2027 Santa Cruz V10 CC DH X01

Some bikes are built to do a little of everything. The 2027 Santa Cruz V10 CC DH X01 is built to do one thing better than almost anything else on two wheels: go downhill at full commitment, run after run, without flinching. This is the top build of the eighth-generation V10, a carbon downhill race machine shaped by years of World Cup development and refined for riders who spend their summers riding lifts, shuttling fire roads, and chasing the fastest line through the rough.

The heart of the bike is a CC carbon frame delivering 208mm of rear travel through Santa Cruz's VPP suspension layout. Rather than reinventing a proven race platform, this generation sharpens it. The leverage curve is tuned to stay supple off the top for traction in braking bumps and loose rock, then ramp up deep in the stroke so big landings and compressions never feel harsh. Thirty percent sag is the starting point, and from there the bike settles into a calm, planted posture that encourages you to let off the brakes.

Adjustability is a defining theme. Reach-adjust headset cups let you lengthen or shorten the cockpit in three positions without changing frame size. A rear axle flip chip changes chainstay length, so you can favor quick, playful handling on tight tracks or a longer, more stable rear end for wide-open speed. A lower link flip chip alters shock position for fine-tuning geometry and suspension feel. Together, they let one frame be set up for a jump-heavy bike park day or a steep, technical race track.

Suspension on the X01 build is pure top-shelf. Up front, a Fox 40 Factory fork with the GRIP X2 damper provides 200mm of travel with independent high- and low-speed adjustment, giving you exacting control over how the front end handles everything from root chatter to deep compressions. Out back, a Fox DHX2 Factory coil shock supplies the consistent, sensitive feel that only a coil can offer, with spring rates selected by frame size so the bike is closer to dialed straight out of the box.

Stopping power comes from SRAM Maven Silver brakes, a four-piston system designed specifically for heavy riders, long descents, and gravity bikes. Paired with a 220mm front rotor and a 200mm rear rotor, they deliver huge power with a smooth, controllable lever feel that resists fade on the longest runs of the day.

• CC carbon frame with 208mm of VPP rear travel
• Fox 40 Factory GRIP X2 fork and Fox DHX2 Factory coil shock
• SRAM X01 DH 7-speed drivetrain with E13 LG1+ chainguide
• SRAM Maven Silver brakes with 220mm and 200mm rotors
• Reserve 30|HD aluminum rims on Industry Nine or DT Swiss 350 hubs
• Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tires in MaxxGrip DH casing

The drivetrain is purpose-built for gravity. SRAM X01 DH 7-speed shifting provides a tight, race-focused gear spread without the extra cassette bulk you never use on a downhill track, while an E13 LG1+ chainguide keeps the chain secured through rough sections and hard landings. A 36-tooth SRAM X01 DH crankset with 165mm arms adds ground clearance where rock strikes are a real concern.

Wheels are built around Reserve 30|HD aluminum rims laced to either Industry Nine 1/1 or DT Swiss 350 hubs, depending on availability. Small through large frames roll on a mixed-wheel setup, combining a 29-inch front wheel for rollover with a 27.5-inch rear wheel for quick direction changes and extra clearance on steep terrain. The extra-large frame runs 29-inch wheels front and rear. Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tires in 3C MaxxGrip compound and DH casing provide traction and puncture resistance where it matters most.

The finishing kit is equally ready for abuse, with a OneUp direct-mount stem, an 800mm aluminum riser bar, Burgtec grips, and a Fizik Alpaca Gravita saddle. Everything rides on a frame backed by a lifetime warranty and free pivot bearing replacement for the original owner. For riders who want a no-compromise downhill bike in the most capable configuration available, the V10 CC DH X01 is the one to put on the lift.