{"id":4059,"date":"2022-08-17T15:06:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T15:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikefinest.com\/?p=4059"},"modified":"2022-08-17T15:07:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T15:07:39","slug":"why-are-santa-cruz-bikes-so-expensive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikefinest.com\/why-are-santa-cruz-bikes-so-expensive\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Santa Cruz Bikes So Expensive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Known for its dominance in the enduro racing world and the wider mountain bike sector, Santa Cruz Bicycles is increasingly growing in popularity globally. While there aren’t doubts about the bikes’ performance, one cannot help but wonder, ‘why are Santa Cruz bikes so expensive?’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bikes are expensive because they go through a detailed, costly production process, and the cycles are produced in low volume. What’s more, the bikes come with lifetime warranties and employ advanced VPP suspension that enables them to outperform most competitors.   <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, Santa Cruz is a famous brand, and so the market is crazy about the bikes, compelling the manufacturer to price them higher to curb the increasing demand. In one way, the brand name also makes the bike expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But overall, not all Santa Cruz bikes are expensive as the prices<\/a> hugely depend on the frame type. Carbon CC frames, for example, are more high-end than Carbon C and aluminum frames, which makes Carbon CC Santa Cruz cycles outrageously expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s explore the reasons in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"why<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In a rush? Check out the most affordable Santa Cruz bicycles below: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Most Affordable Santa Cruz Bikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Santa Cruz Chameleon:<\/strong> Most Affordable Santa Cruz Trail Bike<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Santa Cruz Highball:<\/strong> Most Affordable Santa Cruz XC Bike<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Santa Cruz Jackal: <\/strong>Most Affordable Santa Cruz Dirt Jumper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Santa Cruz Stigmata: <\/strong>Most Affordable Santa Cruz Gravel Bike<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Reasons Why Are Santa Cruz Bikes So Expensive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bikes<\/a><\/strong> are generally expensive because of the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Small Production Volume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles doesn’t make its bikes in bulk, as it’s the case of Giant Bicycles<\/a> or Trek<\/a>. They only produce a small volume, which means they don’t enjoy many discount advantages when buying raw materials and components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they have to pay more, which means they have to compensate for that by increasing the bike price<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.  Expensive Production Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The entire bike production process is quite involving, and that makes it expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with component sourcing;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles gets its mid-range and top-tier groupsets from Shimano and SRAM, which cost more than low-tier options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when it comes to the suspension forks, Santa Cruz sources from FOX and RockShox, two of the most high-end suspension brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the bike assembly is expensive, given that everything is carefully and professionally done at the headquarters in Santa Cruz, California. They hire top-level engineers to handle the production, which costs the company more, and it (the company) passes the cost to the buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles has an exclusive bike factory known as Skybox, where they build the bikes and guarantee quality control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And even when it comes to building VPP framesets, which I’ll cover later, Santa Cruz Bicycles only hires the best experts and employs the most high-end components that cost them more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And since they are in the business of making a profit, they pass the burden to their audience.<\/p>\n\n\n

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3.  Advanced VPP Suspension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles has been employing Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension on its mountain bikes, which they are famously known for, since 2001.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This four-bar linkage suspension technology works well with top-end suspension systems such as FOX and RockShox without needing additional hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only issue is that it cost the company more to produce the VPP framesets, and they have no choice but to pass the cost burden to the end consumer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, VPP promotes a better balance between chomping prowess and pedaling efficiency. So, understandably, it’s one of the main reasons why Santa Cruz bikes are expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Lifetime Warranties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can always tell a quality bicycle from its warranty provision. Usually, a lifetime warranty shows a quality bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bicycles, unlike most bikes, offer multiple lifetime warranties. That includes coverage for the frame, reserve carbon rims, bottle cages, and handlebars.  As a result, their bikes cost more than those with short-term coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.  Santa Cruz is a Famous Brand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz is a reputable name, and like most respected brands, the brand name somehow influences purchasing decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people would rather buy an expensive Santa Cruze bicycle than a brand they know little about, even if the latter promise better specs. That has seen the manufacturer price the cycles higher to control the ever-rising demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Note \u2013 It’s All in the Carbon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles is one of the few brands that pioneered carbon fiber on its bike frames. Generally, carbon fiber is at least four times lighter than steel and at least two times stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, it’s more stable and fatigue-resistance, and unless it cracks, carbon doesn’t break or bend easily, making it safer and ever-reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only issue is that their building process is financially-involving.  The company hires a team of top experts to knit the carbon fiber filaments together and orientate them to be stiffer and more compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process takes time and employs advanced equipment, which costs more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their carbon fiber exclusive factory, Skybox, and state-of-the-art carbon labs make carbon CC and Carbon C frames. The former (Carbon CC) is the most high-end, costing almost double the latter (Carbon C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But still, Carbon C costs more than aluminum. Generally, it’s within the mid-range bracket.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"why<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How Much Do Santa Cruz Bikes Cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most Santa Cruz bicycles cost $5,000 or more. So, it’s easy to argue that there are no low-end options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are many bikes within the $5,000-$8,000 than those above $8,000 and only a few, averaging less than $5,000. That brings us to three budget categories as shown in the table below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Category<\/strong><\/td>Price (MSRP)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Entry-level<\/td>Less than $5000<\/td><\/tr>
Mid-range<\/td>$5,000-$8,000<\/td><\/tr>
High-end<\/td>$8,000 +<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are Santa Cruz Bikes Worth The Money?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let’s face it; no one dashes out $5,000 or more to buy a bike unless it’s worth it. With most Santa Cruz cycles retailing at such a price, you have to ask if they are worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bikes are among the most innovative and most lightweight bikes on the market today. Their carbon C and carbon CC bikes are undeniably lightweight, stable, stronger, and more impact-resistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, their VPP framesets promise better integration with top-end suspensions and an overall better riding experience. The two provisions make these bikes worth the money<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the bikes employ top-tier Shimano and SRAM groupsets among many other high-end components to guarantee better quality, thus worth the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are All Santa Cruz Bikes Expensive?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though Santa Cruz Bicycles is far from being a budget bike brand, it doesn’t mean that all of its bicycles are unaffordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, Santa Cruz Bicycles make most of its bikes in all frame<\/a> types \u2013 Carbon CC, Carbon C, and aluminum. While Carbon CC represents the high-end brand, aluminum frames represent what most call budget options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These bikes (aluminum options) are not low-end but quality entry-level options. You’ll get most of their averaging $2,000-$3,500, with only a few averaging $1,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But compared to Carbon CC bikes which are likely to cost $8,000 and above, and most Carbon C bikes, which average $5,000-$8,000, anything that costs under $3,500 is considered budget-friendly by Santa Cruz standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail bikers on a budget, for example, can get the Santa Cruz Chame<\/strong>leon, whose MSRP is $2,399 but the aluminum frame average less than $1,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, cross country racers on a budget can get the Santa Cruz Highball<\/strong>, whose aluminum frame cost under $2,300 and the complete bike’s MSRP averages under $3,550.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note, however, that its Jackal <\/strong>dirt jumper and Stigmata<\/strong> gravel bike line are budget-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n

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People Also Ask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Are Santa Cruz Bikes Worth It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bikes may be costly than most, but they are top-performers, high-quality, and innovative, thus worth it. These bikes are for serious cyclists<\/a>, especially mountain bikers who want more value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Why Are Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes So Expensive?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz mountain bikes are expensive because they employ a more advanced VPP suspension frameset, high-end carbon frames, and top-quality groupsets. They are also produced in low volumes and go through a costly, lengthy production process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. What Is So Special About Santa Cruz Bikes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Pivot Point (VPP), a four-bar linkage suspension system, makes Santa Cruz bikes so special in performance. But still, their Carbon C and Carbon CC high-grade frames make them special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Why Are Santa Cruz Bikes So Popular?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bicycles are popular for their Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) framesets that promise stiffer and more efficient pedaling and are generally compatible with most top-tier suspensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the bike brand is famous for stocking quality carbon-fiber frames that are part of their yearly mountain biking and racing events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Why Are Santa Cruz Bikes So Heavy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most Santa Cruz bikes are not very heavy, given that they feature carbon fiber frames. However, their entry-level choices feature aluminum and complex groupsets, which weigh more and make the bikes heavier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. How Much Is A Santa Cruz Mountain Bike?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the bike type, entry-level Santa Cruz mountain bicycles cost about $2,500-$5,000 while mid-range options retail $5,000-$8,000. However, high-end Santa Cruz MTBs cost more than $8,000 and some as high as over $12,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Where Are Santa Cruz Bikes Manufactured?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles makes its bikes in Taiwan and some in China, but they assemble everything at their main factory in Santa Cruz, California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Are Santa Cruz Bikes Overpriced?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz bicycles may cost more than most bikes, but that doesn’t make them overpriced. These bikes are all about performance, and they feature the most high-end components. So, you pay for value, and that makes sense if you look at the bikes closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Who Makes Santa Cruz Bicycles?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Currently, Netherlands-based Pon Holdings owns and makes Santa Cruz bicycles, among many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Does Giant Make Santa Cruz Frames?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz Bicycles has been contracting Giant Bicycles<\/a> to make some of its bike frames in recent years. That’s good news for Giant Bicycles die-hards as the manufacturer is known for making the most high-end frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relevant<\/strong>: Are Santa Cruz Bikes Good?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are Santa Cruz Bikes So Expensive? Closing Thought:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From our above discussion, Santa Cruz bikes are expensive because they are quality bikes produced in low volumes and go through a costly detailed production process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though you pay more, the bikes promise a more superior performance, hence value for money.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Known for its dominance in the enduro racing world and the wider mountain bike sector, Santa Cruz Bicycles is increasingly growing in popularity globally. While there aren’t doubts about the … <\/p>\n

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