Santa Cruz Bullit 2021 - First Impressions on the Baddest eMTB from Santa Cruz Bicycles

[@edaguirren8tvbrn_familyaka297]

Two years after my second knee surgery I purchased a trek full stache , totally stoked on ,but my knees were strained to the max. Then 4 months after I returned that bike I bought the 2018 Kenevo it greatly helped with rehabbing my knees and quickly upgraded my 11 speed cassette to a 50 tooth instead of the 42 and my cadence matched more closely to an analog mtb and that's what most people thought since I also kept my assist at 10,25 and 45 % boost modes. For the most part most people are stoked on the bike's build and the troy Lee design colors and graphics and others are giving props at my personal effort and being out there. Glad you got some perspective Mtb Alan and thank you for your content.

[@mtb_alan]

That's rad to hear. I have accepted eMTBs as part of the trail population, and it was cool to see what it's like to ride with a motor. Brap!

[@uncle-special]

Right on. I love having the e-mtb option. I usually ride my analog with friends or my kids, but to be able to do 20 miles and 3,000 feet of altitude during a lunch break is the best. The eeb is epic at pedal-up parks like Skypark too.

[@mtb_alan]

Totally. I think on this day, we did just about 16.5miles and 3K of climbing in about 90 minutes.

[@andyclarke3761]

Spot on Alan 👍🏻 as a rider of 15 years and and emtb rider for the last 4 it great to see a first impression video being so positive

[@mtb_alan]

Glad you dug it! Indeed...I try to separate the bike from how someone might behave on it. ;)

[@TheCrashingDad]

I'm always amazed as to how you can make an electrified video without having the filming aspect take over your ride... another great one Alan!

[@mtb_alan]

😆 Tani was on a mission. Barely had time to hit the record button. Thanks Sheyn! 👊🏾

[@BikeandSkiGeoff]

I owned a 2003 Bullit which was my primary ride for about 13 years... which also weighed about 49lb

[@mtb_alan]

😆 I guess nothing and everything has changed.

[@adeeter]

Glad to see I'm not the only Alan that starts laughing when things get sketchy!

[@mtb_alan]

😆

[@JaredHoff]

Same here man 👍🏻 Sometimes that’s the best way to deal with it.

[@mtb_alan]

@@JaredHoff 😅

[@ErichVonCartmann]

Santa Cruz Bullit Baby! It is truly one awesome bike! It is the only Ebike I have ever owned so take take my opinion with a grain of salt. However, it does everything that I expect from it, and I can' really see any long travel Ebike being much better. I had my Bullit for a year now and I even use it when I DH with shuttle service . E-bikes even makes us even more faster on the DH! As with all bikes, it will take about 10 rides before we learn the suspension adjustments and have the cockpit dialed in, and that's about how long it took for the Bullit to get it dialed in to suit me. Lots of people complain about all the rattle noises from the battery when riding, but the only one that really complains about the rattle are the people I ride with. I myself don't really notice the rattling much and it does not bother me at all. I have 5 really nice mtn bikes all very different from each other, and it is nice having a variety of bikes to ride, the more the bikes the better! but if I had to pick just one bike, it will most definitely pick the Bullit.

[@mtb_alan]

🤘🏾

[@trxlmtb]

Total game changer for long adventures!

[@mtb_alan]

Boom!

[@hanselsanjuan8003]

Glad to see u on an eMTB hope you csn ride more of it in the future. Just started mountain biking 6mos ago and its the eMTB that got me hooked. I have 2 a Scott Strike eRide 2020 and 2021 Spec Levo Comp. To someone like me who had knee surgeries sinced Highschool, the eBike gave us hope to enjoy the mountains. Hope u can help us to have those eBike haters understand why these new technology exists when I come back from my fractured ankle injury, atleast I have an eBike that would help with my rehab and that I dont have to take a full load right away for my leg. Glad to see you were having a blasts!!! I was sooo excited watching you riding the Bullit. Thank you for the video its really cool!!!

[@mtb_alan]

My pleasure, Hansel. I understand some of the arguments that the haters base their hate on, and I've seen my share of inconsiderate riders on eMTBs. But really we can always find reasons to hate if we choose to. And just as easily, we can find common ground if we choose to. It was cool to ride an eMTB and experience it. It was doubly cool to do it with Tani and on bike as rad as the Bullit.

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

The Bullit was my go to bike for an ebike, the only ebike I really liked a lot! Also, the rattling comes from the EP8 motor and is an issue not only on the Bullit, but on all ebikes equipped with this motor.

[@mtb_alan]

It’s definitely a badass bike. Thanks for the info on the EP8. 👊🏾

[@LexMartinMusic]

eMTBs are rad! I don’t really get the hate some people give them. I dont have one Myself but My dad is in his mid 60s and he’s able to come out on rides with me because of his eMTB.

[@mtb_alan]

They're definitely fun. I think some of the hate is in response to the few people who are being jerks on their eMTBs. Having ridden one, I see that it is so much easier to be nice to others on the climb when you have pedal assist.

[@Kenevoslcomp777]

I just bought a sc bullit from them can’t wait to compare it to my kenevo sl waiting for them to ship

[@barathmuthusamy]

I rode a e-mtb (2017 turbo levo) If you put your weight on the front wheel and put it in the fastest setting and pedal up a hill, the thing goes up, but the wheel spins and send syou up. Its like drifting uphill!

[@mtb_alan]

Wow! That's a trip.

[@joshevans3452]

Uhhh... OK. Sorry to be the downer but that is exactly the sort of stuff people get ticked off at ebikers for. They think that all ebikes and ebikers spin out and roost up trails all the time when it was just something you were doing for kicks. Hell, when we were kids, my brother could do that on a regular bike (he was the athlete in the fam ;). If you were on private land, sure tear it up! If it was a public trail system, please remember that some of us are just trying to get or maintain access and people only remember the single worst event they have ever seen.

[@barathmuthusamy]

@@joshevans3452 It wasn't my bike lol, I went to snow summit bike park, and we got a rental house, and the guy who lived next to us had an e-bike. So he let me ride it. His back yard was a hill. So he told me to rip up it. I wouldn't do that on any trail because the trail I built closer to my house get run over by kids running and people casing the jumps.

[@thomasoconnor1570]

Excellent video Alan!! As usual! I have the Heckler and it’s SICK!! I assume very similar to the Bullit, but 27.5 front and back. I ride in CT and VT - very technical and it’s a beast!! I feel like I do DH riding -up the trails!! Laughing my ass off the whole time!!

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks Thomas! That Heckler looks rad. 🤘🏾

[@t-rexfamilyoutdoorfun.311]

I love my emtb. It allows me to keep up with a faster group,and also I don't like being the guys everyone is waiting on. I have noticed my climbing skills have improved alot on my analog because of riding the emtb. Now here is one drawback the ebike allows me to reach trails that are out of my skill zone easily because I'm not wiped out after my normal easer loops and I tell ya walking one of these tanks down or up a hill is rough.

[@mtb_alan]

I can totally see that drawback happening. But I hadn't considered the added difficulty of walking a feature with a 50lbs bike. Thanks for sharing that. 👊🏾

[@PestanaRacing]

@@mtb_alan they have a ‘walk assist’ mode to help you if you need to walk up a hill

[@mtb_alan]

@@PestanaRacing true. Probably don’t wanna use that walking down a feature tho. 😆

[@dadventuretv2538]

This is the first emtb that piqued my interest. This is what they’re for imo. Getting in that many more gnarly descents because you can pedal back to the top that many more times. Thing would be awesome out on some of the WV trails with that Appalachian gnar. Unfortunately they’re still too expensive, but prices will come down. I rode my first emtb at a demo day in fall of 2019- it was a Cannondale. I certainly can appreciate the idea of an emtb. I think there is a place for them next to regular mtbs in a person’s stable. Nice vid. That first trail looked like so much fun. Glad to hear the Bullitt still pops and plays like a SC.

[@mtb_alan]

You nailed it. Having the ability to get such a shred sled up the hill without a truck was pretty rad. It will be interesting to see where the industry goes in the next few years.

[@FernFlowMtb]

This bike is sick! Also, I always enjoy your videos 💯

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks Brent!

[@AppleJack76]

That guy at Donut Media is my spirit animal.

[@mtb_alan]

😆 Love me some James!

[@jacksonmtb6603]

That bike is super sick. Cool video as always!👍

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks! Def a rad bike.

[@jadonlawrence5416]

Glad too see you back at San Clemente Don't know when you filmed this but many of the trails have gotten work done recently so the trails are running really well.

[@mtb_alan]

Hi Jadon! This was pretty recent, and yeah...I could tell that some good souls had been putting in work. It was running really well!

[@foxykc]

I gauged the fun Factor by how much Allen giggles. This is obviously a lot of fun

[@mtb_alan]

LOL! It was. Almost as fun as spelling my name wrong. 😆

[@Hook1fred]

I ride both and acoustic bike my SC 5010 and my e bike Specialized turbo Levo expert and split the duty between both and it’s the best of both worlds. I’ll go on a long grueling ride on my Santa Cruz and be wasted the next day then hop on the Levo and pull out another 20 miles “brilliant “. In the end it’s all about getting out there and feeling the stoke

[@mtb_alan]

Love it!

[@JaredHoff]

That’s an awesome color 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@mtb_alan]

It's tasty.🤘🏾

[@basiccamaro]

The rattle didn't come form fidlock. EP8 is it. Except this rottle EP8 is a very good motor.

[@mtb_alan]

👍🏾

[@jondubya3664]

Great video as always.That looked like a fun ride. I have been looking forward to hearing your impressions on an ebike, especially this one. Not sure if I'm ready to make the ebike transition yet, but if it does happen this is the type of build I think would fit me. I'm glad bike manufacturers are addressing the changing trends like mullet builds on ebikes also.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks Jon! It was definitely a rad day on the bike. Yeah for me, since I'm still a one-bike guy, it'll be a while before I get into an eMTB. And I totally agree that it's cool to see more stock mullet builds.

[@user-mm3sw6co4c]

Picking my bullit up tomorrow....cant wait......maybe I'll run into you at greer this summer

[@mtb_alan]

Heck yeah!

[@joeyyates8021]

Great review.👍👍Your laughter on the ride says it all.😁🤣

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! Thanks Joey! 🤘🏾😆

[@tingbase84]

Best review so far for the bullet. Put a deposit on one last week, possibly one of the last batch available in the uk for 2021 model year,hopefully my vat rebate will cover it

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks! 🙏🏾 Congrats...you're gonna have a blast!

[@socalmitch6939]

With my analog bike I have to choose my lines with care when climbing, the Bullit I just point in up and let it rip over the rocks an roots on a technical climb, but I have crashed because I’ve been going too fast up the hill without to much care.

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! That makes sense. I was mostly having trouble on the tight switchbacks. Was just coming through them faster than I'm used to. 😆

[@downhillgroovy5859]

I've only had a mullet YT Decoy Pro Race so far but switching to a Commencal Meta SX race that has 27 front and rear. Rode a regular full suspension bike for most of my MTB life so far and it had the 27s too so I'm hoping I get a more familiar feel. On the YT, I feel way up there or sitting too tall. It's gotta be the 29 right?

[@mtb_alan]

I wouldn't wouldn't attribute that "up there" feeling to the 29er. There are a number of factors that can cause that. I've been on 27.5 bikes that make me feel like I'm "on top of the bike" and other 27.5 bikes that feel like you're inside them. And I've had both experiences with 29er bikes. As for a modern mullet making you feel like you're "up there"...I'm not sure what's going on there.

[@Planetone.]

No thank you, to easy for a decent healthy person like myself not the fastest up hills but the slowest. Nothing like a lil pain up the climbs that I actually enjoy! Started the sport at 250lbs. out of shape and loved every pedal I took to get in better shape. Maybe for people whom have a physical or health issues is ok👌

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ham8005]

Sick bike!🤘 I recently went to Aliso and really hoped for this bike

[@mtb_alan]

It'd definitely make Mathis easier. But I think eBikes are not technically permitted in any of the OC Parks, right?

[@FastToysClub]

@@mtb_alan at least that’s what it says on the trail signs.

[@highground8601]

wassup Alan great video. i am looking to get a new helmet and i saw you run a pro frame would you recommend it?

[@mtb_alan]

Yo! The Proframe is good. I partly stick with it because the shape of the chinbar makes it really easy for me to use Sugru to attach my camera mount. The TLD Stage is pretty dang nice too. TBH, if I weren't mounting a camera to the chin, I would go with the TLD Stage.

[@dylanvelastegui554]

Awesome video one of my buddies got an e-bike and oh boy was it HEAVY.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks Dylan. Yeah...Some are heavier than others. I was surprised how "light" the Bullit was.

[@regularMattMatt]

Go check specialized emtb its like just around 38lbs.

[@mtb_alan]

Are you talking about the Levo SL?

[@regularMattMatt]

@@mtb_alan i think thats what its called. It has smaller battery. Try it out and maybe make a comparison with the bullit ;)

[@mtb_alan]

Indeed. I dunno if it's a good comparison. The Levo SL is more of a downcountry bike whereas the the Bullit is more of a super enduro. Would be like comparing the Stumpy to the Nomad, yeah?

[@eloyduran4470]

Imma always have an E Bike along with my regular pedal bike cause some days aint for spending time climbing its about smashing as many trails & covering as much ground as I can that particular day & going about my business. There's a reason E Bikes have just exploded just in the last 2 yrs. You know you want an E Bike in the arsenal now Alan just admit it🤭

[@mtb_alan]

Glad you’re stoked on bikes! I had a blast, but I don’t have much desire for one. Probably because I dig my new Nomad so much and also because if I had one, it’d have to be my second bike, and I’m not in a position to have more than one bike. I wouldn’t turn an X01Bullit down if you wanna buy me one though. 😉

[@MacGyverDad]

I would love to rent one for a long weekend and do a long haul like Santiago Peak and down Joplin. Tani helped me with getting my Hightower in the middle of COVID 2020 so he’s my hero. Hopefully when life resumes it’s regular scheduled program, I can go try one out! 🤙🏼

[@mtb_alan]

Yeah man! That’d be a rad way to use it. That’s cool to hear about Tani and your HT. He’s good people.

[@jamesalquitela7617]

Wussup Alan cool bike and awesome channel. Where was this trail at looks hella fun. Btw is the Path offering discount if we mention your channel? Thx

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks James! Trails were in San Clemente. Re: discounts. Ha! I can’t promise but they might.🤞🏾

[@chadbeckstrom3627]

I'm afraid I'd like it too much. Did it ruin you?

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! I'm glad you asked. It didn't actually. I think it's because I looked at it as its own kind of riding. As a matter of fact, I did a ride later that day on the Nomad and didn't miss the motor.

[@MacGyverDad]

Once you taste that sugar Chad!!! I suppose I could just sell my truck 🤷‍♂️

[@cgm55082]

Alan, curious how tall you are and what size Bullit you were on? It's a big bike and I'm curious how much you feel that when riding it?

[@mtb_alan]

Hi Chris. I'm 5'5" and weight about 160lbs. The Bullit was a medium. My bike is a Nomad, so I'm already on a big bike, so I was prepped. That being said, if I'd been coming from something like a Bronson or a 5010, it probably would have been a bit of an adjustment.

[@jackbauer562]

Lovin my Turbo Levo SL

[@mtb_alan]

Yew!

[@jacksahid_pb]

Sick video just recently went to san clemente single tracks, and it is rad!!!

[@mtb_alan]

Heck yeah!

[@JEMMTB1]

Looks like like a lot of fun, intresting on the climbing, I've only had a very short ride on an ebike, would like to have a good go on one 👍

[@mtb_alan]

It was a ton of fun!

[@MTBraging]

Pretty informative. I’d like to do what you did. But I can’t say I’m all in on the e bike rage yet. I get it, maybe I’m just not good enough to be geeking out on it. Anyways great perspective for me as I’m still geeking out on pedal power with plush suspension. 🤔👊🔥💥🤙

[@mtb_alan]

I totally get that. I'm still in love with my Nomad. Actually did a ride on it later that day and had a blast. It was cool to check it out and experience it first hand.

[@mrvwbug4423]

Now I suspect the next question out of many people here, when does SC do a mullet version of the Nomad, since that is what the Bullit basically is.

[@mtb_alan]

Seriously. That was my first thought. Or do they bring out another bike? 🤔

[@mtbaxel9643]

Do you find it too big for you? I’m planning to order one but just a bit worried that the medium will be too big for me.. i currently own a 2019 medium Bronson (exactly the same as your previous Bronson XX1 Reserve) & the funny thing is I’m also 5’5 like you so I thought you’ll be the best person to get some advise from. I also thought about putting a shorter stem on it..Thanks & great review as always Alan..

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks! Yeah...we're both on the overlap between small and medium. I think it depends on what you want out of the bike. I had fun on the Bullit but also keep in mind that my new bike is the Nomad (which more similar to the Bullit's length), so I like a bigger bike. It depends on your riding style and which direction you're going. If you want something more burly and stable but still playful, medium is good. If you want playful but still burly and fun, small. Hope that's more help than confusion. LOL

[@mtbaxel9643]

@@mtb_alan Thanks bud..

[@mtbaxel9643]

@@mtb_alan Funny you mentioned your 2021 Nomad, my previous 2017 medium Nomad only has 415 mm reach compared to your new medium nomad which has 455 mm reach..

[@mtb_alan]

👍🏾

[@drewpat44]

Sweet donut plug! And was Tani wearing jeans during a ride?! Straight out of a horror movie for me on that one!

[@mtb_alan]

Love me some Donut Media! And yes, Tani was in jeans. He is on a level of rad that transcends fashion.

[@NoBrakes23]

When I got back into mtb in 2014, I rode in jeans because that's all I had. I still rarely wear mtb specific shorts, because most of them suck. (I tend to wear Wrangler X ATG hiking shorts with a Pearl Izumi chamois.) Weird to see a shop owner not repping any kit.

[@drewpat44]

@@NoBrakes23 I can understand jeans somewhat if you're riding somewhere colder but here in socal it's usually never colder than 60 degrees. I don't wear mtb shorts, I wear a pair of Gerry shorts with a chamois.

[@suspendedlabs]

yeew!

[@mtb_alan]

Yew! 🤘🏾

[@DanielTorres-et8ky]

I heard the motor also makes a rattling noises too.

[@mtb_alan]

Indeed. I learned that about the EP8 after posting the vid.

[@strutstipher]

@@mtb_alan I've got a Bullit and when your concentrating on the down you don't notice the noise and its much quieter than the E8000 on the ups.

[@mtb_alan]

@@strutstipher 👍🏾

[@darthchorizo3743]

That was a great video, I am wondering if my Mega T should have been a Bullit now. Great video and insight. I too was able to ride a E-Bike for the first time but it wasn't a "Santa Cruz!🤘🤙💪👍😳" or was one of the other guys e-bike. I did the same thing like you did when I first rode the Fullerton Loop, it felt like I was on a motorized scooter for the first 20 yards. I didn't feel like my left lung was hanging out of my nose on the steps. Thank you for the comparison as you and I ride the long travel SC's.

[@mtb_alan]

Glad you dug it! Yeah...I had it on boost, and almost felt like the bike was gonna drop me off the back. LOL! Santa Cruz! 🤘🏾

[@jeepboy88yj]

I have a Hightower coming and was thinking about buying a cascade link to make it mullet for when I wanna party..🤘🏻😂

[@mtb_alan]

Nice! That could be rad.

[@AdamMock]

As strong as the zeitgeist is with EMTB these days, I’m also seeing how divided the MTB community can be about the E. I think there’s a lot of assumptions about eBikes that fuels an “Us vs Them” mentality. I really enjoyed this vid and hope it leads to more acceptance of people enjoying the trails as they choose. BTW, I almost “bit the Bullit” last week when I called the Path and they had the base model in my size. 😬✌🏼🤟🏼

[@mtb_alan]

Well said. I think that it's partly about how one's bike affects how one sees the trail. And when different groups of people see the same thing in different ways, there's potential for conflict. Fortunately, the MTB community has some level of acceptance. I also think that the divide mostly lives with a small number of loud people in comment threads. 😆

[@AdamMock]

@@mtb_alan Truth!

[@TSYT]

Great video. Not much out about the Bullit. I was lucky to buy one in December. That rattle, yea that’s also the motor. EP8 rattles on the decent and is not as bad as most people make it out to be. The bigger battery is nice but still wasn’t able to keep up with my friends that had Levos. Then again they weren’t able to keep up with me on the downhills. Give and take. After almost 300 miles I sold mine to go back the “acoustic” biking. I like that experience better and I’m glad the ebike community is evolving. I’ve ridden the Heckler and Levo and feel like the Bullit with the MX wheels is the best bike out there. I’m just not an ebiker. That new nomad though

[@mtb_alan]

Hi Tom. Wow...this the first time I've heard someone coming fully back to the acoustic bike. And thanks for that note about the clatter. I just learned that about the EP8. And yeah...if I were gonna choose between keeping up on the climbs vs blasting descents, I'd make the same choice I already made...the Nomad. Yeah, it's def a sweet ride.

[@joshevans3452]

Still very cool that you tried it for yourself and took it with an open mind. That approach has been in short supply until recently. Have nothing but respect for someone that tries out ebikes and decides it isn't for them. Funny thing is, now everyone I know (limited sample size obviously) in the Pisgah area has gone from "grumble, grumble" to "OK, I think an ebike is next... how much are they again?"

[@TSYT]

@@joshevans3452 im looking forward to the days where ebikes are welcome all over and a 50-60 mile range on turbo with mid 30s weight is possible. So far my local trails have accepted them with the same 3 guys complaining day after day. Looking forward to 5 years from now and ebikes will be even better. I’m optimistic and open minded.

[@TSYT]

@@mtb_alan I thing it’s regional. Here in the southeast I know a few guys that have gone back also. Really depends on location and trails that you ride often. It’s cool though I’m excited to see what ebike tech looks like in 5 years. Hopefully Tesla will make some crazy ebike battery that’s open for all makers to use.

[@mtb_alan]

@@joshevans3452 Thanks Josh. You know, it's funny. I have seen hate from the old school XC guard for people being on "their" trails on enduro or trail bikes. It's kind of the same thing...though to be fair, for better or worse, eMTBs are kind their own species of bike.

[@MarsOG310]

Acoustic MTB. Lol love it. I woulda said analog.

[@mtb_alan]

🎸

[@teddyportney255]

I’ve never rode a emtb but my dads looking for one

[@mtb_alan]

Right on. The Bullit and the Heckler are both pretty rad!

[@ChefIan73]

Dude! Your laugh/giggle/unbridled joy is infectious 😂🤙🏽 Sounds and looks like someone enjoyed themselves. I still haven’t tried one anywhere besides the alley behind my LBS. But they’ve got a demo Bullit that I might just have give it a shot. Ps. Were you riding at the dog park? If so could you add the trail names to the info/credits? Shred on and have a rad day!

[@mtb_alan]

It just comes out of me. 😆 Yeah...demo and rentals are a bit tough during COVID. The Bullit is a big bike. If I were in the market for an eMTB, I'd also want to try out the Heckler. I'll refrain from putting all the trial names in this time around since it's about the Bullit. But yeah...that first trail was at dog park.

[@UltimateMTB]

That was some great insight into ebikes! Are there any trail systems you're not allowed to ride them in? Here many state forests and other trail systems that allow regular mountain bikes don't allow e bike usage.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks! It's the same here. I recall them not even being allowed at the bike park, though I think some riders were allowed on the chairlift if they could show that they didn't have a battery. I believe the systems run by OC Parks technically don't allow them, but I don't know what enforcement is like.

[@tomboneschanker5672]

What is the stock rear gear ratio

[@mtb_alan]

The Santa Cruz website will have all the details.

[@bradpeakmtbbro]

MTB ALAN are you going to hit 10 ply at big bear this year

[@mtb_alan]

I hope so.

[@westensanchez9483]

Super trooper bike reviews

[@mtb_alan]

?

[@jason498]

What the place are you riding at ?

[@mtb_alan]

Oh you know...

[@jason498]

@@mtb_alan you riding in menifee ?

[@johann108]

Which trail is this?

[@mtb_alan]

Which one? I think there were 4 or 5.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

Just wait 'til you spend a day at Skypark on an E-bike!

[@mtb_alan]

🤘🏾

[@elimartin1214]

Wait, is this your bike or just a rental from the path?

[@elimartin1214]

oh wait nvm its tonis right?

[@mtb_alan]

Tani lent it to me. 👍🏾

[@DanielOriveArt]

Which one is the real baddest? Bullit or Nomad? ;)

[@mtb_alan]

Oooh dang! Good question. I think it depends on how much charge the Bullit has. 😆

[@speedshiftart1465]

What trails are these?

[@mtb_alan]

😮

[@speedshiftart1465]

@@mtb_alan a secret spot?

[@speedshiftart1465]

@@mtb_alan San Clemente! I need to check those trails out 🤙

[@mtb_alan]

🔔

[@denniscortez9256]

Did you say 11 thousand for the bike ? ?

[@mtb_alan]

11.5 thousand.

[@MTBRadDad]

That was "intense" 😂

[@mtb_alan]

Tani definitely had an _intense_ ride.

[@1000750]

You had me until the price 😂 The trails on Maui don't allow EB's so it will have to wait. Awesome bike tho!! Aloha 🤙

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! It's a pretty penny. That's good to know about Maui.

[@marcalvarez4890]

@@mtb_alan ...Moab Utah also. The Mecca of mountain biking looks at them as motorized bikes, not human powered bicycles.

[@mtb_alan]

​@Marc Alvarez Ya...the pedal assist mode of actuation has really thrown a wrench into the definition of "motorized vehicle". It will be interesting to see how it shakes out, since an eBike is _partially_ human powered.

[@1000750]

@@mtb_alan our MTB clubs over here are fighting to allow them with the state and county’s, you can ride on federal land but there is maybe a mile of trail.

[@mtb_alan]

@@1000750 interesting. I always feel like it should be more in the land manager’s hands since they tend to have good insight into the user and ecological needs. But I guess Maui is pretty small.

[@speedshiftart1465]

Alan, nice vid! Does this mean you will stop talking smack about emtbs??😀

[@mtb_alan]

When have I talked smack on eMTBs?

[@speedshiftart1465]

@@mtb_alan kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIC7m4GXg8-gosU. Just sayin 😀. Totally respect your opinion. Personally I have a heart condition and had to quit mtb about 10 years ago, so without an emtb I wouldn’t be out there. Also I built my own emtb so I feel like I’ve “ earned it” in a way! All good man, glad you like the Bullit, hope to see you out on the trails🤙

[@mtb_alan]

Glad you're on a bike! 🤘🏾 Did you watch the whole video though?

[@speedshiftart1465]

@@mtb_alan yes I did. I think your approach is positive. But did riding the Bullit change your personal opinion about emtbs? Would you ever add one to your stable?

[@mtb_alan]

Short answer: not really. Long answer: my opinions on eMTBs have evolved since 2018 when I posted that video. In regards to "cheating", my thoughts on that changed a while ago when I heard Tani point out that cheating assumes a competition with a shared set of rules. And that way of framing it allowed me see basically what I said in this video: an eMTB ride is different from an MTB ride. Not better or worse...different. Riding the Bullit allowed me to confirm that idea. What riding the Bullit also did for me was increase my appreciation for the value of trail etiquette. I learned how easy it is to be kind to your fellow trail users when you're climbing on an eMTB. When I was climbing behind someone who was on an acoustic bike, I found that going slower was effortless, so I had no problem just grinning and waiting for however long it was until they saw fit to pull over. Would I have one? My answer would be about the same if you asked if I would have a DH bike in my stable. If I were in a position to have more than one bike, I would. :)

[@raulg705]

It feels like your pedal less and go faster on the regular bike you got a pedal more to go faster E bike is the way to go

[@mtb_alan]

It's hard to understand what you're saying when you don't use punctuation.

[@tjeers3098]

What DO you know?

[@mtb_alan]

I know that what you can know depends on what you already know and that knowing is nothing more than justified belief.

[@323johnnybravo]

Time to sell my Megatower and a kidney for one of these 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mtb_alan]

Oh dang. It's definitely a weighty investment.

[@weslee3485]

Seriously, what constitutes them charging 11,000$ for a fuckin e-bike? Fuckin ridiculous. Just straight up greedy!

[@mtb_alan]

Customer willingness and satisfaction probably.

[@antonioespindola2000]

Who is this bike for some one that can spare almost 12k sheesh you can buy a decent car for that money

[@marcalvarez4890]

I could have bought my car TWICE for 12k! And bikes that weigh 50 pounds and cost $10,000 ?!!! What. The. Actual. Fuck!? I admire Santa Cruz and appreciate this video, but if you'd told me ten years ago that actual humans would be spending 10k for super underpowered electric motorcycles, i would have laughed you out of the building....Yet here we are. I think i will stick with my, still overpriced, 22 pound, $4,000 bike, thanks.

[@mtb_alan]

No doubt, it'd be a large investment. I'd also say that those things that made a bike cost 12K several years ago are the things you now find in a 4K bike.

[@mtb_alan]

@@marcalvarez4890 eh... I think you’re enjoying yourself with your outrage. 😆

[@marcalvarez4890]

@@mtb_alan Well my previous bike from 1998 weighed 25 pounds, had full suspension, and cost 3800 in today's money....so no. This weight and cost is nothing new. What is new is TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLAR bikes. That's just absurd and points the the grotesque two tiered income classes we have today. I say that as a person with an already grotesquely expensive bike. Again, I appreciate Santa Cruz engineering and your excellent video, but the price and weight of these pedal motorcycles is beyond insane. Twelve. Thousand. Dollars. $12,000.00 For a bike "Bike"

[@mtb_alan]

I get that. For me it is less about bikes in particular and more about the level of class disparity. So much of our nation can't afford a $2000 car to get to a minimum wage job while others are spending multiples of that on toys. That being said, those fortunate ones who are spending large amounts on bikes do help bring the cost down. And fortunately, there are a growing number of bike brands that see the need for lower cost bikes. Coming back to the Bullit, this one in particular, is the most expensive build of a new segment in biking...eMTBs. It's helpful to think of these bikes as builds on top of the top-most builds of acoustic bikes. For instance, the most expensive Nomad costs about 1K more than the least expensive Bullit. It's kind of like shopping at the jewelers. There's gonna be a 1M diamond ring available. But you can still get a $20 silicone ring.

[@allanridesbikes5856]

Bet you were...amped... About the climbing!

[@mtb_alan]

I was really _charging_ up the hills! 😆

[@allanridesbikes5856]

Ohm man...

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Full fledged cheater bike lol.

[@mtb_alan]

If it's cheating, what game are we playing? 🤔 And how do I win?

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

@@mtb_alan it’s the all to familiar‘hike a bike’ game. We win by getting more Fit!!🤘

[@mtb_alan]

@@themiddleagemasher8108 😆