Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005
Strengths: Lightweight, zero maintenance (almost), comes with very durable parts stock, still a head-turner after nearly 5 years (purchased in July 2000).
This bike carves twisty singletrack like a knife, and tames the rock gardens well-enough. It feels choppy in the rear, but that's non-active designs for you.
Weaknesses: Slightly flexy frame in the rough, not the most active suspension design, fox rear shock yoke bushings wear out, leaving a sloppy sound from the frame (easy fix)
Bottom Line:
When purchased a million years ago, this was the best design that combined light weight, 4" of travel, and low pedal bob. Nowadays, not only do they still make SuperLights, but the new rear shocks make 'em better. I'll probably move on to another suspension design for my "trail-riding" days, but I'll still race and have fun on my Superlight.
I think this design is ready to be put out to pasture, but the bike has treated me very well for 5 seasons. I truly have no complaints about a bike that has over 5000 trail miles on it and has very few maintenance issues. Santa Cruz spec'd a great bike and compromised on nothing - at a $2,200 price point, a rarity. This review is much more relevant to the SC brand - I'd buy whatever they're selling.
Bottom line: If you are the German Efficiency Type, this bike is for you.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Kona Stinky, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup: Stock, but switched to a SID100
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Submitted by
Galilao Shinnosuke
a Cross Country Rider
from Escondido, CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002
Strengths: Light, easy to maintain, fine handling, makes vertical impacts comfortable yet laterally stiff, very good quality parts selection, nice welds, really don't notice pedal feedback.
Weaknesses: Rear tires wider than 1.9 inches have to be deflated to fit between the brake pads. I am using a 1.9 inch wide Continental Cross Country tire and do not have to deflate it to mount the rear wheel on the frame.
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike. I'm glad I got my dream bike while I can still ride on the trails. Hey, how many 49 year old mountain bikers are out there hammering the sides of the mountains? After I finish paying off the loan, hopefully I'll still be able to ride!
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR-XC, Marin Mt Vision
Bike Setup: As equipped by the factory except got mine with a new old stock 99 Atom Bomb fork, and I upgraded my brake levers to the Avid Ultimates.
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Submitted by
Larry Manhart
a Weekend Warrior
from Pocatello, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001
Strengths: Simple, Light, Durable, Lots of fun.
Weaknesses: Requires that rear tire be deflated to remove it from between the brake pads. The price is high but I got a break buying from a dealer and assembling it myself.
Bottom Line:
I've had some small problems with the white hub coming loose, and one dust seal coming loose on the sid XC fork. But after 1100 miles this summer I love the bike. 4 inches of rear travel is plenty for the trails I ride and its light enough to fly up hill. Once you find the right air pressure for the fork and rear shock it rides great up and down.
Similar Products Used: Pro-flex, sugar, spealized.
Bike Setup: Super X kit. Sid XC fork, fox vanilla R rear shock, LX crank & shifters, Avid brakes. medium super light frame.
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Submitted by
Mike Smrcka
a Cross Country Rider
from Barrie
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001
Strengths: Great frame made by 1 of the best names in the business. Very comfortable, not too plush and excellent welds and paint. Also, it comes w/ the fox pump which is convenient.
Weaknesses: $$$
Bottom Line:
I am someone who does alot of research before he buys and I spent all summar deciding what to get between a fuel, sugar, adept or superlight. I made the right decision even though the others are all great bikes the s/c was right for me. It handles great and turns heads on the trails too.
Bike Setup: xt/xtr drivetrain, easton carbon bars & post, mavic crossroc wheels, avid mechanical, sid sl, titec stem, raceface headset, bontranger tires, sella italia seat
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Submitted by
Drew
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2001
Strengths: ITS THE COOLEST BIKE IN THE WORLD. I love it. light, fast, fun to ride. Um it gets you alot of looks on the trail, espically when your 15. and people think your crazy when you tell them how much you spent on it, well people that dont ride that is
Weaknesses: um a little on the expensive side for someone with no income but well worth the dinero. um had a little problem with the rear triangle bolt(where bolts to frame) came loose after a while and started creaking but thats my fault for not checking up on it.
Bottom Line:
if u got the cash buy it. I LOVE MINE. great bike. nice and light and can take just about anything you can throw at it. um i dont have much to say but the bike rocks and if you want one buy it. call the dudes at cambria they were a huge help with everything. they made it possible for me to have my dream bike so call em. buy this bike if you want a top of the line bike that is capeable of anything.
Favorite Trail: Tsail, Stonewall, Chickopee, srry got a few
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At: Cambria
Similar Products Used: jekyll, heckler, tracer, just about anything i could take out and ride
Bike Setup: sid xc, avid cable discs(hopefully hayes hydralic soon), lx xt, bontrager cranks, control tech seat post, selle itallia seat(verry cool lookin), race face stem, easton bar, salsa grips(love em-got the ones with the chillie peppers on them very cool),richety clipless, mavic/xt wheelset, and panaracers-very good tires
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Submitted by
Mike Thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from Traverse City, MI
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001
Strengths: The bike just works great. It's durable, always amazes me and still looks like new after a year of abuse. (anodized frame is the ticket)
Weaknesses: none that I can find. er, wait a minute there is one weakness, my wife wants one.
Bottom Line:
I really love this bike, my wife asked me recently if I loved it more than I love her and if I'm going to park it next to the bed when our new house is finished. A few days/rides later, I still haven't answered her. I sold my road bike and ride the superlight exclusively, it's that good.
Strengths: This bike is the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. It handles technical downhills like child's play. Has made me a better and more confident rider. It climbs very well and is light. It is also strong in the important areas and looks great. Very stiff rear triangle, no flex when you are tossing the thing about. It tends to save you from crashing if you don't freak and just let it flow. I was worried about the fox vanilla r coil over shock but have discovered coil overs are better then air shocks. I like my bike!
Strengths: Weight,versatility (good for almost everything from moderate DH to full-on XC to city free-style stuff), toughness
Weaknesses: It may be a little expensive for some folks' tastes, but well worth it.
Bottom Line:
This is the most comfortable and lightweight bike that I've ever ridden. It takes downhills great and climbs better than my old Giant hardtail. I have the Fox RC but haven't felt the need to even use the lock out. I think that the main strength of this product is it's versatility. It moves great on and off-road. If you want to move up to a bike that you'll keep for years, buy this one.
Similar Products Used: Rode a Giant NRS 1 and considered purchasing it to save some $$. Also some Giant hardtails.
Bike Setup: Non-spec'ed demo bike with XT drive train (except LX front derail.), Sid XC, Titec stem, Salsa bars, Thompson Post, Ritchey rims and hubs, Avid AR 50s
Weaknesses: My set up does not climb that well, but I catch back up on the DHs so it is worth it.
Bottom Line:
Before I bought this bike I rode every FS I could get my hands on and now after having it for about a year I can say I made the right decision. If you like to ride fast tecnical trails this is the bike to have. Just enough travel to save your hinnie, but not so much that you can not ride up hills. The frame has no matinence issues because it only has one pivot. My only concern is the lack of areplacable deraleur hanger, so far no problems, but it is a concern. Bottom line this bike ruls for Cross Country fun or Downhill madness. If you can only have one bike that has to do everything well this is the bike to have!
Bike Setup: Zokie Z-3 100 XT drivetrain Avid SD breaks
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Submitted by
bad-brad
a Cross Country Rider
from granite city, il
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001
Strengths: climbing traction light weight - 23lbs quality travel with little maintenance - no trouble with pivot bearings after a year +
Weaknesses: suspension bob when you stand i've had to replace the shock bushings twice in the last year (2,000 miles +)
Bottom Line:
after a year of service, i love this bike. as built, it is very light, offers better climbing traction than my previous bike (gt zaskar), and lets me fly down hills with more confidence. seated spinning is the way to go with this bike, and it sucks up most trail obstacles with ease. i only use the lockouts on the road, and would not hesitate to suggest you to try one out for yourself.
Bike Setup: sid sl, ct2 bar and post, wcs stem, full xtr w/ avid mag brakes, crossmax ust, and time carbons. right over 23 w/ med ano frame w/ fox float rc
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Submitted by
jim
a Weekend Warrior
from pontiac,mi
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001
Strengths: awsome bike for the money
Weaknesses: cant remove inflated rear wheel
Bottom Line:
this bike is fast and comfortable. sweet handling. no noticable bobing. i was so afraid of spending 2 grand i almost bought a nrs2. i told my wife that this was the best 2 grand i ever spent. for get about it, this bike is it. im riding this bike so much im close to over training. this bike makes me want to ride all the time. after spending 4 months reviewing bikes i picked the right one. my thanks to all the bikers i e-mailed for their opinions.
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001
Strengths: superior handling and ride quality. Enough said.
Weaknesses: None Remember-Don't ever leave your S.C. unattended. It will be a gonner in a flash.
Bottom Line:
The Superlight rides like a Ferrari. I've driven a F355 with paddle shifter and I can admit the feeling is a blessing. Alright, back to the bike. I love it. I rode it around the bike shop(on a carpet) prior to purchase and was amazed by the level of comfort it provided. I knew this was the bike. I didn't need to take it outside to prove the point. So, anyway, I took the bike for a 30 mile ride two weeks ago for the first time. Wow. I rode a mix of pavement and hardpack/gravel in and around the Fairmount park area. The bike is very fast. My GT is probably the fastest accelerating bike I've ever ridden, but the S.C. is just plain fast. The landing and approach off rocks and ridges is smooth and well controlled. This bike will give you confidence after one tour. A great XC frame. Enjoy the ride.
Favorite Trail: schuykill river trail@betzwood(valley forge)
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: Manayunk
Similar Products Used: 1998 GT Tequesta steel hardtail with Shimano RC Kit
Bike Setup: Scuba Yellow Superlight--Judy SL; Shimano XT Kit; Fox R Float
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Submitted by
Samuel
a Cross Country Rider
from Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001
Strengths: Excellent handling at all speeds. Climbs like a hardtail. Simply a dream going down the hills.
Weaknesses: Don't inflate the rear tire before mounting it on the bike, because it won't fit between the brake calipers.
Bottom Line:
Get this bike. It is well worth the money. You will forget what you paid for it after the first ride.If you want a light bike with an excellent, comfortable ride for long XC trips, this is the perfect bike for you. It also works suprisingly well for short road trips (I have ridden 20 miles on asphalt without any problems). You really don't need the lock out capability on the rear shock. Finally, if you have any questions before you buy a bike, call Santa Cruz (their number is listed on their web site). You will immediately talk with someone, and they will answer all your questions. They run a first class shop out there.
Bike Setup: superlight X kit with SID 100 and Fox-RC with lock out.
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Submitted by
mike thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from traverse city michigan
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001
Strengths: everything
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
i don't know what all the fuss is about, hell i'm ready to sell it. just kiddin'!!! this bike is absolutely the best, why heck even herbold, roll and tomlinson give it 3.5 stars in a shootout with the fuel and sugar. ya just can't go wrong with the superlight. one recommendation though... it's more comfy and seems to steer better with a riser bar. i don't know what it weighs and don't care.
Bike Setup: the good stuff, atom 80, lx crank, xt otherwise, flite, hellbent, thomson, and a rare color--red anodized
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Submitted by
Mike V
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Strengths: Technical ability both climbing & descending, comfort and weight.
Weaknesses: None that I have found.
Bottom Line:
This bike is unreal. I previously owned a Stumpjumper FSR XC Comp & in just a few weeks I have improved my technical skills. The first time I rode the bike I was able to clean a switchback on the Dakota Ridge trail that I had not been able to make before. After owning the bike for only 4 weeks it was off to Moab & Fruita. In three days we rode Slickrock & Amasa Back in Moab & Mary's Loop/Horsethief Bench in Fruita. This bike amazed me. Either I got better [not!] or the bike has superior handling!!!
For the first time I can't think of a bike I would rather have - so far it exceeds my expectations - what else can be said.
I recommend this bike to anyone who enjoys riding trails all day. Its low speed and high speed handling are top notch, it goes where you want it to when you want it to!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC Comp GT I-Drive
Bike Setup: Standard Superlight with Super X kit - I did upgrade the fork to a Marzocchi Bomber Z-3 Air with 100mm travel. I highly recommend this setup for anyone who is aggressive & weighs more than 170 lbs. The bomber is much stiffer than any SID I have tried!!!
