Santa Cruz Stigmata 4 CC Rival 1X AXS

Santa Cruz Stigmata 4 CC Rival 1X AXS - Modern Gravel Bike with MTB Genes

The cult forge Santa Cruz has made its name with mountain bikes. But gravel bikes have been produced in the hallowed halls of California for almost as long. That is, before the name gravel bike was invented, they were cyclocross bikes. The gravel bike then developed out of these cross-country racing bikes. With a more comfortable geometry and smoother running. Santa Cruz describes the Stigmata as a road bike for mountain bikers. This pays off when the terrain gets rough. Or on fast gravel descents. The Stigmata conveys a confident riding feeling at all times. But it remains agile enough for the odd single trail in between. Of course, Santa Cruz knows its way around this terrain.

In this version, the Stigmata comes with the wireless-electric Sram Rival XPLR AXS shifting system and the matching Sram Rival disc brakes. This ensemble impresses with outstanding performance off-road. With finely controllable brakes and 100% precise gear changes. A lightweight DT-Swiss wheelset with grippy Maxxis Rambler tyres completes the first-class equipment.

Santa Cruz Carbon Frames - The Crown of Carbon Processing

Santa Cruz manufactures the carbon frames in two quality levels, referred to as C and CC Carbon. The C carbon is somewhat more cost-efficient in processing. For the Stigmata models, however, only the extremely light CC Carbon is used. Here, the engineers have taken weight optimisation to the extreme with selected raw materials and a lot of manual work. Further indications of the Stigmata's close relationship to a mountain bike: although a carbon rigid fork is fitted as standard, the frame geometry also harmonises with a suspension fork. In addition, the frame can handle tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. This provides super rolling comfort, which you can use on a bikepacking tour.