Why We Like The 5010 Carbon X01 Reserve Mountain Bike

When the whole industry is raving about 29ers, it's easy to forget that some of our best rides are on shorter travel 27.5in bikes. Touted by many riders as the "fun wheel size," 27.5in wheels have a playfulness and agility to them that 29ers simply can't match, and the all-new Santa Cruz 5010 brings out these qualities in full. Bonus lines and trailside jibs are highly encouraged, and the bike practically begs to go airborne. At the same time, the new lower-link VPP suspension layout and slacked-out geometry give you the confidence to send bigger lines, while the steep seat tube angle and efficient pedaling platform are eager to tackle all-day sufferfests.

Santa Cruz’s updates to the geometry of the 5010 make it more playful than ever with slacker headtube and steeper seat tube angles, as well as size-specific chainstay lengths. The slacker front end provides confidence when descending and greater stability in technical terrain. With 15mm longer reach in this year’s model, Santa Cruz compensated to make the seat tube 2-degrees steeper, which means all those improvements at the front end don’t come at the cost of climbing efficiency. The short chainstays liven up the back end, so you can nimbly wind through the trees or hit features, while the proportional length ensures that riders of all heights get the same grin while coming down the mountain. While maintaining the 130mm rear travel, the 2021 model now comes spec’d with a 140mm fork for that extra pop when you need it. We all have our preferences for how a bike handles, so the flip-chip in the rear linkage allows you to vary between high (steeper) and low (more slack) geometry settings with the turn of a hex key.

This 4th generation 5010 is only available in carbon, and this particular bike utilizes Santa Cruz's Carbon CC layup. CC is Santa Cruz's highest-grade carbon and among the best in the industry when it comes to strength, quality, and ride feel—all while coming in about a half-pound lighter than their C frames. Santa Cruz specs this iteration of the 5010 with the latest SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain with the new 10 - 52t wide range cassette. We also get treated to a set of Santa Cruz's in-house Reserve Carbon rims laced to ultra-reliable DT Swiss 350 hubs. These stout carbon rims add some pep to your ride and reduce the frequency of truing your wheels, as carbon holds it's shape much better than aluminum. The Reserve rims are backed by a lifetime warranty just in case something goes sour on the trail.

• Santa Cruz's playful and highly-capable 27.5in trail bike
• Progressive geo with slacker head tube and longer reach
• Steep 77-degree seat tube for comfortable pedaling
• Chainstay length varies with frame size for optimal handling
• Lower-link VPP suspension offers a smooth, predictable feel
• CC carbon frame is crafted with the highest level of quality
• Top-tier build kit with XO1 Eagle and Reserve carbon wheels
• Universal derailleur hanger makes it easier to find replacements