2011 Santa Cruz Carbon v10 - Images and Specs
There have been rumors floating around for a while now about a carbon v-10 downhill bike, and the level of speculation has run the gamut from badly photoshopped alloy v-10s with carbon weave laid on the image to some very astute guesswork. None of the rumor-mongering or speculation was created by us, since we have been really busy spitting out other bikes and haven't had the time nor the organizational chops to pull together a subversive, anti-marketing, marketing campaign.
Check inside for info on the brand new v10...Anyway, there IS a new carbon v-10 in the works. The syndicate is in Lousa, Portugal right now testing the bike, and will be throwing it into the crucible of race competition at the Lisbon downtown event, followed by what is shaping up to be a ripper of a world cup season. Aside from Greg Minnaar squeezing in a few rides in California before heading to Portugal, this testing is the first time any of the syndicate riders have swung a leg over the new bike. It's also the first time the engineers have had anything other than some test lab samples to play with.
![photo]()
We've attached the specs and geo for the new bike, along with a basic crib sheet of the differences. it is a very different bike than the v-10 preceding it. In addition to the carbon front triangle, the bike now uses a driver 8 swingarm, can be adjusted between 8.5 and 10 inches of travel, and has an adjustable head angle independent of the travel adjustment. Most of the details contained in the crib sheet are pretty solid, but please understand that this is a work in progress, and that there is always the possibility that some of this info will be different by the time the bike is available to the public.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Regarding public availability? yes, one day. Don't expect to see any of the new bikes before interbike though. Similarly, pricing and color options are still being worked on. As they say in the car commercials - "specifications subject to change without notice."
![photo]()
More info coming soon!
Mike Ferrentino - Santa Cruz Bicycles
![photo]()
Check inside for info on the brand new v10...Anyway, there IS a new carbon v-10 in the works. The syndicate is in Lousa, Portugal right now testing the bike, and will be throwing it into the crucible of race competition at the Lisbon downtown event, followed by what is shaping up to be a ripper of a world cup season. Aside from Greg Minnaar squeezing in a few rides in California before heading to Portugal, this testing is the first time any of the syndicate riders have swung a leg over the new bike. It's also the first time the engineers have had anything other than some test lab samples to play with.
We've attached the specs and geo for the new bike, along with a basic crib sheet of the differences. it is a very different bike than the v-10 preceding it. In addition to the carbon front triangle, the bike now uses a driver 8 swingarm, can be adjusted between 8.5 and 10 inches of travel, and has an adjustable head angle independent of the travel adjustment. Most of the details contained in the crib sheet are pretty solid, but please understand that this is a work in progress, and that there is always the possibility that some of this info will be different by the time the bike is available to the public.
Regarding public availability? yes, one day. Don't expect to see any of the new bikes before interbike though. Similarly, pricing and color options are still being worked on. As they say in the car commercials - "specifications subject to change without notice."
More info coming soon!
Mike Ferrentino - Santa Cruz Bicycles
Greg Minnarr gives the new v10 his approval
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
This IS NOT a "DH/FR bike of old"... This is a dedicated RACE machine meant to carry you down world cup courses at dangerous speeds. This isnt meant to be a 16 year-old's "do everything" freeride bike... that's where the Driver 8 fits in. This is a straight up race machine, period. If you race and you want to go fast, awesome... If not, check out the Driver 8.
That said, the new frame will take some getting used to in terms of looks but I'd bet money it performs like a champ! Almost like a M6 & 951 rolled into one with the adjustable travel... you can have a lightweight, progressive 8.5" bike or a lightweight, more linear, 10" plow bike based on what the track calls for.
Oh, and there's an easier way to afford one of these bikes than robbing a bank - having a job is one of them - it makes a lot of things in life a lot easier. SC's pricing is actually quite reasonable (especially for a boutique brand) compared to a lot of other manufacturers.
I understand that this is a dedicated race machine and not an all around DH/FR bike, and I agree that it’s probably stellar at what its intened to do (which is World Cup DH). I'm just saying, as some one who is neither really fast nor a racer, the whole expensive as hell hyper racy thing doesn’t appeal to me personally. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea overall, nor am I resistant to change, it just isn't for me. Change is usually progress in the world of biking, and this is pushing the envelope for racing design.
And robbing a bank was a joke. I paid for my bike working minimum wage, I do have a job. That doesn't change that fact that this is going to be a very expensive bike. I said it looks weaker, and that I don’t actually know if it is. I trust its fine as a team of engineers designed it.
Another thing, and I'm just pointing out the obvious but... doesnt it tell you something that the only one who has any beef with this new design is "someone who is neither really fast nor a racer"???
And I'm not "whining" about anything. I read the article about this bike and I posted my thoughts. I'm pretty sure thats what the comments section is for. I'm not even bashing the bike, I'm just saying I would prefer something more versatile and FR friendly as a regular rider. I'm pretty sure most bikers ride trails with friends, and do not race DH at a high enough level to use a bike like this.
If you and the majority of the Pinkbike population are stoked about this bike then great, new tech is always cool. If you have the money to buy a bike like this and get to ride the kind of stuff it was desigened for then even better, you're a lucky man!
I personally have no use for a carbon fiber race only bicycle worth money more money then a used car. And you act like I'm the only one?
Dont expect a DH race bike to be a FR bike and you're whole issue is solved. Most bikers may not need it but yes, you seem to be the only one who fails to recognize what it even is. To you it may be useless, to a racer looking for an edge it may be the most awesome thing ever... to everyone else, it's like a sick Ferrari... Maybe you'll never need it, maybe you'll never afford it... you still dont sit there and bitch about it's lack of four wheel drive and a back seat!!!
haha ya its ONLY 8000 dollars for the frame set. looks tight though. Im looking forward to seeing peaty on one of these. should throw a nice twist into the DH scene.
Clearly the wisdom of a 16 year old defeats all logic. I should have known better...
GET FASTER...................Sponsor
I dont know how you all do it up in Portland but where I come from... asking another man to "s your d" is considered very GAY. Nothing against you & your brethren but I'm not into dudes...
Oh... and just for the record, I have no beef with others expressing their opinions. I have no beef with the people saying they dont like the way it looks but bitching about a race bike being to "race specific" isnt an expression of opinion, it's an illustration of stupidity. It's pretty basic logic really...
We are not trying to "own people on internet forums" we are educating the uneducated (yourself). badbad makes a very GOOD point when saying "what you're doing is the same as me going onto the comment section for a XC bike review and bitching that it's not plush enough to handle downhill... or going on to a FR bike article and complaining that it's too heavy to pedal all day." And no YOU are not "owning" other people by telling them to "s your d" over the internet.
Honestly man, I say good stuff for the progression. I just hate it when newer riders, or youngsters diss on the ones still riding an old school bike.. like we don't like DH enough to buy a brand new bike every few years. I ride for the joy of riding
Now, one of these carbon v10's would be nice for those 50 mile dh trecks
900g less than what they raced on last year. Production weights to be determined.
STANDOVER
Standover way lower. “Way the hell down”.
MATERIAL
Half inch of carbon up front. “We couldn’t break it in test lab. Casing a jump? Forget it, the jump will break first!”
SWINGARM
The swingarm is identical to the Driver 8. Maxle rear end. The crucial point is that it’s made of aluminium.
I mean great for the pros who dont pay for theirs bikes, but for a privateer??
Es la bici más fuerte que SC ha hecho, más que la V10 de aluminio y que la Bullit, etc... La más fuerte y resistente.
For the haters on here I suggest you do not take flight in the new Boeing Airbus, it's full of CF - geez, those wings might break off ( bring your parachutes people )
Nice work SC - don't let me down this year GM
ITS A NEW V-F*CKING-10 ... i mean come on ... yes the 2010 and previous models are much better looking bikes and are hailed as the best bikes in the world ... in the right hands of course ... but this bike is a new breed ... this bike could be the new window into faster times ... this bike in my eyes should not be looked at as if its less pretty than the '10 but more so the engineering side to it ... this bike is a prototype and will be used (after the riders have abused) to gain more knowledge into creating a better bike for the racing team and a public market ... which could look the same as the current V-10 but made from carbon fibre leaving this bike to be a team riders only machine!
in my dream world the V10 shape would be refined ... its smooth lines kept but the carbon fibre just to be a option to spec ... in the same way you can choose fox 40's over boxxers and the DH packages ... there should be a small button saying carbon fibre and one saying aluminium ....
rant over!
I personally dont like carbon fibre because of the way it feels (yes i know, its an odd reason) but i dont DH and if i did im too lazy to race.
It looks a shitload nicer without that god aweful hydroformed toptube so i like it
(this is also sarcasm, the v-10's been around for ever, and is a race bike, carbon is the way to go, there probably is a regular option too, and theres the driver 8, variaty is a spice of life)
Ah well, back to personal best time attacks...
Do you think that this frame is made from a single layer of carbon? A single weave? No clear coat? You need to be around more carbon. We have a customer who we nicknamed 'crusher' he breaks everything. So far the only frame he hasn't broken is his Carbon Stumpjumper. I have rode with him, and he shreds hard. Jumps that thing, rips through rocks, 4ft drops. He hauls ass. Bike has some chips and nicks here and there. But there carbon is fairly thick. If SC was smart they would release a Cutaway of the frame.
We have a Stumpjumper S-works cutaway frame we use to show people how strong, thick it is.
To all of those who keep saying this is too expensive. Good. Glad to hear it, that means that those who can afford it, will build it properly. This isn't a bike for the masses, it is meant for the niche that wants it.
I foresee a S-Works Demo in the future to compete with this, especially with Hill on the team.
Just like the new Dorado, very expensive but for those that can afford it, they are loving every minute of it.
I also want to address the other changes. Such as, a 9.5 x 3.0 shock. Getting the Leverage ratio down a bit. Also a new bearing system, something that will also aid in the V-10's war against bearing longevity. 1.5 HT is also nice, gives someone the chance to run tapered, or whatever. Maybe run it at 8.5 with a SC?
One last point.
Enough of saying Santa Cruz is pushing the envelope. The GT has been around much longer than this, and has many more riders on it. Also it is available to the public, with people riding them. Even though those are truly hideous frames. This thing just looks stripped down, and clean. I also liked the hump they used to have, just like the Nomad, the Driver 8, and the old Jackal. A Signature of sorts. But who knows, also keep in mind this may not be the final design.
Respect Santa Cruz bikes,Gringo.
8.5" at 25% sag = 6.4" unused sitting on the bike.
10" at 33% sag = 6.7" unused sitting on the bike.
And who knows the setup at the published angles? For example people cried about the 'steep' HA on the Giant Glory but they didn't know that was the HA with Fox 40s slammed.
Until there is no Santa Cruz V.10 Optimus Prime, it's sort of hard to achieve...
me2menow, i guess there is no single crown fork matching this frame now.
you're telling me that you put a big impact bend in your chain stay, and now your aluminum rear triangle has a huge 45 degree angle in it, and then you think to yourself "man. i'm so stoked that my frame wasn't carbon fibre. now i can keep riding it!" what does it matter? it's proven carbon fibre is stronger and can outlive aluminum. plus its vibration dampening isn't even comparable to aluminum. i agree with darkstar63, I would have complete confidence in it.
as for the bike, it's definitely a shock to see it called the v-10. but it is definitely both sleek and sexy!
Pick up a a few engineering books and start reading. You'll see it's not black and white.
LOL!
Looks like a proper beast!!!
and what a lot of people don't know that carbon is not only lighter but actually stronger than alloy and can be repaired!
Its still gonna be mega expensive though considering the alloy one is something like £2700 already!
carbon>>>one miss, you die.