Steve Peat's "Spitfire" Santa Cruz V10-C - Vallnord DH World Cup 2016

Sep 1, 2016 at 14:32
by Richard Cunningham  

last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C


Steve Peat literally defined the Santa Cruz Syndicate team. A born leader with a no-worries attitude and hard-man work ethic, who could party with the boys all night and come race day, unleash an attack on the race course so vicious that his run down the forested sections of the mountain could be traced by the thunder of his fans. Inspired by the Spitfire, England's greatest WW II fighter airplane, "Last Orders" is a fitting tribute to a man and a career that will never be duplicated.


last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C
British roundel.
last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C
Shark mouths first appeared on RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires.

last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C


last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C
Each bomb represents a DH victory

last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C
Painters spared some room for Peaty's sponsors
last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C
Mechanic Jason Marsh once crafted Peaty's fenders by hand.

last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C
Fox's contribution.

last Orders - Santa Cruz V10 C





More photos of Peaty's Spitfire V10 C from painter Alistair Mclean's Fat Creations workshop



Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

224 Comments
  • 359 9
 That's his best paint job yet! So cool! I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
  • 41 2
 More bikes like this please.
  • 28 0
 I love every single thing about this bike
  • 23 2
 now we want an Eurofighter with peaty's Colors YO
  • 12 1
 Best custom job ever...
  • 6 5
 @cauboi: Britex will ensure that never happens.
  • 13 0
 Steve will be bombing down track this week (couldn't help it)
  • 6 0
 Absolutely stunning bike! Pure art with dramatic function. Go Stevie!
  • 10 0
 So rad, executed so well. I want to do a P51-D themed bike
  • 3 0
 Another amazing bike to match his world champs bike from 2012

ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb8595426/p5pb8595426.jpg
  • 2 0
 Definitely NOT last orders! All the best Mr. Peat!
  • 3 0
 One more bomb would be a great way to go out.
  • 3 95
flag RedRedRe (Sep 1, 2016 at 18:06) (Below Threshold)
 Let's see see the aron gwin "atomic bomb" paint job on his yt. This is not a cool. all the people killed by the bombs displaied on the tt. You let me down peaty.
  • 8 4
 @RedRedRe: your apposed to Peatys bombs but an atomic bomb is ok? Are you ok?
  • 12 0
 Let's have all DH race bikes, Syndicate or not, be custom painted from now on. Distinguishes athletes and makes fans drool
  • 13 52
flag RedRedRe (Sep 1, 2016 at 18:30) (Below Threshold)
 @RussellTinka: i meant am atomic bomb boke would be offensive for everyone right? But this looks cutie? When I look at it I can only think about my grandfather which died in the war. There are plenty of ways to display britishness, paint a bike like a machine made to kill people is not one. Young people may think the war was something from the movies, if you are over 40 just brings bad memories.
  • 14 1
 @RedRedRe: if that's what you see you've had it a lot worse than me. I'm 44 and no bad memories and yes family has been lost. Sorry to hear it disturbs you but I still think it's a great paint job. To each his own.
  • 4 17
flag dtm1 (Sep 1, 2016 at 19:27) (Below Threshold)
 Too bad they're not still racing in Thuringia or Willingen, this bike would be perfect.
  • 6 16
flag dtm1 (Sep 1, 2016 at 19:28) (Below Threshold)
 Would have worked nicely in Vai de Sol too. Call it the Mussolini Missile
  • 6 1
 In Hafjell this bike goes by "Next-Door Socialist Neighbor Knocker"
  • 15 3
 @RedRedRe:
You didn't say where your grandfather was killed. Was he a German?
The Spitfire was used by England in defense of Germany invading northern Europe.
As far as Peaty's pride as a Brit is concerned, I'll give him the bombs. The Spitfires were used to save lives threatened by Germany's advances. Not sure where your thoughts are coming from.
  • 9 53
flag RedRedRe (Sep 1, 2016 at 20:40) (Below Threshold)
 americans may not get it bc u are far from europe, this belongs to idiotic soccer hooligans mentality. Painting a bicycle like a machine made to kill people is just crass.
  • 10 0
 snowflake
  • 17 3
 @kubaner: Pride. Stiff upper lips saved our country. That, and bombs. This is the raddest bike ever.
  • 6 3
 @RedRedRe: my grandfather was an rcaf pilot. He was the best man I've ever known. Whatever he did over there he did it to save lives. Spitfire saves many lives of British civilians. Maybe Have some respect snowflake.
  • 3 0
 Still a sicker bike then Troy Brosnan.....
  • 3 1
 @cmcrawfo: Or Brexit even Wink
  • 4 0
 Sh*t, I cannot stop looking at this bike, I will be fired soon ;-)
Once I was a kid, I was crazy about WW2 fighters, and Spit is a magnificent piece of engineering.
  • 3 1
 @HungarianBarbarian: long be remembered are the greatest generation !
  • 13 0
 @RedRedRe: Shut yer vaj, its a bike painted as one of the most iconic pieces of British machinery ever made, symbolic of our survival against the odds thanks to the brave few. Its f*ckin RAD.
  • 1 0
 @cmcrawfo: Do you mean Brexit?
  • 1 0
 @RedRedRe: zzzzzzzzzzz
  • 11 2
 @RedRedRe: As an Englishman I'd like to tell you to shut up. I'm no hooligan in any way, I dislike confrontation really. But you are being over-sensitive to the point of stupidity now.
  • 8 1
 @RedRedRe: Even if you're 50 years old you were born way after the war. What bad memories are you referring to? Surely you must be a troll. Or a vagina.
  • 5 0
 Thanks to Peaty I am now have Vietnam flashbacks ffs Wink
  • 1 0
 The war is over.
  • 1 0
 @dtm1: You're a man of the past, obviously.
  • 5 0
 @lkubica: At the SeaFair festival here in Seattle, this past August we got to see a restored Spitfire doing laps around the lake, accompanied by a B-25 and one other plane. The wing shape of the Spitfire is unique and beautiful. Its impossible not to appreciate the beauty of these pieces of historic engineering.
  • 1 0
 @twozerosix: been to a couple of air shows. amazing skilled pilots..and badass warbirds.
  • 2 0
 Just another day playing in the woods.
  • 4 0
 @RedRedRe: you are 36!! I am not sure why you are getting all bent out of shape and seeing this as a one sided thing. Think about is as how many lives were actually saved by those war heroes rather than how many lives were killed. Or, perhaps another point of view is that Peaty "killed" it on each and every one of those races represented by bombs.
  • 2 0
 Strafing down track. It's a fighter not a bomber. Would be pretty wrong to put German crosses or swastikas on the down tube instead of bombs.
  • 1 0
 @choppertank3e: good points
  • 147 2
 "We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in Andorra, we shall fight on the berms and rock gardens, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.

We shall fight on the off camber bits, we shall fight on the pedalling sections, we shall fight in the steeps and on the flats, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender".

-Winston Churchill
  • 7 8
 Haha, very good. Maybe it should be "we shall fight them down the hills", being he's a downhiller and all Razz But very good anyways Smile
  • 15 0
 Iron Maiden's Aces High started playing after I read that and now I wanna ride
  • 37 0
 That's the first time I've seen Churchill quoted correctly!! few people know he was really into downhill.
  • 12 1
 BANA-LANA BAMP BAMP, BANA-LANA BAMP BAMP, BANA-LANA BAMP BAMP, BANA-LANA BAMP BAMP. BA-NANA... banalana bana ba ba ba, ba nalana bana ba banala

Riding, scrambling, flying / Rolling, turning, diving, going up again! / Ruuuuuun, live to riiide, riiide tooo liiiive, do or die / Ruuuuuun, live to riiide, riiide tooo liiiive, PEAAATYY RIIIIIIDESSS
  • 5 0
 "I have nothing to offer but blood, mud, gears and sweat"
  • 2 0
 @Nekron: DUDE!! Thats awesome
  • 11 2
 Very cool a Canadian posted that there were a lot of RCAF pilots in the Battle of Britain. Thanks chaps.
  • 2 0
 @Nekron: As good as his maiden part was, I liked this one.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QisLr43Upe8
  • 2 0
 I would follow you into the mists of Avalon if that's what you mean.
  • 2 0
 we shall not go quietly into the night
  • 5 0
 Winston Downhill
  • 3 0
 @zorba73: Wins-a-ton Down-HIll
  • 3 11
flag torero (Sep 2, 2016 at 2:15) (Below Threshold)
 Churchill=Terrorist
  • 1 0
 awesome work ! I was thinking the same way...you beat me to it.
  • 65 1
 End of an era. How man current DH racers can say they raced a WC downhill race on a hard tail? Or with cantilever brakes? Or single wall rims?
  • 54 1
 Or while extremely hungover possibly still drunk?

That's an awesome paint job, very fitting!
  • 9 1
 @scott-townes: Probably most of them. The partys on the circut get pretty rowdy!
  • 1 0
 None. Steve is "sui generis".
  • 45 0
 Hope they show his run on Red Bull stream regardless of where he qualifies.
  • 31 0
 I hope they will let him go down last with all the riders standing in the finish area cheering him on
  • 7 0
 @ice600: every one up these two requests cause we want to see Peaty ride!!!
  • 4 0
 It's amazing and a real testament to his attitude and tenacity that he last won the world cup ten years ago, and is still near the top. Total champ.
  • 16 2
 Sopwith Boozehound

I thought the Fighting Tiger "teeth" graphics are from the US P-40 Warhawk - maybe we ripped that off, too
  • 10 1
 need ratboy on a Fokker scheme...
  • 4 0
 They started to show up in WWI aircraft. I do believe the tigers got the idea from some German aircraft the commander saw.
  • 2 0
 flying tigers was first with sharkmouth while defending china before US was attacked by japan. i tried to replicate the original mouth design on the bike on my feature pic. its pretty accurate i think.
  • 9 0
 The matching custom painted rims are the only way to go. Pinkbike, pull this ugly pic and get us the real deal pic. Heh.

www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Steve-Peats-Custom-Painted-Andorra-Race-Bike-LAST-CALL,10439/Steve-Peats-Custom-Painted-Santa-Cruz-V10cc-Andorra-Race-Bike,109419/sspomer,2
  • 2 0
 yup, I was like: no Peaty it can't be real... The one on vital is mint, big up for his nice rocket.
  • 7 0
 Only in the past couple years have I gotten in to mtb, and only xc at that. The last two seasons I've paid attention to downhill and enduro as well. Even as a relatively new mountain biker, I know enough to respect the hell out of this man. Wish I'd seen more of his seasons.
  • 10 0
 Cue the Maiden, Aces High!
  • 6 0
 Cool paint job. Not sure if he literally defined the Santa Cruz Syndicate team. Nathan Rennie did a pretty good job of that for years (along with Wadell) before they grabbed Peatty and then Greg.
  • 2 0
 I wonder if RC meant the Steve Peat Syndicate. I'd say he did a pretty good job getting that up and running.
  • 6 0
 VitalMTB's bike check shows matched rims/wheels/tires, guess he swapped them for practice today. Also pretty sure the Enve bar is matched green as well?
  • 2 0
 Yeah i'm sure he took the bar/wheels off incase he took a digger or dinger and scratched them before the race.
  • 3 0
 The rims/tires/bars really set it off, that looks 10x sicker than the one on this page
  • 3 0
 Wouldn't it be nice if Peaty doesn't qualify in the top 20, then make him a protected rider for this one so he can be on tv one last time - or better yet, last man down the hill? Would be a nice touch to someone who's done so much for the sport
  • 3 0
 Peaty has dropped the bomb with this one! Bike is the best paint job I have seen. Looking forward to watching him this weekend in vallnord. Final World Cup race , feel sad saying that, he got me into riding with those early MTB videos in the 90's, showing how to enjoy life and bikes. A true hero and good luck this weekend. End of an era but will always be an influence .
  • 4 0
 SICK!!! I Love WW11 war birds and Peatys Spitfire inspired bike is bananas!!! What an awesome RAF tribute! Ride on Pete!!! Although. I hear Gwinn is ganna be on a YT P-51 this week.
  • 6 0
 Na, he's ganna ride da Messerschmitts with se Stars&Shtripez!
  • 3 0
 The shark mouth was NOT first found on RAF Hurricanes or spitfires, it was first seen on a Sopwith Dolphin in WW1. The first squadrons recorded to have used it in WW2 were the Luftwaffe Bf110s. Hell even the Americans used the shark mouth on the Kittyhawk P-40 long before the British did. Sick paint job none he less though.
  • 2 0
 Correct. Plus I don't think even later the shark mouth nose art was very common on Spitfires, though I did find a few pics. Still pretty though.
  • 12 0
 The shark mouth was first spotted off the coast on a shark
  • 5 0
 That's dope as hell. I hope they made 2. One for display and one for Peaty.
  • 1 0
 It will end up in the race bike museum in the Santa Cruz store I betcha
  • 2 0
 @endlessblockades: That would be my guess. But this seems like the kind of bike Peaty wouldn't mind having displayed in his house either.

But my guess is in the museum.
  • 5 0
 Where are the matching hoops, Bars, Etc.. I've seen fat creations slip the pictures! don't hold out on us!
  • 2 0
 Let Peaty go down last whilst spitfires fly overhead, hand out free tea and scones to all those racing and watching and blast out the National Anthem the entire way down. Also on the final berm, load it with tea bags so he can roost people standing behind.
  • 4 0
 Makes me proud to be British. Dang what a V10, dang what a rider. Up there with the greatest.
  • 4 0
 Shouldn't it be a v16 though? Or is that just my inner airplane nerd showing?

That Merlin was such an amazing sounding engine!
  • 3 0
 And that my furry little friends will be one of the best custom paints we will see in a very long time.. end of an era, long live peaty
  • 2 0
 Standing reading this in my Royal racing Peaty tee and cant believe this is finally the end for the legends racing career..im gutted to say the least! This bike is awesome tho!!!
  • 2 0
 If a rider goes flipping off his bike and a fan gets a hold of it as it careens down the hill, can they just hop on and ride it away, like you can keep a foul ball, or is it considered to be theft?
  • 3 0
 Google Cairns race a couple years ago... someone crashed hard in the forrest and a fan "tried" to ride the bike down for him, hit the woops section and ate it really bad, I think he had to be taken to hospital...
  • 1 0
 @Chilternburt: I remember that. There might be video. if I recall.
  • 1 0
 today I am wearing any Royal gear I own and will continue on for Peaty till his last run is over. I 1st bought a GT in 99 cause of him and have followed his every adventure into the mountain bike world ever since. A class A act and a mountain bike ambassador to the world.
  • 1 0
 Jolly ow chappies I am of to the hills . Hope it fly's like the wind there a lot of history behind you and those colours you go give them what for . Pat on the back for dam fine carrier mate and thank you for inspiring a lot of us you keep pedaling cheers.
  • 1 0
 This must be the 4th or 5th custom paint job this season? Another one for the champs probably? What happens to all these bikes after the race? Or is it the same one re-done???
  • 2 0
 I don't think he's on the Champs team. British roster is just too stacked.
  • 2 0
 I think I've seen pictures of at least two of them at Eurobike (the tartan Fort Bill bike and the cow Lenzerheide bike) so it looks like they're unique bikes.
And Peaty didn't qualify for Worlds this year, so this is probably the last bike(?).
  • 5 0
 SPeat-fire
  • 5 0
 Roundel.
  • 1 0
 The Who?
  • 2 0
 Epic looking v10, only the legend that is Peaty could carry that off. Sir Steve Peat your are going to be missed. End of an era
  • 2 0
 NOOB QUESTION ALERT:::
What's the thing zip-tied to his seat post? Is that a timing chip? Seems unusual because that's on his fork lowers.
  • 4 0
 A light for canal towpath rides...
  • 3 0
 It's a warning receiver to detect zie Germans on his six
  • 3 0
 My grandad flew them in his time in the raf he would have been impressed with this real cool man
  • 1 0
 Been doing this mountain bike thing since 1982. This is the first bike that is so cool that I would gladly take all the crap I'd receive from friends for buying a replica . . .good thing I can't buy a replica. . . can I???
  • 1 0
 Even the Fox coil spring is customized~ Insane~ Steve Peat is so damn lucky, a custom DH bike for every race and well deserved too~

I'll be watching this race for sure~ GO PEAT~~~
  • 1 0
 Not to be too nit-picky, but the shark's mouth pattern was painted on the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, not the Supermarine Spitfire.
  • 1 0
 The Flying Tigers' Curtiss P40s were the most famous use of the shark mouth, and the under-nose position of the Allison v-12 and V-16 engines made it look badass, but the Spitfire pilots did it first. The Flying Tigers copied it.
  • 1 0
 @RichardCunningham: sharkmouth is older than spitfires sorry to burst your bubble.
  • 2 0
 Been a lot of good ones this year, but:

they definitely saved the best for last.
  • 1 0
 For no reason other than it's an awesome tune, I'm sure Peaty would approve, he's the right age for this!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQZDbBGBJsM
  • 3 0
 Dear Santa, I know its only September, but...
  • 1 0
 Fuck, I've always dreamt of a bike done in a WW2 fighter scheme with the teeth, and here's one for me to be even more jealous of...
  • 1 0
 Paint scheme is the dogs bollocks, the end of an era, sad to see you go big man, all the best for the future, you will be missed greatly.
  • 3 1
 I would jump in a fire for peaty
  • 1 0
 I bet "peaty" would rather you not!
  • 1 0
 There are no words to describe such beauty... It just gets the love muscle moving.
  • 1 0
 The only thing I would change is ditch the red king hubs for some King Olive Crate to match the army green frame. Otherwise it's a work of art
  • 2 0
 Sick! Hopefully the pilot has a custom one off flight suit too
  • 1 0
 ...and so he does
  • 2 1
 Raddest paintjob ever!! SC should put out posters or high res images of this bike, it's truly a work of art.
  • 1 0
 Does SC have to use Red hubs? Why would you not use the tangerine ones for this build?
  • 4 0
 Think he swapped wheels for the shorty... vital has pictures with wheels that match
  • 4 0
 @dhx42: Those matching wheels looked superb. And the 'Last Orders' on the tyres just does it for me Smile
  • 3 0
 @krissboo: Yeah, those wheels are awesome
  • 5 3
 Love Steve Peat... don't care for his themed bikes..
  • 2 0
 Limited edition marsh guard. Take my money now!!!!
  • 2 0
 OH MY GOD. Knight this man!
  • 1 0
 Amazing!!! Now some shark teeth where the top tube joins the bottom tube and that would be the works. Go PEATY!!!
  • 2 0
 Too bad there isn't a "This Is Peaty" season for his finale.
  • 2 0
 So sick... Now I want an olive drab matte finish on my bike...
  • 1 0
 Steve Peat...a legend, still alive...awesome!
i'll hoist a Stella & toast his badass tonite
  • 1 0
 Peaty, hate to see you go but damn what a way to go! Tip of the hat and a righteous HELL YEAH!
  • 1 0
 Very happy I was able to make it to Fort Bill this year and celebrate with a legend that he is. Cheers Peaty!!
  • 1 0
 Saint calliper on the rear. XTR up front. Must be one steep as hell track!
  • 1 0
 SWEET even though thats not SPEEDFIRER, GB need reinvent itself ... FLY HIGH STEVE.
  • 1 0
 uuups mistake...
  • 1 0
 IF future is progress, there will be someone alike STEVE... someday... someday.
  • 1 0
 Wasn't overly pumped up, then it turned out to be the wickedest bike ever. So awesome.
  • 1 0
 Love Steve Peat forever! All the best in the future! Thank you for all you have contributed to this sport!
  • 2 1
 A Spitfire is the XC bike of the skies. This bike should have a Stuka or Thunderbolt paintjob ;-)
  • 1 0
 This is THE BEST and I'll repeat it THE BEST paint job in a very long time!
  • 1 0
 Wth Pinkbike? Is this a replica? Peaty has painted rims, bars etc. This is potatoed one...
  • 1 0
 I really love the bombs idea for the victories ! A great spad for a great guy !
  • 1 0
 ........If I was in World War Two they'd call me spitfire........... Great Looks!!
  • 1 3
 Another gopping paint job to complete the season with. Im assuming Santa Cruz are only letting him do this because the reality is he isnt fast enough to make the televised part of the races any more and they want to get some marketing payback from him
  • 1 0
 I think my favorite peaty frame was the black and yellow striped orange 777??? back in 2006-7ish era...???
  • 1 0
 I think it's one of the best looking bikes I've seen and I'm not even a Santa Cruz sheep!
  • 2 0
 sickkkkkkkkk
  • 1 0
 Frame is sick. Would have been nicer with all black wheels!
  • 2 0
 that's a rad theme!
  • 1 0
 shortys on this dry track? interesting...
  • 1 0
 they work great in the deep dust or loose.
  • 2 0
 that's what they were made for.
  • 1 0
 Why the mis-matched brakes?
  • 1 0
 Cause the brakes are required to do a different amount of work at each end of the bike. Probably wanted a front caliper with smaller piston for more pressure, or maybe they have better modulation.
  • 1 0
 The Vallnord track is steep as hell so riders weight will be rear biased. A less powerful front break will help stop the front locking when hanging off the back and the rear will be working very hard - if you look the rear rotor is burnt!
  • 2 1
 I love you Steve Peat and I'm not gay ????you rock.
  • 3 1
 Why would you need to be gay to love someone?
  • 3 0
 @sean9002: me and Steve race back in the days he knows what I'm talking about buddy it's a joke
  • 2 1
 Can someone explain the French flag on the seat tube?
  • 1 0
 It's not a French flag. It's on the tail fin of most Spitfires...although the width of the red white and blue might change, eg a narrower white.
  • 1 0
 Look up RAF Fin Flash
  • 1 0
 All RAF aircraft have this red white blue markings on their tails.
  • 2 0
 It's good to be Peaty!
  • 2 0
 Total Bad Ass.
  • 1 0
 Never mind guys... I see the shark teeth!!! Yeaaaaah boy get it
  • 1 0
 it is soooo beautiful! Amazing work!
  • 2 0
 yeeesssssssss
  • 1 0
 Thats so sick but his fort bill bike looks alil similar
  • 1 0
 I hope qualifies for race day. Such a bummer to finally see him retire.
  • 1 0
 Do I see two timing chips on the bike? (seatpost and front fork)
  • 1 0
 That paint scheme is so good! Good luck Peaty!
  • 2 0
 All the best Peaty!
  • 2 0
 Never say "Last run..."
  • 2 0
 Say it ain't so Peaty
  • 1 0
 The guys over at fat creations killed it again. Love peat bikes!
  • 3 1
 Speatfire!
  • 1 0
 A legend.... Thanks for the ride Peaty!
  • 1 0
 This bike upsets me. Paintjob is sick just means the end of an era.
  • 1 0
 The spitfire was British not English.
  • 1 0
 # best of british - all the best peaty....
  • 1 0
 how long before Cathy Sessler steps down and Peaty takes over
  • 1 0
 Possibly the coolest ever paint job???
  • 1 0
 Absolutely love this. Inspired to paint a bike now.
  • 1 0
 Good luck Peaty!!! LEGEND
  • 1 0
 the bike looks sick still cant believe its his last world cup
  • 1 0
 Why didn't they put the matching bars and wheels on?
  • 1 0
 It looks sweeeeeeeet!
  • 1 0
 Sickest Bike ever
  • 2 1
 Just beautiful
  • 1 0
 Want.
  • 1 0
 so sexy...
  • 2 1
 so sad Frown
  • 1 1
 Bittersweet for Peaty, I wish him the best in whatever he goes on to do.
  • 1 1
 The sexiest bicycle I've ever seen.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely awesome!
  • 1 0
 Spitfire Mk10 Wink
  • 1 0
 WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 we salute you Peaty!!!
  • 1 0
 Stellaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
  • 1 1
 Nice rider horrible bike painting
  • 1 1
 yooooooo
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