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Submitted by
Billy
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens, Georgia
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Georgia Cycle Sport | | Strengths: | Strong, Light, Effecient | | Weaknesses: | None man | | Bottom Line: | I am a light rider (150lbs), and it performs well under all conditions. Great balance and comfortable in the air. Good climber. No repair history. Ride it hard everyday because you can. If you see a berm, drop off. If you see a jump take it. Don't let the xc geometrey fool you. She is very capable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Braham Belferman
a Cross Country Rider
from Venezuela
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | San jose-Paracotosthe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Racer's Edge. net-- | | Strengths: | Light, fast, gorgeous (yes!)plush (single pivot and Fox rules!) | | Weaknesses: | Powercoat not so durable, but I'll paint it later in a few years. Non more than that. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab, Orange sub5, marin, nothing compares | | Bike Setup: | Full Xt, Fox Float 100RL & Float Rl rear, crossmax Xl, Hutchinson airlight, Thompson Elite, carbon low riser. | | Bottom Line: | The bike rocks, I'm glad I made this choice. All the time after my rides I sleep looking at my bike whith a very big smile, Descent very well, uphill awesome, light fast, accelerate like hardtail, perfect for thecnical stuff and it's not delicate (not intented for jumping but can take 3 foot drops anytime) I weight 170 pounds and have set my rear fox to 90 psi (no noticeable bob, just if I look down)
Just spend the cash, it worth every penny!!! really | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, Co
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | mojo cycles | | Strengths: | nimble, quick bike. Great on technical downhills. Surprising performance on switchbacks. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 1 | | Bike Setup: | xt drivetrain; Fox Talas shock | | Bottom Line: | As all new bikes are "5s," I thought I would wait a bit before giving my evaluation. Three years and 6,000 miles after purchase of my 2001/2002 Superlite (about the same as a 2003 model), I'd like to weigh in. This bike offers a superb combination of uphill, downhill, and cornering ability. My ability to handle technical downhills improved dramatically with this bike, and my 50-year old body is less "abused" after the fun. Bike geometry is ideal: the pedals are forward of the butt just a bit, so it is easy to crank with power. The low weight also makes this a good choice for epic rides: I did the 85-mile White Rim (Utah) trail in 9.5 hours without much trouble.
Buy this if you like technical track, want to improve, or want to preserve your body. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michalzyk pete
a Cross Country Rider
from parker, co usa
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | tough, light, fast,quality, cool color,unique look, not too common | | Weaknesses: | it wants to go real fast so you have to spend money on good tires! is that a weakness???? nope! | | Similar Products Used: | GT hardtail, schwinn 95, trek 930, yeti asr | | Bike Setup: | blue anodized, mavic 517 rims, xtr rear, titec hell bent riser, EC 70 carbon post, conti vert 2.3 front, conti 2.1 escape rear, fox ava shock, black elite 80-100 fork, egg beater pedals, all else xt... | | Bottom Line: | so when you snap your fork in MOAB and have to rent it is usually a bummer. unless you rent the bike you have been eyeing for the past year and it happens to be a Superlight. i got back from my trip and the next week i was at the shop picking up the frame. bottom line is that this bike is a bad mofo! i purchased the frame and built it with the components from my hardtail and some upgrades i could not resist. this was the best purchase i have made in a long time. this bike really likes to fly on the desents. the cornering ability on switchbacks is great. climbing is excellent which was my main concern with going to a full susp. not much interference from the pedals and i have tried both with the susp active and locked out and did not really fell much of a gain in power. very smooth over all technical stuff and plush when you need it. like i said before this bike likes to go fast. it also likes to be leaned into turns and sometimes i feel like it has a mind of its own. do yourself a favor and dump some cash into some good tires. (not IRC!) until last weekend i averaged 2 crashes per ride and was starting to loose confidence. the contis really helped to stick to the trail and now i can start enjoying more of what the SL can offer. 7 rides so far on it and i do not feel i have even felt the potential of this bike. everytime i push it more it surprises me as to its ability to handle anything. my advise is if you are bordering on getting this bike, do it and do not wait. every ride on it puts a smile on my face and the $1200 credit card bill seems so minimal compared to the fun i have. no words i can say will convice you to buy this, but once you do you will know what all of the SL riders are talking about | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RacerZ
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sports Shop | | Strengths: | Makes me go fast. Easy to lock out the shock and fork for smooth trail riding. | | Weaknesses: | XT Rear shifts slow. | | Similar Products Used: | Epic,Palimino, Suger 3 | | Bike Setup: | Super X-Kit with 100m FOX RLC fork. | | Bottom Line: | I chose this instead of the Blur because they had a frame in my size and color already in the warehouse at Santa Cruz.
At the time, I couldn't even demo or sit on a Blur. Supposedly it was going take 5 months to get some more Blurs in. At any rate, I was moving from a hardtail to a full-suspension, so I don't think I would notice the difference between a single-pivot and virtual pivot bike.
After taking several bikes to a local technical trail(Epic,Palimino, Suger 3, and Superlight), I picked the Superlight based on how it felt on the trail. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Solano Avenue Cyclery | | Strengths: | Very light, very nimble, responsive, simple design, low maintenance, handling is amazing, acceleration is great | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode: Trek Fuel, Specialized FSR, Giant NRS, Rocky Mountain, Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | - Anodized silver frame
- XT shifters, derailleurs, brakes, crankset, and hubs
- Manitou Black Elite Air fork
- Fox Racing Shox w/ lock out
- Salsa "Moto Ace" stem, Titec "hellbent" bars
- Salsa "Shaft" seat post
- Mavic X517 rims; Tioga Factory XC tires | | Bottom Line: | I absolutely love this bike! But beware--if you are bordering on being addicted to riding (as I was before getting the SL) this bike will put you over the top. Before you know it you'll be looking for any kind of excuse to get out on it. The bike handles suprisingly well and has even bailed me out of some hairy sections of the trail where I was sure I would crash and burn. The bike is making me a better rider than I ever was before. I am also very surprised at how snappy the acceleration is with the Superlight. Pedal and it takes off.
Bottom line--a great bike that should be strongly considered if you are serious about mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Angwin, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the 2500 acres behind my dorm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Denny Bicycles, Ukiah, CA | | Strengths: | Anodized paint, lightness, simple hassle-free design, quality from Santa Cruz is top notch, I got a great build-up deal, $1,700, that's a strength I guess... | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really...well, maybe the chatter from the rear when braking on fast descents, but you could just stay off the brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Truth, Specialized FSR, Trek Fuel 90, Kona Dawg | | Bike Setup: | Anodized Blue (you should spend the extra change and get the Anodized, you'll be very happy), XT all around, '03 Marzocchi Marathon SL, Fox Float RL, Avid 7.0 brakes, eggbeaters, Easton carbon bars and seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I think that this is a great bike. Santa Cruz is producing some of the highest quality products on the market. I like the stamp on the frame that says "MADE IN THE USA." The Anodized paint is durable, I've hit the frame on rocks and you can't notice a scratch. Not to mention the paint looks frickin awesome. It blows the Specialized out of the water. It's twice as nimble as the Trek, and it's half the price of the Ellsworth. This bike accelerates, descends, climbs, and threads the needle through the tight singletrack. My setup came in at 24 pounds (medium), and I couldn't be happier. You should atleast test ride one, but be careful, you may just have to take it home with you:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JSM
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Peachtree Bikes | | Strengths: | Light, quick, nimble, simple, shorter top tube | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fishser Sugar 2, GT LTS, GT RTS(still misunderstood), Cannondale Raven | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float RL, Marzocchi Atom 80, 25.8 lbs., 5'10"-medium frame | | Bottom Line: | OH MY GOD!!! Ordinarily my benchmark for whether or not I like something is based on if it does something wrong or not; if something doesn't do anything wrong, I'll probably like it; i.e a handel bar, my Camel-Back, my car. It's a significant achievment for designers and engineers to make something that not only does what it is supposed to do, but, does not do what it is not supposed to do. They have a demanding job. Rarely do I encounter something that impresses me as doing everything right (i.e. my wife). My Santa Cruz Superlight does everything right, everything. It is quick and nimble, it slices through tight and twisty singletrack like no bike I've ever had before. Its shorter top tube and tight angles make this bike so agile. I feel like I can rush into a turn and wait until I'm there to pick a line out, or change my mind in an instant. Switchbacks - Remember how the Bat-mobile had that cable and hook for grabbing onto lightpoles and doing a 90 degree turn at 100 mph in dowtown Gotham - it corners like that. I do not understand the recent trend toward longer top tubes. Acceleration is snappy. Climbing is outstanding, especially on rough technical climbs; just stay in the saddle and go. On descents, this bike makes me feel faster then I ever have before. The suspension action is great. It has a great balance between front and rear. Its combination of quick handling and plush suspension make for a great bike. A very fun race bike, or rather a very raceable trail bike; whichever, you choose. I am in love with this bike. It is without a doubt the best mountain bike I have ever had. And its simple design has been a maintenance dream. I have been making more excuses than ever to ride since I got this bike. It is so much fun! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any and all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bicycle Experts | | Strengths: | Light, solid, quick, responsive, well made frame. You can pick your own components and frame color. The frame fit is excellent large -(6.0 ft 175 lbs) | | Weaknesses: | As with anything that is well made, and not mass produced, it is expensive. There isn't much margin for the bike shops on the frame so you can't do too much dealing. | | Similar Products Used: | Many different frames and component sets. Full rigid, soft-tail, very active full suspension and slightly active full suspension. Many different manufacturers. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi MR PRO, full XT (Avid brake levers). Easton stem and post. | | Bottom Line: | I'm an older rider and have tried virtually every type of frame and component group. Full rigid SS through 5 in travel full suspension and everything in between. I do not have the courage (not insane) for downhill but love every other type of riding. I have found, for me at least, that a light, less active FS, quick bike works best. The Santa Cruz Superlite fits the bill. Very stable, great climber, exceptionally quick and with the exception of hucking big drops, descends with any of them. In this price range, you have a ton of good choices, most of which are wonderful bikes. The Santa Cruz Superlite should be considered by someone looking for a XC race bike who has a body weight under 200 lbs and is concerned with the overall quickness/response of the frame. After adding components you will be well into the $2,500 - $3,000 range. A large chunk of change, but a wonderful ride. I just love the fork! If you get one of the 2003 Zoc's, get the ETA, it is terrific. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J P
a
from Ga.
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | weight, a machine didnt make it. simple frame | | Weaknesses: | none-zero! | | Similar Products Used: | fsr,fuel | | Bike Setup: | xt,xtr,thomson,blah blah | | Bottom Line: | A frame thats has been around this long, still is super popular, has great ratings has to be good right? Others have copied, that says a lot. It is light has little flex only bobs a little if you are tired and have that awkward peddle stroke.Climbs great. You can buy others with more weight and more frame and pivots trying to eliminate bob, (but dont), that take away your 4" of plush, smooth, consistant travel or you can buy this. Comes with solid parts nomatter what package. It has great ratings for a reason! Buy one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilbert Az.
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any tough singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2320.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle whearhouse | | Strengths: | the weight (25lbs W/ pedals) along w/ 4" of travel front & rear you can't beat that. Single pivot=low or no maint. Large rear shock won't get overworked- component spec is right on: Bontrager, Easton, Titec. | | Weaknesses: | the rider weight limit-sorry big dudes & air shock reliability questionable, stock tires(hutchenson python) suck here in the Az. desert. XT derailler shifts slow even compared to my 3 yr. old SRAM 9.0s | | Similar Products Used: | 99 SC Heckler w/ coil sprung susp.,Specialized FSR, Trek FUEL Gary Fisher Sugar 1 & my cro-mo hard tail | | Bike Setup: | 2003 factory spec. Fox 100RL fork, Easton carbon bars & post, bontrager wheels, XT/LX components, Titec saddle, Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | After test riding the above bikes, they just did'nt compare. This is an awesome XC bike. It climbs like a mt. goat locked out or not. I prefer to climb unlocked for the better traction except on very smooth surfaces. You hardly notice a differnce. For a air sprung bike it sure rides smooth and efficient, but not as smooth as my previous bike that was stolen(a 99 santa cruz heckler).Yes I am a second time buyer, that says something. But that bike was 29+lbs. and bobbed while climbing. I don't miss that. All my riding buddies who ride this bike love it, except for the higher ride height compared to a hard tail. They say it still handles very well. Fox did a good job on there air shocks, I just hope they last awhile. If I could only have 1 bike this would be it. I could ride it all day because it does everything well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy S
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, Ca
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | UCSC Upper Reserve | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1644.00 | | Purchased At: | Through UCSC Cycling Team Deal | | Strengths: | Great Components, Awesome suspension, Great Fit, Beautiful construction, Snappy Handling, Super fun to ride | | Weaknesses: | Paint Seems like it might be a little weak, I am not worried though | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing at all similar. This is my first "Real" bike I am coming straight off a fully ridgid REI POS. | | Bike Setup: | Super-X kit w/ Fox Fork 100RL plus Chris King Headset, Shimano M959 pedals, and the Fox Float RL rear shock | | Bottom Line: | I am having so much fun on this bike. I just picked it up two days ago and have gone on two epic rides already. It is pretty plush but very easy to climb on. Even though I was riding in somewhat wet condtions my tires always stuck to the ground. When going downhill point the bike and it goes! It is a huge confidence builder. I am fairly new at Mountain Biking and I can't believe what I can do on this bike. I was worried about getting this bike because I tip the scales at 220 lbs but it is no problem at all. I e-mailed Santa Cruz about the rider weight limit here is thier reply:
"The 2002 model Superlight suggested weight limit is 240lbs.
The suggested rider weight limit for the Superlight frame is mostly there to let people know that this is a lightweight cross-country frame, and not a "Big Air, Big Drop-off, Do it all" frameset like our Bullit frame, or an Aggressive XC/Light Freeride frame like our new 2002 Heckler 5. Heavier and very aggressive riders should stick with the Heckler or Bullit frames.
All of us here at Santa Cruz ride the Superlight, and we ride them pretty hard.
The Superlight is really quite strong, and if you are right around 200-240lbs and are going to use the Superlight for all around, cross-country applications, you will be fine."
I took their advice and am glad I did. It is super stiff and burly I really can't see breaking this frame.
I only have around 30 miles on this bike so far but I love it! If anything goes wrong in the future I will repost. Wholeheartedly recommended to all XC riders! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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