Submitted by
Mike Cutts
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: May 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Morzine rocks!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Strong, plush, chuckable.
Weaknesses:
Maybe a little heav compared to newer bikes - but then you have to pay lots more for them.
Similar Products Used:
V10, Super 8 original (not good!), VP3, Bighit, Demo8, Stinkys, Enduro SX, RM7
Bike Setup:
Marz Monster T, Hope Ti6s, Mavic D321s on Hope Bigun front / Hadley rear, Fox vailla RC Propedal
Bottom Line:
Ran this bike as my only bike for a bout a year. Was awesome once the propedal shock was put on it. Really too much of a DH bike for me - went up hills better than it should have but was pretty hard work still. Handled anything I could throw at it on a DH - 2 weeks at Morzine was heaven. Much plusher than a Bullit - good for the handy cam. Only got rid of it coz I got an awesome deal on a VP3 with 888s - not as good a Morzine bike but about 5lbs lighter and has more travel - higher BB restricts it a bit. Just bought a Blur LT to replace the VP (maybe - getting old....). So maybe I'll buy another S8 for my yearly pilgrimage.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zorro weatherburger
a Weekend Warrior
from australia, victoria, melbourne Date Reviewed: November 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
any downhill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
dads friend
Strengths:
rock shocks front shocks are exelent aswell as the fox, good rims but i have changed mine since i got the bike
Weaknesses:
big ,heavy, chunky thing
Similar Products Used:
none, its a one of a kind bike
Bike Setup:
santa cruz super8 frame, hayes hydrolic disc brakes,intense mag 30 dh rims, rock shocks front shocks, azonic pedals, intense lock on odi grips
Bottom Line:
the best bike eva, allthough dated it can still jump over a house and take the the rough langings you give it, also the shocks are the softest things ever, its like you dont even feel the landing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Massive Dik
a Downhiller
from New England, USA Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
ANY lift serviced downward trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
ahhh, bike shop?
Strengths:
beefy, stiff rear end. good geometry adjustability. fairly cheap for pro level DH rig.
Weaknesses:
FOX shock! the bike BLOWS thru its travel way too easily! 2 footer or 6 footer, bottoms out the same it seems. oh! fox already re valved it, added spring, same result!
Similar Products Used:
99 super 8, 99 & 2000 Marin DH (everthing else I tried is 4 bar style linkage)
Bike Setup:
stratos S8, doublewides, hayes (typical DH build)
Bottom Line:
If you can, avoid FOX crap...... I think they are getting a little too big for their breaches! shock are thrown together poorly, I've seen too many busted or mal-functioning fox shocks! for now we have to deal with them but thats about to change thanks to Avalanche, Stratos, Romic and Progressive! Cant wait! work good on some bikes I guess, 3 terd piles for the days when no one else would try but fox. Getting lazy though, Q.C. / Q.A. wake up!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kyle
a Downhiller
from vail co Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
your sister
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Colorado bike service
Strengths:
too much to list!
Weaknesses:
The boxxer is love/hate but i'm 13 riding one of these i can't really complain!
Similar Products Used:
pos lobo
Bike Setup:
boxxer (love/hate) hayses (sweet!) d521's race face north shore cranks mrp 2.65 irc cujo's
Bottom Line:
i realize now that the people who said this bike flexed and brakejacked are way overweight and finnessish in thier riding. if you ride this bike right it rides as sweet as anything i've ridin
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Downhiller
from Hickory NC Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3900.00
Purchased At:
Lightning Cycles
Strengths:
PLUSH!!!!!! Strong as hell. You can't bust this thing.
Weaknesses:
47lbs but who cares it eats every thing it should be a little over-weight
Similar Products Used:
nothing can touch this
Bike Setup:
Shiver 8" hayes the works
Bottom Line:
Damn fine bike for a damn fine price. If you are interested in Going REALLLLYY fast and doing it smoothly get one. I promise you will never wish you have a better bike.EVER!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darrren Leary
a Downhiller
from Victoria, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
sheiks : organ donor
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Strengths:
Stiff stiff stiff, great geometry, nice workmanship, good for big hits, plush, stiff, nice colors, stiff.
Weaknesses:
Rob a Downhiller from Nevada
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
Stratos S7, 24" rear...
Bottom Line:
Finally. After wasting time with a Marin I broke down and got a good bike. This think is awsome for big hits and DH/freeride type riding. Very comfortable in the trails as well. Of course its heavy, and no thats not a weakness. Handles like a dream.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Jackson
a Downhiller
from Canada Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
shieks/plunge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Forbidden Cycles
Strengths:
Stiff, Strong, plush, takes big hits well, corners well, just rides like a bike should, great geometry with a 24 inch wheel and a 7+ inch fork.... rides lighter than it actually is....rear through axil makes for a super stiff swingarm...
Weaknesses:
none relly, i use my s8 for x-country, DH, urban, dirt jumps ect every week!
Similar Products Used:
a few 4 inch travel bikes, and a Marin team dh (pure garbage),
Bike Setup:
Stratos s7 fork, 26" fr wheel, 24" rear wheel, Black spire NS-1 chain tensioner, Hayes 8" disc fr and rear
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, if you are sick of you bike breaking buy one of these, very versitle, and a great bike for the price! If you read the rest of the riviews you will notice the one below mine is the only bad one!!!! In my opinion it should be disregarded, dont take my word just go ride one.....This bike is best suited for dh or freeride, though as i say above if you are strong enough it is no problem to do a few x-country/dh rides a week!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Downhiller
from Nevada Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Strengths:
Has pretty paint and decent price
Weaknesses:
This bike is sluggish. The fork absolutely sucks and the suspension feels crappy. I've had the bike tinkered with and revalved and resprung etc. It doesn't ride nearly as nice as an Intense and it cost more than a used intense. The 24" wheel is lame and doesn't provide any advantage aside from being closer to the rocks I keep hitting due to decresed ground clearance. The shoddy machinework and inconsistient welds show a lack of workmanship.
Similar Products Used:
Intense M1 (nothing even comes close), GT LTS-DH, LOBO, Tomac 204 Magnum, new and old design, Old style super8 of friends until taht snapped off at the headtube
Bike Setup:
Super-8, stock DH kit
Bottom Line:
I won't ever buy one of these again. Nor will I let any of my friends ride them either. I will stick with bikes that are made in house by the people that put their name on them. I thought I was buying a custom bike but instead i was buying a mass produced 7005 non-heat treated frame that is contracted out to some cookie-cutter frame producer. I won't buy a santa cruz again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Collin
a Downhiller
from abbotsford, bc, canada Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Woodlot or Grouse
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Lifecycles
Strengths:
Super Bomber, super plush, gobs of travel, very adjustable,super trick.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, but who cares i'm still beating my buddies up the hill on their sub 40 pound Intense Uzzi DH's.
Similar Products Used:
Bullit, FSR, RM6, RM7, VPS-1-2-3, Intense Uzzi DH
Bike Setup:
7 in DH2, front derailleur, 26" F, 24"R, raceface hs, cranks, bb, Hayes 8" f/r, XT shifting
Bottom Line:
This bike rules. It stomps everything in its path with relative ease---> dropped a HUGE air the other day, the compression was so hard I busted my seatpost clean off and touched my faceguard to my top tube, but the bike kept rolling with no problems. If you want a bike that does almost everything and still go large and land hard all the time get the Super 8.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chavez
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver bc Date Reviewed: March 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
woodlot or grouse
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
bike zone in surrey
Strengths:
with 7.5 for travel and a frame that is solid this is one really strong ride. not sure if ill get used to the one chain ring up front and might still modify. this is one heavy machine to pedal on any flat.
Weaknesses:
well unfourtunately i kept the shiver fork figured i'd be a guinnea pig. like every other marzocchi product the springs way to soft im only 175lbs. cant ride 26 wheel with 3.0 tire ... fork travel hits tire and cant modify it to fit must have 34 for 3.o. other than that so far so good.
Similar Products Used:
i had a y2k vps2
Bike Setup:
pretty much stock
Bottom Line:
well as much as i really like the whole package they still asking too much money for a bike.. even though i paid it it's gettin expensive here in the matrix. I liked last years vps 2 and i have no regrets about getting this years team dh. other than the fork issues. there's a lot of fun to have on your spare time and having the right equipment just absolutely makes it.. worth every penny. turns heads anywhere you ride. 8" rotors do make a difference. dont take home the factory clipless they garbage. The seat is incredible no chaffing. I f you don't have a bike rack i feel sorry for you cuz i hate taking off the wheels is a hassle.. totally worth it though. Just waiting to see how they handle lifetime warranty that they offering. really good bike so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Al
a Downhiller
from Nova Scotia,Can Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Tuff Frame components very hardcore
Weaknesses:
going up hill is a killer (who cares? its a DH bike)
Similar Products Used:
stinky dee lux Bulit DH Kona -DU DU
Bike Setup:
Sram components, NSX race face crankset with MRP chainguide mavic Dee Max Mobster 2.7 and mofo Hayes Hydros Monster T THE Fender
Bottom Line:
I moved out to BC like a year ago, a freeriders dream this bike was ment for everything out their
I have no problems with anything the frame is in good shape when I bought it but I bought really good components for this ride To all of you DH rookies out their This Bike is for you!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dima
a
from New York Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Plattekill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Some dude from upstate.
Strengths:
The bike handles very well and gives a lot of confidnce in doing almost anything from big drops, stairgaps to just DH trail riding. Room for 3' tire. Adjustable chainstay length. Seat position is very low toward bottom bracket.
Weaknesses:
A lot of guys I know, including me, have laid back seatposts and when suspension compresses, back wheel touches the seat. Head angle is not slack enough, unless you put a huge length fork. Rebound adjuster on the shock is very hard to reach.
Similar Products Used:
Foes LTS2
Bike Setup:
Monster T, 8'Hayes front and rear, 24' doublewides, 3' tires, custom MRP.
Bottom Line:
According to sociological questioning i made between the owners of Super8, the conclusion is: They all love it. They like the handling, anyone from 5.7 to 6.1 tall uses a medium size frame. The bike is closest to perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, Canada Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The Luge (Vedder Mtn)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Super plush, most reliable dh bike around, helpful bike ajustments, you can ride the shore during the week, and race DH on the weekend, no prob.
Weaknesses:
rear shock eyelets wear kinda fast.
Similar Products Used:
old super 8, KHS Dominatrax, Giant ATX-1
Bike Setup:
White bros DH3, Magura gustav's
Bottom Line:
One of the best DH bikes around, i'd recommend this bike to anyone who wants to race DH, or wants a big hit bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick Killner
a Downhiller
from Chessington, Surrey, UK Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Metebief
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Strengths:
Very confidence inspiring.Soaks up everything & behaves impeccably.
Weaknesses:
Some swingarms have cracked(warranty)and the rear cable/hose fittings haven't been thought through properly.
Similar Products Used:
Giant ATX 1,Kona Stab Primo,Proflex Animal.
Bike Setup:
Stratos Super 8's,Hope 4 pots,Kujo's,AC cranks, etc,etc.
Bottom Line:
An awesome downhill bike for anyone looking to go faster.You can rail corners with ease, attack drop-offs with confidence & grin all the way down the hill while your mates are left to eat your dirt. It pedals well for a 47ibs bike but the big world cup courses are where it really rips! There is room for 3"tyres and with the 8"forks it almost feels like you are cheating! You will not be dissapointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tyler f
a Racer
from concord, Ca Date Reviewed: January 10, 2001
oh my god you're kidding good by four bar mono stay all the way it recovers faster its plusher it's tits. Buy it only if you dont mind walking to the top of the hill. If you have any questions about it or other stuff. I work at encina bikes and we have a large santa cruz bullit blue r shox psylo shimno xt disc come down check it out we also have supperlights the're all fat bikes. hardcore all the f@#$%&@ way. {encina bikes}
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim aka(TUBE)
a
from Redmond, WA, USA Date Reviewed: January 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1.00
Strengths:
Super slack head tube angle that will let you drop in on anything. Extra plush with Shiver front fork. It will make any drop feel like a crack in the pavement. Extremely well equipped with the factory Santa Cruz build kit. If you have the money pass up the Boxxer and get a Marzocchi Shiver
Weaknesses:
46 pounds, which is not bad considering most motorcross bikes weigh in at 200-250 pounds. It also will give a little bit of rear wheel hop under hard fast cornering. Throw away the headset that comes in the build kit (they include a diacomp base model aheadset) and get a King.
Similar Products Used:
Mountain Cycles San Anderas DH Norco DH
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Shiver, 8" hayes, King Headset, Hadley hubs, Sun Doublewides 24" rear, Arrow tires,
Bottom Line:
I f you want the best value for your money get this bike. It comes extremely well equipped for the money. At a 4500 dollar retail with a Boxxer there is nothing else really in the price category that rides this well. It is like riding a lazy boy down the hill. Again I will add that the Shiver fork is well worth the extra money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Freerider
a Weekend Warrior
from The North Shore EH! Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The Woodlot
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Strengths:
Everything! this Bike is Built to the Max! The Suspension is Great, the Frame is Great, Everything is Great!
Weaknesses:
Nothing? This is Santa Cruz I'm Talking About.
Similar Products Used:
2000 Kona Stab Primo, 1999 Stab Dee Lux.
Bike Setup:
Small Black Frame, Stratos Superstar 8' Fork, Hayes 8'(f), 6'(r), Shimano XT Components, Race Face Downhill Crank and Chainring w/MPR Guide, Azonic Stem, Handlebar and Seatpost, Gazzoldi 2.6' Tires on 26' Sun Mammoth Fat Rims w/XT Disc Hubs.
Bottom Line:
This is the Best Downhill X-treme Bike I've ever Ridden.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MC 2-STROKE
a Weekend Warrior
from SEATTLE, WA Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Dalles Ridge,Sun Top,Devils Gultch, Ravens Roost
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Everthing!! The bike seems well built and will fly over anything and that says alot cuz I stink!
Weaknesses:
None really. Mine had a Boxxer which works great but I think I'll get something beefier. It's a bit hard on the 8 mile 3200' climbs.?.?
Similar Products Used:
Nothing even close. My GT LTS-2 ha ha
Bike Setup:
99' Boxxer,race face and control tech here and there, 24"Sun doublewide in the rear and 26" velta up front. Intense 3.0 and 2.7. Yeah something like that
Bottom Line:
I've got no complaints. Except that it doesn't break down so I'm not sure what to do with myself except RIDE RIDE RIDE!! I say get one cuz for the price they can't be beat! Hell they just can't be beat!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tyler franssen
a Downhiller
from concord Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
thc
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
supper stiff supper plush lots of travel.takes both big and small hits verrry well defintley one of the best dh rigs out there.
Weaknesses:
nothing, not one damn thing
Similar Products Used:
intense, speclized, gsr,
Bike Setup:
rissie 8 inch champ fork, sunn double wide rims, nokian, azonic shorty stem,azonic bars, purple hays dh brake system
Bottom Line:
this bike is the best I work in a shop and I've ridden all the other dh bike out there which are twice the price and don't peform like the s8 you can be stupid and buy a more expensive bike but it aint a santa cruz,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Palmer
a Downhiller
from NY Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
My trails, stay off em
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Kicks a$$, faster than anything else out there, you can run over speed bumps and farm animals/small childern with equal ease, strong as he11, sick met green paint, free hadley rear hub, 14mm through axle, 8 inch wide rear end, just a hardcore machine
Weaknesses:
the rear end could be a little more progressive and if you run 8 inch rotors they vibrate against the inside of the swingarm. also, i had to wait 4 months for them to build it, all the guys at santa cruz are stoned surfers
Similar Products Used:
Bullit, Heckler, super V, worldforce vr1, K2 evo, ect...ect....
Bike Setup:
Metallic green paint (sick), white brothers 7" DH2, black hayes 8" discs, ac air cooler front hub,160mm hadley rear hub, bontrager XXX DH crowbars(sick), azonic hammer stem, sun double wide 24" rims, dt champion spokes, intense tubes, nokian 24 x 3.0's, kooka razor cranks, mr. dirt gizmo guide, azonic love seat(sick), 747's, azonic plastic, skull valve caps
Bottom Line:
few people can afford anything like this at 16, unless they work in a shop, which i do. this bike instantly makes you faster no matter what you ride now. sickeningly fast. so smooth you feel nothing, especially if you put the rear shock in the linear setting. if you want to jump off your house or a run over small childern at speed, then put the shock in the progressive setting. im looking forward to kicking the a$$es of all the little ba$tard$ at platekill and mountain creek in my age catagory. nice for urban riding too, takes 10ft drops onto stairs like nothing else, hell, i can bronco this thing like 3 and a half feet strait up, without a lip, it handles like it weighs 20 lbs, but it actually weighs 60. it jumps better than anything else out there too, you get a he11 of alot of lift out of the 8.5" rear end. people ask where the engine is and chicks like the way it bounces, buy one, shut up, no excuses
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bort simpson
a Downhiller
from Ft. Collins, CO, KB Capital USA Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Dirt ones
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Bombproof construction, super squishy, stiff where you want it, It looks like it's on "roids", and it's bright red. They didn't clearcoat the ugly ass stickers!
Weaknesses:
It's a little hard to ride to the liquir store, they don't make it in pink, the stickers are gay so I took them off, a little slopy on the machine work on the frame. It is also a little tough to get to the rear shock adjustments.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler, Bullit, Dirt Works Pirannah, 1999 Super 8, Lots of other hardtails.
Bike Setup:
White Brothers DH3, Hayes 8" rotors, Azonic bars and Shorty stem, Race Face Head set, MRP, XTR everything, Mavic 521 rims, IRC Kujo 2.65", Ringle ZU ZU platform pedals, Odi Roughneck Grips.
Bottom Line:
This thing is a rocket! Once you set up the suspension you can run over anything. The rear end is dramatically stiffer than last years thanks to the rear thru axle. The bike pedals pretty well and the bike rides lighter than it is. The geometry on this bike is super adjustable so you can dial it however you want it and it is super easy to do. Mine has a few places on the frame where they didn't finish sanding the machined parts so it looks a little sloppy but it doesn't effect the ride or strength.
The bottom line is that this is a lot of bang for your buck, it costs about $300 to $500 less than most other big bikes, and it is capable of taking you wherever you want to go whether it is on top of the podium or to the botttom of your favorite burly trail. If you like big bikes you will love this one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
logan
a Downhiller
from Half Moon Bay CA Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
QUAD
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
super beefy and super plush suspension (hence the name SUPER8)
Weaknesses:
sent my frame to the wrong place which cost me over a week's worth of time
Similar Products Used:
HECKLER and BULLIT
Bike Setup:
HOPE DISCS with a BOXXER fork
Bottom Line:
this bike can do anything you want it to do, all you have to do is piont; go; and enjoy the heavily cushened ride!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Downhiller
from NJ, USA Date Reviewed: April 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
MountainCreek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Cheap for a downhill bike. Lots of sweet travel (8.5") room for 8" rear rotor room for 3" wide tire
Weaknesses:
Sluggish at low speeds, but my choice of fork is more likely the cause (Monster T). The heavy Monster T makes low speed steering a chore.
The R and C damping dials on the shock are really hard to reach.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bike Setup:
Monster T fork, 24 inch Sun doublewide wheels, Hayes brakes
Bottom Line:
One of the best downhill bikes out there, and the cheapest real downhill bike, a great combination. Gets a lot of attention from other riders at the ski resort, it's probably the first one they've seen.
It's really nice and smooth at speed. Sluggish at low speed but I blame the fork for that.
The damping dials on the shock are hard to reach but once it's dialed in you don't have to worry about that anymore.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from California Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
KAmikaze downhill
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Looks very good very strong nice and plush
Weaknesses:
Nothing
Bottom Line:
Blahhhhhh
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamie
a Downhiller
from boulder co Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000
$ 4212.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating: