Hang some choice parts off of the Santa Cruz Bicycles V10c Frame with DHX RC4 rear shock and you're ready to take on any downhill race course. The latest in carbon fiber technology will give you the edge needed for a podium finish thanks to it's lighter weight, and stiffer properties.
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from Ingolstadt/Germany
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2009
Strengths: Plush, no recap on drivetrain, resulting in pedaling while hitting obstacles, long wheelbase, for race conditions, not tricky/Tacky Trails, only for downhill at high level / competition.
Weaknesses: None for its proposed use.Doing cc with it is a stupidity.
Bottom Line:
Gorgeous, for intese riding.No hardening of rear suspension due to floating rear brake calipper, no pedal-bob Best for redefinig your abilities and improving.Fast.It`s a racemachine.Liked it, good handling though long wheelbase.Too dangerous for pron-riders/beginners, not for Freeride use(Geometry and Handling).You wont pedal up any hill with this, nor want to move it along the city.....but down a good DH-course you will get addicted. :D ;)
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky , Intense Uzzi Vpx
Bike Setup: V10 ( 2008 ) white L , fox 40 rc2 2009 , hope m4 , dtswiss fr2350 whells , raceface cranks , thomson and easton , maxxis tubeless tires
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Submitted by
Bryan Pawlina
a Downhiller
from Courtenay, BC
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2007
Strengths: wicked, bottomless feel, although you bottom it every time on drops, on the trail it soaks up to 6 or 7 inch rocks and roots like nothing, , heavy is good.
Weaknesses: heavy is someimes bad, when jumping, or when you pick up speed to fast between jumps and overshoot the next one by about 15 feet and crack your helmet jordon
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is this bike is huge, even if it fits you, look at the bottom tube!, i dont knwo if you could ever bottom this bike, the shivers this bike feel way better then regular forks, because it feels like less is moving, instead of the whole front end, its just your tire. The most amazing eeling it is to ride this, it makes it feel like in is a groomed cross country trail, and yet you can rip off drops. It makes you able to go faster and still feel comfortable riding, amazing. PS the only reason it gets a 4 for value is because there are other bikes out there for 6 grand you can get that top this
Bike Setup: 2002 or 3 santa cruz v10 with 03 marzocchi shivers, huge ass seat and handelbar shifter
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Submitted by
A B
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007
Strengths: Literally impossible to bottom out. floats over rocks and ruts like they aren't even there. Well balanced on the ground and in the air. Nothing else like it (excluding MX bikes).
Weaknesses: weight (it dosen't really matter when you are flying down a hill at 40+ mph, does it?)
Bottom Line:
Awesome downhiller. Well worth the price if you are going to use it
Bike Setup: 888 RC forks, hope minis chris king headset
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Submitted by
Almost
a Racer
from Barrie ont Canada
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2007
Strengths: Plush, this bike eats up anything under it, case and point, a heavy rider, such as Nathan Rennie, can ride it.
Weaknesses: I'd have to say the price
Bottom Line:
I'd like to remind the poster of the first review that he is an idiot, the v-10 is not a heavy nor a cheap bike. Tis bike it meant to be ridden. As far as peddling, you're mentally retarded, it's a vpp set-up, it flies while peddling. He set up his bike with a 13 pound fork, this may be an effing huge factor to why he can't pedal it. Otherwise, my point it, don't read his review, it's full of idiocy's that I'd rather not even get into.
Similar Products Used: Balfa bb7, norco team dh, diamondback dh strike
Bike Setup: fox 40, 5th element progressive, etc etc.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
jaime
a Downhiller
from dana point, cal, USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2006
Strengths: This is for an 03 v10. stupidly plush, but at the same time doesnt waste away inch by inch.
Weaknesses: stupidly Heavy,(55 lbs+) pedal horribly but what can u expect
Bottom Line:
This bike is very very plush although it weighs over 55 pounds built up period. i would not of chosen the monster's but it wasnt my choice, the brakes were stupid due to the rapid fading. the bike doesnt pedal and is NOT efficiant on flat or uphills. i think it would be more worth pushing a honda 250 (without an engine) to the top of a dh course and riding it back down. out of almost 6 bikes ive owned(03 bighit-LOVed it/05 Kona stinky dee-like 10x's more/ 04 Dhr-pedaled better and lighter/ 03santa cruz bullet-wastes away travel, stupid bike/ not to mention 3 others), this has to be the worst bike ive ever ridden, if it was spect more for saving weight, it would be extremely fun to jump, and ride around town. Not the case. i hate even taking this thing around the block. what can i say, this is wat it was designed for. i loved the and stinky dee the best out of all the bikes ive ever ridden, truly a mastered piece of art. If u live near a course that requires no pedaling, go for it. but if u have any uphills anywere, BEWARE, this is not the bike for u period. because it was so cheap, id have to say it was a 5 outa 5 but if i had bought his new, id say a 0 at most
Strengths: The 2006 V10 is Santa Cruz’s top of the line DH race bike. Santa Cruz got it right with the frame angles and suspension on the V10. This allows the bike to corner incredibly well, hold its line in rough terrain, provide huge confidence at high speed or going off of large drops Santa Cruz placed the suspension weight low on the frame so you can bunny hop the bike and move it around easily in the air. The V10 pedals incredibly well and with 10 inches of travel in the rear suspension it loves bombing through the rough stuff.
The Fox DHX 5.0 shock does have a predictable feel but does not have the progressive rate of other shocks on the market which you may be more accustomed too. This is rider preference but some people complain there is not enough rebound control. The Fox DHX 5.0 has a linear feel and requires you to crank up the rebound control to prevent the shock from bottoming easily. The Boxxer World Cup 8 inch travel fork has great tuning adjustability for rebound and high and low speed compression, it sucks up big and small hits. The name World Cup is right, just point and shoot this fork holds its line, even if you come up a bit short off a jump or drop.
DT’s 440 hubs are a top rate product but the DT FR6.1 rim build is too soft for normal daily riding and tend to fold inwards easily. Owner of these rims complain that the rims bend easily, the good thing is it does not compromise the wheel trueness or integrity and can still be used. That or I need to turn up the smooth knob to prevent rim damage from 10” of rear wheel travel/ confidence. The 8 inch Avid Juicy 7 brakes have more than ample stopping power and have nice features such as the ability for the lever to pop forward so they do not snap off at the master cylinder during a crash. XO shifting is a dream and allows you to run your thumb shifter inboard or outboard of the brake master cylinder. The rest of the component spec is top rate with Thompson post and stem, E-Thirteen chain tensioner, Race Face Diabolus bar, Chris King Headset and TruVativ Holzfeller Howitzer cranks.
With 10” of rear travel the chain tends to slap the frame and damage the finish. Santa Cruz should provide some protective covers for the chain stay and frame braces. Get your tape out and wrap the frame before it’s too late. The Lizard Skins grips are very hard and punish your hands after several hours of riding. The WTB Rocket V Stealth saddle was a great addition to save some weight but has not held up well in the muddy conditions, the stitching has worn through and is beginning to come apart. The Intense Super Sticky 909 tires work well but weigh a ton; this was an unusual spec on a bike that has components that are top quality but lighter throughout the component group.
Weaknesses: With 10' of rear travel the chain slaps the frame and chips the finish. Santa Cruz should provide some better frame protection or frame guards. Standard 40 tooth chain ring, ?? What were they thinking?? DT FR 6.1D rims that are soft and fold easily. Hard Lizard Skin grips. Heavy Intense 990 tires,
Bottom Line:
The V10 is a World Cup ready DH bike. If you have the $$ you will not regret buying this bike. Bear in mind it is a DH race ready bike and you will notice the length and feel when freeriding, note no granny gear here. The long wheelbase takes getting used to when riding North Shore style structures but point it downhill and this bike shines. Your riding ability and confidence will go up 10% on your first day. Just keep on riding this bike and you can only get better as the ample suspension will save you when you come up short or go a bit to long.
Buy it, bomb you local trail and piss of your buddies for having the best bike!
PLUSH.Sticks to the terrain like no other.Jumps fine.Great geometry for steep & fast Downhill riding.Very confidence inspiring frame. Pedals like a hartail-i mean it is a better pedaler than any other DH bike out there that i have tried.Also pedals over rough terrain in plush fashion & that's something that you have to experience to be happy about.No noticeable brake jack even on steep terrain. For poppy flashy jumping freeride i would recommend a Bullet or ASX.The V10 is a pure bred DH machine,but pedals so good i take it on some flat trails but it's hard to steer with the raked HA on tight trails no doubt! I give it 5 stars !
Favorite Trail: Lower 1/2 of Southern Rocks @Windrock
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: Local
Similar Products Used: {Santa Cruz Bullet}--YETI DH9--GiantATX DH--Azonic Eliminator--
Bike Setup: Marzocchi 66RC--SAINT Hollowtech II--HAYES HFX9--Atomic Aircorp Wheelset--
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Submitted by
plummet
a Downhiller
from new zealand
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004
Strengths: This frame is stiff, and stupidly plush. If imagined in the perfect world how plush a dh rig could be (and still take the big hits) this would be it. Also all my other frames have lasted less than a year before they have broken, this ones a year old and still going strong.
Weaknesses: By the time u sit on the bike it rakes out to about 60deg. which in less extreme tracks is too much. my frame is a pre production model, some idiot had pressed one of the bb pivot bearings in on an angle. i had to repair that. The frame is heavy for a dh racer, my mates m1 with almost the same gear weighs 1.5kg less.....tho im picking his one will fold up like a crushed coke can way before this does.
Bottom Line:
I was in the middle of a practice run for a nat dh race the course was rough and the suspension was pistoning up and down like a porn star on speed, i stopped and screemed at the top of my lungs "got i love this bike"..... my mates thought i had gone mad, but mate the bike was in its element and i realised i could not get any other bike to do a better job.
Similar Products Used: ellsworth dare, craftworks dhr208, specialised palmer dh, intense m1, norco a line, avanti d8, keewee cromozone
Bike Setup: boxxer,hayes,truvative,sun ryhno lites 9sp xt azonic...... I am running a fox rc shock in the rear of this. After riding a 5th element v10 my foxd one is about 20% plusher, doesnt absord the take off faces of jumps as much....but it is slightly worse to pedal.... who cares i like the plushness.
Strengths: solid feel, acceleration, corner superb, tracks very well shines when courses are really rough and steep.
Weaknesses: I understand the frame was not designed around the 5th element shock but I'd like to see a revision in the future if at all possible. A bit long with Marz 888R in the tight switchbacks but it works the other way in that it has high speed stability.
Bottom Line:
I needed a new DH bike and the price was right. It doesn't jump as well as others but I knew that going into the purchase. But it does everything else as though it was made specifically for it, wheather its braking over bumps into a corner, accelerating out of a corner or off the start line. It peddles rocky, rough stuff while remaining active. There is no excessive rebound problems with coming off larger drops. It feels well balanced in the air and has a low center of gravity. So far I haven't had any problems with linkage getting loose or noisy. I like the floating brake option. Does it make me faster? Maybe but I feel more in control which hopefully does make me faster. great bike!
Strengths: Ultra fast. Super stable at speed. Tracks amazingly well over everything. Corners on rails. Pedals as good as any fully active suspension bike of any type. Not that heavy.
Weaknesses: Lowest pivot comes loose all the time even with well used lock tight and axel is apparently prone to breaking; causes play in rear end. Floating disk does not work.
Bottom Line:
I ridden this just about daily for the past year and it's still special every time I ride it. It is so amazingly fast. I've seen a lot of bikes, and this one, this set up, is one of the best, if not the best DH bike ever. If you want to ride like Steve Peat then this bike is a huge step in the right direction. Yah it's a little long when your riding slow, but then it's not meant to be ridden slow. You can ride this bike as agressively as you want, but save up for rims cause you'll be going really really fast and at some point sh*t happens. I've blown up my 5th element 6 times this last season, I know most people don't have any trouble with them but I have to mention this cause it's been a pain in the ass; I'm not a big rider and I'm not a masher either, I do ride lots though. The floating disk, don't buy it, it does not work. The bike jacks like mad under breaking but it does not seem to be an issue at speed. I've heard rumors that it does work in last couple inches of travel but since the front of the bike is weighted under breaking this does nothing really. If you want some proof just look at the bike setups of the team riders. The lowest pivot on the bike need tightening just about every day and from what I've heard it not uncommon to break the axel there too, but thats just what I've heard. The b.b. is a bit low when the suspension is compressed and takes a little adjusting to if your used to more freeridish geometry. So it's not perfect, but what is. It is the fastest bike out there though despite its flaws, and the dorado is absolutely amazing after it is broken in. I wont repeat every other review you've read about the good things about this bike cause they're all true. It is a special bike. I also had a chance to get a few hours in the saddle of a VP Free and that bike is a keeper. It's looks and feels a little more refined than the V10. The steeper head angle and ability to run a front deraileur make this thing the bike to have if your gonna have one bike. On shuttle runs, the first time out was pure joy, no getting used to it, just riding. This bike feels like your own after 30 sec of riding and all your doing is thinking about where your going. And pedaling, it pedals like a hard tail and is buttery smooth over the chop. This bike is the aggressive trail riders dream. This bike should be owned by everybody. DH'ers will love it, XC guys, it WILL change the way you look at mountain biking, just give it one try, thats all it will take.
Bike Setup: Dorado, WTB Power V, Sun-Ringle Flats. 2.5/2.4 Maxis Minions F/R, floating disk, factory build kit
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Submitted by
wayne carter
a
from lihue, hawaii, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2003
Strengths: ohh man were to start.... the frame is great, especialy the head tube gussets! OMG! 5th element. floating break is ausome.. a must ( if you got the money to get the frame get the floating break! ) sucks up a 15ft drop like a 3 foot
Weaknesses: DUDE ITS A V-10!!!!!...although the shock leaks a good bit of air over night ( e-mail if you got some tips on that )
Bottom Line:
this bike brings up confidence level to a point that you better have good insurence! as you are hitting a 15ft'er you will already be thinking about whats next while in the air. AND DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE SAY!!!!! IT DOES GOOD ON dj's!!!!! i can clear any jump my friends can on there hard tails. ohh did i mention it pedals like hard tail... BOTTOM LINE= if you are going bike and fast its the best out there. or if you are lazy and want a cloud soft like ride ITS YOUR FRAME! PS. some free riding ( i do it ) and 90% DH ( what its made for )
Excellent condition/like new frame + several other parts if wanted, including RCS TI spring:
[url]http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=58890[/url] Read More »
I hate backpacks...:skep:
Not the prettiest thing, but when I install this frame pack prototype for some longer rides it carries spare tube, pump, basic tools and iPhone/cash. Z Read More »
