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I appear to have got lucky with a cheeky EBay bid and so will soon be the owner of a 2015 Santa Cruz 5010 frame. This is my first foray into 27.5 and so can't do my usual trick of moving nice but old parts from other bikes.
Given the rather conservative geometry, what forks and wheels would you fit so that it is fun downhill, manoeuvrable on singletrack, happy to climb and not a beast for big days out on rolling terrain? Money is tight until I sell my collection of forks and frames.
I haven't really been paying attention to drivetrain developments and have 1x10 on all my bikes. Do 1x11 (and 1x12) need different hubs?
I rented a bike the other day (SC Hightower) with Fox 36 forks (and went riding just outside Santa Cruz!). They were amazing - if I were a MTB journalist I would spout a load of cobblers here about "supple", "supportive" and all that stuff. But they really were awesome....
But they are eye-wateringly expensive.
So I'd be tempted to spend my money on some really nice forks from someone cheaper than either Fox or RS. X-Fusion (which is what I have on my bikes) but also Manitou seem to have some well regarded forks. Secondhand forks might be another option, but check for maintenance.
That way I wouldn't end up buying some cheap forks, only to replace them later when I got sick of them not being very good (i.e. exactly what I've done in the past). Good forks make such a difference to a bike.
I was on a tight budget for my first 27.5 bike last year. I was in a similar situation having won a nice carbon Trance on eBay.
Wheels I went for Hope Pro 4 Enduro cos I can get a decent discount.
Fork , I took a chance on a Manitou Mattoc which was just over £300 with BC discount from CRC. It's adustable internally to 140mm, 150mm or 160mm. It has low and high speed compression adjustment, hydraulic bottom out thing and the spring volume is tuneable with tokens.
Fork rides well but did have to go back for a new air piston under warranty recently. Hopefully it will be ok from now on.
Tyres, I bought some Brontrager Xr4s after a psa on here. Didn't like the XR4 on the front so changed it for a lightly used Minion 3c.
Rest of the parts came off my old Pitch except for the seatpost, I bought a cheapo Brand XL which had been great.
What is your budget and what bits do you already have?
Manitou mattoc & mcleod are good on a budget.
Sram Gx Eagle Group.
Second hand easy to service Hope or DT350 based wheel set.
Brand X dropper.
Have fun!