Santa Cruz Stigmata
Oh man . . . the Santa Cruz Stigmata!
This gravel bike / cyclocross bike has piqued our interest from the beginning because it's the only legit bike we know of that is billed as a GRAVEL / CYCLOCROSS bike. Now, I know what you're saying. "Well, aren't all gravel bikes essentially cyclocross bikes, and vice versa?" Sorta. And not really. There are extreme differences between a gravel & cyclocross bike in most cases, and it's rare to have a brand tout a bike as both.
But Santa Cruz does!!
So we put it to the test in quality Gravelution.com style.
This gravel bike / cyclocross bike has piqued our interest from the beginning because it's the only legit bike we know of that is billed as a GRAVEL / CYCLOCROSS bike. Now, I know what you're saying. "Well, aren't all gravel bikes essentially cyclocross bikes, and vice versa?" Sorta. And not really. There are extreme differences between a gravel & cyclocross bike in most cases, and it's rare to have a brand tout a bike as both.
But Santa Cruz does!!
So we put it to the test in quality Gravelution.com style.
1) Oneida Narrows (Thatcher Idaho)
30 Miles
100% Gravel
100% Gravel
In the south of Idaho is a little canyon with some hot springs (Maple Grove Hot Springs). Through the canyon runs the Bear River, and along the river you'll find a gravel road called Oneida Narrows. It's beautiful, infrequently trafficked by cars, and runs RIGHT smack-dab past the hot springs. So I took the Stigmata up for two days of riding, one night in a yurt, and a few dips in the hot water.
First, the Stigmata is absolutely, 100%, flawlessly beautiful. It's not a secret on www.Gravelution.com that I am a huge advocate of the Cannondale Topstone, and how it rides. But ascetically, the Stigmata blows the Topstone out of the water. No odd downtubes. No quirky frame geos. It is just plain 'ol lovely. Even in a mustard color. It's simple. It's striking. It's art.
Second, the Stigmata has a bit more twitch to it than your average gravel bike. Most gravel bikes are designed for long comfortable endurance rides. The Stigmata leans more toward a quick & responsive cyclocross bike (that is, ahem, still a gravel bike). You put a pedal down, and the bike jumps. It's nice!
Third, (and I realize this is a personal thing), the geometry of the Stigmata fits me perfectly. Similar to the Topstone, when I ride the Stigmata, there is no thinking "Hmmm, feels a little short here, or a bit low there." No, it's more like "this Stigmata is incredible well suited to my body!" Admittedly, I am 6'5", so fit is a big issue for me. And the Stigmata joins the Topstone as the best fits I've ever experienced.
Second, the Stigmata has a bit more twitch to it than your average gravel bike. Most gravel bikes are designed for long comfortable endurance rides. The Stigmata leans more toward a quick & responsive cyclocross bike (that is, ahem, still a gravel bike). You put a pedal down, and the bike jumps. It's nice!
Third, (and I realize this is a personal thing), the geometry of the Stigmata fits me perfectly. Similar to the Topstone, when I ride the Stigmata, there is no thinking "Hmmm, feels a little short here, or a bit low there." No, it's more like "this Stigmata is incredible well suited to my body!" Admittedly, I am 6'5", so fit is a big issue for me. And the Stigmata joins the Topstone as the best fits I've ever experienced.
And then after you've gone-and-got good and dusty, you change into your Speedo and sit on the hot springs on the bank of the Bear River. And you think about how pleased you are with the beauty, responsiveness, and general ride of the Santa Cruz Stigmata! I tell you what, that's a good day!
2) UTCX Cyclocross Races! (Utah)
9 - 12 Miles Per Race
50% Grass & 30% Dirt / Mud & 10% Pavement & 10% Snow
50% Grass & 30% Dirt / Mud & 10% Pavement & 10% Snow
Last year for the UTCX Cyclocross series in Utah, I raced a pure "Gravel" bike in the Cannondale Topstone. And I loved it. I love that bike! It's capable and comfortable and confidence-inspiring.
This year, I am changing it up. I am racing the the more hybrid "Gravel & Cyclocross" bike in the Santa Cruz Stigmata. So, when you consider the sharp corners, off camber hillsides, switchback turns, slippery grass, and annoying barriers that dot a typical cyclocross course, the Stigmata (wait for it) is better than the Topstone for racing cyclocross. But that shouldn't surprise anyone. It's what Santa Cruz set out to do: Create a bike that is well suited to Gravel & Cyclocross.
Well done Santa Cruz. You've succeeded!
So how is the Stigmata better than a typical gravel bike in a cyclocross race? Well, it feels a bit quicker, a bit lighter, a bit more responsive, a bit twitchier (in a good way). While a good ol gravel bike (like the Cannondale Topstone) is designed to be efficient & comfortable on long days in the saddle, this Stigmata leans more toward a quick powerful effort that is required in a cyclocross race.
But this begs the question: "If the Stigmata is better in a cross race, is it still good on long gravel days?" Yes, it is good on long gravel days. It holds its own very well.
Which begs the follow up question: "Ok, if the Stigmata is a great cross bike, and holds its own on long gravel days, how does it fare on the road?" On the road, the Stigmata is fun & quick & steady . . . a great ride!
Which begs the final question: "If the Stigmata is a great cross bike, and it holds its own on long gravel days, and its fun & quick & steady on the road too, is it the ultimate quiver killer? Capable of everything? Perfect for a rider who wants to do Cyclocross, Gravel, & Road one ONE SINGLE BIKE?"
Maybe. Probably. In the one month that we've been riding this Stigmata, we've been happy during cross races, happy on gravel, and happy on the road.
It. Just. May. Be. The. Quiver. Killer.
This year, I am changing it up. I am racing the the more hybrid "Gravel & Cyclocross" bike in the Santa Cruz Stigmata. So, when you consider the sharp corners, off camber hillsides, switchback turns, slippery grass, and annoying barriers that dot a typical cyclocross course, the Stigmata (wait for it) is better than the Topstone for racing cyclocross. But that shouldn't surprise anyone. It's what Santa Cruz set out to do: Create a bike that is well suited to Gravel & Cyclocross.
Well done Santa Cruz. You've succeeded!
So how is the Stigmata better than a typical gravel bike in a cyclocross race? Well, it feels a bit quicker, a bit lighter, a bit more responsive, a bit twitchier (in a good way). While a good ol gravel bike (like the Cannondale Topstone) is designed to be efficient & comfortable on long days in the saddle, this Stigmata leans more toward a quick powerful effort that is required in a cyclocross race.
But this begs the question: "If the Stigmata is better in a cross race, is it still good on long gravel days?" Yes, it is good on long gravel days. It holds its own very well.
Which begs the follow up question: "Ok, if the Stigmata is a great cross bike, and holds its own on long gravel days, how does it fare on the road?" On the road, the Stigmata is fun & quick & steady . . . a great ride!
Which begs the final question: "If the Stigmata is a great cross bike, and it holds its own on long gravel days, and its fun & quick & steady on the road too, is it the ultimate quiver killer? Capable of everything? Perfect for a rider who wants to do Cyclocross, Gravel, & Road one ONE SINGLE BIKE?"
Maybe. Probably. In the one month that we've been riding this Stigmata, we've been happy during cross races, happy on gravel, and happy on the road.
It. Just. May. Be. The. Quiver. Killer.