We have already tested several Santa Cruz bikes in the past. The verdict was mostly very positive - our testers were often particularly impressed by the riding fun. So what makes the Santa Cruz V10 special in its 8th product generation? Or rather, what makes it stand out from other models?
The manufacturer also promises plenty of riding fun with the V10. The downhill bike is hard to beat, especially on angry descents. The Santa Cruz is said to be the result of years of development work and practical testing. Development of the current model began in 2021, with new adjustments being made time and again. The downhill pros also contributed their knowledge and experience with the bike to the development process. The Santa Cruz Syndicate team has already achieved several World Cup victories and the overall team victory with the V10. Can the 8th generation go one better?
Santa Cruz V10: The 8th generation
The downhill bike is already the 8th generation of the V10 series. So the question naturally arises: What's new and what have the engineers taken from the previous models?
First of all, the manufacturer advertises more adjustment options on the entire bike than on any other Santa Cruz. Flip chip for the rear axle (+5 mm / 0 mm / -5 mm), the geometry can be changed easily and efficiently. A further flip chip in the LowerLink with three position options helps to fine-tune the bottom bracket height and steering angle. In addition, different headset shells (+8 mm / 0 mm / -8 mm) allow the reach to be adapted to the routes and the individual needs of the rider.
Further changes
In addition to the adjustment options, there are other details that have changed on the Santa Cruz V10. Thanks to improved suspension kinematics, the ride is both smoother and has better traction. The stiffness of the frame has been better tuned to ensure noticeably better traction in every size. The frame is again made entirely of carbon, but the sizes have changed: The 7th generation V10 comes in S, M, L, XL - the 8th generation Santa Cruz V10 comes in SM, MD, LG with mullet tyres (29-inch front and 27.5 rear) and in size XL with 29-inch wheels. This makes a direct comparison of the geometries more difficult.
Geometry of the Santa Cruz V10
Nevertheless, the geometry is of course an important part of the bike, which is why the most important details should be briefly explained (the following values refer to the smallest size (SM) and High setting): The reach is 420 mm (+/-8 mm), which is 8 mm more compared to the smallest model of the previous generation. This seems to result in an even sportier, more stretched riding position, which can of course be varied using the adjustment options.
However, the stack is also slightly higher when comparing the smallest frame sizes, rising from 603 mm to 624 mm. The STR quotient is therefore just under 1.49 (previously 1.46), which still results in a sporty but more comfortable riding position. However, it must be borne in mind that the STR ratio can also be changed using the adjustment options - depending on whether a sportier or more comfortable riding position is desired.
The steering angle has been reduced from 63.7 to 63.0 degrees, but can also be adjusted using the flip chip in the LowerLink. This determines the manoeuvrability and smoothness of a bike. A slacker steering angle makes the V10 somewhat smoother and therefore safer. With the new V10, the values of the fork and the shock are somewhat closer together: The spring travel is 203 mm at the front and 208 mm at the rear. On the 7th generation V10, the values were even further apart: although the bike had slightly less travel on the fork than the new model at 200 mm, it had more on the shock at 215 mm.
The most important details of the Santa Cruz V10 downhill bike
The 8th generation Santa Cruz V10 comes in two versions: S DH and X01 DH. Here are the most important details with differences and similarities between the two model options.
Santa Cruz V10 in S DH
- Frame sizes: SM, MD, LG with wheel size MX ; XL with wheel size 29
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 16.69 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Damper: Fox DHX2 Performance Elite
- Fork: Fox 40 Performance, 203 mm
- Drive train: Sram GX DH, 7-speed
- Brakes: Sram Code Bronze Stealth
- Tyres: Front: Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5 3C MaxxGRIP ; Rear: Maxxis Assegai 27.5x2.5 3C MaxxGRIP
- Price: 7699 Euro
Santa Cruz V10 in X01 DH
- Frame sizes: SM, MD, LG with wheel size MX ; XL with wheel size 29
- Frame material: Carbon
- Weight: 16.15 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Damper: Fox DHX2 Factory
- Fork: Fox 40 Factory, 203 mm
- Drive train: Sram X01 DH, 7-speed
- Brakes: Sram Code Silver Stealth
- Tyres: Front: Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5 3C MaxxGRIP ; Rear: Maxxis Assegai 27.5x2.5 3C MaxxGRIP
- Price: 9699 Euro
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
