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Home > Product Reviews > Frames > Santa Cruz Superlight Reviews

Santa Cruz Superlight

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Santa Cruz Superlight
More about Santa Cruz

Average Rating: 5 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 29
RRP: £849
Year: 2006

Description: *100mm rear travel. *Simple, durable, optimally placed single pivot.

REVIEWS

1 to 10 of 29 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now.Page: 1 2 3

James Wyatt

Posted: 20/11/07

'FANTASTIC ALL-ROUND BIKE!'

Strengths:
Light, plush travel but not too much of it, responsive, very little Bob. Doesn't age and go out of fashion like bigger brands. Reliable.

Weaknesses:
None.

Overall:
I bought an 06 Superlight to replace my 97 Heckler, which is pretty much the same bike bar a few grammes of tubing! The Heckler was still fine but despite me being towards the upper range of the height range recommended for a "Medium", I found I preferred the "Small" and wanted a smaller bike. I've not been dissapointed, the smaller bike is even more chuckable with all the immediacy and most of the stability of the bigger one.

Very plush travel, very keen to change direction, just a superb bike on bumpy cross-country routes, up and down, and more than passable downhill until it gets really gnarly. And unlike a long-travel bike, you lose nothing on the climbs or in weight.

I only changed the main bearings once on the Heckler in 9 years, and that was precautionary, so am expecting this simple design to remain as reliable - or as reliable as the rear air shock allows, anyway (already been back to Mojo for a warranty repair - you can't beat the older coilovers for feel and reliability!).

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Rob SuperLight

Posted: 29/11/05
Updated: 15/05/07

'CLEAN, SIMPLE, EFFECIENT, LIGHT AND THE DBS'

Strengths:
With RP3 shock no bob what so ever! Amazing for a single pivot. Good weight (25lb complete bike). Climbs like a dream. Takes drops, roots, ruts in it's stride. A superb XC frame

Weaknesses:
Feels like a hard tail on stones and small roots so shock (using RP3) not so active.
Noticed slight sideways flex in rear triangle when pedal forces are high. Perhaps not an issue.

Overall:
Compared to my old Tank (NRS type design) it's double the cost but more than double the quality and efficiency.
Climbing is easier, descents are faster, handling is predictable even on it's maiden ride.
Great weight and looks superb in anodized grey.
Size L is perhaps a bit small for a 6'1" rider.
Price in UK is too high though - US export price is around US$1000 so why is it sold for 1000 pounds? Too much mark up me thinks.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

73%

dave dodd

Posted: 15/02/01

'Superb, best full suspension bike I've ever ridden.'

Strengths:
Light weight, understated, proper shape front triangle, very stable over bumps, highly adjustable and very responsive.

Weaknesses:
The rear shock bolt bushing wears pretty quickly, but that really is all. It costs about a fiver to fix and can be done in a couple of minutes.

Overall:
I bought one of these frames in May last year from Sideways Cycles in Alsager, Staffs (top shop by the way). It wasn't a bike I had considered before as I thought it was a bit fragile with it having a rider weight limit of 200lbs. I had owned 4 GT full suspension bikes, an RTS2, an STS 1, an STS1000DS and finally an XCR1000 i-drive. All of these bikes rode well, but were heavy and hard going up the hills. However, that wasn't the biggest problem. The amount of time that these bikes spent in the workshop being repaired was unbelievable. All due to bushings wearing out etc. Three of them were warranty replacement frames due to cracks in the carbon.
The Santa Cruz however has been a different kettle of fish. No repairs in nine months. I've not had a weekend when I've not been able to ride it. I can go faster both up and downhill than I could on any of my GT's. Best thing is the confidence it inspires, it makes me want to ride it. In fact that's exactly what I'm going to do. See ya.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Nigel Morris

Posted: 15/02/01

'An absolutely fantastic beast'

Strengths:
Fantastic riding position, go faster up hill and down hill, ride longer, reduce fatigue, Low maintenance, lightweight, can (and does) get you through stuff that should have you off, eating dirt

Weaknesses:
Taking it out gets it dirty, probably not for jumping and all out playground lunacy

Overall:
It rides like a hard tail with the rear shock locked off, rides superbly with it on. Simple design, lightweight, excellent for Polaris and Trailquest type events, along with X-country racing and 100km Schwinn racing (completed in all in 2000). Have taken it beyond my abilities and it pulled me and itself through without a scratch. My bike is matched with Pace forks and Hope 4pots and superbly looked by John at STIF when it gets serviced (very, very irregularly!) The quality of this bike can be seen in that we ride semi-slicks all year round! We ride in mud, snow, slick rock, loose rock, boulder runs along with sheep tracks and heather! BUY ONE now.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Keith ellis

Posted: 26/02/01

'Probably the best fs cross country frameset available'

Strengths:
lightweight,balanced ride,no bobbing in lower gears,great anodised finish
beautiful ride characteristics

Weaknesses:
£1175.00

Overall:
once built up this frame never feels heavy(its only 5.1lbs for the large version anyway)it has a wonderful feel that it wants to go forwards,very lively,a good climber and so comfortable
Just a great base on which to build your dream bike

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

93%

Richard Hartley

Posted: 28/03/01

'The Dogs...B*****ks'

Strengths:
Looks fantastic, rides like a dream on the road!!!

Weaknesses:
Could be a potential carrier of F&M, therefore unable to ride off road.
Bummer, considering I've just bought the bloody thing, and its sat looking sooo nice in the kitchen.

Overall:
Sweet.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

John Beardmore

Posted: 01/06/01

'THE BEST'

Strengths:
Light weight, simplicity, rear lock out, climbing, etc etc

Weaknesses:
None

Overall:
Built with Pace Pro class 2, XT, Hope 4 pot with large disc conversion, Carbon bars and seat post. Bought from Stif, built by ace mechanic John.

I can ride places I never thought possible with lots of comfort.

What a great bike

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

matchoo matchow

Posted: 10/06/01

'one ride and you are hooked!!'

Strengths:
How light?! simple but very effective design, low maintenance, good looks-a real head turner

Weaknesses:
Only my Willpower....Do you take Visa?

Overall:
I have been looking for a new toy for a long time. I have previously only really ridden hardtails not wanting to take the plunge to full sus because of several things like price, weight and most importantly performance. This bike climbs as well(if not better) than my current hardtail. There is no noticeable bob or flex when climbing or sprinting-I have yet to use the shock lockout ( I keep forgetting its there!). Descending is equally good, the amount of comfort and control you get really inspire you to want to go that little bit faster. The best thing is that when you do finally get home you dont need to spend the rest of the day sitting on your softest cushions!!. Its great, you really have to try it. M. (Big thumbs up to the Stif boys, my bike works a treat, Ta!!)

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Tim Betts

Posted: 13/07/01

''I love my bike' '

Strengths:
Plush (now I know what they mean by plush), light, stable yet nimble.

Weaknesses:
Rear shock mounts wear a bit too quickly and knock until renewed

Overall:
Awesome machine! Forget the money bit if you can, look at it as an investment in your fave pastime...it will be just soooo worth it!

The lock out on the Fox RC works a treat and when the rear sus is active, the ride can be tuned to your taste by the air pressure and rebound adjust in the rear shock.

I've been the proud owner for a year now and have done somewhere in the region of 2k kms, including a load out in BC, Canada. The anodised finish has proven to be very durable, the bearings on the swing arm are still buttery smooth and I want to ride and enjoy it every day. It fills me with confidence.

I have found it best for me to run two shock pressures depending upon dry or mud/soft trails - I weigh about 10stone (140lbs)and for dry setup I run it at 65-70psi; and muddy conditions at 80-85psi. Seems to work for me.

Other set up points, I'm about 5'9"/10" and have settled on a Titec Big Al stem 105mm with 10 deg rise. I initially started with a 120mm Big Al, but found the front tended to wash out in the wet. I then tried the 90mm 10 deg one and that worked ok, gave me stacks more control in the gloop over the winter, it was just a little cramped. So I've been running with the 105 mm for a month or so now and the set up feels great. Forks used btw are EVO III's with 90mm travel.

I have marked the reliability score down because of the aforementioned shock mount bushes, the rest is quite frankly perfect! Which includes value, cos whilst it is expensive...it is a truly superb work of design and engineering and great value for money.

Go on. If XC is your thang....You know you want one....you won't regret it!!!

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

93%

Mark Sharma-Drake

Posted: 01/08/01

'Easily the best I've ever owned'

Strengths:
Light, stiff, fast, forgiving, simple

Weaknesses:
Mine is off the road at the moment due to damage caused by a polythene bag being caught up in the rear cassette, ripping the rear derailleur out of its hanger and bending the hanger. Replacement needed. Could do with a replaceable hanger, even though Santa Cruz reckon that would adversely affect gear changes.

Overall:
Can't imagine a better bike