The new Santa Cruz Driver 8 Freeride bike.
Basically a v-10 with 8" of travel
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The new Santa Cruz Driver 8 Freeride bike. Basically a v-10 with 8" of travel
26 Comments
  • 1 0
 Seems like a one off variation on a V10 to me. It's definately not a VP Free replacement, especially after reading about their dog, the fact that they’re is an interrupted seat tube, and there's no mount for a front derailleur. I wish they’d get off their ass and release the next generation VP Free already instead of releasing bikes that people like me could care less about (like carbon xc bikes)! It seems pretty obvious to me that SC must feel that there’s no need for the VP free in the lineup since they’ve revised almost every bike in their arsenal since discontinuing the VP Free. I guess they feel the performance gap between the Nomad and the V10 doesn’t matter. That’s too bad, since the VP free is the best bike I’ve ever ridden.
  • 1 0
 Maybe they're thinking VP Free replacement but skipping the front D mount assuming you can rock a hammerschmidt...? I agree that it sucks they havent replaced the Free yet, basically leaves you going to Intense for a 6.6 or Uzzi for anything bigger than a Nomad but smaller than a V-10...
  • 4 0
 Well this makes the decision hard.
  • 2 1
 the interupted seat tube is a bit unsigtly but this is a good concept
  • 5 2
 errrhhh not as nice as the v10 by a long way!
  • 1 0
 looks alright, not as nice as a V10. it also looks like they just moved the swing arm inwards a little more on a V10 front triangle. any idea on the weight?
  • 1 0
 Nope. No idea. It is a 'freeride' bike according to SC.
  • 0 0
 8inch is where its at for all downhill i reckon. Seems good looking, but its give the impression that its a rip off v10 they couldnt be bothered to re-create and make it different to a v10.
  • 1 0
 I don't think there's any need to make a different looking frame. The V-10 won on looks, so they probably just saved money and used the same good looking frame but tweaked the Geo.
  • 0 0
 i agree that it SC couldnt be bothered to do a re-design on a VP-Free which could probably have benifitted from the 2nd generation VPP design. it doesnt look as good as the V10 (not that i'd need 10" travel 6-8" is ample for what i ride) it just don't look rite at all.
  • 3 0
 Purchase for me? Yes, yes indeed.
  • 1 0
 i dont understand how you cant like it? its pretty much just a downsized v10. awesome in my opinion.
  • 0 0
 Mr.Roscopp.continiues to lead the pack..grate job guys!!!!!!!!! can't wait to own one.. my old vpfree after many bikes afrter still seems to be unreplaceble!!!!
  • 1 1
 is this the new free then. and you do realise that even though a v10 is overkill people are still gonna buy them.
  • 0 0
 Yep, people'll always buy V10's. There is no real need for it. These have the same Geo pretty much , just with more reasonable amount of UK travel.
  • 0 0
 looks nice for sure,but im no dh racer so not what i need.
  • 0 0
 Not at all what I expected the bike to look like, I hope this is still a proto.
  • 0 0
 haha, is that the new boxxer fork i love the side how it says boxxer
  • 1 2
 I preferred the VP Free tbh
  • 0 0
 v10 are nice as
  • 0 2
 It's not as curvy as the v10 and there's really no need for it.
  • 3 1
 disagree. the V10 is complete overkill for 90% of tracks in the Uk. And for a few of thw WC tracks too. (Canberra)
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