The 5010 is a true “trail” category bike. It’s gonna be better for doing a little bit of everything than the tallboy, and won’t get overwhelmed as easily in rough terrain or on bigger hits. I’d probably go with the tallboy if you want more emphasis on up and flat then down, but for rides with an equal emphasis on both directions, the 5010 might be a better bet. That being said, it will be more similar to your Megatower than the Tallboy will be.

 

Think of it as a Porsche version of a Whyte T130. It's a super trail bike that in the right hands will do everything day to day really well.

 

I replaced my last generation 5010 with a new Tallboy and gave the 5010 to my son. He lives close so I still get to ride it. I live in the northeast with shorter climbs and tight, twisty trails. The Tallboy climbs better with 29" wheels and the 5010 is a bit better in tight turns but the two bikes are pretty similar. I could live with either but prefer the Tallboy for where and how I ride. I've demo'ed the Mega and it's way more bike than I need. Doing a lot of demo's pre-covid, the Tallboy won out over a Hightower and I was ready to go with 29" wheels. Honestly, if I kept the old 5010, it would still be plenty bike for me.

 

It's a trail bike. It replaced the Blur Trail. You can think of it as the Blur TR 2.0.

 

.... but I do like to play around on my rides finding little side hits and other sneaky lines and it occurred to me the 5010 might be a fun option.

"Fun to play around on" is basically the only reason to buy one. That has to be your priority more than point A to B efficiency or gnarly prowess.

It pedals pretty efficiently for all day rides, and in the right hands can tackle some decently gnarly stuff, but it's just a short-travel trail bike that really shines if you like to play around on the trail... that's where it excels. I've ridden a TB plenty of times, and it's very appropriate for most or our trails, but I chose a 5010 for myself.

Really hoping the next generation of 5010 comes as a mullet.... that would be interesting.

 

I have a v3 5010 and love it. Upped the fork to 150mm and it is still super playful and handles all the local trails with no issues, as well as all the jump lines. I like to think of it as the "grown-ups bmx bike", for people who don't necessarily want a short travel, light XC bike or a longer travel trail bike, it's a good intermediate.

Really hoping the next generation of 5010 comes as a mullet.... that would be interesting.

I just got a Heckler and the original owner gave me the stock MX wheelset and Pike Select 29" fork. Thinking about throwing the fork and 29" wheel on the 5010 to see how it goes. lol

 

Thanks so much, all! Great insights and confirms what I was thinking...though I don't know that I'm any closer to a decision!

 

For good times and fun, don't own one but every time I have ridden one it was enjoyable. Looking to replace one of my hightowers with a 5010.

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I replaced my 2016 5010 with a 2022 Blur TR. The bikes feel and act almost the same. I had them both built up similarly. X01, ENVE riser bar, Reserve wheels, etc....New Blur has X01 carbon cranks where 5010 has Race Face aluminum. Blur has X01 AXS where 5010 is mechanical X01. Small things.

I used my 5010 for everything. Trail riding, jumps, drops, rocks, tech, XC riding.....and also 100 mile endurance rides and races. Only thing the new Blur does better really is that it's lighter than my 5010 and has 2 water bottle cages.

Interestingly enough, if you look at the Santa Cruz archive and compare the 5010 V2 (2016-2018) and the NEW Blur (2022- ), the frame geometry is almost identical.

 

The current version of the 5010 is more based around being a trail bike (longer), but the linkage is still more progressive than most bikes and the progression is consistent for a nice supportive midstroke. It's a fun bike to find and boost on every trail nugget! Throw in a Cascade link and the fun factor gets turned up even further. If you like carving, twisting it up and throwing shapes, then the smaller wheels on the 5010 will be more playful than 29 inch wheels.

I have mine set up with a 150mm fork and 140mm rear Cascade Link and don't need a bigger bike for bigger mountains. And it is still full fun on the blue trails. But I don't race enduros, ride park and prefer the fun line to the fastest straight line.

If you really want to up the fun factor, go a size smaller. The 20mm or so less in reach and shorter wheelbase make for a much more playful bike, and will keep you entertained when it get rough.