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Submitted by
Shawn Antonelli
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Ourimbah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand of a mate | | Strengths: | Strong, Simple, Bomb Proof | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than I would like | | 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. | | Bottom Line: | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | 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. | | 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). | | 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.
Mike
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scabs
a Downhiller
from Arnold, Ca
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | everything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | a broken kona stab | | 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 | | 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!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Downhiller
from concord
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | great hill conservation lands | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | 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. | | 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 | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin, Ireland
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike Outfitter | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky... not many other worth noting, went on a whim and bought this over the net. never regretted it. | | Bike Setup: | 04 Bullit, 05 Marzocchi Jnr T's, shimano lx/xt, mavic 521, front xt disc 6", hope 04 rear 8" disc | | 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). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis Allen
a Downhiller
from lewiston Idaho
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | waja | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | 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! | | Similar Products Used: | Foes weasle, Giant ds, big hit | | Bike Setup: | deemax, maxxis minion, azonic shorty, Stratos dh helix pro shock, Stratos S7 fork 7", e-13 drs, hayes, odi loc ons, xtr Etc... | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Sherbrooke
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Banzai (Bromont) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | 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) | | 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... | | 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... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr classifieds | | Strengths: | Super versatile bike...see below.
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. | | 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. | | Bike Setup: | See below... | | 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.
Mike
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a
from ATL, GA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | strong frame. 7 inches of travel. Rootbeer color is awsome. | | Weaknesses: | haven't found one yet | | Similar Products Used: | none I broke them all | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niklas Dahlin
a Downhiller
from Stockholm/Sweden
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kindergarten Åres north shore | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | dr. spoke/www.drspoke.se | | 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 ? | | Similar Products Used: | Cresent draupner / Big hit | | Bike Setup: | 04 marzocchi monster T, ea70 riser, mrp bones combo, 24/7 slack pedals, mavic wheels, atomlabs hubs, Hayes hfx 8" with dangerboy levers, High roller tires. 325 titanium spring 5th ele. | | 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 :/ | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Modesto, CA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | 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) | | Bike Setup: | stock 2001 Fox Vanilla RC and a 2001 Fox Forx Vanilla 125R | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mo Elinsky
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethesda, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere with drops | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay... thanks Eric | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | big hit | | Bike Setup: | '03 DJ2, prodigy dh cranks, evolve fr BB, hayes 8", XT drivetrain, singletrack, 317. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gingus Campo
a Downhiller
from Oneonta, NY
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Splattekill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Some dude | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Pipeline | | Bike Setup: | SC bullit w/ boxxer race and mad nice hookups | | 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!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JekyllSan
a Weekend Warrior
from SF Bayarea
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | bike source.com | | 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. | | 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) | | 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
Thanx | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave t
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado, usa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 16, 666, 667, 669, edna mae, templeton, teocalli | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2986.00 | | Purchased At: | Ted's (colorado cyclist's ineptitude was matched only by their apathy) | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | c'dale hardtails | | Bike Setup: | super-x disc kit from SC, fox vanilla rlc, spds or platforms, raptors & hutchinson | | 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." | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gonzostrike
a Downhiller
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | secret creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor. Go Safety Team! | | Strengths: | Light weight for burliness, Excellent design touches, pedal action is so close to hardtail it's unbelievable, beautiful assembly & quality | | Weaknesses: | none... although my beautiful Trans Red paint will eventually scratch & ding and that will be painful to watch, this bike has no weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Isis, Titus Switchblade, Specialized Enduro Pro FSR | | Bike Setup: | 2002.5 frame size Medium, 2002 Super T Pro, FSA Pig DH headset, Hope Mini 185/165 brakes, SRAM Rocket shifters, Deore front der, XT rear der, Truvativ ISIS DH BB, Truvativ Stylo Team crank, Kooka Bash Guard, Titec Knucklehead DH bar and stem, Titec 7075 Hawk seatpost, Titec Berserkr saddle, Sun Rhyno Lite rims, 14 ga spokes, Marz QR20 front hub, Shimano XT Disc rear hub, WTB 2.5 Weirwolf Race front/2.4 Mutanoraptor Race rear tires, ODI Yeti Lock-On Grips. | | Bottom Line: | I've only ridden on urban features, and only gently at that -- I've got a newly dislocated sternoclavicular joint and it's still healing so I couldn't do any drops or jumps or hops. However, I did notice the nimbleness of the handling, the great stability during track stands & skinny curb rides, the bob-free pedaling both seated and standing (feels like a soft-tail, much better/firmer than my properly tuned & sprung Isis), and the bike's excellent manners overall. Weight of complete bike, as spec'd above: 35.5 lbs
The 2002.5 frame is full of nice touches -- cable/hydro hose routing is done with little "saddles" on which the cables sit, and a hole passes through the saddle for a zip tie to fix the cable to the saddle. Nice gussets and welds added to the head tube area, nice redesign of swingarm, and overall excellent finish. The Trans Red color is incredibly beautiful, probably too much so for a bike that's just going to get gnashed and gnarled... but that's no big deal. I can begin hardcore trail riding around July 19, so I'll update my review after then. My prediction is that I'll conclude that this bike is the best all-around bike available this year and probably next year, too.
So far -- 5 flamin' chiles all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | hartshorne,nj; snowshoe,wv; plattekill, ny | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | planet bike: east brunswick, nj | | Strengths: | sleek, stout, versatile, fluid, single pivot point (easy to work on), super welding, adjustable bottom bracket height, no pig here - great climber, can hang with the big boys on the descents. | | Weaknesses: | 5mm hex bolt seat clamp: easy fix - get a quick release.
paint flakes/chips easily around disc mount eyelets: it creates one more variable to consider when trying to eliminate drag on your rear disc if the paint is completely gone on one eyelet and still remains on the other.
no derailleur drop-out: only a problem if you bend that part of the frame. santa cruz will bend it back for a "nominal" fee. | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale: delta V 700, raven super V 700. | | Bike Setup: | sometimes freeride, sometimes DH | | Bottom Line: | I don't have the luxury of owning a xcountry bike and a downhill rig (I'm married with kids, I'm lucky I ride at all). The bullit is a GREAT all-around bike. I can take this bike anywhere. I don't want to hear about weight. yeah, it's heavier than a xcounty ride, but not so heavy where you can't climb. as far as downhill goes, forget about it. The bullit can hang with ANY of those strict DH rigs.
I guess if I bent the derailleur mount and had to send the swing-arm back to santa cruz to get it bent back, I'd be pissed and give it 4 chilis. Otherwise, I feel the weaknesses are trivial. I just wanted to give an unbiased opinion.
If you're looking for a bike that will let you ride as hard as you possibly can downhill, but don't want to sacrifice the ability to climb - this is your bike. | | 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
Flowsta
a Downhiller
from Knoxville,TN..USA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Freeway ! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Local dude | | Strengths: | Santa Cruz honors their warranty & that's one of the reasons .....Beefy bike ! | | Weaknesses: | ?....yeah umm.......? ? . .! | | Similar Products Used: | 1999-B-17--Giant ATX-1 DH--Rocky Mountain SLAYER... | | Bike Setup: | Mammoth's .Intense 2.35" tires--Maitiou X-vert DC 5"(firm kit)----XTR cassette12-32..stx pods---OURY grips---THompson Layback --75mm Marin stem?(couldn't use my Kona clump4-bolt stem=steerer too short) | | Bottom Line: | I always wanted a BULLET ! Now i have one & i slay on it !...Got a MED size & i'm 6'2" so it feels nice n quick still like Azonic DS-1 i had a little !.....Firm 700# spring had to replace the stock 450#...Much better & i even have sag,just great!i weigh 185 lb....BEEFY throughout-nice design & very low maint which i love !..Cool cool cool !solid ride for a competitive price ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff Rodgers
a Weekend Warrior
from la,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | santa monica mountians | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | The best all around bike i have thrown a leg over. the
frame is stiff,and you can adjust the steering for your
type of riding style. | | Weaknesses: | nothing yet. people mention the derailer hanger, but if I
break that and im still able to ride a bike again-I
will buy another and a beer!! | | Similar Products Used: | short rides on other peoples bikes( uzzies,gt,fsr) | | Bike Setup: | mcr fork,race face cranks,scram shifting,xt disk,thompson
post,chris king headset, azonic bares, | | Bottom Line: | I live in so-cal and have to climb what I decend. I tried
to set up the bike as light as I could without straying
away from its origional purpose(downhill people need not
reply, I like to go fast and push my limits but I still
have to make it to work the next day)the first day I took
that bad boy out I was nervous that it would be a pig
going uphill but to my suprise after locking down the
rebound on the fork and maxing out the comp on the shock
the bike didnt move,not at all! this thing climbs like
a hardtail-no bull! At the top of my climb I was so jazzed
how fast I got there(hardtail speed) I couldnt wait to go
down. this thing glides so well,the combo of long travel
and disc brake power urged me to push my limits with twice
the thrill! This is the best bike(and setup)I have ridden
and I can tell all of you shopping for an all around bike
that can meet your needs anywhere you ride-BUY IT! Worth
the money ten times over | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kail Marks
a Downhiller
from Bozeman, MT.
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I'm not telling | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Summit Bike & Ski - Bozeman, MT. | | Strengths: | Indestructable frame, good looks, low maintenence, super plush linear suspension, good value, and number one, versatility. I don't consider the deraileur hanger a weakness - it's a half inch thick for pete's sake! As far as ghost shifting goes, I've never had it on my bullit. | | Weaknesses: | SC's paint could use improvement, but hey, it's a mountain bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense M1, Kona Stinky's, Specialized enduro, Rocky Mountain RM6 and 7, GT I-drive DH, Lobo, just about every DH/freeride bike made. | | Bike Setup: | Large Bullit, Stratos MX6, Sun Mammoth's, Hayes, Intense 2.7" tires, Azonic bars. | | Bottom Line: | I've debated on whether to review the bullit for some time now because there are already so many good reviews on it. However, I think I can give some new reasons to get one. First of all, at $1100 for the frame, the Bullit is the least expensive 6" travel bike that is downhill race worthy. There are other 6" travel bikes in the price range, but they are not half as strong as the Bullit. The Rocky mountain RM6 and 7 are good bikes, but they cost an extra $550-$750, respectively. I've ridden both and I would say the bullit outperforms them in every regard. Oh, I almost forgot, the Bullit also comes with the Fox Vanilla RC shock, which is a better shock than the RM6/7's Vanilla R. To take it one step further, I the Bullit's 6" of travel feels like some other bikes 8" of travel. For example, my Bullit feels plusher than any of the Intense M1's I've ridden. I'm not saying the Intense has worse suspension, I'm just saying the Bullit feels smoother. Is the M1, or any other top-end downhill frame really $1800 better than the Bullit? No. With a good DH fork (at least 6" of travel), and good brakes, tires, and skills, you can compete with the full on downhill bikes with the Bullit. But, you get an added bonus - you can pedal the Bullit uphill. Basically, I've set mine up as a DH bike, but I still have three chainrings, and yes, I do ride it cross-country. I've become a better cross-country rider because of this. My bullit weighs 42 pounds, but you could easily get a bullit to weigh in the 28-29 pound range. It is the most versitile frame I've ever owned or encountered. The bottom line is this - if you need a heavy-duty cross-country bike, a freeride bike, or a full on downhill bike, the Bullit can do all three! Just build it up accordingly. This is by far the best bike I've ever owned. I'd give it 6 chili's if I could. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Weaver
a Downhiller
from Winchester, UK
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Down, down, down. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Stif Cycles, UK | | Strengths: | 6" Super Plush Travel, stif, strong, sweet shock (Fox Vanilla RC). | | Weaknesses: | Bottle cage mounts placing is next to useless, non replaceable rear mech hanger (but it is huge). | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stab, Marin B-17, Mountain Cycle San Andreas | | Bike Setup: | Z1 MCR 5", Bulb/D321/Hope Enduro/Tioga Fat66 2.3", Azonic Shorty/Seatpost/Headlock/Ultracross Bars, Raceface DH ISIS/Turbine ISIS, XTR Mech/Shifters | | Bottom Line: | Big Drops? Gnarly trails? Mental Big Hits? This thing will soak em up. Going down a familiar trail, you find urself taking new lines, going faster than before. Builds up new confidence for anything your mates put you up to.
I have beaten the hell out of this frame and besides a few scratches it still works beautifully. The single pivot design means low maintenance and the frame is still way stiff.
A frame for just about anyone, it goes up happily, little or no bobbing, going down is a dream. If you dont have one, buy one, if you cant afford it, borrow someone elses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Milagrosa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bike Experts | | Strengths: | Simple design, strong build, efficient, perfect. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Never "used" anything similar to this, tried many. | | Bike Setup: | Zokes MCR1, complete SRAM9.0 drivetrain & hubs, Rhyno lites, Raceface cranks&BB, Thomson cockpit. (no shimano)! | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this is the best all around trail/freeride bike available. It's a must if you like to ride extreme type trails mixed in with some downhill action every once in a while.
As far as any other concers, like weight, ghost shifting, deraillure hanger etc. etc. etc., I don't see those and don't recognize them as problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Emil W. J.
a
from Aarhus, Denmark
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | -none- | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykel Galleriet... | | Strengths: | Solid feel, looks, not too heavy, loads of colours to choose from. | | Weaknesses: | Stupid position of bottlecage bolts...but I guess they can´t be anywhere else. No quick release at the seatpost clamp. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr. pro-flex (very flexy indeed) | | Bike Setup: | Medium gunmetal grey 2002 BULLIT. Specialized tyres, mavic321 rims, dt black spokes, black hügi240 disc hubs. Marzocchi Jr. T (red), black KING headset, kona Dh stem, easton scandium DH bar, Magura Louise disc-brakes and odi ruffian lock on grips. X-lite seatpost, Flite saddle, RaceFace BB and crankset, shimano 646 pedals and the rest is XT. | | Bottom Line: | WoooHoo...This baby is a dream come true. It is soo easy to ride...30 minutes in the saddle and you feel right at home. It is sweet on the downhills: Point it and pedal!!Bumpy and root-infested singletracks is a problem of the past. It is actually possible to pedal it uphill too. On the frist ride I rode the same route as I ride on my hardtail(santa cruz Chameleon)and cleared all but one uphill, and was going much faster on the downhill!
Just one problem...People want to try it...Hmmmmm
And a little hint for all of you expirencing ghost shifting: The cause maybee that the cabelhousing between the mainframe and the swingarm is too short. I had mine set up this way, and it ghost shifted badly...then I changed the housing and the ghost disappeared...
Bottom Line: If you have the cash (it is way overprised here in Denmark) This is a supersweet ride!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Prentice
a Downhiller
from Medford OR
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Time-warp (Mt. Ashland) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Sims Cycle, Medford OR | | Strengths: | Undoubtedly the Rock Solid Construction. The quality inspires confidence in any hairy situation. The pivot location makes the bike climb really well for such a heavy duty bike. The suspension soaks up serious hits like it's cool, and big drops are cake. | | Weaknesses: | None that I know of, unless you don't want a heavy bike. Personally I want the extra weight while bombing downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | Just various shorter travel bikes. | | Bike Setup: | XTR Drivetrain, Hayes brakes, Marzocchi 5in. bomber, Azonic shorty stem, Azonic PDW riser bars, Hugi hubs w/Sun rhynolite hoops, IRC Kujo 2.65 tires (WAAAYY COOOOL!) Titec berserker seat. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this bike for almost two years now. It doesn't climb quite as well as my Titanium hardtail(what does?) I have ridden many short-travel suspension bikes that bobed and wallowed much worse. If you crank up the damping on the rear shock it almost locks out the rear.
If you are a hardcore XC guy looking for a downhill bike that can be ridden up hill as well as down then this is a top pick. The Santa Cruz is much more durable than the similar offerings from other companies.
If you are looking to get into downhill but can't afford a full on "world cup" style rig, this is a very capable bike. Put a 7 inch travel fork on it and race!
If you're a weight-weenie like I used to be than watch out! You will be assimilated!
I really dig the bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Henry
a Downhiller
from Edinburgh
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Still Innerleithen | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1075.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine Bikes Edinburgh | | Strengths: | Well It's been 1 year since i got her and now that I've been able to get the forks and shock working for me the bike is letting me go much faster and higher. The frame is still bullet proof and the shock shuttle makes adjustment soo easy. It takes the excellent Hope 165 enduro and lets me run my Nokian Gazzalodi 2.6's without any clogging up at all. | | Weaknesses: | It's got to be the shock shuttle, like a few others I've had it move forward on me and not even on big drops. I decided to run it forwards anyway as it seems to let me corner easier and makes the bike more stable. The powder coat is crap on mine, It's black and after 1 ride it looked dull not like it did when i buit it up. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin B-17 (Pants) | | Bike Setup: | 01 Bullit Frame, 01 Jr T forks (re-valved and oiled),24/7 cromo bar and stem, Hope Enduro 4 pots (ooh mama), Hope Big Un's laced to Mavic D321 and 521 rims, Nokian Gazzaloddi 2.6 (with 2 tubes and a tyre in the back, AC cranks and ring, DMR Chain Guide, LX rear mech the rest is standard DH fare. | | Bottom Line: | After a year of riding the bullit i'm so impressed. Apart from blowing up my rear shock and spending 3 weeks waiting for it to get sorted I must admit that it's one of the nicest privateer DH and freeriding rigs about. Up hills it's not great but my spec explains that. Down and with the tyres and weight in the lower end of the frame it's soo stable and inspires confidence.
I think that if you don't mind a bit of a compromise then the bullit is the bike to own.
(it's so much fun that on one of the rocky descents I run that I have the confidence to get the pedals sparking off the big rocks at the side, it's quite a display from the saddle) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Brines
a Racer
from Littleton CO USA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I dont care, just not the road w/this bike... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Santa Cruz | | Strengths: | Before I begin reveiwing, let me just let you all know I only have had about 4 days of riding on the bike...(so I am destin to jinx myself now...) anyway, here is my review...
-feels solid
-6 inches of rear
-versitility
-"ironing ability" abilty to make bumps of many sizes just go away
-"dropability"...believe it, Bullits can be hucked
-This is an early 02 modle so I can run 8 inch rear disc
-...just wait for the 5th element...
| | Weaknesses: | I hate to say it but the non replaceable der. hanger does suck. However, I decided to run housing streight through...(no stops) and between the streight hanger and streight housing, shifting is unparrelled. | | Similar Products Used: | Many, I work at a bike shop... | | Bike Setup: | Z1 QR20 MCR
Freeride X-Kit | | Bottom Line: | This bike can do it all. I have it set up at 35 lbs, but I can still climb it, by no means is it like my XC bike climbing but it can be done, I am training XC with it for streangth purposes...this is probably stupid though. THis is my Dual slalom bike. It may seem like too much travel, but our course is soooo rough Bullits do very well. With the Curnette valved 5th element it will be even stiffer in the corners...cant wait for that one. All and all I am blown away with the performance and mostly the versitility of this bike. Go buy one if you already have a XC bike or dont ever aspire to race XC...the ultimate fun bike, ride anything go anywhere. I'll offer a more complete review after a little more riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Douglas
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlottetown, PE
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Doesn't have a name yet ;) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Red Rok Bikes | | Strengths: | Very beefy frame, adjustable head tube angle & BB. Very thick Head Tube. Probably the biggest strength I bought it for was the fact that this frame can do it all, big hits or
idle trail rides. It's awesome in the air and pedals like a hard tail, go figure. | | Weaknesses: | I would have liked to see a quick release on the seat post and possibly something similar on the adjustable head tube bolts to allow for a quicker transform, but that's debatable. To get really picky I would like to see another disc cable guide routing near the middle. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco VPS 3, Cortina DS Europa (the FS one, -> I'm completely jaded about this company). Diamondback XTS3 (yes I think it is similar) | | Bike Setup: | Z1 MCR QR20, Tomac DH single's(very nice) Mofo DH 2.35 front & rear specific. Race Face post ($$, ouch!) RAce Face prodigy BB, Hussefelt Cranks w/ rock guard (personal fav.) Axiom dh stem, bar, and saddle (sweet componentry, I recommend). Funn Slojam pedals (sticky), Rapid Rise XTR derailler (awesome) , XT front, Hayes 6", hopefully 8 soon. FSA headset. | | Bottom Line: | It took me a long time to make a decision on a new frame but I am so glad I went with the Bullit. There are so many good frames out there but on a personal-choice level, this frame was meant for me. I needed something that can do it all, so to speak. Where I live we don't have chair-lifts runs and no big hills either (think rolling golf-hills). At any rate there's still stuff to jump off and other stuff we've built I can have fun on the bullit pushing it up the hill and going down. The Adjustable Head tube angle/BB height is the best option on a bike I've ever been exposed to. Who really cares about 4,5,6 inch travel adjustment? When you pop the bullit into it's biggest angle setting (way back) your ridin' a chopper baby, I can't wait to take it down something long & steep in that setting. However for most freeride, town and trail ride I'll use the full XC mode (which is still very steep, but it raises the BB another 3/4' inch or so). I'm still fussing with the best setting. This frame continues to impress me. At any bolt junction I can see traces of blue loctite and the welds are clean, smooth and consistent. In every review they always mention the non-replaceable dreailler hanger, well I won't be because it is so #$%^@ huge! If I bend this baby then I'll have bigger problems than my bent drop-out. By this bike if you are A. a free-rider B. Don't shave your legs, C. want a frame that can do it all, and spank the competition bad on the way down.
If your having trouble deciding on a color, let me recommend: Duke Blue, Apple Green, Sid Blue or Trans Red.
Full Flamin' Chilis for a great frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew
a
from st. john's , n.f., canada
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | freeride mountain sports | | Strengths: | STRENGTHS! this product has no strengths. | | Weaknesses: | the weaknesses on this frame is everything esspecialy the derailier hanger. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing can be as crappy as this frame,well, maybe FREERIDE MOUNTAIN SPORTS. | | Bike Setup: | green bullit,shiver,hayes,profiles/MRP,521 RIMS | | Bottom Line: | The bottem line for this bike is i would not recomend it to anyone.i'd rather recomend someone buying a bike from FREERIDE than this piece of crap. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eugene Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Marina Del Rey, CA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Preito - JPL | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Sale | | Strengths: | 6" of tremendously plush travel, comes standard with a great rear shock (Fox Vanilla RC), extremely beefy/strong frame, looks good | | Weaknesses: | retail price is a bit high, and the non-removable rear derailler hanger could pose a problem, but hasn't yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Most XC bikes, this is my first freeride bike | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit, Marzocchi Z1 MCR 5", Hayes Disc, Sun Rynolite rims with XT Disc hubs, Shimano XTR and Race Face for everything else. | | Bottom Line: | I upgraded from my crappy Schwinn (Huffy) S-Carbon XC bike and WOW, what a difference. I was first a bit concerned with being able to climb the trails still since we usually climb up and most of our riding is cross country style riding... but I must say that considering how much travel and how beefy this bike is, it climbs exceptionally well. I honestly find no noticeable difference between this and my other bike.
My Bullit is probably outfitted a bit differently than most. Since I upgraded from my last bike to this Bullit, the components are mostly XC style parts... like Shimano XTR, Race Face cranks, etc. So this is a real hybrid of a bike... mixing lightweight XC parts with a 5" front and 6" rear travel frame/fork combo. I personally think this hybrid is perfect for southern california riding. We usually climb up then ride down, with the occasional shuttle run with all downhill... this bike is great on both types of rides. Technical climbing is difficult with such a plush bike, but I suck at that anyways, so I don't really care! :-)
All in all, I'm totally happy with my decision on this frame. Finding it in great condition used for only $500 makes me all the happier. I think I'll be riding my Bullit for many years to come...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sacha
a
from San Francisco, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | FYI from Scott at Santa Cruz Bicycles:
-----------
There are a couple of aftermarket shocks for the Bullit that increase travel, but the drawback is that they can be set up incorrectly, and they limit the geometry adjustments. We do not recommend the use of any non-stock rear shocks on any Santa Cruz frame. Doing so could cause damage to the frame and/or rider. Any frame damage caused by the use of non-stock rear shocks will not be covered under the Santa Cruz warranty. We are currently working on a Factory Authorized, long travel option for the Bullit. We should have this ready in a few months. (Around January)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sacha Henchman
a
from San Francisco, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | All around ability. Don't fear the weight, it'll just make you stronger. If you get the setup right (see below) this bike will give you the traction to climb super steep stuff as well as any bike, & downhill is all grins. | | Weaknesses: | don't worry about the non-replaceable dropout, i've laid mine over plenty of times hard & have never bent it. good idea to use a breakaway bolt (carry a spare) if you're doing remote rides though, you'll snap your derailleur before you break the hanger. | | Bike Setup: | Z1 QR20 5", hayes discs, WTB 2.4s, 50mm stem | | Bottom Line: | a few setup tips:
-i rigged up a quick release system for the shock mount which lets me switch it from climbing to DH mode in seconds, using 2 seatpost qr skewers in place of the stock allen bolts. highly recommended--just make sure you get skewers long enough to span the shock mount + washers + all the threads on the nut. email me if you want pics.
-for climbing, set the shock mount to upright/high BB position, it climbs much more efficiently this way. i found that having my seat a good inch or so further forward than where i'm used to it on a road bike prevents wheelies on steep uphill stuff--this bike will actually climb steeper stuff than any other mtb i've owned, especially if you run fatter tires/lower pressure.
-go with the shortest stem you can get to maximize the downhill/steeps abilities.
-6 to 7 clicks out from full slow on the rebound dial is about where it won't buck you off but still stays plush | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a
from Belleuve, WA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in BC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Private Sale | | Strengths: | Nice progressive shock action, good overall frame stiffness. Available colors. Nice geometry | | Weaknesses: | No replaceable rear hangar, cannot fit 8 inch rotor on back. Lack of professionalism of Santa Cruz staff! | | Similar Products Used: | Aeon, Norco | | Bike Setup: | Mr T QR20's, Hayes 8 & 6's, Hussefelt w/guards, platforms, wonked up wheels with hops and dents (haha) | | Bottom Line: | Its a good overall frame, and the ride quality is great. With all the dents in the back swingarm already courtesy of the great CAD work from Santa Cruz, you would think they would be able to put one more in for a 8 inch rotor spacing. We have dents for crank clearance, dents for tire clearance.....they don't return e-mails when you ask them about this too! The biggest rotor you can stuff back there currently is the 165mm Hope disc with Enduro 4 brakes, more power than Hayes, and I regret not getting those vs Hayes.
Regardless of what SC says, the non-replaceable hangar is dumb, only Ti frames should try this method, if Santa Cruz is so convinced with this type why hasn't the bulk of free ride builders use it?
Like I said, the bike rides really nice, great for DH freeride etc, and I do enjoy it alot, just wouldn't buy another, next time around would go for the Aeon, Norco, or Brodie.
I just pulled 38,000ft of DH freeriding in BC and really did love the bike, but as they say in BC, you need tires, travel & brakes....Bullit can't deliver on brakes and tires max out at 2.5 so that is debatable too! The travel is plush though and even with single pivot haven't noticed to much brake jacking - good pivot location!
IF SC would do some updating for areas outside of So Cal the bike could be the ultimate ripper!
If anyone knows how to fit the 8 inch rotor on the back please e-mail me!
Craig | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Pretty much everything!
Shock (I personally think the Vanilla RCs are amazing), the colours (although I really wanted Lime Green, but it's discontinued in favour of Apple Green), adjustable geometry (I have mine set at different angle depending on what Im doing), powder coat is such a cool idea.
But despite all the above, the biggest strength is the frames PERFORMANCE! | | Weaknesses: | OK, there arent many weaknesses, just some minor issues. Maybe Im just being picky. Firstly, I've just switched over from a Stinky Dee-Lux frame onto one of these. The Stinky frame had THE best rear brake routing system Ive ever seen. The frame stops were drilled out so they could accept hydro hose straight through, and normal cable-based brake systems used little stoppers that fitted in the frame stops to act as normal cable stops (if that makes sense?). I'd like to have seen this amazing system on the Bullit. I'm running Jag Wire hydro hose frame adapters at the moment. Nice idea but not half as neat or as effective as the Stinky routing.
Mine is a 2002 so it came with black main pivot hardware. I havent needed to tighten it yet, but when I do I just think the black may not last, and just look a bit tatty. Maybe Im just being ultra-picky there.
Ive heard of people's Shock Shuttle shifting forwards under high impact hits. Hasn't happened to me yet, but I'd prefer it if the Shock Shuttle had a pattern of holes instead of a slot. Maybe it would solve the problem some people have with it shifting forwards. Like I said, it hasnt happened to me, and it hasnt happened to my brother either (2001 Bullit).
Powder coat is very weak as far as cable rub is concerned, but that's easy to fix. Just need some clear tape (Duck Clear Repair tape (most hardware stores) for all the UK guys and gals, dunno what the equivalent is for the US peps or other nationalities). Apply that to all areas where the cables rub, and no need to worry. I used two layers under my chainstay to stop the chain mashing it. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky Dee-Lux 99, SC Heckler 00, GT LTS 1000, Kona Manomano 98. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Bullit, mix of Race Face and Shimano drivechain, Jr T forks from the Stinky (soon to be replaced with something more in line with the back (Monster Ts maybe?)), 121s on Hope Bulbs, Hope C2 discs, general black parts so the amazing frame stands out more! | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line?
This frame flat out ROCKS!
I wanted one of these frames back before I got the Stinky. I got the Stinky as it was already built into a nice bike, was a bargin of a price (I ended up paying nearly 1k less than recommended), and it had conventional bottle cage mounts (a consideration to me back then, although I promply discovered a flaw in the Kona's design -> the piggy back on the shock hit the bottle anyway :-) DOH!)
A year later my brother bought a Bullit frame, and from then on I wondered why I didnt get the Bullit frame in the first place. So a few weeks ago I bought one for myself at long last.
The bike has so many positive points I could go on for ever!
The tubing is a lot beefier in real life than it is in the pics. After seeing my bro's Bullit, my Stinky seemed like an old cro-mo hardtail as far as tubing diameter was concerned. The tubes just look indestructable, and that has an effect on your riding. Knowing the frame is so strong give you one less thing to worry about, and all the better for it!
The rear action totally outshines my Stinky, and makes the Jr Ts look crap (which they certainly arent!). I thought my Stinky had good small bump compliance till I rode next to my bro. His rear end was working twice as much as mine.
The big hits are really what makes this bike stand above the rest. It can take huge hits and still handle more.
All round I have yet to find any major faults with the frame. Although my Weakness section seems full, they are just ideas that would make this frame perfect. By no means are they major negative points at all.
I would highly recommend this frame to anyone looking for a customisable (colours, adjustable geometry, 1 or 3 chainrings etc...) frame that really can handle nearly everything you can throw at it.
For value, it's gotta be 5 outta 5. For what you get you cant go wrong. The Stinky frame is another 100 on top of the Bullit frame price, yet for less travel and inferior performance. Guess that's due to all the extra hardware needed for a walking beam, but if a single pivot design can out perform it, what's the point?
If I could give it more chilli's I would, but we're limited to five, so five flamers it's gotta be for both value and performance.
PS, after reading about the Mojo/2.75inch stroke Vanilla RC from that guy down the page, I might try that at some point. 7 inches would be sweet, and no major impact on geometry! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Downhiller
from Ferndale, Washington, USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | pipline on Grouse Mt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Steed Cycles in North Vancouver(very nice guys up there) | | Strengths: | Durable, super stiff rear end, plush suspension, works great in every condition. | | Weaknesses: | cranks can rub on swing arm if you dont have them set up properly(i learned that the hard way.)Can run a 8 inch rotor in back | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Specialized Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Boxxer, Kooka Freeride cranks and stem, Chris King Headset, Mavic D321 Rims, Hayes hydrolic discs, Thomson Post, Easton CT2 Monkey Light Bar, Irc Kojo DH 2.65 tires, Race Face Taper Lock Bottom Bracket, Azonic Love Seat Saddle, all XT Drive Train, And ODI lock on grips. | | Bottom Line: | This bike kick ass, super smooth. My set up weighs a little over 41 pounds. Not to heavy but it can be hard to throw around. Once you get moving this bike feels feather light. Takes all the little and big hits. It goes up hill better than my old Big Hit and feels a million times better going down. This bike is worth its weight in gold. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Braille - Soquel Demo Forrest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes, Palo Alto, CA | | Strengths: | Great suspension, solid ride, reasonable weight, bargain (relatively speaking) price. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can tell, other than the lack of knowledge of their dealers. Mike's Bikes in Palo Alto, CA was the exception. The other shops listed as SC dealers I talked to didn't know squat. If I have to do all the research, figure out what model/size I need via the SC website (and sites like this one), and pay in full when I order, why should I be forced to pay some retailer's markup who didn't do a thing BUT TAKE AN ORDER? That markup is intended as payment for overhead and the value added of product knowledge. Hey Santa Cruz - sell direct! Most retailers don't do a thing to earn their place in the distribution channel. | | Similar Products Used: | SC Superlight, Jamis Dakar Team, Specialized FSR Enduro, Specialized FSR Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | Psylo SL 5", Avid cable discs w/ 2.0 Speed Dials, Vanilla RC, old school (110mm) XTR cranks(w/ Kooka Crankcase bashguard), Shimano 686 platforms, XT Fr&R deraileurs, XTR 8SPD rapidfires, White Ind disc hubs w/ Sun 0 degree rims, SRAM 11-32 8SPD cassette, Azonic ORC 90mm stem, Bonty Crowbars, Easton Alu post, FSA Pig DH headset. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. It's got my 42 year old body doing stuff it shouldn't, like wheelie dropping off downed redwoods and jumping off/over pretty much everything that gets in the way. It's a real confidence builder, kind of the same way gold chains & hairplugs are for most guys my age. Also, I'm pretty sure I got my money's worth on the first ride, so everything from here on is bonus points. I normally ride a 19", which would have been a Large in SC Land. After talking to the guys at SC (great company to deal with, by the way - too bad they don't sell direct - see above), I found the standover is the same for M,L, & XL, so I bought the XL to get the 24.5" top tube and be able to comfortably run a 90mm stem (as opposed to the 120mm I would have put on the L). As a side note, the Avid discs work extremely well, and don't require any hydralic fluid hassles. If you're not into full-on DH racing, save yourself the hassle and buy the Avids. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt perfetti
a Downhiller
from new york
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with dropoffs and downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle world plus (i work there) | | Strengths: | everything, its too much to put down | | Weaknesses: | well there's enough clearence for a intense 2.7 tire, swingarm hasn't been flexing, theres enough crank arm clearence, the derailler hanger may be non-replaceble but its stonger that way(why do you think litespeed-a superior company-has non-replaceble), i can fit a 7.5" fork and 8" rear disc --- i belive that clarifies the weaknesses that everyone else is complaining about, oh and i just recieved back my letter i sent to sc about an hour ago, which explanes more than i needed. | | Similar Products Used: | super 8, gt dhi, superlite, specialized fsr team dh, cliffcat, fisher-gt-schwinn-specialized full suspensions | | Bike Setup: | stratos s7, alex triple walls, intense 2.7 tires!, profiles, blackspire chain guide, brooklyn machine works pedals, xtr rear der. , rocket shifter, hayes 8" discs front and rear
' | | Bottom Line: | this is the best company there is and considering there selling their bikes for cheap but there worth more because of how they build them and how they stand up to plattekill its most reasonable to buy. they also make a super 8 and superlite that happens to be the best for what there made for too.this bike is for anyone who likes suspension | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clark
a
from syracuse,ny,united states
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | everything-you can climb it,huck it or drop it-opens up a whole new world of possibilties when coming from a hardtail-instantly makes you a better rider----or maybe just a more confident rider-buy this frame-the cheapest bombproof bike you will find | | Weaknesses: | paint wears fast-especially if you where any sort of knee guard and you are in a lot of mud-but not that big of a deal,not all that worried bout paint-ill take this as a weakness anyday------also you can feel the rear suspension lock out on braking if you are really pushing it | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz chameleon,mongoose garbage | | Bike Setup: | z1 cr with 5"upgrade and blackspire brake arch(allows up to a 3.0 in the front)maxxis mobsters,raceface,hayes mech disc | | Bottom Line: | buy this muthascoota | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Henry
a Downhiller
from Edinburgh, Scotland
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Innerleithen DH, Ae Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1075.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine Bikes, Edin | | Strengths: | A great jumping bike, Good on street stuff to,different set ups for differnt courses, sweet rear action. Adjustable BB and head angles.Looks Amazing | | Weaknesses: | Fox shock, blew mine up in less than 2 months of riding. (2 DH practices and about 5 street rides inc one 6ft drop)
Paint dulls quite quickly (that said it's seen more mud in 2 months than I've ridden in 2 years) | | Similar Products Used: | Marin B17 98. (CRAP) | | Bike Setup: | Jr T 01. Hope 2 pots F+R Big uns on 521's Tioga tyres, Tioga bar+stem, DMR Chain Guide, XT and LX drivetrain various DH bits | | Bottom Line: | When I first got this frame it made such a difference, the suspension action is fantastic and it soaks up most things UK courses can throw at it. If you don't wanna lug about a super 8 then the bullit is the bike.
Who should buy this. EVERYONE get two, one to look at and one to ride, it's that good
(If you break it Santa Cruz actually seem to care how you did it and will give you a list of alternative set ups for the shock ect)
"Which was Nice"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | this site | | Strengths: | Frame design, Customer service, Attention to detail | | Weaknesses: | Rear deralliur hanger, Under sprung | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR 1000, GT STS DH, Trek VRX 3000, | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 CR 5", Azonic Shorty stem, Azonic bars, MRP Slolom chain guide with 34 tooth ring. XT shifter and deralliure. Sun Rhino Lite Rims, IRC Kujo tires XT hubs, Gremicca disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. Drops and steep descents are nothing once you upgrade to a stiffer spring. Cruz should spec the spring to your weight when ordering to save you the cost of replacing it. I bought the frame from some Turd on this site who stripped out the rear deralliur hanger and neglected to tell me, so I can tell you that it is a problem getting it fixed. $60 bucks to have a machine shop helicoil it, or $200-300 to replace the swing arm. Cruz has no plans of making a replaceable hanger in the future so if you buy this frame, find a good machine shop in your area. The frame set up as I have it is around 35lbs. Not light, but not a pig. It still climbs and goes down like a dream. Very little maintenance required due to the single pivot and runs very quiet. If you don't mind the extra weight up hill you will smoke the posers going down. I'm not going to down grade the value oR over all rating of the frame just because of the rear hanger. It is an easy and inexpensive fix with the right shop and I am told by SC that most of the employees at SC who own the Bullit have had it helicoiled themselves. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Prizo
a Downhiller
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fernie Ski Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Like everyone else says: Plusher-than-h e l l, bombproof, inspires confidence, looks killer, comfy as a big ol' couch. | | Weaknesses: | Only 1: Steep uphills can be be tough cuz it gets pretty choppered out with a 6-inch fork and short stem. I guess the non-replaceable hanger could be a problem but it hasn't been for me yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX, Kona Stinky and Stab, Norco Shore | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Bullit,
Super T,
Race Face NS Cranks
Hayes w/ 8" front
WTB Wheelset
LX/Deore Shifting | | Bottom Line: | Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn this bike RULES!!! A whole new world of lines and drops opens up as soon as you hop on a Bullit. So good on the steep chutes that I can't believe it. Drops become flat. Anything that slopes downhill becomes twice as fun as it is on another bike. Pedalling up fire roads is suprisingly good... comfy even! I thought it would be mediocre but its REALLY nice pedalling uphill until it gets steep, does NOT feel like a 40 lb bike. What can I say that everyone else hasn't already said? BUY ONE YOU WILL LOVE IT - I sure do.
4 value turds cuz it is REALLY expensive up here in Canada ($4500) but NO regrets on spending the $$$. 5 turds overall though cuz it, quite simply, rules. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a
from Aberdeen
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Stif | | Strengths: | Handling, strength, converts to 7"+ travel. | | Weaknesses: | Crank clearance on older frames, actually only make 5.5" with stock shock | | Bike Setup: | '99 Bullit with long travel conversion (see below), MX-6's, Hope discs etc | | Bottom Line: | I have had my Bullit for a couple of years now and reviewed it here before. This review is really to highlight the ease with which you can get over 7" of travel from this frame. As stock the frame only gets a little over 5.5" even once the bottom-out bumper is flattened, by changing th shock it gets 7.1") What I did was to call up the U.K fox distributors - Mojo and get them to set up a 2.75 stroke shock for me (the stock shock is 2.25" travel) In order to fit the shock you have to do one of 2 things, either remove the black sliding adjuster and get longer 6mm bushings when you get the shock, or make yourself a new adjuster which offsets the front shock eye downwards by about 18mm. I have run it both ways, but am now running with a offset adjuster block to restore the adjustability and to raise the bottom bracket a bit because I have my forks set quite high. If you run your stock adjuster about the middle you can just take it out because the new shock is 1" longer eye-2-eye. I am running a 400 lb spring at the moment which matches the MX-6s very well but still gives similar bottoming resistance to the original shock with the 500 lb spring except it is much plusher. Either way, the ride of the bike is transformed and it has non other effect on the frame, nothing rubs or needs filed or changed. I notice from their websites that Stratos and Risse also offer kits to do this (I got the idea after seeing the Stratos one) so if you fancy a different brand shock you can do that too. I stuck with the Fox since I like the shock and have a good relationship with the distibutor/service centre. U.K folks who want to do the same thing, Chris at Mojo should be able to help you out, it was him that sorted me out with the shock and the right bushings and so on. If you have a Bullit and are wondering about changing to something with more travel, this is a good way to go, it costs less and your bike remains the same weight and just as good all round, it just gets more travel, kind of a Bullit/Super 8 crossbreed. If anyone wants more details, or sizes for the new adjuster block just e-mail me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig
a Downhiller
from hull,england
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | innerleithen | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | stif | | Strengths: | the frame angles are adjustable so its easy to get the bike steering how you want, the fox RC shock is amazing,it feels better on this bike then any other i've ever felt. it's very plush and it ramps up just enough to stop bottoming all the time. the frame weight is pretty low for a bike of this kind,and it pedals good as well. everyone who has had a go on mine thinks it is great and agrees that the shock is fantastic,for a six inch travel bike i don't think it could be any better! | | Weaknesses: | i've had mine just over a year now and i've just noticed a small amount of play in the rear end but hopefully i just need to replace the bearings,bottom bracket can be a bit low in the downhill position. if new bearings sort out the flex in the swingarm then there are no real weaknesses.oops, nearly forgot, the bushing which goes inside the shock eyelet wears out about every six months and although it doesn't cost much to replace-about £4($6?)-it is a real pain to get the old one out,best take it to a bike shop. | | Similar Products Used: | orange patriot(yawn)GT LTS, giant ATX1,kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | shiver forks,hope DH4 brakes and bulb
hubs,xtr,blah,blah,blah | | Bottom Line: | this bike is fackin' great! the rear shock on it is superior to anything else i've tried at or around the six inch travel mark, it steers well is not too heavy and pedals pretty good as well. my only concern is that after a particularly heavy street riding session i've noticed some lateral movement in the swing arm which i hope will just require some new bearings - i've never noticed any flex from the swingarm itself but then i'm usually too busy laughing. my swingarm has the dimples so no problems with crank clearance although 2.3 is the biggest tire that will fit. the bottom line is compare the bullit to any other 6 inch travel bike out there and the quality of the suspension action alone will be enough to convince you;this is the perfect downhill bike for the UK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred Harrison
a Weekend Warrior
from Canoga Park, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything that tests me! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cycle World, Northridge, Ca, 91335 | | Strengths: | Simple design, Bomb proof frame, allowence of big tires, Once dialed in never have mess with it. | | Weaknesses: | Not many at all, eccept that you can't run 8 inch rear rotors. Wait that's it. | | Similar Products Used: | Many diferent bikes that all have good and bad points to thier designs. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Bullit, 1999/2000 Boxxer, iRC Kujo 2.65" tires, Sun/ringle Modo wheelset.Azonic 454 Cranks with Kooka bash
ring, Hayes hydro disc brakes,Azonic chubby bars and shorty stem, and Shimano XTR gears and shifters. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks, I have had many different kinds of full suspension rigs and this one top notch. It's styling and geometry are all most the same as a DH bike. The rear wheel tracks beautifully once you dial in the the Fox shock. I run a Bowwer on the front which is perfect for me. I should of got one of those a long time ago.
My setup is not light as you can see from my parts listing, but I weigh 215lbs. and for riding style I would
not go with lite weight. It's right around 42lbs same as
my old DH race bike. This bike is going to last me awile.
I'll rite more of a review later after I put some tral time on it, But as for right now I could not happier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mainer
a Downhiller
from Portland
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bow Ridge/ Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Simple suspention design.
Bombproof.
Price | | Weaknesses: | Fixed der. hanger.
| | Similar Products Used: | I've broken everything I've ridden. | | Bike Setup: | Medium frame, Shiver, Mammoth rims, Hugi hubs, big fat spokes, 8" Hayes disks, Raceface cranks, Gizmo guide (sucks), Maxxis High Rollers (2.5), Azonic stem and risers, Thompson post and Lounge seat. | | Bottom Line: | With the Shiver (7.5 inches) the angles are a little screwy but the result is a bombproof freeride rig that can rip down the likes of Plattekill. I've beat the piss out of this bike and it has NEVER failed me. The old fork (x-vert carbon) failed me...thats the reason for the shiver. The only thing I'd trade this bike for is a Super 8....which I may do 'cause the bullit looks a bit ridiculous with the Shiver.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Racer
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | it's a secret | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | beautiful frame
extremely strong
timeless design
light weight compared to how strong it is | | Weaknesses: | Poor paint finish (scratches easily)
Difficult to setup bottom bracket so crankarms don't rub the rear swingarm
non-replaceable derailer hanger (it's built really beefy anyways) | | Similar Products Used: | ridden a few other freeride/dh bikes | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR 8 speed
Marzocchi Jr T
Rhino lites | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike.
It's fast, fast, and fast. I bought it used, and the guy said something when i bought it. "To find the limit, you have to go so fast it's not fun anymore". This bike can take it, whatever it is. And i have yet to find the limit.
I waited awhile to post a review of this because everything seems cool when you first buy it, right? After taking 13th in the Mens A/expert catagory at the WCCC conference races, i knew this bike really put me over the limit. I used to race Mens C/beginner only a couple weeks before that.
I've got a triple chainring on it so it makes a good freeride bike. It does weigh 34lbs, but i could easily get it down under 30 using lighter/more expensive parts.
Looking for the best bang for your buck for a freeride/dh frame? This is it. Here's an additional flamin' pile o' she-it because you can't beat this value. Right here, in my hand, mmm... smelly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jakob Demant
a
from Copenhagen, Denmark
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tenrife, Teide DH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Solid, simpel, good looks and smooth action.
It seems to be good at many conditions, and different trails. Cant realy find anything that it wasent good at, as long as we are talking downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Heawy, and dosent use all of its travel. I might get a Stratos upgrade for 7,1" | | Similar Products Used: | GT STS1000, GTsts DS, Scott Octane | | Bike Setup: | Pace Monstor RC150 1600mm travel, Hope discs and 3,0"/2,6" Nokkians | | Bottom Line: | It works so well i allmost any downhill situation. Slack it a bit up, and you will get a bike for speed, Steep it up again, and do the tecnicals and the quick handling stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Goose
a Downhiller
from Moab, Utah
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Chile Pepper | | Strengths: | Bombproof frame, smooth travel, Super adjustable, comes with a burly rear shock, it's a Santa Cruz! | | Weaknesses: | Uh... | | Similar Products Used: | Bunch if hardtails and a piece o'crap 4 banger. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Bullit, 2001 JR-T, raceface, king, hayes, thomson. | | Bottom Line: | Only had this for about two weeks, so I'll write more later. So far this bike rocks. Super smooth. I'm riding up and down things that I've never even considered before. Ordered the bike on Monday, got it on Thursday. Big thanks to Chille Pepper Bike shop! Also thanks to Poison Spider Bicycles for the deal on the fork. This bike is great if you want a freeride bike that can do downhill or some cross country. IF you want a true XC bike, get a superlite, if you want a true downhill, don't fool yourself, get a Super 8. Set a bullit up with a triple and rip! By the way, seatposts are not tough to find. Get on the net and you can get a cheap one for about 10 bucks. I scored a deal on a Thomson through Santa Cruz. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnbikej
a Cross Country Rider
from So. Cal.
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | SHHH....My secret! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Switchback Cyclery/Orange,CA | | Strengths: | Killer looks
Bombproof
6" Travel
Plush
Fox Vanilla RC
Climbs well
Not too heavy
Customer Service
Price
Color options | | Weaknesses: | Not very light
Bad placement of waterbottle mount
Hard to install chainstay protector
| | Similar Products Used: | '98 GT STS 1000DS
Specialized Enduro Expert
SPecialized FSR XC
Klien Mantra Race
'99 GT XCR 1000
HT-'98 GT Xizang, '98 GT Zaskar LE, '96 GT Avalanche LE, '97 Schwinn Moab 3 | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Bullit
Fox Vanilla RC
'00 Marzocchi CR 5"
XTR shifters
XTR Rear Derailluer
XT Splined Crank
XT Bottom Bracket
XT Front Derailluer
Hayes Hyd. Disc Breaks
Hadley Hubs
Mavic X317
WTB Motoraptor 2.4 F& R
Shimano 644 Pedals
King Headset
Azonic 1.5" riser
Odi Lock-on Grips | | Bottom Line: | This reveiw is on the compete bike...however I purchased it as a frame only and transfered the majority of parts of my GT.
Bottom line is this bike kicks arse. It just flies down the hills without giving it a second thought. With 6" rear travel, little chatter bumps just disapear. Big bumps, it just sucks it up and says give me more.
At 33 lbs. this bike is not light. However, it does not feel that heavy. Some people whine about how much the suspension bobs while climbing......I find that it climbs really well for being a long travel bike. After a few rides the extra wieght is not noticable. I was a little worried after reading reveiws that said that you have to be a strong climber to climb with this bike. I am not a strong climber, but have no trouble with it.
Just last weeks blew out the Fox Shock....no problem. Still under warranty and 1 week turnaround.
If I have one complaint, it is the crappy placement of the water bottle mount. Below the downtube near the bottom bracket is so not a good place. I don't use it to mount water bottles, but need to put my light battery there.
Customer service is great.
You won't be dissapointed.
Will review again after more time in the saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel
a Downhiller
from bellingham
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | taste the gravy | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Solid frame,
geomtry is great,
simple single pivot | | Weaknesses: | suspension bottoms easily,
nonreplaceable der hanger
head angle adjuster
granny gear pedaling | | Similar Products Used: | heckler
stinky | | Bike Setup: | 5in z1, 2.35 tires, rynolites, | | Bottom Line: | This bike is good but not the best. Granny gear pedaling sucks, almost easier to stay in middle ring. The weight doesn't bother me as much, if it had the same pivot point as the heckler it would be much better. The middle ring is perfect for pedaling, you just have to be smooth, I don't have a big ring so I don't know about that.
The head angle adjuster would be good but it doesn't stay in the steep postion. Big hits move it back to slack. The rear suspension seems to be slightly falling rate. An air shock would help but I heard it reduces travel? The springrate they have for it seems soft, I am between a 450 and 500, the 500 seems slightly soft. The rear tire clearance is minimal, 01 can have 2.7 I think.
Price is good compared to other bikes, I got mine used, but new is still a good price. If I needed a new bike now I would look at other bikes harder and test ride more, but I would still think about the Bullit, money would be a factor. It not perfect, but what bike is? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dion Williams
a Downhiller
from Te Puke,New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything rugged/big drops | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Gravities edge cycles | | Strengths: | A good alrounder.Fairly light(one weakness of it too),good suspension nature. | | Weaknesses: | Rear end flex,which leads to permanent twisting of the swingarm.I've twisted two so far(waiting for my new one to arrive)and I've seen another bike in at Gedge with exactly the same problem(so it's not just me!).Narrow swingarm doesn't allow tires bigger than 2.3.And hows the seat tube diameter?,My seatpost cost $100
No replacable derailier hanger on a free ride bike?I've had that straightened more times than I should have to | | Similar Products Used: | Scott Octane
DBR v-link
Specialised FSR | | Bike Setup: | zzyzx forks
Sun mammoth rims
xtr drivetrain
Sram rocket rear shifter
Raceface BB,DH cranks,headset
Azonic shorty stem,2.5 rise h-bars
MRP chainguide
IRC Kujo tires.(2.7 front),(2.25 rear)
Oddessy Twisted Pro pedals(BLOODY STRONG pedals which outlived my first set of Raceface DH cranks!!!) | | Bottom Line: | It's a good bike,but like all free ride bikes that I've tried it just doen't handle serious abuse
Maybe I should stick to motorcross | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel
a Downhiller
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Nice stiff frame, great color options, heavy duty yet strong tubing, 6 inches of travel | | Weaknesses: | only 6 inches of travel, no repalcable der. hanger, now that is sh*tty because I bent mine so far that I now will have to but a new swingarm for $250 and an extra $70 for polished | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain cycle, foes | | Bike Setup: | Team Modo wheelset by Sun, White Brothers 2001 DH2 fork, Grimeca disk brakes,Profile CroMo cranks, MRP chainguide, Serfas DH seat, Salsa Shaft seatpost, Azonic shorty stem and PDW riser bar, XTR shifter and rear der, ODI lock on grips, Intense 2.4 tires | | Bottom Line: | Its an awasome bike if you don't mimd that it only has 6 inches of travel. One more inch would be Ideal. If you have a problem with bending rear der. hangers this is not the bike for you. This bike is nice but it is very very easy to bottom out even with lots of preload and compression. For freeriding its a nice bike, for downhill go with something that has at least one or two more inches of travel, and a repalcable rear der. hanger!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Zoesch
a Weekend Warrior
from Nuremberg, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of 'em! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | This bike kicks ass! For a free-rider, it's still quite light, especially for the travel it's got. And when you're not riding, you can stare at it for hours! The paint options are pretty much second to none, and you can mix frame and swingarm colors. The welds are quite ok, and riding it is wonderfull. It doesn't even feel like your on a fully, unless you look. But on single-trail, there's nothing that's faster. By the way, it doesn't bob at all, and I've got the compression full open with little preload! Who else has such monster tubes? | | Weaknesses: | The stickers were put on by someone who forgot to drink a cup of coffee in the morning, they forgot a little corner of paint on the swingarm, and really hard to get in Germany! | | Similar Products Used: | NONE! | | Bike Setup: | Frame with Fox Vanilla RC shock, Rock Shox Psylo XC, full 1998 Shimano XTR, Kore Elite stem, Syntace Superlite Riser-bar, Flite seat (of course!), King Headset, Mavic Crossmax UST with tubes and reg. tires (it works!), crappy Conti tires that will be exchanged with the Vertical Pros very soon, Salsa: grips, seatpost, quick releases all over, and the pretty little bell (law in Germany, so you might as well have a nice one) | | Bottom Line: | Quite an upgrade from my 1997 Pro-Flex 857 with a similar setup. It was a decent bike 3 years ago, but absolutely no comparison to this one. The travel doesn't just bob all over the place, instead in a quite mannered fashion. It doesn't flex at all, but I don't weigh much either. The crank-arm clearance is close, but tolerable. Doing stupid things with this bike is easy, but one should be carefull, as not to over-estimate onesself. It is a pure hard-core frame designed to be driven of roofs and cliffs and such, but if you want a super-comfortable touring chassis, pick one up, and have fun!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Extremely solid
Good looks(I know you care)
Great climber even with 6" of travel
Confidence builder
Huge selection of colors
Bushings never wear out because there are none
Can take an A$$ WHOOPIN! ie. Super Heros
This list could go on forever!!
| | Weaknesses: | -It almost took 7 weeks to show up after I ordered it. I guess they must be in high demand.
-A little on the heavy side for all of you weight watchers
-My heels rub against the swing arm/not much crank clearance.
-That's all I can think of right now. I'll post a better review once I get some more miles on it, but I doubt I'll find anything else to gripe about.
| | Bike Setup: | Mr.T QR20/ Hayes hyd./Mavic 521s/ Race Face riser,DH stem, turbine lps/Chris King/Panaracer 2.3/XT shifters,front derailuer/XTR rear deraileur/ Thompson seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike!! I've never ridden anything that felt as solid as the bullit. Considering the weight, I think it climbs great! As a matter of fact I would say it climbs better than my GT I-drive, as long as you stay in the middle or big chainring(it bobs too much in the granny gear). It'll make you look and feel like a better rider than you really are. On my very first ride I took it off a 6 foot drop without thinking twice about it. If your thinking about buying one, do it. I promise you won't be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kristian
a Racer
from CO
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | it's all good | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | sticks like glue to anything you ride
gives you more confidence than you deserve
it doesn't feel like a total anchor on climbs
| | Weaknesses: | The powder coat isn't as durable as it should be--but scratches give it character.
It took 7 weeks to get it once I ordered it even though SC said it would be 3-4 weeks (not really a weakness, but something to note--order it early!) | | Similar Products Used: | SC Heckler (owned personally), Uzzi DH, Stab DeeLux, Dare (owned by friends) | | Bike Setup: | z1 QR-20/eNVy brace, XT/XTR drivetrain (triple crank), Hayes disks/hubs, Rhyno Lites, Nokian 3.0 front 2.6 rear. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is unreal! I'm taking lines faster than I ever thought possible. It simply walks away from my old Heckler on everything except the climbs. I won't say that the ride is quite as plush as my friend's Uzzi DH, but it's pretty damned close--and the Bullit is half the price and much easier to set up with a triple crank. I highly recommend it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Christian
a
from San francisco CA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | steep chutes, BMX double jumps, moderate to serious drops, stairs etc. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Vision Cyclery S.F. | | Strengths: | The Bullit is a very strong and rigid frame. The highlight of this frame is that while it has a full six inches of rear travel, it could easily be adjusted to four inches of travel which make it a great trails bike. But by using the full six inches of rear travel, this frame could be transformed into a Free riding BEAST!, big drops & big jumps and all. Chain guide recommended. The single pivot rear triangle tracks remarkebly well and is virtually maintenance free. Last but not least, the price for this frame is what its all about!
"Oh yeah, this frame is as close as it gets to a downhill rig without moving up to eight plus inches of travel". (really). | | Weaknesses: | Just a small amount of flex in the rear, but when you're riding hard, I have to say that you really don't notice it when you're concentrating on getting to the next rough section. | | Similar Products Used: | Elsworth Dare, Storm-H2, and various long travel hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stratos MX-6 20mm thru axle up front, sun rhino lites rims,
Hayes disc, eight inch rotor in front six in rear, modified
Sun ringle chain guide, Sram 9.0SL shifting and beefy nokian
Gozzalodi tires. | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for an affordable versatile well
biult frame, the Bullit is a frame you should seriously
consider. It can handle anything rough and scary including
big jumps and drops, or it can handle being quite a decent climbing trails bike. (your choice).
Check one out at your nearest Santa Cruz Dealer! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin L
a Weekend Warrior
from Half Moon Bay
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Harkins Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Cheap compared to other's in it's class, beautiful finish, strong frame, top of the line shock | | Weaknesses: | Santa Cruz and Weaknesses just don't go together...this is one sweet ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized big hit | | Bike Setup: | XL frame (i'm 6'5" and it's perfect), Tioga Factory 2.3's DH, Kore B-52 stem, hayes hydro front and rear, Jr.T up front, All XT, Titec Berserker KTI-DH saddle, Sun Big Mammoths on Real hubs | | Bottom Line: | This bike will rock your world. It's everything you could ever ask for. Run triple chain rings and show off to your DH buddies that you can climb or run MRP for a chair lift weekend in tahoe. If you do go triple rings it bob's a tad but it's all worth the carpet ride plush decent. If you're looking for a bike to go ride anywhere anytime buy this bike. Santa Cruz offers a variety of build kits to build this thing exactly to your desire with the exceptions of some things like stem, saddle, and tires that are cross country style. If you want a bike for XC don't get this, get a heckler or if you meet the 200lb weight limit a superlight. If you want more proof of why you should buy this bike, watch Kranked III. There's a whole section of bullit's set of with Monster T forks going off the backs of semi trucks, school busses, and roofs of bulidings, as well as catching major air underneath a bridge. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Rixon
a Downhiller
from Oxford, Uk
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I've reviewed this product before, but I thought I'd update y'all now I've ridden it for a while. I do a lot of Street Riding which involves stair jumps etc. This bike rocks, as it's quite light but with wicked travel and shocks. At Aston Hill there is a short section called Cocaine Alley (real hardcore stuff!!) that my bike just gobbles up for dinner. There is little this bike cannot do. On a drop at the bottom I barely feel it! It really rocks. | | Weaknesses: | The chainstay has loads of little chips where the chain has hit. I've now put an old innertube along there, and that seems to sort out the problem. Also, I've got a front 185 4pot (Hope: the BEST!! heaps more 'feel' that Hayes), but I can't fit a 185mm disc to the rear :( | | Similar Products Used: | virtually everything, including GT's new I-Drive DH and Tomacs | | Bike Setup: | med frame, Pace Monstors, 4pots, XTR, RaceFace etc etc | | Bottom Line: | This is a wicked bike. It rocks for DH but I can still jump it well enough. I must admit it isn't as easy to throw around as my other bike (13in GT hardtail) but it still rocks, and the suspension is oh so smoooooottthhh! Nice! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Downhiller
from London England
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston Hill DH, Avalanche Cup@Morzine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | I reviewed this bike once previously, I said I'd get back to ya...after riding it for a little while, a few things become evident. Now that the shock has bedded in, this bike is FAST, I mean, like a rocket (or a bullet!). You can go through corners at motorbike speeds without even a hint of sketchiness. The bike is piss-easy to manual, and it's not bad at jumping, although more of the "solid, motocross style big air" variety than the "BMX style, flick the bike around" type. On the other hand, the cranks rub sooo close to the chainstays that my bike now has two big scratches there, so i'd recommend a wider BB than normal, although this throws off your chainline! Also, for some reason, it's quite a noisy bike. It's not light (compared to my old FSR), but then, who cares. None of these problems are reall that big a deal - this bike rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff Graham
a Downhiller
from Pullman
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything downhill and fast | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This is a great looking frame! The tubes and shock are much beefier in real life than the pictures give them credit. The paint job is great and the polished swingarm compliments the frame as it can go with any color scheme. The welds are very nicely done and the weight is just right. Not too heavy and not too light. The adjustable BB height and head tube angle is also a nice feature. Bikes with options are excellent! | | Weaknesses: | None that I'm aware of so far. Other people have mentioned they have felt the swingarm flex a bit. I'm not sure if I've felt that or if it was the sidewalls of the rear tire flexing. Either way it just adds to the character of my bike. No big deal though. :) | | Similar Products Used: | My last bike was a Diamond Back Dual Response Pro and I snapped the top and down tubes last summer. :( I've been bikeless up untill now and it sucked! I'm so happy to have a bike to screw around on again!!! | | Bike Setup: | Stratos MX-6 with all options, King headset, Race Face Ti BB, Next LP's, full XTR, Hayes 20 mm through axle front hub, and superlite rear hub, 8" hydro front brake and 6" hydro rear brake, CT2 low rise bars and seatpost. Lots of annodized extras as well. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excelent frame/bike!!! Everyone seems to have problems climbing with this frame/bike. I don't get it!?! I live in Pullman where it's uphill both ways anywhere you go and I have no problems. Maybe it's just me? Granted, it's not the lightest bike around at 35-38 lbs. but that means I'm getting more of a workout than everyone else. :) Going downhill is another story though. With this frame/bike you can acutally buy yourself more speed due to it's travel and easy handling characteristics. This frame/bike really gives you a sense of secruity and it's very forgiving on mistakes that are made from biting off more than you can chew. Anyone looking for a fun bike to ride uphill and have lots of fun going down and jumping should look into this frame/bike. I give it 5 hot boxes for the value because MSRP is only $1100. That may sound like a lot but for other bikes in it's class I think it's the best deal going. I give it unlimited hot boxes (teriyaki beef jerky and Koala Springs) for the overall performance!!! In the imortal words of Ferris Bueler,"It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly reccommend it." | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Rixon
a Downhiller
from Oxford, UK
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston Hill and Tring Bombholes | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Absolutely gorgeous frame, nice gussets, beautiful paint job and stickers, I'm not sure I want to get it dirty!!
The shock action is sweet with the Fox Twin Clicker! OH YEAH! | | Weaknesses: | Like some people have commented on, the cable routing isn't superb, but with those little bolts to hold Hydraulic cables in place, it's quite tidy. | | Similar Products Used: | INTENSE UZZI DH, Orange Patriot etc | | Bike Setup: | Medium Frame, Pace Monstors, Hope 4pots, XT, RaceFace (Turbine Cranks, 44t ring, Taperlock BB), Azonic Shorty, Azonic DW bars, Hope Bulbs on D321Cd, DMR ChainDevice, Azonic A-Frame Pedals (absolutely ace!), RaceFace seatpost, Tioga Saddle etc | | Bottom Line: | This is a really cool bike. I'm picking it up tomorrow, so I'll give a better review in a few weeks. The travel seemed really nice and the forks match the rear end perfectly.
I'm sorry to moan, but a lot of these reviews say that it's not good for cycling up hills. Excuse me, but it's a 6in travel bike. 2 years ago, that was standard for World Cup DH races. If you want an XC bike that's capable for DH, buy a Heckler, not a Freeride/DH Bullit.
I live in the UK, and most courses are more pedally that technical. I've ridden about 6 Bullits, with different specs and they all rock in the UK.
BUY IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a
from Aberdeen, Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Steep and Technical | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Excellent high speed handling, Strength, Versatility, Good Value . | | Weaknesses: | Crank Clearance, Some lateral flex in rear end. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler. | | Bike Setup: | 130mm Z1 CR's, King H/set, Hope Discs, D321's on Hope hubs, Middleburn RS7's w/ triple c/rings | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, it does everything. Despite what some of the other reviews say, you can use it for general riding about/freeriding without suffering too much on the climbs, I mean, you knew you weren't getting a NORBA XC bike when you bought it, so don't worry about how fast you climb and you'll be happy, the point is you CAN ride comfortably up to the top of the hill and then the bike really comes into it's own on the way back down. I have no idea how much my set up weighs (maybe 32-34 lbs), but it's all round ridable and reliable, which matter more to me in the long run. The only significant drawbacks are a couple of things, which other people have also mentioned, namely, the swing arm does flex a bit laterally, but I don't think this can be cured, and I've never noticed it at high speed so I can live with it, it's still pretty damn stiff for a full sus frame. And, there is a real shortage of crank clearance, I have to run a longer than std BB to get the cranks to clear, although I noticed in the LBS that the latest Bullits seem to have crimps on the stays to help this, mine is one of the early ones.
One Additional thing that is not really related to the frame, my shock makes a slight, but audible knocking on the switch from compression to rebound, resulting in the rear end sounding loose if it's un-loaded through bump sections, the shock has been serviced and is apparently all to spec. Anyone else have a similar problem ? - no, it's not the bushing, no the rear end isn't actually loose, it's definately coming from the shock. E-mail me if you have any ideas.
If you ride up the hills so you can go fast on the way back down, buy it, if you ride fast up hills, then come back down, don't buy it.
Love it, but I dock it 1 chilli because the swing arm could give more clearance and be stiffer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Downhiller
from London
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalanche Cup Course, Morzine; Astond Hill DH Course | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great geometry, feels real good. Very strong - looks butch, yet smooth. Plush, controlled adjustable travel. Generally great! | | Weaknesses: | I get the impression the paint scratches easily, but hey - eight colours available! The shock feels stiff but it hasn't bedded in yet. My cranks brush awfully close to the chainstays - no room for any flex. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Extreme, Marin East Peak | | Bike Setup: | Hope hydraulic discs and hubs(yeahhhh!), Marzocchi Junior T's, XT gearing, Mavic 321 rims, DMR saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Kick ass - the bullit rides really, really good. The frame looks awesome, it's available in several colours. I have it in green, with kawasaki stickers, again it looks beautiful. The geometry is great. It feels slack, so you can carve through your corners with a smoothness that belies the speeds you are reaching. The 6 inches of travel complements this, you get the feeling this bike will never break traction. When it does, it's predictable-you know exactly when to drop a foot. For tighter corners, I'd recommend leaning back farther than normal - this means you stand less chance of going over the bars, because the slack angles do not lend themselves to slow speed cornering with your weight way forward. The frame is strong, with plenty of gussets and the like. I get the feeling this bike will not break anytime soon, but if it does, I'll tell y'all, ya hear? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a Downhiller
from st eustache
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | bromont , quebec | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | very predictable , strong , plush | | Weaknesses: | rear tire clearance is a bit too small
| | Similar Products Used: | Fsr , trek , khs , mongoose , yeti ... | | Bike Setup: | hayes hydros, Xvert fork , double wide rims ... | | Bottom Line: | good freeride frameunless your not racing sick downhill race like bromont . This frame is very very strong...althought , the fox vanilla spring is a bit too smooth . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fall Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing Like A Bullit. | | Bike Setup: | SID XL fork, Race Face NS cranks and ring, MRP, XTR Rear Der., Hugi 240 Disc Hubs, Mavic D321 rims, DT Alpine 3 spokes, Chris King headset, Giro Atlas saddle, and a Bontrager CrowBar | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best bike out there for DH and Freeride. It sucks for XC but all you people need to stop complaning about that because its not made for XC. If you want to ride XC then get a SuperLight or a Heckler, not a 40lb Bullit. I think that the SC Bullit is a one of a kind bike and will never be replaced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Downeyville near Auburn, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great price/value, plush travel, Fox RC shock, light weight | | Weaknesses: | Only 2: Some flex at high speed cornering, climbing in granny gear. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Straight 6, GT LTS-DH, Cannondale SV4000, FSR DHO, Ventana El Matador | | Bike Setup: | WB UD-150, Mavic 521 rims, Hugi disc hubs, Hayes brakes, Race Face cranks & headset, Easton Pro Taper bars, XTR shifters/deraillers/cogset, IRC Kujo tires | | Bottom Line: | A great freeride/DH bike for the money at $1100 MSRP but even better at $750 - prodeal(Work at a bike shop). Very fast and quick due to its light weight, very plush on steep and sick DH courses and has very predictable handling. Setup with triple chain ring for Santa Cruz mountains so I can climb around and then BOMB, MRP single when visiting Tahoe..
If you want a bike that has traits of DH and freeride - this is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justin
a Downhiller
from kinderhook, NY
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Badass frame. it's rigid as hell (i really don't notice any flex); single pivot = ultra low maintenance; ball bearings in the pivot instead of bushings; granny gear lockout is a plus (if you're going slow enough to warrant using the granny gear, bump absorption shouldn't be your primary conern); adjustable geometry; | | Weaknesses: | welds aren't gorgeous for a hand made american frame, but it's only $1100 retail; should have better cable routing for hydraulic discs; could use a little more tire clearance (i run tioga factory dh 2.1's with no problems, but a tire larger than 2.3 could be slightly problematic) | | Similar Products Used: | mcmahon dh, fsr, lobos | | Bike Setup: | jr. t, hayes, rhyno lites, tioga factory dh 2.1, vanilla rc | | Bottom Line: | i love this frame. i would whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who likes the idea of a rideable dh bike. swap the springs, tires, and cranks and you can have a [heavy] trailbike or a viable dh bike. two of my friends (who aren't swimming in money) are considering buying dh/freeride bikes simply because of the pure fun they had riding this bike. mine builds up at 34.5 lbs, and i really actually don't mind trailriding it. it took some getting used to, but the idea of being able to really ride dh on a bike with which i just rode on a group trailride is very appealing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WIll
a Downhiller
from Ft. Collins CO
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | A-Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Pretty light for a DH frame. Pedals really well. FOX shock is sweet. Nice adjustable headtube/BB height. Very sweet looking frame. | | Weaknesses: | Rear end is a little flexy. I don't think anything can be done about it though. | | Similar Products Used: | Various other DH/freeride bikes. | | Bike Setup: | XTR shifting, White Bros UD150, sun mammoths laced to white industries r. hub, hugi front. Hayes brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Don't expect this bike to be worth very much as an XC ride, it pedals well but only to an extent. It is crazy for Santa Cruz to tout this as some kind of lightweight long travel XC/freeride bike, it is just too heavy and squishy for climbing. The swingarm flexes when you really weight the rear end going into a corner but no swingarm is stiff enough for me. The bike absolutely rocks on steep rough DH trails because of the high BB and relatively light weight. I wish I could find some 24" Sun rims (32 hole) for it so I could run bigger tires--especially in the back. A 2.4 is the biggest tire I could fit. The price on this frame is very good, I got lucky enough to "bro deal" mine but retail is still cheap for such a good frame. If 8+ inches of travel costs too much money (or weight) and you want a solid DH frame that pedals and accelerates better than most others, look no further. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a Racer
from Central/Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | excellent fit, adjustable ride height, strong main frame, great FOX TC shock, good price | | Weaknesses: | I noticed some lateral flex of the rear end on my frame, piant is cheap...half ass job of power coating, SC customer service people are dicks especially that Australian guy | | Similar Products Used: | CXS, heckler | | Bike Setup: | Z1 BAM, Azonic shorty, PDW, XT/XTR, hugi disc wheelset,thomson seat post, moto raptor 2.3
| | Bottom Line: | Great light weight DH bike. Best thing about the frame is the adjustably of the head tube angle via shock mount. You can use 4' to 6+' travel fork with this frame because of the adjustably of the head tube angle. I have been riding my for over 6 months now. The only complaint I have is some lateral flex of the swing arm possibly due to its mono pivot design. Competent Bullit owners please email me if you have the same problem or know how to solve this problem. Yes everything is tight and over hauled. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CC
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | plush, plenty of travel, adjustable geometry, strong, stiff, price, weight | | Weaknesses: | excessive bob while pedalling out of seat, tire clearance, soft stock spring, availability, weight | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler, Super 8, VRX, Uzzi SL | | Bike Setup: | Z1 CR 5", XTR/XT, Race Face crank, 646 pedals, Hayes 6" discs, Hugi hubs laced to 24" Rhyno Lites, Arrow tires | | Bottom Line: | The Bullit is not the best for XC riding, but I don't mind taking it slow on the climbs. If you get one, I suggest at least a 500# spring. If you want to use 3" wide tires, don't use 26" wheels. I riding 24s because they offer increased stand over, increased tire clearence, and are stiffer/stronger than 26" Rhynos. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D L
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | to many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None like this one | | Bike Setup: | Downhill, boxxer, hope disc, | | Bottom Line: | The poop for a good price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ridge Rider
a Downhiller
from Peabody, MA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ridge Trail - Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Stiff frame, 6 inches of super plush travel, adjustable headtube angle and bottom bracket height | | Weaknesses: |
Bob's way too much in the granny gear and it's not best XC rig. | | Similar Products Used: |
Ibis Szazbo, GT STS, Santa Cruz Heckler, and Kona Stinky Delux. | | Bike Setup: |
Size medium frame, with the Fox Vanilla RC shock, 00 Marz CR with 130mm travel up front, Sweet Wings cranks, XTR drive train, Rock Shox Discs, 317 rims with White hubs, 2.3 Tioga Factory DH tires, King headset, Azonic Shorty stem, Answer Pro-Taper bars and 545 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love my Bullit don't get me wrong, but it has it's problems. Six inches of travel can sometimes be a little too much for tight technical riding. And if you like riding in your granny gear, don't buy a Bullit. I used to be a granny gear rider until I got my Bullit, now I'm forced to use my middle ring all the time. When I do use the granny, the bike bob's like crazy and the chain torque creates a dead spot (almost like you're not moving halfway through your pedal stroke). These annoyances seem to go away once the trail get gets rough or during a decent. The Bullit is one unbelievable decender and very stable at high speeds. And if you like big drop-off's or getting big air, the Bullit is more than capable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
william simmons
a Downhiller
from Twyford, Berkshire, England
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Anything facing downhill | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
It rocks, suspension, paintjob, the looks you get from others in awe of your classy machine | | Weaknesses: |
you what, you goota be joking | | Similar Products Used: |
Orange patriot, gt lobo sts dh, specialized palmer replica, | | Bike Setup: |
MX6, Vanilla RC, Hope dh 4 pots, three piece cranks | | Bottom Line: | i dunno what all the jabronies are complaining about the paint job for it's f*cking fantastic. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bean
a Downhiller
from Leeds (UK)
Date Reviewed: November 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wharncliffe side | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
It handles beaut, it has the full 6 plus inches (unlike some other bikes that struggle to reach their claimed limits), its burly, but light enough to throw about, it looks sweet as. | | Weaknesses: |
That silly bend in the seat tube which really limits your saddle adjustment. But hey, who cares. Oh yeah, they lied about riding it back up the hill. | | Similar Products Used: |
Super 8, B-17, FSR | | Bike Setup: |
Boxxer Pros, Hope discs, lx kit , azonic bits | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome, first time I rode it I knew it was sweet - buy a small one though, they are quite long (Im 5'10 and am riding a 14). I cant understand why anyone wouldnt be happy DHing on it (Esp in the UK) as it is very supple and works a treat. Buy one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from NJ
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
soaks up most all bumps and and can be thrown around easily | | Weaknesses: |
weak rear triangle , too heavy, too much bounch when cranking hard | | Similar Products Used: |
schwinn straight 6, trek vrx 500, santa cruz heckler, ellsworth truth, tomac 204 | | Bike Setup: |
z-1 bam, hayes brakes lx-xt kit, panaracer pro dh, 646 pedals, | | Bottom Line: | the bike is great for freeriding and is good on sick downhills, but the swingarm on the bike is horrible, not only does it look ugly but i crashed and i already bent the derailluer hanger and its not even a replaceable hanger, also the customer service from 'cruz was bad, they forgot lots of my parts that were suppose to come w/ my kit and they kept sending one piece at a time....if you want a good freeride bike this is it, but if you want a good downhill you should look towards other places | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from las vegas NV
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
blowhard mountain (utah) | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
solid, beefy, big, round thick tube's.that's why women love DH'ers... | | Weaknesses: |
unless your into wiehtwatcher's.xc'ers need not apply. | | Similar Products Used: |
kona stab DH,foes DHSmono,yeti,intense. | | Bike Setup: |
mr.T ,race face,hayesdisc,answer pro taper,D521 ect... | | Bottom Line: | this bike was mean't to take it's rider's to another level. far beyond normal riding capability's. I give this bike 5 toke's..... I'm going riding now:-) | | Overall Rating: |
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