This is a Mutha Trucka of a bike. One of the best ive owned. If you purchase this bike dont forget to keep your pants on. Take it form me pants are important. And so is the Santa Cruz BULLIT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Ken
a Downhiller
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ladies first | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | No weird design on this bike. Single pivot=simple, strong, effective. Climbs like a dream. Very light for a freeride/dh bike. Love the oversized tubing. Matches a monster t pefect. | | Weaknesses: | are you for real? | | Similar Products Used: | cove gspot, giant XTC, Ellsworth dare (but only for a weekend). | | Bike Setup: | 'zoke monster t, panaracer fire dh's..2.45, Sun rhynolites, thomson stem & post, shim xt hyds. | | Bottom Line: | I thought the gspot was a sweet rig. My new Bullit wipes it all over the hill. I literally am laughing when droppin in on a new line that's rutted and tight. I thought the bike would be sluggish and slow to respond due to the huge tubing. Ah, no...WRONG!! The bullit is as tight as you want it to be, and opens up for wicked descents. I was on an eight hour epic once in Greece, and I thought before I left that after the ride, I'll be looking for a new lighter xc bike. Again, wrong! The bike performed top notch. All those things you've been hearin about the bullit, believe it! IT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST ALL AROUND 6" TRAVEL RIG ON THIS PLANET. Hands down.
I'm gone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Downhiller
from Golden, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Going down-The shore | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | total to date-$4876 cdn | | Strengths: | Monster sized tubing on this puppy. I take way gnarlier lines now that I'm on the Bullit. Soaks up babyheads and eats drops for breakfast (i'm talking 6-10 ft-ers) AND...climbing is unreal. Was scared shi*less to climb with it, but I was in awe how well it did. There's a reason why they sell alot of these: they are the shi*!! Look no further, boyz. | | Weaknesses: | excuse me? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Aeon Joker, Rocky RM6 | | Bike Setup: | Hayes hydraulics, '99 Boxxer, xt/xtr package, king head n' hubs, Mavic Crossmax w/IRC Kujo's (2.5's) | | Bottom Line: | I'm sold on this rig. I thought my Joker climbed well...can't hold a candle to the Bullit (plus when I SNAPPED the downtube away from the bb doing a totally calm huck (5-1/2' or so) on the Joker, getting it fixed by Ellsworth took almost a year and a half!! I was so pi**ed off that I practically gave the bike away. The dudes at SC rock, totally go out of their way to accomodate). I've done a couple of DH races this year on the Bullit. The first two, I got 2 and fourth respectively, and the field was massive. Was awesome, I flew by about 3 or 4 ellsworth freaks on the second race, with a huge sh**eating grin on my face. The Boxxer is so well matched to this bike, it feels like an mx bred unit. As far as the rear derailer complaints go, you guys should run a xtr setup. The derailer will snap long before the hanger bends. Go read the website, there's a reason why it's not replacable! Anyway, if you want a brawny climber, and the best retail descender out there, go plop down two large and start building one up...you won't regret it, I promise you. I give it 487,898,789,897, billion flaming chillies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Modesto, CA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Northstar & Downieville (Tahoe) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | *Beefy, oversized frame tubing.
*Fox Vanilla RC rear shock (6 inches of travel).
*Simplistic, low maintenance single pivot design.
*Life-time, no fault replacement warranty.
| | Weaknesses: | *Paint is not durable. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Enduro | | Bike Setup: | *Fox Forx (Vanilla R - 125mm)
*Sun Rhino Lite rims with WTB 2.4 Motoraptors
*Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes
| | Bottom Line: | This is THE ultimate DO-IT-ALL machine!
*WANT TO RIDE XC? It pedals efficiently ("bob" is NOT a problem). At 220 pounds, I can climb anything my out-of- shape body can take me. Mine weighs 33.5 pounds (very lite for a bike with 6 inches of travel in the back & 5 inches up front). I saw a 16 year old kid break the course record (set by a pro) on the Downieville "downhill" course (which is 50% XC).
*WANT TO BOMB DOWNHILL? It is tough enough to handle 5-6 foot drops (probably too much bike for most people). It is extremely smooth & stable at high speeds over very technical terrain (perfect for rides like Northstar, Downieville, & Northshore).
*"VERSATILITY" is the Bullit's middle name (which makes it a great value...you will have to shell out a couple grand, but it will be the last time). The Bullit is the only bike you will ever need (unless you are a PRO downhiller or XC racer). The bullit will shine in any situation you put it in. I rode with a guy this weekend who, after riding the Bullit, decided to buy one (this was after he swore the Giant AC1 was the ticket). If you are going to get serious about aggressive riding, get a Bullit. The initial investment will pay huge dividends. You will quit mountain biking before the Bullit quits on you.
*BUY IT IF...You are a big guy who wants to pound it downhill over obstacles at fast speeds...You are on a limited budget & need to make the next bike you buy the last bike you buy...You like good customer service...You are tired of trying/breaking "enduro-style" bikes (with too many weak pivot points) that just can't stand up to heavy duty riding.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Downhiller
from North Shore,British Columbia in Canada
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Nutcracker | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Freaky Freddies Freeride Facility | | Strengths: | Single pivot...less maintence..overly built frame..exceptional welds | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet | | Similar Products Used: | Kona "Stinky dee-lux"...RM-9...Chuck...Ellisworth | | Bike Setup: | Raceface...Chris King...XTR...Atomic Labs wheelset...Hayes
...etc | | Bottom Line: | As you can tell by my location...I'm from the dreaded "North Shore". So this bike has seen drops and jumps that most of you riders will never see,and to a certain "experienced" mtb'er who shall remain nameless....YES,even a 10 foot drop on occasion...Just because you don't have the "marbles" to do it....Does NOT give you the right to call those who have...AND CAN do it names...grow up!!
For those looking for a outstanding freeride frame I recomend this frame highly!! It can handle virtually anything you can throw at it.But keep in mind...The Bullit is not a XC frame,so expect a bike on the heavier side.
As far as pedal bob goes...Let be real here shall we?? There is not a single full suspension bike on the market that does not suffer from this minor flaw..and the bullit is no exception to this...Heres a novel idea...try pre-loading your shock accordingly! If you can't do that little task then go buy a Huffy and quit your whining.
With the proper fork on a Bullit..(5" or more) you'll have a great freeride/urban assult/entry level downhiller.
All one has to do it point where you want to go and hang on.Your confidence will improve on this bike due to the great geometry of this frame.
5 smokers all around | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dennis
a Downhiller
from colorado
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Plush, seems to be well built | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, ghost shifts, bobbs | | Bike Setup: | manitou super nova, Hayes, xtr, etc. | | Bottom Line: | After reading peoples reviews of this frame, it seems this frame appeals to people who think they are sick "freeriders". "It handled my huge 10 ft. drop dude" Great! you probaby mean 10 inch drop, fool. Bottom line, if you don't care about weight and you don't mind a frame that bobs and you don't mind a little ghost shifting buy it. Yes, I've tried running a non stop piece of housing from front to back and it still ghost shifts. Frame will be more efficient once it's avail. with the Progressive shock. It's a good frame if it's the type of frame your looking for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AMF
a Weekend Warrior
from Bolivia
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Strengths: | Solid, stiff bike. Good climber, amazing going down. | | Weaknesses: | What ? | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX 500, Y-Five 0, Y-33 | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla RC, Stratos S5 20 mm TA, Answer Pro Taper, Kore B-52, full XTR drive with triple chain ring, Chris King headset, Shimano M636, Mavic 321's, Hayes Hydraulic 8" F, 6" R, ODI lock on's, Flack Jacket derailleur cables. | | Bottom Line: | I am doing things on this bike that I never thought possible compared to my previous Treks.
I am a little slower going up the hill but but it's not bad for a 40+ lbs bike.
On the way down is where this bike shines, I knocked off 60 seconds in one of the local DH trails last weekend and I'am doing 6 foot drops with no complaints from the bike (I am 6'1", 205 lbs)
If you don't mind carrying a little extra weight on the climbs and like to descend like a mad man without having to worry about breaking stuff this is the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Downhiller
from monmouth cty new jersey
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hawthorne | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | planet bike old bridge | | Strengths: | this bike is unstoppable. great suspension no bobbing even in sprints. climbs like a hard tail. heavy bike but feels lighter then it is. | | Weaknesses: | is that even possible | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher joshua, trek hardtail | | Bike Setup: | black bullit, marzocchi free ride fork, shimano, titec stem, azonic riser bars | | Bottom Line: | okay okay i have only had this bike for 2 days now but i have blazed up climbs that used to have me sucking wind smoked my 3 friends on hardtails on a few of them. and the descending was like i was riding a cloud. flew further on the jumps, carved tighter on the turns and just plain rode faster. i looked at a lot of bikes for the past year and really had my choice of almost any of them and i picked the bullit. if your a bigger rider( i am 6 foot 210 lbs) then you need a bike that isn't gona break. and the bullit is the bike. no bobbing( amazing for single pivot) it takes off in the sprints. can't wait to upgrade to disc brakes so i can go as fast as this bike is supposed to. if you have questions email me let me know whats up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DW Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Moab PP Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | This bike promotes confidence. Within a week of having the bike I was jumping off things I would never have dreamed of on my specialized. | | Weaknesses: | Heard alot of talk about ghost shifting. I have a little trouble but nothing worth complaining about | | Bike Setup: | XTR Rear, XT front. Hope DH4 disc brakes (which rock!) Z1 fork. | | Bottom Line: | I was originally riding the specialized FSR. I am a heavier guy @200+ and I never felt the CC bikes held up well for me. I was really worried about keeping up with friends if I went to the heavier free ride bike but unless your racing, CC bikes just dont cut it. This bike has improved my riding immensly. Friends from home could't believe how much I improved my riding and when they rode this bike, its all they talked about. Climbing is more work than on the light bike but what do you expect. I play around with the adjustable slide on the rear shock to adjust bike angle and I find this helps alot. On those long climbs I'll reach down and lock out the rear shock for the hardtail feel and its great. Playing around and learning how you like the bike setup is the key to making this bike climb. I would recomend it to anyone and I cant wait to take it to Moab next year! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe L.
a
from Snowmass, CO
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Moore Fun, Fruita(for now) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | VBS | | Strengths: | Tough, stiff, plush, adjustable, Fox Vanilla RC. Climbs and rides like a much lighter bike even though mine weighs about 35lbs. Oh yeah, simple design. | | Weaknesses: | Little bit of pedal feedback, but hey wtf. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Z1 MCR QR20, Sun Rhyno lite XL, Hayes 8" frt, Hayes 6" rr, Shimano XT derailers, Race Face LP Turbine Crankset, Titec 1.5" riser, Azonic Shorty Stem, Thomson seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike! It climbs great for a 5"/6" travel bike, hell it climbs great for any full-suspension. Z1 MCR QR20 with ECC doesn't hurt either(except for the poopy seals). I've been a long time Marzocchi fan/user but have had seal problems with every fork(just not a maintenance-free fork, big deal). Frt and rear are well balanced. Downhill is amazing especially with the easily adjustible travel and head tube angle. What a deal for a frameset. A lot of bike for a little dinero. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Downhiller
from Littleton, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Quite possibly the most versatile bike in the world. You can take it freeriding downtown, then to the dual slalom or downhill track. Lighter than most DS/DH bikes... feels more nimble than others. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't come with it's own downhill course. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 model, 8" Hayes up front, 6" Hayes in rear, Raceface bottom bracket, Raceface Northshore cranks, XT/ Deore drivetrain, Titec stem, Azonic bar, Marzocchi Super T fork, Rhyno Lite rims (for the moment) | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike. It handles everything you can throw at it. I really really like the adjustable geometry... takes two seconds to do. Santa Cruz is quite possible the coolest company in the world when it comes to customer service and sales. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumbria, Engalnd.
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Helvellyn/High Street/Coed Y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | M&P Cycles, Staveley | | Strengths: |
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$ 2650.00
