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Details Matter
We sweat the little things so you don’t have to. From shuttle guards to flip chips and everything in between, it’s the compilation of thousands of minute details that make our bikes such high quality.
A Santa Cruz is for life
Well-protected full-sized bearings, Zerk-fitting grease port, and heavy-duty pivot axles all make our bikes run without fuss for longer. But we also make our bikes easy to work on because they often endure a harsh life of dirty, dusty, and wet rides. Santa Cruz bikes are mechanic-friendly and we provide spares for a lifetime. We believe a bike should last many lifetimes.
Flip it like it's hot
Flip chips are an adjustment mechanism found in the lower link of many of our VPP™ bikes that changes the bike’s geometry and suspension rate. In the Low position, the BB height is lowered, the shock rate becomes more progressive, particularly at the end of the stroke, and there’s some bottom-out resistance to be gained. In the High setting, BB height is higher, the bike rides a little higher in its travel and supplies the rider with more mid-stroke support. Tweakers and finicky shredders can adapt the suspension feel to their needs and desires.
Dialed, at every size
Proportional Geometry is our way of engineering frame sizes so that certain elements scale as size gets larger—so whatever your stature, there are no compromises with performance, efficiency, or fit. We’ve taken this concept to a new level with proportional rear-center, or chainstay length, and proportional seat tube angle that optimizes your pedaling position and suspension performance. The result? A bike that’s dialed at every size.
We are all about color
We pick stylish, yet timeless colors for all our bikes and use the most high quality paint available to ensure that you’re just as happy with your bike after years of riding as you are on your first ride. Every Syndicate custom frame is painted in the same factory that your bike comes from. Other people send their bikes to specialist painters who do one-off jobs but we have the capacity to do it all ourselves.
Ready to get rowdy
Flying rocks, pointy roots, accidental cases, bumping along on a tailgate —you never know when you’re gonna give your frame a knock. That’s why most of our frames come with a rubberized downtube protector, shuttle guard and chainstay protector. A functioning bike is a good bike; a quiet bike is a fast bike.
Totally Tubular
Things that are regarded as standard these days like in-molded cable routing tunnels, one-piece construction, continuing fibers around key areas, net shape lay-up and total fiber compaction were things we pioneered. See that tube that runs down the inside of the frame? It's something we pioneered a few years back to take the PITA factor out of internal cable routing. It's a little thing, but it results in less workshop frustrations, a quieter bike (no annoying cable rattle) and protects the hoses.
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
All of the components on our bikes are hand-picked so that when you get your sweet new bike you don’t have to worry about swapping a bunch of parts out before you ride. From grips to tires, our component specs are sure to give you the best ride possible at whatever level of bike you choose.
The Santa Cruz carbon handlebars are designed and made exclusively by us, using everything we’ve learned from creating World Championship winning carbon bicycles in our own California Carbon Lab.
No Proprietary Shocks
We don't require novelty shocks and hardware that performs better as a marketing gimmick than it does out on the trail. Our suspension platforms are designed to work with the best available technology from top-tier suspension manufacturers that will offer long-term product support. That means you won’t be struggling to find parts and people to fix these bits in years to come. It's another way we design our bikes to last a lifetime.
Always Within Reach
The cavernous Gloveboxâ„¢ internal frame storage allows for the safe stowage of whatever paraphernalia you need to enjoy your ride. Every Gloveboxâ„¢-equipped bike also comes with a Tool Wallet and Tube Purse. The Tool Wallet has plenty of room for a pump, multi-tool, tire plugs, some beer money, while the Tube Purse easily fits a 29 or 27.5 tube. Roll one up and stuff it into your Glovebox.
Masters of Carbon
Masters of Carbon
Quality Bikes
Quality Bikes Since 1994