All New 2026 Santa Cruz Bullit launched
- Thread starter Rob Rides EMTB
- Start date
Mojo_n_SB
Member
So 2 rides with new Bullit. I'm impressed with the 600w battery. 56yo 205lbs, 6'3" riding up to ride down chunky trails with limited flow. Steep downhills, the bike rips, I have noticed I slide into the corners with continued speed - YIKES!
Ride 1 - 3681' total elevation gain @ 13.08miles. 24% battery remaining
Ride 2 - 2946' total elevation gain @ 14.99miles in 90deg. weather (with a not happy rattle snake on trail). 29% battery remaining
I'm in pretty good shape and after these rides I was done. I don't feel as if I'm being limited by the bikes battery.
The 800w battery with my riding style/area would be wasted weight just to say I have 45% battery remaining. I guess if I wanted to do long, limited elevation gain, casual rides on a dirt road then the 800w would be ideal.
tranqui_yanqui
Member
Ive been trying to determine if the black gloss bullitt has silver or white lettering. Anybody know?
Mojo_n_SB
Member
I was going to get the black but in the sun, the color is more dark root beer than black. I think it is white'ish from memory ........I think.
Am I the only one that thinks this might be a deal breaker?
I could get over the looks of it, but I feel like this will certainly rub through the paint in the circled area eventually? I'm a big Santa Cruz fan, butI'm still torn between this and the Orbea Wild. Stoked both have the fixed 600wh battery; it's the best solution out there for full powered emtb's at the moment IMO.
Snoggin
Active member
What if you get a scratch on it ? I mean not to be snide but these things get used and abused.. I dont ride wrap and i only clean enough to work on it and clean the drivetrain. So im not fussy. But a lot of the picks in this thread the bike doesn’t look like it’s ridden much lol
It could end up wearing through the carbon after the paint though
ebsocalmtb
Well-known member
You're the only one. The cable has a guide and does not rub on any carbon parts. If you're looking for a reason to not buy one, you can just, not buy one.
No reason for the sass. I’m looking at everything as I’m torn between the Bullit and the Wild like I said in my comment. When you’re spending 10K+ this isn’t a ridiculous question IMO.
Pierrot
New Member
I own (for now!) both the previous gen Bullit (the EP8 one, not the EP801) and the new one. So I figured I should share my findings - and try and answer questions if it can be helpful (it's super hard to test these bikes, at least in Europe where I am).
1. The first thing I noticed is that the new bike is clearly easier to climb with. There's this trail I always do with some technical parts. With the previous gen, I had to get the saddle down entirely and lean forward a lot, or I would loose the front wheel. And even then, I would sometimes have to stop. With the new bike, I do these without even lowering the saddle! I was genuinely surprised. I am not sure where the difference comes from, and I did do this trail with new tyres on the old Bullit.
2. I ride the local bike park a lot and I think the bikes take a beating. The removable battery was a bit of an issue for me: I lost it a few times during a run (it would literally pop out). My local dealer found the issue and fixed it, at least temporarily. But all that to say, a none removable battery is definitely a plus for me!
3. Range: it's really tricky to say, since both motors have different support levels. But I did the exact same climb, 2 days in a row. Got 5/10% more battery left on the new one, but was also significantly less tired. And I checked my average BPM: it was 10bpm lower on average (I have no idea whether it's meaningful, but I definitely felt less tired). I should add that I hardly ever use Turbo. I am mostly on Eco or Trail (I live in the Alps, you can't really afford Turbo if you want to go anywhere
).
Hope this helps!
1. The first thing I noticed is that the new bike is clearly easier to climb with. There's this trail I always do with some technical parts. With the previous gen, I had to get the saddle down entirely and lean forward a lot, or I would loose the front wheel. And even then, I would sometimes have to stop. With the new bike, I do these without even lowering the saddle! I was genuinely surprised. I am not sure where the difference comes from, and I did do this trail with new tyres on the old Bullit.
2. I ride the local bike park a lot and I think the bikes take a beating. The removable battery was a bit of an issue for me: I lost it a few times during a run (it would literally pop out). My local dealer found the issue and fixed it, at least temporarily. But all that to say, a none removable battery is definitely a plus for me!
3. Range: it's really tricky to say, since both motors have different support levels. But I did the exact same climb, 2 days in a row. Got 5/10% more battery left on the new one, but was also significantly less tired. And I checked my average BPM: it was 10bpm lower on average (I have no idea whether it's meaningful, but I definitely felt less tired). I should add that I hardly ever use Turbo. I am mostly on Eco or Trail (I live in the Alps, you can't really afford Turbo if you want to go anywhere
). Hope this helps!
EatSleepRideRepeat
Active member
If you've never seen the gloss black live: I tried to take a Picture that shows it's colour as accurate as I could. It's certainly not black. 
Pierrot
New Member
Here is a picture from above:
It doesn’t look like it rubs against the frame. But it’s close for sure.
I use a ride wrap and this specific area is covered, at least partially.
Hope it helps!
EatSleepRideRepeat
Active member
Did the Info on the Santa Website help you? Or is it far off? I started with that but am nowhere close so far..
My 38 has 3 Tokens in it. Maybe I have to take one out and compare. And I'll test the high progression setting.
So far the Bike is either soft and can't jump or it's poppy but also harsh.
Pierrot
New Member
In my case the SC website seemed quite off for the fork. Not enough sag. I used Fox’s recommendation and it worked better.Did the Info on the Santa Website help you? Or is it far off? I started with that but am nowhere close so far..
My 38 has 3 Tokens in it. Maybe I have to take one out and compare. And I'll test the high progression setting.
So far the Bike is either soft and can't jump or it's poppy but also
EatSleepRideRepeat
Active member
Yeah, I got like max 10% SAG..
Pierrot
New Member
I just measured mine: it’s about 200 (not sure where they measure exactly but it’s between 200 and 210). And it’s definitely the shortest you can use (we tried a few in store). It’s tight but it works well. Not had any issues so far. I don’t believe 150 will fit.
Also: you do need to make sure the extender is positioned in the higher position. The bottom one doesn’t work. It will rub against the shock.
Also: you do need to make sure the extender is positioned in the higher position. The bottom one doesn’t work. It will rub against the shock.
Thanks! I wasn't aware 200mm was an option.
Snoggin
Active member
It’s too short unless you put the range extender in the wrong holes. Not a good idea. I tried it and eventually had contact. Luckily no major damage. Have 250 now
The 150mm came in and I think it turned out perfect. Battery holder is in most top position.
Description:
Bosch PowerMore Battery Cable - Cable Laid Towards The Battery Holder 150mm BCH3923_150 The smart system Compatible × 1
Snoggin
Active member
Hmmmm weird! Your frame is large? With mine the cable barely made it and had to stretch a bit to connect. Ive heard the same from other people. Maybe they started making them slightly longer now?
Yes large. It's in lo progressive setting but shouldn't make that much of a difference to matter.
Has anyone put a 180mm air spring in the fork? I love the way it turns in hi but want a little more stability when it gets steep. Thinking about installing a 180 air spring and running a little more sag in the front with volume spacers so it ramps up the same.
I’m still waiting for my bike to arrive but that sounds good to me !
maramouse
Active member
Hi, I replaced the Fox 38 performance on my C 90 with a Zeb Ultimate 180 and removed a 1 cm spacer under the handlebars to compensate. The bike climbs just as well as with the standard 170 fork and I like it better on the downhills.
Alreadyfinnish
New Member
Hi, I would like to know how you guys been liking new bullit so far? Looking to buy one and only question I have, is that bike too “heavy” to ride in flatter trails? So I’m mainly riding bike parks and downhill but not all my friends doing that so sometimes we just do trails in the woods with my friends and I live in Finland so pretty flat county with small hills here and there. So is that bike rideable in flat and how is the climbing? Sometimes I might go riding with my family even on normal gravel and asphalt roads. Yes I know it is downhill bike oriented but is it still capable to be all mountain bike like vala (off course not vala but close enoght to be like Orbea Wild what is pretty much capable to be all mountain bike with great capable to ride flats and uphills.)? I would appreciate your experiences about this new bullit? Thanks
Snoggin
Active member
Will work great anywhere . For flatter terrain Id just use less agressive tires. But if you arent riding downhill and gnar fast at all maybe a different bike is more appropriate to the task
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