With its fourth new development this year, the Californian forge Santa Cruz Bicycles is really stepping on the gas at the moment. In addition to the two Blur and Highball cross-country bikesThe new 5010 with 130 millimetres of travel and the new Bronson with 160/150 millimetres of travel are now following on from the new 5010 and Bronson, which were already shown in March. Due to the (still) missing E-MTB in the product range, the engineers at Santa Cruz seem to have enough man-power to develop mountain bikes in the classic product range and thus consolidate their current market leadership in the high-priced segment in the USA.
5010: playful and fast
The Santa Cruz 5010 comes as before with 27.5-inch wheels and has 130 millimetres of travel at the fork and rear. However, the geometry has been adapted, making the reach 15 millimetres longer, the head angle slightly slacker and the seat angle steeper. For more flexibility and customisability, the geometry can now be quickly and easily adjusted using a flip chip on the rear shock mount. However, the change of 0.3 degrees in the steering angle and only four millimetres in the bottom bracket height is extremely small and is primarily intended to adapt the bike to different tyre widths. The rear triangle can accommodate tyres up to 2.8 inches wide. In contrast to its predecessor, the rear frame triangle has been designed symmetrically, which should provide more rigidity. Prices range from 3199 to 9699 euros.
How does the Santa Cruz 5010 ride?
Thanks to the 27.5 mm wheels and the short 425 mm chainstays, the new 5010 rides with maximum playfulness. The suspension also has a lot of pop, allowing you to actively jump off and play with the terrain. The steeper seat angle also puts a lot of weight on the front wheel on steep climbs, but the riding position is quite compact despite the increased reach. The suspension is sporty and firm and offers sufficient reserves against bottoming out at all times. When pedalling out of the saddle, the rear suspension pumps only minimally.
Santa Cruz Bronson: still an all-mountain or already an enduro bike?
At the new Santa Cruz Bronson has changed a little more visually compared to its predecessor. As with its big brother, the Nomad, the shock has been moved downwards and is now supported by the down tube. There is still enough space for a water bottle in the frame triangle. With a 36 mm Fox with 160 millimetres and 150 millimetres of travel at the rear (Rock Shox Super Deluxe), the new Bronson has become more potent and is much closer to the Nomad. Here too, 27.5-inch tyres up to 2.8 inches wide are possible. The steering angle can be adjusted from 65.1 to 65.4 degrees using a flip chip to compensate for the different tyre dimensions. With a reach of 455-459 millimetres in size L, the new Bronson is not overly long. The chainstays measure 430 millimetres. Thanks to the 2.5 centimetre shorter seat tube (just like the 5010), longer dropper posts can be used. The seat angle has been adjusted to 75 degrees for good climbing behaviour.
Riding impression Santa Cruz Bronson: What a full suspension!
Compared to the 5010, the downhill performance is worlds apart. The new Bronson is a fully-fledged enduro bike and even feels like it has more than 150 millimetres of travel at the rear. Of course, it also rides less playfully and requires more effort to get onto the rear wheel despite the short chainstays. The Bronson soaks up rock gardens and root networks willingly and provides a lot of composure. Even with a lot of sag, the rear suspension offers sufficient progression. Uphill, the sensitive rear suspension reacts to the rider's load changes and pumps a little when pedalling. It would be interesting to see how the Bronson would fare in direct comparison to the Nomad. In the configuration we rode, the Bronson in size L weighs 13.5 kilos. Prices range from 3899 to 9999 euros. Just like the 5010, there are five frame sizes to choose from. As with all Santa Cruz bikes, the frame and bearings come with a lifetime warranty.
