Santa Cruz Bicycles

5010 Carbon CC 27.5 X01 Eagle Reserve Complete Mountain Bike

Santa Cruz pushes the 5010 Carbon CC 27.5 X01 Eagle Reserve Complete Mountain Bike into slacker and longer realms for increased competency at higher speeds demanded by modern trail bikes, yet it retains the original bike's razor-sharp handling and pedaling efficiency that cemented it as a versatile rig for everything from all-day epics in the mountains to spirited trail rides winding across the local forest network.

Slacker than ever, the 5010 dropped to a 66.5-degree head tube angle in its high setting and a more gravity-friendly 66.1-degree head tube angle in the lowest setting. The addition of a flip-chip makes this all possible, meaning you'll have the ability to adapt the bike's geometry for different terrain and riding styles, whether you want greater efficiency and climbing competency or the ability to flat out rip steep descents with imposing rocks and roots threatening to derail your balance. The reach has grown by 15 millimeters for a bit roomier feel in the cockpit, as well as increased composure to handle those higher speeds you'll be pushing this bike to. The seat tube is a full degree steeper to keep you in an optimal pedaling position when you're climbing for thousands of vertical feet or simply muscling up a short, punchy climbs with rocks and roots standing in your way.

As you'd expect with the 5010, it retains the high degree of pedaling efficiency and bottom-out resistance of the previous version. This VPP configuration neatly tucks the lower link above the bottom bracket to prevent rock strikes and damage from flinging trail debris. The upper portion remains attached to the top tube with a stiffer box-section upper link. While others in the Santa Cruz line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the 5010 retains its upper link-mounted shock, seeing it's not as gravity-oriented as say the Bronson or Nomad. However, it's spec'd with a FOX DPX2 Float Performance Elite shock for a more supple feel with heightened traction while pedaling over bumpy trail sections, as well as greater resistance to heating up excessively on those long descents.

This particular frame enjoys the top-tier Carbon CC layup, which saves a good deal of weight while retaining all the stiffness and strength you've come to expect from a Santa Cruz carbon frame. While we don't have any particular figures on hand, the Carbon CC layup usually saves anywhere from 250 to 280 grams from its cheaper Carbon C brethren, making it a great choice for the more discerning rider looking for the lightest possible build. It's even backed by an outstanding lifetime warranty, so you'll have extra peace of mind while tackling long stretches of trail and putting this bike to the test across technical terrain.

Following in the footsteps of the frame, this version of the 5010 rolls on Santa Cruz's Reserve carbon rims, laced to a DT Swiss 350 hubset. The Reserve rims showcase Santa Cruz's carbon fiber expertise, with a highly refined profile and reinforced nipple beads that nearly eliminate any chance of failure. And should you defy those odds, the Reserve rims are backed by a no-nonsense lifetime warranty, just like Santa Cruz's carbon fiber frames.