2023 Santa Cruz 5010 | 5th gen | Is now a mullet! | First look and weight

[@rbrock2928]

Right when I’m about to pull the trigger on a Top Fuel, this comes out. Can’t wait to hear your impressions.

[@dadventuretv2538]

Congrats on re-cert. I know that’s a big deal for your career. Re 5010- do wish they’d kept this one full 27.5. I get the Bronson and especially the Nomad going mullet- with their longer sus they really are meant for gnarlier trail riding. If I rode more DH park the Nomad would be my bike of choice over a DH bike, cause then I cpuld still take it to those steep gnarly mountain trails where my Bronson is a bit over its head but that you have to pedal to reach. But for a shorter sus bike, I would have preferred a full 27.5 to go with a full 29er Tallboy offering. To me going mullet and trying to be a Bronson with just less travel or a Tallboy with just a 27.5 rear really just limits the differences between the 5010 and the Bronson and the Tallboy. Had they kept the 5010 full 27.5 I think it would have made it stand out more as the most pure fun, most jibbiest bike in their lineup that you don’t need huge features or super high speed to have a ton of fun on. Not every bike has to be designed to do the same thing with just differences in how much travel you want. Now I know there will be plenty of vids of people gettin’ jibby wit it (I’m sure if he’s not already Danny Mac will). And I’m sure it still will be compared to the 29er and longer travel MX offerings. But, while perhaps more capable, there is no denying that, for average Joe schmo rider, there is no poppier, playful and more jibby rig than a full 27.5 that can still be ridden on trails. And man, had they kept it full 27.5 it would have really made it unique. But the world changes. I’ll just keep riding my full 27.5 Bronson V3 thank you very much. Cheers bro. 🤙🤘

[@jctrails]

I think they should still offer a full 27.5 5010.

[@trippy325]

💯

[@trippy325]

@@jctrails On the Juliana website they still have the full 27 inch model in the purple as an option. Hoping that stays.

[@trippy325]

That was quick! I hope that 29 front doesn't kill the playful nature of the bike. Can't wait to see your review.

[@John_D2]

That red is 🔥🔥🔥 ! The 5010 is a playful whip but, not sure I'd take it over the tallboy for trail riding. Rockshox is on top of their game , right now. I can't wait to see what you say about the new Pike and Lyrik. 👊💪🚴🏼‍♂️.

[@jctrails]

The new RockShox stuff seems promising. Can’t wait to ride it!

[@alstuart8801]

Great news for wheel and tyre manufacturers.

[@jctrails]

Haha true!

[@rocco.mbb.zoccoli]

Man, that’s a pretty hot color!

[@techdeezout9201]

I was wondering when they were going to mullet the 5010. I have the 2022 5010 and I love it. I was going to experiment with a 29 inch wheel to see what it will do. Looking forward to a ride review. Have a good one.

[@jctrails]

Stay tuned!

[@mrsmtw5210]

It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of the 5010 and the Bronson.

[@topspot4834]

Those two plus the Nomad and Megatower have too many similarities IMO. Wish there was more variation in their lineup.

[@bansheeparadox2678]

Can i put 160mm fork instead of 29 wheels with 140 fork, im a small guy i dont like 29er

[@jonathanhowson6420]

Im just here for the 'why did you mullet this bike' comments. Ill grab a coffee and wait for the fun to start :)

[@dadventuretv2538]

Lol. I didn’t disappoint.

[@trippy325]

They already have a mullet bike. No need to mullet this classic. Now, if it stays as poppable as last year's model I'll be fine with it but that's doubtful.

[@alainmilot20]

So the only difference with a Tallboy is the rear wheel now?

[@Wannaridebikes]

There has been mullets before. 24 inch in front 26 in the rear. Racers thought the front smal wheel was able to cut the ground better. Just think if people did it still. I bet it could be fast.

[@ettoremarinello3951]

nope. it was 26 front 24 back

[@perseverance86]

Heavy! Every bike is getting beefier and more aggressive but I can't understand why. If you look at the World Cup XC courses they are hardcore! Rooty and rocky, drops, etc and XC bikes handle them with aplomb. My next bike will be XC biased for sure but I do enjoy looking at all of these other bikes. Can't wait for your ride report.

[@topspot4834]

So much of it comes down to the rider ... Nowadays though, you can ride a trail bike at pretty much any bike park with no problem. Not much separates them which is unfortunate cause I prefer more variety.

[@dadventuretv2538]

You’re def right. But those WC XC courses are also ridden by WC XC racers. And as gnarly as those XC courses have become, they still pale in comparison to what a lot of even regular trails are becoming and are being ridden by average riders- more enduro and free ride. It’s happening even here at my local trails around DC. And I think a lot of riders are realizing that they want the geo and set up of an enduro bike to give them the safety net for that kind of stuff that XC machines really don’t give you, without necessarily all the travel of an enduro bike. Hence the Tallboy. And now the 5010 for those that don’t want full 29er. I do wish they’d kept the 5010 full 27.5 which you can read my comment about why if you want. But I do totally agree with you, something like a downcountry bike could really be a lot of fun and can do so much more and handle such a wide variety of trails. The new Blur TR for ex definitely has an appeal to me for certain trails. That type of bike tho, XC nimble and uphill focused but still capable just didn’t exist a few years ago. If I didn’t have a wife to keep me in check my stable would probably be the Chameleon in MX, the Blur TR, my current Bronson V3, and a Nomad. All of them would be specialists except for my Bronson which is what I’d grab when traveling and where I might be hitting every kind of trail.

[@perseverance86]

@@dadventuretv2538 you are correct. All depends on the terrain you ride. I have a Ibis Mojo 3 which I absolutely love and have been able to take to a bike park. I live on Long Island New York and for my local trails even the Mojo is being overbiked. I guess my sweet spot would be a down country bike. The old 27.5 Bronson is very much like the Mojo. Jack of all trades but who doesn't want to own ALL THE BIKES! Enjoy

[@dadventuretv2538]

@@perseverance86 Lol I know right?!? Now if I could just get my wife to understand this!! Happy trails on the Island. 🤙

[@trippy325]

They need trends to sell new bikes. I also prefer less beefy bikes. Not all of us want or need to ride a tank.

[@tjay_mac]

Hi, I know you like the Debonair B1 on your Pike but the Lyrik you’re ok with the C1. I have few 2021-2022 Lyrik Ultimates 27.5 and I just ordered a Lyrik Ultimate 29 on Monday. I was going to get the 2023 but man, there are few reviews out there that mentioned it doesn’t have the same small bump sensitivity as the ’22 Lyrik and at 145 lbs, I’m scared to buy something I may not like especially I have no complains with the Lyrik (with B1 or C1). I look forward to your review with the new Lyrik. Please share your input between the Lyrik B1, C1 and new Lyrik. I appreciate it, thank you!!

[@jctrails]

Will do my Stumpy will hopefully be done next week and I can give the new RS stuff a good thrashing.

[@Tom-fn8xc]

What size would you recommend for someone who is 5'11" with around 33" inseam? Looks like I'm supposed to be on a Large but the reach seems really high at 479 for a trail bike. Not sure if I'll be able to demo it so wondering if I can get your expert opinion! I'm thinking maybe a large and get a shorter stem if it feels too long.

[@jctrails]

Let me get more rides on it and I will get back to you. The Large so far doesn’t that big to me, but I do have monkey arms🐒

[@Tom-fn8xc]

@@jctrails Sounds good, thanks! Have fun on that bike 🥳

[@SplatteredWRX]

Miss seeing your videos! But I get it, LIFE!z

[@jctrails]

Yup that dang thing called work!😫

[@traviskas]

Might want to crack into all of those pivot axles and grease everything. Guaranteed they're dry.

[@outbackwack368]

Hey, my friend is a 320 pilot for AA. Thanks!

[@jctrails]

It’s a great ✈️

[@KeoOutdoors]

The Iron man bike

[@walterwalter1092]

I think the 5010 would be the perfect Vermont bike for both trails and the parks. I really want to demo one on our technical north Jersey trails and see if the 27.5 rear holds it back on the rocks. If you haven't already, I think it would be awesome if you did a video with your top 10 New England trails!

[@Dy1pickel]

I’m really nervous to see what they do to my beloved tallboy

[@jctrails]

I think they will leave the TB a pure 29erz

[@Dy1pickel]

@@jctrails surely ! Its my favorite bike type in there line up. If mine ever breaks, I will settle for whatever they can replace it with. Please stick with just 29 🙏

[@jamiesteiger6140]

I think we will see 125mm rear, size specific CS, glove box, and 140 fork.

[@A_shreddingDad]

such a shame that SC went mullet on the 5010

[@robertkeith9620]

Bruh.. yer eyebrows.. don't let yer wife tell you how they should look.

[@KYMXRacer]

Insanely overpriced for the spec. Paying for the lettering “Santa Cruz”.

[@jctrails]

I know it’s tough to digest these prices, but it’s the world we live in unfortunately.

[@reidd105]

Santa cruz is a joke these days. Following trends, copying competitors and sky high prices. > 77 degree STA and a 459mm reach for a size medium? How exactly do they call this a jib bike? also, almost $7k for a GX build LMAO

[@ArmorOfZeus]

How about watching people review the bike and actually jib the hell out of it.. because these reviews actually exist.

[@reidd105]

@@ArmorOfZeus Sorry but this bike is terrible value and makes zero sense. Geo doesn't lie. Long, heavy, extraordinarily expensive, and MX? Made in China to top it off. This brand has been a complete joke since they were bought out

[@ArmorOfZeus]

@@reidd105 actually, if you listen to legitimate people in the industry with alot of experience they'll be the first to tell you GEO numbers are not the end all be all. Alot of bikes ride differently than there numbers would suggest. As far value, I don't disagree, but keep in mind this is an industry wide thing. Not just Santa Cruz. The frame for my current bike (not S.C) is currently $500 more than what I paid for it a year ago. That's common place now unfortunately. Component prices are all higher too. A full GX group set is up by a decent margin vs what it was not that long ago.

[@dadventuretv2538]

Santa Cruz S GX build- $6,800 Yeti SB 140 GX build = $6,500 Pivot Shadowcat mostly GX build with an X01 derailleur = $6,800 Specialized Expert GX build $6,200 Forbidden Druid GX build- $6,700 Prices suck but for LBS sold bikes, SC is in the range of the others. If you want to save money you can save with direct to consumer. SC’s lineup makes sense- MX and 29er offerings of same bike with pick your travel. They basically had this a few years back when they had the same lineup just all 27.5 instead of MX. Do I wish for a bit more variety- like a short travel 27.5 and long travel 27.5 only. Sure. And maybe down the road we’ll get it. But yeah, for now they’re going with what they think will sell. Re how they ride tho, to me they are dialed in right now. My Bronson V3 I had to size up to XL, which wasn’t a big deal due to low standover and short seat tube, but now I’d actually be perfect on a L. And the lower link VPP is so good. That’s really what you should be paying for anyway- the sus feel that you like and how the geo feels on the trail. Cause everything else is replaceable and sellable. I’ve demoed a lot of bikes. I like the feel of SC- geo is great, sus is great mix of support for pedals and climbs, suppleness for decents and poppiness for playing (cause I still ride like Im 15). Others may like other brands better. But they’re not just following trends.

[@Cernaldo]

Your mouth is full of truth!