Santa Cruz Bicycles Releases Mixed Wheel V10

Jul 9, 2020
by Sarah Moore  
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The mixed wheel Santa Cruz V10 downhill bike developed for the Syndicate is available for purchase now. Santa Cruz will be offering the V10 in 27.5 (front and rear) in size small to large frames, both 29-inch (front and rear) and mixed in medium and large frame sizes, and 29-inch only for the XL frame size.

bigquotesJust when we thought it was safe to go back in the water the Syndicate found another puzzle to ponder - to mix wheel size or not to mix wheel size? Greg Minnaar, being tall and looking for pure speed on the clock, settled on his choice of 29-inch wheels. Loris Vergier, shorter in stature but similarly looking for efficiency has chosen a mixed wheel setup (29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear). Luca Shaw chose what feels fun because to him if he’s having fun he’s going fast, so he’s also on a mixed setup. Marshy thinks it's just because they're tired of cleaning their race pants.—Santa Cruz Bicycles

The mixed wheel size V10 comes in an S build and an XO1 build. The S build retails for $5999 USD and comes with a Fox 40 Performance 29" fork and a Fox DHX2 Performance Elite coil shock, SRAM GX drivetrain, and SRAM Code R brakes.

The XO1 build retails for $7999 USD and comes with a Fox 40 Factory 29" fork, Fox DHX2 Factory coil, SRAM XO1 drivetrain, and Code RSC brakes.

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Luca Shaw, Loris Vergier, Greg Minnaar and their mechanics discuss their decisions behind their wheel size decisions in this video.



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You can find more details on the mixed wheel V10 here.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases DH Bikes Santa Cruz Bicycles Santa Cruz V10


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172 Comments
  • 84 2
 The red is pretty!
  • 45 8
 Looks like the wine-red on the 2020 Stumpys. Love it. Anything but teal....
  • 11 2
 @cassonwd: i like both????
  • 3 0
 That WAS a smiley face...
  • 2 0
 Bloody
  • 7 3
 @cassonwd: Agreed, anything other than teal or baby blue.
  • 4 0
 Reminds me of one of my guitars. Very nice.
  • 2 1
 The frame is pretty much 2001 Boxxer translucent cherry red, but over a black carbon base.

If I bought one, I’d have the fork lowers & crowns painted with a matching top coat of translucent cherry red =)
  • 2 0
 yeah, the paint is amazing.
  • 2 0
 My favorite color! So unlike SC. Great bike.
  • 3 0
 @BobChicken: I have an 81 Gibson Les Paul Custom in this color. What's your axe?
  • 2 0
 @Ride406orDie: That guitar is almost as old as me. I've a Fender Strat, early 90's, think the colour is called "Midnight Wine".
  • 1 0
 there is a spesh enduro on that very color, love it
  • 2 0
 @pperini: I saw one at a trailhead earlier this year and was amazed how cool it looks in person. It's almost black until the sun hits it and then its red with the carbon weave under.
  • 73 0
 These days you can't even pick the wheel size and be d#ck about it!
  • 3 3
 ? Santa Cruz just give you three different wheel options. 27.5 fr/rr mullet and 29 fr/rr
  • 30 2
 @bman33: But I want 27.5 in the front and 29 in the back.
  • 2 1
 @fraserw: I mean, that should happen. Schwinn rocked in in the 60's/70's with the Crate bikes! Big Grin
  • 3 0
 @fraserw: That might work for a purely uphill bike?
  • 7 0
 @fraserw: it's more areo bro!
  • 8 2
 @bman33: 8 inches in the rear.... No homo
  • 48 8
 Being that the mixed-wheel-size V10 was made for the Syndicate racing team, does that make it a Mixed Race V10?
  • 38 0
 Its time for another episode of "Is it racist?"- Daniel Tosh.
  • 5 3
 Wow - sorry Mods, there was truly no offense intended. Duly noted.
  • 10 3
 @endlessblockades:
#cancelled Attention
  • 8 2
 @Dropthedebt: I got frisky with the wordplay - I can see #why. It wasn't derogatory 'in my day' -but my day has long since passed.
  • 4 2
 @endlessblockades: Dude, I totally understand. I got it. It's a rapidly changing world Beer
  • 7 4
 @Dropthedebt: was it something about it being a bike for Mitch Romulato?
  • 3 1
 @BenPea: right on the line........
  • 26 1
 Hey Santa Cruz. Huge fanboy here. Both my bikes are SC and my wife's bike is as well. Haven't ridden anything else for at least 5 years. All these new bikes are great, but how about opening back up the small parts portion of online shop and supporting all of the people that already own your bikes. Ease of working on your bikes and parts availability has always been one of the big reasons to buy SC, but my patience is getting thinner and thinner with each new bike release. Imagine I'm far from the only one.
  • 6 1
 Email customer support, that’s what they are there for. They have always taken care of what I need ASAP
  • 4 6
 @mobboss: I have very bad experience with their customer service, i bought Hightower 3 years ago, after one year all my bearings in VPP link stuck and chew on axles. I needed new VPP link with axles and it was unavailable for a long time, wrote to SC 6 times in several weeks, never got any answer, after 4 months it was still unavailable, i changed all bearings for SKF, my friend made me axles at work on CNC machine (also rounded holes in VPP link) and since then i have no problem. But still, it is my last SC bike. Love the desing and it suits perfectly for my riding, but customer service and SC bearings failed me.

Also PRO tip for all creaking SC bikes, if your bike is creaking like hell, buy 4pc of 0.25mm thin M15 PTFE washers, put it on each hole of VPP link and it will never creak again.
  • 3 1
 @mobboss: Agreed. They've always been awesome once you get a hold of them.

I just need to refresh bearings, axles, etc. Can obviously source the bearings elsewhere, but I've always been a sucker for just buying the links and popping them in.

Was hoping they might reassign the guy that spent all that time learning to ride the toy bike with his fingers to the small parts shop. But guess it's time to try email and phone.
  • 4 1
 My biggest let down was when they moved operations to China and kinda did it on the sly... no changes in price, pouring salt on the open gash... clearly they moved to China to reduce cost but, as a dealer, there was zero price change. ehh, whatever, MADE IN CHINA vs MADE IN USA... Back then, MADE IN USA was a selling point..
  • 30 4
 No water bottle mount. I'm out.
  • 13 1
 No internal dropper routing either. Sheesh.
  • 22 0
 No front derailleur. I'm out too.
  • 14 0
 Cant barspin too. Out.
  • 28 0
 No eyelets for rear panniers. I'm out.
  • 24 1
 Can't afford. Also out.
  • 8 0
 Doesn’t even come with pedals? I’m out as well.
  • 7 1
 Seat angle not steep enough
  • 8 0
 No grocery rack over the back tire? I'm out.
  • 5 0
 No free stickers, I'm out
  • 4 2
 looks like a session. im way out
  • 26 9
 Shouldn't the mixed wheel sizes be Small and Medium for the shorter riders who want a 29er but want to be more maneuverable/avoid buzzing the rear tire?
  • 10 2
 medium and large are the most sold sizes of pretty much any bike.
  • 5 2
 @hi-dr-nick: I think his point was that smaller riders would benefit more from a mullet. Someone 5ft tall riding a S 29r looks kinda ridiculous, wouldn't it make sense for a smaller wheel out back?
  • 19 0
 Santa Cruz, like many others, only offers their small DH bikes with 27.5 front and rear. Maybe because the stack height with a 29er front wheel and fork gets too high for the height ranges they are designing the reach around
  • 79 1
 @showmethemountains: you said reach around
  • 15 3
 The assumption that mixed wheel size is just for smaller riders is wrong. This is not the same what some companies try to achieve by using 27.5" wheels for S and M, while 29" for L and XL.

Mullet bikes with smaller wheel in the back are more nimble with space for maneuvering and faster to accelerate due to a smaller wheel while they keep the advantage of 29" wheel up front to roll over obstacles instead of diving in.

This is more of a race setup rather size option for a specific height group. However in edge cases such as XL size and height group, it does not bring probably that much extra.
  • 1 1
 To be honest, it's likely the initial release of the mixed wheel bike. As somebody noted, the medium and large are the more common sizes, along with XL. Given that to build a new mold for a small front and rear would be expensive, and that the medium and large 29 use the same rear end, building a specific mold for the Medium and Large probably has the least financial risk. At the end of the day, companies can only speculate to the demand for mixed wheels bikes. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more sizes getting the mixed wheel treatment.
  • 4 0
 @StanMarsh: the point is obvious, but it’s a business and they will sell what sells best.
  • 5 0
 @kusa: I'm 6-4 on an XL bike (average rider) and on a modern 29er. What the guy said about changing lines and "getting outside the bike" when I mess stuff up is definitely something I struggle with at times when I get things wrong. I'm not racing. I'm interested in the mullet setup just to see if it makes the bike more fun and nimble. 27.5 bikes are definitely a hoot! It'd be cool to get some of that back on the 29.
  • 5 0
 @Svinyard: I'm 6'5" on a mullet Bronson. No negatives to speak of. I'm absolutely comfortable. Holds a line, corrects easily if I'm off, and corners like a dream. I will say, I've not had the opportunity to set up a full 29er to compare, but I also have no desire to.
  • 3 2
 @Svinyard: as long as u start with .modern-steep seat angle and have a flip chip for bb. My jeffsy works wonders as a mullet. Not as good on climbs but the steeeeep dh of laguna waay better. Snappy, quick, less wheel in da ars
  • 1 1
 @Silocycle: what length fork are you running on your Bronson? I'm running the Cascade
Link on mine, but smacken the hell outta my 170 cranks. Considering le mullet in a 160 fork.
  • 1 0
 @Srfntrf: I also have that link combined with an inline coil shock. The fork is set at 160. I’m considering trying the stock link and adjusting the fork to 150. Again, not overly motivated to change anything though. This bike rips!
  • 2 2
 Seeing as the L only has 460mm of reach the hybrid setup is ONLY for shorter riders!
  • 1 0
 @Srfntrf: I have a link'd Bronson and went to a 170 fork with the Vorsprung Smashpot. I'm also on 170mm cranks and the pedal strikes were pretty bad with the 160 fork. I'm mullet curious but I don't want to slacken the bikes out any more thank it is now. I feel it's at the limit without messing up the reach and stack right now.
  • 19 1
 *grabs skateboard*
  • 26 2
 My favorite thing about skateboarding is that standards/equipment hasn’t changed in well over a decade and yet the progression of the sport continues to grow. It’s cheap and accessible, not something I can say about Mountain biking.
  • 17 28
flag nskerb (Jul 9, 2020 at 16:39) (Below Threshold)
 @AJayTCP: Then get off PB and go skateboard
  • 13 14
 @nskerb:you should get off pinkbike and get back to dentisting
  • 12 5
 @AJayTCP: nothing stopping you to buy a 10yr old cheap top end bike? Not like you're chasing seconds right.
  • 12 1
 @AJayTCP: Time to dust off that tricked out BMX that cost as much as a hub Smile
  • 8 1
 I was just thinking about how skateboard trucks are made out of aluminum and cost $30 for a decent pair and $80 for a premium pair with a titanium axle. 2 large chunks of aluminum yet a stem/bar is over $100 with way less material. Maybe they’re more difficult to make but I’m glad skateboard prices aren’t as inflated like mtb or new standards being created regularly. Though I guess if you break boards often that can add up but cheap premium boards can be found either way.

Been skating about 15 years now.
  • 3 2
 Are there mullet skateboards?

But seriously, I never learned to skateboard as a kid, but I boight my boys a nice longboard and use it about 5x as often as they do. I have no skills, but its really fun to just cruise along down a paved rail-trail.
  • 7 0
 @AJayTCP: This and you can't buy an advantage in skateboarding, like you can in mountain biking. You're only as good as your skills, and everyone has to suffer through the same brutal learning curve regardless of their buying power.
  • 9 0
 .....*Hits a crack in the pavement, falls and loses more skin than his last 10 MTB crashes combined*
  • 2 1
 @Glory831Guy: you're not riding hard enough then Smile
  • 2 0
 @devinyourface:
Haha, maybe. Skateboarding can be brutal though! The only place I like to skate nowadays is nice, smooth bowls.
  • 13 1
 Hopefully the new Nomad might do the same!
  • 2 2
 Color you mean?
  • 1 0
 @Fullsend2-13: even a new model hopefully
  • 3 1
 Yes please, mullet Nomad!
  • 14 2
 Are they selling the paint separately? Holy hell that's beautiful.
  • 8 0
 That colour reminds me of my first mountain bike, a 2004 Norco Bigfoot in Rootbeer
  • 5 0
 Dam. I heard a rumour a new bike was coming out. This was not the downcountry “Dlurr” I was looking for.
  • 2 0
 Curious on DH Geo vs Enduro. How is it that the HTA and chainstay on the v10 is similar to aggressive trail bikes but the reach on v10 is more "normal" (460mm for large) where as any trail/enduro bike with that reach number would be lambasted for being to short and not stable or good enough for steeps? Why is ultra long reach "supposed" to be awesome for gnarly trails but not on a DH race bike like this?
  • 2 0
 I think because of the extra travel the wheelbase would get too long, maybe?
  • 1 0
 @andrew9:

This is seems correct, and I would add increased weight to that issue. Everything on a dh bike is bigger and heavier than an enduro bike.
  • 2 0
 I've also heard the argument presented that steepness of the intended trail plays a role in the slightly shorter reach on DH bikes. If you spend more time with the bike angled down (ie. descending), the effective reach becomes longer as the rider shifts their weight back. Comparatively, an enduro bike will spend more time going on flat and uphill services, where the opposite holds true.
  • 6 2
 @svinyard: it’s because extra long reach geometry is a joke for real descending and fast riders don’t even use it. 6’2” Florian Nicolai got 2nd overall in the EWS last year on a 465mm reach Large Canyon Strive. He skipped the XL in favor of a smaller bike. So did 6’3” Jack Moir when he joined the team.
  • 4 3
 @TEAM-ROBOT: Smile That's what I was thinking. My opinion is that 400$ worth of coaching would provide much better performance gains than some ultra-long Lincoln Continental bike that "crutches" riders like me who lack some skills...not bike length. But that wouldn't sell new products and turn the financial/marketing/press/click crank...
  • 4 0
 Never owned and downhill bike and never will, but still enjoy the reviews - mainly because 80% of the comments aren't about STA.
  • 5 0
 So this means that the old Specialized Big Hit 26 / 24 from 2004ish was way ahead of its time!
  • 1 0
 Still ride one! Unkillable
  • 3 0
 I expect that one year later the trend will reach (super-) enduro bikes too. Especially with the jump from 160 to 170/180 rear travel. Maybe that unreleased specialized status could be the first one.
  • 6 0
 Here comes 26"
  • 6 3
 After tirelessly working for years to establish Mullet as the correct term, Pinkbike tries to switch to ‘Mixed Wheel’? I am disappoint.
  • 4 0
 i got a quid that says Satan Cruz had a media ban on using the word 'mullet' in the release and any press for it. .
  • 4 0
 When we gonna see this the Hightower?
  • 5 1
 Shouldn’t the XO1 spec read fox factory fork?
  • 6 0
 You would think... but for Santa Cruz it never does.
  • 2 0
 You are correct! I have edited now.
  • 6 2
 Why there is no XL frame size ?
  • 3 0
 ...and I'm here contemplating mounting a 27.5 Fox40 on a 26" wheeled frame....
  • 1 0
 I just did last year on a scapegoat (xfusion metric fork though). Its awesome...do it.
  • 1 2
 I had just checked their site a few hours ago n I notice it but never thought it was a recent thing.. I mean I thing it’s the natural thing to do since a lot of guys shorter than 6’ have riding this set up since last year
  • 4 1
 If it isn’t good enough for Greg Minnaar...
  • 2 1
 Any chance you can modify the older frame/bike to allow for the MX setup? Perhaps just getting the updated rear end, or did they make some other changes?
  • 2 0
 I asked that question to SC a few months ago re my son's 2019 29r V10....sadly no kit will be offered to retro fit a 2019 or 2020 29r frame to the MX spec...but I hope it's possible and they change their minds...not sure if the front triangle is the same and it all happens with a different linkage and rear triangle or the front triangle has a tweak as well. HTA identical on all three versions.
  • 2 0
 @GeneralGroovus: The front triangle is identical
  • 1 0
 @andr3wman: Copy thanks.
  • 2 0
 Would have been nice to listen to the riders talking without Soul Train music blaring.
  • 2 0
 can't really even tell they are different sizes. unlike their 24/26 predecessors
  • 3 0
 Don't forget 26/27.5. Still rockin one.
  • 3 0
 I don't race so the 27.5 version will be just fine thanks Smile
  • 2 3
 Santa Cruz pricing in Canada continues to be comical, cheapest build with entry level Fox Performance 40 (not Performance Elite), a Performance Elite DHX2, Code R, GX drivetrain and Race Face Arc/DT 350 wheelset.
= $8,099CAD

YT Tues Pro Race 29 with Fox Factory 40/Factory Float X2, Renthal carbon cockpit, SRAM X01 DH drivetrain and Code RSC brakes, E13 LG1 carbon wheelset, E13 carbon cranks and SDG carbon seatpost/I-beam saddle.
$7,599CAD

so $500 less for a superior build on a bike that has won a World Cup title more recently (so don't argue about capability). I rode a 2020 V10CC this season, it's an awesome bike and yes the suspension feels different than horst-link but it is not better.
  • 3 0
 That's what happens when you skip the bike shop. No overhead (building rent, staff wages etc.). Cuts a lot of jobs out of the equation to bring that price point down.
  • 1 0
 I'm 6'3 but you cant get the 29 in that lovely red, just the old grey. Was about to order until I saw that. Looks like its another year on my XXL 27.5
  • 3 2
 Bike looks great, as all Santa Cruz's do (IMO)... where's the XC field test, though?!
  • 2 0
 200mm rotors....missed an opp here to make 220mm the go to
  • 7 0
 Don't rush it....gotta go to 210 first and make the offset different so none are interchangeable. You slept through mtb marketing 101 didn't you?
  • 4 2
 Good God that is a beautiful bike.
  • 2 0
 Not red. Rootbeer. Finally they've listened.
  • 3 0
 #bringingbackthebighit
  • 5 3
 where is the new Nomad? mullet Nomad?
  • 4 1
 This is really "Big Hit"
  • 1 0
 Front end is a29 front, my guess is rear is 27.5 and they made new links for it to be able to work like they want.
  • 1 2
 Bike companies take note changing wheel sizes and shocks does not constitute the release of a new bike model. Work through your lunch ride for a month and come up with something new
  • 1 1
 Those Highlights are driving me insane. That is maybe 1 hour to clean up in post. Also 2001 called and it wants it 2 different wheel sized bikes back.....
  • 3 3
 Fake news, Santa Cruz only sells bikes in terrible colors. Maybe they fired the colorblind graphic designer who has been there for the past 10 years.
  • 1 0
 The grey and blue of 2019 Bronson were the two best color options anyone’s had in a LONG time
  • 1 0
 They need longer brake mounts so those adaptors aren't required. Looks super ugly and seem unnecessary.
  • 1 0
 169 comments truly says downhill bikes are done.. Xc comments get more love..
  • 1 0
 Who was the first mfgr to start doing post mount brakes?
  • 4 0
 Manitou in about 2004 iirc.
  • 1 1
 Hayes made the first brakes on the very late 90's. Manitou did the first fork in 2003 or 2004, but the first frame that I saw was a Pivot a few years later. Maybe 2008?
  • 2 0
 @thejames: Manitou did post mount forks in 1999, IIRC.
  • 1 0
 @thejames: the Hayes mount was 22mm centres, not dissimilar to flat mount today. My original Doug Bradbury forks were canti and so were my X-verts. First discs I got were Hopes to go on my Axels.
  • 2 0
 @watchmen: I believe the 22mm Hayes were just in the back. They did post mount up front. Buddy had a 1999 Gary Fisher Level Betty sporting xvert forks with post mounts and Hayes brakes.
Bad frame, bad fork, but good brake mount?
  • 2 0
 Nice Color
  • 2 0
 what a beauty
  • 1 0
 Until its an E10 dont bother
  • 1 0
 where's the e bike version?
  • 3 2
 What took them so long!?
  • 1 0
 Big/small fcking deal
  • 7 8
 Looks pretty wonky as a mullet.
  • 20 5
 All mullets are wonky.
  • 3 1
 @kinematix: it’s just their nature.
  • 8 1
 Somebody doesn't like to party
  • 1 2
 So can you use either a 27.5” or 29” rear wheel in that frame?
  • 2 2
 no
  • 3 2
 Says it comes in 27.5/27.5, 27.5/29, and 29/29 setups. The flip chip in the rear axle indicates you can.
  • 3 0
 @drpheta: No. They have specific linkage for each setup. The mullet uses the 29 front end, but with a new swing arm and linkage.
  • 1 4
 Digging the 2020 Specialized Enduro Expert red/tint colors! (Stumpy Evo too).
  • 1 3
 YYYYAAAAWWWWWNNNN!
  • 1 3
 so modern, so 2015
  • 1 4
 Where’s the power button? I thought this was ebikes only?
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