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Santa Cruz Bullit 4: A New Era with the VP-Free Four-Bar Linkage
Santa Cruz Bicycles has once again redefined the boundaries of performance with the release of the 2025 Bullit 4, a gravity-focused eMTB that delivers both brute power and refined handling. The most significant update is its departure from the brand’s signature VPP™ suspension layout, instead adopting the new VP-Free four-bar linkage—a design it shares with Santa Cruz’s recently introduced Vala. This change marks a major shift, giving the Bullit a more active and sensitive ride quality, while enhancing its performance on the most technical terrain.
Key Specs:
- 170/180mm travel
- Mixed wheel (29/27.5")
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor
- 600Wh battery. 250Wh PowerMore available
- VP-Free four bar linkage
- 63.5º HTA, 78.4º STA
A Bold Move to Four-Bar Suspension
For years, Santa Cruz has been known for its VPP™ (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension platform, prized for its pedalling efficiency and mid-stroke support. However, when integrating a full-power Bosch motor, the VPP™ layout presented packaging challenges, limiting the ideal placement of pivots. To overcome this, Santa Cruz turned to a four-bar linkage, which offers greater freedom in frame design and improved suspension kinematics.
The result is a rear suspension system that feels more supple and composed on rough terrain, with better small-bump sensitivity and improved traction through chunky sections. The 170mm of rear travel is controlled by a one-piece bridged rocker link, which reduces lateral flex and keeps the suspension tracking consistently. The progression flip-chip allows riders to fine-tune the leverage curve between 26% and 29%, making it easy to dial in for more bottom-out resistance or enhanced plushness, depending on riding style and terrain.
Refined Geometry for Aggressive Riding
The Bullit 4 features aggressive, gravity-focused geometry, making it a beast on technical descents while remaining confident and stable at speed. In the low setting, the bike’s 63.3-degree head angle provides a planted and composed feel on steep terrain. Switching to the high setting steepens the head angle slightly to 63.6 degrees, making the bike feel more responsive and nimble on flowing trails.
The seat tube angle is equally dialed, sitting at 78.4 degrees in the low setting and 78.7 degrees in the high on a size LG. This keeps the rider in a strong, forward-centered position, improving climbing efficiency and preventing front-end lift on steeper pitches.
A size large has a 480mm reach, offering plenty of room for stability and control at high speeds, while the XL stretches out to 500mm, giving taller riders ample cockpit space. The chainstays measure 452mm on the larger sizes, keeping the rear end stable and composed through fast, rough sections without sacrificing cornering agility.
The bottom bracket height adjusts by 4mm between the two flip-chip settings, subtly altering the bike’s handling and pedal clearance.
Bosch-Powered Range and Performance
At the heart of the Bullit 4 is the powerful and reliable Bosch Performance Line CX motor, delivering 85Nm of torque and 600 watts of peak power. This motor offers smooth, consistent power delivery, making steep climbs feel effortless while still providing precise modulation on technical terrain.
The bike comes with a 600Wh battery, which strikes a balance between range and weight. For those craving longer adventures, Santa Cruz offers an optional 250Wh PowerMore range extender, boosting the total capacity to 850Wh. This add-on makes multi-hour rides or backcountry epics entirely feasible without range anxiety.
Frame Details: Precision and Practicality
Santa Cruz has paid meticulous attention to detail on the Bullit 4’s frame, making it both durable and practical.
The dropper post insertion depth is generous - up 110mm on the previous Bullit, allowing riders to run 200mm+ dropper posts on larger sizes. This provides greater clearance and flexibility on steep terrain, letting riders get lower and more confident on descents.
To boost longevity, the bike uses oversized bearings at key suspension pivots. These larger bearings are more resistant to contamination and wear, ensuring smoother performance and a longer service life.
A tool mount under the top tube offers convenient storage for trail-side repairs, making it easy to carry essential tools or a spare tube without a backpack.
The frame is also UDH-compatible (Universal Derailleur Hanger), making it future-proof and ready for SRAM’s T-Type Transmission. This ensures compatibility with current and future drivetrain technologies, offering peace of mind for future upgrades.
Top-Tier Components and Build Options
The Bullit 4 is available in several high-performance build kits, each designed to maximize its gravity-focused capabilities.
At the top of the lineup is the X0 AXS RSV build, featuring SRAM’s X0 Transmission drivetrain with wireless shifting and Reserve carbon wheels for lightweight durability. The suspension is dialed with a Fox Factory 38 fork and the new Fox Float X2 Factory shock, providing next-level tunability and composure on big hits. SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes deliver exceptional stopping power, making this build a no-compromise option for aggressive riders seeking the best performance available.
The GX AXS build offers cutting-edge technology at a slightly lower price point. It features SRAM's GX Transmission drivetrain, delivering precise, wireless shifting with minimal maintenance. Suspension duties are handled by the Fox 38 Performance Elite fork paired with a Fox Float X Performance Elite shock, offering excellent control and smoothness. SRAM Code Silver Stealth brakes provide powerful, consistent braking performance.
For riders seeking more affordable yet capable builds, the Bullit 70 and Bullit 90 deliver excellent value without sacrificing performance. The 70 build features a RockShox Zeb Base fork, a Fox Float X Performance shock, and SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes, offering reliable suspension and braking for aggressive riding. Its SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type drivetrain ensures smooth, mechanical shifting, while the Reserve aluminum rims prioritize durability over weight savings.
Stepping up to the 90 build brings a Fox 38 Performance fork, Maven Base brakes, and upgraded hubs, delivering noticeable improvements in suspension performance and stopping power. Both the 70 and 90 builds share the same Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 600Wh battery, making them equally capable of tackling big, demanding rides with reliable power and range.
Ride Impressions
We managed to spend some time aboard the Santa Cruz Bullit 4, taking in a classic North Shore Seymour lap. While it was by no means an exhaustive test ride, it gave us a good idea of the character of the bike.
Santa Cruz clearly spent a lot of time getting the weight of the new Bullit down, with all models coming in under 50lbs, and that lower weight is immediately noticeable. Some full-power EMTBs can feel difficult to move around, but the lower weight of the new Bullit makes it easier to move around. This is particularly important on a bike that's made to go steep and deep on technical trails. I consider that box checked.
On the way up, the power from the Bosch Performance Line CX motor was of course excellent, giving a natural and smooth feeling assist, with plenty of oomph. The standout part for me is the super steep seat tube angle, allowing for a comfortable seated position, but more importantly moving the rider's weight forward, helping to keep the bike balanced on technical climbs. I found myself cleaning climbs that often I would struggle with.
The overall parts package complemented the bike well - the GX Transmission drivetrain is solid with great shift quality. The Maven brakes are a welcome addition on a long travel EMTB, and provide more than enough braking power. Coupled with Double Down Maxxis tires, there's grip aplenty, and the Fox 38/Float X Performance Elite suspension package keeps the wheels glued to the ground. Overall, there's little to complain about. The Bullit 4 is well-appointed for its intended use, and handles great no matter the direction of the trail.
Final Thoughts
The Santa Cruz Bullit 4 is more than just an updated version of its predecessor—it’s a bold reinvention. By moving to the VP-Free four-bar suspension platform, Santa Cruz has created a bike that offers greater sensitivity, improved traction, and more versatile tunability. Paired with the powerful Bosch motor system, refined geometry, and uncompromising build quality, the Bullit 4 is a gravity-focused eMTB designed for riders who want to push their limits on the most demanding terrain.
Whether you’re opting for the top-spec X0 AXS RSV, the refined GX AXS, or the affordable yet capable 70 and 90 models, the Bullit 4 delivers gravity-fueled performance with the power and range to take on the biggest days. For riders seeking a full-power eMTB with uncompromising downhill capability, this bike is ready to conquer it all.
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