Santa Cruz Bicycles 5010 2.0 Carbon CC XT Complete Mountain Bike 2017

Set aside your preconceived notions of all mountain limitations and redefine your trail experience with the 2017 Santa Cruz 5010 2. 0 Carbon CC XT Complete Mountain Bike. Carrying over 2016's revamped geometry, the 5010 2. 0 is lower, longer, and slacker than its predecessor to manage bigger lines and steeper runs. This particular build is finished with Shimano's versatile XT M8000 drivetrain, Race Face ARC wheels, and a dropper post that quickly adapts to changing terrain. The 2. 0 redesign touches on virtually every important aspect of frame geometry. 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 monster. The frame's reach and bottom bracket follow suit, with the former tacking on an additional 20 25mm, depending on size, and the latter dropping slightly. The combined result of these apparently minor tweaks is a longer, lower, more stable frame that eagerly attacks lines that the previous 5010 would have to think twice about. While the 5010 2. 0's front end and bottom bracket are about slack reclining, the changes out back tighten things up for more pedaling efficiency and cockpit versatility. The seat tube is steeper, longer, and wider, which benefits both 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. When descending or cleaning lines through rock gardens, the shorter, fatter seat tube allows for more dropper travel, which nets increased stability when increasing speed is the last thing on your mind. 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 t...