I’ve been riding one since July and agree with your observations. Feels much snappier than my Cutty, but not harsh either. Also didn’t think the Down tube storage would be that useful, but it holds everything I need for day rides. The sleeves also keep things organized and rattle free. I also didn’t like the bars initially, but after installing my normal PNW tape they grew on me. I opted for a rigid fork model, and am glad I did. My Rival bike is 19 pounds with the additional weight of the AXS dropper and RK 2.2s. I’m sure it could easily shed a pound with little effort. Overall a fun bike that will stay in the stable for the foreseeable future.
@jackrobinson3392 continental raceking black chilli protection 2.2 tires. They are my go to tire. Super fast, light, tough and relatively cheap. They fit in this bike but BARELY. Switching to Terraspeed 45s once they are back in stock
Love the concept, but like you, most could not afford the $7700 for that build. And as you say, it seems under-gunned to be a tour divide-like adventure bike. For much less, I upgraded a Salsa Cuttthroat with a SID fork and 12 speed mechanical single-speed group. More tire clearance, more travel, more frame bag space, and I doubt much more weight. I"m sure it is a great gravel bike without the suspension fork (join the club).
Recently went down from 52mm bars to 44mm and honestly don’t feel any compromise in handling or stability at all on rough stuff. The wide bars playing a role in a fit issue for me - I think an under-discussed topic is that when using wide bars you are effectively increasing reach, and probably need to run a shorter stem.
Looks like a nice bike...way outside my budget or what I'd pay for a bike, though. I guess if some have the money, go for it! Cycling is like any other hobby/endeavor. Unfortunately, it's become a bit more pricey, even for a mid-range component set-up. Nice review and thanks for sharing, Neil 🍻
Well, it's really hard to fit handlebar bags between narrow bars, that's one reason, I also like the feel and the confidence wider bars give me, but it was evident testing this bike that it was not as important as I once thought.
An XC mountain bike (full-sus or hardtail) with Gravel tires might do just as well for a better price. My Gravelbike is full-sus Specialized Epic with 700x43 Panaracer Gravel KIng SK tires. Fast on pavement. Excellent on gravel. Totally capable on easy to medium singletrack. You can get a full-sus Canyon Lux World Cup for $3500.
Which is better Salsa Cutthroat vs Santa Cruz Stigmata. I was looking at the warranty on Santa Cruz carbon frames and sorry, it's not as you say, that the warranty is for life. The lifetime warranty is only for factory defects, the warranty is for 5 years.
thank you for the nice video. I´ve bought the stigmata and I am really looking forward to ride it. I am planning a bike packing tour and would like to have the same packaging stuff as you have. Can you please tell me what the name is from the axle and which bomb you have. thanks
I think the sus fork and 50mm tire clearance helps, but as I mentioned, it's still a gravel bike. Geo certainly play a roll too, you are much more upright on the cutty, where as the stigmata is still designed as a gravel race bike. But compared to say the Warbird, the Stigmata is a much more comfortable and capable bike.
Nice bike, geometry is very aligned to the Specialized Diverge I've ridden since June 2020. Does the dropper post have some sort of cushioning to counter the lack of flex? Also, I know they're highly personal, but would love a video/article on your team's favorite saddles for long miles... still looking for that elusive all-day saddle for my bikes. Not a fan of giant shammys.
Thanks for your useless comment. Please, if you comment here, use your brain and tell us why you don’t like it. Otherwise leave your garbage comment on another channel. Is it for everyone, no but it’s not useless by any means.
Love all of the dirty bike beauty shots, its a nice change of pace from all of the pristine b-roll that's so common!
I’ve been riding one since July and agree with your observations. Feels much snappier than my Cutty, but not harsh either. Also didn’t think the Down tube storage would be that useful, but it holds everything I need for day rides. The sleeves also keep things organized and rattle free. I also didn’t like the bars initially, but after installing my normal PNW tape they grew on me. I opted for a rigid fork model, and am glad I did. My Rival bike is 19 pounds with the additional weight of the AXS dropper and RK 2.2s. I’m sure it could easily shed a pound with little effort. Overall a fun bike that will stay in the stable for the foreseeable future.
Hi, can I ask what RK 2.2’s are?
@jackrobinson3392 continental raceking black chilli protection 2.2 tires. They are my go to tire. Super fast, light, tough and relatively cheap. They fit in this bike but BARELY. Switching to Terraspeed 45s once they are back in stock
Love the concept, but like you, most could not afford the $7700 for that build. And as you say, it seems under-gunned to be a tour divide-like adventure bike. For much less, I upgraded a Salsa Cuttthroat with a SID fork and 12 speed mechanical single-speed group. More tire clearance, more travel, more frame bag space, and I doubt much more weight. I"m sure it is a great gravel bike without the suspension fork (join the club).
Congratulations on making the big 100k. Well deserved for the great content y’all put out.
Thanks so much!!
Another great video and review Neil. Love the color coordination with your shirt too! Pro-level! 😜
😎I I could wear one short all day every day, this would be it!
Recently went down from 52mm bars to 44mm and honestly don’t feel any compromise in handling or stability at all on rough stuff. The wide bars playing a role in a fit issue for me - I think an under-discussed topic is that when using wide bars you are effectively increasing reach, and probably need to run a shorter stem.
Looks like a nice bike...way outside my budget or what I'd pay for a bike, though. I guess if some have the money, go for it! Cycling is like any other hobby/endeavor. Unfortunately, it's become a bit more pricey, even for a mid-range component set-up.
Nice review and thanks for sharing, Neil 🍻
Thanks for watching, I missed that they have an APEX build thats 3999usd, pretty good price for a bike that is actually lighter than the one I tested.
Love SC and this bike is on the short list! Thanks for great video
Looks biblical man
Santa Cruz really just said f-it and rereleased a 90s mountain bike after slapping some drop bars on it.
I'm mad because I'm jealous
Congrats on 100K!
Thank you!!
Nothing beats my Fuji track pro. 😌
I will forever be surprised with how much you love wide drop bars
Well, it's really hard to fit handlebar bags between narrow bars, that's one reason, I also like the feel and the confidence wider bars give me, but it was evident testing this bike that it was not as important as I once thought.
An XC mountain bike (full-sus or hardtail) with Gravel tires might do just as well for a better price. My Gravelbike is full-sus Specialized Epic with 700x43 Panaracer Gravel KIng SK tires. Fast on pavement. Excellent on gravel. Totally capable on easy to medium singletrack. You can get a full-sus Canyon Lux World Cup for $3500.
The point here is the drop bar and Santa Cruz offers lifetime warranty on frame and fork. Agree it’s overpriced anyway 😅
an xc bike will never be as fun as this on smooth gravel
@@MW-ud8zpIf all you ride is smooth gravel, then I 100% agree. However, I live in the western U.S. Not much smooth gravel here.
@@Jean-jk4zv I'm just trying to get people to look outside the box.
totally agree. light, stiff, and more capable for the same money or less.
Which is better Salsa Cutthroat vs Santa Cruz Stigmata. I was looking at the warranty on Santa Cruz carbon frames and sorry, it's not as you say, that the warranty is for life. The lifetime warranty is only for factory defects, the warranty is for 5 years.
thank you for the nice video. I´ve bought the stigmata and I am really looking forward to ride it. I am planning a bike packing tour and would like to have the same packaging stuff as you have. Can you please tell me what the name is from the axle and which bomb you have. thanks
Neil, how does it compare to a Cutty ? Is it less compliant regardless of the tires ?
I think the sus fork and 50mm tire clearance helps, but as I mentioned, it's still a gravel bike. Geo certainly play a roll too, you are much more upright on the cutty, where as the stigmata is still designed as a gravel race bike. But compared to say the Warbird, the Stigmata is a much more comfortable and capable bike.
Thanks for the review! Have been hoping to see more about this bike.
Do you know if rear tire clearance goes down from 50mm if you run a 2x?
Yep, it’s 45mm with a 2x. Thanks for watching.
Can I be a hip gravel rider without owning any plaid shirts?
What kind of rear rack is that? Looks interesting.
Nice bike, geometry is very aligned to the Specialized Diverge I've ridden since June 2020. Does the dropper post have some sort of cushioning to counter the lack of flex? Also, I know they're highly personal, but would love a video/article on your team's favorite saddles for long miles... still looking for that elusive all-day saddle for my bikes. Not a fan of giant shammys.
Neil, how do I contact bikepacking regarding a subscription error. Renewed in April, got issue #10 and being asked to renew now...
Hi Peter, the best thing to do is log in to your account on the website and send us a message through the member contact form.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom I cannot do that unless I renew, that is my dilemma.
Is it slack because of Rudy fork? I've noticed sus gravel bikes are generally more slacker due to sus fork length.
Same HTA with rigid or sus fork.
Just curious how tall you are and what the size medium felt like!
Geometry: 150lbs, 5'9.5", 32" inseam, +2.5" Ape index would not have gone to a large, medium felt great.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom thanks mate. I’m at 5’7 30” inseam. Small probably seems more in line ;). 🙏
I have a 1960's 3 speed Raleigh. not just another run of the mill gravel bike. simply lacks the marketing and RUclips coverage.
do you wish YT was around in the 60s? That would be a trip...
Gravel bikes has became XC bikes
Nice bike, not so nice price tag.
Can get a real gravel bike and an awesome hardtail for that price!
Fair enough! I did forget to mention tin that the apex build is 3999usd and lighter than the build I tested.
With a suspension fork lmao 😂😂😂
Attractive paint color, stripping off the disgusting S.C. Name decal would be my first modification.
Never subscribing to this lib but I’ll show up for a bike review I guess
Useless bike
Thanks for your useless comment. Please, if you comment here, use your brain and tell us why you don’t like it. Otherwise leave your garbage comment on another channel. Is it for everyone, no but it’s not useless by any means.