Bought this used as my first new bike in many many years. Don't have much to compare it to as a result but I've been extremely happy with the SL's performance. My confidence and skill has made huge jumps, and I am addicted to riding now cause its so much fun to ride this bike.
Well this is my first 'real' MTB. I went from a 'goose, to a new 2012 superlight. The weight difference went from a 40 pound bike to a 26 lb bike and boy what a difference the weight makes. My wife has the same frame (Juliana version) and loves hers just as much as I love mine! Great XC full suspension bike IMO
Pros Lightweight, stiff, great climber, price, over all great ride
Cons None so far, other than some of the components from the build kit (R) I went with. But as far as the frame, it's solid!
Through the years I have owned The Gary Fisher Joshua, Giant NRS XTC, Special-ed FSR. When I started riding a Haro Shift I actually started enjoying riding again. The single pivot with a pro-pedal platform shock does the trick. So recently I traded my trusty R7 in on a Santa Cruz. WOW, lets go ride.
Pros light weight, simple strong platform, laterally stiff and a great value.
Cons although the bike weighs in at 27 lbs 4 oz with egg beaters, the xt/mavic wheels that are standard are a bit heavy and must go.
I am a collegiate XC racer and this really holds up over the miles...I can't wait to upgrade this beast fully to fulfill the lightness that's implied in the name
Pros weight, color, handling
Cons I only bought the frame and switched over beginner parts from my other bike...other than that, the frame is awesome
The DH XC build is nice but I would upgrade the wheelset and brakes at the very least. Solid bike for anyone looking to do it all on the mountain except for maybe the biggest drops and jumps.
Pros Great bike all around, it is inspiring confidence in me in leaps and bounds every time I ride it.
Cons Powder Coat comes off kind of easily. Strictly cosmetic though
A great xc bike at an affordable price. If you go with a low price component set up you should plan to spend some $ on upgrades. I bought a seatpost, handlebars, crankset,and fork just to get the bike exactly the way I want it. I probably would have been better off just getting a higher end build up kit when I bought the bike. The plus is that I have been able to put the exact components I want on it and have dropped a couple of pounds from the bike in the process. If you are looking for more of a freeride or all mountain bike I would suggest the Blur LT or a Heckler. the superlight is pure cross country.
Pros It handles like a dream and has virtually no flex in the frame. Climbs like a champion. More affordable than it's Other Santa Cruz cousins.
An RP3/RP23 rear shock upgrade is a must imho for ProPedal since it's a single pivot. If you are buying a new, complete kit bike go with the R kit or higher as the component upgrades are well worth the extra $$.ProsGreat climber and feel/handling inspires confidence in all situations. Design is tried and true. A little more budget friendly than some of the other Santa Cruz bikes. ConsRear tire width a little slim - had some minor rub with the stock Nevegals at first.
Get wider tires.
Could use better brakes and shorter stem.
Pros
All around great XC dual susp.
Not overpriced.
Decends well for XC bike.
Cons
| ThankHead angle little steep.
My 1st full suspension. I have no complaints.
Pros
Good climber, Light.
Cons
| ThankNone so far
Bought this used as my first new bike in many many years. Don't have much to compare it to as a result but I've been extremely happy with the SL's performance. My confidence and skill has made huge jumps, and I am addicted to riding now cause its so much fun to ride this bike.
Pros
light
smooth and solid
good climb
Cons
| Thanknone so far
Well this is my first 'real' MTB. I went from a 'goose, to a new 2012 superlight. The weight difference went from a 40 pound bike to a 26 lb bike and boy what a difference the weight makes. My wife has the same frame (Juliana version) and loves hers just as much as I love mine! Great XC full suspension bike IMO
Pros
Lightweight, stiff, great climber, price, over all great ride
Cons
| ThankNone so far, other than some of the components from the build kit (R) I went with. But as far as the frame, it's solid!
Through the years I have owned The Gary Fisher Joshua, Giant NRS XTC, Special-ed FSR. When I started riding a Haro Shift I actually started enjoying riding again. The single pivot with a pro-pedal platform shock does the trick. So recently I traded my trusty R7 in on a Santa Cruz. WOW, lets go ride.
Pros
light weight, simple strong platform, laterally stiff and a great value.
Cons
| Thankalthough the bike weighs in at 27 lbs 4 oz with egg beaters, the xt/mavic wheels that are standard are a bit heavy and must go.
I am a collegiate XC racer and this really holds up over the miles...I can't wait to upgrade this beast fully to fulfill the lightness that's implied in the name
Pros
weight, color, handling
Cons
| ThankI only bought the frame and switched over beginner parts from my other bike...other than that, the frame is awesome
The DH XC build is nice but I would upgrade the wheelset and brakes at the very least. Solid bike for anyone looking to do it all on the mountain except for maybe the biggest drops and jumps.
Pros
Great bike all around, it is inspiring confidence in me in leaps and bounds every time I ride it.
Cons
| ThankPowder Coat comes off kind of easily. Strictly cosmetic though
A great xc bike at an affordable price. If you go with a low price component set up you should plan to spend some $ on upgrades. I bought a seatpost, handlebars, crankset,and fork just to get the bike exactly the way I want it. I probably would have been better off just getting a higher end build up kit when I bought the bike. The plus is that I have been able to put the exact components I want on it and have dropped a couple of pounds from the bike in the process. If you are looking for more of a freeride or all mountain bike I would suggest the Blur LT or a Heckler. the superlight is pure cross country.
Pros
It handles like a dream and has virtually no flex in the frame. Climbs like a champion. More affordable than it's Other Santa Cruz cousins.
Cons
| ThankNone
An RP3/RP23 rear shock upgrade is a must imho for ProPedal since it's a single pivot. If you are buying a new, complete kit bike go with the R kit or higher as the component upgrades are well worth the extra $$.ProsGreat climber and feel/handling inspires confidence in all situations. Design is tried and true. A little more budget friendly than some of the other Santa Cruz bikes. ConsRear tire width a little slim - had some minor rub with the stock Nevegals at first.
| Thank