[endoing]

Hey everyone,
Mind taking a look at my setup and telling me what you think? This bike is setup for aggressive trail riding and light downhill riding (maybe beginner DH racing) and some minor 3-4 foot drops.

Frame: 2003 Santa Cruz Bullit hand-polished
Fork: RockShox Pike Team Air
Stem: Thomson 70mm
Handlebars: Easton Monkeylite DH
Headset: King
Brakes: Mag HD 8" front 6" rear
Front wheel: WTB dual duty Laserdisc DH 20mm hub
Seatpost: Kalloy
Seatclamp: who knows
Seat: WTB Laser V DH
Cranks: Race Face Northshore triple
BB: FSA Extreme
Rear shock: 5th element coil
Rear cassette: XT
Pedals: Shimano 515 or Crank bros Mallet C
Rear wheel: Mavic D321 XT hub
Tires: IRC Trailbear 2.35
Shifters: LX
Grips:ODI lockons

 

[buildyourown]

The fork seems undersized compared to the rest of the build.
DH bars, Laserdisc Dh rims, and NS cranks are overkill for a bike that only needs a Pike Air. I know they are competent forks, but the build on my DH race bike is lighter.

If I were you, I would either upgrade the fork to something stouter and longer travel, or save some weight and replace the parts mentioned.

 

[endoing]

The fork seems undersized compared to the rest of the build.
DH bars, Laserdisc Dh rims, and NS cranks are overkill for a bike that only needs a Pike Air. I know they are competent forks, but the build on my DH race bike is lighter.

If I were you, I would either upgrade the fork to something stouter and longer travel, or save some weight and replace the parts mentioned.

Cool, what do you suggest? z1 150mm?

 

[smedford]

66 rc.

 

[dexterq20]

 

[captainpolution]

i suggest 03 super t

 

[gmac]

Had one for quite a while.

Ditch the 5th and go Fox RC w/ custom tuning.

Ditch the pike and go Fox 36 RC VAN. or Z150 (used...) or new Z1 150mm

SRAM 34T cassette and shifters.

Everything else looks good.

 

[seismic]

Had one for quite a while.

Ditch the 5th and go Fox RC w/ custom tuning.

Ditch the pike and go Fox 36 RC VAN. or Z150 (used...) or new Z1 150mm

SRAM 34T cassette and shifters.

Everything else looks good.

Why ditch the 5th ? I think it will outlast the Fox.....

 

[CBJ]

Agree the 5th is good for a suspension setup like the Bullit and will give Endoing the opportunity to tune the suspension just the way he wants and adjust it to differnet kinds of riding. If he is floating around in money and wanted another rear shock there is also several other options than the RC I would recommend. Anyway I would want some riding time on any bike before I started to change anything and it seems like Endoing already has the bike build.

 

[blt2ride]

Had one for quite a while.

Ditch the 5th and go Fox RC w/ custom tuning.

Ditch the pike and go Fox 36 RC VAN. or Z150 (used...) or new Z1 150mm

SRAM 34T cassette and shifters.

Everything else looks good.

It sounds like a fun bike! I would not "ditch" a 5th for a Fox RC. It wouldn't make much sense to switch out a modern rear shock for an old Fox RC. That's some of the worst advice I have ever heard given...no offense.

As for the Pike, if you already have the fork, ride and see what you think. Personally, I would want a bigger fork on a Bullit, but if you like it, keep it. If not, a Super T would be a good choice.

 

[DHS]

um, could you post a pic?
sounds cool

 

[endoing]

Well, I don't have better pics than I just posted becuase I just sent the Fork in for repair on one of the seals.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I am probably going to trade this frame for a Heckler frame becuase it suits more of what I ride around here.

After I get the fork back if I am still not happy with it I'll pick up a 150mm Z1.

David

 

[AirAddict]

i agree that that fork doesn't fit the bike/build too well. i had a a 130mm fork on my bullit for a few months (broke my super T) and i hated the way the it made the bike feel. the geometry just sucked in my opinion. I just recently put a (7") 888 on it and it feels perfect.

hecklers are nice too.

 

[wood-dog]

scratch the fork for a 7 incher and get some platforms and you will have a whole new ride Brother. Other then that, it looks pretty sharp

 

[joelsman]

heckler and the pike should be good.

 

[gmac]

Regarding the 5th:

Ditch it.

The Fox RC when tuned (Pushed, Flowed...) is a set and forget component like a King headset.

Once it is custom tuned/setup you can forget about it and ride.

Is it the best possible suspension device you can use ? Could others argue it isn't ? Or something else is better because: of XYZ ? Of course

All a matter of opinion really.

I've ridden both. The Fox is my choice.

Simple and rides great w/ the Bullit.

Also, I have owned both Heckler and Bullit. I think you will be surprised how little difference there is. DH vs XC is really the question to ask. Plus keep the adjustable HA in mind. Only one has it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1st look @ my new signature:

The 5th simply put is a loser. And, so is anyone who has ever recommended one. Or, even seen one for that matter (even just once)

 

[endoing]

Interesting inputs. I am starting to just lean more towad keeping the Bullit and riding what I have. I had a PUSHd Fox Float on my old heckler and I was very impressed. I'll probably wait for this 5th to fail and grab a PUSHd vanilla.

Now as far as the fork.

The Pike gives a decent slack in the HT but what other SC forks are out there in that price range that will work? I have had mixed reviews on the z150s and the 05 150mm Z1s are a bit pricey. I have been reading that the 66RCs are a bit too tall for the Bullit.

So the so many times revisted question. What is a great SC, afforbale fork that I can use for aggressive trail riding with light FR and DHing mixed in?

 

[Tyman]

thats super nice! i want a bullit!!

 

[FR Dragon]

So the so many times revisted question. What is a great SC, afforbale fork that I can use for aggressive trail riding with light FR and DHing mixed in?

Basically a Pike...but since it doesn't really fit well in your bike you might wanna look at one of the Z1 FR 2/3 since they're cheaper then the FR1, they can still be put on 150mm with a marzocch kit...

 

[gmac]

Z150 is a mint, durable fork. Get an 04 w/ better tire clearance. Should be able to grab on @ ~ $200-225 around the net.

Otherwise I'd go w/ that new FOX 36VAN.

I may actually sell my Z150 come early fall if I can score a 36RC2 ( spending tooo much money on fishing these days)

 

[Bacardi]

I like the polish and no sticker look. Almost ... makes it unique.

 

[AirAddict]

good job with keeping the bullit. I'd look at a z150. really nice 6 inch fork. the 66 would also be a good option. you could drop it to 6" if you're worried about height. It'd have the ride height of alot of other 7" forks. I'd love to have a 66 on my bullit if i wasn't using it for 20' drops and downhill racing. I'm guessing that the SC would be able to take it, but i just don't want to test it...

 

[PatBranch]

Can a bullit handle big ruts like the ones on the "monkey grips" trail at Whistler? I am looking for a small 7" bullit frame and plan on putting a super-t in it. If I got an '02 or '03 instead of an '04 or '05, would it be much worse? Is a frame that is 3 or 4 years old, fatigued and should not be built up for aggresive riding?

 

[ioscope]

Get a dual crown!

 

[dhkid]

have mine for 3 years already and still love it.

 

[PatBranch]

Is a frame that is 3 or 4 years old, fatigued and should not be built up for aggresive riding? Because I am looking for a bullit that has 7 inches. Even if it was setup for xc, would it get old?

 

[dhkid]

Is a frame that is 3 or 4 years old, fatigued and should not be built up for aggresive riding? Because I am looking for a bullit that has 7 inches. Even if it was setup for xc, would it get old?

i got it new and i didn't really do anything stupid stupid with it yet, so i think its still good. the good thing about alu is that it would deform plasticly way before failure. the only thing i would check is the welds, if you could, try and get it x-rayed. but i wouldn't worry. just check your welds on the bike frequently if you are worried, another good reason to keep your bike clean.

 

[endoing]

Looks like I am going 66rc for all of those who care.

 

[Bicyclist]

Good choice.

 

[AirAddict]

Is a frame that is 3 or 4 years old, fatigued and should not be built up for aggresive riding? Because I am looking for a bullit that has 7 inches. Even if it was setup for xc, would it get old?

I have an '02 bullit and it's handled some huge drops, and some crazy DH. And i'm rough on bikes, i break a new part every week... the frame has been fine. You won't need to worry

 

[endoing]

Do I need any special kit to adjust the head angle on the Bullit frame or do I just put the shock mount on the bolt that is further back? It seems like it will just flop around if I do that though. Any links to how tos? Or do I just bring it to the LBS and have them show me in 2 seconds?

 

[Jayridesacove]

just move the shock shuttle back and put the bolts back in. takes about 2 minutes.

 

[endoing]

Ok, so I see three sets of bolts. One large bolt on the shock connecting to the black unit, then two set on the unit connecting to the shuttle. DO I remove the bolts on the shuttle unit and slide it back? Once I slide it bakc do I only connect the one bolt? I guess I will just take it apart and see what works. i ussually have better luck when I take somethign apart and figure out how it works.

Thanks for the help guys!!

 

[Jayridesacove]

just disconnect the two bolts away from the shock
slide it back and re-connect both.

 

[endoing]

SO when I disconnect the bolts the shock can slide freely in the unit and then I just reconnect the two bots to set the poisition? Ok, I am not going to post anymore on this thread before I take this thing apart.

 

[chicodude]

check teh link in the sig