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Submitted by
Ryan Burney
a Downhiller
from vancouver, BC, CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | ALL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | buddy | | Strengths: | ALL | | Weaknesses: | needs to come with bash gaurd | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi shiver 06, dt swiss rims, fox dh 5.0 coil, crank brosther cranks | | Bottom Line: | awsome! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gary einsteder
a Downhiller
from Lake Worth Florida usa
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | sugar mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | racers edge bike shop | | Strengths: | The bike climbs like my old xc. The frame geomety makes it a perfect all around bike. Climbs awsome and goes down even better. | | Weaknesses: | Paint is nice but could use a clear coat over the powder coating.
The bike with my build kit from santa cruz came in at 37lb. A little heavy but i changed out the tires olny and droped 4lb. Stock tires were 2.5 wide at 3.4lb each. New tires 2.3wide at 1.1lb. A no brainer. Still lighter than any other 7'travel bike. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized s-works
gt idrive | | Bike Setup: | domain 318, dhx 3.0 coil x9 componants RFR build kit.
150mm solid rear axel | | Bottom Line: | When I was looking for a new bike I knew I wanted at least 7' travel. Not easy to do seeing I live whare I still need to do a little climbing. After looking at every 7' bike avaliable the bullit came in on top. It has almost exact same geomety as the yeti 575 and we know that is a great all around bike and it was the lightest all mountain. Bottom line is the bike goes up and down awsomely. Climbs like my old GT I-drive which I could climb almost anything. I couldnt believe it. Even though both are med the bullit has a slightly longer top tube and sits higher due to the front fork. It all feels great and balenced. Now as for going down, I dont need to say how great that is. I did find the spring on the dhx was not enough for my weight. Once I take care of that it should be perfect.
Bottom line is this is a great all around bike. Dont be afraid of the travel being to much if you need to do some climbing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fatcat
a Weekend Warrior
from tujunga, calif
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Pretty burly, single pivot--no problems there, you can put a 130 to 170mm fork on it, depending on what rear shock you have on it, hand welded in usa, good value for the money | | Weaknesses: | heavy and will sap the energy out of you on hot days. | | Similar Products Used: | my 2003 Bullit until someone stole it out of my garage. | | Bike Setup: | 66 VF Marz fork, new Fox DHX 4.0 coil shock, rest of the usual kind of parts one would put on the frame. | | Bottom Line: | I put on a Fox DHX coil shock/400 lb spring with pro pedal and it really made a difference than the old 5th Element coil shock. Although the shock is now a 2.75 stroke rather than a 2.5, I cant tell the difference, but there is no problem and the rear triangle clears. Supposively now its a 7.5" rear travel according to charts, but after 6", who's counting. This bike rocks, the climbing isnt so bad now and it climbs better than a Intense 6.6 in my opinion. It will take on almost anything you throw at it. Landings are easy as long as you dont take off 6 footers all day. I even hear the new ones made in Taiwan Bullits are nice. I would highly recommend them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere long and rocky | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Not the fanciest and not the nimblest but the all around best bike out there. | | Weaknesses: | Depends on what your doing with it. For free ride and down hill nothing that I can find. For XC it’s a little heavy and requires a good mix of both finesse and strength to get the most out of it. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense 6.6 and Specialized SX Trail | | Bike Setup: | Fox DXH 5.0 &Talas 36RC2, XTR F&R ds, Hope M4's and an assortment of other gooddies. | | Bottom Line: | My poor Bullit sat neglected as a stripped frame for a couple of years. I stopped DHing and focused a lot more on XC and racing. I had a custom made Seven for XC riding and racing but it was not the most fun on the rocky ridiculously technical trails we ride around here. So I jumped on the “All Mountain” bandwagon. I sold the Seven and bought an Intense 6.6 which was a decent ride until the pivot points wore out. I then bought a Specialized SX III and after about 6 months of constantly tweaking the suspension I finally sold it too. This brought me back to the Bullit, originally built as a downhill bike I decided to turn it into an everyday rider. I liked it’s oodles of suspension and shear burliness but hated it’s sloth like climbing abilities and energy draining weight.
After doing a lot of research and trial and error experimenting I built my Bullit up with components that best matched my riding style and physical characteristics. Since it's rebirth it's been nothing but a joy to ride. No more messing around multiple suspension points. The DHX with Propedal practically takes out any bob the old coil over design induced. The Talas front end is very maneuverable and gives it plenty of plush travel for bigger hits. I have done 50 mile epic rides on it and have been very content. Friends of mine who ride super light (and pricey) XC rigs no longer snicker when riding with me. Not only can I keep up with them, I can also hit every rock, drop and nasty decent with impunity as they constantly try to figure out how they are going to ride such obstacles without damaging their waif like rides or themselves.
It's not the perfect XC bike though (it was never intended to be). You notice it's shortcomings on long steep ascents or when you starting off and the energy transfer to the rear is not quick. It’s flickable but still a bit weighty. It definitely helps if your fit and have been riding a while to truly appreciate the capabilities of this bike. It's a lot easier to climb with than you might think. I almost never leave the middle chain ring when climbing.
All around there is no better bike design out there. It's simple and very versatile. You can build one of these up to do any type of riding you could want to do and it will meet or exceed your expectations.
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Submitted by
bruno Latinha
a Downhiller
from goiania
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | laboratorio | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Bike Setup: | bomber Z1 free ride 150mm, 5ºelement, sram X9, sun rims single track, avid 5, thomson, truvativ.... | | Bottom Line: | the bike for dirts, streets, free ride, medium dhs and all moutain... i loved!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Downhiller
from kelowna, BC
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | deraileur cable brakes every ride( nothing todo with the bike) and the suspension took a while to tune | | Bike Setup: | manitou sherman, and 5th element | | Bottom Line: | buy it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Owen
a
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Upper Oil Can | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3800.00 | | Strengths: | Holy crap, this bike rules. It's insanely tight, fast and sturdy. The shorter wheel-base and steeper head tube angle make it feel very agile and easy to dance on the trail. Coming from a more raked out bike, sometimes I feel like I'm going to go over the bars (and I have) but the trade off is a wickedly responsive bike that is able to land a big corner and immediately turn a steep corner - very handy for the North Shore. The braking is effortless and the bike doesn't run away, it sticks directly beneath you. Aesthetically, it's beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | Assembly was a little weak - the headset and a couple of the bolts were loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky, SX Trail, Brodie | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Totem, DHX 5 Coil, Avid Juicy 5, Kenda Nevegal. RFR build. | | Bottom Line: | It still early days and I haven't put in more than 10 rides yet, but oh my god, it's incredible.
It's made with a different theory altogether. Instead a raked-out, point'n shoot bike that's made for unskilled riders, this bike is agile, responsive and ready-to-rumble. It assumes the rider can pick a line and apply body-English when required. I will need to get better to get the most out of it. I like that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Downhiller
from Bend, OR
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mckenzie River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat | | Strengths: | Super stiff, super cool, dhx air rocks and this bike rails the corners and can stick those unexpected 10' drops. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Foes Fly, VP Free, Trek Session 10 and Orange 223. | | Bike Setup: | Boxxer WC (07), Pearl 3.3 shock, DT Swiss 5.1 wheelset, Sram XO groupset(07), Saint Crankset, Formula Oro Puro 8" brakes, Race Face Diabolus stem 70mm, Answer Pro Taper bar 28"X 2", ODI Ruffian grips with red clamps, Thomson setback seatpost and WTB Rocket V race saddle. It weighs around 36lbs.......... | | Bottom Line: | Santa Cruz bikes can be built up in so many ways and this is another fine product from a another great American company. It is worth the little niggles to set up the bike the way the pilot rides it so my advice to most riders "don't be lazy play around with it and be patient". Thank you SC for making another customer HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DIZZLE
a Downhiller
from PERTH
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | jon forrest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | NEW FRAME DESIGN, PERFECT BIKE TO DO IT ALL ON | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | 06 ENDURO EXPERT, SX TRAIL | | Bike Setup: | TOTEM 2STEP, AVID CODES, X9, DT SWISS WHEELS, KENDAS, FOX DHX5 COIL (SC SUPERCROSS FREERIDE KIT) | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS FOR THE NEW RE-DESIGNED SANTA CRUZ BULLIT WITH THE 1.5 HEADTUBE. IVE ONLY BEEN ON THIS FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS NOW BUT THIS THING HANDLES LIKE A DREAM, IT PEDALS BRILLIANTLY AND THE SUSPENSION SOAKS UP ANYTHING YOU CAN THROW AT IT. THE NEW DESIGN LOOKS MUCH SMOOTHER THAN THE OLD ONES FROM 2 YEARS AGO.WHEN SITTING ON THE BIKE THE ONE THING THAT IMPRESSES ME THE MOST IS THE SIZE OF THE REAR SWING-ARM, IT IS FRIKKIN HUGE!!!! THIS BIKE IS PERFECTLY BALANCED, THEY COST MORE THAN SOME OTHERS BUT IF YOU WANT THE ULTIMATE FREERIDE BIKE I DEFINATELY RECCOMMEND THESE BAD BOYS. 10 OUTTA 10 HANDS DOWN.
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Submitted by
Paul
a Downhiller
from California
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | CBE | | Strengths: | This bike is great for anything. Ive taken it up hills, downhills and over 20 foot road gaps. You can set this bike up for pretty much anything except a x-c racer | | Weaknesses: | A little brake jack, but you dont notice it if you never use your brakes! | | Similar Products Used: | Enduro- doesnt really compare to the bullit | | Bike Setup: | 2003 black frame, Fox dhx 5.0 rear, fox 36 talas. Tru-vativ everything else | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles extremely well. Like i said, you can set this bike up for anything you want to do. For a while a had an 888 up front, but then i swapt it out for the 36 talas. This bike has given me no problems at all over the time that i have had it. I will never buy another bike. In a year or to i might upgrade to new frame, but i still think this is one of the best bikes on the market. If you want a bike that is good at anything, this is it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Lansdale PA USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | great looking. plushon the small stuff but soaks up the big hits. light for a 7" travel frame | | Weaknesses: | hard to get ahold of one | | Similar Products Used: | heckler, yeti, jamis | | Bike Setup: | 2007 bullit medium frame with dhx air shock, rock shox totem fork,formula oro discs, mavic crossmax, thompson and easton and full xtr. set up for all mountain | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks, climbs up anything I ride and flys down everything. light(32pounds) for what it does. looks awesome and rides even better. really is nothing else like it on the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Boulder Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, wont break on you, single pivot, easy to handle everywhere | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Trek session | | Bike Setup: | Race face stem, azonic pedals, Marzocchi Z150, XTR in the front and back | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best if you want a good all around freeride bike. You can do almost anything on it. It's even a decent dirtjumper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Renax Lim
a Downhiller
from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sto. Nino Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | friends XC Uncle | | Strengths: | Light, Beauty and Madnesss!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Break Jack which is a small thing if u put a DHX 5.0 on. | | Similar Products Used: | DH9 Yeti, Element Frame, Fastrax 2000, | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz Bullit with, World Cup Boxxer '03 gold stanchions, Funn Light DH bar, XT Hydros, Thomson post and stem, Truvativ 38t crankset and guide, Single tract rims, chris king headsets, dt swiss spokes, hope hubs , xt 9 speed cogs,mallet c, dhx 5.0 , Funn full throtle sadle, maxxis high rolller 2.35 rear and minion DHF 2.35 front. | | Bottom Line: | The best BIKE i ever have, plain and simple but VIcious!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlo montecillo
a Downhiller
from laspinas metro manila
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | batac dh tracks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | CRAIGSLIST.COM | | Strengths: | its a santa cruz...single pivot....less complicated...sexy...soaks up lots of drop....easy to maitain.....has seven sweet inches of travel...fairly light...versatile....and the list goes on and on.... | | Weaknesses: | brake jack is frickn nasty.... | | Similar Products Used: | an older bullit,khs dh50.... | | Bike Setup: | 2004 santa cruz bullit(black),5th element cvt 5,2004 z1 drop off 2,hope hydro's,sun rims ditchwitch,maxxis minions and high rollers,xt rear der(just broke off),truvativ hussefelt cranks,hollzefeller bash guard,azonic a frames,titec hell bent handle bars fitted on a truvativ hussefelt stem,yeti grips(which are so sweet),sram 9 speed cogs and chain,formula hubs,thompson elite seat post,and a beat up fizik saddle.... | | Bottom Line: | its the most versatile bike there is,you can set it up for either full dh,freeride,all mountain,or turn it into a dirt jumper.its super strong,super nice yet simple lines...bottom line is it suck they stopped making them... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlo montecillo
a Downhiller
from laspinas metro manila
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | batac dh tracks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | CRAIGSLIST.COM | | Strengths: | its a santa cruz...single pivot....less complicated...sexy...soaks up lots of drop....easy to maitain.....has seven sweet inches of travel...fairly light...versatile....and the list goes on and on.... | | Weaknesses: | brake jack is frickn nasty.... | | Similar Products Used: | an older bullit,khs dh50.... | | Bike Setup: | 2004 santa cruz bullit(black),5th element cvt 5,2004 z1 drop off 2,hope hydro's,sun rims ditchwitch,maxxis minions and high rollers,xt rear der(just broke off),truvativ hussefelt cranks,hollzefeller bash guard,azonic a frames,titec hell bent handle bars fitted on a truvativ hussefelt stem,yeti grips(which are so sweet),sram 9 speed cogs and chain,formula hubs,thompson elite seat post,and a beat up fizik saddle.... | | Bottom Line: | its the most versatile bike there is,you can set it up for either full dh,freeride,all mountain,or turn it into a dirt jumper.its super strong,super nice yet simple lines...bottom line is it suck they stopped making them... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Chambers Gully/ Wine Shanty Track/ Horsenell Gully Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | got it for ZERO bucks - FREE!! phat, smooth (endlessly long travel), killer looks | | Weaknesses: | none as yet | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler | | Bike Setup: | 04 Bullit w/5th Element, 01 Monster T, XT/XTR drivetrain, XT discs (stop on a dime I tells ya), Saint cranks, Thomson stem/seatpost, Zocchi QR20+/DT Hugi FR laced to Mavic 321 | | Bottom Line: | What a great bike! Especially since it was FREE! Got it off ebay and after paying top dollar for air freight the wanker sent it surface mail from Canada to Australia. So I filed a Paypal dispute, got a full refund, and by the time the thing arrived 3 months later the 45 day Paypal refund period had expired. End result: FREE Bullit!!
Phatter and knarlier than the Heckler. If I'd got this beast before the Heckler (instead of the other way round), there's little chance I'd go back and get a Heckler. Doesn't climb as well though... actually, in comparison it's a real pig. Still, I somehow reckon it's just more fun. I dunno. Anyway, GET ONE!! NOW!!
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Submitted by
Christopher Zoesch
a Weekend Warrior
from Ingolstadt
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | narrow and fast | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Surf & Sport in Neumarkt i. d. Oberpfalz | | Strengths: | The killer looks, light for a frame of this caliber, still good up steep hills, good for a long time (mine is from the year 2000), capable of doing 60 mile + rides and very comfy with tons of traction | | Weaknesses: | Hard to tune, the paint job in the corners could be better, cheap stickers | | Similar Products Used: | not many, not many... | | Bike Setup: | Chris King HS and ISO hubs, Easton XC90 carbon bar, Salsa skewers all around, XTR complete with XT 8" DH disc, Thomson goodies | | Bottom Line: | This bike has taken place for 6 years under my behind. The only real criticism I could think about is the shock (Fox Vanilla RC) always seems to seep air into its system. It makes a sucking sound while rebounding. Maybe because most of the sideways hits go right in the shock. Otherwise a very steady frame and quite well built.
After 6 years, I'm thinking about buying something new, although this frame is still driving quite hard. Can't really find any other good brands for the price a Santa Cruz is offered for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Downhiller
from Red Bank, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Utah@ Mountain Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | MTB | | Strengths: | Everything!
| | Weaknesses: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Shorty stem, Chris King Head set, Outlaw wheel set, Race face DH BB, Hozfeller Cranks, Chubby bars, 66 RCX2... | | Bottom Line: | This bike is worth every penny and will take everything you can throw at it. Don't hesitate to get one, you wont regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
patrick white
a Weekend Warrior
from b.c.
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | my yard | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | suncoastcycles | | Strengths: | this is the best bike u can buy,it is awesome | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | banshee chaparral,norco savage,trek bruiser,giant stp,kona stuff | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi tripls with fifth elemt shock and shimano and hayes | | Bottom Line: | buy this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olivier Battaglione
a Weekend Warrior
from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mammoth | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | This bike rocks. Super plush, clean lines. Progressive 5th Element takes a few tries to tune but once you get it, it makes the bike ever sweeter | | Weaknesses: | I bit heavy on the climb. Who cares throw in in granny gear and think of how sweet the ride down will be. | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky, Dirtbag, Faith. | | Bike Setup: | Marz Z1 FR SL, RAce Face stem, titec seat & Post, Race Face cranks | | Bottom Line: | This is the greatest bike I ever tried. I ride Mammoth often and was looking for a freeride bike I could also ride on the trail outside of the ski area. I tested a few bikes and they were great but they were togh to climb with. I know freeride bikes aren't supposed to be great climbers but I thought I could find one.
The Bullit is awesome. I can ride it all day up and down with no problems. I have it set up so it weighs about 34 pounds. My hecler was set up that it weighed a few pounds less so I didn't feel the difference. The big difference is there is nothing that can get in the way. With the 7 in of travel it takes all of the abuse you can dish out.
Pick one up if you can. There are some really good ones out there that people want to get ride off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Butters
a Downhiller
from Kelowna BC Canada
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Postill (addiction) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia cycle | | Strengths: | Plushness! This bike can eat up any thing you throw at it!
5th element ,shock boxxers pedals relitavely well | | Weaknesses: | zippo | | Similar Products Used: | vp free, a-line, stinky dee, faith 2 | | Bike Setup: | gold frame, 5th element, boxxer team,thompson, hfx-9, mavic 321 disk, easton bars, titek stem/seat, dtswiss hub white industries hub, michelin 2.5 tires, deore derailler, holzfellar cranks w envy bashguard | | Bottom Line: | huck this bike off any thing you can find! The bike will last longer than you! awesome for downhill racing, if you have to you can pedal up hill. best bike i've ever had period! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlo montecillo
a Downhiller
from laspinas,metro manila,philippines
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | batac ilocos norte race track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist.com | | Strengths: | SINGLE PIVOT!!!!SEXY!!!SANTA CRUZ!!!STIFF!!!SUPERB BIKE!!!SAVES MY A$$ IN SKETCHY LANDINGS!!!SEVEN INCHES OF TRAVEL,PLUS MINE COMES IN RED SO THATS A PLUS... | | Weaknesses: | pedal bob,but the vanilla rc compensates it pretty well.. | | Similar Products Used: | KHS FETISH DH 50 | | Bike Setup: | RINGLE HANDLE BARS,DT RIMS,MARZ FORK,SHIMANO DISCS... | | Bottom Line: | its the best bike ive ever had,and ridden.i love the bullit because of its single pivot design,makes things less complicated.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob T
a Weekend Warrior
from the southeast
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | SmartCycles Norwalk, CN | | Strengths: | Top to bottom - amazing
Bullit makes you a better rider each time out | | Weaknesses: | trying to find one - unsuccesful to date | | Similar Products Used: | ironhorse xlt - cannondale jekyl - superlight - 99 avalanche | | Bike Setup: | 07 fox vanilla rlc (140mm), 5th E, thompson, king, race face, hayes9s, trailpimps, koobi | | Bottom Line: | this is an update to my november 05 post, i love this bike more today than i did when i first rode it. I stand by my words that this bike will make you a better rider and make your cohones grow. With each ride i have gotten better, it is truly absurd.
The rear 5th E keeps traction and absorbs everything, the vanilla rlc soaks up the 1st 2" of travel without even letting you know about it and is completely point and shoot " where do you want to go next?" "rock garden after the 4' drop sounds good lets go" yes my bullit talks to me too...(maybe its just the voices in my head?)
To date i have used primarily as xc/light freeride no downhill this year, I have dropped it off everything with nothing but smiles (and a leaky nixon) this is why i upgraded the fork from nixon elite to 07 van rlc...went to 31.8 bar/stem,threw on a king, and grabbed a koobi.
Kudos to the guys at The Racers Edge, for the rebuild.
I dont care about weight but having reworked the front end has made this bike 5.565x better, I loved the bullit for being built solid but the nixon dragged it down, adding the vanilla is a great compliment to the bike. With the van she is faster, smoother, and more nimble than i expected. I cant help but thank and love my bullit.
I also need to thank The Racers Edge in Boca Raton, FL and SmartCyles in Norwalk, CN both shops have pointed me in the right direction and have taken great care of my bullit. SmartCycles with the original build and Racers Edge for the vanilla and front end rebuild/upgrade and general advice.
Get one if you can and enjoy the ride whereever it may take you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boy Kadri
a Downhiller
from Borneo Island, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lots of rocks and roots (wet ones) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1184.00 | | Purchased At: | BikePro Centre Malaysia | | Strengths: | Imagine a Battle Tank that weighs as light as a Humvee. | | Weaknesses: | Power loss during acceleration on flat terrain but who's doing flat with it anyway | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Cannondale V1000FR | | Bike Setup: | 04 Bullit with 5th element rear shock, 03 Marzocchi Super T Pro, Deore LX mechs, Hayes nine, Mavic D321 wheels, Tank hubs, Tioga White Tiger 2.5 | | Bottom Line: | It's the most incredible full suspension i've ridden. It weighs 42lbs but i still climb up 4km hills for DH runs. It's light, not a wild horse, stable but not a pig. Although had to suffer on flat straights during competitions but hey, it ain't so bad. Shame there's no 06 version of it. Maybe if they applied the VPP system on it years ago would've been vondervul. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Winno
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Daisy Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Strong platform for almost any build up, simple, relatively maintenance free design | | Weaknesses: | None really | | Similar Products Used: | 1997 Marin Quake 9.0FRS | | Bike Setup: | '03 medium with 5th Ele, RS Psylo, Hope Mono 4 pots, Hope XC Ti hubs/Mavic 317 disc rims, XTR 8 speed drive train, other assorted bits from Race Face, Thomson, Answer, Sram, etc | | Bottom Line: | I ride XC and all mountain and I wanted a strong frame to build up a lightweight full suspension ride. Yes, it may be a tad heavy in the frame dept compared to say a Heckler or Superlight but I didn't want the most expensive part of the bike to fail and opted for strength at the sacrifice of a bit of weight. This set up with very light hand built wheels and parts rides like it's much lighter though. Static weight is about 26-27kgs.
Where I ride is a mix of tight single track, fast technical downhills and even some 18%+ gradient climbs. Even though this frame gives 7" of travel on the rear, I find it so easy to ride up hills. Come downhill time, the bumps are soaked up effortlessly.
I have had a number of top end bikes now from hard tails to fullies but I have only the one bike now that I have the Bullit. For me it does everything exceptionally well.
FYI: this is a AU$10k+ build up.
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Submitted by
Ernie
a Downhiller
from Castleside
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any one with jumps! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | It looks awsome, sweet geometry, light for a DH bike. | | Weaknesses: | No replaceable mech hanger, small size is VERY small, I hit my knees of the bars going uphill! | | Similar Products Used: | Ive ridden just about every thing. | | Bike Setup: | 02 Bullit, TF Tuned 5th element, 04 super T, race face cranks, hope 4 pots, bla, bla, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I previosly owned an azonic eliminator and was torn between a Bullit and an Intense M1. I was a bit concerned about the bullit having less travel but the 7" travel it does have works so well that it feels like more! (especially with tf tuned shock, with correct spring weight)
The bike is amazing to jump and the light back end means that you can whip the back end out a treat! Its also super resonsive and VERY quick downhill.
Im 5ft 10" and the small size really is very small, and makes pedaling along flat/uphill hard work, and annoying as i always bash me knees of the crown/bars. However, once your going downhill its no porblem at all.
Overall, this is by far the best bike ive ever owned. There are plusher bikes out there, but the bullit's combination of lightweight, simplistic fame design and sweet geomoetry makes it amazing fun to ride.
If your looking for a versitile UK downhill bike that looks sweet, its great to jump, and super fast downhill then you wont go far wrong with a Bullit.
If you dont belive me, check my style out!
http://www.alexjohnson.co.uk/images/downhill.jpg | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | A mate | | Strengths: | Bullit proof, can throw it off drops and it asks for more. Sturdy under foot. Solid bike | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy for some cross country, but thats life. Small price to pay | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Prophet(light but not as solid), Giant Faith, Norco Shore 2(only ridden briefly, but great to ride) | | Bike Setup: | New Marz 66SL 06'(awesome fork), Hayes, XT drive chain, Mavic wheels and Maxxis tyres | | Bottom Line: | With the new Marzocchi 66SL 06' bike will go anywhere. 8,10,12,16 foot rock decents are just a piece of cake. Flat and downhill sections of local trails are awesome. Decends life a rocket. Bike turns heads, as you blast past em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frank conrad
a Downhiller
from montara, CA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | boyscout | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | a guy | | Strengths: | this bike looks sexy and handles great. you can huck this thing off a cliff and it won't break. preety light too... | | Weaknesses: | people say "do this fat jump" cause your bikes hellsa sexy. and my friends get jealous. PEADLING | | Similar Products Used: | my bro's 01 | | Bike Setup: | 66vf, 5th element, raceface, azonic-all the god s*** | | Bottom Line: | thisbike is great for freeride,donhill, preety much anything.I love this bike soooooooo much. if you are into xc though don't get it. It was worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 2849.00
