Custom Bikes of 2025: The Santa Cruz E-BIkes

With their Vala and Bullit E-Bikes, Santa Cruz came back to the E-game is huge way this year. Both bikes are among the best riding models ever made within their respective categories and have had glowing reviews from both across the industry and by real life riders from all over the world.

Needless to say, they have also become very popular and over the course of the year, we've demoed, built and handed over many of them. The stock builds are well designed and functional, but quite a few riders went the extra mile and tweaked parts and decals to create their own one of a kind bikes. Some of the examples below are among the nicest bikes we've ever had the honour of putting together and all of them are out in the real world racking up the miles. 

Scroll down, check out some of our favourites from the year gone, and just admire what these folk put together.

RockShox Conversions

As soon as we saw the Gloss Black version of the Bullit, we knew it was only a matter of time until someone decided to match it up with a red Zeb and sure enough, two of the speedier locals went that route with a pair of stunning bikes. This one added a Zeb and Vivid Ultimate, along with some silver Burgtec and the overall result is quite something. 

A simple 90 Kit bike became something much more with a Zeb Ultimate and Super Deluxe Coil, creating another incredible looking and riding long travel machine.

It wasn't just the Bullits that got in on the RockShox action, the Grey Vala was another obvious candidate for the treatment. This stunner of a Vala CC was put together later in the year by one of the more regular local off-piste riders to replace a tragically stolen Heckler SL. It'll see a ton of miles and as silver linings to a rubbish situation go, it's quite a good one!

Partners in Crime

Two bikes, one designer, both stunning. This Bullit and Vala went as a set to a very nice couple, who were just getting ready to set off on a giant van adventure with them. They wanted to be sure they had good bikes to take away with them on the big trip and it's fair to say they succeeded!

CC Bullit, with custom Burgetc / One Up cockpit, Ergon grips, Powermore extender and a fully custom Slik graphics decal set. 

CC Vala, custom colour stem stack, Burgtec / One Up cockpit, B-Rage pedals, Ergon grips and another unmissable graphics set from Slik.

Built to charge

Simple, and ready to go chase some KOMs (with some considerable success!) this hard charging Bullit C 90 went together early summer.

High rise bars for the steeps, Hayes A4 Dominion brakes on stopping duties and a dash of Burgtec Bronze to add a splash of colour. It's a simple design and we know that it has worked as this bike has been going very fast indeed all year.

The Downhillers XC Bike

Santa Cruz thought the Tallboy was the downhillers XC bike, but they were wrong, it's the Bullit. A speedy SDA regular put this one together for herself for the days when there's no uplift available and it was one of our favourites of the whole year. No custom parts, but one of the nicest re-imaginings of the colour scheme ever. 

The Bike Shop Build

We didn't want to get left behind, so when it time to replace our staff E-Bike, we went all in on a Bullit C GX AXS, blending in our favourite Burgtec cockpit and contact points along with a set of the brilliant new Hope GR4 brakes to make a bike that will ride very close to our idea of perfectly. 

A New Hope

From the moment the new Hope EVO brakes launched this year, they instantly became the go to brake upgrade on all manner of bikes and for good reason; they are absolutely awesome. This CC Bullit saw a set of the super punchy GR4's added along with a Powermore range extender to create an absolute stormer of a long range, big trail smasher. 

The Custom Stock Bike

Is it still custom if it comes from the factory that way? Even if it's not, the Podium edition Bullit that popped up earlier this year is still about as unique as it gets. With just 12 brought to the UK, and featuring everything from an at the time un-buyable wheelset, to frame and brakes with matching paint and of course, that fork. Our one was gone before it got the shop, and hopefully it's smashing down downhill tracks somewhere out there now.

Bikes are good for you

Late in the autumn came one of the most unique builds of our year for our good friend Andy. With a dream build kit and a bundle of adaptions to help him continue to enjoy riding in the face on an ongoing struggle with MS, his Vala CC is not just amazing to look at but will be genuinely life changing for him. 

It's been a year of amazing bikes here and we're sure the next one will be no different. If you've got a dream bike already, or something in here has inspired you then let us know, we'd love to help you make it happen.

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