Santa Cruz Bikes
Discussion
I haven't heard on any 5010/Solo's snapping but a mate has snapped the rear ends on a carbon Blur and a carbon Nomad. He still has the Nomad though and loves the way it rides. Older Santa Cruz's used to eat bearings, due to poor sealing for UK riding conditions, but that was a few years ago and I'm not sure if that's still the case.
A friend has just retired his 10 year old Blur with a cracked frame, but I'd say he's had his money's worth with that bike!
I'd have an SC on my shopping list too but would make sure I had a test ride first. A few years ago I was set on getting a Blur LT when my LBS had a demo day, and brought along an LT and also a Yeti 575. Rode the two on the same trail, straight after each other, and, for me on that day, the 575 was a clear winner. Didn't save me any money, and I cracked that one too, but showed me the importance of a demo. Have you ridden one??
Not sure any of that was helpful...
I'd have an SC on my shopping list too but would make sure I had a test ride first. A few years ago I was set on getting a Blur LT when my LBS had a demo day, and brought along an LT and also a Yeti 575. Rode the two on the same trail, straight after each other, and, for me on that day, the 575 was a clear winner. Didn't save me any money, and I cracked that one too, but showed me the importance of a demo. Have you ridden one??
Not sure any of that was helpful...
I have a tall boy LT carbon. So far so good. I've had it since 2013 and have done approx. 3000miles on it. I live in Wales so ride the trial centres and various natural trails. So far I have needed to change the baring in the lower swingarm pivot and the shock bush. the fox 34 have been serviced twice. I'm 90+KGs with a hydration pack +bits so the bike gets a pretty decent hammering.
It's brilliant, far more reliable than the 2010 Nomad I had. If it broke tomorrow, I'd just go and buy another. I know how hard I've ridden it and the level of abuse I've given it and I can't help feeling it's done me proud.
just to add, before it I had bought 6 bikes in 2 years because I'd either broken them or just did't like them enough to keep so I would just change for something new.
those bikes were, cannondale Rush carbon, cannondale Rize, Yeti 575, trek superfly and a yeti big top.
It's brilliant, far more reliable than the 2010 Nomad I had. If it broke tomorrow, I'd just go and buy another. I know how hard I've ridden it and the level of abuse I've given it and I can't help feeling it's done me proud.
just to add, before it I had bought 6 bikes in 2 years because I'd either broken them or just did't like them enough to keep so I would just change for something new.
those bikes were, cannondale Rush carbon, cannondale Rize, Yeti 575, trek superfly and a yeti big top.
Edited by RGambo on Wednesday 8th April 13:26
Mate's Nomad (last of the Alloy ones) used to s
t it's linkage bearings every few months - SC were very good about it, they never once asked him to pay for new bearings or indeed a linkage when it really went - but the LBS would always want paying for fitting them (they're known for sharp practices mind you) and of course they don't let go in the shed, they let go 10 miles from the car and ruin the rest of your ride.
Now I think about it, he got that frame from SC after his last one cracked.
He's got a Bronson now which has been fault free for 12 months, although it rode poorly on a Fox shock, rides very well on a Cane Creek (what doesn't?).
Personally, I think a lot of the cost is down to the brand, they're incredibly fashionable of course, but there's nothing really unique about them, their geometry isn't radically different to anything else out there and their suspension platform isn't unique to them either so they're not great value compared to off-the-shelf bikes which ride just as well for less - but conversely they're not horribly more expensive than other boutique brands like Intense, Transition, Yeti, etc - what they do have of course is rock solid resale values and they sell fast too if you care about what you're going to do with it in a couple of years.
t it's linkage bearings every few months - SC were very good about it, they never once asked him to pay for new bearings or indeed a linkage when it really went - but the LBS would always want paying for fitting them (they're known for sharp practices mind you) and of course they don't let go in the shed, they let go 10 miles from the car and ruin the rest of your ride.Now I think about it, he got that frame from SC after his last one cracked.
He's got a Bronson now which has been fault free for 12 months, although it rode poorly on a Fox shock, rides very well on a Cane Creek (what doesn't?).
Personally, I think a lot of the cost is down to the brand, they're incredibly fashionable of course, but there's nothing really unique about them, their geometry isn't radically different to anything else out there and their suspension platform isn't unique to them either so they're not great value compared to off-the-shelf bikes which ride just as well for less - but conversely they're not horribly more expensive than other boutique brands like Intense, Transition, Yeti, etc - what they do have of course is rock solid resale values and they sell fast too if you care about what you're going to do with it in a couple of years.
I rode and XL 5010 last weekend which felt a little large so didnt gel with it but the large Bronson I borrowed previously I loved. The 5010 spec and set up suits my riding more so I think in a large it would be a perfect, but I am going to try one before I buy anything.
I noticed SC offer some decent warranty on frames and bearings for first owners, so I guess that offers some comfort.
I am going to look at some other bikes before I jump in though!
I noticed SC offer some decent warranty on frames and bearings for first owners, so I guess that offers some comfort.
I am going to look at some other bikes before I jump in though!
I had a Bronson to test for a month last year, so not entirely the same, but the basics remain ;
Santa Cruz bikes are very nice to look at and extremely well made, but you do pay for the brand.
If you're after a quality bike, have you considered some of the direct brands such as YT or Canyon
For similar money to the 5010, you'll get a good frame, but significantly better parts
I ride a YT Capra, and although the frame quality isn't quite as good as the SC, it's a much better spec'd bike than you'd get for anything from SC for less than £5k, and it came in at under £2500
Santa Cruz bikes are lovely things to look at though, and it'll get you a lot of positive comments at trail centres
Santa Cruz bikes are very nice to look at and extremely well made, but you do pay for the brand.
If you're after a quality bike, have you considered some of the direct brands such as YT or Canyon
For similar money to the 5010, you'll get a good frame, but significantly better parts
I ride a YT Capra, and although the frame quality isn't quite as good as the SC, it's a much better spec'd bike than you'd get for anything from SC for less than £5k, and it came in at under £2500
Santa Cruz bikes are lovely things to look at though, and it'll get you a lot of positive comments at trail centres
good:
- nice to ride
- nicely made
- nice to look at
- good warranty, lifetime replacement bearings
- the brand to have these days, very fashionable
bad:
- not cheap
- you will need the bearing replacement offer as they chew through bearings like nobody's business
- be prepared to wait months rather than weeks to get your hands on one if its a popular model
meh:
- expect to see approximately eleventy billion of them at your local trail centre
- nice to ride
- nicely made
- nice to look at
- good warranty, lifetime replacement bearings
- the brand to have these days, very fashionable
bad:
- not cheap
- you will need the bearing replacement offer as they chew through bearings like nobody's business
- be prepared to wait months rather than weeks to get your hands on one if its a popular model
meh:
- expect to see approximately eleventy billion of them at your local trail centre
deadtom said:
meh:
- expect to see approximately eleventy billion of them at your local trail centre
This is a fair point! I was starting to feel like my Spesh was some sort of rare boutique brand compared to all the Santa Cruz bikes in Peaslake yesterday! - expect to see approximately eleventy billion of them at your local trail centre
There were some bikes there which weren't Santa Cruz - I found out, for example, that Nukeproof make stuff other than pedals 
- but not many.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff