great bike good first timer downhiller sticks in the corners and runs on the flats.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marvelous
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: October 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
SANTA CRUZ
Strengths:
It was a strong frame....none strengths
Weaknesses:
I loved the bike, rear end cracked, head tube cracked both cracked on the weald. now 3 piece frame.
Similar Products Used:
everything santa cruz makes.....
Bike Setup:
avalanche fork, shock, 24"s.
Bottom Line:
I wish it didnt crack ever, i really fell in love with it, but the day came and it broke. Im sad.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris walsh
a Downhiller
from vernon b.c canada Date Reviewed: June 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
rock star
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
kelowna
Strengths:
strength,speed.....everything
Weaknesses:
iv had no problems with the frame its held up very well even thought while riding this thing iv snapped and rc and blown my fork
Similar Products Used:
any other dh bikes
Bike Setup:
super 8,5th element,24" rear mag 30,26" front mag 30,shiver with 7.5 oil,hayes mags 8"fsa cranks with 44 tooth ring,axiom guide ect....ect....
Bottom Line:
i love this bike if your lookin for a good reliable frame i would recommend it if your worried about weight it really isnt as bad as some of these guys make it sound i ride street on it sometimes and iv been able to to hope up 3 foot curbs on it so its not bad just take a bit more effort
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jake brady
a Weekend Warrior
from so cal Date Reviewed: May 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:
freinds backyard
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
freind
Strengths:
super stromg, bottomless rear travel, super stabel in the air.
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
big hit fsr
Bike Setup:
fox vanilla rc, 2001 roxshox boxxers, raceface cranks, mavis d521 wheelset. hayes 8", whitebros ti bars, azonic shorty, hugi dt hubs, s&m pedals.
Bottom Line:
Im 6'2 and 200lbs. super strong bike that loves to be hucked. super smooth at speed and has never let me down in a jam. wouldnt mind a new bb tho... first dh bike but very glad i made this choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Balkwill
a Downhiller
from Orangeville. ON, Canada Date Reviewed: May 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
dirt merchant to A-line
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
shop
Strengths:
super stong
Weaknesses:
heavy
Similar Products Used:
giant ac1. fsr extreme.
Bike Setup:
Avalanche dhs rear shock, monster T 7 inch on the front, king head set, azonic chubby bar and stem, tompson layback seat post, fsa v-drive extreme crank, raceface dh bb, mrp guide, 321 rims hadley rear hub hugi fr front hub, hayes purple brakes with razor rock levers and a floating brake.
Bottom Line:
I like the bike alot. it is very stable at high speeds loves to fly and allways pulls you out of a jam. this bike is bike is perfect if you only go up on chair lift or back of truck. the only thing i would change is make it lighter. it is very heavy but you do not feel it while riding. it is very balanced.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Smith
a Downhiller
from Mission Viejo Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Aliso Woods, saddleback
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Extremely beafy frame, single pivot creates a simple, yet affective platform, Pedals well!
Weaknesses:
Heavy, but hey, it's a DH rig. If it breaks, Santa Cruz doesn't make Super 8's anymore. Will replacement parts be an issue?
Similar Products Used:
Bullit, Nomad, Intense M1, VPP Free, in all honesty, I am more experienced with the long travel trail bikes, but this bike pedals as well as an M1
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Shiver, XTR, Hadley-321 wheelset.
Bottom Line:
The cool thing about mtn biking in SOCAL is that there is a real dispoable way of thinking that people have here. People buy killer stuff and rotate it out after minimal use, I am no different to this way of thinking, but I am trying to change my ways. Anyway, htere are a lot of cool mtb bikes out there that are a couple of seasons old, virtually in pristine condition, FOR MUCH less than retail.!!! For 1000 bucks, this is one of the best bikes I have ever owned. The super 8 can take a pounding, and with the shiver on the front it fell like a mini version of my Honda CR450X, sick suspension. It pedals extremely well, and is very efficient, I am wondering why SC just didn't modify this frame as it pedals better than a V-10. I think its a better bike. Super 8's if you can find them are not very expensive, so their value rating is high as well. Just make sure that when you are looking, you get one of the more current Super 8's. The first versions of these were made with a super 8 rear swingarm and a Bullit front triangle, The frame I have is no Bullit, and it rocks for a DH rig!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tony baumann
a Downhiller
from Pfafftown, NC Date Reviewed: March 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
anything big!
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Very strong! no doubt about that! i have ridden the sh*t out of it, and still wants more! soaks up anything you put in front of it... anything! big drops, booters, rocks, gaps, roots, trees, houses, people, etc.
Weaknesses:
nothing that i can blame on the bike.
Similar Products Used:
bullit, stinky deelux, m1, banshee scream
Bike Setup:
marzocchi 66, profile crank, mrp, hayes, chris king
Bottom Line:
this bike is mofoin' bad ass, untouchable in speed, big hits and anything you can throw at it! buy dis sh*t!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zach
a Downhiller
from Morrison, Colorado USA Date Reviewed: December 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
long trail @ winter park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
used off Pinkbike.com
Strengths:
STRONG!!!! very nice welds, almost limitless travel, paint is as strong as the frame, will never chip.
Weaknesses:
a little on the heavy side, but i am not riding xc on this!
Similar Products Used:
big hit spec, big hit fsr, Irong Horse sgs team, demo'd a new yeti 909 (my next dh bike!)
Bike Setup:
red/black Super 8 with an avy, Black Boxxed Boxxer w.c. the usual dh parts spec (profiles, mag30s, etc.)
Bottom Line:
This bike owns.. I have never seen any drop that would bottom this beast of a bike. I went from single pivot, to fsr, and now im back to single pivot becuase it is always active on the rough stuff. Has some brake-jack but it never seems to bother me becuase i usually don't have to brake with this bike, it is just that fast. This was the best buy i could have ever made, and i am so happy with it. I highly recomend this frame to anybody looking to get an unstopable dh bike, that won't clear out your kid's college fund. BUY IT!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A
a Downhiller
from ColoradoSprings, co usa Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
used off pinkbike.com
Strengths:
Tight pivot, Super strong, fast, fast, did i say fast? Plush yet the single pivot doesnt bob climbing, my fav bike yet
Weaknesses:
Heavy, single pivot brake jack
Similar Products Used:
more than i should have
Bike Setup:
01 candy red boxxer, mrp, 46tooth, double wides, nokian gozzaladis hayes 8in
Bottom Line:
This thing is fast, stable, tight, and basically point and shoot. The single pivot gives break jack, but it makes up for it because it doesnt bob in the rear while pedaling. heavy, but thats ok because its so strong. 6'4, 195lb, and no problems besides a snapped bb.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
erick
a Downhiller
from tacoma Date Reviewed: January 16, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Exit 38
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
This is my first Dually, and what a good choice I made. This rig is cushy! Built for speed.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
GSR DH HT.
Bike Setup:
03 Monster T, 8" Avids, Chris King, Trailpimps, etc.
Bottom Line:
Very impressed with the burly build quality of the Super 8. My "brand new" 3 year-old bike should last for quite some time as it seems to be able to handle anything I will be able to throw at it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
trevor
a Downhiller
from burnaby,B.C. Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
a-line
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
pinkbike
Strengths:
the strength of my 2001 super is killer amazed me i love it to death except how the bb is i hate that
Bike Setup:
pizzatstem and bar,hayespurple8',24' mag 30,26'mag 30 front,24/3,0 gazzy and a highroller2.6 on front i have a 2000 5th element ans its sweet but i want a avalance ya thats baout it
Bottom Line:
i need to know other bb i could possibly buy bb's and cranks any possibl ideas will help a load
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Angel
a Downhiller
from California Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
my backyard
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
SC warnty
Strengths:
holysh*t this thing is strong! i made a bet withmy biddy on who could crack there bike faster and this thing wont break! i jumped off everything nothing breaks! (well my old rear vanilla RC did but that was a 00' shock so it need it)
Weaknesses:
nothing, literally
Similar Products Used:
1 1999 super 8 2 2001 super 8's 2 2002 bullits 1 03 bullit 1 03 karpiel apocolypse 1 big hit and 1 foes dh mono everything besides the super 8 has broken (i love warnties!)
Bike Setup:
hayes8", risse champs/or/Monster T, vanilla rear (now a avy), hellbent bars, double wides, maxxis 2.7's, hadley hubs, azon. shorty stem, mrp with xtr arms (broke) now a hollzfellar with evil b-gaurd, gigapipe dh BB, everyother expensive part out there.
Bottom Line:
i take this bike off 25 foot cliff drops, 20 stair to flat stair gaps, dirt jumps, ladder caurses, DHing, FRing i basicly everything that u go fast on or can drop off of i do. this bike frame has never had a single problem its built, thats all just built, its worth buying some old beater super 8 breaking it so u can get a new one from SC and building it up it ill never break! i wish i could some more of these things!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Strengths:
Nice welds, solid (kinda, see below), smooth, looks kick ass.
Weaknesses:
The rear swingarm can crack at the junction of the CNC brace with the swinarm just under the seat mast. This happened to mine and i have read about 7 other reviews on this site of them cracking in the exact same place. Get rid of the fox for an avy. I weigh 85kg and was running an 850 pound spring. Basiclly, the fox is underbuilt to handle the leverage ratio of the bike.
Similar Products Used:
Big Hit Karpiel
Bike Setup:
Super 8 frame with avy shock XVert carbon race fork profile cranks Mavic 321's XTR bits
Bottom Line:
Bummer about the crack, i'm really pissed off because otherwise it is the best bike around to handle the abuse. Upgrade to the avy shock. Fox's are no good on this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a Downhiller
from Saltsburg, PA Date Reviewed: April 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hells Pass
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4800.00
Purchased At:
Gatto Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
Beefy swingarm, and strong frame.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Yeti DH-9, and Foes DHS-Mono
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Super Monster, Grimeca System 12 Hydraulic Discs, Maxxis High Rollers, RaceFace cranks etc.
Bottom Line:
This is a Downhill/Freeride machine, its for people with balls, not for wimps. So if you plan on going off that 45 ft. drop and keep on going, then this is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dan blo
a
from new york, new york, u.s.a. Date Reviewed: February 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
out of bounce cliff hucks
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
boomtown sports emporium
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
snapped in very many pieces after taking a 63ft vertical cliff huck.
Similar Products Used:
mountain tour zellers bikes.
Bike Setup:
hanebrink lt-14s
Bottom Line:
do not buy this bike if you plan on taking like measely 60ft drops.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gordon
a Downhiller
from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
there all good
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This bike is just bad ass nothing can stop it. Super beffy and its so smooth on the big DH trails. Any size drop that your balls can take you off your set. The pivits are great they never get lose like so many bikes out there (RM,Norco,Kona). It has strong paint looks sweet in red and black and you know ever time you ride it there is some one looking at you saing thats a sweet looking bike.
Weaknesses:
Its a little heavy but I didnt help it out but getting a 2003 monster T but well woth it for the type of ride you get off of it. But the only real bad thing about this bike is that it has the s#@&y Fox RC and its still ok. If you have the cash for sure go to the Avalance its the best shock out there way better then the 5th plus they have there new 3.5" stroke shock out now.
Similar Products Used:
There is not much like it but the M1 and the giant team or comp
Bike Setup:
02super8(black),03monsterT's,MPR,NorthShore,mag30's,Arrow 3"tires, and sad to say fox RC but that will change
Bottom Line:
This thing is so bad ass, it can take anything you can give it and it will just soke it all up in its mad travle. I love this bike for DHing and hucking nothing will beat it Santa Cruz made the best bike for 2002.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Downhiller
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Trails at Blue Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Built from the ground up
Strengths:
Massive, way overbuilt for lots of punishment. Strong, super fast, rolls over anything at freeway speeds. Very nimble, able to negotiate tight singletrack. But really designed to go really fast down anything. Smokin' set to become a cult classic.
Weaknesses:
The Fox rear shock and brake jack set up to give you a violent buck if you hit the brakes too hard. So the idea is not to hit the brakes anyway on a bike like this, just ride fast. If you have the money put a Romic or Avalanche on the back.
Similar Products Used:
None really
Bike Setup:
Stratos S8 on the front (bottomless), mix of XT, Raceface, Blackspire, Titec, Funn, Hayes, Maxxis stuff. Weight is not a concern. She weighs almost 50lbs. Put a 46t ring and 3" tires on it and moto over anything.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a true motorcycle without an engine. It steers really well with the Stratos fork taking on tight single track with ease. Peddle bob? None noticed. Can be powered small up hills. Point it down and it eats 12" obstacles without a shudder. If you miss your line, just hang on tight and peddle through whatever. What a sweet machine. BTW, where is the engine????? I'd give it 5 chilis but would have to ditch the Fox first.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john wulff
a Downhiller
from copenhagen denmark Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Hmmmm
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
private
Strengths:
The hole bike
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Monster t 9" mr dirt 24" sun ringle rims
Bottom Line:
Really a graet bike! go and bye today before it's to late! U Wont be let down! :-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt gillis
a Downhiller
from fall river Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
urban
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
the bike people
Strengths:
looks, color ,frame makes you feel invinceable
Weaknesses:
rear shox, bolt in shock suddle come's loose easy. THIS BIKE DOES NOT LIKE TO CLIMB UP STEEP HILLS IT LOVE'S TO GO DOWN
Similar Products Used:
never used any thing like it
Bike Setup:
02 frame 01 monster, 8" hayes, d-wides
Bottom Line:
if you get a avalanche rear shox all the problems are sloved when you first get on the bike you feel like you can do anything it made my riding style better. if your looking for a strond dh bike that can go on the shore do urban, drops and dj's sweet this is the bike for you
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joel menelaws
a Downhiller
from canada Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
flume
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
sponcered
Strengths:
alsome bike setup is geat. super strong will take any beatingyou give it (and i mean any beating)
Weaknesses:
eh no much little things. very heavy
Similar Products Used:
rm7
Bike Setup:
monster t's fox rc race face cranks bb hellbent handle bars xtr lx
Bottom Line:
one of the best bikes you will get a chance to ride the price is rigght for wat your gettin very good bike.greatest downhill big loves the huckes (alot) go big on this bike. 20-25 feet easy hahaha well for some people. get this bike if you want somthing to last for along time
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin K
a Downhiller
from Walsenburg, CO USA Date Reviewed: September 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Indian Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Bills Bikes
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
if your light, its hard to turn, brake jack
Similar Products Used:
'99 M1
Bike Setup:
26 doublewides, WB DH3 fork, kona DB bars stem, odessey seat, truvativ cranks, BB, and guide w/mrp rollers, purple hayes 8", soon to be added floating brake.
Bottom Line:
its a great bike, it takes a few minutes to get it set up right, but once its there, its awesome. the fox shock works better than the progressive if your a hucker. it can be built light. its a bike you can just point and shoot and it will devour everything in front of you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Downhiller
from Upstate NY Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
This bike ROCKS!! I got it used and it came tricked out.....didnt have to change a thing
Weaknesses:
Uh........there was a problem with the swingarm always cracking but I have the new SWINGARM so I dont have any problems
Similar Products Used:
Giant AC1 ( TOTALLY ABUSE IT )
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Super 8 w/ Monster T, 24in DoubleWides ( F&R ) MRP Dual Slolam, Nokian Gazzaloddi 3.0's, Hayes 8in rotors etc etc
Bottom Line:
The Super 8 is a great bike, I got it used and it rocks so I can imagine if I had got it new. I Freeride and Downhill and the bike hasnt let up yet. Has helped me become a better rider since I dont have to worry about something breaking I can concentrate on the trail........
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jenny
a Downhiller
from Sacramento CA Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
Great frame design, stiff, good bike for the money.
Weaknesses:
The only thing on the bike that I don't care for right now is my fork. If anyone knows anythign about Hanebrink forks please e-mail me!
Similar Products Used:
Intense M1
Bike Setup:
Hanebrink LT-9 (which is being a major pain in the butt), XTR crankset, XTR rear, Hayes 8 inch, Mavic D321's,
Bottom Line:
This bike has been great for the price I paid for it. My first dh rig and I love it! This bike is a great product for the price of the bike new. It's well worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Morgan Evans
a Downhiller
from Denver Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Apex
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5120.00
Purchased At:
bycicle werks
Strengths:
The super 8 is amazing! Super stiff, no flex at all. Supprisingly nimble for the weight, and great rear suspension design. For a top level downhiller, the price is great. (2002 don't have a 5th element)
Weaknesses:
none yet, the fox on my super 8 works great! also,i snatched up the last medium super 8 ever made.
Similar Products Used:
iron horse DH, pirranna
Bike Setup:
shiver dc, mrp, sun double wide, 8" hayes hydros, northshore DH cranks
Bottom Line:
A fantastc bike. Has to be the best downhill bike for under 5,500$. super stiff, and has a very plush rear end.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren Leary
a Downhiller
from Victoria BC Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Planet of the Apes
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Forbidden Cycles
Strengths:
Stiff, strong, adjustable, inexpensive to maintain, attractive.
Weaknesses:
the Fox Vanilla RC (2002 have Progressive thank goodness) Either that or get an Avalanche.
Similar Products Used:
Marin Team DH
Bike Setup:
Stratos S7, 26/24 wheels, dual Hayes 8", Axiom cranks.
Bottom Line:
Excellent frame, feels great, nice and plush, stiff, great big huck bike or freeriding frame. Ditch the Fox shock if you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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