Santa Cruz 5010

Going low to elevate the fun

Going low to elevate the fun

Santa Cruz bills its 5010 as the “fun size” play bike for trail riding. While the 27.5" bike is definitely fun, the major update to the 5010 makes it much more well-rounded without losing touch with what made it so exciting to start with.

The most drastic difference from the previous 5010 is in the frame, which now uses Santa Cruz’s lower-link vpp suspension. Moving the weight low on the frame works well with the 5010’s generally low-slung design, adding to an already impressive cornering capacity. Mix in the Reserve 30 Carbon wheels, and the bike pops out of corners, fast.

The company says the lower-link vpp is supposed to feel like more than 130 mm, but really, the 5010 just handles what travel it does have very well. Harsh bottom-outs are rare. Instead, the suspension starts smooth and provides more support as you work deeper into the travel. Whether you’re pushing through corners and pumping down a flow trail or hitting rocks and roots looking for more chances to catch air, the 5010 gives you the support you need to take flight and come back down to earth still i n control. The chainstays increase in length as the frame size increases, keeping the balance and feel consistent throughout the 5010’s models.

While the bike is designed for fun, the new lower-link vpp suspension design does make the 5010 climb efficiently, especially on technical trails. Santa Cruz is one of several brands that realizes a slightly more active suspension design is better for climbing than a rock-solid pedalling platform. (You still have a lock-out switch for riding smooth or paved climbs.) Letting the suspension stay active on inclines lends the 5010 traction, aided by 2.4" Maxxis dhr II tires, keeping the tires glued to the ground without ever being so active that pedalling feels bouncy or like your effort is going to waste.

The 5010’s low bottom bracket loves corners, but it also leaves you close to any rocks or roots just-too-high off the ground. If you find the BB too low, a flip-chip in the shock mount gives you 4 mm more height and a 0.3-degree steeper head-tube angle to make the bike more suited to slower, more technical riding. The point of this bike is fun, though, so it is likely most riders will be happy with its low-slung stance.

The bike’s lively trail feel is aided by the 5010 CC’S svelte sub-30-lb. weight. With the Reserve 30 Carbon wheel upgrade, which comes with a lifetime warranty, the 5010 tips the scales at just 29.45 lb. High-end wheels come with parts, and a price, to match. sram x01 Eagle parts, including a 10–52 cassette, Code rsc brakes with 180-mm rotors and a boutique Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem are all top-shelf components you’d expect to see on a bike that breaks into a five-figure price range. You can get the 5010 in a less expensive build, but the CC Reserve, as tested, won’t leave you wanting anything more. And, the loosely blue colour and matte finish are stunning, too.