Reach has increased by 30mm across all sizes, with shorter 70mm stems specced on all models to compensate.\u00a0<\/p>
Let\u2019s take a closer look at this genre-blurring bike.\u00a0<\/p>
A top-tier frame with sensible spec choices<\/h2>The Stigmata only comes in the brand’s top CC carbon. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>This new fourth-generation Stigmata is only available in the brand\u2019s premium CC carbon fibre \u2013 there is no more cost-effective C option, which the brand offers on some of its mountain bikes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
The bike inherits the Santa Cruz Glovebox down-tube storage system, in which you can stow your snacks and tools.\u00a0<\/p>![\"Glovebox](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1914-scaled.jpg\")
Two purses are stored inside the Glovebox \u2013 one for spares and one for snacks. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>It ignores the trend towards integration<\/a>, with Santa Cruz opting to route the hydraulic hoses externally from the handlebar before they are fed internally through a pair of down tube ports.\u00a0<\/p>Santa Cruz claims it designed the bike in this way so you can easily fit a gravel suspension fork<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>![\"SRAM](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1924-scaled.jpg\")
Santa Cruz specs a Universal Derailleur Hanger. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>The Stigmata uses a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a>, bringing compatibility with the brand\u2019s T-Type Eagle Transmission drivetrains<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>There\u2019s clearance for up to 50mm-wide gravel bike tyres<\/a> when using 700c wheels<\/a> in a 1x configuration, and 45mm with mudguards<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>The clearance drops to 45mm if you\u2019re using a 2x drivetrain with 700c wheels. Santa Cruz says it doesn\u2019t recommend the use of 27.5in wheels<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>![\"Santa](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1949-scaled.jpg\")
There’s still plenty of room around this 45mm rubber. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>With a 2x drivetrain, Santa Cruz says you need to run an electronic front derailleur, or use one of the following Shimano mechanical options \u2013\u00a0R7000, R7100, R8000, R9000 or R9100.\u00a0<\/p>
The Stigmata also won\u2019t work with a SRAM mechanical front derailleur<\/a> due to the lack of an integrated housing stop.\u00a0<\/p>The frame uses a 27.2mm seatpost<\/a> diameter. The Force AXS Reserve 1x model we have in uses a dropper post<\/a>, whereas all other models are rigid.\u00a0<\/p>![\"SRAM](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1956-scaled.jpg\")
Santa Cruz has always been a staunch proponent of the threaded bottom bracket. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>Other details of note include a BSA 68mm threaded bottom bracket standard<\/a> and low-profile mudguard mounts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>What is Bike of the Week?<\/h3>
Every fortnight, we’ll bring you a detailed first look at one of the latest bikes (or framesets) to arrive at BikeRadar HQ \u2013 from road to commuting, gravel to enduro, and anything in between.<\/p>
This is our chance to introduce the bike and everything that makes it unique before hitting the road or trails.<\/p>
Head to our\u00a0Bike of the Week hub<\/a>\u00a0for previous editions.<\/p><\/div><\/div>A SRAM-heavy build\u00a0<\/h2>![\"SRAM](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1919-scaled.jpg\")
Force is SRAM’s second-tier groupset. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>This Force AXS Reserve 1x model sits at the top of the range, retailing for \u00a36,999 \/ $7,699.\u00a0<\/p>
However, you can own a Stigmata for \u00a33,899 \/ $3,999 with an Apex Eagle<\/a> build, with SRAM Rival eTap AXS<\/a> options sandwiched in between. A frame-only retails for \u00a32,499 \/ $2,699.\u00a0<\/p>![\"RockShox](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1934-scaled.jpg\")
The RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork is a proven performer. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>This model is equipped with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate<\/a> suspension fork, which delivers 40mm of bump-taming travel. The only other fork Santa Cruz recommends using with the Stigmata is a Fox 32 TaperCast<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>![\"SRAM](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1939-scaled.jpg\")
The latest Force borrows its hood shape from Rival. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>As the model name suggests, the bike has a SRAM Force AXS<\/a> groupset. This is the brand\u2019s latest second-tier electronic groupset<\/a> and Santa Cruz has specced a 40t crankset<\/a>, paired with a 10-44t cassette<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>![\"Zipp](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1948-scaled.jpg\")
A dinky 70mm stem. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>Keeping things in the SRAM family are the aluminium Zipp Service Course SL-70 XPLR handlebar, the 70mm Service Course stem and the wireless RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>![\"WTB](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1928-scaled.jpg\")
The wireless dropper greatly simplifies maintenance. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>On wheel duties are Reserve, Santa Cruz\u2019s in-house brand.\u00a0<\/p>
The 18mm-deep Reserve 25\/GR<\/a> carbon rims have a generous 25mm internal rim width and feature a mini-hooked design, which the brand says makes setting up a tubeless tyre<\/a> easier.\u00a0<\/p>![\"Reserve](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1960-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\"\/)
The carbon around the spoke nipples is reinforced. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>![\"Maxxis](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1931-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\"\/)
The Maxxis Rambler tyres are a mixed terrain tyre. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>![\"DT](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/12\/AM9A1933-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\"\/)
You can’t go wrong with a DT Swiss 350 hub. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>
This new fourth-generation Stigmata is only available in the brand\u2019s premium CC carbon fibre \u2013 there is no more cost-effective C option, which the brand offers on some of its mountain bikes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
The bike inherits the Santa Cruz Glovebox down-tube storage system, in which you can stow your snacks and tools.\u00a0<\/p> It ignores the trend towards integration<\/a>, with Santa Cruz opting to route the hydraulic hoses externally from the handlebar before they are fed internally through a pair of down tube ports.\u00a0<\/p> Santa Cruz claims it designed the bike in this way so you can easily fit a gravel suspension fork<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> The Stigmata uses a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a>, bringing compatibility with the brand\u2019s T-Type Eagle Transmission drivetrains<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> There\u2019s clearance for up to 50mm-wide gravel bike tyres<\/a> when using 700c wheels<\/a> in a 1x configuration, and 45mm with mudguards<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> The clearance drops to 45mm if you\u2019re using a 2x drivetrain with 700c wheels. Santa Cruz says it doesn\u2019t recommend the use of 27.5in wheels<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> With a 2x drivetrain, Santa Cruz says you need to run an electronic front derailleur, or use one of the following Shimano mechanical options \u2013\u00a0R7000, R7100, R8000, R9000 or R9100.\u00a0<\/p> The Stigmata also won\u2019t work with a SRAM mechanical front derailleur<\/a> due to the lack of an integrated housing stop.\u00a0<\/p> The frame uses a 27.2mm seatpost<\/a> diameter. The Force AXS Reserve 1x model we have in uses a dropper post<\/a>, whereas all other models are rigid.\u00a0<\/p> Other details of note include a BSA 68mm threaded bottom bracket standard<\/a> and low-profile mudguard mounts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Every fortnight, we’ll bring you a detailed first look at one of the latest bikes (or framesets) to arrive at BikeRadar HQ \u2013 from road to commuting, gravel to enduro, and anything in between.<\/p> This is our chance to introduce the bike and everything that makes it unique before hitting the road or trails.<\/p> Head to our\u00a0Bike of the Week hub<\/a>\u00a0for previous editions.<\/p><\/div><\/div> This Force AXS Reserve 1x model sits at the top of the range, retailing for \u00a36,999 \/ $7,699.\u00a0<\/p> However, you can own a Stigmata for \u00a33,899 \/ $3,999 with an Apex Eagle<\/a> build, with SRAM Rival eTap AXS<\/a> options sandwiched in between. A frame-only retails for \u00a32,499 \/ $2,699.\u00a0<\/p> This model is equipped with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate<\/a> suspension fork, which delivers 40mm of bump-taming travel. The only other fork Santa Cruz recommends using with the Stigmata is a Fox 32 TaperCast<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> As the model name suggests, the bike has a SRAM Force AXS<\/a> groupset. This is the brand\u2019s latest second-tier electronic groupset<\/a> and Santa Cruz has specced a 40t crankset<\/a>, paired with a 10-44t cassette<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> Keeping things in the SRAM family are the aluminium Zipp Service Course SL-70 XPLR handlebar, the 70mm Service Course stem and the wireless RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> On wheel duties are Reserve, Santa Cruz\u2019s in-house brand.\u00a0<\/p> The 18mm-deep Reserve 25\/GR<\/a> carbon rims have a generous 25mm internal rim width and feature a mini-hooked design, which the brand says makes setting up a tubeless tyre<\/a> easier.\u00a0<\/p>What is Bike of the Week?<\/h3>
A SRAM-heavy build\u00a0<\/h2>