2011 Santa Cruz Carbon v10 - Images and Specs

 looks great, looks light

 Peaty is going to be unstoppable on this!

 * check the bottom pics again, then reconsider your post

 This is a sick bike and all, but I don't like how race specific DH bikes are becoming. I know that lighter is faster and every second counts, and that this bike is an evolution of racing blah blah blah, but it looks lanky, skinny, and weaker than the current V10. (Maybe its not, I don't actually know, but it doesn't look like a hucker at all). Its starting to look like a road bike with dual crowns! I miss the DH/FR bikes of old, the solid ones that could freeride too, like the older Gaint Glory. Plus you're gonna have to rob a bank to pay for this rig.

 So what you're saying is that you dont like how race bikes are looking more and more like race bikes? The old V10 looked burlier for sure but that was because it had to since you can only do so much with hydroforming and welding. With Carbon you can put the material only where it's needed and leave it out where its not needed.

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.

 I find it surprising sometimes how many people (especially teenagers) who are so resistant to change and to new design. I would have predicted the opposite. What I find the most amusing, however, is how people determine and conclude how strong a bike is based on what it looks like. I personally love it, and love the development of new technology and designs. Bring it on!

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.

 Ahh sorry man, i guess I should have :L *Facepalm*

 Ok guys, lets not get all butt hurt. Its just an opinon.

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.

 i personally think this bike is wiked nice but it doesnt look like a v 10

 In 5 years, people will look back at the 2010 V10 and say the same thing

 want that bike best v10 yet

 gnar gives his approval lol

 @mtn-bik3r... No one's getting but hurt but you buddy. Everyone else is stoked on new tech from Santa Cruz while you're whining about it cause it's "not for you".

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 it will only cost $8000 (frameset only)

 this is going to do to downhill, what the yz400f did to motocross....

 Cant help but think that front triangle looks a lil cheap compared to the previous design. Looks are decieving however - Should be an awesome ride even if I'm not as keen on the styling.

 @badbadleroybrown...Yeah, it tells me that someone with a different perspective voiced their opinon amidst the comments section of this article.

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?

 Before people claim it is going to be weak and flimsy: the carbon is half an inch thick.

 that is why there is a driver 8, for people like yourself that either doesn't race hardcore or want to spend the money on it.

 Dude, settle down already. You clearly miss the point... that 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.

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!!!

 to people saying its going to be a compleate failure, gt already perfected the carbon dh bike, look at the fury, strong as shit.

 CF Demo next?

 is it just me, or are the frames are getting smaller, cause before they were really bulky. but thats a good thing

 @badbadleroybrown... s my d bitch.

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.

 I just don't think of this as a V10. Problem solved. The old aluminum V10 is still around, just think of this as a whole new bike. All your problems go away. Nobody will be able to afford it anyways. If you want to drop 10 k on a frame, at least make it a Nicolai.

 lmao @ "lonch-man"... "s my d"... wow, intelligent and articulate!
Clearly the wisdom of a 16 year old defeats all logic. I should have known better...

 Hey you guys should just leave Mtn-Bik3r alone because he is just voicing his opinion. And you know what? He's actually right. Most of the mountain biking population will never even see this bike much less ride it. It is for hardcore racers or rich people (or kids that save their minimum wage money for 10 years ) The only ones that will actually make use of them are the hardcore racers though. And yes, the frame does look skinny. It is still incredibly strong, but Mtn-Bik3r was just saying that he prefers tougher bikes because he is a different kind of rider.

 Another way to get one of these without busting your bank.
GET FASTER...................Sponsor

 i guess ill have to beef up the savings for the new car fund. and take the bus.

 ESSAYS!!!!!! ahhhhh

 hi

 badbadleroybrown you are hella bent out of shape. no one really cares so shut up. s my d bitch!

 Awesome... the elightened 16 year-old strikes again! Really though, just an "s my d" again?? Is that the only thing you've got in your arsenal?

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...

 you kind of just proved my point. here in portland we call you people who seem to have nothing better to do than try and own people on internet forums... not that tight. leave Mtn-Bik3r alone and quit trying to push your opinions on everyone. We are allowed to think for ourselves. and no im not gay.

 So... I'm "not that tight"... whatever that means???... and you're mtn-bik3r's boyfriend... Got it, thanks for clearing that up!

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...

 ok then shut the f*ck up.

 badbad is right, dont bitch about a race bike being too expensive, and too race oriented if it IS a race bike. The rest of the people on this forum do not care that you don't have the money to pay for this bike, nor does Santa Cruz, they will not conform to your needs, complain all you want about the price, it's going to get you no where. We are not "Hella bent out of shape" whatever hella means, last time I heard it was an offroad light company?

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.

 how about we kiss and make up and stop polluting my dashboard? dam people are so uptight..

 sounds good to me.

 @badbadleroybrown dude you being as immature as lonch-man by even bothering to answer back.

 

 @badbadleroybrown shows you dont have a life because you have to carry it on on my note board so you dont get negitive props. serously grow up and drop it.

 i got the over for a complete bike decked out

 over

 You can build up just about any bike to $10k if you try hard enough. I dont think that the frame will be unreasonably priced though given how competitively they priced the carbon Nomad.

 My bet is its gonna be cheaper than the new Yeti... There are already alu bikes being more expensive than CF ones, take for example Turner Point 4 and Blur LT2c...

 ... morewood makulu...

 shhhhh... Walls have ears... we can't talk too much bad things about brands like these... shhh... someone might listen, these are cult biiikes, epic and stuff. Even if Turner looks like Kona 1998 psssst... and Morewood uses a downtube, looking like taken straight from demolition of some warehouse, shhh... and they cost bananas... but you know pssst.. they are handmade, family owned, pssst... that feeling is worth paying that 30% more over high tech Spec, Trek or Santa Cruz... pssst... and you know, Intense is also handmade family owned and they charge the same making actualy high tech. great looking bikes. I have to go now, someone might hear uuus...

 oh deeemn! You own one! I got busted demn no hard feelings, I just think they're too expensive for what you get

 Hahaha! No hard feelings... I KNOW they're overpriced... That's why I mentioned it. I got my complete bike for just a bit more than the frameset alone.

 I imagine that this V10 is lighter of course, but I think I'm more of a fan of the older V10's.

 with you all the way with this

 someone got a session under 30 lbs....

 hehe vics... I'm still one one of those... well minus the 3.0's, that's crazy wide. But I have a 24 rear to make up for the missing 3.0 old school

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 and love the feeling my mag has.

Now, one of these carbon v10's would be nice for those 50 mile dh trecks O would it be nice to have a light bike to carry... but then again.. I doubt you could put 10 years on this bike like the older ones.

 yep. i personally dont like the new v10 but im free to buy whatever bike i want so i dont really mind too much. my brother has a 66 lb stab still and im rocking a 40 lb hardtail. i dont really like where dh is going either, but just because it changes doesnt mean i have to. respect to bender and all the old school riders. i wish i was older... i missed out on most of it.

 Ho YHAE!!

 Well, the GT Fury is carbon, it's been around a few years now, and I haven't heard of any catastrophic failures with it. I think the key is protecting from nicks and scratches. GT, if I remember correctly, puts kevlar on the top layer of the downtube. Ibis have some models with a rubber-like treatment. Trek also came out with something similar I think. In fact, I seem remember reading some Ibis material indicating how durable their carbon actually was, even with nicks and scratches (it was in reference to the chainstays). Also, according to Ibis website, if damaged, carbon is much easier to repair than aluminum. Personally, I'm almost ready to adopt carbon, exepct I do like to crash ALOT, so I'd like to see just a couple more years of crash-durability feedback.

 "1mm scratch" has got to be the funniest thing I have read in a while.

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.

 I agree. And before another 14 year old comes on here and complains that he can't afford it... consider that ALL development of high end frames, components and any other technology eventually trickles down to affordable price points, which is good for all of us. Carbon road bikes used to be so exclusive only pros had them, and now they are so common that even "enthusiasts" can justify and afford them. Same thing will happen here, but it always starts off with racing prototypes like this.

 Well, no one is stopping us amateurs from buying aluminum bikes, right? Maybe the answer to your question is simply that a Carbon DH bike is just not for you?

 You are right we can go for the all trusty aluminium, and yes Carbon is not for me, but no the question was, and it is out of curiosity, how can the carbon cope with the abuse of DH... I guess ill have to investigate more... =P

 The SC engineers said: Half inch of carbon up front. “We couldn’t break it in test lab. Casing a jump? Forget it, the jump will break first!”

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.

 http://dirt.mpora.com/news/dirt-exclusive-santa-cruz-carbon-v10-4-testing-in-lousa-portugal.html

 hitting the down tube with a big rock would cause pretty heavy damage to whatever frame, so I guess there is no difference at this point, and no reason to compare ALU and CRB on this.

personally i believe that pros also care for their lives, and sponsors care for their pros. so nobody would race a bike, that will snap easier than normal alu one. somehow i believe, it will make the same - just a hell of a lot lighter.

welcome to the carbon fiber era.

 most bike companies offer that, it means that you pay a lesser price in the event of a crash-and -destroy, but you still pay what the factory cost is. its usually about 40-60% of retail cost to get a crash replacement frame. a lot of helmet makers have the policy as well.

 it better have crash replacement, imagine the feeling after wrecking your new 10000 dollar frame in an accident... not saying carbon fiber is weak or anything, it would be the same with any frame worth that much

 Edge carbon rims are $900 each, so I'm thinking that it's costing well over $9000.

 I know. They did an article on pb a while back on those wheels. The wheelset was something like $2,200. Add a $3500 frame, $1500 fork, $600 shock & spring, and about $1500 or so for bar, stem, cranks, shifter/deraileur, cassette, etc., and you come in at nearly $10K. For that kind of dough, I would seriously hope that bike would come in around 31 pounds. I only say this because I've actually seen v.10s built at 34 pounds already, and while I don't know what the owner spent to build it that weight, I know it would have been much less than $10K

 the frame is 9000 all by itself...

 ^^ Based on what intel?

 well, ive heard 9000 a lot more than ive heard 3500. the ALUMINUM one sells for more than 3500, let alone the carbon one. idk if 9000 is right but its a hell of a lot closer than 3500.

 hahahahaha!

 pretty easy to say sub 35 pounds... You might as well say sub-50lbs. Im pretty sure it's around 30lbs. My friends Trek Session 88 with Fox 40rc2, DHX 4.0 ti, Ex721 rims is 34lbs, and ther is not a single nonsense in that build. 2-ply tyres, tubes, proper chain guide, Atlas FR cranks, and Shimano DX spd pedals. That one here has a frameset incl. air shock is lighter than Trek by around 2 lbs, wheels lighter by 0,7lbs, fork 0,7lbs.

 ive seen a 29 and a half pound session, that v10 better be pretty damn light.

 If you've seen the one from Sweden on Ridemonkey, that doesn't count it has single ply tyres, ZTR flow rims and few other RM not acceptable things. Guy built it cuz he takes things easy, and he prefers to have a super light bike then rather than a "proper racing machine" that RM smarta**es can swallow.

 ha... not acceptable YET... a 40 lb bike used to be "too weak to ride proper"... my spider senses are telling me dh bikes are going to be 8 inch xc bikes with slack geo and less gears in the future.

 yea, it's kind'a damn annoying for me to realize that I have an AM bike with 1ply UST HRollers being only less than 1lb lighter than my buddies DH rig with 2ply tyres with tubes... If I put on his tyres I end up with a heavier bike! ... just take a look at e13 chainguide with their chainring lighter than my left sock, vs. front mech with bash and 2ring chain guide... its almost a pound more. Add a adjustable seatpost 500g with regular 200g seat, instead of 250g SDG T-rail combo, and it goes and goes up... so most probably you are right with that future.

 Look at the photos. It isn't on the rear triangle. It isn't a URT setup. What are you dump?

 boeing airbus? you just mixed two companies. But agreed, carbon fiber if done right is strong as hell

 It's the Boeing 787 dreamliner, and they are two years behind schedule because the wings were breaking off

 SC is not the kind of company that follows the standard "new bikes every new model year" policy. They release a new frame when it is finished. Get over it.

 dont be a dick a=man

 Don't be ignorant then.

 ya seraph should calm down

 Maybe you two should just go make out, since you're so in love with each other.

 seraph won't take his depression meds. hahaha

 slwracer are you still laughing? I haven't even started...

 Start and I'll give way...i hate violence...its only how you exchange of views, nothing more...dig it?

 Oh so you are so peaceful? Which kind of point of view did you express in that discussion? Didn't you just support a guy calling seraph a dick and then made a picky comment about antidepressants? where exactly is my or seraphs comment expressing hate and violence? Wasnt it purely personal aiming towards another person, what you just wrote before. It's ok man but just dont bring up higher values, its not good to wipe your mouth with them in such a place...

 seraph called me an ignorant troll and i forgive him. its his opinion. i respect that.

why were to emotional here. because some of us are cry babies.

about the depression meds, well it was a joke, believe me...

 oh, if i can interupt - you dont have to respect the kind of oppinion that tags you an ignorant troll. screw tolerance.

 good god how many guys are going to judge the strength by looks?!?! how silly. do some reading, the right carbon weave is stronger and lighter that aluminum! worry about the geometry, and linkage, which is the only real criteria for a bike. looks tell nothing.

 I know when i looks at a bike with good geometry and linkage though

 im pretty sure they made it clear that you definitely CAN kick the shit out of it

 What I meant was that its not the type of bike that you take out and throw it off the nearest cliff, but rather that the intended use is strictly DH racing. I'm not saying that the bike can't take a beating, it can, but within the context of DH racing. I was just saying that this is not a freeride machine, but a pure DH bike.

 yeah it would be sick if it got slacker as the travel went up

 Good point, but perhaps when you are sitting on the bike the HA would be similar in both settings since you would probably run more sag in that mode, for example:

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.

 you are not the only one realizing that. More than 7 thousands years ago Some Egyptians realized similar things when they laid foundations of what we call geometry... if you put a stone cube with one side of the base on a log, so it rests diagonaly on it and a flat ground, and then you put something under the other side, it's gonna straighten up a bit, there's no way around it, isn't it?

Until there is no Santa Cruz V.10 Optimus Prime, it's sort of hard to achieve...

 model person: this is only worse news for people like me who enjoy single crown forks

 WAKIdesigns, wtf did you just say man?

me2menow, i guess there is no single crown fork matching this frame now.

 I meant if you put more travel on back, on a travel adjustable frame then its gonna straighten up the whole bike, making HA steeper. It's pretty much clear.

 The carbon used to make long travel mountain bikes is in no way similar to the material used to make road bikes, except for the fact that they are both carbon. The V.10's carbon is more than 5 times as thick as your standard Tour de France racing road bike, I think it will hold up a little bit better.

 And who's taking away your aluminum bike? Why do people whine when carbon anything is released?

 I'm with you on this one it doesent look as strong as he regular V10, yet its carbon,but I guess we should wait and see how the testing goes, but personnaly I wouldent be a fan of carbon, instead of the frame snapping or any other carbon part, I would rather have it bend (metal) Just my opinion, but if carbon is as strong as they say, well not really much to say then.

 Food for thought. Aluminum.......snaps, does not bend when it fails. Carbon.......IS - as strong as they say, stiffer and stronger than aluminum if designed properly. I would have complete confidence in this bike as a race machine.

 Wow, check out all the materials engineers here...carbon is VERY strong guys, and darkstar63 is right, aluminum snaps. Not all metal is has the characteristics of tempered steel.

 Carbon shatters when it fails though.

 thanks, im talking about certain crashes, when it will bend not exactly impact stuff... but, thx for letting me know, the only thing that looks a little week is the pivot close to the seatpost.

 @ zofmg.

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!

 Do you guys even know how many stresses there are on a frame? or ways of strengthening materials?
Pick up a a few engineering books and start reading. You'll see it's not black and white.

 "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!""



LOL!

 Your ignorance is staggering.

 LMAO

 no kidding that thing is filthy...so sick

 Jeez, what is it with the minority of idiots on here marking perfectly reasonable comments down??? Get a life!

 a dress hahaha.

 i wonder what togas have to do with the release of this bike....

 The 4 syndicate riders had a race on the new bike and the slowest had to wear a dress to dinner.

 lmfao

 NOW THAT is funny

 Syndicate = Rockshox

 well to be honest...the cranks on that bike are a prototype carbon crank and well FSA has been making carbon bars for a while. So there is just about as much carbon on that v10 than Lance's cross country bike.

 already carbon bars aint there?

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!

 yeah apparently it has been very over built as well - half an inch of carbon up front, i dont think it will break.

 "...FSA has been making carbon bars for a while." Easton has been making carbon DH bars for the longest, and I've only ever seen them fail in a crash.

 what do u think! of course he will ride this.. world champ on an even lighter bike! he'll be dominating!