I originally wanted a R+ Aluminum build but ended up with a Carbon C R build. Changed the wheelset out for a wider set and made my own R+ build.

After seeing the Aluminum models in the wild, I'm glad I went the Carbon C frame, it just looks better IMO. Weight difference is not much really.

 

You will be very happy with a high end aluminum build. Get the plus wheels. They come with 2.6" tires which are not plus, but they have the clearance for 2.8". Weight does not matter. Suspension performance and tires matter a lot.

 

I would get the AL S+. It is worth the extra money over the AL R build for the build spec/performance gains, and it makes no sense to buy the R c build over the AL S build for the same reason IMO.

You'd have to have ridden an alum. frame first to feel the subtle differences to a carbon frame. It's very nuanced and subjective. Only 1/2 lb lighter, a little stiffer, and a little more direct to accelerate. You'd never really miss it, and in general, an alum. frame is a lot more forgiving of scrapes and bangs, which you will probably have your fare share of.

My Sc+ in L with Time special 8 pedals, One Up bash/CG, and tire sealant came in just over 31 lbs. So even the carbon S is no light weight, which was a little disappointing to me. Not to mention, I have to worry more about hitting my frame. If I had to do it over again, I would've gotten the Al S+ and put the money saved into better wheels.

 

I'm looking at a new SC bike right now. I currently have a 2015 V1 5010C with a build that was likely called all mountain or something like that four years ago. When the bike arrived, I had the shop put it on the scale before I added anything and the quoted weight was exactly what SC said it would be. Truth in advertising does exist.

At the moment, I think I'm interested in either a Megatower or Bronson. The weight of the Megatower with an S build is almost exactly the same as a Bronson A with an S build which made me realize that if I was satisfied with the weight of a C Megatower at 33.3 lbs., why not save $1000 and go with a Bronson A with the S build that also weights 33.3 lbs.

At 200 lbs. and in decent shape so I won't be losing any weight, the bike weight is 16.6 % of my total weight. If I spent a bunch more money and got something around 30 lbs., its still 15% of my body weight and nothing to sweat over since I'm not racing where it might make a difference and I'd be on a different bike anyway.

PS: They really do suck you in with the demo bikes. I rode a Blur worth about 10K last season and fell totally in love with a 24lbs. +/- bike I would never buy.

I want to correct an error: I was comparing the weight of a Bronson Aluminum with and S build to a Megatower Carbon R build. Those two weigh and cost almost the same. I was more focused on what you get for a similar cost going from carbon to aluminum. Sorry for the mistaken info.

 

I went through this recently and what I came away with after hearing a few people's thoughts and sitting with my own is to get a 5010 aluminum S build. As a relative beginner and considering the trails I ride (or want to ride), my gut is telling me to focus on better components and not the frame so much. I don't want to have to upgrade a lot of stuff unless I have to. I want to not worry about the frame (I do fall sometimes, and that's OK!). While I would be more comfortable spending $3,300 for an R build, at that point, another $600 is a drop in the bucket, you know what I mean? It's insane. However, I've ridden a Trek 6000 for over a year now and demoed various bikes with different wheel sizes and travel and for me, as a smaller, newer rider, who enjoys climbing and wants to continue to improve and actually get out there...the 5010 is the way to go. I see lots of folks with this bike here and have spoken to them and I know, for these trails, and the rider I *want* to be, that this is the bike for me. When you feel at peace with your decision...that is the time to act, and not before. Don't rush it...it will come to you. Sorry to be new-agey but it's true!! Good luck!

 

I'm kind of in the same boat as you, I'm looking / shopping and reading everything I can to make up my mind. I was in one shop and the owner told me she only orders the S build on the bikes she stocks as she believes that's the sweet spot for price and value to her customers. I went to my favorite local shop and talked bike vs budget and came away wanting a Santa Cruz but have it narrowed down to the 5010 if I stay with the 27.5 wheels and a toss up of the Hightower and tallboy if I go 29er. I feel the tallboy is better for my local trails but possibly the HT is better when I go on my yearly vacation trips out of town to places I dream all year about riding.
I was contemplating the giant trance 29 because it's in my budget safely while the Santa Cruz bikes mean I'm really pushing my budget and possibly saving up longer to get one. maybe the price on 2019 stock will come down once the 2020's come out. good luck and I'm hoping hear how it works out for you since I'm trying to decide the same.

 

So, I want to respond to this by saying that focusing on the trails you ride most of the time makes the most sense, right? Maybe at some point you can find a used one for the trails you dream about riding. But I think getting the bike that is best for what you want to ride most of the time will help get you out there and appreciate those trails the most.

It sounds like people agree here that the S build is the best value, which is reassuring. And aluminum!! YES!!

I want you guys (mostly guys, right?) to think about weight in this way: the S build is 25% of my weight! So please don't trip on a pound or two on carbon vs. aluminum. My bike would have to be 18 lbs. to be 15% of my weight. If you can tell that carbon feels different and you like that fine...but weight? Come on!

SC is *supposed* to be releasing 2020 bikes in July (like in a couple of days!). I don't know if they are on schedule. Just new colors and supposedly no changes to the bikes. I know this because a couple of weeks ago, I went into my local shop, ready to get a quote on a 5010 S build in aluminum (thanks in part to you all). They are OUT of the smalls. So, I am continuing to look for a used one, but since most used bikes out there are mediums and larges, I'm going to have to wait for the new colors. My understanding about SC is that they don't really want their bikes to be sold *on sale* because it "diminishes the brand" so to speak. You might see 10% off but it won't really be advertised too much. You might be able to ask your local shop for a little deal, but honestly, they don't make much. I should probably know this, but they make around $500 on a bike that's $4K. They are depending on you to come back and get it serviced, tell your friends, and get your kids' bikes there. So, start selling stuff! Get a 0% credit card! Get freelance work! Because those new bikes are coming out soon and you don't want to wait until they are sold out, like me...and then have to wait an indeterminate amount of time. Not the worst thing in the world, but a bit annoying. Good luck!!

 

The S build is the best option from Santa Cruz. I didn't realize this till just recently but the 5010 S carbon build come with an upgraded shock. The DPX2 is a really great shock for this bike. That $900 difference between the carbon and aluminum builds really should be a no brainer based on the shock upgrade.

 

When the v3 was first released, I'm almost positive the alum S build also had the performance dpx2 listed in the parts spec. Wonder if they changed the build, or if it was just a misprint on the web page.

 

The owner of the shop I ordered from assured me the S+ aluminum I ordered a little over a week ago does come with the DPX2. He checked his hard copy spec book and it was listed there so we concluded it was a misprint on the website. I'll know for sure in about a week when I pick it up.

 

Aluminum s build is the best value. As others have said, the weight diff from al to carbon c frame is negligible. The 3-4 lb weight difference you're seeing is mostly the tires and wheels for plus. Personally I don't think plus tires are worth the weight penalty with full suspension. They give you better traction but make the bike less nimble.

 

As a long time 2.35 tire user, I find the 2.6 tires put a big grin on my face. I may try a 2.5, but doubt I'd go smaller than that again.

 

What a difference 2 weeks makes. I rode a 29'er demo out on my trails, and really loved the additional rollover ability, and it was properly sized for me (my first one was too big, and I felt like I was on top of it). So, long story short, I went the other direction, and ended up with an Ibis Ripley v4 (carbon, NX, Fox Factory) - very difficult to get right now, but my LBS had one that somebody backed out of. Rode it yesterday, and absolutely loved it. Thanks to everybody for the feedback! If budget allowed, I'd love a 5010 as an alternate bike...

 

have fun on the new bike

 

@Taildragger would you say in your opinion that the C S build is a sweet spot of sorts for what you get? It gets many upgrades for $900. Also since you ride both "if" you could only ride one or the other, and it be your only FS bike, would you go 5010 or Bronson?

 

C S build is definitely the 'sweet spot'. As to one or the other,,,, well I chose one of each. Saying that,,, I am finding that the 5010 is actually more capable than I ever imagined.

 

Thanks! I'm currently riding a Blur CC TR with 120/100 travel and while it gets around most all my trails/lines it isn't as playful and fun as I'd like. Did a demo on the 5010 and has a blast with it so I've though about picking one up and getting rid of my Blur.

 

The purple rocks. You guys are crazy. I get a random compliment all the time, and most of them are chicks.... so..... I don't care if they think I'm riding the new Juliana.

 

My Matte Carbon and Silver>anything else. The more people that don't like it the better.

 

Cool!!! You're gonna love it!

 

New Bike Day

Picked up my 5010 today, C S build, and have a skills clinic tomorrow. Looking forward to many fun times!

 

Can you take alot more picures

i am waitng for mine

Do you know if the dropper post is a B1 ore mabye a C1`?

 

Did you get a 19 or 20, what model, color? Do you have an ETA yet on it? My bike has the B1 Reverb on it and based on the SC specs showing 170 length on the L and XL I would assume they are also B1, since the C1 is now 175. RS is pretty good about warranty/replacements so if you have issues you may be able to switch.

This is the only other one I currently have, too busy riding!

 

I am getting a CS 2019 XL same colour as you.

shot be here later to day

 

My evil runs Hope pro4 hubs and my old bike ran DT 240 with54t ratchets....

 

Yeah.... you'll notice right away. It was almost comical how bad the engagement felt, but like I said, it doesn't bother me as bad as it did at first.... having too much fun to worry about it, I guess.

 

I ordret ea set of hope w35 wheels to repllace them

 

My new baby

I picked up my 2019 X01+ yesterday.

I'm waiting to recovery from a minor medical procedure to take her on a maiden ride, should be in a week or two.

The LBS did a basic fit when I picked it up. I ended up cutting 10mm off each end of the bars. All the current bikes I demoed had bars that were way to wide for me (I'm old school, learned to MTB in the 90's and 2000s). I'm sure I'll be tweaking a few more things on the first few rides. Also wouldn't be surprised if I lose another 10mm on each bar side, but want to ride some first.

Really excited to get out and ride.

 

I ended up cutting 10mm off each end of the bars. All the current bikes I demoed had bars that were way to wide for me (I'm old school, learned to MTB in the 90's and 2000s). I'm sure I'll be tweaking a few more things on the first few rides. Also wouldn't be surprised if I lose another 10mm on each bar side, but want to ride some first.

What length were yours originally? I know they show they are stock at 760 but I recall a review saying the carbon SC bars were 800? Mine currently seem larger than the ones on the Blur, and the bike before that I had cut down to 740 to get around some spots on our trails.

Hope you heal up quick and enjoy the new ride!

 

This isnt a popular opinion... but the D build is the way to go!

I dont want to run fox or rockshox. Its perfectly fine stuff, but I want to go another way these days. Im replacing suspension on a $2500 D build just as I am on a $6900 x01 build. Thats a huge cost right there. While there is no denying the value of buying a complete high end bike (cheaper than buying separate), its really only a good deal if its what you actually want.

 

This isnt a popular opinion... but the D build is the way to go!

I dont want to run fox or rockshox. Its perfectly fine stuff, but I want to go another way these days. Im replacing suspension on a $2500 D build just as I am on a $6900 x01 build. Thats a huge cost right there. While there is no denying the value of buying a complete high end bike (cheaper than buying separate), its really only a good deal if its what you actually want.

For you maybe it is but it wasn't for me, and it seems many others. You aren't really making a good comparison between models either. You are comparing the base model 5010 with either NX or SX on an aluminum build and no dropper to the CC model carbon with X01, at $2699 and $6799 respectively. If you are simply looking for a 5010 frame to put your own parts and pieces on then the D is the cheapest way in but to say its the way to go isn't accurate for many of us.

"I" believe the C S provides a lot of value and would have gone with it as well on my Blur if it would have been an option at the time, it is now. It was cheaper on it to get the CC X01 than to get a C S and make the changes to make it a TR.

Enjoy the ride and let us know the exact build up!

 

So I bought the D build on my old bike and I think it's a nice option of you are new to mountain biking and don't know what to upgrade. After 5 years, the only stock item on that bike was the cranks. I am keeping a spreadsheet tracking all of my replacement parts. So far I've spent over $600 on upgrades (excluding wheels & handlebars since I had a set of carbon wheels and a carbon bar) to the S build. Most of it was on a Fox dropper post but I have new cranks, grips, saddle and stem. The S build has good suspension, GX Eagle and the brakes are fine IMO. After a year on the bike, I still feel the S build is the best value.

 

So I bought the D build on my old bike and I think it's a nice option of you are new to mountain biking and don't know what to upgrade.

This is the position I'm in. I just ordered a 2020 Juliana Furtado in the aluminum D+ build. The only reason to go with the 2020 over the 2019 was the change to SX Eagle drivetrain, and I really wanted that extra 50T cog.

I demo'd a carbon S+ build (they don't make the aluminum S for Juliana) and sure, it was fabulous. The 2.6" tires gave me a bunch of confidence, and the frame fits me beautifully. I was looking at the R+ primarily because of the upgrade to the Fox fork. However, in talking to my LBS the only real difference I am going to notice at this stage in my mountain biking is the dropper. So I've committed to investing a little money to get a dropper installed at time of purchase.

I ride carbon on my road and tri bikes, so I absolutely do appreciate the nuance there - but I still think the best $1800 I spent was on my CAADX. I ride it on the roads in everything but the height of summer here in Maine, on the rail trails, on gravel and dirt, whenever I think I might want to stop and have ice cream somewhere along the way.... Pretty much anywhere I can meander on a bicycle!

It may not be the top of the line spec, but I'm just super excited to get my new bike and ride more trails. It's going to be infinitely better than any other mtb I've had before. I'll figure out what, if anything (for my purposes), needs upgrading as I go.