Santa Cruz V10 – In our 2025 downhill comparison test

The Santa Cruz V10 has long been part of the furniture in the downhill household, and is distinctly recognisable with its unmistakable frame silhouette. It’s well represented in bike parks and without a doubt one of the most popular DH bikes around. But does it live up to its reputation? We tested it against five other DH bikes.

First introduced in 2002, the Santa Cruz V10 has been a cornerstone in the Californian brand’s lineup. Although it has undergone several updates over the years, its basic structure remains largely unchanged, with the trusted VPP rear suspension still providing a strong foundation. The latest iteration of the V10 model rolls on a mullet wheel setup, with only the biggest XL frame relying on big 29-inch wheels front and rear. Retailing at € 9,699, the Santa Cruz V10 is the second most expensive bike in this test just behind the Pivot Phoenix, tipping the scales at 16.6 kg. At 208 mm, it has the most rear travel in the entire test field, which is combined with 203 mm at the front.

Find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best Downhill Bike 2024 – Six exciting DH bikes in a comparison test

Specs and details of the 2025 Santa Cruz V10

With its unmistakable frame silhouette, the V10 is distinctly recognisable as a Santa Cruz. The floating seat tube is connected to the rear suspension via a linkage. The bike also stands out with its fire truck red paint finish, which makes it look fast even in a standstill. A small fender mudguard above the shock protects it from dirt, while a TPU plate on the lower end of the downtube shields the frame against stray rocks. The downtube protector is complemented by a shuttle guard on the upper side of the downtube, which prevents chafing when you throw the bike on the back of a pick up truck.

SRAM supply both the drivetrain and brakes of the V10. The 1×7 SRAM X0 DH drivetrain ensures precise shifting, while the SRAM CODE Ultimate brakes ensure powerful, reliable deceleration in combination with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear. The CODE Ultimate brakes deliver the usual excellent performance but reach their limits with heavier riders and on very steep descents. Both the rear brake line and the shifting cable disappear into the frame through cable ports on the head tube, which, together with the generously sized chainstay protector, ensure a quiet ride. Additionally, Santa Cruz rely on a chain guide with bash guard, which prevent the chain from falling off and protects the chainring against nasty impacts.

The frame also features fork bumpers on both sides to prevent the dual crown fork from damaging the frame. Speaking of forks, the Santa Cruz comes equipped with a FOX 40 Factory fork with a Grip2 damper, which enables countless adjustment options with low and high speed circuits on both the rebound and compression circuits. A FOX DHX2 coil shock takes care of the rear and offers the same extensive adjustment range. However, the shock comes with a predefined spring rate for each frame size, meaning that you can’t choose the spring according to your weight and riding style. The V10 rolls Santa Cruz’s in-house Reserve HD 30 alloy rims with Industry 9 hubs. The wheels are paired with MAXXIS ASSEGAI tires in the tough DH casing and soft MaxxGrip compound front and rear, which delivers maximum traction. However, the soft rear tire wears out quickly, so we recommend switching to the more durable MaxxTerra or DualCompound if you spend lots of time shredding bike parks and don’t care too much about maximum traction.

Tuning-Tipps: none

The geometry of the Santa Cruz V10 2025

The Santa Cruz V10 is available in four sizes, S to XL.Sizes S, M, and L roll on a mullet wheel setup, while the biggest XL frame comes as a full 29er. Santa Cruz don’t give you the option of changing the wheel configuration afterwards.
Apart from that, the geometry of the Santa Cruz V10 can be altered extensively. There are three adjustment options with three settings each. The reach can be extended in two steps – by 8 or 16 mm – just by swapping the headset cups. To chance from the short to the long setting, you just have to turn around the existing cup, while for the middle setting, you’ll need to use a different cup. This adjustment offers the largest reach range in the entire group test, which is particularly interesting for smaller riders, as the reach starts at just 412 mm.
The chainstay length grows with the frame size, from 440 mm (S) size to 465 mm (XL). Moreover, a flip chip allows you to adjust the length in three stages in 5 mm increments. Additionally, the V10 features a flip-chip in the lower shock mount, which allows you to raise the bottom bracket by 2 mm and to steepen the head angle by 0.2°. In the low setting, the V10 combines 21 mm BB-drop and 62.7° head angle. We tested the Santa Cruz V10 mainly in the long reach setting with the flip-chip in the high position and the long chainstays.

The Santa Cruz V10 2025 on the trail

Red rocket! Right away you understand why the V10 is so popular: the Santa Cruz makes you feel at ease from the get go and carves around corners as if it could read your mind, always going exactly where you want. The handling is incredibly intuitive without being too direct or feeling twitchy. The V10 responds precisely to steering input but remains relaxed and easy to control – even when your legs are tired and your mind is wandering.

Thanks to the countless adjustment options, the geometry of the V10 can be fine tuned to suit your needs and preferences.

The rear suspension offers good support, allowing you to pump and generate speed on flow trail sections. In rock gardens and root sections, the Santa Cruz V10 rides like a flying carpet: the rear suspension reliably absorbs hits, and glides over the trail – no matter how fast or blown out the trail is. Only the Pivot performs better in this regard, with a suspension that literally sucks itself into the ground.
But that doesn’t mean the Santa Cruz can’t hold its own on the toughest trails. The V10 is impressively stabile, inspiring huge amounts of confidence in fast, challenging trail sections. At the same time, it’s incredibly nimble and well-balanced. Whether you want to hop into the high line or cut a corner and blast out with a “Braaap,” the V10 handles any trail effortlessly, delivering truck loads of fun in the process.

The Santa Cruz V10 is a true classic among downhill bikes that, like good wine, has only improved with age.

Who should take a closer look at the 2025 Santa Cruz V10?

The Santa Cruz V10 is a bike with very high all-around potential. Whether you prefer technical sections, flowy lines, or steep descents – with the V10, you’ll always reach the bottom of the trail with a big smile on your face. At the same time, the V10 is the ideal companion for racers. Not only is it incredibly fun to ride, but also seriously fast. And thanks to the countless adjustment options, the bike can be optimally tailored to your individual needs and riding style.

Conclusion about the 2025 Santa Cruz V10

The Santa Cruz V10 is a true classic amongst downhill bikes, and has continuously evolved over the years. On the trail, it impresses with a balanced mix of composure and agility. The V10 is an outstanding all-rounder that can be perfectly tailored to your needs thanks to the wide range of adjustment options. And the best part: the V10 comes with a lifetime fun guarantee! No matter the trail, with the V10, you’ll always reach the bottom with a massive grin on your face.

Tops

• Fun machine
• Super intuitive handling
• Excellent all-round characteristics
• High variability

Flops

• Wheel size can’t be configured according to your preferences

For more information, visit Santa Cruz’s website.

The test field

Find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best Downhill Bike 2024 – Six exciting DH bikes in a comparison test

All bikes in the test: GIANT Glory Advanced (Click for review) | Pivot Phoenix V5 (Click for review) | RAAW Yalla! (Click for review) | ROSE Scrub DC 3 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 | YT TUES MK4 CORE4 (Click for review)

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker