Big bikes on test: Racy racer - the Santa Cruz V10 offers top values for a high price
Dimitri Lehner
· 13.08.2024
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Even as a savvy tester, the racing success of the Santa Cruz V10 leaves you in awe. The bike has actually won everything you can win in downhill racing. Particularly impressive: Jackson Goldstone, who steers the V10 through the terrain with somnambulistic agility - apart from the Hardline in Rotorua.
Santa Cruz V10: Ferrari self-confident - in colour & price
The 8th generation of the V10 comes in red with Ferrari self-confidence, equipped with the finest that the mountain bike market has to offer, which makes the price dizzyingly high. The Americans want almost 10 mil for their masterpiece with VPP kinematics.
To make the bike as universal as possible, the US engineers gave the frame the maximum number of adjustment options. According to the manufacturer, there are three positions for the rear (450, 455, 460 mm), the bottom bracket and the reach (467, 475, 483 mm). The bike is delivered with mullet tyres and cannot be converted; it only has All-29 in size XL.
Ready for the test: We shortened the reach with the steering shells for better handling and adjusted the suspension according to the manufacturer's setup on the website. The Santa Cruz V10 generated mountains of traction and was hungry for a steep descent. The speedster got a little bored on the Geißkopf and was therefore unable to realise its full potential. On tame bends, it feels rather sluggish and out of its element - other bikes are more fun.
Conclusion on the Santa Cruz V10
Full throttle all the way! The Santa Cruz V10 is a racy racer. It shows its full strength on steep, fast tracks - thanks to Vario-Geo it can also be trimmed for park use.
A great bike with a bling-bling image, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, I would have expected a wow effect. The suspension is plush and the control is high, even at full speed. That was to be expected. But there was no class difference - not even compared to the Rose. - Dimitri Lehner, test editor
The most important information about the Santa Cruz V10 (29/27.5 inch)
Manufacturer information
- Distribution: Pon. Bike Performance GmbH GmbH
- Material: Carbon
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
- Price: 9699 Euro >> available here
- Weight without pedals: 16.6 kg
Measurement data
- Spring travel front / rear: 200 mm / 208 mm
- rear suspension system: VPP
Equipment
- Fork / damper: Fox 40 Factory / Fox DH X2 Factory (550 lbs)
- Cranks / gears: Sram X01 DH Carbon / Sram X01 DH
- Brake system: Sram Code Silver
- Impellers: Hub Industry Nine/ Rim Reserve 30 HD AL
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip TR DH 2.5, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip TR DH 2.5
Strengths & weaknesses
- Plus: Comfort chassis, plenty of reserves, fast
- Minus: expensive
Sheet music
- Park: 5 from 6
- Race: 6 from 6
- Overall grade: 9,5
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
