Santa Cruz Vs Scott | Who Has The Best XC Bike? | Jack & Joe Face Off

Jack and Joe recently completed the Lord of the Loops - a 110km epic off-road adventure around the Peak District. The pair opted for a pair of top-end custom XC builds for the ride, with Joe taking a handsome blue Santa Cruz Highball CC and Jack riding a Scott Scale RC.
While there's no doubt the ride was epic, we can't choose who has the cooler bike, so we've put it out to you, our beloved audience, to decide for us! Watch as Jack and Joe make their respective cases and be sure to head to our community post to vote on which is your favourite.
Jack & Joe's Epic Lord of The Loops: • Lord of The Loops MTB ...
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[@ek8507]

i love how progressively wild your intros and outros have become.

[@bikeradar]

Haha, and they can only get wilder! Thanks for watching, Joe.

[@theylivewesee1674]

glad someone is giving xc love that it deserves, feels like cycling websites only mentioned full suspension trail bikes

[@newttella1043]

It's like asking if I prefer a Lambo or Ferrari? Honestly I'm just happy with my Toyota Rav4 thank you.

[@bikeradar]

Who has the best XC bike? Head over to our community poll post and cast your votes!

[@Spongeblunt]

I mean it's clearly me who has the best XC bike with my knackered old Merida TFS 29'er. The green flame graphics clearly indicate that.

[@mikicastan]

Specialized epic s works 2020...no dilema

[@shajardror]

S works epic

[@nl3712]

Sworks epic

[@FaiscaaaH]

That Blue santa cruz is just to beautiful ... what a bike !!!

[@redpilledpatriot8484]

Noway, that Scott is so much sweeter looking. ! 🤪

[@LouDawgIII]

I appreciate the XC content! Going with the Highball; however, my actual XC choices include a 2020 Specialized Epic HT and a 2019 Santa Cruz Blur TR. I’m very happy with both. There are so many great options right now!

[@xhxjhxhxxghxhxjxj3923]

I have the new 2020 blur and I love it!

[@joeschlicht]

I thinking about a Highball or an Epic HT. Do you have a preference between those two? My current bike is a near 20 year old sateel frame Jamis XC bike. I want a 29.

[@charleslu7044]

Lou Horn, 2018 Blur TR here, upgrading the fork with 120mm air shaft assembly. It’s only $35 plus an hour labor.

[@bigbang3881]

@@joeschlicht which one did u get

[@joeschlicht]

@@bigbang3881 nothing yet. Leaning towards a high ball eventually

[@casefarley5744]

We all know that Joe really wants to ride the S-Works Epic Hardtail... : )

[@majesticcmike]

Great to see you ridin on Wolfpack Tires. My Tip for the perfect XC-Combo: Front- Race/ Back- Speed

[@leebridgwater]

The Scott for all-round happiness, comes slick as standard

[@olly9596]

Thanks you Jack I was counting on you saying BECAUSE IM A LEGEND made the video 😂

[@Pahaadi]

I will go for Scott for the group set, crank & cassette teeth ratio for steep climbs ,lock out remote lever is advantage and the beautiful color.!!

[@koreanmtnbiker2931]

I have Scott scale 710. And I love it!!!!! So I vote for the Scott,

[@BOys85]

Love the fraser bar/stem combo, Awesome piece!!

[@edwardwillers5673]

Santa Cruz, Love the color!

[@nicolasbozzo2364]

Scott frame and fork with the Santa Cruz’s kit (bars, seatpost, etc)

[@JJMilk]

The Blue beauty, the Santa Cruz!!

[@0kojack0]

Santa Cruz has been my ‘dream bike’ since I was in high school. wish they’d extend the syndicate into xc scene now they have this and the blur. My out and out xc bike is a trek pro caliber but I wish it was a highball 😂

[@AlvaroSantosNeto]

I have a stock Highball CC X01, so that's my choice.

[@icebreakertech]

Love my Scott Scale 970 2020, I do wish the paint was a bit more durable.

[@Shadogi]

I know this video is a bit tongue in cheek, but I would LOVE to see two shootout videos (HT and FS) of the top 5ish XC bikes

[@farrier53]

Whoa...very tough choice to make, 2 awesome bikes!!! I still love my 2012 Scott Scale & I also love my Santa Cruz 5010... So, buy both !!👍😉

[@markablett4571]

The Santa Cruz self build looks really nice Scott scale bikes look the same Maybe try the blur v’s spark next time

[@evelasq1]

For a 27.2 seatpost, you could change it to a Specialized Cobble Gobbler One Inch Travel Elastomer seat post. It really works and I have it on my Italian De Bernardi Road Bike. It makes it more comfortable on my city rides. Cheers!

[@markvalentine7264]

I just came here to say.. that I sure do love my HighBall

[@lachlan_bakewell]

Yeah! XC making a comeback. Also, I have a Scott scale 910 for training and a Scott spark 900 RC for racing. I love Scott bikes for XC racing but at the end of the day we would all love to have a santa cruz if we could afford it.

[@CrackerrJack]

I have the scale 910. Its gray and orange . So sick

[@bigbang3881]

@@CrackerrJack but I heard the brakes are shitt..

[@steveb8269]

Scott Scale for me, awesome xc bikes

[@jaymueller2418]

I rode a Scott dualie for half a season. Hated the bike but loved the twinloc.

[@brendonnoble3296]

I vote for the cheaper one.

[@mariusdan6147]

The paint color sells the bike. A lot of people chose Santa Cruz because it s blue, very nice blue :)).

[@johndunbar2169]

Santa Cruz 🙌🏼

[@trailsetter]

I am a SCOTT rider, but I have to say that Santa Cruze looks better just looks better hehe. SCOTT Scale and Spark are kings of XC bikes and they are benchmark. If you ask me only Specialized and maybe new Trek are close. Again my opinion. Both those bikes are amazing precise XC machines.

[@joemendozaCAN]

Highball 🤩 It looks pro too.

[@justinwbohner]

PRO saddles feel nice but I have three of them, all creaking. My top spec carbon railed Turnix just started creaking; going to have to trashcan it after less than a year. Falcon carbon, cracked. Two steel railed Turnix began creaking.

[@GreenTimYoung]

Very good review but we didn’t hear much about the frame differences, ride quality or stiffness (at the rear or through the steering) Both these bikes make claims about dampening vibrations. Having said that, I bought a Trek Procaliber after you guys said it was comfortable... not sure it’s much different to my old Scale...

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

The real winner here is the Peak District 😜

[@ArashFallah]

Don't ever change guys!

[@leandrosalles3474]

Santa Cruz 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

Definitely the Scott. It climbs better, which is almost all that matters on XC and since it can actually run a proper dropper it will easily out descend the Santa Cruz despite it's more aggressive geo.

[@stefanlukic7272]

Scott hardtails are unbeatable in their beauty and elegance...

[@darrinschwarz7446]

santa cruz all the way. Wait, no lock out??? then Scott all the way.

[@lolshark99b49]

i like the bleu one

[@jeepdc1]

+1 for Santa Cruz Highball

[@onassismaligalig7464]

I really go for the blue Santa cruz , with all the parts in it definitely a good bike.

[@vivoslibertos]

Scott made for N1NO only, Santa Cruz made for everyone including N1NO

[@JasonLiske]

vivoslibertos really? I ride one.

[@leonardoar1458]

Cobalt blue > safety vest yellow and black. end of story

[@Foster_B]

I know right? I am really interested in the scales, but scott sucks at picking colors, most of the paint jobs just look stupid

[@barriewylde5915]

I would go for Santa Cruz. Love the blue colour and the components.

[@michaelsnakebite4707]

Bike pricing is gone abeshit.. that goes for both road and mtb..

[@87lemons]

SC for the win. do a SC Blur against another full squish bike. maybe the specialized epic or something along those lines.

[@downallyourstreets]

Scott: numerous gold medals Santa Cruz: no medals Mic Drops

[@matej_sajgal]

Every time I see them jump after the intro, I press like :D

[@marcoscheider2272]

i was watching this video, after building up my brand new canyon lux cf sl 8.0, WITHOUT gripshifter ^^. wise gearchange from canyon for the 2020 version

[@leeteemtb9587]

Santa Cruz without a shadow of a doubt. Tall boy #POWER

[@shaun1900]

The new Norco Revolver hard tail is the way to go.

[@shawnwhite6953]

the santa cruz looks just like the 2017 bmc teo2, does it handle the same

[@richyd2411]

Which would you say is the most forgiving ?

[@jolanmolleyres2141]

Scott❤️

[@tomloadsman2227]

Have a look at the prototype quarq power meter that is on some of the pro XC racers mountain bikes. Can you maybe tell us about the rumours and parents. BTW I love your videos and what you have currently been doing Thanks

[@doswheelsbetter8292]

Wait did ya'll just rerelease a video?

[@carlingas666]

Santa Cruz all the way

[@michaelhorner4011]

Were going to bike to Iowa....were going to boulder hop to Colorado. Were going to bunny hop over to New Mexico and then back to Delaware......Brrrrrrrrahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :)

[@mbell7498]

The Santa Cruz is beautiful but I associate that color to the Bianchi bikes. Maybe because I wanna buy a Bianchi...

[@maxk7023]

Santa Cruz Highball! I have the 2020 version and it's soo good :))

[@bigbang3881]

How much did u pay for it?

[@maxk7023]

big bang $3.5K initial - “S” model. I then got an aluminum wheel set to train on, dropper, carbon bars, stems, new tires...etc. Power meter was around $1.2k, so in total around $6k. I’m an xc racer so speeeedy haha

[@oliverburke3743]

Joe. How do the scale. Santa cruz and epic compare. Which has been your favourite in terms of a capable xc hardtail

[@bikeradar]

Hi Oliver. Unfortunately I can't give you a concrete answer as they're both really good bikes. If you're planning on racing I'd say both would serve you very well and leave you with no excuses etc. However, one thing that may be worth considering is the Scale is well due an update, and I'd bet that'll be coming in 2020. So, if you want the latest and greatest hardtail it may be worth holding off a little longer. But if you want one asap, neither bike will disappoint. Hope that helps, Joe.

[@oliverburke3743]

@@bikeradar cheers joe. I'm actually looking at the 2020 epic hardtail with new geo which looks sweet. Have any got a more compliant ride ?

[@edrcozonoking]

For the ESI silicone grip install...I use WD40. By next day it’s completely dry and won’t move.

[@claytonmarkin7863]

I’m not mad about bike prices. You can get a commencal, YT, or even this cool Ibis Ripmo AF for about 3,000$. While that’s not cheap, the amount of enjoyment and exercise benefits I get out of my bike far outweighs those prices. You can get a totally serviceable bike on Craigslist for 500$, and that’s comparable to a lot of things. iPads, cameras, Hell people spend that on sneakers these days. Bling dentist bikes in full XTR pave the way for serviceable six level trail bikes.

[@kencini8774]

How did your FSE wheels go for the Season of racing Joe..?? They were on your Scott... Santa Cruz just because its carries more street cred.

[@niroman3000]

Santa Cruz Highball

[@esabaliauskas]

12:40 Verdict: no clear winner - it is up to personal preference :D

[@esabaliauskas]

Very beautiful scenery though! 👍

[@assuncaP]

Santa Cruz every day

[@Goodbarsix]

Review on the new Giant XTC please!

[@richardyoung5201]

#scottoluvit 💯 👍🏻

[@trroland1248]

But you never said what the travel length of these forks was?😕

[@bikeradar]

100mm for both. Hope that helps, Joe.

[@redpilledpatriot8484]

SCOTT!!!!!!!

[@peteristrups5565]

whell santa C is overpiced for shure ...and if talk about experience on xc bikes/RACES , then santa is whayyyyyy back from scott ...scott has proven it ..had to say just once Nino S !

[@keithhannigan8507]

Scott Scale

[@juliusmeffert5127]

Orbea's Alma is the shit

[@avocette]

Why aren't lock-on foam/silicone grips more mainstream?

[@ignaciosevil2157]

Suspension travel?

[@NotingIsWhatItSeems]

Scott has a good bike, but what about Joe?

[@manitolas]

Color,pedigree,mx brand!!scott ofc:):)

[@hughsnyder891]

The Scott

[@benzink-anister6438]

Remember that Harry Potter kid? This is him now (on the left). Feel old yet?

[@michaelupchurch3779]

The santa cruz is top notch

[@lawrence4899]

scale!

[@CdABarreto]

First, thanks for the test. I´m owner of a Scott Spark so, little biased :D but... being Brazilian all I have to say is that while Scott, Trek, Specialized and other brands are represented in Brazil, Santa Cruz must be imported from USA and that brings 2 problems: taxes are abusive (about 100% over bike price) and no local maintenance so, if I need to fix the frame I have to export it to USA and then import again... which means $$$$$$ and time. BTW, if I were Giant I´d see what´s going on because local representative sucks...

[@josh33172]

I've owned a Santa Cruz bike since '99. On Scott full-suspension bikes, the Twin-Loc is a system to compensate for lazy suspension design. Santa Cruz has been innovating and improving their own suspension design for decades. I have little respect for Scott in the area. So I guess you could say that I have a bias there. Looking these two bikes from an objective/subjective standpoint. The steeper seattube does aid in climbing while in the saddle, but the SC will feel better out of the saddle w/ more room in the cockpit and the saddle out of the way. So it's going to be a slight trade-off in saddle/out of the saddle feel, for some I guess they won't care or notice. So technically the Scott is suppose to be a slightly climber depending on what type of climber you are. That said, the Santa Cruz is going to be a better descender with the geometry, and I don't believe it gives up enough in climbing to edge out an overall lead in both climbing and descending. Then there's the fact that the Highball has a BSA bottom bracket which is better than Scott's Press-fit. On that fact alone along w/ the color and STA, I would take the Santa Cruz hands down.....but neither of those, my pick would be the Santa Cruz Chameleon Carbon because its way more fun (if I'm paying that kind of money for a hardtail)

[@tristandesade8635]

Well, I'we never tried Santa Cruz, but I already own Scott Scale (and I don't plan to sell it any time soon), soooooo...😊

[@Pienimusta]

Which one has more wins, especially olympic wins? Oh yeah right

[@donkeller6399]

It’s not the bike, it’s the rider. #Nino could ride my granddaughters 8 speed plus spesh and win 🤔😂

[@miamoben]

Neck beard over denim shirt every time.

[@enuazeal]

Canyon Lux

[@CrackerrJack]

The santa cruz frame looks like its sagging💔💧

[@richycoles]

First!!!!

[@bikeradar]

Great work. Have one billion gold stars and a BikeRadar heart!

[@theylivewesee1674]

@@bikeradar the peoples channel

[@gadgetsgalore]

Neither. Cannondale F-SI all day!

[@granto6712]

Both 🐶 shit,

[@ehywa9799]

😍😍😍😍👍👍👍👍👍

[@granto6712]

Both need 🦊 fox fork

[@Nujabesblend]

only Scott

[@digbysirchickentf2315]

What a weird way to advertise things. And why is the little one impersonating Tracy Ullman?

[@daniellaffan4726]

look, at this point all the spec on each bike is dope, so it comes down to the frame. Scott is stuck in 2015 and Santa isnt

[@edrcozonoking]

Santa Cruz are nice but definitely overpriced

[@bigbang3881]

It's cause u have a long live Garantie for the frames