There are a lot of good bikes available these days, but there are some that have taken the game to the next level. I cannot imagine a bike that could take it to a higher level in the downhill market than Santa Cruz' soon to be available,(sometime before the year turns over) carbon V10. This past Thursday I had the privilege and pleasure of riding one in Whistler's famed bike park. I was very fortunately to have the opportunities that came that day.
Besides the World Cup racing Santa Cruz Sindicate, and I assume some individual test pilots, I must have been one of a handful of "normal people" to ride one of these unique bikes. After a busy and early morning, my friend Reuben and I arrived at Casa Santa Cruz to a garage full of carbon artwork, and various engineers and bike industry representatives. These people represented companies such as Cane Creek, The Hive (Chub hubs, ethirteen, Fifteen G), Edge composites, and of course Santa Cruz bicycles.
The test bikes were not just decked with the nicest and lightest parts money could buy, but also parts the you couldn't even buy yet. Edge provided prototype carbon DH rims, and carbon 30+ inch wide handlebar. No other brand produces a carbon bar that wide.
The Chub front hub, Edge rim combo made for an insanely stiff, and light wheel that tracked straight through even roughest loosest terrain, and inspired great confidence. The rear wheel sported a DT swiss 240s rear hub (now in 12x150mm) and an Edge DH rim. I could not imagine an other rim taking the pounding the I served up on these wheels! No flats either.
ethirteen was just purchased by The Hive, and out popped a brand new DH crank resembling The Hive's Fifteen.G xc cranks. The ethirteen cranks sport The Hive's proprietary modified polygon interface on a 30mm axle. This interface has been used in heavy machinery and tank transmit ions before being introduced to the bicycles. More info on this is available on The Hive website. Some smart cookies. Essentially it makes for light and stiff-ass cranks.
There were some "regular" parts on the bikes too like Thomson Masterpiece seat posts to keep the weight down.
My test bike was equipped with a Rock Shox Vivid air shock. It looks like a can of Guinness with knobs on it, its fat! If I were never to look down, I would have told you it was a coil shock. The shock was an other contributor to the mega-low weight of the 33.5 lb. carbon V10.
Being an air shock the Rock SHox Vivid air contributes to the adjustability of the carbon V10. When switching between 8.5" and 10" travel modes it only take a 15-20psi change in pressure to achieve the same sag. Combined with the 2011 Rock Shox Boxxer World Cup fork, and Cane Creek Adjuster-set, (a headset that allows for .5, 1, and 1.5 degree headangle adjustments) this bike can be set-up for any downhill riding conditions.
The Chub hub is spec'd on a lot of Santa Cruz bikes now, with either 15 or 20mm axle forks. I hope to see them on more bikes as they bring a fresh idea, and good concept to wheels. The Chub hub uses a carbon "torsion-tube" center to keep the hub light and stiff. Tall aluminum flanges make for shorter spokes, and more even spoke load distribution. Sound fancy?
The day wasn't only filled with oggling new and light parts, we were fortunate enough to get a shuttle up to the Garbonzo lift, which didn't open for two more days, so that we could get the photos we needed, in the right light... and of course put the V10 to the test on the rowdy Garbo terrain!
We found some sections that showed off the carbon V10's abilities, and beautiful frame and shot photos in a few of those sections from morning until early afternoon. Then we punched it the rest of the way down the hill, and ate lunch a Pasta Lupino to refuel for an afternoon of riding.
I had my cake (pudding in this situation), and ate it too. I got the ride the Carbon V10 in 10" mode in the morning, it was time to switch it up and see what the 8.5" setting had to offer.
I am quite familiar with the 10" setting as I've owned a V10 and know what to expected. The bike with take care of you when things get rough like the secret service. But, what about 8.5"? my current bike runs 8" of travel and seems very capable...
A quick little flip of the bolts while chatting to George from The Hive, and a nip of psi put the V10 in 8.5" mode ready to charge!
The bike still displayed the V10's uncanny ability to eat bumps like cookie monster demolishes chocolate chip cookies, but the 8.5" inch mode ramps up more in the travel and becomes more responsive when moving the bike off the ground. The bike also seemed to pedal like it was kicked with a sharper spur, I was very much enjoying this setting... niiiiice.
Unsure if carbon is strong enough for a downhill bike? Santa Cruz has got you covered. They have done they research, then researched that, applied experience and engineering knowledge, and wrapped it up in a sexy little package. Not to mention, look at how thick the carbon is!
These cross sectional photos show you where they beefed up the frame, and how clean the lay-up is. I trust Santa Cruz quality. They are a no BS, thinking it through compnay that is sure to do it right before offering it to the public. I have the utmost confidence in the carbon V10's strength and stiffness.
Its nice to see these cross sections, as the lay-up of a carbon frame, and how clean and tight it looks on the inside is like looking at the tube forming, and welding of an aluminum bike. Most carbon bikes look pretty on the outside, but that isn't that difficult with some a marvelous material, however they don't all look this good on the inside. Take it like some hot chick you see walking downtown. She may not be such a nice person even if you think you can put it past you for the way she looks. The Santa Cruz carbon bikes are looking for the lasting relationship...
It not easy to know how all bikes look on the inside, but Santa Cruz is at least willing to show you, they have nothing to hide.
Details. Santa Cruz always happen to put together a beautiful bike, but its the detail that add up to make it what it is. On the carbon V10 all alloy threads, and bits are molded into the frame in the lay-up process ensuring great strength and durabilitiy. This new version V10 4.0 is upgraded with a VPP2 opperating system, grease port pivots, angular contact bearings, collect system axles, maxle-lite rear axle, adjustable travel and angles, all adding up to a bike that puts a huge grin on your face every time you ride it. Santa Cruz has done their homework, and the bonus questions.
At the end of the day I found that I have a good conscience and was able to return the bike back to the garage amoungst its other prototype friends.
Some maybe choose to take a day at the spa, get covered in mud, and have coloured toe-nails in the end? My idea of pampering is getting covered in mud, rolling big rock faces, skipping accross slimy roots, and railing berms, on the most advanced DH not yet on the market, with some of the raddest parts to put it all together; taking wicked shots with one of the best Photographer's around, for free, riding with buddies, making new friends, sharing a laugh, then washing it all down with beer, Sake margheritas, and Sushi Village dining!
Check out the nsmb.com article for more details, and photos. I had a great time, thanks Santa Cruz!
-Scott
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