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Experience with Santa Cruz Superlight, especially coming off a SS rigid?

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TeeKay

· Golden Bears United
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
The past 11 years (minus a few long breaks in between) I've had only 2 bikes--a Specialized Hardrock coverted to SS with air fork, and recently a rigid Salsa Ala Carte/fork combo set up as SS. I ride mostly cross-country in SF Bay Area.

I'm getting to my mid 30s now, and the hands, back, and lungs can't seem to take it anymore, especially on more technical stuffs.

I'm thinking of getting another bike, this time full suspension. I still like simplicity and low maintenance, and so far, the Santa Cruz Superlight seems to fit. After trying it out, I'm thinking of getting one, probably the better-speced one (w/ Fox Float 120 fork and mostly XT stuffs) for about $2,000.

Any comments, recommendations, good or bad experiences, immediate upgrade suggestions would be most welcomed. (I'm not abandoning y'all. I still plan to keep and ride the SS bikes.)

I'm no weight weenies, but with rim brakes and old XTR pedals, the Salsa came it at even 22 pound. I hear the Santa Cruz is about 27 pounds. Where can I make immediate weight reductions?

Thank you all. :)
 
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#3 ·
Yeah I feel less endo prone on my 29 rgd than a 26 susp. Kinda weird but I can't explain it. Have you tried carbon bars? I had CF bars from the get go so I couldn't tell you, but others say they help. Also Fasst makes moto bars with bushing suspension in them ad I think they have a Mtn bike version.

I don't know when I will go back to gears. Maybe when a FS makes me.
 
#4 ·
You're not going to like it. Post up your weight. A superlight is noodly; no lateral rigidity. If you're 150 or less you might be alright. I had one for about a year and hated it. I'm in my late 40s and I still ride rigid.

A good dual suspension bike is going to cost some money. Really good ones have a tapered headset and 36mm fork, but that's $5k if you're buying new. If you want to save some money, get a good hardtail that will take a nice fat tire and a Fox Talas. Even my Talas 32 is a bit noodly compared to rigid.

Being a weight weenie and trying to be comfortable and saving money are not all compatible.

You could try a pair of lighter DH tires on your singlespeed and see how you like that. DH tires and 20-22 psi is a pretty nice compromise. I've seen some geared pugsleys go for a good price too.
 
#5 ·
I got a SL when they went to the latest design, 5-6 years ago?. I keep the wheels on the ground, so I can't say anything about holding up to jumping. The bike works great for me. I weigh 150 -155 lbs.

It has been very reliable. I didn't change a thing other than normal worn out parts, chain rings, chains, and one BB.
 
#6 ·
I have a 2.4 2.2 combo on my rigid 29 and it's pretty awesome. Please don't leave us, we were just about to take over!

There was no better feeling in my life than doing 10 foot drops on my hardtail at Whistler while a dozen FSers were at the lip and landing watching me and my friends roll through!

I will always own a hardtail!

What's wrong with Hecklers? Those look pretty good, too much travel?
 
#9 ·
I think the direction you are headed makes sense.
My migration to the SL did not make sense. I went from a longer travel bike to a Superlight with a Talus 140 and rode it like an All Mountain bike for as long as it lasted, which was 2 years. It's a capable bike, pedals well, a bit steep of a head angle and has thin walled tubing which flexes and breaks. 2 rear triangles and 1 front triangle broke during my AM experiment..
My wife owns one and I am allowed to ride it occasionally as a backup bike. They do ride well and the single pivot holds up forever.
 
#10 ·
I've got one, going on 3 years now. I weigh about 155 and while I'm not into jumping (more XC), I think it's a great bike. It's also not terribly expensive. I have upgraded the wheels and hubs and replaced the rear Nevegal tire with a Kenda Slant 6. I left the front as the aggressive Nevegal. Seems to do ok in the bay area. The fit seems perfect for me. So your mileage may vary.

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#12 ·
I love my 2009 Superlight (newer frame design). Takes me anywhere I want to go with comfort and control. I also find that it climbs well for my riding style. I'm 6'0 185 lbs, and I use fairly high air pressure in both front and rear shocks to stiffen it up. I also like that the pivot is easy to maintain to prevent the typical squeaks and squeals that come from other FS bikes I have ridden.

I've owned a number of rigid, hardtail, and FS bikes going back to the early 1980s (some of these I still have... :rolleyes:). In my opinion, the SC Superlight is the best lightweight FS XC bike for the money. If you want to spend more, you can get something better, lighter, stronger, etc. but I'm really happy with my purchase after years of trouble-free riding.

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#13 ·
I was impressed with the Superlight when I rode it a few years back as a rental in Park City. All Santa Cruz bikes regardless of kit seem to have solid ride quality. With respect to the Superlight and where bike frames are at currently it might be worth considering if this frame will serve you a few years down the road. Most everything is getting ligther and stiffer. The exception might be 29ers where if you are talking full suspension and aluminum in most cases you would have a weight penalty over similar spec'd/price point 26er. Seeing as you are a hard tail and rigid rider you must be into efficiency. I completely agree with you on the full suspension for reducing impact on the body. It's important to point out that someone with your riding background might appreciate the 29inch wheels for technical terrain and speed. The issue with full suspension 29ers is that finding a 27-28lb one with a good spec is hard to do for under $2500. I will say in my experience heavier 29ers are easier to pedal than a 26er of the same weight. So, a 28 or 29lb full suspension 29er may feel heavy putting up on the roof of your car but the big wheels make it easy to pedal. Giant has the Anthem X29er 3 (2011) or it's called the Anthem X29er 2 in 2012 that are around that price point. I read on mtbr that a large would be about 29lbs. Assuming a lighter wheel set could drop some grams and that reduction in rotational weight make the pedaling even more rewarding.
 
#14 ·
Fast Eddy said:
You're not going to like it. Post up your weight. A superlight is noodly; no lateral rigidity. If you're 150 or less you might be alright. I had one for about a year and hated it. I'm in my late 40s and I still ride rigid.

A good dual suspension bike is going to cost some money. Really good ones have a tapered headset and 36mm fork, but that's $5k if you're buying new. If you want to save some money, get a good hardtail that will take a nice fat tire and a Fox Talas. Even my Talas 32 is a bit noodly compared to rigid. QUOTE]

As a rider with a 2007 Superlight, I can attest to what this man says. I am 6'1", 180-185lbs and although the bike climbs VERY well, on uneven terrain, the lateral rigidity (or lack thereof) really becomes noticable. At first I thought I had a flat tire or a bad hub, but it's really just the downfall of having one pivot point.

It's my first full suspension, and aside from the lower spec Tora 318, I'm pretty happy with how the bike performs on the local trails all in all. Still, I'd be lying if I were to say that the noodly-ness of the frame didn't bother me.
Click to expand...
 
#15 ·
i woudl also recommend trying a santa cruz Blur LT (you may be able to find a good used on in your price range). i'd been riding a rigid cro-mo specialized rockhopper since 1994 (i had a proflex 856 from 96 to about 00 that i gave to my little brother), and was also concerned about maintenance and climbing ability.

i've been riding the blur LT since 09 w/ no problems so far, and i've definitely been able to ride longer than i could w/ my rockhopper. all i can say is wow, things have come a long way! i actually prefer its climbing ability, overall grip and of course descending.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

I am about 160 and 5'6. I hear that the Superlight was redesigned 4 years ago to give it more lateral stiffness. Is that so.

I have also tried the Blur and Heckler--too much travel and too far from XC for my liking. And I also tried the Tall Boy 29er--again, it feels too big of a bike for me, even when it was supposedly my size (M).

I will continue looking into it and hopefull get it soon. Maybe after filing my taxes.
 
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#18 ·
I have a large 2007, so it's the redesigned frame (I believe). If it has improve lateral stiffness, I'd hate to see how flexy the old models were... Of course I weigh a good 20 lbs more than you, but I find that as I get tired later in the ride, and I'm more reluctant to stand as much, the flex really becomes apparent. As far as I know, there is nothing that can be done to remedy this. I will say this though, it's only really noticable over really uneven terrain. It also climbs like a hardtail.

I've been thinking of selling mine and getting an FSR and I noticed that the standover height of a large superlight is almost a full inch lover than that of a large FSR. I'm not sure, but it seemed like the superlight frames run small if anything, not larger. But that's just my impression.
 
#19 ·
Run smaller correct

allthatisman said:
I've been thinking of selling mine and getting an FSR and I noticed that the standover height of a large superlight is almost a full inch lover than that of a large FSR. I'm not sure, but it seemed like the superlight frames run small if anything, not larger. But that's just my impression.
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Way smaller as evedent on the SL geo charts. I typically always run a small frame and the SL puts me up into the first tiers of a medium.
 
#20 ·
Bummer

TeeKay said:
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

I am about 160 and 5'6. I hear that the Superlight was redesigned 4 years ago to give it more lateral stiffness. Is that so.

I have also tried the Blur and Heckler--too much travel and too far from XC for my liking. And I also tried the Tall Boy 29er--again, it feels too big of a bike for me, even when it was supposedly my size (M).

I will continue looking into it and hopefull get it soon. Maybe after filing my taxes.
Click to expand...
Just checked both geo charts (would think they could build a small in alum?), yeah too bad they don't make a small. I ended up with a small Salsa Spearfish.

I'm same height as you and have to agree on thinking the bike would feel big! Where as in the Superlight chart we'd definitely be on a medium.
 
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