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Santa Cruz
2000 Superlight XTR
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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: Overall Rating: |
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: Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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:Overall Rating: |
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: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only from Rim Tours, Moab | | Strengths: | low maintenance single pivot, evolutionary design, craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | Aluminum fatigues, welds might crack after 20-30 years of hard riding (but Santa Cruz gives a lifetime warranty). The two holes for the shift cable and cable housing on the rear triangle are not perfectly aligned with the rear derailleur cable stop. | | Similar Products Used: | Various rented and borrowed full suspension rigs, |
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$ 3358.00