New Santa Cruz Stigmata CC: details, ride impressions & comparisons to other bikes

[@GuyKesTV]

Thanks for the insight Ben, UK Build kits and pricing as below: Stigmata ownership starts at £2499 for the frame and fork set option. Complete bikes start with SRAM Apex XPLR cable for £3899 Rival AXS 1X XPLR is £4899 and Rival AXS 2X is £4999 Force AXS 2X with Reserve 25 carbon wheels is £6599 Force AXS 1X XPLR with Reserve wheels plus RockShox Rudy Ultimate 40mm travel suspension fork and Reverb AXS XPLR wireless dropper post is £6999.

[@adamossowski7627]

Is it really frame and fork? From the web page seems like frame only option

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks for the UK info, Guy. I'm eager to hear your thoughts when you get on one.

[@ttrout51]

I run a 44T front with a 10/50 rear (SRAM Force AXS) on my road and gravel bike. Does the job for me here in North Texas these last 4 years. Love your videos!

[@stevevarga8621]

Ben, I’ve been following you for awhile now and listening to your roadie perspective on these type of bikes. This is the first time I’ve heard you say positive things about this kind of set up. You get it now! The trails you took were fantastic and hats off for riding them so well. The future of gravel riding is the fusion of mtb and road riding. Ironic that it was the road section you bailed on. Next time stand hard on that outside pedal and carve your path IN to the gravel. You’ll be amazed and what the bike will do. Think Pidcock.

[@chasepalpatine170]

Your channel is growing, getting all the new stuff to play with! Congrats!

[@DAMN55117]

I’m really digging your reviews. Relatively new to your channel. You have great ability to take your real world experience with these bikes and relay beautifully to the audience. Cheers

[@fennec13]

Nice wipe out Ben - that transition from what's hard packed gravel to loose AF gravel can get ya every time ! The stigmata looks like a fun bike, a bit to pricey and slack for my tastes though. Thanks for the review and keeping it real, a few cuts and scrapes comes with the territory on gravel !

[@JF-oz7gd]

Great insight Ben, thanks for posting, really pleased to hear some positive feedback on the suspension/dropper post build rather than the “just ride a mountain bike” I was expecting.

[@andymarshall8420]

Great channel and content. I have last years Stigmata and absolutely love it. Coming from decades of mtb riding it's a blast and back to back 27km loops versus my steel hardtail 29er there isn't much in it. Staunch 1x supporter, running an oval 38T with a 10-50T rear cassette. For my rides and fitness level versus Yorkshire hills it's the business. Might try 650b 2" tyres as an experiment, over the reserve 35 with 43c Gravel Kings I currently run.

[@IIISentorIII]

Some parts of that ride looks like stuff I ride with my Stumpjumper with 140mm/ 130mm here in Switzerland :) Beautiful gravel bike. Would love to ride it, and I'm so used to the SWAT-internal storage that I probably would feel right home. ;)

[@gregwalker5573]

Great review Ben! Santa Cruz's website states that max 1x chainring size is 42. That is a bit perplexing as Keegan ran a 48t chainring for Unbound. I don't know if that is a different (non-production model) frame or if he used a wider crankset to achieve that clearance. 42 (paired with an eagle cassette) is too small for a 1x setup on flat or rolling terrain.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Interesting. Lemme ask. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@cisko213]

Did you ever get a response? @@TheRidewithBenDelaney

[@coreymclernon]

Looks like it’s a bit hot in your shed! Thanks for the great videos!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

😂 Sweating like a stuck pig in there. My camera overheated partway through and I had to put it in the refrigerator… Gotta put some insulation in there…

[@zachcutburth9516]

Hello Ben, I have the Gen 3 stiggy and recently went with the sram eagle mullet with the 48t and the 10-52t it is so money. I live in NorCal and the climbs here can pitch over 25% and it was honestly not as grindy on the climbs as one would think. It sucks SC doesn't just offer this as a build because we see a lot of the gravel professionals use but I think if you are able to try this set up then a 1x may grow on you more!

[@robinsonsadventures2174]

Love Santacruz great video buddy

[@bcm1013]

Nice video Ben. Wish I would have know about the Thank Gravel its Friday rides as I stayed around after FoCo and with friends in Boulder Learned something for next time! Thanks.

[@jimc5696]

Another excellent review video from Ben!! Question: Did the folks at Santa Cruz share availability info? Is this fine machine available now or later this year?? I think I would be most interested in the Force 2x and order the Xplr sus fork separately (and would run it 90% of the time with the fork). I would prefer a 46T big ring though (I probably would run 40-42 tires vs 45-50mm) - the OEM 2x is a 43 big ring...seems oddly small. I think gravel events are trending toward more chunk and less of the ride on a flat open road all day. Lastly, having been a MTB'er for 25 years... I remember the suspicion when suspension began to appear.... I see the same cycle underway with gravel bikes. I suspect in 718 years... most of the nicer gravel bikes will have some sort of sus - front and rear.

[@patrickrenschler]

seems like a sweet bike. I would be interested in having the suspension build as a hard-tail replacement - not sure if 40mm would be enough though.

[@Sam-il9in]

Thoughts on how this compares to the carbon non-STR Diverges? Between the two at the moment.

[@woolfel]

glad your ok and it was only minor road rash

[@joelv4495]

0:36 Looks like the bike survived despite the efforts of the shipping company (and the rider 😁)!

[@AOL0321]

Great, great review! Just wondering if you had a chance to ride the Ibis Hakka MX and if so, how these two compare?

[@adamweb]

I used to ride a lot of gravel on my Highball hardtail and wanted a Stigmata so bad! One of the main reasons I like Santa Cruz is high resell value. I've bought and resold several Santa Cruz bikes for nearly the same price after years of use! I had no idea they were associated with Cervelo and Cannondale though, interesting.

[@MikemoRides]

They're associated by their parent company, Pon Holdings, which bought Santa Cruz back in 2015.

[@markanderson7412]

Nice one BD 👍. What were Keegan’s tyres? 🤔

[@zachs6191]

Maxxis Rambler

[@snigs5T5]

Go 38T with the e13 9-45 cassette. Problem somewhat solved. That's my plan next Spring for my Revolt with AXS 1X. That being said, I hit 45 coasting in down into Keystone during the Double Bypass while most others were white knuckling it. Fast enough for me.

[@jitterspec]

Will that cassette work with XPLR 12 speed force/rival/apex groups?

[@snigs5T5]

@@jitterspec yep direct drop in.

[@jimc5696]

Wonder which version of the new Stig Ben would buy? My guess would be the 2x rigid and then source a fork later?

[@bodoknudsen5450]

With race promoters, like the BWR series, creating events that are not ideally suited to one type of bike, it seems likely we are going to be seeing more bikes created with larger clearance and slacker geometry to help with those courses. Eagle Mullet would seem to be the ideal set up for this bike. With a 10-52t in the rear, you then have the option to pair a bigger front chainring depending on the demands of the course.

[@stevenagy7152]

With the latest geometry of this and the other new models like the GT Grade, can we just call these drop bar hard tails?

[@crailwah]

Solid review .

[@Milo-wl2if]

Ben after watching one of your videos I picked up an e13 9-45 cassette to run with a GRX 820 40 tooth 1x. I will run either 40 or 42 depending on the course, but a 42x9 gives a bigger gear than a 51x11.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cool. Let me know how it goes.

[@mediaburn2]

Getting much closer to a drop bar MTB (a good thing IMO). The weight is close to a nice weight weenie XC build.

[@MultiGambs]

@TheRidewithBenDelaney. Hi! what's the biggest difference between the Salsa Warbird and this new Santa Cruz stigmata4? thanks

[@ChrisCorless]

Very interesting review. Definitely curious to see how you go with time on the mullet set up. I find my road mates get quite cadence sensitive when it comes to the cassette but off road and perhaps with a MTB background I don't really notice cadence as much. Keep up the insightful work, I reckon it helps many navigate the world of gravel.

[@andrewkrech9602]

You mentioned the Giant Revolt earlier in the video - how does that bike compare to the Stigmata?

[@matteostroili4286]

Hi Ben, I would really love to buy this bike but I am a bit confused with the sizing. I am 178cm tall and santa cruz puts me on a L, but that reach sounds wayyy too big for me, even with a short stem. You rode a size L as well, correct? what were your thoughts on the sizing?

[@timnoonan2786]

Thanks for the review! So does Santa Cruz no longer call this a Cross/Gravel bike? Thanks

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

You're welcome. Correct; they're all in on gravel.

[@jimc5696]

Hey Ben... curious how you compare the new Stigmata (with Rudy) to the Rvolt X you reviewed?? Seems you are a little more bullish on this Stigmata. given you picked the non 'X' revolt as gravel bike of 2023... a little surprised you were not as excited by the X version of the revolt as you seem to be about the Stigmata .... Anyhow, anxious to hear your thoughts!

[@stevekelly6544]

The Fezzari Shafer has a 68.9 head tube angle, be cool to see you test one of those someday-

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Ah, good shout. Thanks for mentioning. Chamois Hagar from Evil is 66.6 - because of course it is.

[@scotth3354]

for all intents and purposes, kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZm7mIOFgcqZfcUsi=iobwjJAamyW0r2Sk

[@thecappy]

I was hoping the new bike would be more racy. But after your unbound and this vid it went the other way. Still a good bike but, not what I was looking for. I have a ‘20 warbird for this type of riding. What would be a good gravel race frame? Light weight crux or aero aspero/ factor ostro? I have a Grx di2 I can put on it.

[@changrenyong7616]

Thanks!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you!

[@changrenyong7616]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Oh thank you for this review. When I was searching for reviews on the new Stigmata - which I eventually bought - yours was the only few I found.

[@thodpa]

Hey Ben, why do you think you liked this bad boy so much and not the Argonaut?

[@mellissanash7517]

Cutthroat is a little slacker and then there is that slacker Evil Chamios Hagar. The Otso Fenrir and Chumba Yaupon is slacker gravel bikes too and those are corrected for up to 120mm of travel, but those are steel and TI and bikepacking race gravel bikes. Wild. What was the stem size?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

70

[@mellissanash7517]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney cool

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

What are you riding now, and how do you like it/them?

[@mellissanash7517]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I ride a 2020 Bombtrack Beyond drop bar gravel bike. That's like a 70.5hta. I do a lot of daypacking and long gravel rides that I wanted a bike with full mounts and clearance for 55mm tires, which this maxes out at, in 700 size no less. It has treated me well with it's low gearing and steel comfort for the rough desert trails my wife and I like to ride. This replaced the Surly Midnight Special for me that I got off Craigslist. That didn't feel as stable in the downhills, but it sure was zippy on the flats.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Nice. Sounds like a great fit.

[@davidvonslingshot]

The stigmata in this config is for rowdy days - rigid post/fork - that’s a second bike for big sender days. Because we all need more bikes.

[@anonymous3309]

Surprised to hear a positive review on a gravel bike with suspension after the negative reviews on the Revolt X.

[@mattdowney6540]

Nice to see Justine Barrow make a sneaky appearance in the vid.

[@jitterspec]

I have 1x chainring anxiety too. I only have 100mi on my XPLR force 12sp group and 40T chainring. I convinced myself I needed a 42 or 44t chainring that I almost ordered it before riding. Now that I've hit 35mph in 40-10 spun out, I'm less concerned about upgrading. Also using the SRAM app, I see that most of my time is spent in gears 8 and 9 (that's 18-20 mph at 80-90 rpm). I have 3 more gears before I'm spun out. I'm going to stick with 40t for now. 50+ mph days will be reserved for my dedicated road bike I guess LOL!

[@jitterspec]

I just went and calculated speed. Speed at 110 rpm cadence: 40x10 = 34mph, 44x10=38mph, 44x9=42mph, 53x11=41.5mph!! These 1x gear ratios are not far off from king cog 53x11. Not many weekend warriors wanting more gear than that.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Now go out and tell me how long you can hold 110rpm. :-)

[@jitterspec]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney not long but I did stay at a holiday inn last night. Keep up the great work. Love your channel!

[@ilanpi]

Any lingering issues with hands and feet?

[@LT4me]

I am looking a Lauf Seigla. It seems to be a great bike compared to the Stigmata. Cheaper, lighter, larger clearances for tires, and easier to maintain.

[@mogulmayhem]

For the Vermont Overland this year, people will bring this and wish for an xc bike. Buckle up for a wild ride.

[@dennisviquez7636]

Brother Ben are you doing Mammoth tufff in September?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I wish I was! But still not in the cards, I'm afraid.

[@stevekelly6544]

20.5 pounds with a rock shox and a dropper, that’s pretty good!

[@gregmorrison7320]

Yep, still lighter than my Checkpoint.

[@mister_ray]

Seems like it is competing with the Trek Checkpoint which is also longer/lower.

[@whitelotus_zero]

Appreciate your review, too bad they're literal unicorns in europe

[@chrisjong8412]

Would live to see a aluminium version of this bike

[@GT-sc5sk]

I hope you will find also other reasons to live

[@buzzman4860]

I already own all the bikes. How about more cycling experience and adventures?

[@apsbentom]

44 10-52 same route

[@arcadialive4265]

As a crux/specialized rider I'm jealous of this awesome slack head tube angle. This bike looks nearly perfect. Come on specialized! But I will say, frame storage should be optional. If you're not a fan of it, it's probably the worst feature ever added to bikes in the last 10 years. Riding in dusty areas fill that storage and it's difficult to clean. I prefer to have bags or a backpack. I honestly won't buy this bike just because of this built-in storage. Make it an option. Charge consumers more if they want to add it. You'd make more @ Santa Cruz. And... if we ride in the desert, we won't buy it, but if we ride on the east coast or north west we might buy it. But forcing all consumers to have it is a no go. Being honest here and I hope Santa Cruz appreciates it.

[@IIISentorIII]

There is ZERO dust coming in that storage my friend...;). And even if there where, so what? It's basically a feature you you only gain and lose nothing in return. My Specialized bikes never had any dust or water in them even after riding one week in nonstop rain/snow in Switzerland or literallydesert areas on Sardegna.

[@arcadialive4265]

@@IIISentorIII your comment is the exact reason why this should be an option when someone configures the bike. Your temperature and dust might not cause the same issues. I’ve been in the desert that has fine sand stone dirt, like Moab. I can say after a riding there I have found a dust film inside the storage. Every time I did a desert trip I even had to get my bearings cleaned on my Santa Cruz High Tower suspension. The dust there gets into everything and even made the bearings squeak. Switched to specialized for my MTB for the closed bearings. That fixed one issue. That’s just an example of how intrusive this fine red dust can be. Then, after some time in the high heat/sun I have found these frame storage covers (because they are plastic) can warp a bit. That warping seems to affect the seal of these and this probably is what leads to the dust getting in them. The high temp might be why I’ve seen this pattern. I’d just prefer for these storage compartments to be an option and not just sent on these amazing bikes. Buying a great water proof bag is just easier. I want my bike light, and clean. Thus an option upgrade makes both customers like us happy.

[@vampirekiller16]

how tall is ben?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

6'

[@scotth3354]

Fezzari called, they want their Shafer back

[@gregmorrison7320]

Been there when the gravel starts rolling under the wheels and you're trying to slow down to lessen the impact lol. It's not the tires lack of grip in the dirt because the tires are floating on the rolling gravel. That bike is still lighter than my Checkpoint, very impressive. And quite right about the wheels adding to the comfort, last thing I want is deep section wheels on my gravel bike for no gains.

[@darrelmyer935]

Great bike , rides smooth kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L I added a bigger spring loaded seat to it . Takes a bit of adjusting cables to get brakes and shifting to perfect . I've owned quite a few bikes in the past that were absolutely uncomfortable to ride and they always ended up as garage wall decor . I'm not seeing that with this one. It's pretty light I've only ridden it a few miles but I like it . As for the pedals falling off in the other reviews , the pedal arms are aluminum along with the pedal studs look to be also . I would not overtighten them. I can see it would be very easy to overtighten them and strip the threads right off . All in all I think it's pretty good quality besides the aluminum pedal thing .

[@homerj1640]

They Lost me at no bento box bolts. Plus the huge logo on the down tube needs to go.

[@hornthieves]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Diegolobo5150]

Thats why you wear gloves my friend

[@rsmarshall]

The 1X is easier to dial on a gravel bike with the 10-52.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Less faffing with the chainring for sure, but then you’ve got bigger jumps between gears. 🤷‍♂️

[@lilbuddha8771]

do the skitch.

[@tannermccormick4995]

$8400 is just ridiculous

[@Zahava]

1x only works with a 42/44/46 ring and 10-52 cassette. 40-10 is too small and 42-44 is not easy enough.

[@rab0309]

get stronger?

[@outback11dr]

48T x 10-52T works with transmission and proper dub spacing. Idc this is almost a year old.

[@zachs6191]

too bad, they killed the cyclocross bike

[@blakevk]

I wonder why no GRX /Shimano builds?? Kinda bunk ,👎🏽

[@thenormaltraveler]

So a drop handle bike with fat tires is gravel now ? Whats a cross cycle bike ? What happens to mountain bike ? Oh wait a sec .. its just what a bike used to be 20 years ago lol😂

[@docmccoy9813]

And a 1x with 10-50 cassette is much "cooler" than using 2 chainrings

[@n8torious309]

The review format is great but your speaking format is unbearable. You hang up on every few words like William Shatner and it's like talking through mud. Come on man

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

“William Shatner talking through mud.” I will see if I can get that put on a t shirt. 😁

[@plain-bagel]

Damn, is this dude really issuing a critique of language with two “likes” in one sentence?? KZbin is a wild place. 😅

[@paulvanreesch2493]

Hey, Shatner has been a celebrity annunciator I've come of age with. Ben, I'd take this as a compliment 🙂

[@jimc5696]

Actually, Ben's speaking style is one of the many great things about his reviews. Feels less like a robotic newscaster and more like an actual bike rider sharing honest opinions. I, for one, (see how I hung on words there), appreciate that Ben does not sound like the other reviewers. When I hang out and have garage beers with friends (bikes in said garage are the centerpiece of discussions)... this is how we talk.

[@thodpa]

would you contrast this one with the Argonaut? I recall your feeling that one too be too tractor like. Would you attribute stem length and front center as the main positive difference here with the Stig?

[@maialupente]

Santacruz Glovebox copying by Swat Specialized it's unbelievable. Someone will turn in their grave