All New 2026 Santa Cruz Bullit launched

Svarun said:

Started watching that, but couldn't finish. I don't understand comparing a 150/160 and 170/170 bike on a smooth flowy jumpy trail. Feed them some janky rocks and roots and see if your thoughts change.

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Plummet said:

This is what it is. A long travel, chunk capable Enduro E bike. It looks awesome.

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ebsocalmtb said:

I think one of the things that impresses me the most on both the bullit and the vala is how comfortable they are to ride outside of their intended purpose. By that I mean that the Vala is surprisingly comfortable riding it over it's head and pushing on terrain that's beyond it's intended (or best) use. In contrast, the bullit is surprisingly easy to get along with on mellow trails when you're not going full send.

That being said, these bikes really shine when you're using them in their sweet-spot for how they are intended. The vala truly is the more well rounded of the two, of course it is, it should be. Only occasionally on the vala am I reminded of the 150mm travel and more nimble geo and only occasionally on the bullit do I find myself thinking, "holy @#$! this is a lot of bike."

Horses for courses... the fork in the road decision is to chose the bike that best fits what/where you want to ride, or go the complete opposite direction and pick the bike that benefits the riding that you want to do, but aren't quite a strong with.

Me personally, I feel really confident and stoked on both bikes and I would be absolutely stoked to have either.

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DirkWisely said:

I was watching a review on the Valla and it made me realize that the 600wh battery is very sufficient for smaller/lighter riders. I think rider size doesn't factor into the discussion as much as it should. A 130 pound person is going to get more range out of a 600wh battery than a 200 pound one would out of an 800wh.

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xtraman122 said:

I think of this all the time. Being a bigger guy (~225lbs) I obviously chew through more battery than someone much lighter and am always worried about downsizing on batteries as a result.

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mehukatti said:

Did a really quick test ride with the new Bullit nearby my dealer. Not a proper ride, but just 15 minutes to get an initial impression. I have to say that it definitely feels lighter and more agile than the outgoing Bullit. That heavy "moped feel" that I hated is gone. It now feels like a bicycle. Very happy with the 600Wh battery and the positive effect it has on ride quality. I think the internal name "Vala LT" that Santa Cruz themselves used really describes the bike quite well.

The sizing when sitting on Large felt very close to old XL (although in my old XL Bullit I had the saddle pushed more forward). When standing on the bike the large felt slightly shorter than the old XL. While I know that pros typically opt for a smaller bike, I started thinking that if going for a bike like Bullit, then for those who are in between two sizes like me, why not size up for added stability and big bike feel on descents. Although this just my own opinion...

Other than that it's a great looking bike and I'm really digging the teal color even though it's matte.

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Ou812 said:

I’ve always been weary of SC’s sizing, IMO it’s off by a size. According to their sizing charts the old Bullit in a medium should have been perfect for me, I hated it. I felt like I had no control over the bike at all and was just along for the ride.

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ebsocalmtb said:

Are you saying that the reaches and fit should be different or that they should label the sizes differently. As a 188cm person, the XL is a perfect fit for me. Their ETTs for each size fit, their seat tube lengths are for sure within what I would call as industry normal. Arguably, their ETT's are a touch shorter, by about 10mm then what most brands are doing size for size.
When it comes to sizing, the only way you can be certain is to try not only the bike you're considering buying, but many, many bikes. Through the course of demo'ing bikes over the years, I know the exact fit dimensions that work for me and I completely ignore the recommended sizing.

Depending on the style of bike, or my intended usage, I vary those targets slightly. For example, I prefer a 490-500mm reach on my enduro, dh and long travel ebikes. However, for a trail bike where I won't be doing as large of features, going as fast and doing a lot of seated cornering on meandering terrain, I prefer a 480-485 reach. That shorter reach leaves me feeling more on-top of the bike then in the bike, and I can get a slight front wheel tuck sensation on steep bermed corners.

For me, the Santacruz sizing is literally perfect. It's actually one of the reasons I keep going back to santacruz after going to orbea, giant, or transition. Those brands have a Large that's slightly to small for me, but an XL that's slightly to big. Santacruz keeps a very consistent and regulated jump in reach/ett/stack/sta between sizes, and they target average height riders with the medium/large models well. My only complaint would be a touch longer chainstay on the XL and a bit more stack... but I can cope with one and adjust the bike for the other.

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Ou812 said:

I think they should review their sizing suggestions. A lot of people I know on SC bikes are going a size down than what the chart recommends.

At 170cm SC sizing charts puts me on a medium in all their bikes. I’ve tried a medium Bullit, medium Megatower and a medium 5010, didn’t get on with any of them. I prefer a 430-440 reach which would be a small. I’ve chatted with a few people my size and they all say the same thing about SC’s sizing, maybe it’s something that only us vertically challenged people have to deal with

I did chat with one of SC’s riders, she’s the same height at me and rides a small Bullit. She said no chance she would have went with a medium.

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Rob Rides EMTB said:

Honestly I havent ridden both anywhere near enough to comment, but the Unno with 800Wh battery and lighter, with more powerful motor seems like you can (almost) have it all. Non removable battery will not be for everyone.

I actually think that the 4 bar on the new Santa Cruz is brilliant in terms of suspension performance. I really need to try the Unno on my home trails to work out how it performs. I'm also consious that I cant fit a massive dropper on the Unno.

One thing is for sure, I could never have a 600Wh bike, it would just not last me long enough for my personal use case.

That Bullit would almost be perfect if it had a 800Wh removable.

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Druster said:

Height is NOT the only factor. I'm 172 and I very much like the M sizing of SC because my torso length long enough for its reach

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Mojo_n_SB said:

Doesn't the Orbea Wild have a larger battery and Bosch motor? Does this bike make the top 5 best bikes in 2025? I wanted the Bullet with 170 f/B and I don't have a problem with a range extender but the mullet only is my issue. SC missed it by design. They could have given us everything. Now I wait to see if Pivot launches a new LT bike later this year with a Gen 5 Bosch motor or??

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Suns_PSD said:

The Wild is good but the large battery is the 750 watt, the last gen battery. Therefore not as power dense as the new batteries.

Should look at the Mondraker or Crestline if you are dead set on a 29".

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Mojo_n_SB said:

Do mullet bikes have more BB strikes? Are mullets good for chunky downhills of rocks. I don't ride smooth flowy trails that I see on all the bike reviews saying how amazing they are.

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ebsocalmtb said:

Are you saying that the reaches and fit should be different or that they should label the sizes differently. As a 188cm person, the XL is a perfect fit for me. Their ETTs for each size fit, their seat tube lengths are for sure within what I would call as industry normal. Arguably, their ETT's are a touch shorter, by about 10mm then what most brands are doing size for size.
When it comes to sizing, the only way you can be certain is to try not only the bike you're considering buying, but many, many bikes. Through the course of demo'ing bikes over the years, I know the exact fit dimensions that work for me and I completely ignore the recommended sizing.

Depending on the style of bike, or my intended usage, I vary those targets slightly. For example, I prefer a 490-500mm reach on my enduro, dh and long travel ebikes. However, for a trail bike where I won't be doing as large of features, going as fast and doing a lot of seated cornering on meandering terrain, I prefer a 480-485 reach. That shorter reach leaves me feeling more on-top of the bike then in the bike, and I can get a slight front wheel tuck sensation on steep bermed corners.

For me, the Santacruz sizing is literally perfect. It's actually one of the reasons I keep going back to santacruz after going to orbea, giant, or transition. Those brands have a Large that's slightly to small for me, but an XL that's slightly to big. Santacruz keeps a very consistent and regulated jump in reach/ett/stack/sta between sizes, and they target average height riders with the medium/large models well. My only complaint would be a touch longer chainstay on the XL and a bit more stack... but I can cope with one and adjust the bike for the other.

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Druss said:

Excited to read your review and how does the bike "feels and live", but as well about autonomie with Gen 5 600w.

I'm 80kg and I had back in the past :
- E Genius Gen 4 625w : could ride approx. 45km-1200m into full EMTB mode ( I develop around 190 watts by my own, used to ride over 25khm, then without engine assist, thus I can save some watts
- Heckler EP800 720w : great all around bike, much better on rocky and steep downhill comparing to the genius, but awful autonomie. Around 35km - 1000m and battery was tears off

Aim is to be able to ride about 50 km / 2000m elevetation so I would love to see that we can EASELY remplace the 600w, cause I'm not sure that the Powerbank of "only" 250w should really helps.

Btw, are we able to use the extra 250w once the general 600w is totally drained, or we need to use both in parallel ?

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Druss said:

Hâte de lire votre avis et de savoir comment le vélo « se sent et vit », mais aussi sur l'autonomie avec Gen 5 600w.

Je pèse 80 kg et j'avais autrefois :
- E Genius Gen 4 625w : pourrait parcourir environ 45km-1200m en mode EMTB complet (je développe environ 190 watts par moi-même, j'avais l'habitude de rouler à plus de 25km/h, puis sans assistance moteur, donc je peux économiser quelques watts)
- Heckler EP800 720 W : excellent vélo polyvalent, bien meilleur en descentes rocailleuses et raides que le Genius, mais autonomie déplorable. Environ 35 km - 1 000 m et batterie arrachée.

L'objectif est de pouvoir rouler environ 50 km / 2000 m de dénivelé, donc j'aimerais voir que nous pouvons FACILEMENT remplacer les 600 W, car je ne suis pas sûr que la Powerbank de « seulement » 250 W devrait vraiment aider.

Au fait, pouvons-nous utiliser les 250 W supplémentaires une fois que les 600 W généraux sont totalement épuisés, ou devons-nous utiliser les deux en parallèle ?

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Mojo_n_SB said:

Thanks! How do you know which bikes have the updated battery?
Do mullet bikes have more BB strikes? Are mullets good for chunky downhills of rocks. I don't ride smooth flowy trails that I see on all the bike reviews saying how amazing they are. Id prefer to see a bike review where the rider is riding chunky terrain and flow trails with an opinion.

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xtraman122 said:

The 2% range of true efficiency between motors is exactly what I’d expect. People misinterpret how far they can ride a bike before the battery dies with efficiency of the drive system.

Each motor has a totally different feel, cadence:assistance ratio where they apply different percentages of assistance at different pedal cadences and efforts, it’s impossible to try and compare actual efficiency with something as subjective as a human going by “feel”. Even one bike offering 10-15% more assistance might not be felt by you after riding for a half hour or so but it’s have a real effect on the battery. At the very least in their test they definitely should have turned the Amflow down to a lower assist level. Or we can see them do the same test after Bosch comes out with their new more powerful ride mode with the update.

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Suns_PSD said:

Well, the updated Bosch batteries are 600 or 800 watt. 750 watt is the old cell architecture. Orbea almost certainly did this to improve frame shape. However, the old 750 weighs more than the new 800 while simultaneously having less power.

I properly designed mullet bike has identical BB height as they would have designed for full 29er, so no change in pedal strikes. Most bikes with flip chips normalize geo between 27.5 or 29er. I actually prefer my bikes a little taller and steeper so often run 2.6 rear tires on my mullet bikes, which in addition to being wider, they are also a bit taller.

My terrain is insane chunk, nearly 100% of the time. Mullets work very well, I'd say the same as 29er in this terrain. The strength of full 29er is when pedaling (especially without a motor) they seem to hold speed a hair better which is why you'll continue to see full 29er (or possibly even 32") in XC racing. Mullets big strength is handling (they turn super well) and they are great for moving around on the bike as they offer more clearance in the rear, for both the bike and the rider. They also are really good for smaller riders that can still get a short chainstay length, like on the Levo SL.

On a flow trail, I'd still prefer the mullet because they turn so well and any 'momentum' advantage would be irrelevant.

As a 5'11" rider, I'd never own a DH or e-bike on straight 29er because the slight pedaling disadvantage of mullets is more than made up for by the motor and the improved handling.

If I was 6'3" I'd get a straight 29er.

GL

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Suns_PSD said:

Well, the updated Bosch batteries are 600 or 800 watt. 750 watt is the old cell architecture. Orbea almost certainly did this to improve frame shape. However, the old 750 weighs more than the new 800 while simultaneously having less power.

I properly designed mullet bike has identical BB height as they would have designed for full 29er, so no change in pedal strikes. Most bikes with flip chips normalize geo between 27.5 or 29er. I actually prefer my bikes a little taller and steeper so often run 2.6 rear tires on my mullet bikes, which in addition to being wider, they are also a bit taller.

My terrain is insane chunk, nearly 100% of the time. Mullets work very well, I'd say the same as 29er in this terrain. The strength of full 29er is when pedaling (especially without a motor) they seem to hold speed a hair better which is why you'll continue to see full 29er (or possibly even 32") in XC racing. Mullets big strength is handling (they turn super well) and they are great for moving around on the bike as they offer more clearance in the rear, for both the bike and the rider. They also are really good for smaller riders that can still get a short chainstay length, like on the Levo SL.

On a flow trail, I'd still prefer the mullet because they turn so well and any 'momentum' advantage would be irrelevant.

As a 5'11" rider, I'd never own a DH or e-bike on straight 29er because the slight pedaling disadvantage of mullets is more than made up for by the motor and the improved handling.

If I was 6'3" I'd get a straight 29er.

GL

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Suns_PSD said:

Well, the updated Bosch batteries are 600 or 800 watt. 750 watt is the old cell architecture. Orbea almost certainly did this to improve frame shape. However, the old 750 weighs more than the new 800 while simultaneously having less power.

I properly designed mullet bike has identical BB height as they would have designed for full 29er, so no change in pedal strikes. Most bikes with flip chips normalize geo between 27.5 or 29er. I actually prefer my bikes a little taller and steeper so often run 2.6 rear tires on my mullet bikes, which in addition to being wider, they are also a bit taller.

My terrain is insane chunk, nearly 100% of the time. Mullets work very well, I'd say the same as 29er in this terrain. The strength of full 29er is when pedaling (especially without a motor) they seem to hold speed a hair better which is why you'll continue to see full 29er (or possibly even 32") in XC racing. Mullets big strength is handling (they turn super well) and they are great for moving around on the bike as they offer more clearance in the rear, for both the bike and the rider. They also are really good for smaller riders that can still get a short chainstay length, like on the Levo SL.

On a flow trail, I'd still prefer the mullet because they turn so well and any 'momentum' advantage of 29ers would be irrelevant.

As a 5'11" rider, I'd never own a DH or e-bike on straight 29er because the slight pedaling disadvantage of mullets is more than made up for by the motor and the improved handling.

If I was 6'3" I'd get a straight 29er.

GL

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