Karl Ebel’s first ever experience of the Santa Cruz 5010 was actually some time before actually swinging his leg over one. It also left him with a bit of a question mark hanging in his thought bubble. Photos by Ashlee Attwood.
Some months ago I landed up tailing a US visitor, on a single crown Santa Cruz, down one of our more popular gravity trails. I couldn’t figure out exactly what he was riding at that point, but his pace was incredible. On reaching the end of the trail I took a closer look at his ride. Freaking amazement is how I would describe my reaction. He was riding a Santa Cruz 5010…
So when the opportunity arose to review it I jumped at it and onto the 5010C. Originally named the Solo (Santa Cruz has renamed it avoid a potential legal issue) the 5010 is an evolution of the successful Santa Cruz Blur from some time back. The philosophy of this new bike seems to be that instead of just slapping on some long travel bits, Santa Cruz has worked the 5010 geometry to create the most ‘flickable’, responsive, slideable, positive feeling bike one could ever imagine. It does have a build kit that is made up of an odd ‘mish-mash’ of different brands. But they all work so well together, harmoniously, to make your experience unforgettable every time you mount her.
The very first day we spent together involved getting the 5010 setup the way I wanted her. Only a few small tweaks here and there and she was ready for some trail testing. Some really simple trails at the base of Table Mountain served as the teaser for what was to come. I spent some time carving little switchback berms whilst growing the feel for the 27.5 wheel setup of this Carbon framed beastie babe. It didn’t take long before I discovered the nimble nature of the 5010. Flicking her with relative ease from corner to corner, enjoying the speed at which those 27.5 wheels roll through the apexes and experiencing the momentary weightlessness as I hopped with confidence over the little rocky patches of the trail. The relaxed cockpit of the 5010 just seems to encourage the free flowing mountain bike spirit, calling upon you to lift the front wheel just because you can and slide into a corner just because it is fun.
Moving away from the quick little bursts of fun I changed up the ride to one that would require more time in the saddle. With that I said hello to day two with her and hello to a popular Tygerberg mountain bike trail system and a bit of night riding. I don’t really enjoy the uphill grind so I was quite looking forward to see if the 5010’s climbing abilities could inspire me. The 5010 has a 2 x 10 Truvativ and Shimano drive train, a Fox Float CTD at the rear and the amazing RockShox Pike up front. With these formidable parts working in unison I was actually inspired to climb. In fact now and then I felt like Sauser on those long climbs through the vineyards. With the Fox in climb mode and the Pike locked I cranked my flat pedals with ease not even needing to entertain the 24 tooth front chain ring. The 68 degree head angle creates a perfect balance as well, allowing a great power transfer and constant traction. The latter combined with the rest of the geometry instilled real confidence when charging back down the singletrack with only a little headlight lighting the way.
With the Pike fully open and the Fox in descend mode launching off drops into the darkness and railing berms that exit into nothingness felt like an absolute cinch on the 5010. Even after that lengthy ride I felt that I could certainly have carried on. I didn’t feel the fatigue that a gravity inspired bike usually gives you after a time in the saddle. In fact I could have kept on going till my head light died…
Day three with her started a little later. After a coffee and some brekkie I threw a leg over her and peddled out onto the street. I headed toward the beach front. I had the suspension fully locked and, even with the bigger tires, felt the effortlessness of the 27.5s rolling down the asphalt. Once at the beachfront I used the RockShox Reverb seatpost and dropped the seat to its lowest setting. The bike immediately felt like a BMX bike. Hopping curbs, manualing, endos and this was unbelievably the same bike that I rode 2 hours of XC on the previous night! This got me thinking. How would it feel jumping dirt? Could it?
Later that afternoon I rode in XC mode to a set of the ‘smaller’ northern suburbs dirt trails. I got a couple of odd looks from the kids riding there… I know what they were thinking… Anyway, I dropped the Reverb, put the suspension in trail mode and rolled into the first double. Again I was totally blown away by the balance that this bike has in the air. She inspires the confidence to flick the rear out. Going further and further, on each assault of the jump trails. After the jump trail fun I hit the Reverb button to pop the seat back up, locked suspension and rode home XC style. Incredible!
Day four would be the big test. I loaded the 5010 into the van and headed out to the same gravity trails that had me witness the American guy shredding the 5010 some months ago. I couldn’t get there quickly enough. I off-loaded the bike and kitted up, dropped the seat, opened the Pike, put the Fox in descent mode and locked the rear Shimano XT derailleur. She immediately felt like she was transforming into a gravity machine. The 5010 ate up the trails with ease, floating over rough roots and braking bumps that one would never believe possible on a 130/125mm travel bike. The SLX brakes felt great and I didn’t lose a chain once. The roll through the corners at higher speed is truly remarkable. The low BB, 68 degree head angle and relaxed geometry totally come into their own here. I never felt nervous anywhere on the trail. In fact she inspired me to push her further and further here as well.
I will honestly be rather sad when she has to leave me… I think that the Santa Cruz 5010C is truly one of the most versatile bikes on the market. But not only that: it has a crazy personality that really does inspire you every time you stand on those pedals. Whether it is an uphill grind, a downhill blast or a little trail nuttiness the Santa Cruz 5010C makes you want to ride, ride and ride some more.
Sus the Santa Cruz 5010 Geometry
All measurements are for a medium frame and reflect installation of a fork with a 519mm axle-to-crown height.
| Top Tube Length | 584.2mm |
| Seat Tube Length | 431.8mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 68° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73° |
| BB Height | 334mm |
| Wheelbase | 1113.8mm |
| Head Tube Length | 100mm |
| Chainstay Length | 434.8mm |
| Standover Height | 716.2mm |
| Reach | 403.7mm |
| Stack | 590.3mm |
Bio:
Karl Ebel is a long time mountain biker, one of the pioneers of downhill in the Cape, a Tokai trail builder, lover of fine whiskey and one half of the SA Alpine Addiction team with fellow trail shredder Duane Bosch. When they’re not riding local trails they’re leading tours to European mountain biking meccas that’ll blow your mind. Find Alpine Addiction on Facebook to find out more.
