2025 Santa Cruz Bullit on Test – New Design, Same Great Performance?
The VPP is history! Long live the four-bar design? The latest Bullit ditches Santa Cruz’s signature VPP suspension design and replaces it with a classic Horst-link system. For the motor, the American manufacturer relies on a Bosch Performance Line CX drive, which draws its power from a 600 Wh battery. But can the new rear end make up for the loss of the unmistakable Santa Cruz silhouette?
22,46 kg in size L | € 9,799 | Manufacturer’s website
First the Vala, now the Bullit! At the end of last year, Santa Cruz unveiled the Vala, the Bullit’s smaller sibling, which boasted a surprisingly unconventional look for a brand hailing from California’s laid-back west coast. While die-hard Santa Cruz fans might still be adjusting to the new style, the 2025 Bullit promises more than just a facelift. Compared to its predecessor, it’s meant to bring several advantages to the trail. According to Santa Cruz, the updated version makes no compromises when it comes to suspension performance and, on top of that, it now relies on a powerful motor. Another exciting feature is the seat tube’s insertion depth, which has grown by a whopping 110 mm, making plenty of room for long-travel dropper posts. But is that enough to win over both the fanbase and our test crew? To find out, we put the € 9,799 Bullit GX AXS through the wringer. And is it really a downhill bike with built-in shuttle service?
The new 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit in detail
Just like the Vala, the new Bullit says goodbye to one of Santa Cruz’s long-standing trademarks: the twin-link rear suspension with virtual pivot point (VPP) – a key element of the manufacturer’s unmistakable frame silhouette. In its place now sits a classic four-bar layout with a Horst-link system. The result? The new frame looks noticeably more generic. But this fundamental change didn’t come out of nowhere. Like with the Vala, the reasoning lies in what’s known as packaging. According to the Californian brand, integrating the motor while keeping the VPP linkage points in an optimal position proved to be a serious design challenge.
Even beyond the big changes, the Santa Cruz Bullit impresses with well-thought-out details – almost down to the last bolt. It starts with the shuttle guard on the downtube, which prevents chafing when you throw your bike on the back of a shuttle truck. Then there’s a neat little mini fender that keeps small rocks away from the gap between the main frame and swingarm. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail. The cables are neatly routed internally, adding to the silent riding experience. On top of that, Santa Cruz offer a lifetime warranty on the frame – plus free replacement bearings for life.
One clear downside: the fiddly rubber cover on the charging port might get the job done, but doesn’t live up to the bike’s otherwise premium look. Other brands came up with more elegant and refined solutions – and from Santa Cruz, we’d expect nothing less.
The spec of the 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit
One of the key advantages of the new suspension layout is that it creates additional room around the motor. Just like with the Vala, Santa Cruz took full advantage of this by integrating the fifth-generation Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which delivers up to 600 watts peak power and 85 Nm of torque. It’s paired with a permanently-integrated 600 Wh battery that replaces the removable version of the previous model. While there’s no option to fit the bigger 800 Wh battery, the Bullit is compatible with Bosch’s optional PowerMore 250 range extender, which boosts the total capacity to 850 Wh – ideal for long days in the saddle.
The Bullit comes equipped with a FOX 38 Performance Elite Grip X2 fork and a matching Float X Performance Elite shock, both of which offer countless adjustment options and deliver the same tremendous performance on the trail as their top-tier Factory counterparts – albeit without the fancy Kashima coating. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM’s GX AXS Transmission drivetrain, which ensures butter-smooth gear shifts even under load. Unlike the higher-end X0 and XX versions, the GX derailleur isn’t powered directly by the main battery – but at least the battery is better protected from impacts than its more expensive counterparts.
SRAM MAVEN Bronze brakes with200 mm SRAM HS2 rotors ensure powerful, reliable deceleration, proving one of the most powerful brake setups currently available on the market. Compared to the pricier Silver and Ultimate variants, the Bronze version only lacks the tool-free bite point adjustment – but braking power remains exactly the same.
OneUp Components supply the dropper post. Thanks to the new frame design, Santa Cruz managed to fit longer-travel droppers across the entire size range. In size L, the post has a generous 210 mm of travel, which gives you all the freedom of movement you need when the trail gets steep.
The Bullit rolls on a MAXXIS Assegai tire at the front and a Minion DHR II at the rear, both in the robust DoubleDown casing. The front features the ultra-grippy MaxxGrip rubber compound, while the rear gets the slightly firmer MaxxTerra mix. Spot on! The 155 mm SRAM GX crank arms suit the concept perfectly – shorter arms reduce the risk of pedal strikes, especially on technical trails.
Our test bike in size L tips the scales at just 22.46 kg, which is around four kilos less than the FOCUS SAM² 6.0, which shares a similar concept with the same Bosch CX motor and 600 Wh battery Compared to the Santa Cruz Vala, it’s around one kilogram heavier – a fair trade-off given the Bullit’s burlier build and downhill-oriented character.
Santa Cruz Bullit GX AXS
€ 9,799
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 600 Wh
Display Bosch System Controller
Fork FOX 38 Performance Elite Grip X2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float X Performance Elite 170 mm
Seatpost OneUp V3 Dropper Post 210 mm
Brakes SRAM MAVEN Bronze 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX AXS Eagle Transmission 1×12
Stem OneUp Stem 42 mm
Handlebar OneUp Aluminium Bar 800 mm
Wheelset Reserve 30|HD 6069 AL 29″/27.5″
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, MaxxGrip, DoubleDown/ Minion DHR II, MaxxTerra, DoubleDown 2.5″/2.5″
Technical Data
Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 22.46 kg
Specific Features
Flip Chips
Tool Mount
The spec options of the 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit
Santa Cruz offer four pre-configured builds for the new Bullit: 70, 90, GX AXS and X0 AXS RSV. As is tradition with Santa Cruz, the naming reflects the drivetrain spec of each model.
All four builds come with a mullet wheel setup – with a 29” wheel at the front, and a smaller 27.5” wheel at the rear – and share the same Bosch motor and battery system. Santa Cruz also stick to the same trusted MAXXIS tire combo across the entire range, combining an Assegai up front and Minion DHR II at the rear. When it comes to colours, all models are available in two finishes: the striking Matte Teal Sparkle of our test bike, and a more understated Gloss Black.
The most affordable model is the Santa Cruz Bullit 70, which retails at € 7,649, and comes equipped with a RockShox ZEB Base fork and FOX Float X Performance shock. Shifting is handled by SRAM’s new mechanical 70 Eagle Transmission, while braking is taken care of by SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes. For the wheels,Santa Cruz rely on their in-house Reserve 30|HD AL 6061 rims and SRAM MTH hubs.
For € 8,699 you can get the Santa Cruz Bullit 90, which relies on a FOX 38 Float Performance fork and FOX Float X Performance shock. However, the fork still uses the older GRIP damper.
Shifting is taken care of by a new mechanical SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which has already been tested by our colleagues over at ENDURO magazine. SRAM supply the Maven Base brakes, which deliver plenty of stopping power. Like the Bullit 70, the 90 rolls on Reserve 30|HD AL 6061 rims, but combines them with e*thirteen hubs
Sitting just above the GX AXS model we tested is the Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV top-tier model. Priced at a hefty € 11,699, it’s the only Bullit variant to feature Santa Cruz’s premium CC carbon frame. Compared to the C carbon frame used on the lower-tier models, the CC version uses a different carbon layup to save weight without compromising stiffness.
Suspension duties are handled by a FOX 38 Float Factory fork with the high-performance GRIP X2 damper and the latest FOX Float X2 Factory shock – both delivering top performance on the trail. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM X0 AXS Transmission drivetrain, while SRAM Maven Silver brakes do stopping duties. Lightweight carbon wheels and carbon handlebars round off the package. According to the manufacturer, the X0 AXS RSV tips the scales at just 21.83 kg, which makes it the lightest build in the Bullit range.
The geometry of the 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit
For the first time, the new Bullit is available in size S, meaning that it’s finally available in a total of five sizes,S to XXL, offering plenty of scope to find the perfect fit. Like the Vala, the Bullit features two independently operating flip chips.
The first flip chip sits on the upper linkage of the rear triangle and allows for geometry adjustments. It changes the bottom bracket height by 4 mm between 346 mm (high setting) and 342 mm (low setting), and the head angle by 0.3° from 63.6° to 63.3°. The second flip chip is in the lower shock mount and allows you to adjust the rear suspension’s progression between 26% and 29%.
Chainstay length is size-specific, ensuring consistent handling across all sizes. In size L, the Bullit has 480 mm reach, which is average in this category.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 380 mm | 400 mm | 420 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Top Tube | 571 mm | 596 mm | 617 mm | 640 mm | 670 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 135 mm | 155 mm |
| Head Angle | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° |
| Seat Angle | 78.6° | 78.7° | 78.7° | 78.7° | 78.6° |
| Chainstay | 440 mm | 443 mm | 446 mm | 449 mm | 452 mm |
| BB Drop | 27/9 mm | 27/9 mm | 27/9 mm | 27/9 mm | 27/9 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1220 mm | 1252 mm | 1280 mm | 1309 mm | 1346 mm |
| Reach | 435 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 500 mm | 525 mm |
| Stack | 622 mm | 631 mm | 640 mm | 654 mm | 670 mm |
The 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit on the trail
We put the new Santa Cruz Bullit to the test on our local trails, which are both technical and very demanding – the ideal setting to push the Bullit to its limits. While the geometry is clearly designed to rack up vertical metres on the way down, it still has to earn its turns on the climbs. Here, it impresses with a comfortable, upright pedalling position that puts little pressure on the hands, and a powerful yet well-modulated motor that makes it a capable climber.
What As soon as gravity takesover, it quickly becomes clear what Santa Cruz’s engineers had in mind when designing the new Bullit. The steeper the trail, the more at home the bike feels – and thanks to its intuitive handling, you do too! With its deeply integrated riding position and tall front end, the Bullit inspires huge amounts of confidence from the get go, whether you’re cruising down a flow trail or hitting the rough stuff with drops and big jumps, where bottoming out the suspension proves surprisingly difficult.
Traction is equally impressive too – with the Bullit delivering plenty of grip and control. The suspension is super sensitive off the top, offering a well-balanced mix of support and plushness. Compared to the Vala, the Bullit feels even more capable and confidence-inspiring downhill – it’s got proper big-bike vibes.
And despite all that capability, the Santa Cruz Bullit still manages to pack in a surprising amount of fun and agility – flicking eagerly from one corner to the next. That said, it feels much more at home smashing through rock gardens than cruising down flow trails, where it simply feels underwhelmed and impatient for the next real challenge.
Who should take a closer look at the 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit?
The new Santa Cruz Bullit is a top-tier option for riders who prioritise downhill performance above all else. If you like to go full-send and need a bike that can keep up, the Bullit is a capable and fearless partner – ready to tackle whatever challenge you throw at it. In fact, it’s built for riders who want to push their limits without relying on a lift, and who think more about descending than pedalling uphill.
Thanks to its agile character, the Bullit can still be fun on flowing trails – but if that’s your main focus, and you spend more time on home loops than in bike parks and on technical terrain, you’re probably better off with its little sibling, the Vala. It offers even more all-round capability and comes in at a lighter weight.
Conclusions about the 2025 Santa Cruz Bullit
At first glance, the new Santa Cruz Bullit doesn’t exactly scream “wow”. But that quickly changes once you drop into the trail and let off the brakes. The 2025 Bullit still delivers everything the model has always stood for: exceptional composure, confidence on technical terrain, intuitive handling and massive reserves when things get rowdy. And despite all that capability, it’s still surprisingly agile. That said, all this performance and high-end spec doesn’t come cheap.
Tops
- Impressively composed and stable
- High-quality spec throughout
- Surprisingly agile and fun to ride
Flops
- Flimsy charging port cover
- Lacks the signature Santa Cruz look
More infos at Santa Cruz.com.
Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Jan Richter
