V10
What Mountain Bike
A foot of travel and it still pedals like an XC bike
Beyond basic structural issues, designing a bike to run huge amounts of suspension travel isn't that hard. But getting a bike with nearly a foot of travel to pedal like an XC bike is a real achievement. There's no shortage of superb engineering in the multi-section mainframe with its compact but heavily gusseted front end and huge CNC boomerang side plates straddling the shock and supporting the stub seat mast. The Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) cunning that makes this bike a real state of the art rig all happens out back though.
As the name suggests, the V10 packs no less than 10in of rear wheel travel into the frame, but by making the wheel follow a very shallow 'S' path, Santa Cruz has almost totally removed any bounce or bob from pedalling. This is achieved by using two linkages between the mainframe and rear subframe, which project a VPP that extends forwards from the bottom bracket towards the front wheel as the shock compresses and the rear wheel moves through its travel. This increases sensitivity throughout the stroke as well as creating a curved 'pocket' in the axle path so the suspension stays at optimum sag over smooth terrain.
The results are a bit bizarre at first with the huge ultra-plush stroke and lack of pedal feedback creating an almost anaesthetised feel even flat out. In short, while most downhill bikes just feel like big soft versions of conventional bikes, we had to take the V10 to our own extremes before we even started to find reference points.
But once there, the bike's astonishing potential is clear. It tackles furniture sized hits and yawning step downs without faltering or even disturbing your pedals, it'll also rip out of corners or start gates with remarkable agility for its weight. While the slack 67 degree head angle needs a shoulder drop or counter steer to turn into tighter sections, it keeps a faultlessly floated stability even when you're scattering boulders the size of breeze blocks. The four inches of sag also means instant extension into ruts and depressions for incredible traction through treacherously rooty turns. The fully floating rear disc maintains this composure even in savage washboard braking sections, leaving the 8in Hayes discs to rip maximum braking power from the sticky compound Intense tyres.
In the heart of the linkage system is a Progressive Fifth Element shock. The pedal platform advantages are less obvious on such an assorted pedalling bike, and the lack of any 'absorb - rebound past start point - return' over-travel is vital to keep such a long stroke responsive and consistent through chattery rippled sections. A start and end stroke compression adjuster also helps to control the 'lost' sensation that so much pedal independent travel gives.
Our test bike was built up with Jungle's tweak on Santa Cruz's standard DH package, which includes a front Hope hub with the 180mm travel Manitou Dorado fork and Hayes brakes - obviously you can build it any way you want.. We'd recommend the more pricey bolt through rear axle (Santa Cruz hub supplied) and floating rear brake calliper version - even at £364 the extra performance is worth it.
The number of long travel bikes with pedal friendly 'platform' shocks is growing fast. But few come close to the V10. Stability under acceleration and through even the most violent manoeuvres is breathtaking. It takes a while (and a committed rider) to even approach this bike's limits. It's very much a niche gravity bike with a huge price tag, but it's undoubtedly got real potential to be one of the most useable big hitters around.
Verdict
Performance: 10
Value: 8
Verdict: 10in travel freefall capability that really does pedal like an XC bike