Most fun Santa Cruz ever? Bullit E-MTB Black Run Live Ride Review

Santa Cruz's brand new Bullit is a superb self uplifting, black run happy beast, optimised for mixed wheel size responsiveness and using the latest Shimano EP8 motor.
I took it for a pre release ride on the slippery steeps of Wharncliffe and my local black run test track at Stainburn to show you exactly how brilliant it rides and how it manages it.
Big thanks to Santa Cruz UK for sending the bike in for test, and massive thanks to my Patreon subscribers for investing in the growth of the channel. If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: www.patreon.co...
Any questions get busy in the comments.
Cheers Guy

[@koolkeith8908]

Priceless and accurate review. Many of the reviews I've seen on this bike are on easier terrain that other bikes can ride easily. Thanks for the pupose driven review.

[@GuyKesTV]

Cheers Keith, yeah the Bullitt thrives on the kind of trails you really have to ride so it’s a pleasure to let it enjoy itself 👍🏻

[@slipperyseal762]

Ordered one as well. Thanks for the insight.

[@ryanbarnes8301]

Just ordered mine today, you have just confirmed it was the right choice! Legend 👍🏼

[@GuyKesTV]

Excellent. Hope you enjoy it! I'm pretty confident you will.

[@5rimsmtb757]

I'm very excited about this bike! been shortlisting a few Ebikes and this is now in there 100% had no idea it was coming out.

[@codystallard5572]

This thing won’t be available until late late spring if your LBS doesn’t have one on order!

[@MTB_FPV]

I'm more impressed by how you found then lines 🤣

[@robhaskins3068]

E=Mtb², Proper FUN FUN FUN. Mullet👍,suspension 👍,Geomertry👍 Despite the high cost of living it remains popular.

[@deftrover]

Best reviews on yt right here imo and what a good one!! .✌

[@GuyKesTV]

Thanks mate, that was a slippery one!

[@Holden2090]

Awesome review! UPDATE: The lowest cost R Kit Bullit now comes with EP8, and I just got one! 💪🤟

[@GuyKesTV]

Yes mate! Have a blast 👊🏻

[@Becker333]

wow... gliding over roots and mini boulders : 0

[@Markley92]

Best review I’ve seen. Thanks!

[@GuyKesTV]

Cheers mate

[@JasonChambersPhoto]

Hey Guy, do you remember me commenting on the Heckler? I said the bullit would be back soon as a big banging e bike! 👍

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, you nailed it 👊🏻

[@JasonChambersPhoto]

@@GuyKesTV Hhaaa, this could possibly be my forth bullit! 😱

[@GuyKesTV]

@@JasonChambersPhoto you not waiting to see if they do a Super 8 then?

[@JasonChambersPhoto]

@@GuyKesTV 😂😂😂👏

[@James-dn1hu]

Your so enthusiastic. Very good comprehensive review. Would you be able to do a review of the commencal meta am 29 please

[@LarryRichelli]

I just bought a Trek Rail 7 with bosh motor and only weighs 1 lb more than this bike...now that’s a deal in my book

[@GuyKesTV]

I’ve not ridden a Rail properly yet but it just won the best ebike test in MBR so I reckon you nailed it.

[@richardsmith4625]

Hi Guy Great review as always Will you be doing a review of the new Heckler with the EP8 motor and the Heckler MX ? I understand the mullet , but a real shame we haven't yet seen a Santa Cruz EMTB with 29 F&R

[@justinacton7872]

Great review again, wanted to know your thoughts on the knocking/rattle noise from the motor when coasting and if it was very noticeable or annoying in any way?

[@GuyKesTV]

I think I answered this somewhere else but I don't tend to coast much when riding so I really didn't notice it. Off the bike when you're working on it in the stand etc. it is a VERY noticeable clunk when the crank engages tho. I guess how much it bothers you will depend on the riding you do.

[@cavsri]

Another great video Guy, almost too good. I want one badly now...but the cost...hmmm...

[@danlad1444]

Hi Guy, I have a heckler and was thinking of making it MX. Santa Cruz say on there website that it’s ok to do. As you have tested both bikes would you recommend MX’in my heckler? Cheers

[@pgjudo]

The Heckler frame has different geometry than the Bullit, so SC changed the suspension to get geometry that works; 140mm/140mm. In other words, if you have a 160mm fork Heckler and you put a 29” wheel in the front without going to a 140mm travel fork, it’ll put the seat tube angle to where you’re hanging too far off the back of the bike. That means you’d also have to change the rear suspension to balance. So, you could do it, but to do it right you’d need a new wheel, tire, front suspension, and rear shock. 🤑

[@TomCottle]

Looks nice, quite like the colour too - Grea vid as always! I missed out on a Whyte E150, they're literally sold out everywhere... so I've ordered a Trek Rail 9 for a try - Are you likely to be reviewing that at all Guy? P.S - Strong beard game.

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, should be getting a range of bikes shortly if they ever have any spare!

[@adammccarthy2157]

Wife's kidney is on Ebay

[@holzfreak13]

Perfekt …Abo aus deutschland 👍👍🚀💪

[@scottcoyle1984]

Whats your strava name Guy?

[@4180graeme]

Hi Guy Can I ask what height are you? I’m 6ft and torn between the large and XL

[@pgjudo]

I’m 6’2” and bought an XL 2020 Hightower, which is fine, but I always wondered if I should’ve got a Large. Just bought a 2021 Heckler MX in size Large, and am SO glad that I went down a size. The Bullit is even a pinch bigger than the the Heckler MX, so I’d definitely recommend the Large. These bikes are just getting MONSTROUS in size. E.G., Craig Evans is 6’ 2” 200 lbs and rides a size MEDIUM 5010. 😳

[@adammccarthy2157]

What was the range with the new battery?

[@joececcgon]

so glad I got the megatower with no dang motor...i blew it

[@shaun9845]

I love to know if it was your own hard earned cash would you go for this or the liteville 301 as a long term purchase ?

[@GuyKesTV]

Tbh if I was forking out myself I’d go Whyte E-150S and maybe upgrade the fork damper later.

[@shaun9845]

Thanks for your honest opinion Guy. Both the bikes are a serious load of money so I don't want to make a mistake buying my first E bike. And peddling up muddy hills is getting harder every year. I love the feeling of my current canyon spectral with 27.5 wheels but when trying 29ers they feel long and slow to steer. Hoping a mullet might be the answer. Hoping YT and Canyon start using the EP8 motor in 2021

[@GuyKesTV]

@@shaun9845 No worries Shaun. If you find progressive 29ers like the Whyte a bit long and too stable then have a look at bikes like the Cube Stereo Hybrid or the Focus Jam2 as they tend to be a shorter and more agile 👍

[@maxideci]

How does it compare the Whyte 160 for 1/2 the price?

[@GuyKesTV]

It definitely has a slight edge in terms of suspension and overall weight compared to the Whyte 160 or the 180, but like you say you could buy both of those for the price.

[@ryanbarnes8301]

How about the motor rattle from the motor?

[@GuyKesTV]

Do you know what, I didn't ever notice it apart from rolling the bike in and out of the van. Then again I'm not one for coasting on smoother surfaces, I just try and get the gas on whenever possible and when you're hitting stuff it's not really obvious.

[@michaeltoland4498]

As of now, top3 e bikes?

[@GuyKesTV]

Bullit, Whyte E-150, Lapierre E-Zesty. Keen to try the new Orbea though.

[@jimsmithmtb]

What sort of milage and elevation did you do at Wharncliffe off that battery?

[@GuyKesTV]

Sorry Jim, only did 14km that day but 773m of climbing and used less than 40% battery. That's mostly in Trail but it still pulls great on the climbs.

[@georgehliston]

Flying up Wharncliffe C*nt climb 😆 Makes me feel sick looking at it

[@pytek23]

Soooo?Whyte E150rs 29er or Bullit?

[@GuyKesTV]

Depends if I was buying it or having it given to me 🤣

[@pytek23]

@@GuyKesTV purely for riding experience 🙂

[@mtnbikerva1]

Why are all the trees cut?

[@GuyKesTV]

They felled that part of Stainburn a few years back as it’s a commercial forest

[@ardesheerford1741]

I wish Santa Cruz made a fat bike

[@emasullivan13]

My short arse is just gutted they only start at a medium 😭

[@tom2038]

Should have bought an ebike

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

Thought that looked like Wharny. 👍

[@zoranstary7229]

Ohhhhh... shame it is not built arround Bosch engine... really shame...

[@TheAllEngineering]

Typical santa cruz, way overpriced and entry level bikes have poor componentry for the price. It's a joke that the entry level has e7000 motor.

[@pgjudo]

Nah... he tested the top of the line spec. £6448 gets you the best carbon frame out, with lifetime frame warranty, free pivot and bearing replacement, and the new EP8 motor. You get what you pay for, and haters gonna hate.

[@TheAllEngineering]

@@pgjudo Yes that is why the one tested had the EP8 motor. Still does not alter the fact that entry level model has e7000 motor which is pretty poor for the price. It is hard to believe that they even used the e7000 motor it is not what you would expect from what is marketed as a premium brand. The warranty on the frame is pretty standard now days and the pivot bearings are for parts only so the people that are not mechanically inclined will still have to pay a mechanic to fit them. On a well designed bike these do not require changing very often anyway. I own a bike that has a lifetime warranty that is transferable to the next owner if not older than 2 yrs when sold. Santa Cruz does not even offer that.

[@pgjudo]

@@TheAllEngineering Santa Cruz’s warranty and customer service are far from standard, and you’re less likely to have to utilize either with the quality of the top shelf CC carbon frames that come standard on all of their eBikes. Offering a range of spec for people who’d like to save money (e7000 motor) is generally considered a good thing; more choice for the consumer.

[@TheAllEngineering]

@@pgjudo LOL, sounds like some rhetoric that the Santa Cruz marketing department would put out !!!

[@davidcoomber4050]

eBikes are glorified mopeds, if you are to lazy to pedal buy a fucking motorcycle don't pretend your bike riding on a eBike. This guy is paid to say nice things about this bike, even if it was the most shit bike in the world he would say this is a great bike