Bullit shock tune?

[Natch]

Hey all, I read somewhere that the Bullit has a weird shock tune and if you buy an aftermarket shock and it's not tuned specifically for the Bullit then it's going to perform really weird. I wish I could remember exactly where the source of that information was (was it here?) but I haven't been able to find it again.

Do you guys know anything about that? I'm considering buying the lowest trim level Bullit then moving my components including shock from my current ebike over.

 

[Andeh]

Hey all, I read somewhere that the Bullit has a weird shock tune and if you buy an aftermarket shock and it's not tuned specifically for the Bullit then it's going to perform really weird. I wish I could remember exactly where the source of that information was (was it here?) but I haven't been able to find it again.

Do you guys know anything about that? I'm considering buying the lowest trim level Bullit then moving my components including shock from my current ebike over.

What brand suspension? The Bullit-specific (Santa Cruz specific ones in general) RockShox tunes are basically just a little bit firmer compression. I use the regular retail tunes with no issue. I don't run Fox so can't comment there.

 

[Natch]

What brand suspension? The Bullit-specific (Santa Cruz specific ones in general) RockShox tunes are basically just a little bit firmer compression. I use the regular retail tunes with no issue. I don't run Fox so can't comment there.

Thanks for the input. I really wish I could find where I read it but I've been unsuccessful locating it.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Speaking generally incorrect shock tunes can hinder suspension performance. Mostly at the extremes and I'd say only by more experienced riders but still, who wouldn't want their expensive bike to ride correctly? Good news is a tune is much less than a new shock. I'd do a google search for reputable local tuners, Fluid Focus in SoCal is great and let them know what you have and what it's going on and they'd advise the best way forward.

 

[pursuitofnow]

I'm running a Push SV8, which is a non specific tune, and it rides amazing.

 

[ebsocalmtb]

I've tried a lot of shocks on my bullit. I've run the stock float X (from gx axs build), a stock float x2 (from x01 build), an avalanche tuned bomber cr (tuned originally for a transition relay) and an EXT Storia (tuned for a yeti LT-E).

Of the shocks I have tried, the float X2 is my favorite with the float x and the tuned bomber cr being in second place. With my experience, I would say that most shocks are going to need a bike specific tune to out perform both the float x and the float x2 that santacruz ships these bikes with. Their off the shelf tunes are incredibly good and for sure perform better then a higher end shock that is not tuned for the bike.

There are some exceptions... as @pursuitofnow mentioned, the SV8 is a great shock and manages to surf the line between enough and not too much damping on the bikes I've tried it on. My bomber CR that was good on my relay, is only decent on my bullit, despite those bikes having very similar kinematics.

Overall I think I prefer air shocks on this bike in general. Coil shocks definitely make it feel more planted but it also makes it feel like a bigger bike that is more difficult to bunny hop over ruts when going down steep trails. For that reason and a few others, air shocks are the best setup for me on this bike and the stock santacruz tunes are imo better then most, if not anything the aftermarket tuners are doing.

 

[Andeh]

The difference between a Santa Cruz tune and a retail tune for Rockshox is C37 vs. C34 for the 2025 stuff, meaning, the compression is about 9% firmer. That's well within the range of adjustment of the shock, unless you're running to the extremes... i.e. middle of dial for C37 is full firm for C34. If you're really heavy or have a preference for firm comp settings, then it'll be worth hunting down the SC specific one. But for most people the retail tune is close enough. I've run both across a few different SC bikes (Nomad 6, Heckler SL, Vala, Bronson 5). For the SC specific tunes I usually backed off LSC 1 click from middle, for the retail tunes I run it in the middle or +1 click from middle. The rebound tunes are the same for retail and SC specific (R25).

I can't speak to the Fox tunes as I don't drink the Kashima Kool-aid, but you could always try contacting Fox customer support and ask the difference.

The SC bikes since ~2025ish (Vala, Bullit 3, Bronson 5, Hightower 4, Nomad 7) have featured slightly less anti-squat, which favors running a bit more comp than in years prior to get the same pedaling/pumping efficiency.

 

[RickBullotta]

Every bike I’ve had an X2 on seemed to run best with less compression damping rather than more. I think you’ll be fine with a generic tune.