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Santa Cruz
2001 Superlight X
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Submitted by
Ray (Muddy)
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, NH
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Int'l Bicycle Center, Boston, MA | | Strengths: | What a beautiful bike! It took me a while to jump onto the full-suspension bandwagon. I did a lot of research trying to find out what design offered the best overall ride and reliability for the least amount of regular maintenance and headaches, and the Santa Cruz had it all over every other manufacturer. Anything equal or better was going to cost a lot more money (An Intense is $600-700 more). Weight, or the lack of it, was a key determining factor. I'm primarily a fast XC rider. I don't need a 6 inch travel freeride bike. The single pivot design of the SC is much less maintenance intensive than the multiple pivot designs used by a lot of my friends. I don't notice any suspension bob, but then I come from a road-riding background and spin rather than mash on the pedals. Now I can ride longer, farther and feel better than I used to be able on my hardtail. Plus, by simply adding or removing a little air pressure from the Fox Float rear and the SID XC fork, I can change the ride of the bike from stiff, efficient and racy to soft, plush and comfy. I still enjoy hopping on my hardtail for shorter, less rocky-rooty rides, but for a long day in the saddle, the SC is it! | | Weaknesses: | I have had to send my Fox Float RC back to Fox twice for problems with the shock. The last time they actually extended the 12-month warranty for me. Some people have no problems with the Fox Float. Other people have nothing but problems. But.....you can always swap out a shock. The front hub on the Bontrager Race wheelset has pressed in bushings that keep developing play in them. They have been replaced once. Unfortunately, you can't adjust them. I developed what I thought was squeak in the main pivot. It wouldn't go away. After months, I finally realized it was the cable end on the rear brake cable housing where it is mounted on the downtube. I shortened the length of cable housing, added a drop of lube, and no more squeak. Ahhhh, silence is golden! There have been no problems with the frameset. I HIGHLY recommend it. In fact, 2 friends have purchased their own Superlights after seeing mine. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain, Diamond Back, Cannondale, SC Heckler, Trek, Fisher Sugar, Specialized, | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox SID XC, full XT, Kore stem and seatpost, Easton carbon fiber bar, Bontrager Race wheelset, Selle Italia saddle, Speedplay Frogs. | | Bottom Line: | There are very few better bikes out there for fast XC riding or racing. The ones that are arguably better are going to cost you a fair amount of extra change. If you are looking for a light, reliable, bike, I highly recommmend it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Stewart
a Cross Country Rider
from O'Fallon, MO
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Grove in Chicago Suburbs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2550.00 | | Purchased At: | Walt's Bike Shop in Columbia, MO | | Strengths: | LIGHT!!! Almost no pedal-induced bob in rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Awful positioning for water bottle mounts. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float with lock-out, Black 100mm/120mm fork (that thing is more tuneable than my guitar!), LX/XT set-up, Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | After riding hardtails for so long, I was interested in a full suspension ride, but heard bad things about the bobbing effect. I tried a few different bikes, but I fell in love with the Superlight. The swing arm is massive but light, and the whole thing feels rigid. The only time the rear shock is used is when I need it, and that's all. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilroy, Ca., USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Stile Ranch/Rocky Ridge loop - Santa Teresa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2057.00 | | Purchased At: | Reed's Cyclery-San Jose, Ca. | | Strengths: | Lightweight, superb craftsmanship, good pedaling efficiency for a FS bike, great climber; excellent FS bike for a XC rider who likes to tackle a lot of technical stuff. | | Weaknesses: | None identified so far...however, I've only had the bike for a couple of days and have only taken it on one substantial ride as of yet. | | Similar Products Used: | My old tried and true bike for the past 10 years...a Bridgestone MB-1, Bontrager Comp fork and...thumb shifters! | | Bike Setup: | Ano. orange, full XT, Psylo XC fork, Fox Float RL rear shock, Shimano 545 pedals, Interloc stem/bar/post, Mavic 231 wheels, WTB saddle, Panaracer FireXC tires | | Bottom Line: | The bike is incredible! I had thoroughly researched this bike before purchasing and had heard nothing but rave reviews and I can attest...this bike not only looks great but it's beauty is surpassed by its functionality. I was prepared to give up some climbing prowess as it seems everyone complains about bobbing on FS bikes...but, this things climbs better than my rigid bike ever did and allows me to use a larger tire in back thanks to more clearance. "Bob" was minimal and didn't bother me at all.
I was amazed at how much faster I was able to descend under the rough stuff and how much more control I had. Bottom line is that I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase thus far and can't wait to give it more abuse. If you're thinking about making the move and considering this bike I say make the commitment...try them all, but I'm sure you'll be yet another ecstatic customer if you purchase the Superlight. If you're in the area, Reed's Cyclery is having a great sale on the 2001 models (see above), but this only lasts until 10/31. I also recommend getting a fit for $30 as they'll make sure you're dialed in from the get go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bret Young
a Weekend Warrior
from Corinth, NY Good ol US of A
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Orgasm @ Skidmore Stables | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mtbr Daily Market | | Strengths: | Climbs like a mountain goat
floats over rough singletrack
awesome trailbike with 4" of travel front and rear | | Weaknesses: | Somewhat flexy rear triangle for my 195 lbs. frame. especially at slow singletrack speeds. | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale jekyl | | Bike Setup: |
Powdercoat blue metallic frame with fox float rc. mavic crossmax tubless disc wheelset.Hutchinson mosquito tires. Avid mechanical discs(awesome brakes!!) Avid ultimate levers. Easton Monkeylite lowrise carbon bar. xtr front derailleur, sram 9.0sl rear derailleur. xt 11-34 cassette. AC lowpro crankset. Thompson stem/seatpost. Wtb sst.98 saddle. RockShox Psylo race fork.
| | Bottom Line: | totally awesome bicycle. set it up stiff and light for xc racing. let out a little air and add a 4" fork and go trail riding. Great do-it-all bicycle. Great job SantaCruz!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Ritchie
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfield, Ct. USofA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any technical singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3800.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal and Pump Darien, Ct USA | | Strengths: | Reasonably light for its travel. Decent paint job (I got mine powdercoated in red), Great geometry for fast and technical singletrack. (It's a little squirlly as the speeds increase though). | | Weaknesses: | Funky noises (chain slap, pivot creaks), Awfull cable routing, No disc cable guides, Fair to mediocre tire clearance,Powder coating scratches easily. | | Similar Products Used: | C'dale Raven, C'dale super V (I've owned both) | | Bike Setup: | I run the Manitou X-Vert air up front(BLOWS (literaly)), Fox Vanilla float RC in the rear. The shifting is full XTR, everything else is Race face, except for the FSA spline drive BB (I've had bad luck with Race Face BB's) The stopping is done by Hope XC-4 discs attached to Ritchey hubs and Sun xc-disc rims. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. The pro's outweigh the cons. The company (Santa Cruz) was really funky to deal with though. First they didn't have my bike in stock. No big deal, they said they'ld ship one out as soon as they built it. Great. After a several week wait we called the company. They said they lost the order and would ship one out ASAP. Great. After 2 more weeks a small red superlight appears at the shop. Great. Accept that I ordered a large. Called the company and they said "Bummer dude....Sorry". Back it went. 2 weeks later still no bike. Once again they lost the order and had no idea why there was a small frame sitting on their recievers desk. Unfortunately they had no large instock to send me (ARGH!!!). They did have one that was just about to be shipped to another shop. After much pleading they shipped it to me instead. Does anybody else see a vicious cycle (no pun intended) going on here??? After 6 weeks I finally got my frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango. Colorado
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | horse gulch, telegraph, etc. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal the Peaks | | Strengths: | great technical climber
forgiving on the downhills
comfortable on long rides
plush | | Weaknesses: | not being able to get the rear tire on/off without deflating it, not quite as quick laterally as I'd like | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Super X kit (XT, LX, SID XC) | | Bottom Line: | Having ridden a Cannondale Hardtail for the last 3-4 years I found the SID to have a lot more flex than I was used to, although it is definitely a lot more plush as well. Also it took me a little while to get the suspension worked out the way I wanted it and the bike is not quite as quick and agile as most people seem to think. On the other hand the thing climbs like a dream, especially on rocky technical climbs. I sit and spin through a lot of stuff I would have been outta the saddle on before. And if I need a little extra power I just lock it out, which I do quite a bit. On the downhills the bike won't make you a better rider but it sure makes things easier. If you do happen to get off line recovery is a lot easier and the rear soaks up hits with ease. Overall the positves far outweigh the negatives and I'm definitely a happy man. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josef Atzberger
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuqerque, New Mexico
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Can't decide, too much fun, too many places. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Balance, acceleration, control. Light and well built. Makes me smile. After 20 years riding and racing I feel like I did when I got my first real BMX bike. | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet. All the great things I've heard/read are true. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Truth (also super nice. But$$$$$) | | Bike Setup: | Super X kit with 2001 Psylo. XL in SID blue. | | Bottom Line: | The nicest riding bike I've ever been on. A friend had one in Moab this fall. I rode it for fifteen minutes, came home and ordered one. Was riding a tricked out Ti hardtail which I love, but was disappointed to give the Superlight back. Its fast, stable, predictable. I got the rear shock with the lockout but have not used it. The shock only seems to work when needed climbs. Could go on and on, go ride one and get ready to spend the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Doylestown, PA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Marsh Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Cafe - Canada | | Strengths: | Lightweight, quality of construction, 4" rear travel, ease of maintenence, fast, no bob, good climber | | Weaknesses: | Crummy decals | | Similar Products Used: | None really; rode a Raleigh Chill for 3 years and a Klein Pulse II for 5 years | | Bike Setup: | Super X kit from SC, Fox Vanilla coil over (nice!) and 2001 Mars Elite, Panaracer Fire XC Pro's (1.8" try 'em) | | Bottom Line: | 5'10", 170lb, medium frame. Very nice ride. I have scared myself on decents with this bike it is so smooth and forgiving. Hemmed and hawed about getting a large, went with a med. Rotating the handlbar forward a little and moving the seat back a wee bit helped quite a bit to get over an initial cramped feeling. Handles very quickly which takes a little getting used to. Rocks and roots here in PA helped me make the switch to FS. Glad I did and will never go back. Any input into the handlebar and you are heading that way so get ready! I see not reason why this would not make a great racer. Love it and can't wait to ride it some more. I got the bike without the fork for $1625 U.S. from the Bicycle Cafe folks with a Vanilla. Very plush ride and only adds about a 1/3 pound. They recommended it vs. the RC with lockout due to problems with that shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vic bastige
a Cross Country Rider
from skippack, PA USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | snail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesport | | Strengths: | weight/stifness, workmanship, product support, spiffy looks, SIMPLICITY of design. | | Weaknesses: | lack of replaceable rear derail. hanger? | | Similar Products Used: | Pro Flex, Kona, cannondale | | Bike Setup: | super x disc kit, Marzzochi Z2 Atom race | | Bottom Line: | Only had rig for couple of months but very satisfied thus far (as are most S.C. riders I polled before purchase). The Hayes discs are a tasty upgrade; I love 'em. Clear stopping advantage over traditionals and they have not needed any adjusting yet. Big plug for the guys at Bikesport in Trappe, PA. They did a great job setting the rig up and easily competed with online pricing. Let's hear it for the guys in the local shops.
Now go get one, silly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Havertown, PA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon, Fairmount Park, Phila | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bike Line Manayunk | | Strengths: | Design/geometry, weight, confidence builder | | Weaknesses: | Chain slap | | Similar Products Used: | Tested G.F. Sugar, Jamis Dakar, Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Super X kit (XT, LX) with Marzocchi Bomber X Fly | | Bottom Line: | After many years of riding no suspension and a few years of riding front suspension XC bikes, the jump to Full suspension was one that took many weeks of consideration and investigation. My previous bikes ('87 Jamis Dakar which I still own-greatest bike until now, and Stumpjumper M2 Pro) both fit like a glove the moment I tried them,compared to many other bikes I tried. The geometry of the FS bikes is much different from the front suspension bikes-more upright-than I was used to and felt awkward. The Santa Cruz, however, fit like a glove once more. I am 6'-1" and the large was perfect.
I bought the bike yesterday and went for the first ride today. I'm extremely happy with the purchase. The reviews on MTBR were immensely helpful in the decision to buy this bike. The test was the clincher. While the bike is much more expensive than I was considering spending, my belief is that you should always buy the best and you'll never be sorry.
It is unbelievable how well this bike handles. Climbing is great and downhills area incredible. You can ride over anything. Any bob, even out of the saddle, was minimal and didn't affect the ride. I'm used to riding smooth lines, but found myself riding straight throught he roughest lines with no decrease in speed. Cornering was superb. This is a real confidence booster. Get this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rusty
a Cross Country Rider
from San Deigo, CA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anderson Truck trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Lightness, Comfort, everything | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Obed, GT and some other hardtails | | Bottom Line: | This bike is sick, it seems that everyone is in agreement with the exception of a few people. This is my first full suspension bike and I was skeptical of loosing efficiency, climbing agility and weight gain. This bike shattered all those and any other myths of why you shouldn't get a full suspension bike. The first day I got this bike we went out to Noble Creek Canyon which has some rocky technical trails and this bike out-performed any bike I had ever riden.
My suggestion if you don't already have one and are thinking about purchasing one, quit sitting around and go get one even if you have to rob the QuickyMart or an old lady.
I only wish they had more chilis to give out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A.C.
a Cross Country Rider
from Mpls,MN
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Eriks Bike | | Strengths: | - Good climber,awesome downhill performance, very agile
- Stiff frame and BB area, esp for FS bike
- Good mix of components out of box
- Light weight
- Good looks
- Simple, low maintenance design
| | Weaknesses: | -Rear tire isn't easily removed unless tire is deflated,due to tight brake clearances
-Short top tube | | Similar Products Used: | Bridgestone MB-3,Cannondale R-400 road bike,many FS demo bikes | | Bike Setup: | XTR shifters,XTR rapid rise rear deraileur,Oury grips, Selle Italia Flite saddle,Kore stem, Time ATAC carbon pedals | | Bottom Line: | I'm the type guy who retires their bikes when their worn out and ready for the sh!t can, so I was hesitant to make the $2000+ drop on a new bike,but my beat up 8yr old MB-3 and stiff,aging back demanded it. So far, no regrets, great bike for the money,good handling, great climber, excellent on descents, really stiff frame for FS bike, as little frame flex and climbing induced bob as can be found. I've put about 300 miles on mine so far with no problems. Personally I have short legs and longer upper body and found the top tube about an inch shorter than my MB-3, but made the fit perfect with a longer 150mm Kore stem and setting the saddle back a bit. For my weight, I run the rear shock at a lower pressure and the front a bit higher than recommended pressure to get "ideal feel" of minimized suspension induced bob while climbing and plush downhill obstacle absorbtion. I regret not making the transition from rigid bike to FS earlier! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Manhart
a Weekend Warrior
from Pocatello, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | West fork of Mink creek to Corral creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Surfs Up | | Strengths: | Inexpensive for the weight and travel. Very simple design and requires little maintenance | | Weaknesses: | The Avid-7 brakes make rear wheel removal almost impossible when the pads are new without leting most of the air out of the tire. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Fox R shock, SID XC fork, LX and XT equipment (super X kit) | | Bottom Line: | I've only put 175 miles on the bike so far but I really love it. The suspension makes down hills so much smoother that I'm not tired after a big decent. I wiegh 170 lbs and I'm running the suspension quite soft. 105 lbs in the shock and 5 lbs in the fork. The price for 4 inches of travel and the simple maintenance are the reasons I bought it. Oh ya the weight doesn't hurt either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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