Santa Cruz Bicycles 5010 2.0 Alloy Mountain Bike Frame 2017

If you've been dreaming of a versatile trail bike that goes beyond its classification in capability, style, and overall radness but have been stopped in your tracks by the carbon 5010's steep entry price tag, 2017 looks to be a breakout year for your time on the bike. For 2017, Santa Cruz unveils its 5010 2. 0 Alloy Mountain Bike Frame, which features the same geometry as its carbon twin and brings the 5010's 2. 0 geometry updates into a more affordable reality. In comparison to the previous 5010 geometry, the 2. 0 updates touch on almost every important dimension of the frame. The biggest change is to the head tube, which drops one degree from 68 to 67 degrees. That's the same as the previous Bronson model, and it situates the 5010 2. 0 just this side of a slacked out enduro sled. The frame's reach and bottom bracket follow suit, with the former gaining an additional 20 25mm, depending on size, and the latter dropping slightly. The combined result of these tweaks is a longer, lower, more stable frame that eagerly attacks lines that the previous 5010 would balk at. While the 5010 2. 0's front end and bottom bracket recline, the changes out back tighten things up for more pedaling efficiency and cockpit versatility. The seat tube is steeper, longer, and wider, which benefits the ups and downs of all mountain riding. While torqueing over the crux of a climb or grinding speed on singletrack, the steeper angle puts the rider in a more efficient pedaling posture, making it easier to stay on top of the pedal stroke. On steep descents, the shorter, fatter seat tube allows for more dropper travel, which nets increased stability when gravity dictates your speed. The 5010 2. 0's chainstays are stubbier, reduced from the previous 5010's already impressive 17. 12in to an even stiffer, more agile 16. 8in. On the trail, this translates to power transfer when dropping watts into the pedals and more nimble dexterity when gnarly terrain turns the tables. The frame's rear trian...