This is not really a review, but rather a series of observations and reports on my experience with a bike and its bits for the last year and a half. First, allow me to express my gratitude for the opportunity to have a forum for these pieces and to you for reading any of it. Enough mush. Here are some tunes. Old bands that have put out newer stuff after being away for years. When new is old, or new old or something like that…
Dropdead: Dropdead 2020 and Deadguy: Near-Death Travel Services Both of these releases are from bands whose heydays were in the 1990’s. I was neither into nor aware of them at the time. They both are in the hardcore realm where Dropdead deliver more of thrashy, high speed grindcore thing and Deadguy are more of a metallic, noisy, math core jam. I dig them both with Dropdead echoing the Nardcore I was all about early in high school, particularly Ill Repute. While fast as hell, there’s an odd catchiness to it. Deadguy is super intense combining brutal pointed metallic riffing and vocals recalling later Rollins-era Black Flag in the best of ways. Thank you for flying Deadguy.
Santa Cruz 5010 5 MY 23 C carbon frame size medium (purchased March ’24). The frame was as noted from the first run/colorway (SC is now into their 3rd one with the 5010). The 5th generation of the 5010 became mixed wheel only. There was some grumbling about this on various forums from the full 27.5-wheel fans, but the reviews were stellar across the board on this iteration, and it has suited my riding style perfectly. This is not a bike to sit back and let it plow; it requires engagement and focus. Basically, it rides like my Banshee Paradox, but with more pop and travel to get me into and out of more nonsense. The smaller rear wheel also allows it to corner tighter, jump every little thing and just encourage hooliganism. #jerkbike
Stats: Weight: 32.5 lbs. +/-, Mileage: 1800+ (poorly recorded by the freebie app everyone uses)
Parts changed/worn out/broken: 2 forks, 3 seat posts and cables, 3 pairs of grips, 2.5 drivetrains, 5 front tires, 7 rear tires, 2 shocks, 4 Presta tubeless valves, a lot of sealant, 2 sets of frame bearings, 2 sets of brakes and brake rotors, 2 OneUp EDC multitools.
Upgrades that made the biggest differences:
You forking icehole! Out of the gate I built the bike up with a 150mm travel fork versus the 140mm ones Santa Cruz spec’s the bike with. This gave me the geometry I wanted matching my Banshee almost exactly. I initially had my old Rock Shox Zeb Ultimate on it but then picked up an inexpensive Lyrik Base which I ended up liking better despite its less fancy guts and more svelte lines.
Slightly shocking. One of things I was hesitant about with the 5010 MX was that I would not be able to run a coil shock with it. I ran coils for years and just prefer the feel and lack of futzing that accompanies them. Prior to purchasing my frame as part of my research I took advantage of a consulting service offered by Santa Cruz wherein a rep would be available to answer any questions. I spent nearly forty-five minutes chatting with the tech about all sorts of things including bike stuff. I’m pretty sure or at least I hope he did not pierce his eardrums with an ice pick thereafter. He dispelled any concerns about the air shocks noting that he was near 250 lbs. and had been on the same 5010 model for more than year without issues. The frame arrived with a Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select + shock which worked fine, but ever the tinkerer I decided I wanted to see about a custom tune. I picked up an OEM Rock Shox SD Ultimate and sent it off to Diaz Suspension Designs who worked their magic. Upon airing it up and making a few adjustments to fine tune things I have not touched it. Highly recommended.
Braking too! Maven Ultimate brakes I had wanted to check these out from the moment they arrived last year, but I was in no hurry. My Codes were fine and have run every version on my bikes since they arrived in the late 00s. Never had any trouble with them, but the allure of a super powerful brake was strong. This winter however, I did notice some hinky behavior from my Codes including fading and a moving bite point that was disconcerting on long descents. I happened to come across a local seller that had some OEM Maven Silvers (middle of the line up for features and price point which is generally where I like to land with my components) for a great deal. Unfortunately, he’d already sold them but then offered me a set of NIB Ultimate’s for only slightly more. I had read/seen all the reviews with complaints about Mavens, but upon reaching out to one of my fav reviewers I bolted them on and haven’t looked back. I’ve had zero issues with them, and the power is no joke. I got used to them quickly and while I get that they will not be for everyone, I can’t recommend them highly enough.
The shiz that just keeps going. Wheels: The wheelset on this bike has now done time on three different bikes is nearly four years old. They were custom built by a local builder here who I’ve known for years. He has stepped away from the bike industry but still builds for former customers. They probably are overkill for this bike as my Zeb was, but they ride great and just keep going. They are Light Bicycle 932/732 carbon rims laced to Factor (RIP) hubs with Sapim Race spokes/brass nipples. A word on the LB rims. My first set of carbon wheels back in 2015 were also built by the same builder were LB’s. As of a few years ago I ran into the person who bought that bike I sold them with, and they were still going. Vital did a long-term test with a set and could not get them to fail. I realize that compliance has become the latest thing in wheel design. These are not that being stiff and unforgiving. As a bear of a rider though, they suit me just fine.
Chris King bottom bracket/Wolf Tooth headset. CK remains an industry leader when it comes to high-quality long-lasting components. I have roached many bottom brackets and despise when they would inevitably begin creaking. The CK BB has been dead silent in use over nearly four years on two different frames and two different cranksets. Even shop wrench guys who scrounge are willing to spend money on these for peace of mind. The Wolf Tooth headsets are stacking up to be in the same rarified status as CK’s. I have run these on a couple bikes now and like the CK BB, they are set and forget. No noise, fuss, nada. I guess I should put a plug in here for WT’s dropper levers, which have been my go-to since they arrived on the scene. These are industrial AF, feel great and are likely near indestructible.
Coming from the land of the ice and snow?
Contact points. Raceface/Chromag. I’ve ran Raceface bars forever most of which have been the Atlas model. They are big, burly and unforgiving, but bulletproof. They’ve felt great to me for years, so I stick with them. I opted for the Turbine R handlebar (now just the Turbine) for this bike for no particular reason other than they were available, they were the right size and had good reviews. Again, nothing to report other than they do what they are supposed to do. I’ve mostly ran RF stems too and went with a Turbine R stem to tie the room together here. Again, it just works. Chromag saddles. My butt fits them. The Trailmaster has remained my go-to for years. I have them on all bikes and they just perform.
In conclusion, I think best thing you can ever say about a bike is that it makes you want to ride it more. That is the case here with the Diablo Rojo in spades. Let’s ride!
