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Santa Cruz Bicycles
Superlight D Complete Mountain Bike - 2016

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Distraction-free.

We're normally loathe to describe a bike as "value-oriented," because a tag like that calls to mind glossy, box store specials for $250 designed to do nothing but roll in a nominally straight line. That description hardly applies to anything rolling off of Santa Cruz's venerable drawing board, so when we say the Superlight D Complete Mountain Bike is a value racer, we mean literally that. It's built, spec'd, and dialed to fire through punchy sections, eat up trail furniture, and flow through sweeping singletrack — all at a price that leaves room for entry fees. There are flashier, more expensive rigs out there, but six-inch travel and carbon wheels can be nothing more than an expensive distraction to the sometime racer, sometime recreationalist who is looking for a bike that trains, plays, and races without requiring a second mortgage.


The aluminum frame and 100mm of single-pivot travel are a no-nonsense solution to the non-problems of weight, durability, and reliable suspension. Though there are shinier materials and suspension models out there, that shininess also carries some downfalls if they take a hit. Unlike some of the latest wonder frames, a lump or two won't compromise the Superlight's structural integrity, and the simple, stiff suspension and rear triangle minimize the number of load bearing joints and extraneous pivot points — target areas for the trail gremlins who work to irreparably consign over-engineered suspension designs to the dustbin just in time for the new, improved model's release.


Santa Cruz's adherence to tradition doesn't hamstring R&D, though, as the single-pivot design featured here has a refined pivot location. It's placed slightly above and forward of the middle chainring, which affords a more efficient balance of pedaling efficiency and bump compliance than previous iterations of the bombproof suspension design. The shock rate in sizes small and medium has also been tweaked in order to ensure that lightweight riders aren't limited in their tuning options, and the wheel size graduates across the line's size range. 27.5in wheels ensure size-appropriate handling and standover for sizes small and medium, while 29in wheels give sizes large and x-large a higher angle of attack for speed over obstacles.


The Superlight D returns for the new model year with few changes to the build kit. It's still powered by a Shimano drivetrain comprising the workhorse SLX and Deore labels. The shifting is admittedly not on par with, say, Di2. Nor is it as light and with the gee-golly newness factor of a one-by setup. But scraping the rear derailleur off on a passing rock won't set you back a few hundred dollars, and the double gearing represents a much faster top-end for sprints and fast fire road transfers, leaving the $10,000 bike club members to labor along in your wake with nothing but their beloved tech sheets to console them.


Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime on frame
Recommended Use
cross-country
Pedals
not included
Tire Size
[sizes small & medium] 27.5 x 2.1 in, [sizes large & x-large] 29 x 2.1 in
Tires
Maxxis Crossmark
Rear Axle
12x142mm
Front Axle
15x100mm
Hubs
SRAM MTH 716/746
Wheelset
[rims] WTB Asym i19
Seatpost
Race Face Ride
Saddle
WTB Volt Sport
Stem
Race Face Ride
Grips
Santa Cruz Palmdale Lock-On
Handlebar Width
720 mm
Handlebar
Race Face Evolve Flat
Rotors
160 mm Avid G2
Brake Type
hydraulic disc
Brakeset
SRAM DB1
Chain
KMC X10.93
Cassette
11 - 36 t Shimano Deore HG50
Crank Arm Length
175 mm
Bottom Bracket
BSA threaded
Crankset
22 - 36 t Shimano Deore M617
ISCG Tabs
yes, ISCG 05
Rear Derailleur
Shimano SLX M675 GS Shadow+
Front Derailleur
Shimano M618
Shifters
Shimano Deore SL
Headset
Cane Creek 10
Front Travel
120 mm
Fork
RockShox Recon Silver TK Solo Air
Rear Travel
100 mm
Rear Shock
FOX Racing Shox Float Performance
Suspension
single-pivot
Frame Material
aluminum

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