Santa Cruz and Enve Carbon - Interbike 2011

Sep 15, 2011

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Since its debut, the production Santa Cruz V10 carbon frame has been on the podium at every single World Cup race. For the past two seasons of racing, Santa Cruz V10's have all sported alloy swingarms - enter the new composite rear triangle. In a collaboration with Utah based carbon wizards Enve Composites, Santa Cruz is now domestically producing full composite carbon rear triangles for their iconic V10.

Fully built, the new 100% carbon V10 weighs in at a svelte 34lb, the carbon rear triangle accounting for about 300g of weight savings on the overall build.

Champery Switzerland - 1 September 2011 during the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Champery Switzerland. Photo by Gary Perkin

There has been a carbon V10 on every World Cup podium since the Syndicate started racing it.

With this latest Racelight V10 framset, Santa Cruz has made it their mandate to reduce weight, increase stiffness, improve suspension performance (via reduced unsprung weight), and improve toughness and durability.

SC claims the V-10 carbon Racelight as the world's lightest DH frame - an XL frame weighs 8lb with coil shock. Minnaar edition shown here.

The bike brand from Surf City are now in their 5th year of carbon fibre development, starting with the Blur XC and culminating 2 years ago with the V10. The goal each year has been to make each new bike design lighter, stronger, stiffer and better handling than its predecessor. All bikes are designed and tested completely in house.

Santa Cruz has diligently developed their proprietary layup process working closely and exclusively with a single composites manufacturer. That composites vendor makes mountain bike frames for Santa Cruz and no one else.

All composite processes are proprietary and are only found on Santa Cruz bikes.

The carbon swingarms represent the next phase in an ongoing collaboration between Santa Cruz Bicycles and Enve Composites. Enve produced the first carbon fibre DH wheel set on the market, and has continued to develop their wheel technology with Santa Cruz on the World Cup circuit.

Carbon swingarm moulds - US alloy machined in Santa Cruz, California.

The alloy moulds were made by Santa Cruz and then shipped to Utah where Enve applied their composite prowess to the layup. Moulded swingarm parts were shipped from Enve back to Santa Cruz, where they were machined, bonded and tested before being sent to Europe for ride testing with the Syndicate team.

CAD renderings of the new swingarm mould.

In house testing at Santa Cruz's facility is a rigorous (read arduous) process to say the least. They haven't had a single carbon V10 frame fail in real world race conditions.

Santa Cruz applies internal testing standards that are orders of magnitude beyond the current industry baselines.

It should be noted that the Racelight V10 frame set is a 'prototype' at this point with no date set to go into production. As such, no final weights, performance stats or pricing are available at this time.

Santa Cruz has done a lot of in house testing, enough to give it to the Syndicate to race on. They will develop the V10 carbon frame set through next season with it likely going into production at the beginning of 2013. This is the same methodology behind the development of the first carbon V-10; get some solid race hours on the proto, then go into production.

Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

SANTA CRUZ FACTS

• 13 World Cup Wins from 2004-2011
• 80 World Cup Podiums, averaging over 10 per year
• 2 World Cup Overall Championships
• 1 World Championship Men’s Elite
• 1 World Championship Jr. Men’s
• 2 Team Overall Championships with male only team
• The V-10 carbon was the first carbon bike to win a downhill World Cup
• The Syndicate was the first team to race on Enve carbon rims and win their first time
out at Maribor in 2010

For more on Santa Cruz Bicycles, go here. To have a look at some carbon wheel goodness, see Enve Composite's site here.

All images courtesy Gary Perkin

139 Comments

Score Time

+ 67

showa (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:19)

Only thing heavy about it will be the price tag Smile

34lbs is very impressive though

Cusalabanjura (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:48)

Correct mate , 6000 to 7000 I reckon pal easy

ktmpaul111 (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:02)

@ showa: the price and the rear brake rotor (even though I'm pretty sure the won't sell it with that rotor)

alex-DH-life (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:12)

This is not the best idea from Santa Cruz, waiting for 2013 before starting to sell their carbon bike ? They're gonna loose a big market if they don't sell soon with all of the carbon sleds out these days.
Give us the bike NOW Santa ! It rocks already !

razorbiker18 (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:26)

$6000 - $7000 is way better than Trek 9.9, this one is actually possible to be owned, the Trek one is just, IDK for me and most people I think, its impossible! Anyways good job Santa Cruz, 34lbs is very impressive just like what **showa** said! I hope you won`t kill us with he price tag!!!

eskachig (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:59)

@alex-DH-life Santa Cruz know what they are doing, and they have a loyal following to prove it (I'm biased though, that's my hometown). I'm sure that working all the kinks out will pay off for them - they don't need to beat everyone else on the market to make a killing on this bike.

louevilcyclist (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:23)

@alex-DH-life They already sell the Carbon V10 just has the aluminum rear end on it. And is only 34.4 lbs or so. Pretty damn impressive. They are not losing out on anything. Every race I go to it seems like there are 1 or 2 more V10C's out on the track.

Cmontjumper (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:39)

i wonder if the carbon swing arms can be retro fitted onto already carbon firber front traingles like the devincis are doing now?

ninjaty (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:41)

34 lbs?! The Norco Aurum LE is 34lbs and full aluminum.

bigburd (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:58)

Yeah but the Norco is made of coke cans like the old Session 88

xy9ine (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:13)

i'll believe that aurum 34lb weight claim when i see it hanging from a scale. a bit optimistic, methinks.

ninjaty (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:18)

bigburd- Don't make things up, you don't flatter yourself. Your comment tells me you have not even seen in person, little lone ridden one.

mretard (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:35)

i reckon if this does go into production the price tag will be a bit more than 6-7000, the current price tag is roughly 6000 so with a full carbon frame id go with 7500 standard build

Gweggy (Sep 15, 2011 at 12:03)

@Alex-DH-life: They already have a carbon bike, this is just an even better version with a carbon rear end. I guess it's better to take some time for some serious testing, than doing it like Lapierre and sell a carbon rear end that snaps all the time!

betsie Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 14:32)

Is the carbon rear end better? When they had the choice, only 1 of the SC team ran it, and Peaty did not do as well as normal!
Then they all rode it at Champery...
Just a thought.

mnorris122 (Sep 15, 2011 at 15:44)

wait, isnt that hills boxxer?

PHRANQUY (Sep 16, 2011 at 8:07)

A friend of mines V10 that she has been racing all season is built to 32lbs, so a 34lb production model doesn't seem unreasonable at all.

alazamanza (Sep 22, 2011 at 10:01)

you can pay 7000 on a dh bike
but it wont make you any faster unless youre already at the top... dont be daft spend the money on getting more time practicing and just being a better rider besides its all a con

wen santa cruz released the carbon v10 they said a carbon rear end would not save much weight... but it lops of 300g theyre playing to suckers who will keep buying the latest bikes and if you fell for it jokes on you cos now youve gotta either spend about 3500 for a new frame or live with it

and dont be fooled into thinking youre getting a 34 lb bike thats what peatys weighs with custom blackbox.... yours will prob be 35 lbs or so and even then last years syndicate replica cost 8000 and that was without the enve or edge carbon rims which cos about a grand each..... also bear in mind the rims are labeled as all mountain as well so youre prob goin to break a few.......

betsie Plus (Sep 22, 2011 at 11:18)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SPOT ON ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Cusalabanjura (Sep 23, 2011 at 12:10)

08 v10 rule!!!!!

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+ 24

ellsworthman (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:16)

so, if i buy that bicycle i will be on every World Cup podium?

+ 39

justincs (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:23)

no but your wallet will !!!

Orsumness (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:30)

If I buy that bicycle will it have that goofy seat. Everything else is dialled except the couch!

hoolydooly (Sep 15, 2011 at 3:12)

Those seats are rad. They are where its at in mountain bicycle seating technology i say! kiddingggggg Razz

betsie Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:16)

Nah, you need a Trek, Giant or Devinci for that these days....
How cool is our sport just now with Morewood, Comencal, SC, Specialized, Pivot etc. also all making great bikes.
No 1 or 2 bikes to win it these days.

frdh (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:25)

@betsie was the V-10 not the ONLY other bike to get 1st place podium twice this summer at wc races? Unless we have forgotten that minaar is winning on this machine. I def do agree with your second statement, love my morewood.

hankyman (Sep 15, 2011 at 15:28)

orsumnes and hoolydooly, you can't hate on wtb! i love my saddle from them, so far, its the only one ive had that hasn't ripped off or bent in half from crashing!

mtbswindler (Sep 15, 2011 at 16:19)

no but if you buy this one you will be....

Although it surely was a complex and involved design process to get a carbon Session 9.9 to the racetrack, it’s a very simple story to tell: Take two pounds off the frame, leave everything else the same, hand the bike to Aaron Gwin and watch him go.

After just one day of practice with the new bike Gwin rode it to victory at Monte Sainte Anne, winning by less than half a second. He followed up with another victory last weekend at Windham Mountain in upstate New York—this time by a margin of more than two full seconds....

hoolydooly (Sep 15, 2011 at 19:42)

Haha, hankyman im just taking the piss. Orsumness is a mate of mine and all my mates including him have these more streamline seats and i have this big thing with a chunk out of the side when my bike fell off the back on the shuttle trailer. I think his is WTB too. check the picks in my profile, haha

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llarrggee (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:09)

I read an article saying Santa Cruz wouldn't develop a carbon swing arm just 'Because'

They said there was no benefit to develop the carbon one when the Alu version was just fine.
They were obviously planning this a while ago.

Now if I brought a V10 Carbon with an Alu swing arm last year for silly money and then they bring out a full carbon one the year after,
I would be proper pisssed off.

Bikes go out of date just as fast as electronic technology (TVs, PC's ) that sort of stuff.

But give me a V10 any day. I wont care if its out of date in 2 years.

dom69foco (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:35)

out of date? listen to yourself! it's a damn quick bike and it will be for many years to come, as long as its still working

llarrggee (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:17)

Yea I know that. What I'm saying is.

A company brings out a product and it will be replaced by the next in that products evolution almost Instantly.

I am currently in work, typing this on our £100,000 HP all singing and dancing digital printing press.

Now 5 years later its out of date and HP have the next "BIG THING" or "MUST HAVE" in their range.

Look at the ipod and iphone. One comes out, the next is around the corner.
There is always something next to persuade you to part with your money.

Its what makes the world go around.

RONDAL (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:49)

if you think you need the latest and greatest to be competitive or enjoy riding you are sorely mistaken

Nic688 (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:05)

But you cant compare technology to bikes, lets say you buy a graphics card, it can play modern games. 2 years later it cant play the new release games, it is out of date and time to replace.

Bikes will last and be ride able for many years, maybe a bike that is 2 years old (alu v10) might be 300grams lighter then the new released full carbon but is that alone gonna win you a race or stop you from competing in a race. No. So the bike is not out of date. it just isnt the latest greatest.

Technology is a very fast growing industry. Graphics cards and processors seem to be released every 6 months where as the bike industry is quick but nothing in comparison. most companies with their frames will just change the colour scheme around and then release it all as a new product (SC jackal for example, 2010 was offered in yellow, but in 2011 they dropped yellow and added raw and brown and sell it off as an all new 2011 frame, even though nothing has changed).

Lehel-NS (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:58)

And in the last case.... you can buy this new carbon swingarm and upgrade your OUTDATED half-carbon-half-aluminium frame to full carbon. Razz

bigburd (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:03)

He is not saying the bike will in reality be out of date in two years but in the consumer driven , capitalist society that we live in it will be superceded just be considered in-date and current.

GabrielDugas (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:12)

what i've saw about their decision to release it first with an aluminium swingarm is that their carbon one were not enough good to replace the alluminium one yet. instead of selling one uncoocked product they prefered to sell it as it was + take the time to finish the carbon... this way they don't have the reputation to crack and be cheap bikes..

bigburd (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:55)

http://www.nsmb.com/4641-intensely-carbon worth a read

mongoosemaniac (Sep 15, 2011 at 15:58)

@Dom69foco Its not a fast bike, Its just lightweight. A Bike only goes as fast as the rider makes it go.

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+ 10

akirizu Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:10)

Want.

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betsie Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 15:32)

Marketing??????

Is carbon better?
Where is the evidence?
or is the 6 year old Ironhorse Sunday with the 10 year old Minions on just as capable?
What do the figures show?

Doing some quick (so no doubt crap) number watching on rootsandrain (which is ace for results/comparing etc)
I have heard that the current Mont-Saint-Anne is is quicker than it was due to the changes.
Funny that a certain Mr Hills IH times are quicker than his Specialized times, both by 4s!
When you run a compare on Sam, Greg, Steve and Gee. Sam's Sunday years were killer at Fort Bill
Then looking at the V10 (not looking at who was carrying an injury etc)
Val di sole....................
2008 Greg=3:17, Steve=3:14
2010 Greg=3:19, Steve=3:22
2011 Greg=3:17, Steve=3:31 (and the only one using the carbon swing arm)

I know tracks change (but these are relative times on the same day/same track) and without looking at the data for all the riders to see how the track/conditions had changed, mistakes not counting as they are part of the bike+rider (consistency). This makes interesting reading.

Fort William, Maribor, = Same for old V10 to new V10 for Steve
Take it 1 step further and Steve seemed closer (although he was younger) to Greg on the old Boxxers also.

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teamdoa (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:03)

Nice, very nice, but honestly, is anyone actually going to buy one of these and put in on a UK uplift? it needs to go on the wall to look at.

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s100mphplus Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 2:07)

I picked up Peaty's bike at the end of last season and that was already sub 34lb it was hellish light!!

Yeh the customer Ed may be 34lb, but Syndicate also have various SRAM carbon factory items, they could hit sub 30lb easy. Smile

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 2:18)

They usualy run stuff heavier than you would think, just look after DirtTV when they went around pits asking for weights and bar widths Wink

If you also look round internet you will find that it is mostly the wealthy amateurs or industry insiders doing stuff on their own hand, that take weights down to more or less ridiculous levels, no matter whether it is a sub 15lbs XC racer or 6lbs (WTF!) road bike. There's a guy in Norway who has his V10.4c at like 28lbs with 2 ply tyres and generally still a very sane setup. I think V10 full carbon can go easily under 25lbs with 1ply UST, Easton Haven C, lopes guide, and stuff like that, which could still be fine for weekend bikepark riding.

spaced (Sep 15, 2011 at 3:24)

Unless you crash. A reasonable build is 33lbs, going full retard and spending a few extra k can probably drop 1-2lbs extra. I dont really see dropping 8lbs over current reasonable builds without something being off when the current frame is ~2lbs lighter than the current crop of alu frames.

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 4:31)

I own lots of metal that is, let's be honest, "luxurious", but with CF and Ti components it's at least a one bridge too far for the price alone (ok if I will see a second hand NomadC next year I might crack...) For me the serious discussion about - or even worse, a true belief in performance enhancement such bike jewelry can bring to your riding is just... can't find a proper negative word... like lying to yourself and naivness level that can be compared to a teenager believing that girls don't fart?

People who can take advantage and make use of these bikes (like racing for living) don't pay for them, they get them from sponsors. People who buy them to themselves would be way better off with a bike for a 1/4th of the price in pure performance means. I bet most people if they thought of themselves way back then on shitty bikes, would admit they were way happier then. End of story Big Grin

spaced (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:13)

I agree that most bikers (myself included) spend more than we should on gear but how would I be better off on a shittier bike? Was I happier before? Not really. Im happier now. I dont really understand how a shittier bikes makes you more happy. I know a high end bike probably makes you only marginaly faster but the comfort and the joy of riding a very good bike vs a mediecore one is undeniable.

Lehel-NS (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:35)

There was an article not so long ago here on PB. It was a pro rider (Greg Minaar i think) who was talking about bike weights, and he said that a too light DH bike can be slower because it will jump around, and loose momentum through rock sections and other rough terrain far too easily, so it's not too reasonable to go sub 34 lbs!
And I think he's got a very good point! This whole weight weenie DH stuff is really stupid. Why spend a bunch of money to have a super light DH bike? None would make a bike advantage out of it. Unless you can ride, no bike can make you go fast, even it has 30 lbs. And even if you CAN ride, how much would you get if your bike is super light? I think not much.

Look at the WC podiums. When Gee Atherton won the WC, he had one of the heaviest bikes among the others. So, bottom line, it's not the bikes weight that is so important, of course, you can show off to your buddies but you won't go faster just because of that. Smile

smike (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:45)

The thing to consider is that this frame is not ridiculously expensive compared to other high-end frames out there. You can't find a DH frame for 1/4 the price. It's not like buying a ferrari. More like a BMW. Luxurious, yes, but not unattainable. And if you can afford it, why not? Even if you're not racing at a world cup level.

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:54)

I meant being happy with riding as a whole picture: liking what you have (I mean I do realize that some people feel worse because of not having this and that and others do having it), not thinking "am I not spending too much on a bloody bike?!", being true to yourself why are you slow etc.. I mean if you stand in front of a 10m double, or 3m drop off, with a 300$ hardtail, then you have to be really naive to think that it is the bike that stops you from doing it. And everyone racing HT DH will proove me right on that one. Is it really so easy to blame yourself after buying best bike out there? Or we are rather thinking that we should have, would have, could have bought something else, like Boxxer WC instead of Fox 40 rc2. Yea riding a super bike is sweet, but all the stuff related to it while your off of it aren't.

dom69foco (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:41)

when my (very fun and capable) £1000 full susser had a week or 2 in pieces on the floor i rode my old muddyfox hardtail - RST fork, v-brakes, the lot - and it was great fun! it wouldn't last much longer than a couple of weeks though, and i wouldn't send it off a 3m drop. not that i'd do it on another bike...

spaced (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:48)

Yes but those are excuses and those people really know it (they can't be that naive can't they?). Though if that is a 300$ for a complete hardtail bike than maybe thar fear is reasonable Razz

dwdw (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:29)

Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have.

Lehel-NS (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:53)

I think, if people would buy bikes that are within their riding capabilities, none would complain about the prices! Smile

deeeight Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:01)

When bikes get up to the price tags of high four digits or low five digits, its time for riders to grow some common sense and switch to motocross. You get all the same speed, on level ground, without a chair lift, and better suspension technology.

bigburd (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:13)

In regards to lightening up your bike to make you faster I always think that unless you are riding consistently at the level of say , a mid to high ranked national racer , you will never be able to ' buy ' your speed .
But for free and in reality breaking less , pedaling harder , taking that nasty straight line that you know is faster but scares the shit out of you will out weigh 5lbs saved in weight and save you 2000-3000 $ .

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:13)

Agreed bigburd

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Chris0934SF (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:52)

I'm glad this discussion revolved around the V-10's weight and not the frame integrity. I have been riding my V-10 since March, with countless shuttle rides, a week in Whistler, eight races, and weekends at Northstar in Tahoe. There were plenty of crashes and my bike only has scratches. It rides like a beast and anyone who says a sick bike won't make them ride with a little more confidence probably has a *hitty rig. I hope the carbon naysayers will relax because within the next few years any company that wants to stay competitive in the market will offer a Carbon DH bike. Carbon fiber frames are here to stay so get used to it.

bigburd (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:20)

I think the carbon haters will come round to it soon ( I'm not a hater just a pessimist like most on here ), it's just too unknown for the majority of us .
Give it a few years by that time most people will probably of had a riding friend that has owned one for a few years and can base their opinion on that , it's just hard to trust some thing when it's as unknown as carbon with high price tags too.

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davidstuartkelly (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:40)

What an Excellent write up, so informative too. Those CNC moulds for the rear triangle are a work of art IMO. 34 pounds for a Downhill bike too, my Nomad is is marginally lighter. Way to go Santa Cruz....

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:27)

I assume that SC will go lighter with any eventual upcoming updates of all of their CF frames. They had to go this "heavy" in the first models, to not spoil the CF and get people burned. I bet 6,7lbs Blur LTc frame is much stronger than any current alu DH weapon. Now look at Blur TRc, even though it has to cope with stuff not much smaller than LTc - it is already 2lbs incl shock lighter. So in next years I'm sure we can expect stuff like sub 6lbs Nomad C2.

davidstuartkelly (Sep 15, 2011 at 4:19)

Carbon V10 and a Carbon Nomad are amongst many Pink bike visitors dream bikes, mine too. Looks like i will be riding my current Nomad for the time being, unless Santa Cruz are feeling generous and wish to treat their long term customers lol...

T1mb0 (Sep 15, 2011 at 4:49)

Have to say, I'm real happy with the weight of my Nomad c being just above 6lbs. Don't really think it needs to get any lighter, especially as its not an xc frame. If your really anal about it you can easily get a sub 25 build anyway.
But that slight beef to the build is welcome and very reassuring... even if the forum know it alls don't think its necessary.

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:27)

NomadC brings me a mix of "unbelievale" and "why actualy", as I can't think of a single thing that would honestly like to improve in my Nomad 1.5. 2,2lbs off sounds very very tempting but only reasonably thinking the only use I could make of this shave off is: it will be easier to push the bike up the stairs to the attic... ride quality? maybe, I've never ridden a CF bike for a longer time to appreciate the "compliance" so... things thy shall not know to exist, thy shall not desire Big Grin

But well the only bike I can swap for from Nomad is NomadC... when my Nomad gives it's life, I hope I can get CF one for crash replacement program price. Or maybe in 2 years I can find a used one somewhere.

And T1mb0 - Nomad 1 if only equipped with Rp23 and adjustable travel fork, is a very good XC bike on rough trails - unfortunately many think XC means riding stuff you could do with ease on a CX bike, like 2012 Olympics XC course Wink

but I understand what you mean

T1mb0 (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:00)

Mine has an RP23 and its more capable than just xc Wink

While the Nomad is great at xc, because of its supspension platform and potential for low weight, I think you'd miss the point of it If you only ever rode just xc or even trail centres.
It screams to be smashed through things with complete disregard for normal riding sense.

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:10)

I ride everything with it, i just meant that that woth good setup it's good for xc as well

T1mb0 (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:22)

When I wrote "you'd miss the point" it was a generalisation, not directed at you WAKI'

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harry-righton (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:04)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150368093226060&set=a.214534811059.164976.127066331059&type=1&theater i would just like to point out that is it possible to go under 30lbs, but i personally think there is no point.

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dirtbitchin (Sep 15, 2011 at 15:21)

Our whole family rides DH. so keeping 4 top shelf bikes around gets retardedly expensive, like $25k+. I have recently discovered that some bikeshops off the hill will rent top shelf bikes for reasonable rates. so one can spend less than the depreciative value that these machines lose in one season, when renting by the month. A good concept for sure as 10K+ bikes become more the norm rather than the exception these days.

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xTheRoseRedx (Sep 15, 2011 at 17:41)

Unless you're professionally racing, I just don't see the point. The price is high as it is and it's not a bike you can just head on down to your local spot with, it has to be thoroughly maintained and have a careful eye watching on it, just in case it begins to split or worse, shatter.

This is for Pro's and weight weenie's only I'd say.

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galliwasp (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:00)

I thought getting my Driver-8 down to 40 lbs with some Dee-Max hoops was pretty good. Ugh! It's expensive to keep up with the times, innit? No matter, 'cause fun is fun. Ride what y' got.

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shishka (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:31)

Well the syndicate told me to run that guy over so i did it. Then they told me to buy the enve rims and i did it. Now my dh bike weighs lighter than my trail bike and i soo confused. Hopefully i can make it down plattekill a couple times before this carbon explodes.

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mozarle (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:48)

I might be misunderstood but I would like to see a comparison test, in the near future, between V10 or any other high tech american DH bike & an Antidote lifeline 2 nano spec. with BOS suspensions. Yes, it is an 'awkward' comment but it would be an interesting test.

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Myfianceemademedoit (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:15)

That is awesome to see the tooling that is involved for one carbon swing arm. 3M epoxy is also incredibly strong. Bitchn article PB.

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dbodoggle (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:26)

Dear god and santa, please give me this bike

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alazamanza (Sep 22, 2011 at 10:16)

anybody else noticed that steve peat.. the man who has won more downhill cups than anybody ever hasnt won a single one since sc went carbon???

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frijolemoreno (Sep 15, 2011 at 22:48)

this is insanely exciting. i want to never die. i want to see what's around the corner in the next 30 years in our sport, and be young enough to ride it all like a banshee

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fr33m4n (Sep 15, 2011 at 4:52)

It is going to slow down a lot of riders. Knowing that your frame is made of rigid carbon and when you crash it is quite difficult and expensive to repair it you will ride more carefully.

smike (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:47)

All the fast riders I know do not think about crashing. They are confident enough on their bikes to know that they can go fast without going out of control.

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Supremecruzer (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:45)

Does anyone know when we will be able to buy the full carbon frame ?

Edit: Never mind just read the end and found my answer...lol

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:49)

I'm more concerned about getting a job allowing me to afford the current one... or "at least" current Nomad Carbon

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xcjunky (Sep 15, 2011 at 12:45)

The carbon swingarm looks mint. I’m not sure about the IS tabs however. Aren’t most brakes post mount these days and so why not build the swingarms that way?

CaptainBLT (Sep 15, 2011 at 21:04)

...because you would have to have metal inserts for the threads. Bolting things directly to the frame brings the possibility of stripping the bolt. Much safer to simply use IS tabs and an adapter.

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OmG-ITz-JeBuS (Sep 15, 2011 at 14:03)

If I am correct that frame could be sub 7 pounds with an air shock. That is crazy light!

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samminett (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:12)

F**kin awsome bike i soo want 1 lol

Greenwood102 (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:14)

34lbs!

swearmouth (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:20)

The scary thing is how easily they could go even lighter... no need though, past a certain point the bike is too floaty and doesn't hold its line well enough.

duncanp (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:24)

i've seen one built to sub 30... had carbon DH cranks n all

spoonyman (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:50)

" The scary thing is how easily they could go even lighter... no need though, past a certain point the bike is too floaty and doesn't hold its line well enough."

When you're Steve Peat or Greg Minnaar, the bike doesn't hold the line - you do!

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 2:02)

swearmouth - I toaly agree with you, but only because I don't race at all. But I know that each solution has pros and cons so it takes a certain approach and technique to make the best use of advantages, and avoid situations where cons show. For me personally heavy bike feels slower (feels! it's what I like not what's actualy faster or slower). For instance I am so used to a light 1ply UST tyres, thanks to which I can pick the bike up into the air from a smallest stone and fly miles compared to 2plies - but that also means that to maintain speed on these I have no choice but to do it that way, I can't ram into things with little consequences as I would on a heavy bike. I'm fully aware that it also means slower line choices for me.

Having said that, I assume that less skilled riders will actualy be slower and less confident on a super light bike (no matter if XC or DH) than on average momentum fed rig. But speed is not all that there is to the world, you have to have fun on your bike and I believe it is way better to spend money on something improving fun rather than something improving speed only. I'm always into ride quality& fun rather than speed

hoolydooly (Sep 15, 2011 at 2:17)

^^Word.

audeo03 (Sep 15, 2011 at 4:38)

@duncanp: Sub 30 seems unrealistic. Their build has carbon cranks and wheels and a Blackbox Boxxer World Cup. The shock has a Ti spring. Where are you going to save any more weight? Sure you can throw a Vivid Air on and Ti bolts everywhere, but those are marginal savings.

spoonyman (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:11)

I agree with Audeo03! Considering it's VERY unlikely you've even seen a full carbon V10 (more likely one with an aluminium rear triangle)... I would love to know the spec of this sub 30 bike.

I can only imagine that the performance of the spec has been compromised to save weight... e.g. Small brake rotors, light rather than powerful brakes, XC bars, smaller tyres etc, etc... Personally I always put performance ahead of a little extra weight.

Knife-in-the-dark (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:16)

Nah man, you can run garbage XC parts, and have it be unreliable. Then you can hype yourself on the interwebs. Everyone knows style>substance.

spoonyman (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:31)

New plan: Tora solo airs, a fox air can, 1.75 single ply tires and just a rear XTR brake for my Summum!

25lbs ?

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 7:45)

no need for these, just put more money into it and hire guys that did this 6lbs road bike:

http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/09/29/6lb-road-bike-worlds-new-lightest-bicycle-from-fairwheel-bikes/

fullbug (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:19)

thi$ much cabbage would be better spent on a couple of SGCs for me @ whistler! i'd opt for better skills than better bike. it sucks to not to be able to afford both sometimes!

holy shite, waki! are we gonna have to surf weightweenies.com for mtb info soon?!

WAKIdesigns (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:17)

Yup, dh weenies... I totaly get your point with riding vs components. I thought for a moment about Easton Haven carbon wheels. Then thought, that for 2500$ I can get to Whistler for few days from Sweden and back... Or for a skills camp in Colorado. Dont buy carbon stuff, start riding well, get to racing and they'll give it to you for free Big Grin

scottyoungsheep (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:38)

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7053055/

13.45kg / 29.59lb.

Compromised, but legit.

duncanp (Sep 15, 2011 at 12:23)

yea i was referring to the one scotty linked

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ScaryGerry (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:48)

Those carbon wheels are the tits too!

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dsimmonds (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:15)

Such a nice looking bike. Be interesting to know the price

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carlomagno (Sep 15, 2011 at 13:10)

luv carbon bikes but if you fall down in a rocky track it could broke and that could be all for that expensive frame

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robertsonhwi (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:51)

amazing bike, not sure about the gold link, looks cool but a bit out of place.

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brunovieiranext (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:27)

this bike is worth their lives, all bike >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
haha

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intensemack10 (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:13)

Release not likely until 2013? Good!!! I cant afford it for a while anyway!

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ashfanman (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:59)

Fifth pic down with the lightning bolt tatt: is that his magic welding finger? It's carbon - no need!

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general-lee (Sep 15, 2011 at 5:31)

On the podium at every World Cup except for the last one in Val di Sole. Still an impressive streak nonetheless.

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SHARK555 Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:00)

this is the evolution. but what a price tag. and can anyone tell me, what's up with the boxxer?

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chrispaulcx Plus (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:01)

Santa Cruz - leading the carbon revolution! Love it. Wishing I could afford one of these frames! Sigh.

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Sljivex (Sep 15, 2011 at 12:58)

Its very cool carbon bike! Smile

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mossyriders (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:31)

just 1 word for this "SEXYYYYYYYYYY"

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ScaryGerry (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:47)

This is just beautiful... I don't care what it costs, I want it!

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freerider1996 (Sep 15, 2011 at 6:58)

when is the full line going to come out?????

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downhillmichel (Dec 6, 2011 at 2:25)

light lighter lightest......SNAP goodbye 7000 euro's

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jrjounor (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:34)

those blackbox forks are BA

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zoablanc (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:02)

Wow. My new mission is to get this frame!

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Jashman (Sep 15, 2011 at 12:07)

well danny hart didnt need one of these ........

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funkymonkey144 (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:13)

Well played Santa Cruz, well played indeed.

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Jasenn (Sep 15, 2011 at 12:41)

What is that white goop he's sanding....Bondo?

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GreatApe (Sep 18, 2011 at 16:45)

I want DeMo 8 Carbon please.

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sergio96 (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:58)

how much would one of these cost?

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AidanW (Sep 16, 2011 at 15:50)

love the frame but hate the seat

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freerider020 (Sep 15, 2011 at 11:13)

The Black Boxxer is super stealthy, I want one.

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mtbrider106 (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:29)

Cant wait till Intense has a carbon DH bike : D

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anderz0 (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:57)

Sexy beast!

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ben-w Plus (May 2, 2012 at 17:00)

I wish.

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LukeCowley77 (Sep 15, 2011 at 14:11)

Awesome!

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holydiver84 (Oct 10, 2011 at 1:16)

gonna have it

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mtbmattcm (Sep 15, 2011 at 15:27)

such a sick bike

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GrantR (Sep 15, 2011 at 23:29)

so no more air shock?

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Nobble (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:13)

Shit son....

soutie1 (Sep 15, 2011 at 2:15)

the dude's got issues !!!!

SoCalMX (Sep 15, 2011 at 8:54)

I think he means "shit son,that things bad ass!!!"

Nobble (Sep 15, 2011 at 9:35)

Yeah, i did. lol

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UncleCliffy (Sep 15, 2011 at 0:33)

Something just moved in my pants.

+ 26

manchicken (Sep 15, 2011 at 1:15)

It was your wallet trying to get away

baca262 (Sep 15, 2011 at 4:30)

hopefully.

bigburd (Sep 15, 2011 at 10:24)

Haha nice one manchicken!

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