2021 Santa Cruz Stigmata - Long Term Review

Long term review of the 2021 Santa Cruz Stigmata CC Carbon, Complete with Sram Rival Build. With 4,000 Km's on it so far, I can say this bike is a rocket ship! This is a 60cm Stigmata for reference.

[@robbcollins3727]

I have the 2022 Stigmata 56cm, GRX double with 2 sets of wheels. 45mm Cinturato and 11-40 cassette on gravel set, and Gravel King SS on road wheels with 11-34 cassette. It is a do anything bike, pretty much the bike I have always dreamed of. Awesome.

[@davestadnik8739]

I just bought this bike last week and put the force breaks and shifter on it with gx axs derailuer. Went with 1x 12 xx1 cassette 10-52 T & 40t chainring in gold 👍. It’s my first gravel bike and I’m use to mtn bike gearing so looking forward to trying it out. Should finish the build this week hopefully 💯🇨🇦.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Awesome man! You’re going to love it so much. They’re unreal!

[@timyoung338]

Mine came with the 1X 12 shram exo. At my age the 42T in the back really extends the climbability so trails have been the main place I run my bike. My arms are now the suspension for the front end but the wheels ( reserve 25) suck up a lot of the shock of roots n stuff. Makes me feel like a pro cause you can lift it up steep pitches it weighs less than 20 lbs. I have road bikes that weigh more . Very fun even for the price. Cheers jty

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Awesome! Sounds like a blast!

[@timyoung338]

Well here I am again 1 yr later with many more miles on the 2022 stig & some of my impressions above have changed. The electric shifting is not as hassle free as cable systems. When it is working properly it very plush. BUT- with separate batteries for each shifter & rear derailleur with firmware up dates required for each component and other hassles this is NOT for the rider that wants to ride hard hang the bike up till next time take it down & ride again. Not IF but WHEN it stops shifting out a long way from home it is too bad they did not design in a manual shift lever on the derailleur so you can get to a different gear on the way out. The tubeless reserve wheels are bombproof until the slime gums up the valve stems and you need to take them apart to clean them or buy new. - not cheap. Anyway you will definitely need a good relationship with a good bike shop if you invest in this very expensive set up. Since I bought the above Niner bikes have come out with their MCR fully suspended gravel bike - MUCH better value- cheers all - you learn from your experiences for sure.

[@Martin23673]

I wish it could take a rear rack. Many of my rides include hauling something somewhere. Would be awesome to just mount some bags with camera or sports equipment to a rack and ride without a backpack.

[@cahernand1]

Unfortunately there is no track in the downtube for the wires. It is a fully open tube and they use nuddles to keep the cables quiet. Also you are right, Santa Cruz gives you grommets for the holes that are unused so water and dirt won't get in there.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

You are right! My mistake :) I need to track down some of those frame grommets to keep things sealed up.

[@cahernand1]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels hit me up in about 2 weeks if you don't find the part number. I should be in at work and could take a look for the grommet kit.

[@anthonycruz5661]

Hey @mitchonwheels I have a question. I saw your video on the Aethos and the Stigmata. I own a Stigmata with zipp 303 fire crest wheels and it’s such a good bike I primarily use it for road riding. I’m so tempted to buy an Aethos with Dura Ace Di2 that I found on sale. Do the two bikes feel significantly different? I can climb decently on my Stigmata but do you feel there’s a significant difference in climbing ability between the two bikes? I appreciate your input. I would hate to buy the Aethos only to have it feel like I’m riding my Stigmata. I’m looking for the ultimate climbing bike hence why I decided on the Aethos.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

It’s a very different feel. Much racier geo on the Athoes, and several pounds lighter! It’s a very different ride… I miss my Stigmata for gravel days and could see a Crux in my future 😃

[@anthonycruz5661]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels you still have the Aethos ?! Next question..,,. Aethos or SL7?! Lol

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Yes I still have the Aethos! AND still have the SL7. Both are insanely good bikes. It’s tonight to choose just one.

[@JesseStarrPhoto]

Nice review. Just got the same build when I found one in stock. I’m thinking of converting the rival mechanical 11 speed to the new 12 speed rival etap. I’d like to be able to spin more on the really steep stuff I ride in Colorado.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Awesome! The same thing has crossed my mind as well.

[@timyoung338]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels Of course the price for the upgrade to wireless E-shifting has to be your main determining factor . But mine came with that ( by mistake) with a considerable price adjustment after the order deposit was put down. The shop & I came to a compromise so I sucked that up and went ahead anyway. - Wow! once you make the investment I am sure you will be pleased. You can actually shift with more pressure on the pedals than the cable systems allow. Not great for the ring teeth of obviously but you will shift more once you get the right feel. Charging the battery is NOT a big deal every 2-3 weeks depending on your use. I splurged for a cable dropper post after a few weeks ( I am on trails after all) & that has worked out very well also. If I average the cost of this whole rig over the number of times I ride the thing it will be actually cheaper than my other bikes as I haven't been on them since this guy came along. - Just some thoughts from a guy who has been where you are now. Stay skinny my friend.

[@Rollingfran]

Very useful review. I have used the Diverge 2018 for almost 3 years now and thinking of buying this bike or the Hakka MX. Main problem with the Specialized is that it is not very stable on technical downhills. Have you tried the Ibis to compare? Thanks

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

I have not tried the Ibis. I’ve heard it’s more of a racey road by comparison.

[@singletrackflow]

Great video on the Stigmata. Would you know where there is info on the frame weight?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

I don’t know to be honest. It’s light for the category though.

[@clysilva]

Great Review. Do you think I can use Maxxis Rambler 700x45 tires on Stigmata?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Should be fine.

[@JDirom]

Great review man!

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Thanks dude.

[@ManInAHighCastle]

Hi, do you think it would be possible to run dynamo cables through the internal cable routing in addition to the brake lines and gear cables?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Im not sure actually... What have you found online about this?

[@RbrtMc1]

What frame size would fit a 5’8” guy with a 30.5” inseam?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

I’m not sure… I’m guessing something in the medium range? The SC site had a good size breakdown.

[@allenazali]

Is there a small hole near where the downtube meets the bottom bracket? I saw a review of the previous years there is a hole to access the shifter cables. Some people complain that sometimes debris or water can get stuck inside the frame.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Yes there is, but it's also plugged with rubber.

[@spencergiles72]

Weird question, but could you look at your front brake mount adapter and let me know if it says 140 on it? Mine does but the rotors are 160s...

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

It’s just an adapter. They have to adapt to different built in standards. It’s probably just a 20mm adapter. I can check mine later today.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Mine has front 140 too on it. Pretty standard :)

[@spencergiles72]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels Weird okay thanks!

[@Sheisintomalakasdino]

You're in Calgary too? I went to the bike shop on bow trail and they only have the purple in a 58 and I need a 56, made me very sad, I started phoning around Alberta and I actually found a dealer that had the blue 2021 model which is exactly the one I've been looking for the blue looks awesome, just put it deposit on it, can't wait to get on the trails, see your in fish creek park lol PS for me this bike is replacing my trek domane which is a great bike but it's really heavy and the proprietary seatpost is definitely not well designed I already cracked one of them, trek was good enough to give me a new frame but I'm not going through that again no more proprietary seatpost

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

That’s awesome! Congrats! Yes I’m in Calgary too, so I’ll see you out there :)

[@djosue27]

Great review! Would you use this as a city commuter?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

It can do everything... I guess it depends if you want an expensive commuter or not.

[@ezraestrada4992]

I saw that bike parked at Calgary cycle yesterday, maybe that was yours.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Awesome! Not mine… but someone has good taste 😂

[@jhep1550]

Nice review! I built up a '20 Stigmata this Fall and absolutely love it. If you're considering swapping your drivetrain, check out Shimano's newer GRX (gravel) Series.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

That's what I'm considering... It looks fantastic. Is that what you're using? 1X or 2X?

[@jhep1550]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels Yes, GRX800. 1X is fine for me. I like the simplicity. I built this bike to supplement my mountainbiking, and with it I ride mostly gravel with some lighter singletrack. Furthermore, since I come from a mountainbiking background, I'm accustomed to the bigger gear jumps that 1X is known. I'm currently 11-42, 40T - though I'm considering swapping to a 42 or 44 front.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

That’s cool. I’m in the same boat coming from the MTB background and used to the benefits of 12spd Eagle. I don’t mind the 1X gravel setup as it keeps everything so simple. I may bump the front ring up to a 42T on my Stig to get some more high need range.

[@bike6747]

I’m a fellow 1x rival stigmata rider and would like to up my front chain ring to a 42 or 44 if it fits.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

The SC site says 42T Max for 1X clearance. So maybe I’ll try that.

[@gennaroreia9235]

Bici fantastica mi sto divertendo tantissimo comoda veloce e agile

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

meraviglioso da ascoltare. goditi la bici e divertiti. Grazie

[@martybee6648]

I’m debating this v steel

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Oh nice! It’s a great choice. Tough to get your hands on now though.

[@martybee6648]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels found a 2021 Green last one in the nation. Shame about the tires - I’m not a maxxis fan . I run panaracer and Teravail on my bikes

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Nice!

[@rcg9573]

Very nice review. The only way I’d buy one of these is at a substantial discount off the current asking price given the respective specs. The notion that a cheap mass produced Taiwanese CF frame bike is selling for near or north of $5K with what could be called a mediocre alloy starter wheelset at best and a 1X setup with no FD is a complete joke. CF bike prices are nothing short of Tulipmania at this point, especially CF frame bikes from the likes of SC, Spec, BMC, and Trek. The current Santa Cruz 2022 Stigmata with 1X Force and cheap DT alloy wheels that weigh close to 1800 grams is MSRPing for $6,200. 6,200 with that garbage wheelset and no FD is insane. Sorry, but at some point price actually matters. These bikes are wildly overpriced for what the consumer is actually getting. The bike industry is laughing at all the gullible suckers paying thousands for cheap mass produced CF frames specced with typically mediocre bike components. 😆

[@timyoung338]

Mr Rc G , You are quite correct - and here in BC. Canada you can add 2-3G'$ to all your US numbers to aggravate the problem. It all boils down to how much you want to invest in your 'Fun Factor'. I was 'tricked' into that position ( mostly due to Covid supply issues) and will not look back. I will not be buying any new bikes any time soon either - LOL.

[@greyvhenpetiza4783]

i wish i have bike like that for my birthday 😔

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

I hope so too!

[@greyvhenpetiza4783]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels any bike for my birthday is very okay to me😢

[@flyingnorseman]

Santa Cruz TB, MT and this? You must be living right.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Just very cheap with everything else in life!

[@flyingnorseman]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels so no kids?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Nope.

[@flyingnorseman]

@@MitchOnTwoWheels I was 38 when I had my first. I have 3 now. Painful adjustment, to say the least.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

I have a few friends who say the number of bikes decrease directly in correlation with the number of kids they have.

[@OM-sb2bd]

Stigmata. Stigmata? Stigmata! Stigmata?? Stigmata!! Stigmata. Don’t know WTH they were thinking with that name. They were high. That’s the only explanation. 😆

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

😂 very true

[@madaxe]

I always thought it’s cause it’s a cross bike and stigmata are marks left on Christ’s body from the crucifixion. Cyclocross… cross…