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Submitted by
RAFAEL
a Downhiller
from Braga
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Pernalonga | | Strengths: | Exaustive 254mm travel it never ends , strong frame and stupendous design , carbon fiber and dhx 5 , VPP | | Weaknesses: | Pedaling , but seriosly pedals much better than most DH bikes , so its fair | | 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 | | Bottom Line: | If u want hardcore Downhilling , and just have the ultimate dh bike ;) just a wonderfull bike .
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan Pawlina
a Downhiller
from Courtenay, BC
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | evil eye, Mt washington | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | parksville | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | giant AC2 | | Bike Setup: | 2002 or 3 santa cruz v10 with 03 marzocchi shivers, huge ass seat and handelbar shifter | | 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 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A B
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | loose, rocky, steep drops | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | friend | | 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?) | | Similar Products Used: | Honda CR250 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Awesome downhiller. Well worth the price if you are going to use it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brock mcrobb
a Downhiller
from australia
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | cairns, kuranda | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | nice big travel for the big hits, nice long frame, lovely angle. | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | other dh bikes | | Bike Setup: | 888 RC forks, hope minis chris king headset | | Bottom Line: | world class for downhill despite the weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Almost
a Racer
from Barrie ont Canada
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | Balfa bb7, norco team dh, diamondback dh strike | | Bike Setup: | fox 40, 5th element progressive, etc etc. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jaime
a Downhiller
from dana point, cal, USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | telonixs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | turner Dhr, stinky dee(Loved this, the best ever!!) | | Bike Setup: | Monster t, avalanche, gustav mr., bionic floating, 2.8 tires, double wide rims, xt, e13, zebra seat, | | 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 | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Satan OfSingletrack
a Racer
from Vancouver BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | CBC, Dirt Merchant, Frieght Train, | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$6000.00 | | Purchased At: | John Henry Bikes | | 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, | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Team DH, Kona Stab Supreme, Intense M3, Banshee Screem, | | Bike Setup: | FORK Rock Shox Boxxer World Cup
SHOCK Fox DHX 5.0
REAR DER SRAM X0 short cage
SHIFTERS SRAM X0 right trigger
CRANKSET TruVativ Holzfeller Howitzer 38 tooth, 165mm
CASSETTE SRAM PG 990, 11-32
CHAIN SRAM PC 990
BRAKES Avid Juicy 7's w/ 203mm rotors
BRAKE LEVERS Avid Juicy 7's
BARS Race Face Diabolus riser
STEM Thomson, 31.8mm
GRIPS Lizard Skin lock on
HEADSET Chris King
SEAT POST Thompson
SADDLE WTB Rocket V Stealth
WHEELS DT FR 6.1D rims laced to DT 440 hubs w/ DT 14 guage spokes, brass nipples
TIRES Intense Super Sticky 909 2.7 front, 2.5 rear
Stans/Getto system hybred tubless system
| | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rtye rdtytr
a Weekend Warrior
from hdfghdfg
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | butcrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | none it broke in half but i trades the rest of it to some gangster with a super cycle | | Weaknesses: | i was riding to the store to get milk and it broke in half | | Similar Products Used: | my new supercyle | | Bike Setup: | supercycle, merrcelli forks | | Bottom Line: | i wount recomend this bike to anyone who ride stuff bigger than curbs, peace out wiggers | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Kodak,TN
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lower 1/2 of Southern Rocks @Windrock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Local | | Strengths: | Solid design & stiff. | | Weaknesses: | n/a | | Similar Products Used: | {Santa Cruz Bullet}--YETI DH9--GiantATX DH--Azonic Eliminator-- | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi 66RC--SAINT Hollowtech II--HAYES HFX9--Atomic Aircorp Wheelset-- | | Bottom Line: | 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 !
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
plummet
a Downhiller
from new zealand
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | s/h | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
blake
a Downhiller
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Northstar in Tahoe area | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner DHR (first generation), Iron Horse SGS, Weyless 67, Intense M1 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi 888r, sram, mavic, intense tires | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Downhiller
from Whistler
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Cant pick just one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots. | | Bike Setup: | Dorado, WTB Power V, Sun-Ringle Flats. 2.5/2.4 Maxis Minions F/R, floating disk, factory build kit | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wayne carter
a
from lihue, hawaii, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | RAGING ISLE!!!!!! | | 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 ) | | Similar Products Used: | Kona roast,Joker ( broke it in half a few times.. true a JOKE! ) Azonic Eliminator | | Bike Setup: | 5th w/h ti spring, truvative BB/cranks, easton 70 post, yeti lock ons, kona DH primo bar/stem, hays HFX-9 8", gazzi 2.6 ( front ) gazzi 2.35 ( rear ) Stratos 8", LASER DISK DH wheel set, MRP, jack sh*ts.... | | 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 ) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam V
a Weekend Warrior
from Cornwall, Engand
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | always looking | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | privite import | | Strengths: | Frame strength and stability
5th Element is amazing
Plush with massive travel and firm pedalling
Gives you the confidence to go faster, bigger and more extreme than ever.
| | Weaknesses: | Uphill is very hard work
Soaks up most small jumps | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Super 8
Cannondale Gemini 2000
RM7
| | Bike Setup: | Progressive 5th Element with floating caliper, 03 Shiver, Chris King, Race Face, DMR, MRP, Hope M4 brakes,
Halo Combat rims, Maxxis tyres. | | Bottom Line: | The super plush 5th Element with Ti coil assists one of the best DH frames on the market to provide 10" of rear travel while still maintaining a firm pedal stroke. The rear wheel sticks to the ground like glue and the travel feels almost bottomless. FLOATING CALIPER IS ESSENTIAL!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | norfolk jumps | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | i jus tried the bike at my local dirt jump trails | | Strengths: | supper plush
great part spec
nice ride
looks trick | | Weaknesses: | not much of a jumper | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz super 8
specialized big hit
cannondale gemini 1000 | | Bike Setup: | the owner said stock | | Bottom Line: | i could deffinatly see myself ridin this bike down the rootiest rockiest steepest trail ever. the suspension was awesome and i loved just cruisin around on it. how ever i was ridin at the dj's and i wasn't able to feel the full performance on the jumps, after all it is an all the way downhill/ freeride machine. but i'll give it 5 chillies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julio H. Sponsored by American Tool
a Racer
from Puerto Rico San Sebastian
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | La Cuchilla Aibonito | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4275.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenalina en Isla Verde | | Strengths: | Lots of travel 10", very plush, ever hit the rocks gardens on straight line, Strong frame, Progressive Suspension and good pedaling for a DH machine. | | Weaknesses: | Paint scratches(not anodized version), only 32 holes rear hub (not 36H available), no color designs (stickers) like M1 or ScottUSA, maintenance (pivots linkages screw adjustments) and long time necessary to learn the better suspension setings. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense M1, ScottUSA High Octane, GT Lobo and Mongoose NX 9.7 DH | | Bike Setup: | Floating brake system, Med size, 5th and Boxxer Team (custom settings),Raceface cranks, Intense tires, Hayes 8" rotors, MRP (custom fitted) and Shimano spd | | Bottom Line: | I change from M1 because my new sponsor help me in my interest of test the V10. In the first month of use I broke my ribs (I can't jump the big rocks), in the third month of use I injury my back and after six months of bike setting, NOW! I can say; that’s V10 IS THE BEST BIKE IN THE DH MARKET! This bike is really different. Change to FLOW style riding technique. Is possible descends through the rock gardens using the most direct route without scaring you. "Use the saddle" for the best control at high speed rock sections. If you love jumps needs to perform lots of adjustments to found the setting. Conclusion: TAKE YOUR TIME TO KNOW THE SUSPENSION SETTINGS BEFORE USE THE HYPERSPEED MODE. ENJOY THE BIKE THATS RULE THE FUTURE OF DOWNHILL ENGINEERING. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
plummet
a Downhiller
from new zealand
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | s/h | | Strengths: | stupidly plush, lots of travel, awesome pedalling (for a 10 inch travel rig) | | Weaknesses: | i have a pre-production model and there are to stops to stop the bearing moving sideways in the frame. it just relies on an interferance fit to not move. um..... may be u can't put the seat up for riding on the flat (but who cares) | | Similar Products Used: | specialised palmer dh bike, ellsworth dare, craftworks dhr. | | Bike Setup: | fox rc rear shock, flating rear brake, dh hayes 8" rotors, xt 9 speed, truvativ hassefelt cranks, bb and guide, boxxer race, sun rhyno lite....size small frame. | | Bottom Line: | This is the plushest bike i have ever riden. it actually uses some of its travel before u even sit on it. the straingest feeling is the insane plushness whilst pedalling and having the bike surging foward. it also has realy slack head angle it like 65 normally but once u sit on it it sags 40% into the travel and u have a head angle in the 50's the steaper the tracks get the better. the downside to this is uphill is not an option and riding flat or slight up north shore ramps is harder than usual.
bottom line is if u want is this is one awesome machine buy one now..... and save the money and get the floating brake version. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Moynihan
a Downhiller
from Oak Park, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Suicide | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4700.00 | | Purchased At: | Westlake Cyclery | | Strengths: | Is this area allowed to have more than a billion words? Stiff, plush, firm pedaller, never bottoms, plush enough for the little stuff, rails everything. Feels like... soft. It doesn't feel like you're on something with wheels, and the back end feels like its a ski on fresh powder, yet is firm in feedback when you pedal | | Weaknesses: | Break in of shocks and stuff... basically just nothing - some people say its heavy, but my stab primo must have wieghed 8 pounds more. | | Similar Products Used: | Stab Primo, DH comp | | Bike Setup: | Shiver, D321's, 909's, hayes, easton bars, thompson seat post, fizikue (physique) plateau seat - basically all stock | | Bottom Line: | Fun fast bike. Raced last year and never got better than 4 of 9 and I rode this bike for max of 30 minutes before I raced, after off DH bikes for a month, and without having time to adjust or break in shocks, and raced in higher class, and got 3rd of 14. If that doesn't say it, there has never been a bike I have been more comfortable on, and the 5th isn't even adjusted right (came undersprung). One note though - shop around, and not just stores, but people. I talked to a person at the race who said she could get it for around 2k less than 18 hours after I paid 5111.18 for it and some pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris fisher
a Downhiller
from north vancouver bc
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything on fromme | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | oak bay bikes | | Strengths: | 5 th element,stifffff,strong,provides lots of confidence when going fast through rock gardens | | Weaknesses: | the boxxer on it sucks,i ovalived the top crown stancion clamps in 4 rides and the ti nitrade peels when u move the crowns up and down but this is not the v 10s fault | | Similar Products Used: | specialized big hit dh,bullit | | Bike Setup: | mavic hayes rf titec boxxer(crapfork)mrp u know the usual | | Bottom Line: | this bike is the best thing around for dh,i dont know how it will handle on the shore though proabably a little long but it will do,i am living in switzerland for the season this year and the v 10 is the ideal bike for here all u ride here is rocky and i mean rocky trails on gondolas all day and night if u like ,it rails throgh the nastiest rock gardens without a flinch get this bike if u want to go fast
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KEVIN C
a Downhiller
from ALAMEDA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | NORTH STAR SKI AREA. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | PRIVATE | | Strengths: | STRONG ON THE FAST ROCKY DOWNHILLS, GOOD AT DROPS AT HIGH SPEEDS, NOT GOOD ON FLATS OR ANY KIND OF UP GRADE. YOU HAVE TO STAND TO CLIMB. VERY PLUSH. | | Weaknesses: | LONG WHEEL BASE. ALMOST TOO MUCH TRAVEL. HARD TO JUMP. | | Similar Products Used: | M-1. BULLIT. RM-9. | | Bike Setup: | MANETUO DOREDO TRIPPLE. MRP. SCRAM 9.0 | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE FOR RACING AND RIDING AT SKI AREAS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morgan Benbough
a Downhiller
from ashland, oregon
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ridge run | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5200.00 | | Strengths: | best downhill bike on the market, totally amazing, bike stays glued to the ground under all conditions! be sure to get the floating brake as well. the thing pedals like a scared rabbit. its the best bike i have ever had(or will have) haha. take the time to adjust the 5th element, its way worth it in the end | | Weaknesses: | i found that 2 bolts that connect the rear triangle to the linkages came loose after a while, its a pain becuase u have to remove the chain guild to tighted them, other then that? not a thing! it rips!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | intense m1, santa cruz s8, giant team dh | | Bike Setup: | dorado, hayes, 321's, other normal dh bike dressings | | Bottom Line: | i would rate this bike to the highest level, its unmatched by whatever else is on the market today | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey
a Downhiller
from Cascade, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Moab Rim/Pourcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4800.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Beefy Welds, Progerssive 5th Element, Stock 909's, XTR derailuer, Race Face cranks | | Weaknesses: | none... yet | | Similar Products Used: | '02 V-10, Specialized Big Hit, Giant AC-2 | | Bike Setup: | '03 V-10, Boxxer Race, Intense 909 tires, 5th Element rear, Race Face North Shore cranks, Hayes 8 in. rotors, and pine scented air freshner. | | Bottom Line: | The Santa Cruz V-10 is the mark for any other bike claiming to be a beef-roll. This bike can take any abuse you can fathom to jump it off of crash it into, this bike is made for DH's who wanna go as fast as possible on the rockiest terrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael s
a Racer
from n.ireland
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | les gets 1 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | stif sports | | Strengths: | the back end works really, really well, super plush and bottomless | | Weaknesses: | to complicated for some | | Similar Products Used: | gt dhi | | Bike Setup: | dorados, mrp, 321's and all the usual dh clobber | | Bottom Line: | i've had this bike for 3 mths now and it has given me no bother, i did have a problem with the forks and now their fixed and super smooth.
out on the track the bike is second to none, at first the bike feels really inactive cos the sus is so good, it feels like riding on tarmac, no exagerating.
this bike is best suited to dh riders who are serious about racing or those who just want the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin W
a Downhiller
from Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | DH Youth Park & Mount Eskin | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | 5th Element, 10 inches of rear wheel travel, 6066 aluminum alloy, best for 8 feet above jump. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp DS-1 (own), Ac1, Nrs, Santacruz Bullit, Norco Atomik, Shore, Ellsworth Dare, Id & Truth | | Bike Setup: | 03' Marzocchi Jrt 170mm, Sram Disc, Maxxis 2.7" Tyre. | | Bottom Line: | Santacruz V10 is an awesome DH Bike, it makes mountains into molehills. The V10 is a best bike for professional downhillers.
Who needs a bicycle with ten inches of rear suspension travel, a |
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$ 1799.00
