First Look: All New 2015 Santa Cruz V10 Carbon 15

bturman
12/6/2014 8:16pm

The bike that Josh 'Ratboy' Bryceland won the 2014 UCI World Cup Series Championship on is now available to the public.

How do you improve something that's already been overhauled? It turns out Santa Cruz began the redesign in 2013, and tonight we were introduced to the latest in a long line of race winning downhill bikes. The 6th generation of the V10 features 27.5-inch wheels, a longer front end, 8.5-inches of bump eating travel, and adjustable geometry.

Features

  • Full carbon frame and swingarm
  • Carbon C and Carbon CC frame options
  • 216mm (8.5") VPP suspension
  • 27.5" wheels
  • Adjustable geometry with HIGH & LOW settings
  • Double sealed pivots for long bearing life
  • Dual grease ports on lower link for easy maintenance
  • Integrated fork bumpers with cable guide
  • Molded clip-on chainstay and upright protector
  • Full carbon dropouts and disk mounts
  • Angular contact bearings maximize stiffness
  • Collet axle pivots lock in place without pinch bolts
  • Molded rubber swingarm and downtube protection
  • 157mm rear axle spacing
  • Threaded BB for creak-free riding and easy installation
  • ISCG-05 tabs for chainguide compatibility
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL

The Santa Cruz Syndicate always enjoyed the chainstay length, so adjustments were made to the design to keep the measurement very similar while accommodating a larger wheel size on the new bike. Those who follow the World Cup likely know that the boys preferred a longer front end, so the new frame was adjusted accordingly. Greg Minnaar and Steve Peat ride the Extra Large, while Bryceland rocks the Large.

Weight was saved in several locations, but given that the bike was already among the lightest on the market, Santa Cruz chose to put the weight savings back into other places to boost the overall strength and durability of the frame to ensure the bike withstands Ratboy’s huge flat landings. The changes are visible throughout, especially in the rear triangle. It still sports a carbon upper link.

The previous version of the V10 had two rear travel settings. Over the past two seasons of racing, the Syndicate never used the longer 10-inch mode, so the decision was made to restrict the bike to 8.5-inches (216mm) of travel but also to add a new geometry adjustment. It now has high and low settings with consistent chainstay lengths. The shock rate has been tuned to be less progressive than the previous model, delivering more consistent damping throughout the travel.

Geometry High

Geometry Low

Santa Cruz is also introducing a more affordable "Carbon C" version. There are four build kits ranging from $5,699 to $10,799. Both white/red and black/white paint jobs are available in both carbon types.

If the results say anything, this is the fastest downhill bike Santa Cruz has ever produced. Visit www.santacruzbikes.com for more details.

Photos by Lear Miller

15 comments

View replies to: First Look: All New 2015 Santa Cruz V10 Carbon

c50 p4pb14516248 1561382844
tmano2
9 years ago
the video haw great, and how they played with the music was awesome

why the hell would they put sram brakes when everybody knows that for now shimano are better
1
3
c50 170319 bezos robot 2 630x530 1490080473.jpg?VersionId=4Emr2rN6wRKsuBl95xVDygEBFg
Colin McCarthy
9 years ago
They have some odd number in for the standover throwing off the reach and stack on the chart. I want the XXL or whatever they call the biggest one. Beginning to think GT or Pivot were the only options for a larger size . Too bad the Carbon C isn't available as a frame only and what's with with those brakes? Still, I give them three thumbs up. Very well done. It even looks like a Luddite could get away with 26" wheels.
c50 88521480 1251936778
TEAMROBOT
9 years ago
Dude what is the deal with the XXL size? First it says it has a 727mm reach in high position, then a 467mm reach in low. This is a joke right? Tall people of the world want to know.
2
c50 DSC07372 1609712326
Fredleth
9 years ago
reach for the high position is 475mm, but stands under the stack. The numbers just moved down. It is the same on Scott's site.
c50 SmileySmall.jpg?VersionId=7cbiXICUreIggnYf2QSvY O 2B4.Dfe
Big Bird
9 years ago
My question is… In the article it says S,M,L,XL. But in the sizing chart it lists an XXL. Which one's correct?
1
c50 170319 bezos robot 2 630x530 1490080473.jpg?VersionId=4Emr2rN6wRKsuBl95xVDygEBFg
Colin McCarthy
9 years ago
Exactly. Also, Pinkbike mentions that there are longer vpp links on the 'new' XL size to increase chainstay length for that size only. For real?
1
c50 88521480 1251936778
TEAMROBOT
9 years ago
There is no mention of a longer chainstay for XL sizes in any of the other V10.6 coverage, and none of the geo charts show a longer chainstay in any of the sizes.

Also it comes with a shorter shock now, a 2.75". I was already running a 600 pound spring on my 2014 V10, and the equivalent spring rate for the new shorter shock is 650. Yikes.
1
c50 170319 bezos robot 2 630x530 1490080473.jpg?VersionId=4Emr2rN6wRKsuBl95xVDygEBFg
Colin McCarthy
9 years ago
I thought Rennie used to destroy shocks on the V10.3 with the 2.75" . Maybe with the improved shock rate and better damped shocks they don't have this issue.
1
c50 88521480 1251936778
TEAMROBOT
9 years ago
Hey Kiran don't be mean. The bike you felt was massively under sprung with a 500 pound spring. Once I got a real spring on there I opened up the damping A LOT and it didn't feel so turd-y.
c50 SCB13 03113CROPPED 1367387669.jpg?VersionId=ABFwSOnlxsCtGlpsv3Mz5X
Kiran
9 years ago
You just need to embrace the progressiveness Charlie. Every racer tends to over spring their V10 if they are used to another platform. I would be surprised if you needed to run firmer than 550 on the new bike. Greg runs less spring than that. Just sayin'
c50 88521480 1251936778
TEAMROBOT
9 years ago
I kept eating shit when I ran my bike with a 550 and relatively normal damping settings. I stopped eating shit when I ran my shock either a) undersprung and over-damped, or b) mega-sprung with regular damping. Kiran, this is literally exactly the same conversation I have with bike company engineers every single year. I like-a the spring rate. I probably just suck at riding and you should accept my ill-advised bandaid solutions for what they are.

Deals

See All »