It’s time to finally wrap up our content from Eurobike, and just in time, with Interbike kicking off in Vegas right now… So without further a do, lets take a look at what’s new for 2013 from arguably one of the most sought after brands out there; Santa Cruz. Having almost one bike in their range for every year they’ve been in business, Santa Cruz never fail to impress with an allure to their product that is both unique in mountain biking and indeed cycling as a whole. A connection to a cool part of the world, a brand synonymous with a rebellious spirit, board culture and when combined with the most colourful race team on the circuit, it’s a good job their bikes are a sick too…

Words: Olly Forster | Words: Nathan ‘Nate Dog’ Carvell

Big enough to tame the roughest descent, but light enough for day long stints shredding singletrack, the Carbon Nomad with it’s 160mm of travel is back. For ’13, SC have added a 142 x 12mm rear end and kept the popular gloss green and matte carbon colour schemes from this season.

The man and the machine. No massive changes to the V10 for 2013 and no carbon swingram just yet, but word on the street is that it’s coming… What is new is this stunning matte carbon finish with red and white Syndicate themed racing stripes, which I have to say is the best looking V10 ever – although I’m not sure about white forks?

This is probably the bike that got the 29er ball rolling from hypothetical wheel size option to real-world product. The Tallboy C is back for ’13 sporting 100mm of travel through a Kashima coated Fox CTD Adjust shock, a 142 x 12mm rear axle and is available in this awesome blue finish and in a matte carbon finish too.

If the Tallboy C put the big wheel option in the consumer spotlight, it was the Tallboy LTC that caught the attention of the trail shredder looking at the big wheel option with any initial reluctance to have their minds changed after seeing what exactly these extra three inches would mean for them and their regular Sunday loop. For 2013 you’ve got 135mm of travel, ISCG 05 mounts, 142 x 12mm rear and two colour options including the yellow below and a matte carbon option as well. More on this bad boy soon…

Like with most of Santa Cruz’s line, there’s a carbon and alloy option to suit all tastes and budgets. Featuring all the same features as the carbon beauty above, but I have to say the ‘Gulf Blue’ option pictured here with red graphics looks amazing. Also available in black.

One of the biggest changes to the VPP line this year is the adoption of the 142mm x 12mm rear axle assembly, which has been rolled out across the range. Increasing stiffness and delivering a neater and more robust drop out system over the conventional and out dated QR design – this design also looks a whole load better too.

Another addition to the VPP line-up’s list of refinements for ’13 is a slight change to some of the lower linkage designs that were hampering the bike’s chainguide compatibility with certain brands and models. This has been remedied for 2013 and with quite a few of the complete bikes now coming through with chainguides and  2 x 10 drivetrains, it’s looking good!

Santa Cruz have always had single pivot bikes in their line up and 2013 is no different. With four bikes on offer including the Juliana, Superlight 26″, Superlight 29″ and the incredibly popular Heckler, there’s a bike in there for everyone.

You never know when you need a bottle opener?

Easily one of the best colour combos on show at the SC booth this year was this, the 2013 Highball C in matte carbon with neon green decals. This 29″ singletrack destroyer has the 14 x 12mm axle assembly and has all the right numbers to let the miles slip by you as you get lost in the woods.

You can’t talk about Santa Cruz and not mention this, the Chameleon. This bike helped define a generation of hard-tail orientated riding and for 2013, its back – long XC rides, techncial descents and even hitting the jumps, this bikes is all about versatility and adventure, and in this ‘Tennis Yellow’ colour option, it’s hard not to fall back in love with this one…

There was of course a few more bikes, 19 in total, but one thing that really stands out for us here at FJ is this, the CCCP program. This stands for ‘Custom Colour Choice Program’ and it basically allows alloy frame customers to choose from 12 different powdercoat colours, four styles of decals and five different decal colours. Why is this so rad? Do you really need to ask or have you never been to the trails to see other peopel on your pride and joy? Watch the video…

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