BIKE REVIEW - SANTA CRUZ 5010 V5

For mountain bikes that like to go up and down the hill in the Santa Cruz lineup, it's official, dual 27.5 is dead.
We test the new Santa Cruz 5010 gen V5 - their fun, playful VPP trail bike. Learn what makes this new 5010 different than the V4 5010, and you can decide if this may be a bike for you.
Travel remains the same on the V5 5010 with 130mm of VPP travel out back and 140mm up front. The major differences are obvious - it's running a mixed-wheel setup which Santa Cruz calls MX, but you, me, the internet calls it mullet - and that means a 29-inch front wheel up front and a 27.5-inch wheel out back.
#MTB #santacruzbicycles #mountainbike

[@TylerWolstie]

Glad I bought a 5010 couple months ago. I like my 27.5 front and rear

[@danieljames4584]

yeah me too as a small guy , i feel like riding a penny farthing when on a 29r, 27.5 fine for me , its not like im a speed freak trying to win anything

[@topspot4834]

@@danieljames4584 same ... I'm 5'7 and ride mostly bike parks. I've never once said to myself, I wish this thing could go faster. Fortunately there's still a ton of 27.5 options, but it kinda sucks Santa Cruz, a brand I really like, is no longer even a candidate for me. Look at Pivot who's similar in pricing ... They have the Mach 6 and Shadowcat, and if you look at their lineup, each bike is intended for a certain rider. Santa Cruz no longer has that kinda variety.

[@BrianVaughn]

I think I would have rather seen a 140/140 full 27.5 version of the 5010 than this. Don't plan on taking a 5010 to the bike park. Seems like a Bronson would be better for that.

[@topspot4834]

Yeah I don't get that at all ... You got the V10, Nomad, Bronson and Megatower that are more suitable for bike parks. I just don't see the point in having such similar bikes throughout the whole lineup, and if the 5010 is supposed to be a trail bike, why not embrace that and make it for what it should be intended for. It's like the jack of all trades, master of none.

[@supersport1572]

I’ve taken my 5010 to sky park and it felt great! I’m a lighter rider, so I didn’t get close to bottoming out the fork. The rear I got close though.

[@scotto9712]

Reading the comments (29 no fun, 5010 dead, etc.) then I'm watching the last half of the vid and I'm getting some bad cognitive dissonance. Logan is killing it and that doesn't look like the 29 front is sucking the life out of the bike.

[@Dude-Smellmyhelmet]

Personal preference means just that.

[@thelittleewokboss9929]

@@Dude-Smellmyhelmet yea but I bet no one else in the comments tried this bike yet

[@jonathanhowson6420]

After seeing the bronson and the nomad go mullet, I thought they would leave the 5010 alone and keep it 27.5 front and rear. Not everyone is racing for strava times and some people just want to have fun on their bikes. I am not against 29ers or mullet bikes. I have a v2 bronson and a full 29er specialized enduro, but the 5010 is a super nimble play bike and im not sure the big wheel is what those riders want.

[@topspot4834]

Agreed ... I'm off Santa Cruz, just not a fan of MX or 29.

[@MudmanDH]

SC is fashion addict, full 27.5 are pure fun and playful, with so many models why not keep one model full 27.5 like Pivot and many others still do? never knows.

[@jessehill3780]

Sorry but it’s not just going to be SC. Other manufacturers are ditching 27.5 F as well and I’ve even heard fox will end any new 27.5 forks after 2023. After riding a new MX I really can’t say I’ll miss 27.5 front. Maybe the only place would be pure dirt jump but then that’s where 26” DJ still exists.

[@topspot4834]

@@MudmanDH yeah I'd have thought at least the Nomad would be full 27.5 ... Maybe there's less of us than we think, and we're just a vocal minority, but it seems like more riders want 27.5 than MX ... I haven't encountered many people clamoring for a mullet bike. And yeah, not only does Pivot have the Mach 6, but also the new Shadowcat which is 140mm and 27.5 ... Look at their lineup, each model is distinct and caters to a specific rider. Santa Cruz they're just all so similar now, and if they're not doing 27.5 they're off my radar.

[@topspot4834]

@@jessehill3780 I highly doubt Fox has plans to discontinue something that's still so commonly used. At least for now, there's plenty of 27.5 options, and it's unfortunate SC doesn't have any in their lineup. If other companies decide to take that same route, I'd think especially smaller brands would try catering to that niche, so I don't see it going away anytime soon. If it does though, we'll cross that bridge when we have to. I'm not gonna be too bent outta shape if I "have" to get a mullet, but for now, if I'm dropping $7,500 on a bike, Santa Cruz is no longer on my short list, and that's admittedly disappointing.

[@TeamCykelhold]

on a playbike like this, no reason for a 29 front.

[@kwilson4880]

Exactly

[@ridemx323]

Santa Cruz has absolutely lost its biscuits

[@spicymountainbike]

I’m a 27.5 purist but I just ordered this bike to see if it’s all hype. I’ll let you know if it’s marketing bs.

[@diamondbracelette]

@@spicymountainbike whatup. report overdue

[@spicymountainbike]

@@diamondbracelette it’s coming dude. Should be here soon. I ordered a frame in September of last year and it’s being sent to me any day now. I have to build it up myself but stay tuned to my channel for the review!

[@pb8582]

Santa cruz head quarter meeting: So what we doing this year? -Better frame? Nah no point -Good suspension? Nah same I got an Idea put a bigger wheel at the front charge an other 2k

[@benjy288]

That's a pretty accurate description of the mountain bike industry, but I guess it makes a change from... what are we gonna do this year to sell more bikes? how about adding 10mm more travel and going half a degree slacker, because slacker bikes with more travel are always better.

[@topspot4834]

POV at the end was 🔥🔥🔥 Bike looks dope, but wish SC didn't make their lineup so similar. First the Bronson, then Nomad and now 5010. Other brands to choose from so not a huge deal, but a bit disappointed Santa Cruz isn't on my short list anymore.

[@adamcvanwinkle]

Glad to hear they’re offered in Aluminum again

[@tomdavies3296]

Did not see an aluminum option for the 5 on the website.

[@45graham45]

Glad I got a V4 5010 a few months ago. I plan to keep hold of it now. It sucks that if I have a frame warranty issue I'll now get fobbed off with a mullet. What use is life time frame warranty if they won't replace it with like for like?

[@topspot4834]

The Santa Cruz slogan should be "jack of all trades, master of none."

[@Nicool333]

This dude has awesome bike control. Also I don’t like that they extended the chain stay length this year. I test ride the old one and after several test rides ended up on a trek remedy.

[@alteredgrind]

Im so glad I just picked up the last v4 5010 at my local shop. Im a bmx rider and I wanted something small and nimble, not big and boaty like every other MX or full 29er felt like. Bummer they switched to MX. A fun, poppy dual 27.5 is becoming much harder to find.

[@zerolight9420]

I've never wanted a play bike, but I do want a fun trail bike. I always felt like my Hightower was a bit of a barge - it loved to plow through the chunky stuff, but wasn't so much fun on the rest of the trail. The 5010 v5 looks like a nice blend between fun and stability that ticks a lot of trail bike requirements and the reviews suggest it's a better trail bike than the Tallboy or Hightower. It's definitely on my short list to replace the Ripmo V1.

[@sonictemple2925]

I’m interested in the alloy. I’d love a mx style 27.5 up front and 26 in back.

[@jimm244]

I’ve had a 5010 V3 since they first dropped in 2018 and I’ve ridden it like I stole it. My only real complaint is that the front wheel hangs up more than a 29’er in technical stuff. I would LOVE to give the MX a try.

[@vitalmtb]

3:54 - "the previous V10" HAHA - clearly meant the previous 5010. can't imagine climbing a V10 : )

[@walken199]

I’m guessing in 3 years from now they’ll be hardly any brands making models with a 27,5 rear and front, Everything is about speed and performance

[@currentsupply]

Pivot

[@jessehill3780]

I think you’ll be seeing 29 and MX. Easier for production and hits both markets of speed or play. MX to me feels very close to 27.5 so it fills the 27.5 market just fine.

[@pb8582]

Commencal will still do the clash for sure

[@jessehill3780]

@@pb8582 will see. I wouldn’t put money on it. EXT not making a 27.5 fork, ohlins new 38 only 29”, I heard rumor Fox not planning to continue 27.5 past 2023. Can’t make a bike with no fork. Looks like clash was released about 2019 are they really going to invest in a new model with it potentially being cut because no fork availability shortly after?

[@VelkePivo]

Thumbs up for the great rider at the end

[@youling1997]

Just checked their website and there's no al version?

[@scottheatherfettes1865]

Love the writing at the end!!!!!!

[@danielmorawek6532]

I mean, people who want 27,5 front and rear should be happy. Now the V4 will be available with huge discounts while the V5 stays a shopkeeper. I dont see anyone getting this as a MX when there's the Bronson. They should have kept it their slopestyle fully with full 27,5. Whatever, be happy about a cheaper 5010 V4 and I guess it's fine

[@ricodvorsky3844]

They already weren't available this year, what makes you think it will be easier or cheaper now that they are no longer in production?

[@danielmorawek6532]

@@ricodvorsky3844 Here in Germany a lot of my local Bike Shops already went down with the price. Ofc you have to be lucky and find the right size

[@ricodvorsky3844]

@@danielmorawek6532 Also in Österreich ist das anders😂 preistreiberei und nichts auf Lager...

[@3igger1]

It’s a battle of frame storage! Which one is better? SC, SPZD or TREK? 🙌✌️👊.

[@martsmarts]

You're better off with a Bronson instead. I was hoping they kept it all 27.5 with 140/150 travel

[@walken199]

Where can I find the old model?

[@eriknapa5999]

How would you compare to new Bronson?

[@mcdonaldslover52]

can't wait till bike manufacturers release research saying 29.5" is actually the optimum wheel size so they can sell us more bikes. Thanks bike manufacturers for optimising the fun out of everything.

[@Onlydansmtb]

or when they market the 27.5 bike as the ultimate play bike again so you have a MX, 29 and 27.5 version of the same bike.

[@benjy288]

@@Onlydansmtb Na, 26" will make a come back, I predict 26" boost wheels will be the next fad, because if 27.5 is playful then just imagine how playful a 26" will be.

[@benjy288]

So it looks like mullets are gonna be the next fad, I predict in the next few years 26" will make a come back as a replacement for the 27.5" rear in mullets, it will be another incentive for people to keep buying new bikes.

[@ArmorOfZeus]

Just here to watch all the whining in the comment section about 650b. Off to a great start.

[@Mockle07]

I will check back later for more outrage and hyperbole!

[@gazmo147]

Exact reason I came! Do understand tho, so now they have a 140, 160 and 170 mullet….seems like the same bike 3 times over just with more travel at a glance? I struggle to tell each bike apart these days

[@somebodyelse5]

man, the build spec on these frames is hilariously bad.... Sram NX on a 5.2k build?

[@m4tt12]

When the new Nomad came out i thought “i guess i’ll get a 5010 when i update.” I guess i’ll keep my Nomad V4 forever now

[@lagwall]

I'm running a Mullet Bronson now and it's perfect!

[@wtfeatapples]

Run a lower external headset cup and 27.5. Dumb move making a jib bike have a wagon wheel.

[@juanhidalgo7043]

Not me. Mixed wheels don’t work for me

[@GhettoSuguru]

Stupid mullet bikes 27.5 for life

[@LorenzoWg]

i have a bronson v2 alloy and is super funny. the only reason i would like to own a 5010 was the shorter chainstay . Now the v5 in size M has the chainstay longer than my bronson. Also i don't like the super steep seat tube angle, is more difficult find the balance point in wheelie action

[@Mockle07]

If only Santa Cruz had your bike design knowledge 🤷🏼‍♂️😂

[@pcdude2394]

2 years from now it’s going to be 29 rear and 27.5 front.

[@Onlydansmtb]

Rip Santa Cruz. 1994-2022

[@Stickybutton]

Fat chance. They’re rich & getting richer.

[@piersbickerton-jones6231]

It was long before that dude

[@ettoremarinello3951]

343 cs and 29 front on a playbike, sorry not for me

[@TheJoncic]

Yeah I won't get a 5010 now. I've owned two prior generations and smaller wheels were the soul if the bike.

[@yakbiker75]

Bwah hahaha all the butt hurt. 🤣 its a mini megatower mx.... cute!

[@jaywolff16]

The 5010 was my dream bike. Thanks for ruining the dream Santa Cruz.

[@KYMXRacer]

You can get a Trance X 27.5 for half the price and just as much, if not more party.

[@vitalmtb]

super fun bike! we dug it for sure (review here - www.vitalmtb.com/features/Giant-Trance-X-First-Look,3313 )

[@xLOWDESERTPUNK]

Sorry but the Trance X may be fun but it is such an ugly bike 😂

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

Or .......They could just make the 5010 a 29`er

[@lopon12]

Just need to stick up local bank to afford

[@tagzedawg]

Some of us are short OKAY???

[@chocoloco911]

Alloy builds ? Where ? Lol

[@whiplashingitis]

I really don't like it when people review these short travel trail bikes at downhill parks. It's always the same complaints, it's squirely at high speeds, you're not centered on steep decents,, etc. Well duh! You're probably blowing thru all the travel (as seen in the vid) and therefore what you're feeling is the limit of your lack of travel! Please review these bikes on regular trails where you can get super rowdy, not on rowdy trails where this bike is basically, let's face it, too small. That's exactly why they made the bronson!

[@vitalmtb]

are you commenting on the right video? where did we say it was *squirely* at high speeds or that it wasn't centered on steep decents? we said the new 5010 was STABLE at high speeds (4:03). in fact we said the bike was so strong at high speeds that brakes needed to be upgraded. the only time "not being centered" was mentioned was referencing steep CLIMBING with the V4. the fork went through the travel once in the video (rock section). any bike should go through your travel on occasion if its being pushed. did we say it blew through travel? no. bikes need to be ridden everywhere for a review and this bike was. it was ridden plenty more times than just what's in the video.

[@whiplashingitis]

@@vitalmtb Yep you're right, sorry about that. I was generalizing because I saw the test was at a bike park, then skipped ahead a few times and ultimately closed the window without watching it thru.

[@weridebikes1000]

3:57 “v10…” lol

[@vitalmtb]

#facepalm LOL, caught it too late. but hey, a V10 going up hill may be someone's cup of tea HAHA

[@ramondcr1648]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@rafallorek8251]

Nothing new, such solutions were used in the 2000s on bikes. For DH

[@ridemx323]

Frame only $93726.00

[@britshell]

Ever since Santa Cruz was purchased they've been going downhill, And not in a good way.

[@joey_hunter9969]

Big L Santa Cruz

[@ericwayne3590]

SANTA CRUZ 5010 V5 CC can I make it with two 27.5 inch wheels if I install a 160mm fork?

[@maltesivars]

Wtf are they doing, first the Bronson, then the nomad and now the 5010?? The 5010 Is supposed to be like a big slope bike, and they put a 29er on it…. Shame on them

[@dukebirt8471]

You ever rode a 29er

[@dukebirt8471]

If you rode anything that was genuinely technical and hard , then you’d be saying a big woop woop for the new mullet set up . Nothing charges rough stuff like a 29” front wheel , so why not make the 5010 more capable Still gnna be a fun jib machine , just one you can ride anywhere…

[@maltesivars]

@@dukebirt8471 yes, i race enduro, downhill and i also have the last generation Bronson CC, which is dual 27.5. I think 29ers are great and for going fast and racing they’re awesome, but they don’t belong in a bike that is supposed to make you want to jump of off every Little Rock and boost the shit out of some dirt jumps

[@maltesivars]

@@dukebirt8471 bro, I race dh and enduro, I have a 29er race bike and I love it, but this is not a race bike

[@anthonywalters7434]

I totally agree, 27.5 is just plain fun. It’s sad to see Santa Cruz mullet-ing everything that was 27.5 all around. It’d be cool to see them offer it as an option but keep the full 27.5 in their lineup.

[@HobbyB19]

It's.. meh..

[@danielbogdanoff]

I'm sorry, are we not gonna talk about the mic just taped right to his shirt?

[@vitalmtb]

that's his pacemaker

[@juanhidalgo7043]

5010 erased from my Santa Cruz bikes now (same as Bronson)

[@juanhidalgo7043]

Now after 16+ years looking at specialized which I have never own before and also at Wilier