Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Emmanuel
Don’t take the choice of your mountain bike lightly if you want to cover the depths of the countryside or forests’ rough terrains efficiently and safely.
Thus, we feel compelled to share the ten top Santa Cruz mountain bikes supplied by Mike’s Bikes retailer; this thorough content will help you choose your budget-friendly favorite MTB.
Table of Contents
Santa Cruz Highball C R.
If you are looking for the best Hardtail bike, the Highball C R can be ideal; it is one of the flagship hardtails from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz highball mountain bike rolls on 29-inch wheels, built around lightweight carbon.
That combination alone makes Highball C R a good XC race bike. Moreover, Highball C R has a clever design around the tube profiles.
Also, this mountain bike has a lower angle of the bridgeless seat stays that offset it from the top tube, allowing more vertical flex to avoid trail chatter.
The Santa Cruz Highball C R key specifications include the following:
- Frame Carbon C 29″ and RockShox Sid SL Base, 100mm w/ Remote.
- SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed w/ 34T Crankset.
- RaceFace AR Offset 27 29″ Rims w/ Maxxis 29 “x2.4 drivetrain and SRAM Level T brakes.
Santa Cruz Chameleon AL S MX.
As the name implies, you can fit Chameleon AL S MX at any trail condition.
Let’s say you need a multi-gear for nailing technical terrain once and change to single-speed to race to the finish line another time.
With Chameleon AL S MX, everything in between is possible thanks to its adjustable dropouts and plenty of tire clearance.
You can choose between a full 29 and MX Setup. Pick a full 29 for better traction, or choose a mix between 29″ and 27,5″ to get both grip and maneuver.
- Santa Cruz Chameleon AL S MX has an Aluminum 29/MX Hardtail frame, and FOX 34 Float Performance, 130mm fork.
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed w/ 32T Crankset & 10-50T Cassette drivetrain, RaceFace AR Offset 30 w/ Maxxis 29 “x2.5 front, 27.5” x2.5 rear wheels, and SRAM G brakes. It costs $3,749.99.
Also, Mike’s Bikes supplies other highly appreciated MTBS, including the ten best Giant mountain bikes.
Santa Cruz 5010 C R.
The Santa Cruz 5010 C R model features 27.5-inch wheels for better maneuverability. It also combines a 140mm fork, 130mm rear, and a lower-link VPP configuration that makes you feel like there is a lot more travel than it appears.
5010 C R provides more creativity while riding; you make the most of your trails as you jump over.
Santa Cruz has equiped its 5010 C R mountain bikes with Carbon C 27.5″ 130mm Travel VPP frame, RockShox Pike Select, 140mm fork, and SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed w/ 32T Crankset.
Also, this quality MTB has RaceFace AR Offset 30 27.5″ Rims w/ Maxxis 27.5 “x2.4 wheels and SRAM Guide T brakes. It costs $4,799.99.
Santa Cruz Bronson C R.
Bronson C R features mixed tires for better cornering performance and better acceleration. The bike also has Santa Cruz’s lower-link mounted shock.
You get stable and agile balance grinding. On top of that, the VPP suspension setup combined with 160mm RockShox Lyrik makes this bike a downhill monster.
Another point worth mentioning is that Bronson C R has a chainstay that matches the frame size.
Bronson C R fits every rider, regardless of height. Bronson C R is a perfect choice if you want a bike that can go downhill and climb.
Its main features are the following:
- Carbon C MX 150mm Travel VPP Frame and RockShox Lyrik Select, 160mm Fork.
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed w/ 32T Crankset, Maxxis 27.5 “x2.4” wheels, and SRAM G2 R brakes. It costs $5,049.99.
Santa Cruz Nomad C R.
Have you ever considered riding a trail you think no bike can handle? Well, Nomad exists for that kind of challenge.
Even the Santa Cruz website stated that Nomad C R is the ready-to-use bike on their mountain bike lineups.
There’s no need to hesitate when you face long descents, gnarly climbs, or tight bends. For Nomads, those challenges are like fun rides.
The sealed bearing in all pivots, lower link grease port, and shuttle guards make Nomad C R superior.
Besides, the Santa Cruz Nomad C R mountain bike has a lifetime warranty and crash replacement support. It costs $5,149.99.
Santa Cruz Blur C S.
The name blur is because the bike can roll so fast on a straight path that it blurs. LOL!
Seriously though, Blur C S is best for claiming first place at a bike race as it is light at approximately 23lb.
Riding a light bike does not necessarily make you a race winner, but it helps.
The Santa Cruz Blur C S’s light 100mm travel rear and front suspensions, make it an exciting XC mountain bike.
Also, this well-appreciated mountain bike has a Carbon C 29″ 100mm Travel VPP frame and SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed Crankset.
Its other essential components include RaceFace AR Offset 27 29″ Rims and SRAM Level TL brakes. Santa Cruz Blur C S costs $5,199.99.
Santa Cruz Tallboy C S.
As a short-travel bike, Tallboy C S surpasses riders’ typical expectations. Not only does the bike suit go uphill, but Its 120mm travel can also accelerate over rough trails or down the hills.
Santa Cruz has cleverly mimicked a longer travel geometry into the Tallboy design.
Besides, it also features a 65.5-degree head tube angle with a generous front center and short offset fork.
Tallboy C S will let you sit on the saddle to go over rough terrain or enjoy a weekend stroll with friends.
This quality MTB has a Carbon C 29″ 120mm Travel frame, 130mm FOX 34 Float Performance fork, and SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed Crankset.
Also, Santa Cruz has equiped its Santa Cruz Tallboy C S with Maxxis 29 “x2.4 wheels and SRAM G2 R brakes. It costs $5,699.99.
Santa Cruz Hightower C S.
This full-suspension bile is one of the best-selling bikes at Mike’s Bikes. It has a little bit of every technology and engineering Santa Cruz has.
The Hightower features a flip chip that allows riders to drop the bottom bracket and slacken 0.2 degrees the head tube.
Also, with the Hightower’s adjustable geometry, this bike can serve your needs from XC to high-speed jump trails.
Not sure which riding style is right for you? Go with a Hightower C S or Hightower AL D mountain bike; both offer safe rides when conquering trails.
Santa Cruz V10 CC S MX.
You probably like enjoying the feeling of riding downhill or aiming to get to the podium in a downhill race, and the V10 bike suits downhill.
Professional racers’ high-level feedback over the years is the foundation that makes the V10 such a perfect downhill bike.
The MX variant features a 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear wheel combination.
With 200mm of front and 215mm of rear travel, V10 has a downhill bike’s most refined suspension performance. Santa Cruz V10 CC S MX costs $6,699.99.
Santa Cruz Heckler C R 29
Heckler C R 29 is for people who want Bronson to have a power assistant to go the extra mile.
Santa Cruz Heckler C R 29 electric mountain bike pedal assists can improve your off-trail riding performance and its mid-drive motor provides extra power on the roughest terrains.
Plus, a 150mm rear suspension paired with a 160mm fork will absorb most trembles and bumps to your body. Heckler C R 29 is your perfect partner for a fun off-road journey all day.
Also, the Mikes Bikes’ online shop has other bicycles from BMC, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, and other big bicycle brands
Are Santa Cruz Bikes Similar to Santa Cruz Skateboards?
Despite sharing part of their names, the Santa Cruz Bicycles company differs entirely from Santa Cruz Skateboards.
“Santa Cruz Skateboards” was founded in 1973 to offer sports equipment, including cruisers, decks, skates, reissues, completes, etc.
Some pro skaters using Santa Cruz Skateboards gear pieces are Blake Johnson, Devin Flynn, Eric Dressen, Fabiana Delfino, Jake Wooten, etc.
The Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes Final Thoughts.
That’s what we can tell about the ten top Santa Cruz mountain bikes at Mike’s Bikes; we hope this content is helpful.
We have reviewed some of the best Santa Cruz MTBs but this top-rated bicycle company has many other options.
Check Mike’s Bikes online shop to pick what suits your riding needs and the money you can devote to your MTB.
Also, you can learn affiliate marketing to promote your favorite niche products profitably online when you master this industry’s ins and outs.
Dave says
This is just the right list of mountain bicycles that I was looking for. I have always been a fan of Santa Cruz mountain bikes, and now I have the money, I can afford to buy the one I have always dreamed of.
After reading this detailed article, I think my choice will be Santa Cruz V10 CC S MAX. The price is slightly high, but the features this mountain bike comes with are worth the investment.
Thanks for the detailed review here.
Emmanuel says
This is just the right list of mountain bicycles that I was looking for. I have always been a fan of Santa Cruz mountain bikes, and now I have the money, I can afford to buy the one I have always dreamed of.
I think my choice will be Santa Cruz V10 CC S MAX. The price is slightly high, but the features this mountain bike comes with are worth the investment.
Thanks for the detailed review here.
Emmanuel says
Thank you, Dave, for your comment. It’s a pleasure to learn that you have found your preferred mountain bike.