Santa Cruz Bullit build from bare frame

[Thoth]

Hi EMTB,

I’m new here but I have a question I wanted to ask the community. I recently got gifted a bare Santa Cruz Bullit frame, so just the rear and front triangle. This looks to be a 2024 with the vpp. I was wondering if it’s worth it to build it up front eh frame and how would I go about doing that? Looked online for a wiring harness and doesn’t look like any are available. If I wanted to do this build, would I have to do all the wiring by hand and does only the ep801 work for this model or can other motors be modified to fit a Shimano frame? All advice is appreciated!

 

[Notsopromtber]

Hmm... sourcing a motor and associated electrical parts is not going to be easy as Santa Cruz doesn't support after market rebuilds of their bikes.

VPP went out in Model Year 2026 so yours is a 2024 or older model. I would start here

Bullit 3 MY24

Santa Cruz Bicycles is dedicated to making the world's best mountain bikes. From the World Championship-winning V10 to the beloved Tallboy, we make bikes for people who live to ride.

www.santacruzbicycles.com

These are Bullitt parts available for sale officially by Santa Cruz

Shop Bullit Small Parts

Santa Cruz Bicycles is dedicated to making the world's best mountain bikes. From the World Championship-winning V10 to the beloved Tallboy, we make bikes for people who live to ride.

www.santacruzbicycles.com

As for the motor, wiring harness, etc for the EMTB, you will have to look for used parts for online.

One potential route would be to take your frame to a local Santa Cruz dealer and see if you can be registered as the new owner and then order replacement motor parts fro Santa Cruz - but it won't be cheap as it will be full Bosch pricing.

A last resort would be to look at aftermarket eMTB kits that would fit into the bullit frame for a Bosch unit, but likely will not look factory.

 

[Thoth]

From what it looks like, nobody sells a wiring harness along for the ep8 or 801 so I may be out of luck

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

I know @Neeko DeVinchi listed a source for Shimano motors on Aliexpress, it may be work messaging a vendor on there.

 

[Yorkshiresales1]

Hi EMTB,

I’m new here but I have a question I wanted to ask the community. I recently got gifted a bare Santa Cruz Bullit frame, so just the rear and front triangle. This looks to be a 2024 with the vpp. I was wondering if it’s worth it to build it up front eh frame and how would I go about doing that? Looked online for a wiring harness and doesn’t look like any are available. If I wanted to do this build, would I have to do all the wiring by hand and does only the ep801 work for this model or can other motors be modified to fit a Shimano frame? All advice is appreciated!

Hi I have recently bought a Santa Cruz bullit frame a bit like yourself and want to do a full build as it’s got no motor just the frame only how did you get on with building yours please


Regards

Mark