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Santa Cruz V-10 Frameset

The Santa Cruz V-10 is one of the toughest and most wished for frameset on the market today. Built for super strength and reliability the bike will keep on going well past you being broken and battered.

This reviewed model is a 2004 model - the original V-10 shape, box section galore!! The frame is made up of a varied selection of sized tubing and box section including lots of gusseting and extra strengthening sections. The v-10 isn't built for light weight, its built for strength - although the frame is slightly on the heavy side it is easily built into a reasonably light DH race bike - like the built up version reviewed here.

This frameset reviewed here is running a 5th Element shock, 10inches of track gobbling travel, a 150mm wide 12mm bolt through rear hub, and a floating brake arm too. Design wise this bike utilizes the VPP virtual pivot point to reduce pedal bob when sticking the power down at the start of a run. With 10inches of travel its not surprising that the v-10 does still bob slightly under heavy pedaling, especially in a low gear. The new redesigned V-10 (2006+) has been refined and doesn't suffer from bob as much as this old school version. All in all though this bike does it all, not only will it pedal off the chocks like a bull in a china shop, it will also take on the biggest obstacles and knurliest tracks you can through at it. Its a machine.

For UK DH riding and racing the V-10 is a bit of an overkill, even riding certain UK DH events such as the Dragons and NPS 10inches of travel is an overkill and isn't required. UK DH-ing now seems to have settled on 7-8inches tops, with 6in travel bikes being able to take on the majority of UK DH tracks. However for peace of mind and confidence the extra suspension and over kill overbuilding is a super confidence inspiring gesture from the mighty V-10. The V-10 once being ridden is a reasonably agile and chuckable bike, and once moving under speed its easy to forget the added weight over other say 8in DH bikes - the bike has a fairly long wheel base also which makes the bike superbly stable off drops, gaps, jumps etc but very tight switchback corners can make you have to hold your speed back and make very slow approaches and exits through tight terrain.

The V-10 has now been updated including a new monocoque frame, including new curves, and is a lot lighter and supposedly even tougher due to the new strengthening designs incorporated into the frame.

If your looking at going for an old shape V-10 second hand or a new post 2006 v-10 frameset your sure to get your moneys worth - sadly they are extremely dear framesets from new, and do hold their value well second hand. If your looking for a new super tough confidence inspiring bike for perhaps DH racing and riding trips abroad the V-10 would certainly suit. If you've got the cash you wont regret the change to the "V-tonne", and they actually build up a lot lighter than you would think....!

Scott
bucksmtb.co.uk

Total price :
Frames RRP £1499-2099

Rating:
Super tough frameset. Takes everything you can through at it. Designed as a race bike - proven VPP design. Can be built to an average weight for racing. Worth the cash if you want an out and out DH rig. New monocoque versions now available. 4/5

From:
Any good Santa Cruz Dealer