The Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV is one of only two E-bikes in the entire test field – and it takes on the competition with a very clear mission: maximum downhill performance. Santa Cruz confidently describe the Bullit as a “downhill bike with a built-in chairlift”, and with 170 mm of travel front and rear plus a MX wheel configuration, there’s little reason to doubt it at first glance. At the heart of the bike is Bosch’s fifth-generation Performance Line CX motor, built to amplify the fun on the way down and function as a genuinely capable shuttle substitute. Priced at € 11,699 and tipping the scales at 22.2 kilograms, the Bullit X0 AXS RSV begs one question above all: how much additional descending performance can you unlock when the motor makes climbing a non-issue?
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV: Specs and details
The most striking update on the fourth-generation Bullit isn’t its “Matte Teal Sparkle” paint finish, but the move away from Santa Cruz’s iconic VPP rear suspension to a classic four-bar design with a Horst link. It may look unusual for a Santa Cruz, but it suits the concept brilliantly. The motor gets more space and, thanks to the straight seat tube, the dropper can be slammed much deeper. Santa Cruz have taken full advantage and fitted a 240-millimetre dropper post – perfect!
Santa Cruz play to their strengths when it comes to the finer details. A beautifully machined one-piece linkage, a shuttle guard on the downtube and a mini-fender that prevents rocks from getting jammed between the swingarm and seat tube are all smartly designed and finished to a high standard. A generously-sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap, and the internal cables sit tightly enough to eliminate any rattling noises. Only one detail falls short: the rubber cover for the charging port is fiddly to use and looks out of place on a bike with such premium ambitions.
Our Bullit X0 AXS RSV test bike is the highest-spec version – topped only by the new, limited Bullit Podium model. Power is provided by a Bosch Performance Line CX motor paired with a permanently integrated 600 Wh battery. If you need more range, you can add the optional Bosch PowerMore 250 range extender to bring the total capacity up to 850 Wh for long days in the saddle. The drive unit delivers up to 750 watts peak power and a hefty 100 Nm of torque, and is paired with a neatly integrated, easy-to-read Kiox 400 C display in the top tube.
Few bikes in the test blend this much composure with this much confidence. The Bullit rides as if it’s on rails.
Santa Cruz rely on full FOX Factory suspension, with a FOX 38 Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper at the front and a FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock at the rear. Both offer maximum downhill performance with a wide adjustment range. The brakes match the Bullit’s gravity focus perfectly. SRAM Maven Silver stoppers with 200-millimetre rotors deliver uncompromising stopping power with an adjustable bite point. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, which is easy to fine-tune and relies on a robust direct-mount rear derailleur.
Santa Cruz use OneUp components for both the stem and the dropper-post, pairing it with their own 800-millimetre carbon handlebar. The wheels are carbon too, built around DT Swiss 350 hubs and taken from Santa Cruz’s premium Reserve range: a Reserve 30 HD rim up front and a Reserve 30 DH rim at the rear for maximum stability. The tire choice matches this perfectly. Up front you get a MAXXIS Assegai 3C MaxxGrip in the Doubledown casing, while the rear wheels is wrapped in a Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra tire, also in the robust Doubledown casing. All in all, this is a fully downhill-focused, puncture-resistant setup.
Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 FLOAT Factory GRIP X2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 170 mm
Seatpost OneUp V3 240 mm
Brakes SRAM MAVEN Silver 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 10-52; 34
Stem OneUp Stem 42 mm
Handlebar Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar 800 mm
Wheelset Reserve Wheels 30|HD auf DT Swiss 350/Reserve Wheels 30|DH auf DT Swiss 350 MX
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, 3C MaxxGrip, Doubledown/MAXXIS Minion DHRII, 3C MaxxTerra, Doubledown 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size M, L, XL
Tuning tip: Fit aluminium handlebars
The Geometry of the Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV
Santa Cruz offer the Bullit in five frame sizes, S to XXL, giving it the widest size range in the entire test. Reach values span from 435 to 525 mm, and grow in 20–25 mm intervals, so there’s a well-matched option for most riders. With a head angle of 63.3 or 63.6 degrees, the Bullit is one of the slackest bikes on test. The chainstays grow with each frame size and measure 449 millimetres in size XL, which makes them the longest in the field together with the Yeti. This ensures plenty of stability and an impressively centred balance, especially in steep terrain.
For fine-tuning, the Santa Cruz offers two independently acting flip chips. The chip on the upper linkage adjusts the reach, stack, bottom-bracket height and head angle. The second flip chip sits in the lower shock mount and lets you fine-tune the rear-end progression. Depending on the setting, you can run 26 % progression or bump it up to 29 % for more bottom-out resistance.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 571 mm | 596 mm | 617 mm | 640 mm | 670 mm |
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 400 mm | 420 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 135 mm | 155 mm |
| Head angle high/low | 63.6°/63.3° | 63.6°/63.3° | 63.6°/63.3° | 63.6°/63.3° | 63.6°/63.3° |
| Seat angle high/low | 78.6°/78.3° | 78.7°/78.4° | 78.7°/78.4° | 78.7°/78.4° | 78.6°/78.3° |
| Chainstay | 440 mm | 443 mm | 446 mm | 449 mm | 452 mm |
| BB Drop front high/low | 27/31 mm | 27/31 mm | 27/31 mm | 27/31 mm | 27/31 mm |
| BB Drop Rear high/low | 9/13 mm | 9/13 mm | 9/13 mm | 9/13 mm | 9/13 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,220 mm | 1,252 mm | 1,280 mm | 1,309 mm | 1,346 mm |
| Reach high/low | 435/432 mm | 460/457 mm | 480/477 mm | 500/497 mm | 525/522 mm |
| Stack high/low | 622/625 mm | 631/635 mm | 640/643 mm | 654/656 mm | 670/674 mm |
The Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV on the trail
On the climbs, the Bullit offers a pleasantly relaxed riding position – similarly comfortable to the Yeti LTe – while the Bosch CX motor pushes with plenty of power, in a well-metered and reliable way. Lengthy climbs turn into a mellow spin, while technical sections suddenly feel almost effortless.
Point it downhill and the Bullit immediately impresses with a deeply integrated riding position that inspires tons of confidence. Compared with the Yeti, the higher front end actually ensures an even more integrated position, making the bike feel more composed on descents. At the same time, the Bullit delivers a bit more feedback through the front wheel and feels more direct. Combined with the taller front, this calls for a slightly more active riding style, but you can still load the front wheel effectively when you need to.
The MX setup gives the front end sharp, quick turn-in while the rear stays rock-solid. It’s a spot-on gravity combo.
The balance remains neutral and very well composed throughout, without requiring constant line corrections. In terms of handling, the Bullit blends composure and agility in an impressive way. Despite its weight, it feels surprisingly nimble and eager to turn, which is mainly down to the MX wheel configuration. Our Bullit test bike is also relatively light at 22.2 kilograms for a long-travel E-bike with such a robust spec and big frame in size XL.
The suspension performs at a top level. It delivers loads of traction, responds sensitively and still offers plenty of support for jumps and hard berms. However, the combination of the FOX 38 Factory fork, DHX2 shock and the stiff cockpit results in fairly direct feedback. Seasoned riders will love that, although it can lead to noticeable arm pump on long descents. The rear end smooths out rough terrain with authority and keeps the back wheel glued to the trail. The Bullit practically begs to be pushed hard, and shows no fear of brake bumps or high-speed sections. It also remains impressively quiet, even in the roughest scenarios.
The Bullit feels at home just about everywhere: in fast berms, rough sections and technical terrain. It’s at its best when you let it run – blasting berms, high-speed lines, big gaps. All in all, the Bullit X0 AXS RSV is a premium, extremely composed yet surprisingly agile E-bike that inspires tons of confidence and is more than ready to be ridden hard.
Who should take a closer look at the Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV?
The Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV is made for riders who want maximum descending performance in an E-bike format. If you are after an eMTB that rides more like a downhill bike with motor assistance and offers huge stability, confidence and reserves, the Bullit is exactly the right tool. It feels intuitive, inspires trust from the get go and stays easy to control even through fast direction changes. It’s aimed at riders who prioritise stability, high-speed performance and premium workmanship – and who are willing to invest accordingly. If you spend a lot of time in the bike park, love long descents or simply want maximum shuttle power without the shuttle, the Bullit will keep you very happy.
Conclusions about the Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV
The Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV showcases its downhill DNA on every descent, while the Bosch CX motor makes the climbs almost irrelevant. Its exceptionally composed character, deep and integrated riding position, and top-tier suspension inspire huge confidence on the trail. Meanwhile, the MX setup adds a welcome touch of agility that gives this powerhouse a surprising level of playfulness. A premium finish, excellent spec and that unmistakable Santa Cruz feel round off the package.
Tops
- Extremely composed and confident on the descents
- Suspension with huge reserves
- Surprisingly agile for its category
- Robust, suitably hard-hitting spec
- Very quiet on the trail
Flops
- No premium charging-port solution
For more information, visit Santa Cruz.
The Testfield
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
All bikes on test: GHOST POACHA FULL PARTY (Click for review) | Instinctiv Kodiak MX 150 (Click for review) | Lapierre Spicy CF Team (Click for review) | LAST COAL V4 (Click for review) | MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Orbea Rallon E-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Firebird Team XX Eagle Transmission (Click for review) | Propain Spindrift (Click for review) | RADON JAB 10.0 (Click for review) | Rossignol Heretic GX T-Type (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV | Starling Mega MurMur (Click for review) | Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 (Click for review) | Yeti LTE T4 (Click for review)
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Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Peter Walker
