2021 Santa Cruz 5010 & Juliana Furtado: More travel!

The Santa Cruz 5010 and Juliana Furtado are the 27.5in ‘all-rounders’ of each brand. Designed to go up as well as they come down, the nimble trail bikes have had some major changes for 2020.

What’s new at a glance

• Fork travel has increased from 130mm to 140mm
• Lower-link VPP rear suspension
• Shock tunnel can accommodate any shock currently on the market, both air and coil
• 2021 SRAM GX Eagle 52T
• Chainstay lengths vary on each frame size
• Reserve 30 rims

Suspension changes

At the front, fork travel has increased from 130mm to 140mm, increasing the BB height in the process. At the rear we see the lower linkage from the rest of the updated 2020 frames paired with a new shock tunnel design that can now accommodate any shock currently on the market – both air and coil, with or without piggybacks.

These suspension upgrades are designed to offer optimal balance front-rear for a more responsive feel and better cornering. The updated leverage curve is shown in blue below, with green showing the 2019 model.

Sizing

The Santa Cruz 5010 is available in all sizes ranging from XS – XL. As with the 2019 model, the Juliana Furtado is only available in XS, S, M. The suspension tuning on Santa Cruz bikes accommodates a weight range up to 150-200lb, whereas Juliana Bikes are aimed at riders up to around 160lbs, so if you’re tall enough to need a L/XL, there’s a good chance you’d benefit from the tuning of the unisex model.

Another major update to the Santa Cruz 5010 and Juliana Furtado is the varying chainstay lengths. The size specific chainstay lengths use the same rear triangle but are mounted to the pivot differently, meaning each frame size will be more balanced than previous models.

Geometry updates

Santa Cruz 5010 and Juliana Furtado updates from previous models include a slightly slacker head angle, the BB height slightly higher to allow for the increased fork travel, a reach slightly longer than the High Tower/Maverick and a lower standover. As always for the 5010 and Furtado, a short rear end that varies in length depending on the frame size.

Components

Starting with the drivetrain, the 2020 models come with the new 2021 SRAM GX Eagle, complete with a 52T cassette and 520% range. This also includes the SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger, designed to rotate on impact and save your rear mech. This is compatible with all drivetrains, not just SRAM.

Both the 5010 and Furtado come with 40mm stems thanks to the longer reach on the 2020 frames.

New for 2020, all Santa Cruz 5010 and Juliana Furtado models come on 27.5 Reserve 30 v2 rims. These feature subtle updates to the layup to improve strength.

The bikes come running Maxxis 2.4 DHR2 tires, but can accommodate up to a 2.6in tyre.

2021 Santa Cruz 5010 Build Options

2020 Juliana Furtado Build Options

We were due to be out in Oregon to test the new bikes, but instead we’ve had Emma shredding the trails up north on the Furtado, and Dean is down south spending a bit longer on the 5010, so you’ll have two perspectives on UK trails coming up.

Amanda Wishart

Art Director

Amanda is our resident pedaller, who loves the climbs as much as the descents. No genre of biking is turned down, though she is happiest when at the top of a mountain with a wild descent ahead of her. If you ever want a chat about concussion recovery, dealing with a Womb of Doom or how best to fuel an endurance XC race, she's the one to email.

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