Is Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 Worth Buying? [Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 Review]

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Santa Cruz V10 DH X01

• RRP: $9,499
• Travel: 203mm (front) 215mm (rear)
• Frame: Carbon
• Fork: Fox Factory Float 40
• Wheels: 29″
• Drivetrain: 1 × 7
• Brakes: Hydraulic Disc

What we like about it: The Santa Cruz Top Flow manufactured speed bike features CC carbon with taller 29″ wheels for fast rolling speed terrain, and SRAM Code grade hydraulic disc brakes to give you more confidence in your “flight”.

What don’t we like about it: Slightly higher price of components and less maintenance.

Rating (4.7/5)

Introduction

Santa Cruz thrives on the idea of creating a better brand to meet the expectations of every rider. The V10, a speed bike built, aims to build the best bike for anyone who gets on the podium and stands on the podium.

Equipped with a high-end CC carbon compact frame combination and adjustable chainstay length to optimize front/rear balance, and lower leverage rate for optimal shock performance. The 215mm rear and 203mm front of travel, 29″/27.5″ wheelset with hybrid setup support, and swift SRAM Code grade hydraulic disc brakes.

I believe no one can resist the higher-end component options and let V10 help you come out on top in the World Cup race.

Downhill

There are many different kinds of mountain bikes, but without a doubt, the most attractive is the speed bike! I will elaborate on this in the next article: what makes the V10 so special and different from most mountain bikes on the market?

Like its namesake, the Santa Cruz V10 speed bike is designed to go downhill fast. And with no compromises in design, the v10’s destiny is downhill only. Moreover, the 63.7° seat tube angle and 63.3° head tube angle mean the V10 doesn’t need a high pedaling position or long-distance comfort. To be honest, I don’t think they even need a saddle. Accordingly, the v10’s with the same super light and super strong CC carbon frame combined with the exaggerated Factory Float 40 fork doesn’t need to be lightweight to even rival the XC for pedaling efficiency. Nor do they need to install any water bottle holder attachments.

I chose the location for this test to be on a rugged single-track road with a 45° incline angle. Since it was after a typhoon, you could feel the different leaves and gravel on the road. But in terms of riding performance, the V10’s high pivot design creates a rear axle path. And the rear wheel wasn’t rebelling against this vibration under the incessant bumps of gravel impact. Once I got the rhythm of the ride under control, I could feel the bodywork was using force to deliver a big enough punch.

Experience

When I drifted at an angle across the muddy road with leaves, I gained great confidence in the 29 “x2.5” Maxxis wheels. Meanwhile, I felt the tremendous traction like a snowplow sweeping away the sludge that was in my way and dragging me forward with exceptional poise. Also, if you notice that the V10 is available in 27.5- or 29-inch and a mix of medium and large frame sizes, you won’t need to worry about whether this unusually large wheelset will fit your size. And the weight distribution is more stable. This was most evident when I passed a huge rocky flyback.

As I tensed my entire body and adjusted it to a pitch-low position, I swooped hard. Obviously, the front and rear of travel were set at an unprecedented height (215mm rear, 203mm front) and the efficient movement of the fork maximized the body squeeze. It was still able to demonstrate great adhesion in the face of a rocky surface with a high slope and heavy punch. I didn’t lose control of the body due to the huge external forces.

The experience was so perfect that on the same bumpy ground, the Santa Cruz V10 gave me a feeling so profound that I left my previous riding experience behind. Moreover, if you notice that it is equipped with SRAM Code class hydraulic disc brakes, which are almost a must for the high-end models of Santa Cruz, you don’t need to worry about any unexpected situations on bigger drops and more uneven surfaces. The authoritative 4-piston calipers provide more power to the Code. Featuring a sturdy brake lever design that provides extra support for intense riding, it ensures a smooth descent.

Looking back at the dust and the rocks ahead, the sharp figure of the Santa Cruz V10 is the dividing line between the two images.

Main Features

Frame

Thanks to a huge 29″ wheelset with 215mm rear and 203mm front suspension, the first impression the V10 will give you may be its aggressive appearance. However, the same pair of twin forks that rival motorcycles and a very slow frame collection with a highly rigid wheelset and large grain aramid beads are their standards. Also, the angle of the fork makes the shape of the body more extended towards the front, and its impact angle with the obstacles will be at a very efficient value in the case of height.

Of course, if you’re thinking that such a slow angle gives you a sluggish sense of delay in handling, then you can imagine a downhill situation where the handling of the speedster would be no different from that of a regular road bike on flat ground. The difference, however, is that the V10 can charge down a hill with no regard for the conditions. So if you’re a fan of looks, I don’t think the Santa Cruz V10 makes you feel rude either. There’s nothing like oxblood paint to get the blood pumping.

Geometry

The Santa Cruz V10 is very gentle on the 63.3° head tube angle because of its speedy destiny. And the 63.3° head tube angle combined with the longer 215mm rear and 203mm front of travel allows the shock to work very smoothly. Besides, the wheelbase of this L-size V10 is 1,278mm. You know that’s not even the maximum yardage. When I first saw the distance between the front and rear axles, I felt like a light year had passed. And the purpose of this is to give you maximum stability support when speeding down. While designed for high-speed handling, rough road handling is also taken into account. Accordingly, imagine having some chopped surfaces to ride on, the handling of a short bike can become very unstable. So I guess that’s what I find when shopping for a speedster, all of them are super long!

Of course, the Santa Cruz V10 is available with adjustable rear fork length to achieve optimal front-to-back balance. Additionally, the rider doesn’t need to move back and forth on the bike to change the center of gravity, which would be a huge waste of your concentration. In terms of BB height options, the v10’s lower BB height provides straight-line stability, and of course, cornering stability is increased by a lot.

Components and Specifications

SRAM X01 DH 7-speed Drivetrain

Usually, the gearing on speed bikes is nothing special, basically 7-speed mostly. So I wasn’t too surprised by the Santa Cruz V10’s gearing. But when I noticed that the gears on the V10 are as dense as the gears on a road bike, I think the advantage of this design is that it gives the rider a good idea of which gear they are out of. And you don’t need to worry about dropping the chain on a single-disc drivetrain, the Santa Cruz V10’s chain stabilizer installation reduces the probability of chain loss.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed that some riders have a lower chain guide setup. While this is not usually a necessity for me, it can be integrated with the disc guard to protect roots and rocks on the BB and even the disc. You know the cost of this is usually a race loss, and the V10’s mission is to get riders to the finish line as fast as possible.

SRAM Code RSC Hydraulic Disc

Like other bikes, the Santa Cruz V10’s brakes are very important for speed braking. The SRAM Code RSC four-piston setup is a step up for braking.

If you notice its appearance, you will notice that SRAM Code discs are usually thicker for rigidity and heat dissipation reasons. Of course, with the CC carbon used in the bodywork, this process of heat dissipation is exacerbated. Because only lower temperatures can lead to higher braking sustainability, and nothing is more important than sustainability for speedway. To be honest, if I hadn’t been so confident and knowledgeable about SRAM Code during my high-speed sprint down the mountain, I would have been worried about the rear wheel catching fire.

Maxxis Assegai 29 “x2.5” Wheels

In the old days of racing, we often saw steel 26″ flexible wheelsets. But with the ever-changing speed of mountain biking, the low passing efficiency of such small wheelsets has been revealed. So they were crushed by the taller 29″ or 27.5″ wheels. In today’s trend, although the 29″ may not completely dominate the field, it doesn’t stop me from choosing the Santa Cruz V10’s 29″ wheelset.

I think this is the kind of rolling rate that deserves to be called true speedway and powerful enough to ignore the rocks and dark potholes on the road. Of course, shorter riders can try the hybrid wheel setup, which the Santa Cruz V10 also supports. And if you notice the V10’s surface pattern, the exaggerated aramid beads fully support your roll in the mud.

Usually, the tires of speed bikes can reach four layers inside and outside, you don’t need to worry about the sharp stones on the road to cause puncture problems to your tires. Obviously, we need to rely on Maxxis Assegai 29″x2.5″ wheels to reach the finish line safely.

Other Versions Of Santa Cruz V10

Santa Cruz V10 DH S / Carbon CC / 29

At $7,149, the Santa Cruz V10 DH S makes a small performance concession compared to the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01. Equipped with Fox 40 Performance fork, the V10 DH X01 has the same exaggerated 215mm rear and 203mm front of travel. But in terms of performance, the V10 DH X01’s Fox Factory Float 40 will be more robust and aggressive against outdoor friction.

In addition, although 7-speed is standard, but on the drivetrain model, I would trust the SRAM X01 DH over the V10 DH X01 more, which will be smoother and more effortless on some small ascents and descents. Of course, if your riding scenario is not too harsh a terrain overlay, then the V10 DH S is also a good choice. Also on the brakes, I think the V10 DH X01’s SRAM Code RSC discs are thicker and more upgraded, dissipating heat faster and braking more swiftly. For riders who are not as strong, the more high-end braking is a source of confidence for them to win.

Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 Specs

Build Specs	S 27.5	X01 27.5
	$7149USD	$9499USD
Kit	15.92kg / 35.09lbs	15.16kg / 33.42lbs
Price	Fox 40 Performance, 203mm, 27.5″	FOX 40 Factory, 203mm, 27.5″
Weight	Fox DHX2 Performance Elite Coil	Fox DHX2 Factory Coil
Fork	SRAM GX DH, 7spd	SRAM X01 DH, 7spd
Shock	SRAM GX, 7spd	SRAM X01 DH
Rear Derailleur	SRAM Descendant DH, 165mm, 36t	SRAM X01 DH, DUB 83, 165mm, 36t
Shifters	SRAM PG720 DH, 11-25t	SRAM X01 DH, 7spd
Crankset	SRAM PC1110, 11spd	SRAM PC1170, 11spd
Cassette	SRAM DUB 83mm	SRAM DUB 83mm
Chain	SRAM Code R	SRAM Code RSC
Bottom Bracket	SRAM HS2 Rotor 220mm (front), 200mm (rear)	SRAM HS2 Rotor 220mm (front), 200mm (rear)
Brakes	Cane Creek 40 ZS49/EC49 Headset	Cane Creek 40 ZS49/EC49 Headset
Brake Rotors	Burgtec RideWide DH Alloy Bar, 800mm, 30mm Rise	Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar, 800mm, 35mm Rise
Headset	Santa Cruz Direct Mount 35×45/50	Santa Cruz Direct Mount 35×45/50
Bars	Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnar or VP VPG-101A	Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnar
Stem	i9 1/1, 20×110 Boost, 32h	i9 1/1, 20×110 Boost, 32h
Grips	i9 1/1, 12×157, HG, 32h	i9 1/1, 12×157, XD, 32h
Front Hub	RaceFace ARC HD 30 27.5″ Rims	RaceFace ARC HD 30 27.5″ Rims
Rear Hub	E13 Vario DH Guide	E13 Vario DH Guide
Rims	Maxxis Assegai 27.5 “x2.5”, 3C, MaxxGRIP	Maxxis Assegai 27.5 “x2.5”, 3C, MaxxGRIP
Chainguide	Maxxis Assegai 27.5 “x2.5”, 3C, MaxxGRIP	Maxxis Assegai 27.5 “x2.5”, 3C, MaxxGRIP
Front Tire	Reserve Tubeless Sealant	Reserve Tubeless Sealant
Rear Tire	RaceFace Chester	Burgtec Xpress Carbon
Tubes	Fizik Alpaca Gravita X5 Saddle	Fizik Alpaca Gravita X5 Saddle

What we like about it?

• High-end CC carbon body combination exclusive VPP technology, ride more rigid, more efficient absorption of vibration.
• SRAM Level brakes run efficiently to increase riding confidence.
• The extra-long 215mm rear and 203mm front travel allows you to change between scenes as if you were on the ground.
• Maxxis, the 29″ tall wheelset is efficient and powerful enough to ignore all obstacles.
• Longer wheelbase for greater stability.
• The efficient SRAM Code RSC Hydraulic Disc gives more confident support for speed descending.

What don’t we like about it?

• Slightly more expensive compared to components.

FAQs

• What is the tire size of the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01?

The tire size of the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 is 29×2.50.

• What is the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 drivetrain?

Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 drivetrain is SRAM X01 DH 7-speed drivetrain.

• What are the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 brakes?

Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 brake is SRAM Code RSC hydraulic disc.

• How to choose the size of the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01?

Comparison Table

Bicycles	Price	Gear	Brakes	Tires	Click view
Trek Session 9 X01	$7029	1×7	SRAM Code RSC 4-piston hydraulic disc	29×2.5″	Click view
Specialized Demo Race	$7100	1×7	Magura MT7, piston caliper, hydraulic disc	29×2.3″	Click view
Pivot Phoenix 29 Race Zee	$7599	1×11	Shimano SaintHydraulic Disc	29×2.5″	Click view
GT Fury Team	$8225	1×10	Shimano SaintHydraulic Disc	29×2.35″	Click view

Trek Session 9 X01 vs Santa Cruz V10 DH X01

To be honest, when I rode the Trek Session 9 X01, I always felt it was unsurpassed. The sturdy, blast-resistant alloy frame is equipped with a damping-efficient 200mm rear and 200mm front fork. In addition, the SRAM X01 DH 7-speed combo SRAM Code RSC 4-piston hydraulic disc, makes stopping even more stable.

But after I tested this Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 this year, I realized that the speed bikes have been upgraded to a very intense level. The Fox 40 Factory fork(203mm rear and 215mm front), which is more reliable than a motorcycle, is as smooth as a pinch for high drop-offs. With Maxxis Assegai 29″x2.5″ tires and SRAM X01 DH 7-speed drivetrain, the overall mission for speed is carried out to the end. In addition, you have to admit that the Santa Cruz is detailed and supports a mix of 27.5- or 29-inch and medium and large frame sizes, so you don’t have to worry about whether the Santa Cruz V10 will fit your body shape.

Specialized Demo Race vs Santa Cruz V10 DH X01

The 29/27.5 “x2.3 wheels can skim the road on the speedway. However, it should be noted that the Maxxis Assegai 29″x2.5 wheels is not as aggressive on wet and muddy surfaces compared to the Santa Cruz V10, and may be in a dangerous situation of slipping.

Of course, it must be said that it has an advantage in the setting of mixed wheels front and rear. But let’s not forget the details of the Santa Cruz, which supports a mix of 27.5- or 29-inches and medium and large frame sizes. So this piece is also considered a tie. In addition, for outdoor riding, I think the Santa Cruz V10 CC carbon will be more efficient than Specialized Demo Race aluminum, in absorbing vibration and heat dissipation to the brake components is also a multi-benefit.

Pivot Phoenix 29 Race Zee vs Santa Cruz V10 DH X01

My first impression of the Pivot Phoenix is its rich look. I’m not a big fan of the uncluttered design, like a big flashy parrot. Although I know it’s a very eye-catching design for racing. Further, in terms of wheelset choice, the Maxxis Assegai 29″ x 2.5″ wheelset was chosen. Accordingly, it is tied with the Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 in terms of shock absorption and efficient handling of bumps.

Of course, if you notice its unusual 1×11 drivetrain, I think the 1×7 drivetrain of the speedster is universal for today’s race. And Pivot Phoenix’s Shimano 1×11 drivetrain inevitably strikes me as a further squeeze on the body weight of the speedster’s mission. In addition, the Hayes Dominion A4 4-piston is also a good braking component, but from my riding habits, compared to the SRAM Code RSC series, which I am more familiar with, the Hayes Dominion is still a bit inferior in terms of heat dissipation, swift braking and feel. I prefer the Santa Cruz V10.

Learn more : Is Pivot Mach 4 SL Team XX1 AXS Splendid – [Pivot Mach 4 SL Team XX1 AXS Review]

GT Fury Team vs Santa Cruz V10 DH X01

For the GT Fury Team with 190mm rear and 190mm front of travel, it is not as good as the Santa Cruz V10 in terms of handling bumps and drops when faced with more speed. It is also slightly inferior in some important components, such as Shimano Saint 10-speed drivetrain.

The 1×7 drivetrain is more of a standard for the speedway mission, and I trust SRAM’s performance more. Additionally, the 29 x 2.35″ wheelset will not be as aggressive on wet and muddy roads and may put the GT Fury Team in danger of slipping. While I know that for many bikes, the choice is between speed and grip, I think the Santa Cruz V10’s 2.5″ is a more modest size.

In addition, if you notice the details of the Santa Cruz, it’s that it supports a mix of 27.5- or 29-inch and medium and large frame sizes. You don’t need to worry about whether the Santa Cruz V10 will fit your body shape when you ride. All things considered, I think the Santa Cruz V10 is more advantageous.

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