Santa Cruz Bullit

The Santa Cruz Bullit 4 is the closest thing to a self-powered downhill bike for riders who are all about the descent. A Bosch Performance Line CX motor delivers 85Nm of torque to push you up the gnarliest approaches, while 170mm of suspension front and rear handles whatever you point it at on the way down. Independent geo and progression flip chips let you dial in the geometry and suspension character separately, and the frame is backed up by Santa Cruz's incredible lifetime warranty.

BIKING TYPE

e-MTB

WHEEL SIZE

Mixed (29" Front / 27.5" Rear)

TRAVEL

170mm Front / 170mm Rear

5 Items

1

Bullit 4 Review

Check out the full deep dive review and follow along as we put the Santa Cruz Bullit through its paces.

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Bosch Performance Line CX Drive Unit

The next generation Bosch Performance Line CX motor is smaller, lighter, and quieter than ever, taking riding dynamics and agility to a new level. Ten years of experience and countless trail rides all over the world have gone into its evolution, creating the optimal balance of power, dynamics, efficiency, and range.

Four-Bar Suspension

Four-bar suspension blends geometry and mechanics in a system of interconnected links that ensures the bicycle moves fluidly over any terrain. It allows for superb control, keeping the rear end of your bike planted and responsive, no matter how rough the trail gets. By decoupling the rear suspension movement from the pedaling forces, it maximizes traction and comfort while preserving efficiency.

Independant Geo and Progression Flip Chips

Bullit 4 provides independant tunability to both geometry and shock feel with easily accessible flip chips Hi/Lo flip chips at the seat stay and lower shock mount.

Bullit 4 Build Kits

Build 70 90 GX AXS X0 AXS RSV XT Di2 RSV
Frame Carbon C Carbon C Carbon C Carbon CC Carbon CC
Fork RockShox Zeb Base Fox 38 Float Performance, Grip Fox 38 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2 Fox 38 Float Factory, Grip X2 Fox Podium Factory, Grip X2
Shock Fox Float X Performance Fox Float X Performance Fox Float X Performance Elite Fox Float X2 Factory Fox DHX Factory
Drivetrain SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type Shimano Deore XT Di2
Brakes SRAM DB8 SRAM Maven Base SRAM Maven Bronze SRAM Maven Silver SRAM Maven Silver
Rims Reserve 30|HD AL Reserve 30|HD AL Reserve 30|HD AL Reserve 30|HD Carbon / Reserve 30|DH Carbon Reserve 30|HD Carbon / Reserve 30|DH Carbon
Cost $ $$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$$
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Bullit 4 FAQs

Who is the Santa Cruz Bullit 4 for?

The Bullit 4 is for riders who want full downhill capability without the need for a chairlift or shuttle to access it. 

With 170mm of travel front and rear, a mullet wheel setup (29" front, 27.5" rear), and DH-derived geometry, the Bullit 4 is Santa Cruz's most gravity-focused eMTB — built for steep, technical, and punishing terrain. The Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 motor provides 85Nm of torque and up to 600W of peak power, which means you're self-shuttling to the top of the gnarliest lines you can find. If your ideal ride involves big mountain descents, or the kind of trails that normally demand a dedicated downhill rig, this is your bike. 

Thomas from our evo Whistler store reviewed the Bullit 4 and put it through its paces on some of his favorite trails around the Whistler valley. Check out his take here: https://www.evo.com/blogs/reviews/santa-cruz-bullit-4-bike

What 's new with the Santa Cruz Bullit 4? How is it different from the previous Bullit?

The Bullit 4 is a ground-up redesign, and a far more capable, modern bike than the version it replaces. 

The biggest change is the suspension platform. The previous Bullit used Santa Cruz's VPP system paired with a Shimano EP8 motor, a combination that created packaging challenges and noticeably more pedal feedback through the suspension. The Bullit 4 moves to a four-bar Horst-link design — the same layout first seen on the Vala — which allows for better motor integration, a lower center of gravity, and a more neutral feel under both pedaling and braking. The result is suspension that tracks rougher terrain more actively without fighting you on the way up. 

The motor is also a significant upgrade. The Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 replaces the Shimano EP8 and brings more torque, smoother power delivery, and compatibility with the Bosch Flow app for mode customization and ride tracking. The 600Wh battery is now permanently integrated into the downtube rather than removable, keeping the frame slimmer and weight better distributed. Santa Cruz also expanded the size range to five options (S through XXL) and introduced size-specific chainstay lengths so every rider gets proportionally balanced geometry. 

What's the difference between the Santa Cruz Bullit 4 and the Vala?

The Bullit 4 and Vala share the same DNA, but the Bullit is the purpose-built descender of the pair. 

Both bikes run the same Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 motor and 600Wh battery, and both use the four-bar Horst-link suspension platform. The key difference is travel and intent. The Vala runs 150mm of rear travel with a 160mm fork, making it the more versatile all-mountain eMTB — capable on technical terrain but genuinely efficient on longer pedal-heavy days. Santa Cruz has described it as the e-Bronson. The Bullit 4 pushes that to 170mm front and rear, with slacker geometry and a more aggressive build spec throughout. It's the e-Nomad — built to come alive when things get rowdy. 

In practice, the Vala is the better choice if you ride a wide variety of terrain and want a bike that climbs comfortably and descends confidently. The Bullit 4 is the right call when the descent is the point, and the motor is there to get you back up for another run. Check out the Vala here: https://www.evo.com/collections/santa-cruz-vala 

What's the difference between the Santa Cruz Bullit 4 and the Heckler SL?

The Bullit 4 and Heckler SL are aimed at very different kinds of riders. 

The Heckler SL is a lightweight trail eMTB built around the TQ HPR50 motor — a compact, 50Nm system that offers natural-feeling assist without the weight and power of a full-power drive unit. With 150mm of travel, it rides close to a conventional trail bike and appeals to riders who want electric assistance on long days without the heft or aggression of a full-power machine. The Bullit 4, by contrast, is built around the full-power Bosch CX motor with 85Nm of torque, 170mm of travel, and geometry that's firmly in enduro and bike park territory. 

If you want a bike that feels light and trail-like and you're not chasing the gnarliest possible terrain, the Heckler SL makes a strong case. If you want maximum descending performance with motor power to match, the Bullit 4 is the one. Check out the Heckler SL here: https://www.evo.com/collections/santa-cruz-heckler-sl 

What are the key differences between the Santa Cruz Bullit build kits?

All Bullit 4 builds share the same frame geometry, four-bar suspension design, Bosch CX Gen 5 motor, and 600Wh battery. The key differences as you move up the lineup are suspension tunability, drivetrain type, frame carbon grade, and wheel quality. 

The Eagle 70 is the entry point, with mechanical SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission, SRAM DB8 brakes, and a Fox Float X shock. The Eagle 90 steps up to Fox Performance Elite suspension with more compression and rebound adjustment, and adds SRAM Maven Base brakes — a meaningful jump in both stopping power and ride quality. The GX AXS build adds SRAM's wireless GX Transmission shifting, which is a notable convenience upgrade for eMTB use where you're often shifting under load. 

The top-tier X0 AXS RSV is where the bike gets its most significant hardware upgrades: the lighter CC carbon frame, Fox Factory suspension on both ends (including the Fox Float X2 shock), SRAM X0 Transmission, Maven Silver brakes, and Reserve carbon wheels laced to DT Swiss hubs. For riders who want the fullest expression of what the Bullit 4 can do, this is the build.

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