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Santa Cruz Bicycles
5010 2.0 Carbon CC Bike Frame - 2016

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All-mountain clarity.

Santa Cruz's unflinching willingness to constantly tinker with successful designs — regardless of those designs' previous success — has won the California-based manufacturer no small number of accolades, gold star reviews, and BOTY awards. The 5010 2.0 Carbon CC Bike Frame is the latest model to add to this tradition. The 5010 2.0 is so heavily altered that the chief resemblance between it and the 5010 that was introduced to a salivating XC/trail/all-mountain crowd in 2013 is the model's name. The 2.0 boasts changes to the geometry and suspension design for a longer, lower, slacker chassis that — in our opinion — is poised to redefine and clarify the often nebulous criteria delineating the "all-mountain" category.


The 5010 2.0's radical redesign is so pervasive that it touches on virtually every important aspect of frame geometry. The biggest change is to the head tube, which drops one degree from 68 to 67 degrees. That's the same as the previous Bronson model, and it situates the 5010 2.0 just this side of slacked-out enduro monster. The frame's reach and bottom bracket follow suit, with the former tacking on an additional 20-25mm, depending on size, and the latter dropping slightly. The combined result of these apparently minor tweaks is a longer, lower, more stable frame that eagerly attacks lines that the previous 5010 has to think twice about.


If the 5010 2.0's front end and bottom bracket are about slack excess, then the changes out back are about tightening things up for more pedaling efficiency and cockpit versatility. The seat tube is steeper, longer, and wider, which benefits both the ups and downs of all-mountain riding. While grunting over the crux of a climb or grinding speed on singletrack, the steeper angle puts the rider in a more efficient pedaling posture, making it easier to stay on top of the pedal stroke. While descending or cleaning lines through rock gardens, the shorter, fatter seat tube allows for more dropper travel, which nets increased stability when increasing speed is the last thing on your mind.


The 5010 2.0's chainstays are stubbier, reduced from the previous 5010's already impressive 17.12in to an even stiffer, more agile 16.8in. Better power transfer while we're putting the pain into the trail and more nimble dexterity when gnarly terrain turns the tables? Yes, please. The frame's rear triangle terminates in a gigantic 148 x 12mm rear axle, making for more rear clearance which in turn allows for those abbreviated chainstays. In one final burst of engineering inspiration, Santa Cruz tacked on side-swing compatibility, which makes for clean routing and sharp shifting for those of us who prefer the knee-saving grace of a double over the low weight of a one-by.


Like the frame itself, Santa Cruz's Virtual Pivot Point 3 (VPP3) suspension also gets a makeover. The most obvious, external changes to the 5010 2.0's suspension are an additional 5mm of travel and a relocation of the system's counter-rotating links. These changes make for a better standover height, ground clearance, and stiffer rear end; however, VPP3's real proof is in its revised tuning. The altered suspension curve keeps VPP3 riding even higher than plain ol' VPP, increasing small bump compliance and keeping the tires glued to the trail for more efficient traction across the successive impacts of lumpy courses and rooty climbs. The initial stroke's reliance on the upper link activating for a vertical wheel path remains unchanged, maintaining the firm feel during accelerations while jockeying for position in a mass start or a finishing sprint.


As the suspension compresses deeper, the lower link takes over, letting the rear wheel back out of big hits. The overall curve across travel is less dramatic with VPP3. Where VPP's suspension curve describes a deep "U," VPP3's curve resembles a flattened check mark — an appropriate shape considering that the design checks off many of the points on our pedal-platform wish list. When paired with FOX's Evol air can, this makes for a ramp-up arc that doesn't dramatically alter as the shock compresses, so the pedaling platform stays consistent across travel, with less wallowing, bob, and bottom-outs.


All of these changes are included in a frame that's still built with Santa Cruz's top-end Carbon CC construction method and materials, which allow the engineers to use less carbon in order to hit stiffness targets. The frame is every bit as responsive as the less expensive Carbon C version, but its claimed weight is almost 300g less. Both triangles are constructed as whole, monocoque pieces, which also contributes to keeping weight low because the carbon can be wrapped through junctures and around joints. This eliminates the artificial weak points of bonded frames and actually requires less material in the process. While it's being cured, the frame is compacted from inside and out. This final step eliminates excess material and resin pooling, resulting in more structural integrity and, of course, additional weight savings.


Despite that extensive list of changes, most of the obsessive details that we've come to associate with the clean lines and understated aesthetics of Santa Cruz frames carry over. In ascending order of importance, these include down tube and chainstay protectors, ISCG-05 tabs, and the glorious 73mm threaded bottom bracket shell. It's impossible for us to overstate how much we love threaded bottom brackets. As advanced as even Santa Cruz's Carbon CC construction has become, even it can't produce molded bottom bracket PressFit cups that rival the precision of CNC machined threads. A threaded bottom bracket adds a touch of weight and the extra labor is reflected in the price, but we think the reduced creaking and greater durability are worth it.


Details

  • Redefines the trail category with aggressive geometry updates
  • 130mm of VPP suspension for efficient pedaling and go-fast composure
  • FOX Float Factory Evol shock increases small-bump sensitivity
  • CC-level carbon frame is superbly stiff and ultra-lightweight
  • Santa Cruz masterfully melds progressive design with classic style
  • Item #SNZ007O
Frame Material
Carbon CC
Suspension
VPP
Wheel Size
27.5 in
Rear Shock
FOX Racing Shox Float Factory Evol
Rear Travel
130 mm
Head Tube Diameter
1-1/8 - 1-1/2in
Headset Included
no
Bottom Bracket Type
73 mm BSA threaded
ISCG Tabs
yes, ISCG 05
Cable Routing
internal, stealth dropper
Front Derailleur Mount
direct mount
Derailleur Pull
side swing
Brake Type
disc
Seatpost Diameter
31.6 mm
Rear Axle
12 x 148mm
Recommended Use
trail
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime on frame

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