I had an opportunity to demo this bike over a 3 day period at Kingdom Trails. After riding about 75m of trails I have to say I came away very impressed. This bike rips. Surprisingly I really enjoyed the 27.5 wheels. It really made the bike easier to maneuver through tight corners at speed. Seriously considering the 5010 for my next bike.
The 5 star rating is a value statement - I can't imagine a better bike for this price point. There are higher end bikes, but you'll pay more too. I'm 6 foot with 32 inch inseam, and the Large fits great.
Pros Feels very solid underneath, gives you confidence it can handle anything. Geometry and suspension is great for intermediate to expert cross country.
Cons The Carbon R is great for absorbing the harshness of alloy, but its not as light as Carbon C if that's your concern.
I just hit my ~100th mile on my new 2017 5010 and I love it - I'm making all kinds of personal records on my local trails. I'm 6'2" and went with the XL. Sizing is a bit odd with Santa Cruz, but this worked well for me. The only real issue with XL is the dropper post was too long for my 33" inseam so I just ride with it fully inserted in the seat tube. I came from a size L in another brand and it took me two rides to get comfortable on the longer geometry and now I couldn't be happier.
Pros Fast, nimble, good climber. FUN
Cons A little long if you're accustom to shorter wheelbases.
Pros Light and snappy , good all around bike . Climbs anything you put it up to with no problems . Price is right , love the Rockshox Pike and the float gets it done .
If you are considering buying one of these bikes you will not regret it! This bike is awesome! I have been riding it for over two weeks, so far this bike has exceeded my expectations. It climbs very well, handles like a dream, and looks amazing. My riding partner saw how much I was enjoying this bike, so he ran out and ordered one. He has been on it for a few days now and is also equally impressed. As far as the low bottom bracket and pedal smashes goes, I have not gotten anymore than usual. I have takin this bike down a variety of terrain the bike has performed very well. Honesty, I could go on and on about how much I love this bike.
Pros Light, stiff, agile, nimble, climbing, descending, cornering, and appearance!
Light and agile. Very easy to throw around. The frame feels very stout.
125mm rear / 130mm front is a decent amount of suspension for trail riding. Might be under-gunned in really burly terrain, but for the 90% of riding most of us do, it's an ideal bike. You could rock this thing in an XC race, do a big backcountry epic, or hit up the occasional enduro race.
S Build doesn't cut many corners. Great suspension with a Pike RC up front and a Fox Float Kashima out back.
Cons Bottom bracket is SUPER low at just 13.15".
It takes some getting used to and might not be the ideal bike for super technical terrain.
Would buy this bike again if it broke tomorrow but I doubt that would happen. I have over 1000 miles on my bike and love it. If you are riding big rocks all the time a 29" may be better suited but for a do-everything bike this one is great.
Pros Excellent handling
Comfortable all day
Good climber
Light weight
Love the 1x11 gearing
Cons Cost. I bought the high end carbon bike but the cc version (cheaper carbon) may not have a notable difference for a rider like me.
Buy it, get the 1x11, and bring a mouth guard as you'll be smiling a ton and likely to get bugs in you teeth!
Pros Quick, light, snappy turning, 27.5 Stan's wheels make for perfect tree and tight line riding, strong as an ox, climbs like a gazelle and quality beyond compare.
Cons Haven't found a lot though a few chips around brake mount are making me sad.
this is a great all day rider, great suspension, excellent handling and manners-Santa Cruz just makes great stuff, I am so pleased with this bike-so fun and playful.
man i love this bike it really eats up the trail and will stick on any line and keep going just lets you enjoy the ride. Climbs very well and absorbs rock gardens like nothing handels spectacular on down hills and very light . izzy
Pros Climbs very well, goes through rock gardens with out notice, handels spectacular on down hill
Great All-Mountain bike, this bike can bomb some downhill sections with the best. Helps you climb over technical sections you think you couldnt. Outstanding bike
This is THE all day epic bike. It has excellent trail manners and superb handling. Prepare to donate a kidney for the carbon frame with X01 and Enve wheel upgrade.
I had an opportunity to demo this bike over a 3 day period at Kingdom Trails. After riding about 75m of trails I have to say I came away very impressed. This bike rips. Surprisingly I really enjoyed the 27.5 wheels. It really made the bike easier to maneuver through tight corners at speed. Seriously considering the 5010 for my next bike.
Pros
Light, nimble, solid components
Cons
| Thank | EditPrice
The 5 star rating is a value statement - I can't imagine a better bike for this price point. There are higher end bikes, but you'll pay more too. I'm 6 foot with 32 inch inseam, and the Large fits great.
Pros
Feels very solid underneath, gives you confidence it can handle anything. Geometry and suspension is great for intermediate to expert cross country.
Cons
| Thank | EditThe Carbon R is great for absorbing the harshness of alloy, but its not as light as Carbon C if that's your concern.
I just hit my ~100th mile on my new 2017 5010 and I love it - I'm making all kinds of personal records on my local trails. I'm 6'2" and went with the XL. Sizing is a bit odd with Santa Cruz, but this worked well for me. The only real issue with XL is the dropper post was too long for my 33" inseam so I just ride with it fully inserted in the seat tube. I came from a size L in another brand and it took me two rides to get comfortable on the longer geometry and now I couldn't be happier.
Pros
Fast, nimble, good climber. FUN
Cons
| Thank | EditA little long if you're accustom to shorter wheelbases.
LOVE THIS BIKE !!!!
Pros
Light and snappy , good all around bike . Climbs anything you put it up to with no problems . Price is right , love the Rockshox Pike and the float gets it done .
Cons
| Thank | EditHaven't found any yet
Wonderful bike, light weight, and has some great components
Pros
awsome bike for trails
Cons
| Thank | Editnot so good on HARD downhill
If you are considering buying one of these bikes you will not regret it! This bike is awesome! I have been riding it for over two weeks, so far this bike has exceeded my expectations. It climbs very well, handles like a dream, and looks amazing. My riding partner saw how much I was enjoying this bike, so he ran out and ordered one. He has been on it for a few days now and is also equally impressed. As far as the low bottom bracket and pedal smashes goes, I have not gotten anymore than usual. I have takin this bike down a variety of terrain the bike has performed very well. Honesty, I could go on and on about how much I love this bike.
Pros
Light, stiff, agile, nimble, climbing, descending, cornering, and appearance!
Cons
| Thank | EditNone.
If your trails are on the smoother side of things, this is a great do it all bike. Enough travel to tackle the steeps, but still pedals great.
Pros
- Light
- Snappy
- Stiff
- Corners great
- Good suspension
Cons
| Thank | Edit- Really low bottom bracket, may not be a good bike if your terrain is mainly technical
This is a great all-around trail bike.
Pros
If I could give it 4.5 stars I would.
Light and agile. Very easy to throw around. The frame feels very stout.
125mm rear / 130mm front is a decent amount of suspension for trail riding. Might be under-gunned in really burly terrain, but for the 90% of riding most of us do, it's an ideal bike. You could rock this thing in an XC race, do a big backcountry epic, or hit up the occasional enduro race.
S Build doesn't cut many corners. Great suspension with a Pike RC up front and a Fox Float Kashima out back.
Cons
Bottom bracket is SUPER low at just 13.15".
It takes some getting used to and might not be the ideal bike for super technical terrain.
| Thank | EditWould buy this bike again if it broke tomorrow but I doubt that would happen. I have over 1000 miles on my bike and love it. If you are riding big rocks all the time a 29" may be better suited but for a do-everything bike this one is great.
Pros
Excellent handling
Comfortable all day
Good climber
Light weight
Love the 1x11 gearing
Cons
| Thank | EditCost. I bought the high end carbon bike but the cc version (cheaper carbon) may not have a notable difference for a rider like me.
Buy it, get the 1x11, and bring a mouth guard as you'll be smiling a ton and likely to get bugs in you teeth!
Pros
Quick, light, snappy turning, 27.5 Stan's wheels make for perfect tree and tight line riding, strong as an ox, climbs like a gazelle and quality beyond compare.
Cons
| Thank | EditHaven't found a lot though a few chips around brake mount are making me sad.
Great bike. I've been on 29ers for years and wasn't impressed with the other 650b bikes I'd ridden but this was impressive.
Pros
Great handling technical riding is a pleasure. Love this bike!
Cons
| Thank | EditOccasional pedal strike
this is a great all day rider, great suspension, excellent handling and manners-Santa Cruz just makes great stuff, I am so pleased with this bike-so fun and playful.
Pros
Weight, cockpit, handling, components
Cons
| Thank | Editnone so far-27.5 is a great size
man i love this bike it really eats up the trail and will stick on any line and keep going just lets you enjoy the ride. Climbs very well and absorbs rock gardens like nothing handels spectacular on down hills and very light . izzy
Pros
Climbs very well, goes through rock gardens with out notice, handels spectacular on down hill
Cons
| Thank | Editnone yet
Great All-Mountain bike, this bike can bomb some downhill sections with the best. Helps you climb over technical sections you think you couldnt. Outstanding bike
Pros
Lightweight
Excellent climber
Well balanced suspension
XT components
Dropper Seat
Cons
| Thank | EditCost
Pros
Lightweight. Great middle range travel. Stealth dropper routing keeps things clean. English BB.
Cons
| Thank | EditNo cable routing for stealth dropper, have to double up with rear brake line.
This is THE all day epic bike. It has excellent trail manners and superb handling. Prepare to donate a kidney for the carbon frame with X01 and Enve wheel upgrade.
Pros
Agile handling
Light weight
All day comfort
Cons
| Thank | EditExpensive in carbon form