Mountain Biking - Is this Santa Cruz Bullit worth the money?

I saw this SC Bullit at http://www.seriousmtb.com/products.php?show=43, I would love to buy it brand new but its kinda like do I wanna car or a really really really sweet bike. Part of the reason why I want to buy it brand new is becuase I saw the reviews on the site (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/bullit/bullit.asp) and they gave it good reviews for climbing uphill (which I'll will definetly be doing) for a freeride bike. I don't know if the '02 wil be the same. So... finally to the question should I hold out for the '03 or will the '02 gimme what I want for a cheaper price?

1500 bucks for that frame?!! That's insane.. I could have sworn I saw that frame for less than a grand online somewhere.... I'd shop around if I were you.

mountaindew - consider the source for the review!? It's like saying, hey man - should I buy this Dodge Neon? 'Cause the guys on DodgeNeonReview.com gave it a really good rating?

Man - if I had loads of dough to blow, I might consider a Bullit. I don't. A buddy of mine built up a custom Bullit - spent like $3,800. I searched for 2 months and found a SWEET, super clean used Giant AC Air Lite for $1,450. My bike still weighs 6lbs LESS than his Bullit (AC Air Lite = 30.5lbs), and can handle anything his Bullit can.

I think there's a ton of hype built into some of the "top shelf" "boutique" bikes - and there's a certain amount of vanity in riding one and knowing that you spent so much darned money on it. I love my AC Air Lite! I love how much it didn't cost me.

Yes...in short YES...the bike is one of the better all round bikes there is...1500 does sound steep. I tink I can get it for 1800cdn which is squat diddly in american funds. :)

I think its $1500 for the whole thing.

The thing about the Bullit is its far above my skills and will probably be the most bike I will ever need, I don't know about the Giant.

Giant AC Air Lite - check out the classifieds on www.pinkbike.com www.mtbr.com and on E-Bay. You can find them for a steal and they're STOUT, yet light bikes.

6 in travel in the rear...5 in up front. Disc brakes, good mix of componets. $1,500 is definitely NOT for the whole Bullit bike built up (unless it's pretty well used).

OOOOhhh...look, it's even got a coil over shock on it...

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2712893788&category=27948

I think its $1500 for the whole thing.
It says at the bottom of the page that the price listed is for the frame and rear shock only.
If you're not sure if you need a new bike, ask yourself, "does my bike have a real deficiency right now." If it doesn't you might as well get some more use out of it and save a little more money up for the time when the big purchase comes.
As for the Giant AC bikes: never ridden one but they look pretty sweet. Kinda like an intermediate between hard cross country and light freeride. If the Bullit looks too hard-core but you want to increase your capability, look into the AC.

Yeah, I just found out that price was just the frame... thats insane $1500 for just the frame. Right now I have a xc race bike and I have been using it for learing some trials stuff. I want to get into freeride and I have found out (in other threads) that I would wear down the frame fast if I freerode with that bike, which is cool I wanted a new bike anyway.

The cool thing about buying the Bullit new is I can pay a little extra and have it polished instead of painted. I kinda ruff with my bikes and I don't like to worry about is my bike getting scratched while I'm transporting it somewhere.

what about this: http://marketplace.consumerreview.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=46221&query=retrieva, by the way is there anyway I can change the color paint, if I'm going to paint my bike its not going to be white.

Dude, go here: http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/retail/bullit.asp cost for a brand new bullit is only $1,200.00, if you want polished frame and swingarm, add $140.00. If that guy wants $1,500 for a used frame, he's on crack!

Heck, go here for complete bike prices:http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/retail/complete.asp

Pretty decent build kit for the Bullit, and a complete bike is only $2600.00.

L8R

Also those are retail prices.... don't pay retail. Go online and I guarantee you'll find it for cheaper. Check out www.mtbr.com and look at their retailers.. there are plenty of companies that are selling that frame for cheaper than 1500 bucks.

Originally posted by bikeCOLORADO
OOOOhhh...look, it's even got a coil over shock on it...

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2712893788&category=27948

Excitable aren't you :)

One thing about the Bullit:

It's not really spectacular at any one discipline.. XC, DH, Urban.. the fact is though, that you can do them all!

My Bullit Shots:

http://www.mtbkanata.com/cgi-bin/DUgallery/pictures/Joe_Tree2.jpg
http://www.mtbkanata.com/cgi-bin/DUgallery/pictures/Joe_PDP.jpg
http://www.mtbkanata.com/cgi-bin/DUgallery/pictures/Joe_Table.jpg

Joe

Maelstrom - Me, excitable...OK, but you've got to admit that's a pretty saucy looking bike...

mtbkanata - I like the Bullit, but so far my AC Air Lite's been able to hold it's own...besides it's lighter and cost 1/2 as much.

Originally posted by mtbkanata


My Bullit Shots:

http://www.mtbkanata.com/cgi-bin/DUgallery/pictures/Joe_Tree2.jpg
http://www.mtbkanata.com/cgi-bin/DUgallery/pictures/Joe_PDP.jpg
http://www.mtbkanata.com/cgi-bin/DUgallery/pictures/Joe_Table.jpg

Joe

sweet pics.:) is your bullit an '03? How do you like it?

Originally posted by bikeCOLORADO
Maelstrom - Me, excitable...OK, but you've got to admit that's a pretty saucy looking bike...



I admit it...good value for the quality too...the only complaint is the one above. It isn't great at anything, but decent at everything. :)

I have an '03 Bullit. I started with a bare frame and I paid $1150 delivered. That was the frame, shock (5th element) and seat post clamp.

It's a sweet bike, I put a Super T fork on it and right now I have a 2 ring front with a bashguard, it weighs 39 lb's but it wouldn't be hard to shave 5 lb's off that (probably cheaper too). You could swap the Super T for a Black and shave 4 lb's with that one change. I have had a 3 ring on mine and may go back to that when I start riding more XC, but for now I like it the way it is. I highly recommend it, but you better be ready to dry out your wallet!

since we have brought up the subject of Giant bikes what about an '02 Giant AC2 with rockshox pro delux and an psylo fork. would that be able to handle freeride? if it is what about $750 for the frame and the suspension?

The AC2 can handle Freeriding plus some.