Home | Reviews | Manufacturers | Santa Cruz | Full Suspension Bike

Login  |  Register

Santa Cruz 2000 Superlight XTR

MSRP $ 3358.00
Weight 22.8
# of Reviews 65
Average Rating 4.91/5
More Products from Santa Cruz



Submit a Review

Description:Mountain Mix, DIS SL



Other Ways To Shop
  • Buy and Sell the from our Classifieds.
  • Shop for Similar Products








    Submitted by James a Cross Country Rider from Boise, Idaho
    Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Purchased At:Homebuilt
    Strengths:This is a solid performer, with excellent geometry. Handling is crisp and quick, without feeling twitchy. Although it has a lock-out on the shock, it rarely gets used as there isn't too much pedal feedback. Descents in all kinds of terrain are awesome.
    Weaknesses:Can't think of one.
    Similar Products Used:Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Cannondale Jekyl, Yeti ASR, K2 Attack, K2 Zed X, Specialized FSR
    Bike Setup:Fox Forx 100 RLC, Chris King Headset, Hope Mini Disc Brakes, XTR Drive train, MonkeyLite 3/4 Rise bar, Time ATAC Pedals, Mavic CrossMax UST Wheels / Kenda Tires, RaceFace XY Seat Post, RaceFace Stem. A sweet ride.
    Bottom Line:This bike will not disappoint any cross country rider that doesn't mind trading a little weight and a small amount of pedaling efficiency for a superior and comfortable ride. The Superlight seems to do everything really well, and gives the rider (me) greater confidence to tackle technical sections of the trail that before would have caused a little concern.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Gary White a Cross Country Rider from London, UK
    Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002
    Favorite Trail:Old Springs Trail, Marin, Ca
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $5000.00
    Purchased At:Cycle Surgery, London, UK
    Strengths:The best XC bike there is? The handling is still probably the best of any XS full suspension bike. Its climbing and acceleration are superb, there's little or no 'bobbing' under load and shifting is as a sharp as a hartail. The aggressive geometry make this a very chuckable bike and manoeuvrablity out of the saddle is unsurpassed.And it is very light! It's good downhill too.
    Weaknesses:None - bar price. Maybe a replacable rear mech hanger?
    Similar Products Used:Trek Fuel, Trek-Y, Specialized FSR
    Bike Setup:Built up from frame (medium, 2000 model): Hope XC hubs with Mavic X618 rims, Marzocchi X-Fly 100 forks (2000 model), XTR shifters and mechs, Hope C2 disk brakes, Race Face Turbine LP ISIS cranks & 44-32-22 rings, Race Face System stem, Easton carbon seatpost and bar, Koobi saddle, Panaracer 1.95 Trailblaster tyres, Shimano M858 pedals
    Bottom Line:Took it all over central and northern California last year. Did 500 miles off -road in 3 weeks - extreme XC riding - not a single problem! This is a lovely piece of engineering. Very strong and well-made. Expensive to build up with good spec but will make you smile time and time again. You don't really need that new car after all, do you?
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by RLX88 a Cross Country Rider from Suisun City, CA. USA
    Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Rockville (Rock Garden)
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $2100.00
    Purchased At:Built from the frame up.
    Strengths:Excellent tech. support, Elevated chain stays (no chain slap), ultra plushness. Great product & Price. Single pivot for low maintenance. Min. BOB
    Weaknesses:I have the anodized finish, but have heard that the decals wear on the painted version.
    Similar Products Used:Cannondale, Litespeed
    Bike Setup:XTR shifter/brake, 8spd. ti cassette, Chris king headset & hubs, Monkey lite carbon bar, Mavic 517, Thomson stem & seatpost, WTB sst 98 saddle, OURY grips, Raceface splined cranks/BB, XTR v-brakes, Cateye enduro 2, IRC mythos, Marzocchi Atom 80.
    Bottom Line:25 lbs. full-suspension bike, that climbs and decends fast. It has made me a better rider and easier on the back.
    Handles great all around. I thought my Ti Litespeed was the bike (since I was a big fan on Hardtails only). But the SC superlite has changed my mind.
    I love this bike!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Alex a Cross Country Rider from jersey, usa
    Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
    Favorite Trail:skyline dr. ringwood
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $795.00
    Purchased At:LBS
    Strengths:I bought this bike on employee purchase...frame only...so dont get your hopes up about the price...it retails for a lot more...anyway this is my first FSXC bike after moving of my hardtail...it is amazing the difference 4 in. of rear travel make...it climbs well...i have lockout on the rear...its definitely worth the xtra 50$...and the decents are smooth...i've done some serious downhills on this i couldnt even touch on a hardtail...
    Weaknesses:no replaceable derailleur hangers....just dont break 'em
    Similar Products Used:nothign is similar to this...it is one of a kind...
    Bike Setup:custom build...xt/xtr mix...xt/517 wheelset...avid 40s...selle italia saddle...wtb enduros(terrible in mud!!great everywhere else)...515 pedals...Mars up front...Float RC in the rear...
    yeti hardcore grips...
    Bottom Line:this bike rules...but it is a complex machine and must be cared for...if you need a major confidence builder on the trails...this bike is for you...especially on the downhills...dont buy this bike if your looking for a real "superlight" racer...the only way you get it to sc's 22 lbs is buy full xtr with racelight wheels...but if you build it so frail...it can handle the big stuff...
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Ken a Racer from Aylmer,PQ.Canada.
    Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Powerline,Red Cross,The Gats.
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Strengths:Oh so sweet.She's light,She climbs as well as my hardtail and takes care of my back and butt!
    Weaknesses:Because of the rear end she's hard to mount on a hitch rack.
    Similar Products Used:Cannondale cadd4 full XTR,Sugar3.
    Bike Setup:Here we go,ando blue frame,ct2 bar,Thomson stem & post,XTR brakes,shifters,derailers.Raceface head set crank & rings,Time pedals,Sram chain,Cane Creek Wam yellow wheelset,S.I. pro link seat.25LBS
    Bottom Line:I've taken this bike all over the place and she never let me down.I rode very hard in moab,Fruita,The Rockies,without even an ajustment.I've raced in 24HRS. races where I did'nt even have time to clean her and she never skipped a beat.Where ever I go people always comment on my Santa Cruz and how they want one.KEEP IT LOCKED.
    The bottom line is if you are looking for a great bike that you can trail ride and race the same day go for this bike.
    remember if things get smooth you can always lock out the rear.....I never do.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Rusty a Cross Country Rider from San Diego, CA
    Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Anderson Truck trail
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:Lightness, Comfort, everything
    Weaknesses:None
    Similar Products Used:Litespeed Obed, GT and some other hardtails
    Bike Setup:everything
    Bottom Line:This bike is sick, it seems that everyone is in agreement with the exception of a few people. This is my first full suspension bike and I was skeptical of loosing efficiency, climbing agility and weight gain. This bike shattered all those and any other myths of why you shouldn't get a full suspension bike. The first day I got this bike we went out to Noble Creek Canyon which has some rocky technical trails and this bike out-performed any bike I had ever riden.

    My suggestion if you don't already have one and are thinking about purchasing one, quit sitting around and go get one even if you have to rob the QuickyMart or an old lady.

    I only wish they had more chilis to give out.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Simon a Cross Country Rider from UK
    Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Glossop Loop
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Purchased At:Stif UK
    Strengths:Reputation, light weight, looks a babe!
    Weaknesses:Getting common, even in England.
    Similar Products Used:First full susser. Old bike was a hardtail - Mountain Goat Mudslinger (sex on two wheels!)
    Bike Setup:Easton post, bars and stem, Sid SL, Hope Disks, Koobi Saddle(like an armchair!) ATAC pedals and XTR components
    Bottom Line:The bottom line is, I'm not that keen on this bike. In less than a year it needed new bearings, now six months later they are creaking again. Took me an age to set up a good riding position, the front end was lifting on technical climbs. The gear shifting isn't precise, it's XTR with Gore-tex cables but it's not as sharp as my hold 8-speed XT, I'm not convinced about the cable routing.
    It may be up there with the 'best' FS bikes and it doesn't do anything badly wrong, but it has no soul.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by AARON STURGES-MELBY a Racer from SANTTA MARIA,CA,USA
    Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001
    Favorite Trail:NOBLE CANYON, SAN DIEGO
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $3200.00
    Purchased At:CAMBRIA BICYCLE OUTFITTERS
    Strengths:LIGHT WEIGHT AND PLUSH
    Similar Products Used:LANDSHARK SOFTTAIL
    Bike Setup:XTR BRAKES, DER, COOK BROS CRANKS, RACE FACE BB, KING WHEELS,SPEEDPLAY, MARS CL, SACHS SHIFTERS, KORE POST & STEM
    Bottom Line:THIS IS THE REASON IVE WAITED SOOOOO LONG TO BUY A FULL SUSPENSION BIKE. I WAS ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT PIVOTS AND BUSHINGS WEARING OUT. WITH CARTRIGE BERINGS AND ONE PIVOT IT CANT GET ANY BETTER. WHILE CLIMBING ON THE ROAD TO THE TRAIL I CAN LOCK OUT THE SHOCKS AND IT IS A HARDTAIL, WHEN THE TRAIL GOES UP CAN YOU SAY PLUSH. I REALLY HELPS WITH THE ROCKS AND KEEPING THE REAR WHEEL ON THE GROUND. IM GLAD THAT I WAITED. I AM A ROADIE AND RACE IN CRITS, SO IM USED TO INSTANT RIDER INPUT NO SAGGING WAGGING SLOPPY SUSPENSION. THIS IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jason Bold a Cross Country Rider from Los Angles, CA
    Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Hummingbird
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $2235.00
    Purchased At:MTBR
    Strengths:Really versatile and fun to ride in any condition. Great craftsmanship. I still look at it just sitting there in my living room all pretty and stuff.
    Weaknesses:none
    Similar Products Used:spec. m4
    Bike Setup:XTR, XT cranks, Propels, Mars C
    Bottom Line:You live once might as well ride the best bikes out there. The Superlight is one of those bikes. I am sure glad I traded in my Cannondale F500. I can't ever imagine me going back to a hardtail.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Keijiro Ikebe a Cross Country Rider from Santa Cruz, CA
    Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Wilder Ranch
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $2300.00
    Purchased At:Stan's Bicycles
    Strengths:- Speed: Climbs fast, and descend even faster
    - Reliability: haven't had a single problem with the suspension. The mono-pivot design requires no maintenance.
    - Weight: sub-24lbs...and it can easily lose another pound or two with enough money.
    - Looks: Anodized frame with laser engraved graphic...can't get better than that.

    - Value: $2300 for anodized frame, full XT drivetrain, and none of those cheap in-house brand parts (think Specialized).
    Weaknesses:- None for my style of riding.
    Similar Products Used:This is my first full-suspension bike.
    Bike Setup:XT/XTR, Rolf Propel wheels, SID XC, Fox Float RC (w/lock out), Avid Mag brakes, Python Air Light tires, Body Geometry saddle, Easton CT2 handlebar & seat post, Chris King headset, Azonic stem, Shimano 747 pedals.
    Bottom Line:Before I comment on my bike, let me first describe its engine: I'm 5'8" and 135lbs. I like to stay seated when climbing, and I have smooth pedal stroke. Long climb is my strength, and rough descent is my weakness. That being said, the Superlight is the perfect bike for me. Its lightweight construction compliments my climbing, and its plush rear suspension compensates for my weak downhill skills.

    Magazines often describes mono-pivot suspension design as inefficient, outdated, and so on...but the bike works great for me. The slight suspension movement during the climb significantly increases the rear tire traction, and I have much greater control on technical climbs compared to HT. Even on the long, smooth uphills, I never notice any pedal-induced bobbing. Needless to say, I never lock-out my shock during the climbs.

    Superlight is a great bike, and I think anyone looking to buy FS XC bike should try this bike out. It's fast going both up & down, and it's rock-solid reliability means you'll spend more time riding and less time fixing the bike. If you ride like me, you'll love the Superlight.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Kevin a Cross Country Rider from Tennessee
    Date Reviewed: May 19, 2001
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Strengths:What they all said... Light, Tight and oh so Right! Not that it matters that much, but people dig it.
    Weaknesses:I have been pounding it hard for about 9 months and none have surfaced yet.
    Similar Products Used:None.
    Bike Setup:Full XT and XTR, Hayes disks, monkey light riser, Thompson cockpit, Sid XC, The Flaot RC, Time clipless.
    Bottom Line:The bike gets better every ride. When winter hit, I had Fox Float problems, but Fox fixed it. My fork is set for 80mm of travel, which seems to balance the bike real well with the rear. Riding position is forgiving, allowing for longer rides. The bike handles technical trails well, and makes for easy lofting of the front wheel when needed. Braking bumps are no problem as the tires stay hooked up. Climbing is where I have been surprised the most. The rear hooks up on rough climbs, allowing me to actually clumb better. The control and ride are unmatched. Don't buy one, because I like having a unique bike that can blow your wheels off! :-)
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by mike a Cross Country Rider from Los Angeles
    Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Big Sycamore
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Strengths:Craftmanship, design, simplicity.
    Weaknesses:Fox vanilla rc shock
    Similar Products Used:Specialized FSR comp 1998
    Bike Setup:Full xtr with Bomber X-fly 100, Fox float rc, shimano 858 pedals. Monkey lite bar Mavic 517 rims.
    Bottom Line:The bike is great. Light and nimble. No pivot noise or squeaks . Tracks super straight. I did blow the Fox vanilla rc shock though. I can't blame that on Santa Cruz. Don't believe Fox when they say they will have your shock repaired and in the mail within 48hrs after they receive it. The bomber fork is endless on adjustment, air pressure and rebound speed. I plan on riding this bike for a long time.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by mike pack a Cross Country Rider from Arizona
    Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Purchased At:Adventure Bikes
    Strengths:You know by now, single pivot, lightweight, chicks dig it...
    Weaknesses:puked rear Float RC within 3 weeks. Don't know the details yet as it is at the shop. I figure that is a Fox issue.

    You'll have people want to talk to you about your bike. I feel like I just bought a Harley.
    Similar Products Used:None
    Bike Setup:Full XT with easton monkey lite riser bar, easton 50 stem, XTR wheelset w/bontrager rims, Psylo SL, yada, yada
    Bottom Line:I wanted a Santa Cruz two years ago when my back started giving me fits on long rides. The terrain out here in Arizona can be pretty brutal at times when you have a fractured vertebrea. I just couldn't afford the price tag without some type of illegal second job. Two years later I pulled the trigger. The sticker shock lasted only till the first ride. Back troubles are a thing of the past. Riding is actually fun again. It is worth every last penny. I loved to climb on my hardtail and felt I was going to have to dismount more with this rig. Couldn't have been more wrong.

    If you are getting older and finding more popping sounds each morning, do yourself a favor and spend the extra money. You'll feel born again, only faster.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by MD a Downhiller from Spokane/New Orleans
    Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Nelson, B.C.'s THE VEIN
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $4500.00
    Purchased At:North Division Bicycles
    Strengths:Absolutely solid bike. It can handle anything you give it, a spectacular cross country bike but in my opinion a excellent downhill bike if you add the proper components. The RC Float lockout is perfect and perfectly designed for this bike. The finish, design, and welding on it are first rate. Santa Cruz itself is worth the buy because its a place where even the President of the company will email you and ask you if everything is okay.
    Weaknesses:One major problem that needs to be addressed by Santa Cruz and hopefully the 2001 model will address it is the bottom pivot point. Two nuts handle the pivot point and they are okay for cross country but if you do any down hilling on this bike then I would immediately buy the heaviest nuts you can find. If you take a large hit then you might break the nuts thus causing the rear triangle to rub against the frame and severely weakening the frame itself. I didn't notice the break until after a very long 20 mile downhill on Devil Gultch in Washington. When I finally noticed it the frame was really beat up.
    Similar Products Used:Santa Cruz Bullit, KHS, Gary Fisher, Specialized.
    Bike Setup:Marzockki Z1 XFly, Thompson Seat post, Hayes Disc brakes, Shram 9.0 Betsy shifters, Race Face Carbon cranks, Time ATAC pedals, Chris King bottom bracket, Chris King hubs, Chris King headset, Tioga tires, Axiom titanium stem, Roox handlebars among crap.
    Bottom Line:A tad expensive but well worth the product.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Matthew a Cross Country Rider from West Yorkshire, UK
    Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Helvellyn, Cumbria
    Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
    Strengths:Im looking for a new toy and this is the best full sus xc bike I've ridden so far.
    It's amazingly stiff when you put power through the cranks and does'nt bob at all compared to some bikes I've demoed.Climbs surprisingly well and sprints as well as my current hardtail. Really comfortable in the rough stuff.
    It is light,light,light.The demonstrator I rode had the creme of the component crop on it and weighed in at 23.5lb!!
    I'm gobsmacked.
    Weaknesses:only my willpower,Im sold... Visa??
    Similar Products Used:marin/whyte, cannondale, trek and klein.all xc full sus.
    Bike Setup:Santa Cruz superlight sl-a (anodised) xtr mavic rims sid sl forks king headset
    Bottom Line:Ok, I only tested this bike on a short ride but I was seriously impressed but you can feel the potential as soon as you step over it.I cant wait to take mine for a proper ride
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by JC Guerra a Cross Country Rider from Saltillo, Coah, Mexico
    Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Anywhere in the Mexican Sierra Madre
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $2700.00
    Purchased At:Colorado Cyclist
    Strengths:Light, than again everyone here had mention that already!,
    simple to maintain, climbs like a hard tail
    Weaknesses:I canot fit the frame on my current "Bones" Trunk rack, its about time I got a roof rack anyway... besides that, everything else is perfect!
    Similar Products Used:none, its on a league of its own
    Bike Setup:XTR all the way around, Mavic X-221's (these suck, as soon as I recover from the $2700.00 I'll upgrade on these)Ritchey stem and bar and seat poast, Velociraptor Tires ( I like these)Cane Creek HS. and a Selle Italia Titanium saddle. ohh! and a Rockshox SID SL and a fox float RC(w/lockout)
    Bottom Line:This bike is what I never dream it could be, I never knew that bikes in general could have such great control over the road, when reviewers mentioned "keeping a line" I didn't know what they meant...thank God and my money for this bike!, now I know what y'all are talking about. For those of you who mentioned the weight limit factor, I am 200 lbs and this bike takes my weight with out loosing its advantages, even the front RS SID SL does not flex that much for my taste like other reviewers of this fork mentioned, If you can afford it, listen to these guys. By the way its geometry is great, it makes one out of you and the bike! did I say it was light? yup... I did up there. If you are thinking of going to full suspension but are afraid it will change your climbing or take away your effort, look no further! this is it, and it obviously does what its supposed to do on downhills.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Chad a Cross Country Rider from Phoenix, AZ USA
    Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001
    Favorite Trail:National Trail / South Mountain
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $3600.00
    Purchased At:Bicycle Showcase
    Strengths:So light...so fast...so pretty....
    Weaknesses:The seat. I switched it out for a Prolink and the hiney is much happier.
    Similar Products Used:GT RTS-1
    Bike Setup:XTR, SID SL, Fox Float RC, Easton EA-70 stem, Avid Single Digit Mag, Time ATAC........
    Bottom Line:This bike is a dream. Uphill...downhill....makes no difference...this thing is a rocket. She is so light that climbing is a breeze and so plush that downhills are a dream. The quality and craftsmanship are second to none. I can honestly say that I would not trade it for ANY other bike out there. If you're thinking of picking one up, just do it....you won't regret it.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by DJC a Cross Country Rider from Santa Fe, NM, USA
    Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001
    Favorite Trail:No way
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $2200.00
    Purchased At:Friend
    Strengths:How really light it is. This bike makes what used to be
    tough climbs on my hardtail much easier with greater control.
    Weaknesses:None to date.
    Bike Setup:SID SL, Fox Float w/ lockout, Full XTR
    Bottom Line:I ride with a level of confidence like never before. Downhills are taken much faster and ascents are not what
    they used to be. This bike climbs with ease. I highly recommend this bike to any serious rider that rides 3 to 4 plus times a week. I am in my fourties and can't get out enough even at 4 times a week. I look forward to every ride
    on this animal like never before. If it were an animal - Gazelle - would be fitting.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Steve a Cross Country Rider from San Francisco, Ca
    Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Wouldn't you like to know
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Purchased At:Santa Cruz
    Strengths:Rugged. Simple. Fast. Light. Beautiful.
    Similar Products Used:K2 Beast. Trek 6000.
    Bike Setup:XT, Hayes disk brakes, Marzocchi Z1
    Bottom Line:This bike rules. First I had a hard tail, then I wanted more comfort for downhilling so I got the Beast - a heavy cross country bike with lots of travel. After I started racing and riding more I wanted something that would help me to be as fast as I could be and the Superlight is it.

    The way this thing comes it weighs in around 24 pounds. For my money I wanted a comfortable ride that would last a long time so I opted to add a few pounds with the Marzocchi Z1 and the Disk brakes. I'm happy with both upgrades.

    Basically, this bike rocks. The only minor complaint I would have is that the fox air shock can be a little squeaky but whatever.

    I do recommend the Anodized paint job, I got orange and it looks awesome. I like it much better than the standard paint and stickers.

    I would recommend this bike to any cross country rider who is looking to spend $2-4k for a sweet, light, rugged bike. I haven't found a bike I would rather have at any price.

    Peace.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Kevin a Cross Country Rider from Tennessee
    Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $3000.00
    Strengths:Weight, simple suspension design, balance, craftsmanship, good looks.
    Weaknesses:None for the frame, but I got a malfunctioning Fox Shock.
    Similar Products Used:Cannondale Jekyll
    Bike Setup:Full on XT and XTR, monkey lite carbon 1" riser, SID XC set at 80mm travel, Fox Float RC, Hayes disks, Thompson cockpit.
    Bottom Line:I reviewed the bike when I first got it, but that was too soon. It took some getting used to, having come from a hardtail. After 6 months, I am very comfortable on the bike. Putting more travel up front helped. It carves singletrack like a dream, and eats up rock gardens in such a way that I always feel in control. The paint scratches some, but if you get the right color it just adds to the cool factor. (I got black) I did get a bum shock to begin with but thats all better now. I have detected no flex in the rear partly due to the heavy duty cartridge bearings. This is a "do it all" type of bike. It hooks up on climbs, makes you feel more confident in the technical stuff, and makes you faster down hill. It jumps straight and lands well. It is easy to loft either wheel when needed, and it bunny hops really well for a full sussy. I can ride much longer, thanks to the monkey motion and the carbon riser bar. It keeps getting better everytime I ride it. I give it 5 chiles for getting me so jazzed about riding more.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by John a Cross Country Rider from Grass Valley
    Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001
    Favorite Trail:I could tell you, but then I'd have to shoot you
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Purchased At:friend
    Strengths:Lightness, climbs better than a hardtail, Santa Cruz customer service, a dependable proven full supsension design, attractive anodized finish
    Weaknesses:Less-than-active rear travel, older suspension design, rear flexiness, cable routing, cable eyelet position on top tube, not bombproof, scratches easily, bottom bracket height, pivots wear out easily
    Similar Products Used:Litespeed, Ellsworth, Ventana, others
    Bike Setup:XTR, SID 100, Time pedals, Fox RC Float shock, Easton seatpost, yadayadayada...
    Bottom Line:The Superlight is a very nice ride, but after riding it extensively for a year, I must say that it falls short of excellence in several key areas. These include a outdated rear suspension design. The single pivot design, essentially developed by Santa Cruz, results in suspension that is laterally flexy and not particularly active on sketchy rocky terrain. That being said, the Santa Cruz design does work and is reliable, which is more than I can say about a lot of other designs out there.

    The cable routing is weird due to the pivot/swingarm placement. This caused me to replace cable and housing often. Also, on the large frame, the is a cable eyelet on the top tube that will painfully dig into the side of your knee when you are riding trialsy stuff.

    The Superlight is not a bomproof ride. I cracked the rear triangle and seemed to be able to scratch the bike easily. I wouldn't suggest this frame to anyone considering dropping off walls and roofs.

    I know I am being critical, but hell, this bike costs over $3K, which I figure gives me the right to be as critcal as I want :-) I recommend this bike to anyone who is interested in a raceable, reliable cross county bike. But I think that there are better rides out there within this price range, especially if your rides feature technical terrain.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Juny Binamira a Weekend Warrior from Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines
    Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Anywhere w/out too much cow dung
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $3900.00
    Purchased At:Flying Ball, HK
    Strengths:Lightweight, excellent geometry & suspension, beautiful & sturdy anodizing, clean construction, simple & reliable rear suspension pivot
    Weaknesses:Maybe the lack of a replaceable derailleur hanger & I think I feel the tail end wagging and torquing a bit. This is nitpicking though!
    Similar Products Used:Specialized FSR, Cannondale Super-V
    Bike Setup:2001 Santa Cruz Superlight in Blue Anodized finish, Float RC air shock w/ lockout, 2001 SID SL w/lockout, XT Hollow-tech crankset, XT front derailleur, SRAM ESP9.O SL rear derailleur & half-pipe shifters, Kooka Racha levers (light!!), 12-34t XTR cogs, XTR v-brakes, Easton CT-2 flat bars & seatpost, Selle Italia Flite Gel saddle, Ritchey Comp Lite stem, Chris King nothreadset & classic hubs, Mavic X618 32H ceramic rims, 14/17g DT Revolution spokes, Hutchinson Python Air Lite kevlar beaded tires, ultralite tubes. Bike as spec'd weighs 23.7 lbs :-)
    Bottom Line:While researching what full-suspension frame to buy, I noticed that the reviews here were all raving about the Superlight. I actually had my heart set on an FSR, but a friend recommended that I go with the Santa Cruz. I had some doubts about the very simple single-pivot design, but decided to get it anyway. Boy, am I glad I bought this bike!! read all the previous reviews... I agree with everybody here: THIS BIKE IS AMAZING! It weighs less than most hardtails, it loves climbing, it LOVES descending, and it handles superbly in the twisty sections. I think I've felt a little tail wag in the back end, but it doesn't seem to bother the overall handling of the bike, so I'll just put that down as one of its little, inconsequential quirks. It's a big bike (I'm 5'11" and got a large size) and towers over the hardtails, but once you are astride it, the bike just disappears, and you feel like you are just floating over the trail! Really, it's that amazing! If you've been looking around for the best do-nearly-everything MTB, look no further - BUY THIS BIKE! If I could give it 20 of those chili things I would.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Rigid Lloyd a Cross Country Rider from Columbus, Ohio
    Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Two Mile Run in Pa.
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $2625.00
    Purchased At:SpeedGoat
    Strengths:Light, plush suspension, ease of set up and matinance. Bike handles like a dream cuts on a dime and feels lighter than it really is.
    Weaknesses:None
    Similar Products Used:Pretty much every fs bike out there.
    Bike Setup:Panaracer Smoke Dart, XT drivetrain with Truvativ splined crank. Thompson post King headset Zokkie Z1 rizer bar and avid SD's
    Bottom Line:This bike is a dream come true. Climbs better than many hardtails I tried and going down is a thrill. If you are looking at cross country bikes or a versatile do it all bike you need to ride one of these. The only person I can think of who would not love this bike is a downhiller or someone doing 6 foot drops.

    And if you live on the east cost Speed Goat is worth a look they are helpfull, even if you do not buy from them and they will build the bike how YOU want it.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jackson a Cross Country Rider from Natick Mass.
    Date Reviewed: December 27, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Blowhard Mountain, Brianhead UT
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $1100.00
    Purchased At:Frame only from Rim Tours, Moab
    Strengths:low maintenance single pivot, evolutionary design, craftsmanship
    Weaknesses:Aluminum fatigues, welds might crack after 20-30 years of hard riding (but Santa Cruz gives a lifetime warranty). The two holes for the shift cable and cable housing on the rear triangle are not perfectly aligned with the rear derailleur cable stop.
    Similar Products Used:Various rented and borrowed full suspension rigs,