Overview
The 2025 Santa Cruz 5010 is Santa Cruz’s playful mid-travel trail bike, running a mixed wheel setup (29” front / 27.5” rear) with 130mm of VPP rear travel and a 140mm fork. Where the Tallboy prioritizes efficiency with full 29” wheels, the 5010 trades some rollover speed for a more agile, poppy ride character that rewards creative line choices and playful riding. Available in Carbon CC and Carbon C frame options across six sizes from XS to XXL, the 5010 includes a Glovebox integrated storage compartment in the downtube.
New to bike geometry? Our complete guide to mountain bike geometry explains every measurement and what it means for your riding. You can also learn how to read a geometry chart to compare this bike against other models.
Geometry is adjustable via a 2-position flip chip. In the High position, the head angle sits at 65.2° (65.1° on XXL) with a 338mm BB height; the Low position slackens to 64.9° with a 334–335mm BB height. Reach ranges from 410mm (XS) to 524mm (XXL) in the High setting. Proportional chainstays scale from 428mm (XS) to 442mm (XXL). The 5010’s geometry is slightly slacker and lower than the Tallboy, reflecting the additional travel and the mullet wheel setup’s influence on handling. The mixed wheels lower the rear BB slightly and quicken the bike’s turn-in compared to a full 29er.
Geometry Diagram
Geometry Table
| Measurement | XS | SM | MD | LG | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Tube Angle (high) | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.1° |
| Head Tube Angle (low) | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° |
| Seat Tube Angle (high) | 77.4° | 77.4° | 77.4° | 77.1° | 77.3° | 77.3° |
| Head Tube Length | 90mm | 100mm | 115mm | 125mm | 145mm | 160mm |
| Seat Tube Length | 370mm | 380mm | 405mm | 430mm | 460mm | 500mm |
| Top Tube Length (high) | 544mm | 570mm | 598mm | 624mm | 645mm | 673mm |
| Reach (high) | 410mm | 434mm | 459mm | 479mm | 499mm | 524mm |
| Reach (low) | 406mm | 431mm | 456mm | 476mm | 496mm | 521mm |
| Stack (high) | 599mm | 608mm | 622mm | 631mm | 649mm | 662mm |
| Wheelbase (high) | 1147mm | 1178mm | 1212mm | 1239mm | 1271mm | 1305mm |
| Chainstay Length (high) | 428mm | 430mm | 433mm | 436mm | 439mm | 442mm |
| BB Height (high) | 338mm | 338mm | 338mm | 338mm | 338mm | 338mm |
| BB Height (low) | 335mm | 335mm | 334mm | 334mm | 334mm | 335mm |
| Standover (high) | 694mm | 703mm | 706mm | 708mm | 711mm | 717mm |
| Fork Offset | 44mm | 44mm | 44mm | 44mm | 44mm | 44mm |
Geometry Analysis
The 5010’s geometry reflects its mullet wheel setup and playful intent. The 65.2° head angle is half a degree slacker than the Tallboy, compensating for the smaller rear wheel’s tendency to quicken handling while also reflecting the extra 10mm of fork travel. Proportional chainstays from 428mm (XS) to 442mm (XXL) are slightly shorter than the Tallboy’s, contributing to the 5010’s snappy, agile character. The consistent 338mm BB height is 3mm higher than the Tallboy despite the smaller rear wheel, which helps maintain pedal clearance with the 27.5” rear and keeps the bike feeling lively rather than too planted. The flip chip provides a meaningful 0.3° head angle and 3–4mm BB height adjustment between High and Low positions. Six sizes from XS to XXL with proportional geometry ensure consistent handling across the range.
Ride Characteristics
The 5010 is the most playful trail bike in the Santa Cruz lineup. The mullet wheel setup gives it a distinctly different personality from the full-29er Tallboy — the 27.5” rear wheel is easier to get off the ground, quicker to change direction, and feels livelier in pumpy, technical terrain. The VPP suspension delivers 130mm of progressive, well-supported travel that handles drops, jumps, and rough sections with more composure than the travel number suggests. On climbs, the steep seat angle and efficient VPP platform make the 5010 surprisingly good, though it gives up some straight-line efficiency to the Tallboy’s bigger rear wheel. The Glovebox storage compartment is a practical touch for carrying tools and spares without a pack. At around 30.8 lbs for the CC X0 build, the 5010 is light enough to be genuinely fun on long rides while having enough travel for occasional aggressive use.
Key Specs
Frame: Carbon CC or Carbon C. Wheel Size: 29” front / 27.5” rear (MX). Travel: 140mm fork / 130mm rear. Suspension: Lower-link VPP. Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 12-speed (X0 or GX AXS). Brakes: SRAM Code Silver, 180mm rotors. Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate, 35mm stanchions. Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate. Flip Chip: 2-position (Hi/Lo). Glovebox: Integrated downtube storage. Sizes: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL.
What’s New vs Previous Generation
The 2025 5010 continues with the current-generation frame design featuring lower-link VPP suspension, mullet wheels, and the Glovebox integrated storage. Component updates include the latest SRAM Eagle Transmission drivetrains and refreshed colorways. Note: as of 2026, Santa Cruz has not announced a 2026 5010, making the 2025 model year the current available version. The 5010 may be redesigned or repositioned in the future.
Who Should Consider This Bike
The 5010 is ideal for riders who prioritize fun and playfulness over outright speed. If you love popping off features, manual-ing through trail sections, and want a bike that encourages creative line choices, the 5010’s mullet setup and 130mm of travel deliver. It suits riders who find the Tallboy too focused on efficiency and want more personality from their trail bike. For riders who want the most efficient climbing and pure 29er speed, the Tallboy is the better choice. For more aggressive trail and enduro riding, step up to the Bronson (160mm).
Comparable Models
The 5010 competes with the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO (mullet option), Trek Fuel MX Gen 7, Ibis Ripmo AF, and Transition Spur. All are mid-travel trail bikes that offer a balance of climbing efficiency and descending fun. The 5010 is unique for its commitment to the mullet wheel setup as standard (rather than an option), and its Glovebox integrated storage. The Trek Fuel MX is the most direct competitor with a similar mullet setup and travel. The Ibis Ripmo offers more travel in a similar package.
Related Geometry
More Santa Cruz geometry: Santa Cruz 5010 27.5 2020 Geometry, Santa Cruz Blur 2026 Geometry, Santa Cruz Blur 29 2020 Geometry, Santa Cruz Bronson 2026 Geometry, Santa Cruz Bronson 27.5 2020 Geometry.
Compare trail bikes: 2023 Giant Stance Geometry, 2023 Giant Trance Geometry, 2023 Norco Fluid FS Geometry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wheel size does the Santa Cruz 5010 use?
The 5010 uses a mixed (mullet) wheel setup with a 29” front wheel and 27.5” rear wheel across all sizes. This combines the rollover advantage of a 29er front with the agility and playfulness of a smaller rear wheel.
What is the Glovebox on the 5010?
The Glovebox is an integrated storage compartment built into the 5010’s downtube. It provides space for carrying tools, a tube, CO2 cartridge, and other small items without needing a pack or bag. Access is through a door in the downtube.
How does the 5010 compare to the Tallboy?
The 5010 has 130mm rear / 140mm fork travel (vs. Tallboy’s 120mm/130mm), uses mullet wheels (vs. full 29”), and has a slightly slacker head angle (65.2° vs. 65.7°). The 5010 is more playful and agile, while the Tallboy is more efficient and faster on smooth terrain. Choose the 5010 for fun, choose the Tallboy for speed.
Is the Santa Cruz 5010 being discontinued?
As of early 2026, Santa Cruz has not announced a 2026 5010. The 2025 model year is the most recent version available. The 5010 may be redesigned or repositioned within the lineup in the future.
Does the 5010 have adjustable geometry?
Yes. The 5010 features a 2-position flip chip in the lower link shock mount. The High position provides a 65.2° head angle and 338mm BB height, while the Low position slackens to 64.9° with a 334–335mm BB height.