Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz mountain bikes
Probably the most recognisable frame silhouette in mountain biking, on VPP suspension that has been refined for two decades. Expensive and superbly finished, but the reason people stay is the lifetime frame and bearing warranty. The Hightower and Bronson are the volume bikes.
- Models tracked 13
- Builds tracked 80
- Price range $2,099 to $13,999
- Categories Trail, All-mountain, Enduro, Park / DH, Cross-country
- How they sell Through bike shops
- E-MTBs Yes
Is a Santa Cruz the right bike for you?
Brand loyalty is a fine starting point and a bad finishing point. Answer 14 questions and the quiz ranks every bike here against 702 others by how you actually ride. Take the quiz →
Every Santa Cruz model we rank
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Do-anything hardtail with premium frame quality.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | $2,099 | SRAM SX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM Level 2-piston |
| R | $2,599 | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM G2 R |
| S | $2,999 | SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM G2 R |
Santa Cruz Tallboy
Short-travel troublemaker that rides above its numbers.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deore | $4,999 | Shimano Deore 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $5,899 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| GX AXS | $6,999 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Motive Bronze |
| XT Di2 | $7,499 | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | SRAM Motive Silver |
| X0 AXS RSV | $9,299 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Motive Silver |
| XX AXS FA RSV | $13,999 | SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Ultimate |
Santa Cruz Hightower
The quiver-killer of the Santa Cruz range.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deore | $4,799 | Shimano Deore 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| R | $4,999 | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 70 | $5,149 | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| S | $5,899 | SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $6,099 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| GX AXS | $7,249 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| X0 AXS | $8,299 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| X0 AXS RSV | $9,349 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| XTR RSV | $11,399 | Shimano XTR Di2 1x12 | Shimano XTR 4-piston |
| XX AXS RSV | $11,399 | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Ultimate |
Santa Cruz 5010
The corner-slashing party bike of the lineup.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | $4,799 | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM G2 R |
| S | $5,799 | SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM G2 R |
| GX AXS | $7,149 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Code Bronze |
| X0 AXS | $8,299 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Code Silver |
| X0 AXS RSV | $9,349 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Code Silver |
Santa Cruz Bronson
Mixed wheels, big grins, handles everything rowdy.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deore | $4,799 | Shimano Deore 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| R | $4,999 | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 70 | $5,149 | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| S | $5,899 | SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $6,099 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| GX AXS | $7,249 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| X0 AXS | $8,299 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| X0 AXS RSV | $9,349 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
Santa Cruz Megatower
Full-size enduro race rig for serious terrain.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | $6,099 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| GX AXS | $7,249 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| X0 AXS | $8,699 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| X0 AXS RSV | $9,749 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
Santa Cruz V10
The most decorated downhill bike in World Cup history.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | $7,049 | SRAM GX DH 7-speed | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| X01 DH | $8,899 | SRAM X01 DH 7-speed | SRAM Maven Silver |
Santa Cruz Vala
Santa Cruz’s Bosch-powered full-fat e-MTB.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL Deore | $6,199 | Shimano Deore 1x12 | Shimano Deore 4-piston |
| AL 70 | $7,049 | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| 70 | $7,849 | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $9,099 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| XT Lite | $9,299 | Shimano XT 1x12 | Shimano XT 4-piston |
| GX AXS | $9,849 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| XT Di2 | $11,099 | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | Shimano XT 4-piston |
| X0 AXS RSV | $11,949 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| XT Di2 RSV | $11,999 | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | SRAM Maven Silver |
| XT Di2 Lite RSV | $11,999 | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | Shimano XT 4-piston |
| XX AXS RSV | $13,899 | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Ultimate |
| XX AXS Lite RSV | $13,999 | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Ultimate |
Santa Cruz Blur
Race-bred speed that still likes singletrack mischief.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deore | $4,899 | Shimano Deore 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $5,799 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| GX AXS | $6,999 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Motive Bronze |
| GX AXS Race RSV | $7,999 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Motive Bronze |
| X0 AXS RSV | $9,199 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Motive Silver |
| XTR RSV | $10,299 | Shimano XTR Di2 1x12 | SRAM Motive Ultimate |
| XX AXS Race FA RSV | $13,399 | SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Motive Ultimate |
Santa Cruz Highball
Carbon XC hardtail with race-day manners.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | $3,299 | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM G2 R |
| S | $3,999 | SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM G2 R |
| 90 | $4,149 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| GX AXS | $5,049 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Level Bronze 4-piston |
| X0 AXS RSV | $7,899 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Level Silver 4-piston |
Santa Cruz Nomad
Big-mountain bruiser reborn - lighter and angrier.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deore | $5,199 | Shimano Deore 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $6,099 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| GX AXS | $7,299 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| XT Di2 Coil | $7,799 | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | SRAM Maven Silver |
| X0 AXS RSV Coil | $9,499 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bosch-powered freight train for the gnarliest lines.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | $7,849 | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| 90 | $9,099 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| GX AXS | $10,149 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| X0 AXS RSV | $12,599 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| XT Di2 RSV | $13,499 | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | SRAM Maven Silver |
Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Light-assist Fazua e-MTB that rides like a real bike.
| Build | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | $7,299 | SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM DB8 |
| 70 | $7,299 | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM DB8 |
| S | $8,699 | SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| 90 | $8,699 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Base |
| Stout | $9,299 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| GX AXS | $9,699 | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Bronze |
| X0 AXS RSV | $11,699 | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Silver |
| XX AXS RSV | $12,999 | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission | SRAM Maven Ultimate |
Guides that feature Santa Cruz
- Best under $3,500 - Chameleon
- Best hardtails - Chameleon, Highball
- Best trail bikes - 5010
- Best lightweight e-MTBs - Heckler SL
- Best enduro bikes - Megatower
How this page works
Prices are US MSRP from a 2026 snapshot of the database that powers our quiz, maintained by hand. The takes on this page are mine, sharpened by the riders I trust. Santa Cruz pays nothing to appear here and cannot pay to rank higher - here is how we make money. Confirm current pricing on the brand's own site before you buy, and see every bike we rank for the full database.