Santa Cruz 5010 CC XO1 RSV 2021 Review

Cons: Expensive, not the best small bump compliance, flip-chip is hard to access
Manufacturer: Santa Cruz Bicycles
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
![]() This Product
Santa Cruz 5010 CC XO1 RSV 2021 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Price | $8,099.00 at Competitive Cyclist | $5,899 List | $7,299 List | $4,999 List | $5,399 List |
Overall Score ![]() |
|||||
Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Excellent build, snappy and playful, feels like it has more travel than it does | Outstanding all around performance, more capable on the descents than its predecessor, great climber, excellent build | Excellent climbing abilities, impressive downhill performance, high fun factor, tremendous build kit | Well-rounded, modern geometry, fun on a wide range of terrain, more capable than previous model | Lightweight, playful, well-rounded, modern geometry, solid component specification |
Cons | Expensive, not the best small bump compliance, flip-chip is hard to access | Expensive, still not a full-on enduro bike, a touch on the heavy side | Expensive, pivots came loose a few times during testing | A little heavy for carbon, chattery over high frequency chop | Not a brawler, Fox 34 fork can be overwhelmed |
Bottom Line | Proof that 27.5 is (very) far from dead | The best gets even better, and the V2 Ripmo is the best all-around trail bike we've ever tested | A killer daily driver that delivers feathery climbing performance and well-rounded downhill performance | Capable, versatile, and hard-charging, the new Tallboy is a fresh take on Santa Cruz's shorter travel 29er | The new and improved Ibis Ripley is one of the best all around mid-travel trail bikes we've ever ridden |
Rating Categories | Santa Cruz 5010 CC XO1 RSV | Ibis Ripmo V2 XT | Yeti SB130 TURQ X01 | Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon C S | Ibis Ripley GX Eagle |
Fun Factor (25%) | |||||
Downhill Performance (35%) | |||||
Climbing Performance (35%) | |||||
Ease Of Maintenance (5%) | |||||
Specs | Santa Cruz 5010 CC... | Ibis Ripmo V2 XT | Yeti SB130 TURQ X01 | Santa Cruz Tallboy... | Ibis Ripley GX Eagle |
Wheel size | 27.5" | 29" | 29" | 29" | 29" |
Suspension & Travel | Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) - 130mm | DW-Link - 147mm | Switch Infinity - 130mm | Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) - 120mm | DW-Link - 120mm |
Measured Weight (w/o pedals) | 29 lbs 5 oz | 31 lbs | 29 lbs 9 oz (Large) | 30 lbs 10 oz (Large) | 28 lbs 14 oz (Large) |
Fork | RockShox Pike Ultimate - 140mm | Fox Float 36 Grip 2 Factory 160mm | Fox 36 Factory - 150mm 36mm stanchions | Fox 34 Float Performance 130mm | Fox Float 34 Performance 130mm 34mm stanchions |
Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate | Fox Float X2 | Fox DPX2 Factory | Fox Float Performance DPS | Fox Float Performance DPS EVOL |
Frame Material | Carbon Fiber "CC" | Carbon Fiber | Carbon Fiber "TURQ" | Carbon Fiber "C" | Carbon Fiber |
Frame Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
Frame Settings | Flip Chip | N/A | N/A | Flip Chip | N/A |
Available Sizes | XS-XL | S-XL | S-XL | XS-XXL | S-XL |
Wheelset | Race Face ARC Offset 30 with DT 350 hubs | Ibis S35 Aluminum rims with Ibis hubs, 35mm ID | DT Swiss M1700, 30mm ID w/ DT Swiss 350 hub | Race Face AR Offset 27 with DT 370 hubs | Ibis 938 Aluminum Rims 34mm ID w/ Ibis Hubs |
Front Tire | Maxxis Minion DHR II MaxxGrip EXO TR 2.4" | Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 2.5" | Maxxis Minion DHF WT 29 x 2.5" | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO TR 2.3" | Schwable Hans Dampf 2.6" |
Rear Tire | Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C EXO TR 2.4" | Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 2.5" | Maxxis Aggressor 29 x 2.3 | Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO TR 2.3" | Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6" |
Shifters | SRAM XO1 Eagle | Shimano XT M8100 12-speed | SRAM XO Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle |
Rear Derailleur | SRAM XO1 Eagle | Shimano XT M8100 Shadow Plus 12-speed | SRAM X0 Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle |
Crankset | SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon DUB 32T | Shimano XT M8100 32T | SRAM X0 Eagle Carbon 30T | SRAM Style 7K DUB 175mm (size Large) 32T | SRAM Descendant Alloy 32T |
Saddle | WTB Silverado Team | WTB Silverado Pro 142mm | WTB Volt | WTB Siverado Pro | WTB Silverado 142mm |
Seatpost | RockShox Reverb Stealth 170mm (L and XL) | Bike Yoke Revive (185mm size large) | Fox Transfer 150mm | RockShox Reverb Stealth | Bike Yoke Revive 160mm |
Handlebar | Santa Cruz Carbon Riser, 800mm (M-XL) | Ibis Adjustable Carbon 800mm (30mm rise) | Yeti Carbon - 780mm | Race Face Ride 760mm | Ibis 780mm Alloy |
Stem | Bugtec Enduro MK3 42mm | Thomson Elite X4 | RaceFace Aeffect R 35 | Race Face Aeffect R 50mm | Ibis 31.8mm 50mm |
Brakes | SRAM G2 RSC 4-piston | Shimano XT M8120 4-piston | Shimano XT M8000 | SRAM Guide R | Shimano Deore 2 Piston |
Measured Effective Top Tube (mm) | 616 | 632 | 628 | 620 | 625 |
Measured Reach (mm) | 475 | 475 | 477 | 470 | 475 |
Measured Head Tube Angle | 65.7-degrees H/65.4-degrees L | 64.9-degrees | 65.1-degrees | 65.7-degrees H / 65.5-degrees L | 66.5-degrees |
Measured Seat Tube Angle | 77.2-degrees H/76.8-degrees L | 76-degrees | 76.8-degrees | 76.4-degrees H / 76.2-degrees L | 76.2-degrees |
Measured Bottom Bracket Height (mm) | 338 H/334 L | 341 | 335 | 337 H / 334 L | 338 |
Measured Wheelbase (mm) | 1224 | 1238 | 1231 | 1214 | 1210 |
Measured Chain Stay Length (mm) | 429 (Large) | 435 | 438 | 432 short / 442 long | 434 |
Warranty | Lifetime | Seven Years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Seven Years |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Should I Buy This Bike?
If you're more focused on having fun than going fast, then there's a good chance the 5010 could be the bike for you. While the mountain bike industry continues to embrace 29-inch wheels, 27.5-inch bikes are slowly becoming less and less common. 29ers aren't for everyone, of course, and there is still undoubtedly a place for "fun-sized" wheels. Santa Cruz hit the nail on the head when they redesigned the mid-travel 5010, and it is definitely one of the most playful and fun bikes we've tested in recent memory. The updated geometry is modern without being extreme, making it plenty capable on descents without sacrificing anything in the handling or agility department. The short rear center and 27.5-inch wheels make this bike feel eager to get in the air or up on the rear wheel, while the support of the VPP suspension provides a great platform to push off of as you play your way down the mountain. On bigger hits, you'd almost be fooled into thinking the 5010 has more than 130mm of travel thanks to the composed deep stroke performance of the VPP design. Since you've got to get up to get down, the 5010 is a capable climber with a calm pedaling platform and a comfortable geometry. It may not be the absolute fastest up or down (it's not exactly slow either), but those who value smiles per mile more than miles per hour probably won't mind. The XO1 Reserve build we tested is absolutely fantastic, and also quite expensive, but there are 3 more affordable options to choose from.
The Santa Cruz Tallboy is another interesting comparison. With 29-inch wheels and 120mm of travel paired with a 130mm fork, the Tallboy is a fast and efficient short travel rig. It's deceptively capable for its travel length, though it can't match the playful nature of the 5010. Both are a blast to ride, and are well rounded and versatile rigs. We'd recommend the Tallboy for XC-style trail riders who value efficiency and speed and steer those who want to jib every roll in the trail towards the 5010.
Frame Design
The 5010 was completely redesigned in 2020. The geometry got a major overhaul to bring it in line with modern trends and make it more capable than its outdated predecessor. The frame of the XO1 build we tested is made from Santa Cruz's higher-end Carbon CC carbon fiber, and the other available builds come with a Carbon C frame. Like most of the other bikes in the Santa Cruz line, they moved its rear shock to the low-mount orientation. All builds come with an air shock, but the frame can accommodate coil shocks as well. The frame also features integrated downtube, chainstay, and seat stay protection, as well as full-sleeve internal cable routing and ample room within the front triangle for a full-size water bottle.
The 5010 features 130mm of VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) rear suspension paired with a 140mm reduced offset fork. VPP is a dual-link system with the rear shock mounted low on the downtube passing through a hole at the bottom of the seat tube where it is attached to the lower link. The lower link is attached to the main frame and the rigid rear triangle behind the bottom bracket, while the upper linkage connects the top of the seat stays to the top tube just in front of the seat tube. There are also flip-chips integrated into the lower shock mount to make minor adjustments to the 5010's geometry.
Design Highlights
-Available in Carbon C and Carbon CC frames
-27.5" wheels only
-130mm of VPP rear suspension
-Designed around a 140mm fork
-Flip-chip adjustable geometry
-Size-specific chainstay lengths
-Integrated chainstay and downtube protection
-Threaded bottom bracket
-Coil shock compatible
Downhill Performance
Santa Cruz's marketing copy makes lots of claims about the performance and demeanor of the 5010. While we typically take marketing hype with a grain of salt, it's hard to argue with their assessment of this bike. To quote Santa Cruz, "Its nimble, poppy feel makes even the most mundane rides feel like they're loaded with features to hop, skip, and jump over." We'd agree that its agile and playful nature is certainly the highlight of its downhill performance, and while it may not feel like the hardest charging bike, it can handle anything that comes down the trail with confidence and composure. The 27.5-inch wheels and short chainstays give it noticeable quickness in its handling, while the VPP suspension provides excellent mid-stroke support, pop, and great big hit performance.
With 130mm of rear-wheel travel paired with a 140mm fork, the 5010 falls squarely in the mid-travel category. Thanks to Santa Cruz's VPP suspension design, it feels like it has more travel than it actually does. It's not bottomless, of course, but it's progressive enough that you'll rarely find the bottom unless you're asking for it. It feels particularly composed on big hits at high speeds or landing off jumps or drops. Mid stroke support is also superb, with a nice platform to push off of when pumping through dips in the trail, popping off a trailside obstacle, railing through berms, or when you get on the gas out of a corner. Our only real gripe with the performance of VPP is that it doesn't feel quite as supple in the initial part of the stroke as DW-link, for example, and it tends to feel a bit chattery over high-frequency chop and chunk.
Climbing Performance
The 5010 is a surprisingly adept climber. Sure, the 27.5-inch wheels don't roll over obstacles or maintain momentum quite as well as larger hoops, but that's pretty much our only complaint. At 29 lbs and 5 oz, our test bike is relatively lightweight and it feels quick and efficient. The VPP design provides a supportive pedaling platform, the geometry is dialed, and the XO1 build leaves little, if anything, to be desired.
The updated geometry of the 5010 feels great for climbing. The effective seat tube angle measures 76.8/77.2-degrees in the low/high settings respectively, lining the rider up right above the bottom bracket for direct transfer of power down into the pedals with a comfortable, upright seated position. The 475mm reach is nice and roomy without feeling too long, and the moderate length 1,224mm wheelbase isn't so long that maneuverability becomes an issue. Combine those numbers with a slack enough, but not too slack, 65.4-degree head tube angle (low setting) and its handling remains responsive through tight turns and technical sections. We didn't find the low setting's 334mm bottom bracket height to result in too many pedal strikes, but the flip-chips enable you to raise it slightly for more clearance while steepening the head and seat tube angles for marginally crisper handling.
Photo Tour
Value
We tested the top of the line XO1 build with the upgrade to Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon wheels. On its own, the XO1 build goes for $6,899, with a bump in price to $8,099 for the carbon wheel upgrade. That's obviously a lot of money to spend on a mountain bike, but those who can afford it likely won't be disappointed by the high-end performance this package delivers. Anyone who isn't willing or able to spend that much has three more affordable builds to choose from, starting at $4,099.
Conclusion
As 27.5-inch wheels are slowly becoming less common in the trail bike market, Santa Cruz makes a very compelling argument in their favor with the versatile and fun-loving 5010. The recent redesign has brought the 5010's geometry in line with modern trends and made it an impressively well-rounded descender without sacrificing its agility or playful trail manners. This versatile ride is also a comfortable and efficient climber and a solid choice for any length of ride. Whether you're a fan of "fun-sized" wheels, or you prioritize good times over all-out speed, we think the 5010 is a great option to consider.
Other Versions
Santa Cruz currently offers the 5010 in carbon fiber only with 4 build options to choose from. The XO1 build we tested is the only option that comes with the higher-end/lighter weight Carbon CC frame. The other three builds all come with the slightly heavier Carbon C frame. Santa Cruz's sister company, Juliana, produces a women's version of the 5010, known as the Furtado. The Furtado is offered in the same configurations/prices as the 5010, but it comes with a different coat of paint in sizes XS, S, and M only.
The R Carbon C build retails for $4,099 and comes with a Fox Rhythm 34 fork, a Fox Float Performance DPS shock, SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, and SRAM Guide T brakes.
For $4,999, the S Carbon C build upgrades to a Fox 34 Float Performance fork, a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock, SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, and SRAM G2 R brakes.
The second most expensive build is the XT Carbon C at $5,999. It comes equipped with a RockShox Pike Select+ fork, RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock, a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain, and 4-piston XT brakes.— Jeremy Benson