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Looking to build up a Santa Cruz 5010 but can't decide to buy a 2018 V2 carbon (C) frame or 2019 alloy V3 frame. Have a chance to buy the 2018 carbon frame cheaper than the new alloy frame so leaning towards that. However, still wondering if it's worth paying the extra for the newer version albeit in alloy. Some tweaks made to the geometry on more modern version but would it be worth the extra weight and money buying the alloy frame? Any thoughts welcome.
the new frame can take longer travel fork , that's why I will prefer to go to the new one. I put a 150 on the MK 2 frame and it's a bit more cumbersome climbing. Also the new frame only take 1x so you have to be okay with that too. If you are more of a gentle rider rather than a hardcore enduro, the carbon frame will be good enough.
You'll notice geometry tweaks more than frame material in my opionon.
If you believe the geo tweaks are an improvement, I'd always go for that over material type. A number of my friends have Carbon Santa Cruz bikes (doesn't everyone?) and all of them have admitted after a while that they can't really tell what the frame is made of while riding.
A number of my friends have Carbon Santa Cruz bikes (doesn’t everyone?)
I don't ! but it's the one frame that could tempt me away from my Whyte T-130 for some reason. Whether or not i'd shell out the massive price is open to debate.
If you are more of a gentle rider rather than a hardcore enduro, the carbon frame will be good enough.
😂
Definitely not a hardcore enduro ride but plan to test ride the new alloy frame just to put my mind at rest. The longer reach of the new frame does appeal and the fact you can run up to a 2.6 width tyre. I have a 2018 chameleon with the same reach as the new 5010 and it runs 2.8 tyres. Big fan of the wider tyre. I'm soooo confused.
Bro, I have dropped you a PM. I think I can probably help you out.
Just to say, the carbon frame are as strong (if not stronger) as the alloy frames. I was discussing someone's new Nomad with them the other day (lovely looking alloy).
He didn't go for the carbon because apparently they aren't strong if loaded up in the wrong direction!
I could understand if you weren't bothered what material it was or the weight saving wasn't an issue, but the strength of the material doesn't even come into it on modern bikes.
I'd definately look at the newer version though, just for the improvements on tyre clearance and geometry.
Thanks all for your thoughts. Settling on the new alloy frame so now thinking about parts for the build. Will go for a Pike up front but either 130 or 140mm of travel. Complete bikes are specced with a 130mm. Anyone out there running a 140mm on the new frame?
Not on the newer ones, but I’ve a 140 on my v1 amd it’s ace. Know plenty of people who run 150 on the newer ones and rave about it.
I've just bought an alloy V3 5010 and it's a lot beefier than the older models. The extra strut by the drive train on the rear triangle and the beefed up bottom bracket box have made the bike very capable indeed.
I've run 130mm and 150mm forks and actually prefer the way the bike climbs with a 150mm. In terms of descending with a 150mm fork the new 5010 is pretty unstoppable. I've taken it on uplifts at Antur and Hamsterley and never felt like I needed more bike, but I've always ridden hardtails so my opinion will differ from someone more accustomed to bouncy bikes.....
If someone offered me a swap for a 2018 CC frame I wouldn't take it - that's the best endorsement I can give for the new alloy 5010.
Thinking of running a DB Inline Coil on mine, but I'm in the midst of weight loss and don't want to waste money on a spring that's too heavy!
Thanks snapperdan. High praise indeed! What size tyre are you running? Did you go for the 2.6 option? Until I can afford a new set of wheels I'll be using those off my Chameleon which run 2.8 width. Hoping I can drop to a 2.6 width tyre on the rims (race face ar40) without too much drama. Out of interest too, which colour did you go for? I'm drawn to the purple but need to see it in the flesh. Much prefer a gloss finish to the black matt which could look as though it's been ridden through a warzone after a few rides.
I built mine up from a plus sized hardtail too - WTB i35 rims. I ran 2.8s at first, but the bike felt pretty dead to be honest, I've run 2.5s and 2.6s since, but 2.6 seems to be the goldilocks size for me, shouldn't be too problematic on your rims either.
I went for matt black and it looks great especially with some purple Burtec bits and bobs on it - I get a lot of compliments for the way the bike looks which is nice.
If you're up north have a chat with NWMTB in Cheadle - they built my 5010 from my Whyte 909 for free and did a fantastic job.
I’ve been pondering similarly. Tbph, I’m probably going to buy a whole bike mid-build for the C frame and then replace parts as and when. I can’t really justify the $$$ for the CC but after much pondering following my thread a couple of weeks ago I’m thinking that if I don’t get the carbon I’ll never be sure I haven’t missed a trick although I fully believe the alloy frame would be fine. The carbons are more of an issue though - they’re both considerably lighter than the alloy but only a couple of hundred grams between the C and CC - but C is not available frame only, just CC which is about £1300 more than the alloy equivalent.