This Week's Golden Pick: The Santa Cruz Bullit 90

• Posted on 18 December 2025
• By Michael Belair
• 0

The Santa Cruz Bullit 90 is a full-power e-MTB built for aggressive riding, big terrain, and long days in the mountains. With 170mm of travel front and rear, a mixed-wheel setup, and the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, it blends downhill confidence with smooth, reliable assist on the climbs. The Eagle 90 drivetrain keeps shifting simple and durable, while Santa Cruz’s Carbon C frame delivers the solid, quiet ride quality they’re known for. This is a bike for riders who want e-bike power without giving up the feel of a true gravity bike.

The Santa Cruz Bullit 90 is back in the shop, and it’s very clear who this bike is for. This isn’t a lightweight trail e-bike or something meant to blur the lines between analog and electric...that is what makes it so cool! The Bullit is a full-power, long-travel e-MTB designed to charge hard, handle big terrain, and keep doing laps when your legs would normally be throwing in the towel.

With 170mm of travel front and rear, the Bullit sits squarely in Santa Cruz’s big-mountain category. The suspension feels composed at speed and confident when the trail turns steep or messy. This bike encourages you to let off the brakes a little more, knowing there’s plenty of support under you for when things get rough.

Power comes from the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which has earned its reputation for good reason. It delivers strong, predictable assistance that feels controlled rather than abrupt, especially on technical climbs. Uncompromised by steep fire road or picking your way through a rocky access climb, the motor provides consistent support without overwhelming the rear tire. The battery is cleanly integrated into the frame, keeping the bike looking tidy and well balanced.

The Bullit 90 is equipped with the SRAM Eagle 90 mechanical drivetrain, offering a wide gear range and crisp mechanical shifting, which pairs well with the Bosch system. Shifts are solid and dependable, even under load, which is exactly what you want on a bike that’s meant to be ridden aggressively. This is a build aimed at durability and real-world trail use.

Santa Cruz sticks with a mixed wheel setup, running a 29” wheel up front for rollover and stability, and a 27.5” wheel in the back for maneuverability. The result is a bike that feels planted at speed but still easy to move around in tight corners or steep switchbacks. It’s confidence-inspiring without feeling sluggish.

As always, Santa Cruz’s Carbon C frame shows the brand’s attention to detail. Internal cable routing is clean, everything is quiet on the trail, and the overall finish feels solid and purposeful. The Gloss Black color keeps things simple yet beautiful. 

The Bullit 90 makes the most sense for riders who want downhill-bike confidence with the ability to climb back up and do it again. Park laps, alpine descents, rough local trails — this bike is built to handle it all without feeling out of its depth.

The Santa Cruz Bullit 90 is now in store, ready to check out in person. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense e-MTB that prioritizes performance and durability over trends, this one deserves a closer look!