Santacruz Bullit 2025. Goodbye VPP, Hello Horst Link

A Full-Power Freeride eMTB, Reimagined

The Santa Cruz Bullit has long held cult status among eMTB riders, earning a reputation as one of the first long-travel e-bikes that made ditching the shuttle rig a real option. Now, Santa Cruz has completely overhauled the Bullit platform—introducing major changes that mark a new chapter for this legendary name.

The biggest change? The Bullit now ditches its signature VPP suspension in favor of a Horst link layout, delivering 170mm of rear travel tuned for eMTB demands. Paired with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor and a 600Wh internal battery (expandable to 850Wh with a PowerMore range extender), the Bullit is more capable—and versatile—than ever.

2025 Santacruz Bullit
FlowMTB

All Bullit models feature a carbon frame, mixed wheels (29" front / 27.5" rear), and 170mm of travel across five sizes. Impressively, even with all that travel and full-power capability, complete bikes come in under 50 lbs for a size Medium.

Santa Cruz offers both C and CC carbon frames, the latter being lighter and compatible only with electronic drivetrains. Despite that caveat, both versions retain signature Santa Cruz quality, with features like:

  1. Dual flip chips: One at the seatstay/rocker pivot for geometry adjustments, and one at the lower shock mount for progression tuning.

  2. Massive dropper post insertion: Easily fits 240mm posts on larger sizes.

  3. Room for water bottles or PowerMore range extender

  4. Hard-mounted 600Wh battery: Quiet and solid with no rattle.

  5. Bosch CX motor (85Nm / 600W max): Responsive, quiet, and well-integrated with a Bluetooth remote for seamless control.

Goodbye VPP, Hello Horst Link

The move away from VPP to a Horst link was driven by packaging needs and desired suspension characteristics specific to eMTB use. The result is a 4-bar layout with more predictable performance under braking and a more efficient pedaling feel—two critical areas for a heavier, motor-assisted bike.

santacruz horst link
FlowMTB

A progression flip chip at the lower shock mount allows riders to fine-tune how the bike ramps up. In Lo mode, you'll find more mid-stroke support and better bottom-out resistance, which pairs nicely with the stock Float X air shocks. Hi mode feels more supple off the top—potentially a better fit for coil shocks, even though none of the stock builds include one.

As for geo, the Bullit sits slack and aggressive:

  1. Head angle: 63.6°

  2. Seat angle: 78.7° (effective ~77.4° at pedaling height)

  3. Reach: 435mm (S) to 525mm (XL) in 20mm increments

  4. Rear center: 440–452mm, growing with size

  5. Crank length: Short 155mm arms across the board for clearance and tech climbing ease

santacruz bullit flipchip
FlowMTB

Builds & Prices

Santa Cruz offers four builds—three with the C frame and one top-tier CC build. All come equipped with Fox suspension and Reserve alloy wheels.

Bullit C 70 — $7,399

  1. SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain

  2. RockShox Zeb Base fork

  3. SRAM DB8 brakes

Bullit C 90 — $8,599

  1. SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain

  2. Fox 38 Performance fork

  3. SRAM Maven Base brakes

Bullit C GX AXS - $9,599

  1. GX T-Type AXS Drivetrain

  2. Fox 38 Performance Elite

  3. Maven Bronze brakes

  4. Reserve alloy wheels

Bullit CC XO AXS RSV - $11,899

  1. XO T-Type AXS drivetrain

  2. Fox 38 Factory

  3. Maven Silver brakes

  4. Reserve carbon wheels

  5. Bullit CC XO AXS RSV - $11,899
    Bullit CC XO AXS RSV - $11,899

The revamped Bullit feels like a true evolution of the platform, not just a refresh. With a Horst link suspension layout, Bosch power, and smart refinements throughout, Santa Cruz has positioned the Bullit as a serious contender for aggressive trail riders, big-mountain senders, and eMTB enthusiasts alike. It’s not the lightest or cheapest option out there—but if you’re looking for a hard-hitting, full-power eMTB that still pedals well and feels dialed straight out of the box, the new Bullit is absolutely worth a look.