Santa Cruz Bicycles

Superlight D Complete Mountain Bike - 2015

The Santa Cruz Superlight D Complete Bike is one of the best values in mountain biking, period, and to bring that point into focus, consider that the Superlight platform is one of Santa Cruz's originals, with high-dollar versions of it still screaming around race courses the world over. It's a frameset with a proven pedigree, here rendered with a build kit that's friendlier to the wallet of the weekend warrior.

While the Superlight's single-pivot suspension design is nothing new, the company has taken the platform and refined it to perfection over the years, resulting in a durable, reliable frame. Evidence of this in found in the pivot's location. It's placed slightly above and forward of the middle chainring, to offer the best balance of pedaling efficiency and bump compliance (more on that in a minute). The hydroformed tubes of the Superlight are dialed for maximum rigidity. With bigger 27.5" and 29" wheels especially, stiffness is paramount, which is why you'll find that the rear triangle has an asymmetric shape. This prevents flex and ensures suspension motion is directed to the rear shock and not into flexing the frame, which would otherwise cause it to flex or shutter around switchbacks or across rock gardens.

The Fox FLOAT CTD Evolution rear shock on the Superlight has three distinct damping settings. Climb, Trail, and Descend settings (hence, CTD) are easily switchable via the lever on the top of the shock, and allow you quickly and easily adjust the shock to suit the terrain you plan to tackle. If you’re going to sprint up a fire road, for example, the Climb setting will essentially lock out the rear shock — but remain compliant over water bars or sharp edge bumps. The Trail setting provides a more active motion to assist with traction when traversing punchy, root-laden hills or flowy sections of trail. And the Descend setting offers unrestricted motion for technical downhill sections that would otherwise bobble you about.

To squeeze every bit of performance out of the Superlight frame without squeezing every penny out of your bank account, the "D" parts build is perfect. A full Shimano drivetrain blends SLX and Deore components into a smooth, reliable shifting system that will require minimal maintenance, yet offer the range and speed to go anywhere you need to. SRAM DB1 disc brakes stop the WTB-rimmed wheels when you need them to, which themselves are wrapped in some do-it-all Maxxis Crossmark tires. To help the Fox FLOAT rear shock do it's job in back, the RockShox Recon Gold TK Solo Air 120mm-travel fork up front keeps the ride smooth while keeping handling sharp. A light but ultra-tough Race Face cockpit rounds out the build, capped by a WTB Volt Race saddle that stays comfortable mile after mile.

The Santa Cruz Superlight D Complete Mountain Bike comes in four sizes, from Small to X-Large, and in the color schemes Dark Blue/gloss green and Red/white. Please note that size Small and Medium bikes come with 27.5" wheels, while Large and X-Large bikes come with 29" wheels. Pedals are not included.