Santa Cruz 5010 am I mad ?

[michael_JCWS]

I used to do quite a bit of cycling back in my 20’s, been out of it for quite a while, work, children, life etc... still fit running, swimming etc and now in my 40’s fancy getting back into it.

I’m looking for a light all rounder , am I mad to go for a Santa Cruz carbon 5010? What else should I look at, I’ve been warned of trek and specialised. Yeti ?

Happy to be told I’m bat st crazy 😜 , I’ll just have to tell my wife it was about £1500, she wants me to use my old Saracen with V brakes

Thanks

Michael

[DoubleSix]

Ha! Been toying with this myself, probably way more bike than I need but they do look rather good fun.

There are way better specced bikes for equivalent outlay but that ain’t really the point. Oh, and every other MacAskill wannabe at the park will have one if you care about such things.

[Court_S]

Why have you be warned about Specialized and Trek? The former make some cracking bikes and often push things forward.

The 5010 is a cracking bike though.

[michael_JCWS]

Court_S said:

Why have you be warned about Specialized and Trek? The former make some cracking bikes and often push things forward.

The 5010 is a cracking bike though.

I’ve been told Treks can be a bit brittle and prone to breaking Unless you are spending ££££

Specialised put headline grabbing components such as XT and XTR then use lower spec components elsewhere.

All the SRAM components are new to me, are cleats still the way to go or flats

Thanks

Michael

[michael_JCWS]

https://www.stifmtb.com/blogs/news/the-5010

[DoubleSix]

michael_JCWS said:

I’ve been told Treks can be a bit brittle and prone to breaking Unless you are spending ££££

Sounds like nonsense.

Trek has an R&D budget most companies can only dream of and tooling to match. Sizing is impeccable. If you are considering a 5010 then you will be spending ££££...

Some of the Bontrager components aren't top draw but as an 'off the shelf' proposition, I think Trek are hard to knock.

Perhaps they lack some of the trail kudos that Santa Cruz and their ilk have worked so hard to foster and charge through the nose for...

Edited by DoubleSix on Tuesday 26th May 20:36

[neilski]

If you want one and can afford it then you'd be mad not to get one!

I've got one and absolutely love mine, it's by far the most fun bike I've ever ridden. I'm a mountain bike guide on Death Road in Bolivia so I use my hardtail for that but for everything else I use my 5010 so every time I take it out it doesn't feel like work it just feels like I'm getting paid to go out and have some a lot of fun.

It's not particularly heavy so it's a great climber and ridiculously fast on the downhills. On dirt roads I've had it up to about 70kph and if I wasn't so concerned about traffic coming the other way on narrow roads with blind corners and a sheer drop on one side it had a lot more to give.



As for your question about clips or flats, I have a set of each and use the clips for easier stuff like when I'm guiding on dirt roads and put the flats on for more technical rides. If you want recommendations, I've got XT Trail and Nukeproof Horizon Pro pedals, both of which are great.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

I'd also look at an Evil Calling. You could pick a lightly used one off pink bike for a steal.

Dave Weagle has pulled a blinder with the delta link system.

I have the insurgent - longer travel version - and it's the best bike I've owned for pure sts and giggles down the trail. It really has a magical mix of bump absorbtion and poppy-ness off every trail feature. MTB should be about fun, and the Evil range delivers that in spades... Similar to the 5010... There are faster bikes than both, but unless you're racing, both are hard to beat for smiles per mile.

[BelfastBlack]

If you haven't been on a bike in 10 years (minimum) then yes you are mad. They are excellent bikes but truth be told it's difficult to find a crap bike these days when you go to the main brands. Stuff like Vitus or a Nukeproof Reactor are excellent and will be a lot cheaper with the same spec. Geometry will have changed so much from your old bike that everything is a step forward and you'll be riding faster than you remember being possible.

When choosing spec stay away from SRAM NX. There have been many documented tales (my own included) of the rear derailleur falling apart and ruining your ride.

If you have lots of money and want to look boss then go for the Santa Cruz but where are you going to move up to in a few years time? At least if you start cheaper and are still going in 2 or 3 years then treat yourself to a new bike when you know it's worth it.

[Court_S]

michael_JCWS said:

I’ve been told Treks can be a bit brittle and prone to breaking Unless you are spending ££££

Specialised put headline grabbing components such as XT and XTR then use lower spec components elsewhere.

All the SRAM components are new to me, are cleats still the way to go or flats

Thanks

Michael

All OEM’s do that; bikes are spec’d to a budget and price point. Guys like Specialized and Trek have huge R&D budgets and make some cracking bikes. Any bike can be broken if they’re abused enough.

As for pedals, it’s personal preference. I hate clios but love flats whereas others are the other way around.

Edited by Court_S on Tuesday 26th May 20:37

[jackthelad1984]

Was in a similar position 18 months or so ago, bought a half decent hardtail to see if id get back in to it, and today treated myself to a 2019 cube stereo 150, amazingly well specced for the money from certinis who have them on offer at the mo, probably more bike than I need but I do like riding the rougher bits of dartmoor, certainly wont need to upgrade anything for a while!

[BelfastBlack]

Another thing I forgot to mention. If you're going for flat pedals then you'll want a pair of Five Ten shoes. They're super grippy and can handle being thrown in the washing machine.

[cavey76]

Might sound like heresy but if you are spending 5010 money might you give consideration to an e-MTB? Very long thread elsewhere on the topic. Re your situation, i am a similar age, early 40s, kids, life etc and more like 15 years since i biked seriously. I rebuilt a Kona Explosif a few years back to get me back out but most my rides are with the kids and comparatively tame but just enough to pique my interest.

I am thinking a "mad" splurge to get myself an e-MTB. The rationale is it gets me out for some downhill/enduro buzz but at more runs per session as i can get out, up a local climb quickly and have a couple of goes at downhill using the using the electric assist to shorten the climb. You might justify it as suiting your lifestyle better....least thats how i have spun it to Mrs Cavey76.

[michael_JCWS]

Witch... witch.... 😜

Not considered e-bike, not given it any thought, kind of feels like cheating? Don’t think it’s what I’m looking for at the moment.

Cheers

Michael

[m_cozzy]

It would be difficult to buy a bad bike these days at that sort of money. However an ebike would be top of my list rather than a legacy pedal bike. It just allows more riding.

[gangzoom]

DoubleSix said:

Sounds like nonsense.

+1

Not a MTB but this is my near 10 year old Trek Madona 3.1. It was the cheapest carbon bike Trek sold back in 2011, I've done hardly any maintenance, and up until this February it hadn't been used for a good 3 years.



I thought about buying a new bike but at 7.8kg it's as light as good spec brand new road bikes, it doesn't have disc brakes but it's only been used in half decent weather, and now that I'm getting some fitness back am getting close to PBs I set some 7 years ago, the bike is as quick today as it was when new!!

A machine that can deliver the same performance a decade on from when new with virtually no maintenance, if that isn't a sign of quality I don't know what is.



So what do I gain by splashing on something like a brand new Giant TCR Road pro apart from waving £3-4k bye bye from the bank account??

Aat the end of the day cycling has rarely been about the bike, it's your legs and skills that count much more. Get what ever bike you want and get back riding, but ruling out big names brands on hearsay seems premature.

[gangzoom]

m_cozzy said:

It would be difficult to buy a bad bike these days at that sort of money. However an ebike would be top of my list rather than a legacy pedal bike. It just allows more riding.

At the £3-4k price point seems very sensible. I know nothing about mountain bikes, but in reality the difference between a £2k and £4k road bike is kerb appeal and having a more expensive groupset to tell your mates about.

eBikes are game changers, but I've learnt the hard way you have to spend a decent amount on one. An electric motor on a rubbish frame (like my Boardman) is OK for commuting but not fun.

An electric motor + decent frame is what you want, but you need the budget for it. Which I would have thought £3-4k is getting there for an eMTB?

[Bathroom_Security]

Not nuts atall, It will be absolutely brilliant and guarantee once you're bombing down a trail you'll be glad you got it. I nearly bought one. Considered about 3 santacruz bikes before buying a stumpjumper, think it was price that won it based on the fact it was last years bike with a healthy discount, couldn't find a santacruz I wanted at the right price, the carbon models get expensive.

Pretty sure the 5010 was perfect for trail riding in terms of spec... not too much travel, right geo etc.

My wife went mental when she found out what I spent didnt speak to me for 2 days. 5 months on shes still not quite got over it. Easier to ask forgiveness than permission though.

[Gio G]

Great bikes, good friend of mine has one. I think they hold their value very well second hand, so easy to move on.

G

[J4CKO]

DoubleSix said:

michael_JCWS said:

I’ve been told Treks can be a bit brittle and prone to breaking Unless you are spending ££££

Sounds like nonsense.

Trek has an R&D budget most companies can only dream of and tooling to match. Sizing is impeccable. If you are considering a 5010 then you will be spending ££££...

Some of the Bontrager components aren't top draw but as an 'off the shelf' proposition, I think Trek are hard to knock.

Perhaps they lack some of the trail kudos that Santa Cruz and their ilk have worked so hard to foster and charge through the nose for...

Edited by DoubleSix on Tuesday 26th May 20:36

I have two Treks, 2012 8000 MTB and a 2014 Domane 4.0.

Both have been great, used for commuting in all weathers, never done much mountain biking on the 8000 but have really not been gentle on the Domane, it gets used off road if the need arises.

Really impressed witht he road bike, I killed the rear wheel on the Specialized Allez I had before fairly quickly, this is six years old and still perfect, I have weighed between 14 and 17 stone whilst I have owned it, all its had is a few chains, a cassette and a front chainring.