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Second Coming: Santa Cruz Relaunches Stigmata Cyclocross Bike, Updates the HighBall with New Wheelsize Flavors

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2015_Santa_Cruz_Stigmata_Black_Profile

After a protracted absence from the road market, Santa Cruz has returned with the second coming of the Stigmata. This time, the model has been redesigned from the ground up from the company’s favorite space age material.

They’ve also dropped a completely refreshed Highball 29er and a 27.5 version into the mix as well.

Head past the break to learn all about the new models…


2015_Santa_Cruz_Stigmata_Orange_Frame

According to Santa Cruz Product Manager Josh Kissner, the new Stigmata was designed to “crush cyclocross races and strike out on long dirt road crusades.”

They’ve built this versatility into the frame by supporting larger 160mm brake rotors for prolonged descents, a (company first) Pressfit BB for better drivetrain compatibility, and 41mm tire clearance.

True to the company’s off road pedigree, the frame also sports a 15mm thru axle front end and a 142×12 rear end.

2015_Santa_Cruz_Stigmata_Orange_34

While anyone who wrenches on bikes is generally apprehensive regarding internal cable routing, Santa Cruz has consistently created bikes that are easy to work on. The Nomad proved the company could do hassle free internal routing, and the Stigmata has taken that concept one step further.

This frame has internally molded carbon tubes laid into the one piece mold for easy routing of all cables and is said to be Shimano Di2 compatible.

2015_Santa_Cruz_Stigmata_Black_34

The Stigmata will be available in two different colors, five sizes, three build kits, and as a frame only. Prices start at $3,699 for a complete.

2015_Santa_Cruz_Stigmata_Black_Frame

The CC carbon frameset will retail for $2,299 and includes a Stigmata CC carbon fork, axles and headset.

For those who don’t recall, SCB now sells two flavors of carbon. The CC (mo’ C’s, mo’ better) which denotes the lighter, pricier models, while the C frames are marginally heavier, but tested to the same exacting standards. You can learn more about the differences from our in depth article last year.

2015 Santa Cruz Stigmata Geometry

Frames will be available in 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60mm sizes as soon as the West Coast port disputes abate.

Highball

2015_Santa_Cruz_Highball_Black_34

The new Highball also also been re-engineered from scratch, and features an updated geometry, and the same sleek internal routing as it’s 700cc cousin.

2015_Santa_Cruz_Highball_Aqua_Blue_Frame

The new 29″ model has chainstays that are 10mm shorter than the previous generation and a TT that is nearly half an inch longer (you all have my sincerest apologies for switching units mid sentence). The company has also moved from a 30.9mm diameter post to a 27.2, and tuned their carbon for maximum compliance. That’s good, because the original carbon Highball was among the stiffer, racier frame’s we’d ridden.

2015_Santa_Cruz_Highball_Aqua_blue_Profile

The XC Race Hardtail also received a new fraternal sibling in the form of a 27.5″ version. This version features a more relaxed headtube angle and shorter stays, although it shares the same TT lengths as the bigger wheeled variation.

2015 27.5 and 29 Santa Cruz Higball Sizing Chart

The company will offer the 27.5 model in sizes S-XL, and the 29er version in M through (a real) XXL.

2015_SCB_Highball_CC_BLK_27.5_Frame

Complete Highballs start at $2,799, and CC carbon framesets begin at $1,899. An aluminum version of the frame is also available (frame retails for $750, with completes starting at $1,700), but it has not been updated with the internal trickery.

2015 Highball 27.5 and 29 Geometry

You can further geek out over the differences between the new models via the geometry chart.

And for making it this far, here’s the incredible launch video for the Stigmata, which was filmed in Yorkshire, England, during the middle of a nasty mid-winter storm.

UPDATE #1: The original story incorrectly stated that the new Highballs featured a pressfit BB and a in-house 27.2 seatpost. Edited Feb 17, 8:11 AM PST.

UPDATE #2: Claimed weights for the bikes are:

Stigmata
CC carbon size 56cm matte black w/ Red Enve: 16.35 lbs / 7.42 kg
CC carbon size 56cm matte black frame only: 2.23 lbs / 1013 g
CC carbon fork matte black: 0.93 lbs 424 g

Highball 29
CC carbon size M matte black w/XX1 Enve: 19.5 lbs / 8.84 kg
CC carbon size M matte black frame only: 2.63 lbs / 1193 g (for reference, the C carbon frame weighs 3.02 lbs / 1370 g)

Highball 27.5
CC carbon size M matte black w/XX1 Enve: 19.27lbs / 8.74 kg
CC carbon size M matte black frame only: 2.58 lbs / 1172 g

SantaCruzBicycles.com

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wo
wo
9 years ago

I dont know why but I realldy do like that black Stigmata…
Only the large head tube sticker/decal is a bit too much.

Johnny
Johnny
9 years ago

Wow their heaviest bike is in the 18lbs range. the bike looks awesome. I would love one in orange . Can I get a demo Santa cruz?

matt
matt
9 years ago

And they’ve gone press fit… shame, they were just about the last big brand to hold out! Guess the next gen MTBs will be the same

PaulM
PaulM
9 years ago

“during the middle of a nasty mid-winter storm”
Nasty?

Steven
Steven
9 years ago

“Complete Highballs start at $2,799, and CC carbon framesets begin at $1,899. An aluminum version of the frame is also available (frame retails for $750, with completes starting at $1,700), but it has not been updated with the internal trickery and press fit BB.” – You make it sound like the new Highball might have a press fit. Their website and email this morning shows it having a threaded BB

matt – from their email about the new Highball “What we didn’t do was get rid of the threaded bottom bracket because that’s what God intended for Mountain bikes. You’re welcome” So it sounds like they are sticking with threaded BBs on their mountain bikes.

They also commented on Facebook that the only reason they went with press fit on the Stigmata was because of compatibility with more road cranksets.

GringoJimi
GringoJimi
9 years ago

Yes, still threaded BB on the Highball.

ab84
ab84
9 years ago

looks like only the 29er is available as the aluminium set-up?

badbikemechanic
badbikemechanic
9 years ago

Now that bikeradar has proven 27.5 to be slowest of all the wheel sizes, how long will it be until bike manufacturers like Santa Cruz start fazing them out? Santa Cruz really jumped on the 650b marketing train a couple of years ago. 27.5 seems to exhibit the worst characteristics of 26 and 29, and is not the holy grail that the industry was shoving down our throats. Why can’t we just go back to 26 for downhill and freeride, and 29 for xc/trail?

Chsad
Chsad
9 years ago

The stigmata/highball refresh is the big news? I suspect there is more…….I believe they were just in SA and Mr. Kemp was crushing it on something new looking. This looks like an opening barrage..

Michael
Michael
9 years ago

I guess we can check one more bike off the singlespeed compatible list.

Ck
Ck
9 years ago

I’d rock an orange Stigmata immediately if I was in the market for a CX race bike.

RED
RED
9 years ago

Forget Santa Cruz, I’m saving up for a DRONE…! 🙂
Cool cinematopgraphy.
(and yes the bike is nice too)

TheFunkyMonkey
TheFunkyMonkey
9 years ago

Kind of surprised they didn’t make the HB SS compatible as Michael above mentions. It only make sense since Pivot provides that capability with the LES 29…

I also found this comment funny: “…and created their own custom tuned carbon post for maximum compliance.” So compliant it’s not spec’d on any 27.5 or 29 HB and all web and press pics show the higher end builds with the Syntace P6 post – arguably the most compliant carbon post.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

@Chsad They usually announce new bikes on April first, expect to hear something then.

sigh… the 27.2 seatpost needs to die. poor dropper compatibility. Don’t take choice away from your customers.

Honestly, as much as we all hate new standards, I’d like to see a seatpost size bigger than 31.6 become common, so that dropper stanchions can at least hit 32mm.

rehsper
rehsper
9 years ago

@Michael and FunkyMonkey, DirtRag’s coverage includes pictures of the aluminum 29″ Highball which still has swinging dropouts for SS capability.

frustrated
frustrated
9 years ago

argh… they should have made the hardball ‘fun.’ There are a million carbon xc 29er frames like this already. dropper compatibility, iscg tabs, slack, long, low, carbon, and short chain stay. Would have sold like hotcakes. sad

Dave B
Dave B
9 years ago

“Now that bikeradar has proven 27.5 to be slowest of all the wheel sizes, how long will it be until bike manufacturers like Santa Cruz start fazing them out”

Is this true and why would it be? It makes no mechanical sense that the 27.5 wouldn’t be between 26 and 29 in any comparison. The idea of a speed curve with a minimum at 27.5 seems absurd. Now whether we really need three different wheel sizes is another question.

Remi
Remi
9 years ago

@RED +1

Sam
Sam
9 years ago

@groghunter The highball is an xc hardtail, not a trail bike. Are you also surprised that they didn’t design the stigmata to carry panniers?

Offrhodes
Offrhodes
9 years ago

@PaulM I agree. That looks like a calm day compared to what NH is used to. I think we had that much snow back in October.

pile-on
pile-on
9 years ago
groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

@Sam droppers are for everyone, not just trail/AM, XC riders are adopting them as well(I suspect you’ll even start seeing them on WC XC bikes this year.) Just because some riders who buy this won’t want them, doesn’t mean you should make it harder for those that do. We’re talking about 3mm of diameter, that has a tiny affect on weight. Seriously, what was gained by making it 27.2?

Again, don’t take choices away from your customers.

& now that you bring it up, quite a few people who are interested in gravel grinders are interested in commuting or bikepacking with them, so yes, there should be a provision for mounting paniers on the Stigmata.

mateo
mateo
9 years ago

@grog – Compliance/comfort is gained using 27.2.

Mtnbikej
Mtnbikej
9 years ago

I gotta say I very disappointed to see that they neglected to put the SS Dropouts on the carbon frame. Been loving the original HB Al as a SS, but would really love the carbon frame.

Don’t really care about internal routing…I have never really thought about how external cable routing looks.

NW
NW
9 years ago

Way to go Santa Cruz for keeping the XXL Highball C alive! Thanks for giving us freaks something cool to ride. I have a 2012 and I really dig it, nice to know I’ll have something to upgrade to in the future.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

@mateo I’d maybe believe that on a skinny tire bike. A carbon bike with 2+” tires? I’m skeptical that any compliance gained from a small decrease in seatpost diameter even exists, but if it does, I’m confident you could achieve a similar(miniscule) amount of compliance by altering carbon layup.

Even then, if i was that dead set on adding some compliance, I’d look at options in making a more compliant 30.9 or 31.6 seatpost over using 27.2. It’s not exactly a secret in the industry that mainstream dropper adoption is incoming fast, & the options for 27.2 droppers are woeful.

Pipsqueak
Pipsqueak
9 years ago

Fail on the 28.3 inch standover on the size Small 27.5 wheel Highball. Nice short chainstays though, oh well.

Many Small and XS 29ers are in the 27 inch range these days Santa Cruz! No love for the shorties? Otherwise the bikes look great.

MGK
MGK
9 years ago

….or a custom frame for the same price….

Padrote
Padrote
9 years ago

bikeradar hasn’t “proven” anything.

John
John
9 years ago

Bring a bit more of an endurance geometry to the Stigmata (lower that BB a tad, slack the angles slightly) but leave the clearance, thru axles, and slick internal cable routing and they’d have a perfect gravel bike. I’d buy one in black or gray in a heartbeat. Oh, and lose that Pressfit BB.

Heffe
Heffe
9 years ago

Nice to see more 27.5 hardtails. Too bad about the pressfit BB on the Stigmata.

dontcoast
dontcoast
9 years ago

stigmata looks diaaaled on paper. want to ride.

also…

[gratuitous comment about “where are my canti’s!?!?”]

Jake
9 years ago

Booo 27.2 seatposts… Makes putting a dropper on there kind of a pain.

Lewdvig
Lewdvig
9 years ago

I’ll get one of those Stigmatas just for teh insane tire clearance! First I have to ride my Avant into the ground this year.

Ben
Ben
9 years ago

41mm tire clearance AND exhibits off road pedigree with thru axles??? Because it’s the axle that limits my riding

fourthandvine
fourthandvine
9 years ago

@John – with a drop of 69mm, any more and you’d be firmly in road territory. It’s actually the only thing (on paper) that’s got me thinking twice about the Stigmata’s viability as a CX race bike (and it’s a little niggle at that – otherwise it looks fantastic).

kt
kt
9 years ago

Showing some love for the tall folks! Except that whole 27.2 thing…

Mikey
Mikey
9 years ago

The difference in comfort between 27.2 and 31.6 mm seatposts is quite significant. Personally I absolutely prefer the 27.2 mm diameter. With carbon seatposts the difference isn’t as big as with aluminum, but still absolutely noticeable. The designers had to choose between more comfort for the majority of riders or better dropper compatibility for a small fraction of the riders. It’s not about weight. I think their choice makes sense on an XC bike.

Riley
Riley
9 years ago

Stigmatatata from Lake Titikaka!

hair
hair
9 years ago

Wish they offered the Stig in a 50cm.

nouseforaname
nouseforaname
9 years ago

it’s needs restating: Booo 27.2 seatposts… Makes putting a dropper on there kind of a pain.

John
John
9 years ago

@fourthandvine: I missed your response until now. I was just pointing out that, while CX geometry is fine for the occasional gravel ride, its lousy for gravel century+ rides.

Still, I’m liking how many boxes the Stigmata checks off. Far better than, say, the bespoke (no pun intended) SCS hubs on the Diverge.

fourthandvine
fourthandvine
9 years ago

@John – re:checkboxes, for sure! I’ve got all my parts already (Ultegra Di2+Hydro, Thomson cockpit, custom wheels) and I’d previous narrowed my choices to a Niner BSB9 or a Raleigh RXC frame set, but this has thrown a wrench in the works.

I’m convinced if I look at pictures and geometry tables for long enough it’ll just come to me. 🙂

John
John
9 years ago

@fourthandvine: It’s about an all-day gravel ride not a one-hour mud race.

CX bikes have horizontal top tubes with top mounted cables to shoulder the bike, high bottom brackets for barrier jumping, aggressive geometries, clearance for 33mm tires max (UCI rules), QRs and a penchant for cantis. None of those are on my checklist.

Disc brake road bikes have better BB height but shorter wheelbases, QRs and clearance for 28mm tires (at best).

I’m looking for hydro disc brakes, internal cables, thru axles, clearance for 40cc+ tires and an endurance geometry with more than a little compliance.

Thankfully, the guys at Salsa seem to get it: bikeradar.com/us/road/news/article/revamped-salsa-cycles-warbird-first-look-43682/

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