Dirt Magazine reviews V10 and Driver 8

I was kinda frustrated by that article in that one thing I've been waiting on for a long time from Dirt is a reasonable review of the V10. Steve Jones reviewed Peaty's V10 a few years back and Cunny had a one-page review of the V10 he owns but never a straight up review.
I can see the logic in the conclusions they reached about the Driver 8 vs V10 but I think it would have been better served if they'd done a separate review on each. As a V10 review it's not overly helpful - disappointing considering I rate Steve Jones as one the best MTB journo's kicking around.

I thought it was a pretty decent and thorough review, by Dirt standards - the standard of writing/editing in that mag is normally shocking - whole paragraphs that make absoluteley no sense, and articles full of references to sentences that have been edited out, making the whole thing unreadable.

Either way, it was high praise for the V10, and "what's the point of the D8?"

honourablegeorge said:

...the standard of writing/editing in that mag is normally shocking...

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The presentation and photography is awesome though!
Its definitely one of the better mags in that they at least seem to use the stuff they review in anger.

vikingboy said:

The presentation and photography is awesome though!
Its definitely one of the better mags in that they at least seem to use the stuff they review in anger.

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Photography is always class, and yeah, good to see reviews of battered, mucky gear.

The layouts though - stuff like yellow text on bright orange backgrounds, impossible to read - that pisses me off.

honourablegeorge said:

I thought it was a pretty decent and thorough review, by Dirt standards - the standard of writing/editing in that mag is normally shocking -

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I think it depends on the writer. Like I say I think Steve Jones tends to call it like it is and can really get to the bottom of how a bike goes. His tests/reviews of bikes like the Trek Session 88 were excellent.

Either way, I do agree with the overall premise of the article - note sure why you'd get a D8. There are much better freeride bikes and much better DH bikes.

Theres some interesting commentary in the introduction section of the Dirt 100 magazine this year too written by Steve Jones too.

I haven't read the article, but I have to disagree with the gist of it as stated in this thread. I've owned both bikes. For me, the D8 is more playful, nearly equal as a DH race bike, and about perfect for Whistler.

The D8 pretty much feels like a V10 with 2" less travel.
I really can't understand not thinking the D8 is more playful. Imagine adding 2" travel to your current freeride rig or any bike, in most cases that would make it a little more cumbersome to jump and flick.

Nevertheless, I still think Santa Cruz would have done much better by making something a little lighter, with an inch less travel, that you could put a front der on.

thirdnipple said:

I really can't understand not thinking the D8 is more playful. Imagine adding 2" travel to your current freeride rig or any bike, in most cases that would make it a little more cumbersome to jump and flick.

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Imagine taking a v10 and adding a bunch of extra weight. More playful?

Dirt reckoned the V10 pedalled better, carried speed better, and was just a better bike all round.

Yes, it has less travel than a V10, but that's it. The market is full of lighter, more adjustable, more versatile and better bikes than the D8. I just don't see what the USP is.

My opinion....Bring back the VP-Free and retire the D8.

Well everyone it entitled to there own opinions. I have read the Dirt article. I owned a VPFree and now have a D8. The D8 is a little heavier than the Free but better when heading down. As for V10 / D8 comparisons, not everyone is a racer and needs the lightest bike..for me the D8 is built a lot more durable (well maybe the D8's Maxle is crap) so should hold up well to abuse. I am getting by with a single ring on my D8 (even I was expecting a replacement for the Free to be dual ring compatible.... running a single ring is not the end of the world).

I had a 09 V10 after I sold my older Free and after a year of riding it I sold it for another Free. The V10 is and always will be a awesome Race Rig.

I own a Nomad and a V10. Don't see where a D8 could fit in the SC lineup. The D8 combines the negative traits of both bikes, too fat to pedal and wrong geo for a pure dh-bike. It's an answer to a question nobody asked. Haven't seen any in parks here and almost none in the forums. It will just fade away when SC makes no money with it.

What people probably want (and hoped for) is a more downhill oriented 7" Nomad, not a small ugly cousin of the V10. Something from SC like the uzzi vp minus the design flaws.

So whats wrong with the Uzzi Vp then? I think it's a perfect replacement given SC don't offer the VP Free anymore

0pt1cal said:

So whats wrong with the Uzzi Vp then? I think it's a perfect replacement given SC don't offer the VP Free anymore

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No space near lower link for a normal chainguide position, linkage rate doesn't work properly with air shocks, a lot heavier than originally promised. If you own one and find it perfect for your riding, that's fine, we all have different expectations.

raff said:

No space near lower link for a normal chainguide position, linkage rate doesn't work properly with air shocks, a lot heavier than originally promised. If you own one and find it perfect for your riding, that's fine, we all have different expectations.

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yeah, the nomad is well known for working fantastically with an air shock

way to call it like you see it!

William42 said:

yeah, the nomad is well known for working fantastically with an air shock

way to call it like you see it!

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Now I understand why you like the uzzi.

raff said:

Now I understand why you like the uzzi.

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what? I never said anything about the uzzi, I just made fun of you for thinking that SC is in some way better then intense when it comes to long travel and air shocks (the DHX-A to be specific) work. FWIW I would run either with a coil shock (an elka or bos), but yah. Anyway, I was just pointing out that you're FOS, that's all.

I have to say, if the driver 8 was a good thing, none of these conversations, and the magazine reviews should have been this muddy and so-so~.

If it was a true winner, like every single other bike SC makes, usually there are only good comments.

To each his own, and I respect those that ride and like the D8. But it really isn't as great as promised IMO. Bring back the free

Loll said:

If it was a true winner, like every single other bike SC makes, usually there are only good comments.

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I've got to say I agree there Loll, even though every SC model has its critics (but then you can't please everyone), in the main they have all been well received. However I don't seem to see the same ringing endorsement for the D8 across the board. I guess every manufacturer is allowed to release a model that doesn't quite hit the mark. However the hallmark of a good manufacturer is how they respond! Time will tell whether the D8 becomes a staple in the SC stable or just another passing fad! At least IMHO they got it right with the Nomad2! :thumbsup: