Santa Cruz Bicycles 5010 2.0 S Complete Mountain Bike 2017

Santa Cruz has long held court in the top tier of off road bike builds, with dream kits abounding and a price tag that starts well outside the limits of most of our bank accounts. 2017 is bringing about some welcome changes with the new aluminum 5010 2. 0 S Complete Mountain Bike. Boasting the same renowned geometry as its higher priced carbon siblings, the aluminum 5010 brings Santa Cruz prestige, functionality, and eye catching aesthetics to a much more attainable price point. Kitted out with SRAM's workhorse GX one by drivetrain, powerful Guide R hydraulic brakes, a dropper post, and WTB STP i23 TCS hoops, this bike boasts versatile capability that pushes the boundaries of its trail bike classification. In comparison to the previous 5010, the 2. 0 updates touch on almost 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 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 501...