All trademarks property of their respective owners Luckily, gravel bikes can be found over a spectrum of prices, from nail-bitingly expensive to relatively affordable. The lineup is huge and meets the needs of amateurs, enthusiasts, and pros alike. Santa Cruz Chameleon 29 R Review | Tested by GearLab Going from one extreme to the other, the learnings shared between the concurrent projects helped accelerate the process all around, and after 18 months of designing, prototyping, and testing it was time for the fun to really start We had a frame, we had a spare frame and we had some parts. Dont have $10,500 to wax on a new e-MTB? Pretty bonkers hey? A bit scuffed, but still fully rideable. Holy toledo! Well, arguably the most blinged-out spec sheet known to the human race. Disponibilit limite. Frame number one didnt quite last like the wheels though and after about a half an hour Id managed to make a crack in the narrow part of the chainstays.. The 2-by drivetrain and fast-rolling tires help to make it an excellent option to double as a road bike, and a wealth of frame and fork mounts make it a great candidate for bike packing adventures. Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes: XC, Trail, Enduro - The Pro's Closet You can easily spend as much on a new ride as you would on a nice used car, but you certainly don't have to. Straight carbon tubing is bonded into space-age titanium printed lugs, creating a look reminiscent of steel-framed MTBs, but with the cache (and expense) of two exotic materials in one. Santa Cruz has updated its 5010, with the trail mountain bike now featuring a mixed-wheel setup. Santa Cruz Stigmata: Most Affordable Santa Cruz Gravel Bike 5 Reasons Why Are Santa Cruz Bikes So Expensive? There we discussed the many factors contributing to price increases, ranging from the proliferation of e-MTBs to the introduction of techy electronic suspension systems. Our team of bike testers scoured the market before making an informed decision on which bikes to buy. Our production bikes are strong as hell, and we feel we have a good handle on our toolbox of materials, but the goal with Dannys bike was to push that understanding forward, and take advantage of emerging materials technology.. This is where having a composites facility in Santa Cruz has a serious advantage. Have you been wooed by the state-of-the-art tech? Budnitz FTB. Yikes! Because, well, $18,000! Do Santa Cruz Bikes Hold Their Value? We wanted to develop the best bladder system possible so we relied on 3D printing to create the forms we needed. We can help you decide on a bike that suits your needs and riding style. Once purchased, each cycle was measured and weighed against the same metrics to provide a consistent and reliable review. The Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon is a very versatile bike. This bike features a super lightweight and very stiff carbon frame that offers unparalleled efficiency and responsiveness. The BC40 is a proper cross-country bike deserving of an expensive race entry fee, number plate, and your tightest speed suit. In early 2014, Danny asked if he could borrow one of our carbon Bronsons for a little project he had cooking on Skye that summer. Weve spoken to representatives from a few brands listed in this feature to ask them that very question. That weight is hard to overlook, although we found it to be an acceptable tradeoff for the comfort and confidence it provided on the descents and over rough surfaces. We suspect therell be seeing a few more of the $8,699 and $7,699 models on the trails though. The Colorado-based company has been very busy over the past year, so there are plenty of options. Similarly, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 boasts a lightweight carbon frame, quality components, a light weight, and well-rounded performance for significantly less than the more expensive competition. How to legally and safely lane split in California: Roadshow If you feel like the $12,999 price tag is holding you back though, you could always Project One it. Many gravel bikes are essentially glorified road bikes with relaxed geometry, knobby tires, and increased tire clearance, and all of the models we tested could double as a road bike or commuter. This entry-level bike has a sleek design and comes equipped with budget-friendly but quality components that are ready to get out and explore the back roads straight out of the box. Even when Danny appeared on the cover of 2 million copies of Red Bulls The Red Bulletin, the phone stayed silent. Some bike frames are made using latex-dipped EPS mandrels, but these bladders are still one-time use. The top-end model shown here adds in a SRAM AXS wireless shifter and dropper post to the equation, which pushes the price point into new territory for Giant. The other aluminum-framed models we tested are a bit heavier but still reasonably lightweight in the grand scheme of things. Jeff Balton - Last updated: October 31st, 2022 Santa Cruz has been refining their full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes for almost 30 years. A little compliance in the frame and handlebar, high-volume tires, and powerful brakes help enhance comfort and control. The Stigmata is offered in several builds, some of which come with 2-by drivetrains, however. Trek has four Supercaliber models on offer, starting from a paltry $6,500 for the Supercaliber 9.7, and going up to a more robust $11,999 for the Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 shown here. We found that it performs as advertised, although the looks certainly won't be for everyone, and it seriously limits handlebar adjustability and compatibility with computer and accessory mounts. Despite its aluminum frame and budget-conscious build kit, we were pretty impressed by the Fezzari Shafer AL's 21-pound and 11-ounce weight. This bike is quick; it accelerates like a race car and responds immediately to pedaling and steering input. The frame went (half) in the oven. And is it for everyone? Beyond gravel testing, Dillon has worked as a freelancer for OutdooorGearLab on several mountain bike reviews. Less weight = higher prices right? But gold-leaf paint jobs are conspicuous in their absence here, and without a Founders Edition announced, we may see this years S-Works Turbo Levo superseded yet. With the S-Works model weighing in at less than 17kg, the Levo SL has ushered in a new era for lightweight, low-powered e-MTBs. Bikes like the Salsa Journeyer are equipped to handle bike packing accessories and racks, making them a good option for bike packing. The Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon fell a little behind the competition on the climbs, primarily due to its slightly heavier weight. REASONS TO BUY. Wil clocked up three days of testing on the new Levo SL Carbon Expert, and thinks it is one of the best handling mountain bikes hes ever tested. Well, that . Addressing that, and a bunch of other niggles, the Rail is a brand new e-MTB for 2020 that is loosely modelled on the Trek Slash. Likewise, the Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon has a new gravel geometry with a longer reach and wheelbase, a slacker head tube angle, and an increased offset fork. The Hightower R is the least expensive of the bunch, and it gets a RockShox Lyrik Base, an NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, and SRAM G2 R brakes for its $5,499 USD price tag. So we sent him back out again on the streets of Glasgow to finish the job. We set up each model as we would typically ride it, although a couple of bikes did not come with tubeless compatible tires and were weighed with tubes in them. The bike is manufactured by Budnitz Bicycles and costs $7,000. The Hakka's stiff frame is best on smoother terrain, where its efficiency is most appreciated as the lack of frame compliance can feel a little harsh compared to some when the going gets rough. This bike costs less than half of the Diverge, yet it only weighs 9 ounces more. Danny MacAskill's trials bike is single most expensive Santa Cruz ever This sucker gets the RockShox Boxxer fork up front, a coil-sprung Super Deluxe shock, 4-piston SRAM Code brakes, and 2.6in Specialized Butcher tyres that come equipped with the heavy-duty BLK DMND casing. So weve got a full SRAM XX1 AXS electronic drivetrain, RockShox Ultimate suspension, a wireless Reverb AXS dropper post, and the incredibly difficult to photograph Zipp 3Zero Moto wheelset. Santa Cruz Bicycles is dedicated to making the world's best mountain bikes. . All the bikes in this list come from big, well-known bike brands that are available in Australia, and for the most part, theyre bikes that you could see on the showroom floor of a bike shop. I had no idea what kind of journey that was going to be, but it sounded like thered be a whole lot of new stuff to learn working on a project like this so I just said yes, and used it as an opportunity to take our in-house R&D facility to the next level.. As one of only a handful of complete bikes featuring the new Flight Attendant tech, its hard to know just how much additional cost is associated. Like anything else, bicycle components' performance level, quality, and weight vary wildly. Released in early 2020, the Pivot Switchblade is entirely new with a revised suspension layout and a striking frame profile that is lightyears ahead of the first generation Switchblade. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The aluminum-framed Grizl 7 Suspension is one of the most affordable in the lineup and it comes with a gravel-specific RockShox Rudy XPLR that provides 30mm of front suspension and girthy 45mm tires that suit this bike's intentions perfectly. Thats when I started talking seriously to Santa Cruz about what other stuff we could do with carbon.. Bolted onto a CFR full-carbon chassis along with the Shapeshifter system, its one seriously high-end bike especially for a brand that most people recognise for its budget-friendly bikes. Sharing second spot with the Heckler is another shiny new bike for 2020, though this one doesnt have a motor. Same spot, no more breaks. So we effectively asked him to join us in that capacity. A relatively long wheelbase and reach promote additional stability, and our testers were amazed by the traction, composure, and ability to carry speed on a huge range of surfaces on everything from gravel roads to singletrack trails. Learn more Bike Size Charts BikeRide finds and shows you the best prices of the bikes you want to buy. Santa Cruz Hightower Review - Is It Worth Buying? - Bicycle Guider While we enjoyed our time with Treks previous long-travel electric mountain bike, the Powerfly LT, there were elements of the bike that did let it down like the gargantuan 475mm chainstay length. Since it is so affordable, we were very impressed by the 19 pounds 14-ounce weight of the Canyon Grail CF SL 7. The FS 100 gets lighter race tyres, a carbon fibre SID Ultimate fork and SRAM Level Ultimate brakes, whereas the FS 120 specs 4-piston G2 brakes and a Reverb AXS dropper post. So what do you get for your money? Qiso braided carbon fabric layed over the headtube. The YT Szepter takes a bit of a hit in the weight department with its suspension fork and dropper post, though, at 21 pounds and 14 ounces, it's still quite reasonable for the performance gains they offer. The Canyon Grizl 7 Suspension has features that make it quite versatile as well. The wagon-wheeled iteration is a little more business-minded and delivers a fairly well-rounded ride without sacrificing too many of its playful values. The setup features a single-piece handlebar and stem with a unique hover design intended to help reduce feedback and vibration. The previous version of the Heckler made our last expensive bikes list, and its back for 2022, with a new frame and bigger price tag. Giant Reign Advanced Pro 29 0 - $10,299 AUD We've been expecting a long travel 29er from Giant for a while, but we weren't expecting the Reign 29 range to top out at over ten grand! As a purebred XC race speedster, the new XTC is of course handcrafted from carbon fibre, and particular attention has been paid to both weight and stiffness. Finishing off the list of the most expensive mountain bikes in the world is the FTB. Theres no newfangled electronic suspension here, just some good old fashioned wireless shifting, courtesy of SRAMs XX1 Eagle AXS. We hope that in the future, Santa Cruz offers more frame options other than the high-end Carbon CC to make this award-winning performance more affordable. Theyre also further proof that downhill bikes are a new frontier of expense with their EVER builds. Santa Cruz Hightower costs anywhere between $3,299 and $11,549. On the search for a new gravel bike to add to your arsenal? The 27.5+ model is . The 9 Most Expensive Mountain Bikes in the World In general, gravel bikes travel flat ground and go up hills relatively well, which is because most models have rigid frames or at least fixed rear ends, and they are designed with efficiency in mind. It was time to go to Scotland. Reusable 3D printed mandrelsopened the design space massively and made it possible to turn new, more complex designs around overnight. Of the Santa Cruz lineup, it's the most fun, agile, and creativity-inspiring choice. The 2nd generation Kenevo looks nothing like the previous version, having adopted the new Sidearm frame design, a larger battery that now slides inside the big alloy downtube, and the fabulously smooth Specialized 2.1 motor. With the light and stiff 130mm Fox 34 with a Grip2 Damper and 120mm Fox Float X Factory, youre given the option of advanced tunability with a flip-chip, allowing for adjustment of the head and seat tube angles. Some subtle differences among them make some models better suited for different riding styles than others. It was the single most expensive thing Santa Cruz has ever made so I needed to handcuff it to my wrist the whole way. This bike is also a true featherweight. While it's a race-oriented hardtail that will appeal to XC purists, the geometry has been tweaked and relaxed to make it more capable and composed than traditional XC race bikes. Problems include lane splitting above 30 mph, using no signal, making unsafe lane . The Race LTD is the top-banger in the range, and it features a build kit to match the incredible price tag. 15. Along with the effect thats having at a manufacturing level, Australian distributors are buying bikes and components at significantly higher prices than they have in the past, and thats seen prices increase across the board. up to $10,949 for the most expensive model. Likewise, our least expensive competitors, the Salsa Journeyer Apex and the Fezzari Shafer AL cost less than half of our top-rated models and are comfortable and highly versatile entry-level bikes. Utilising the Bosch Performance CX Drive motor, an OCLV Mountain carbon fibre chassis, and premium RockShox suspension with Treks Thru-Shaft damper for the rear shock, the Rail 9.8 is the top-end spec option in Australia. The new Scott Spark launched in late 2021 with bold intentions, and it was met with the usual sliding scale of impassioned critical response associated with a major redesign. Canyon designed the Grail CF SL frame around their unique double-decker CP07 gravel cockpit. (*Despite this, Danny had actually failed us in finding the breaking point for the wheels. Likewise, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 has a wide range 2-by drivetrain that makes it an excellent option for gravel and road riding, and it's light and fast enough to be a viable option for racing. We recently tested the Fox Live Valve equipped version of this bike, which is significantly cheaper than the top-end spec seen here check out our Giant Trance 29 full review. The suspension fork and big tires make it more suitable and fun to ride over rough terrain than most rigid bikes, even "under biking" on singletrack trails. The testing here is what resulted in the distinctive spoke reinforcement profiles found on Reserve rims today. The 5010 is the last of the brand's 27.5in-wheel, full . Got feedback? Weighing just under 20 lbs, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 also proved to be a zippy climber. Weve also published the most expensive mountain bikes of 2022 if youre after a completely updated list. Interestingly, the Canyon Grail CF SL 7 comes with a build that is almost comparable to the Diverge, yet it costs about half the price. Out for an autumn test ride on the Ibis Hakka MX. A relative bargain huh? The bike we tested at this years Port to Port however, was the all-singing, all-dancing, all-juggling Mach 4 SL Team XTR Live Valve model, which (please grab a seat right now) has a list price of $16,499. That answer arrived when Giant released the Reign 29er a 160/146mm travel enduro smasher thats pushing some of the most progressive geometry figures weve seen from the brand. Santa Cruz is a brand that has spent a considerable amount of time playing in and above the $10K price bracket, so its no surprise to see the Californian brand enter our list here. For that reason weve included it in our list, even though its not a brand new platform for 2020 the frame, geometry and suspension design is unchanged from 2019. photo source: New Wheel. Dillon also races in XC, enduro, and gravel events throughout the mountain west. To be sure that all your riding mates can hear you coming from a mile away, the Reserve 30 Carbon wheels are packaged with Industry Nines, 690-point-of-engagement, Hydra hubs, kept in check by SRAMs Code RSC brakes. The 1 x 11-speed Rival drivetrain is lightweight and has a wide gear range and our testers like the simplicity of ditching the front derailleur. Nic sacrificed his impeccable AirBnB rating in order to get the job done. It feels like just recently that 150mm of rear travel seemed like plenty for an enduro bike, but the times have changed, and as the definition of an enduro bike has become brawnier, Santa. Currency fluctuations: The Aussie dollar has had a rough time over the past two years, but so too have global currencies thanks to an ongoing trade war between the US and China. Being a premium race bike, the Mach 4 SL is only available in carbon fibre, though theres a few spec options available, with prices starting at $7,999 for the XT model. Sous rserve de modifications. Consumer-direct brands often provide the best value. Pretty standard stuff in the world of hyperbikes, you might say. Its all very Bugatti. Santa Cruz Stigmata Carbon CC Rival Review | Tested by GearLab Like any type of cycling, gravel biking can be expensive. The weight of the bikes in this review varies by approximately 6 pounds between the lightest and heaviest models we tested. The Stigmata is lightweight, stiff, fast, and efficient, yet the frame features just enough compliance to enhance rider comfort over rough terrain. The full carbon frame benefits from Santa Cruz's patented 150mm VPP suspension with a RockShox Super Deluxe shock and Fox 36 E-Float fork. Read more: Canyon Grizl 7 Suspension review. Both of these bikes are ready to tackle some serious rides or even races in their stock configurations with no upgrades or component changes necessary. Instead of vulcanising solution, sandpaper, a patch and a little yellow crayon, think prepreg carbon sheets, shrink wrap and a heat gun! Once we had the latex bladders nailed, we needed to understand how precise we could get with layup and materials in order to maximize the new technique continues Nic. While it doesn't sound like much, 30mm of suspension makes a huge difference, and along with the high-volume tires, makes it more comfortable, stable, and smooth on the descents and over rough surfaces. While were drooling over bikes that are well beyond our price range, we took a gander beyond whats available on our shores to see where else we could spend the price of a lightly used Toyota Camry. From the World Championship-winning V10 to the beloved Tallboy, we make bikes for people who live to ride. While 21 pounds and 2 ounces isn't exactly heavy, you might notice the additional heft on race day or during a long ride. There are two Kenevo models coming into Australia for 2020, including the top-end Expert model shown here. More big-travel big-wheelers have hit the market in 2020 than ever before, though it was the Specialized Enduro that produced the biggest shockwaves with its radically low-slung frame and Demo-derived suspension design. available worldwide, and as well as an ultra-premium parts selection, the Founders Edition gets a special paint job, custom embroidered saddle and some gaudy gold-leaf graphics. How Durable are Santa Cruz Bikes? The 9 Most Expensive Mountain Bikes in the World The two lightest weight models we tested are the Ibis Hakka MX and the Santa Cruz Stigmata. Another surprising entry into this list is from Merida a brand thats more well-known for its value-oriented bikes and sharp pricing. While $19,000AUD may buy you a small island, why do that when you can own a murdered out S-Works Enduro, dripping with SRAMs top of the line AXS wireless drivetrain? Rigid frame - somewhat harsh over rough surfaces. Its lightweight carbon frame, excellent component specification, and well-rounded performance rival the more expensive competition at a price that's tough to beat. Yes, there are three batteries on this bike that youll need to stay on top of charging, and its not even an e-MTB! As the supply chain issues intensified over the course of the pandemic, the horrifying new reality hit just about every aspect of cycling. He spends an excessive amount of time training and is well-versed in the subtleties of gravel riding. You can get a closer look at all the tech inside the Levo SL, and an overview of the full range in our launch story here. The Santa Cruz Heckler is another professional-level eMTB with the top-quality specs of a competitive trail bike. The frame has mounts for bottles and accessories (models with rigid forks also have three-pack mounts on the fork), a rear rack, and fenders, internal routing for dropper posts, and clearance for 50mm tires, so it can be equipped for virtually any adventure. Canyon's direct-to-consumer sales model allows them to sell their bikes at prices that most brands can't match, and this is an excellent example of that. Previously available with alloy or carbon frames and with 27.5in or 29in wheels, the 2020 Specialized Enduro hones its focus and goes full race spec with a dedicated carbon fibre chassis and 29in wheels only. From adding dropper posts with a minimal weight penalty, to forward-thinking geometries aimed at improving confidence on increasingly spicy descents, tech is pushing the race field beyond the speed of sound. The YT Szepter scores well for versatility for its impressive performance on mountain bike trails and rough gravel. That said, when paired with the 27.5" x 2.1" wheel and tire setup, the Hakka becomes a more forgiving downhill performer. Learn more about the best they offer below. The frame is equipped with numerous mounts for bottles and other gear with internal routing for dropper posts and clearance for tires up to 50mm wide. Santa Cruz Bicycles | Quality Bicycles Since 1994 The head of our gravel bike test is Jeremy Benson. Weve also added the future frame service option, which includes repainting along with bushings and bearings replacement because why not add 599 if youre already selling a kidney to bankroll the purchase. Compounded by a tidal wave of new riders, we started finding it difficult to source even basic items. As to how it rides? There are of course a tonne of new e-MTBs hitting the market for this coming season, and weve also seen more big-travel 29ers arrive too. Most carbon materials development is done for the aerospace industry, and because of that, theres reams of paperwork to be done if you want to take it out of the country. This is because Canyon sells its bikes direct-to-consumer, which means you purchase the bike online, and then within the fortnight, a bike box arrives on your doorstep having been sent directly from Canyon HQ in Germany. That said, riders with competitive aspirations or those seeking a refined and race-inspired feel would do well to give the Ibis Hakka MX a look. Completing the package is a set of Syncros carbon wheels, a Kashima-coated Fox Transfer dropper post, and that striking one-piece carbon fibre handlebar/stem. Santa Cruz Custom Trials bike Frame: Santa Cruz Custom Carbon Trials bike Rims: . No ads. The constant one-upmanship involved in developing bikes will always present new and unique challenges to brands, but its arguably harder when you have level-up one of your outgoing models. Then again, high performance dont come cheap. The Rival build we tested is quality, and this bike is ready to jump into a gravel race or go on any back road adventure. If you want to get an idea of what the more attainable options are like, check out Micks long-term review of the Strive CFR 9.0 Team to see what we thought of it. Like all eMTBs, which contain a limited motor to help while pedaling up steep hills, the S-Works Turbo Levo SL is a multifaceted machine. Oh, youd like some new grips? There are plenty of smaller niche Euro and US brands that offer super-dooper custom build options that would comfortably fit into the price spectrum we have here, but weve focussed on common production offerings. Similar to the weight of the bikes we tested, each model's component specifications vary and are dictated by price. I wanted to hand-deliver the frame to Danny. Ever since Giant released the Trance 29er last year, weve been waiting to see just how much bigger the Taiwanese brand would go with 29in wheels. Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 0 $13,999 AUD 2. Fourteen and a half million public eyes to be precise. Danny wanted us to make him a carbon trials bike explains Nic McCrae, composites engineer at Santa Cruz. But if youre in the USA, its vastly easier to order small quantities for experimentation and prototyping. Because of this, we rarely see Canyon mountain bikes notching over the $10K barrier. I rode that one pair of wheels all summer says Danny Some of the scenes took more than 150 attempts to get right. The Santa Cruz Chameleon R 29 is a fun-loving hardtail that is also quite capable of racking up some miles. Check out the full story on the Kenevo range here. Using 29in wheels with a 160mm travel fork and 150mm of rear travel, the Trek Rail is a behemoth of a bike thats designed for the roughest of singletrack descents, and climbs. All other things being equal, lighter is generally considered better. User-friendly features like SWAT storage and handlebar suspension are partly to blame for the extra weight and will likely represent a reasonable tradeoff for many riders. It can also be purchased with either 700c or 27.5" wheels and tires to suit varying needs and demands for different styles of gravel riding. YT didn't forget the adventure-riding or bike-packing crowd, and they equipped it with numerous bottle and accessory mounts, plus it comes with custom fenders front and rear so it's ready to handle some adverse weather conditions. The outright efficiency of this bike makes it our first choice for racing, though it is just as well suited to casual endurance rides or road riding. 8 Most Expensive Mountain Bikes in the Market Today 15 Most Expensive Mountain Bikes in 2023 - Hobby Seekers Enough of the caveats, lets get stuck into the most expensive mountain bikes for 2020!