The 10 Fastest Downhill Bikes in the World, According to Race Results

1. Santa Cruz V10 – 61 Top Ten Finishes Considering Santa Cruz’s size relative to some of the other brands on this list, the fact that they take the top spot is indeed impressive. Their factory team – the Santa Cruz Syndicate – accounts for the majority of the brand’s podiums, but there are several …

1. Santa Cruz V10 – 61 Top Ten Finishes

santa cruz v10

Considering Santa Cruz’s size relative to some of the other brands on this list, the fact that they take the top spot is indeed impressive. Their factory team – the Santa Cruz Syndicate – accounts for the majority of the brand’s podiums, but there are several smaller teams and privateers that elect to ride the V10. That likely has something to do with the bike’s pedigree. It originally had the option to run a massive 10″ of rear travel, hence the name, but Santa Cruz dropped that feature on the latest model. With the retirement of DH legends Steve Peat and Josh Bryceland at the end of the 2016 season, the Syndicate is undergoing some major changes. Greg Minnaar will remain on the team and will be joined by American Luca Shaw and Frenchman Loris Vergier. Can these three keep the V10 at the top of the heap for the next five years? We shall see…

  • 2012
    • 26″ wheels
    • Carbon front triangle with an aluminum rear
    • Santa Cruz Syndicate team tests a new carbon rear triangle
  • 2013
    • Production version of the V10 goes full carbon
    • New carbon rear sheds about 400g off previous version
    • Santa Cruz revises the front triangle as well, shaving another 300g
  • 2014
    • Syndicate team rides a new 27.5″ V10 part way through the season
  • 2015
    • Santa Cruz releases the 27.5″ V10 to consumers
    • Rear travel is no longer adjustable; set at 8.5″

Standout result: Greg Minnaar winning back-to-back World Championship titles in 2012 and 2013.

Best season: In 2012, Santa Cruz had a whopping 14 top ten finishes.

The Data

Just in case any of you out there want to nerd out on the numbers, here are some charts that may be of interest. Thanks to Susan Hobson for her help with the data!

Finishes by Brand
Top ten finishes by brand 2012-2016 World Cup seasons
Finishes by Rider
Top ten finishes by rider 2012-2016 World Cup seasons
Top Finishes Brand and Rider
Most top ten finishes by brand and by rider
Brands by Place
Best of the best; top three spots by brand