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Santa Cruz Bicycles
5010 2.0 Carbon S Complete Mountain Bike - 2016

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Trail supremacy.

The standard lead for any industry write-up of Santa Cruz's new 5010 2.0 Carbon S Complete Mountain Bike might be something along the lines of "Santa Cruz shocked us when it announced a complete overhaul of one of the most beloved, versatile trail bikes in the world." We can't help but not be surprised, though — after all, when has the California-based manufacturer ever been satisfied with its own designs and models? For we denizens of the trail, the changes behind the 5010 2.0 translate to a longer, lower, and slacker geometry combined with a more aggressive pedaling posture that does surprise us. The bike exhibits better handling and more speed over everything from root-latticed descents to rocky climbs and all the fast and techy singletrack in between.


The 5010 2.0's big geometry changes are in the head and seat tubes. They're slacker and steeper, respectively, with the head tube losing a whole degree, from 68 to 67, bringing it in line with the previous Bronson model. As you can imagine, the change is a drastic one, completely blowing up our own expectations for how much crunch a "trail" bike is equipped to handle. The steeper seat tube is equally drastic, though in a different way, since it puts the rider's hips closer to the bottom bracket and makes it easier to stay on top of the pedal stroke while climbing or burning worms across fast flats. The 5010 2.0 also has a longer reach, lower bottom bracket, 5mm more travel, increased dropper range, stubbier chainstays, and a wider rear axle. That pile of alterations means that it pedals harder, takes bigger bites out of terrain, and provides a wider range of saddle up/saddle down dropper goodness for aggressively tackling grades in both directions.


The Virtual Pivot Point 3 (VPP3) also got hit by the redesign hammer. Where the old suspension curve described a deep "U," VPP3's curve resembles a flattened check mark, with less dramatic ramping at either end of the travel arc. The results are that, during the initial stroke, VPP3 boasts increased small bump compliance to keep the tires glued to the trail for more traction across lumpy trail and root lattices. It also maintains its predecessor's firm feel during accelerations while jockeying for position in a mass start or a finishing sprint.


When paired with FOX's Evol air can, the ramp-up arc doesn't dramatically alter as the shock compresses. The pedaling platform stays consistent across travel, with less wallowing, bob, and bottom-outs — even while the axle's path turns rearward as travel increases to absorb big hits.


Santa Cruz's Carbon C frame construction remains unchanged, so the 5010 2.0 enjoys the same durability and stiffness of previous generations. Santa Cruz uses a single layup for both triangles instead of a jigsaw puzzle of individually-cured carbon tubes, allowing engineers to wrap the bracket. The continuous wrapping strengthens the frame, dissipates the force from impacts, and compared to building with individual tubes — the advantages of Santa Cruz's construction methods go some way toward eliding the differences between Carbon C and the more expensive Carbon CC models.


With the exception of a 150mm Reverb Stealth dropper, Pike RC fork, Aeffect crank, and Easton's new ARC rims, the Carbon S build kit is meant to highlight the 5010 2.0's ride quality, not the spec sheet. The drivetrain and brakes are a blend of the latest workhorse bits from SRAM and Shimano, both of which put on-trail functionality ahead of marketing hype. Despite the lack of carbon fiber widgets in the shift and brake levers, we find GX and SLX provide a more than adequate platform to let a frame of the 5010 2.0's pedigree shine.


Details

  • Well-balanced trail bike with 130mm of VPP3 suspension
  • Updated geometry is slacker, with longer top tube
  • C-level carbon frame provides high levels of stiffness
  • 140mm RockShox Pike RC fork for supple trail manners
  • SRAM GX 1x11 drivetrain with Raceface Aeffect 32t crankset
  • Santa Cruz blends cutting-edge design with timeless aesthetics
  • Item #SNZ007G
Frame Material
Carbon C
Suspension
VPP
Rear Shock
FOX Float Performance EVOL
Rear Travel
130 mm
Fork
RockShox Pike RC Solo Air
Front Travel
130 mm
Headset
Cane Creek 40
Shifters
SRAM GX 11-speed (right only)
Front Derailleur
n/a
Rear Derailleur
SRAM GX
ISCG Tabs
yes, ISCG 05
Crankset
32 t Race Face Aeffect SL
Bottom Bracket
73mm BSA threaded
Crank Arm Length
175 mm
Cassette
10 - 42 t SRAM XG1150
Chain
SRAM PC1130
Brakeset
Shimano SLX
Brake Type
hydraulic disc
Rotors
180 / 180 mm Shimano Deore RT66
Handlebar
Race Face Ride
Handlebar Width
760 mm
Grips
Santa Cruz Palmdale Lock-On
Stem
Race Face Turbine Basic
Saddle
WTB Volt Race
Seatpost
[sizes medium - x-large] RockShox Reverb Stealth 150mm, [size small] RockShox Reverb Stealth 125mm
Wheelset
[rims] Easton ARC 24
Hubs
SRAM MTH 716/746
Front Axle
15 x 100mm
Rear Axle
12 x 148mm
Tires
[front] Maxxis Minion DHR2 TR 3c, [rear] Maxxis Ardent Tubeless Ready
Tire Size
[front] 27.5 x 2.3 in, [rear] 27.5 x 2.25 in
Pedals
not included
Recommended Use
trail
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime on frame

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