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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: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bike Experts | | Strengths: | Simple design, strong build, efficient, perfect. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Never "used" anything similar to this, tried many. | | Bike Setup: | Zokes MCR1, complete SRAM9.0 drivetrain & hubs, Rhyno lites, Raceface cranks&BB, Thomson cockpit. (no shimano)! | | Bottom Line: | |
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$ 1100.00
