2021 Santa Cruz Bullit

[Svarun]

Matte cider , the gloss carbon looked great but I wanted something different than black

I got matt cider too, second best color imo. Wanted the green, but it was almost 500€ more expensive for same spec, couldn't really justify it.

 

[Svarun]

Snapped a few pics of my Bullit after a ride and a hose down. It started as a R-spec, but I changed quite a few components to fit my needs and preferences. Suspension-wise, I haven't even tried the bike with the stock Super Deluxe, I immediately swapped it for Ohlins TTX22M cannibalized from my Rallon. Had to go up a spring rate to achieve proper sag, which surprised me a little. The old bike also donated a Smashpot coil kit, which was a noticeable upgrade over the stock Zeb Base. I'm still not 100% happy with forks performance, miss my old Fox 36. Seems like I will have to upgrade the damper to at least Charger 2.1, also looking at MRP's Lift. Anyway, the important thing for me is I am using coils on both ends, air suspension just doesn't work the same for me, which is probably a function of my weight (~110kg) and ride style.
Another important update was swapping brakes, the stock SRAM DB8 were not even ridden once, same as rear shock. I installed Shimano XTR which I found quite cheap on one of German online retailers. Also swapped the rotors for TRP 2.3mm 220mm front and 200mm rear.
Other minor modifications include swapping the bars for OneUp carbon risers, installing my preferred DMR deathgrips, changing the seat for Ergon SM Enduro (best seat I ever tried!) and bolting on a set of RRP front and rear fenders. Especially the rear fender is a must, keeps the linkage and shock completely clean. Oh, I also ordered a set of supposedly matching fork stickers from Slik Graphics. As you can see from the pics, their color match is quite bad on matte cider. First time I'm disapointed with their products.
Otherwise, 99% happy with the bike. Only minor annoyance is a grinding/rubbing noise which I am unable to locate at the moment. Manifests under pedalling loads, isn't coming from the motor (it happens even if I turn it off...) and sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the front half of the bike. I read about some people having to grease or tape up the little screws in motor cover, I will try that next.

 

[warracer]

I got matt cider too, second best color imo. Wanted the green, but it was almost 500€ more expensive for same spec, couldn't really justify it.

Same I wanted the green but it wasn't available here with the sale prices. But I really enjoy the matte cider.

Also first ''issue'' I have encountered is that I can`t find a spare battery cover, its back order everywhere. I want one for another battery as a spare / ride extender. I'll see with Santa Cruz support.

Also got some cool parts waiting to be installed, brakes , Shimano XT rear derailleur etc...

Awesome bike by the way , really cool specs you added !

 

[warracer]

Quick update on the Bullit !

I really love that bike so far... I can finally lap local spot enough time without my legs cramping up...

Some parts were added , changed. So far, I went with a XT drivetrain (on the SRAM cassette and chain) , Title SV1 stem , IV4R brakes and im really happy with the results.

I also did the spacer mod for the rear wheel since its a base R build and I didn`t break any bearing so far so thats great !

Overall I just want to ride more than ever.

 

[Svarun]

Can you elaborate on spacer mod? What's the reason for it?

Regarding the rest, you put it very well: I just want to ride more than ever is exactly how I feel as well

 

[warracer]

Can you elaborate on spacer mod? What's the reason for it?

Regarding the rest, you put it very well: I just want to ride more than ever is exactly how I feel as well

Sure!

The R base build came with a cheaper SRAM MTH 746 rear hub. They are notorious for bearing failure due to a design flaw;

You have to perfectly preload the bearings otherwise they eat themselves. Issue is, its not only hard to get right , but they also lose their preload overtime.

The fix is to machine an aluminium spacer to these dimension : Inner diameter Ø17.05 mm, Outer diameter Ø21 mm, L: 53.30 mm (thanks to jumperdk from the pinkbike forum).

That spacer will not only make the preload always perfect, but it also stiffens the hub.

After that, you put that spacer between the hub bearings , tighten the preload nut and reassemble the wheel.

Once that's done the MTH 746 hub is pretty much on par with any mid-hi grade OEM hubs. So far its been bulletproof.

 

[Svarun]

Thanks for a detailed explanation! I did some googling and indeed these hubs seem to have quite a reputation . Mine seems to be holding well so far in about 900km. If they fail, I am still deep in warranty period (more than a year to go), so if it gives up the ghost, they will have to replace anyway... The wheelset on R build is pretty basic and heavy overall, but if you have access to machining equipment to make such custom pieces it makes sense.