The first World Cup XC race of the year is getting underway in Albstadt, Germany, and Santa Cruz has a brand new bike on hand for their racers. We first caught a glimpse of it
last month, but now it's possible to take a closer look at the details of the new frame. Santa Cruz still aren't officially releasing the bike yet, so exact geometry figures, pricing, etc... will have to wait a little longer.
One thing's for sure - there's no dual-link, VPP suspension layout to be seen. Instead, the bike uses a single pivot design with flex stays, a move that makes it much easier to keep the frame weight down. There's also internal routing to run a remote lockout for the rear shock in order to gain any possible efficiency advantage on smoother sections of a race course. Given the current trends in the XC world, it's very likely this new bike has 100mm of travel front and rear.
Chainguides used be big clunky things used only on DH and freeride bikes, but now that 1x driverains have taken over they're used in all disciplines, including the gram-conscious cross-country world. After all, a dropped chain is much more likely to wreck a race than the 35 gram weight penalty that a tiny guide like the chainstay-mounted one found on this bike incurs.
Other details that can be gleaned from these photos include a threaded bottom bracket, molded chainstay and downtube protection, and SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger. Keep an eye out for the race results later this week to see how the bike performs during its World Cup debut.
Downvoted for using a mac haha gold!
I also haven't ridden one and only read reviews but the isostrut doesn't sound amazing or on par with traditional single pivot suspension designs.
I’d say The Scott racing team (Kate Courtney & Nuno) are SRAM sponsored.
with that massive downtube (and there isn't even a trunk/boot in it to make the volume usable)
and what is that port on the right side of the bottom of the downtube (for a front derailleur)?
Also a rider may choose to have a dropper to practice with and decide not to race it and use a ridged post. The other advantage for an AXS dropper is it is wireless so the mechanic or rider can simply remove one post or the other and install the opposite one very quick.
A rider may want to try a lap one way and then another lap with or without the dropper. Or maybe the rider wants to race the Short Track XC without the dropper and the XCO with the dropper. Course dependent also.
Believe me, as a team mechanic for 25+ years, the AXS post is very nice for this one reason! Haha.
The head angle and weight is a bit disappointing in my books. BMC's old Fourstroke was roughly the same weight with two links.
With the new 34sc, there's clearly lots of options for a 120mm xc bike.
Besides, if you want to use an xc bike for bikepacking, a higher top tube is better.
Personally I think the top tube in line with the seat stays looks like an old mixte and not very racey
You neg repped me because you cant read?
Have you tried clipless pedals? (Don't let the name fool you... you actually do "clip" in) What's next, horseless carriages?
#ouchmybutthurts
#ouchmybutthurts
here is the bike animal chin is looking for
even has a super short stem
Probably works ok, though.