By Sam Millers/Last updated - November 16, 2023/CX Bikes, Cyclocross, Gravel Bikes, Reviews, Santa Cruz Bicycles
Santa Cruz has designed an updated version of its Stigmata CX bike, with some interesting new additions. Most notably, the inclusion of fender mounts and optional extras like a 1x drivetrain gives it certain ‘gravel bike’ characteristics although this is a cyclocross bike.
- Gravel / Cyclocross
- Available in Carbon CC / Compatible with both 650b and 700c wheels
Santa Cruz Stigmata Review
However, the classic aspects that make the Stigmata a winning cyclocross bike remain intact, including an even stronger carbon frame inspired by some of Danny MacAskill’s design elements. The full internal routing, disc brakes, and thru-axles that made Stigmata famous are still present, with the latest model offering even more tire clearance than before.
When Santa Cruz re-released the new Stigmata in 2015, Hope Technology’s Paul Oldham won the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks cyclocross race on the upgraded version. That winning style has carried through to today, with some modern tweaks that continue to make the Stigmata a winning cyclocross bike.
Main Features
The Stigmata is by no means your standard gravel/cyclocross bike. When paying premium prices, you’ll be expecting premium features. On this front, the Stigmata doesn’t disappoint.
The latest edition has morphed together CX features with MTB features to create an enhanced off-road machine that can race singletrack or take you bikepacking in equal measure.
From the frame to the rims to the drivetrain, Santa Cruz has paid attention to even the smallest details ensuring the entire package works together to provide a unique gravel, dirt, or road cycling experience.
Frame and fork
The full carbon frame comes in a somewhat natural looking Moonstone Blue and Ivory color, with perfectly rounded edges on each and every curve.
Santa Cruz bikes are well-known for their top-quality paint jobs where it’ll be almost impossible to find any defects
The head angle on the new Stigmata tends to be more focused on stability rather than handling which is uncommon on CX bikes. While the wheelbase reflects a distance usually found on CX bikes, the shorter rake on the fork will provide greater stability when racing on dirt or singletrack.
On the 56, 58, and 60 sizes the head tube angle is 72-degrees and seat tube angle 73.5 degrees. As mentioned, the fork offset is unusually short at 45mm except for the size 52 which is 50mm. There is also a smaller size 49 available from the Juliana Quincy range, which is the female version of the Stigmata.
A nice addition is eyelets to attach a third water bottle cage above the bottom bracket, meaning there was certainly some focus towards this bike being used as a possible bikepacking bike. There are no front or back eyelets for pannier racks but with a triangular frame bag, top tube bag, and large saddlebag you could certainly go far on this.
Groupset and Drivetrain
Unlike most cyclocross bikes these days, the Stigmata features the SRAM Rival groupset with only a single chainring.
The Rival comes with an SRAM PG1150 11-speed rear cassette (10-42t), with the Force AXS featuring an SRAM XG1295 Eagle (10-50t) and the GRX a Shimano Ultegra HG800 (11-34t). Santa Cruz has also included a top of the range version of the Stigmata featuring a Red AXS groupset, with a 12 speed 10-33t cassette and SRAM Red eTap shifters and derailleurs.
As you can see, there are several options that go from pure cyclocross style over to a far more MTB-focused setup. This makes the Stigmata far more versatile than most CX bikes but might deter some professional racers who are looking for a highly specific cyclocross bike.
Tires
The Stigmata comes with Maxxis Rambler 700x40c tires on its GRX and AXS versions and the Maxxis Ravager EVO 700x40c on the Rival.
The 650b wheel size version of the Force AXS features WTB Ranger TCS 27.5×2.0 tires. It’s unfortunate that this is the only version that offers 27.5 size wheels because it’s considerably more expensive than the standard Rival.
Brakes
The SRAM Rival 1 featured on the standard Stigmata have somewhat ‘chunky’ levers but offer a very stable grip in bumpy conditions. The hydraulic rims are highly responsive, pushing almost to the point of locking if you’re not careful. With well-managed reflexes, these brakes will handle well both on-road and offroad.
The Stigmata GRX comes with Shimano GRX Flat Mount brakes which tend to have a more gravel-focused response and less fade. The AXS versions come with upgraded SRAM Force brakes, offering slightly improved performance over the Rival.
Saddle
The Stigmata comes standard with WTB Silverado saddles across the board, with the pricey Red AXS version featuring an upgraded carbon saddle.
For a standard saddle, the WTB Silverado is certainly a decent edition. It’s light, slim, and tapered towards a racing design. However, it doesn’t quite have the padding some riders might want over a long distance. For short, quick bouts along singletrack, this saddle may suffice but bikepackers or long-distance riders will probably want to upgrade to a touring saddle.
Santa Cruz Stigmata Key Specifications
All versions of the Santa Cruz Stigmata include a full carbon frame, SRAM groupset, and 700c wheels except the GRX version which comes with a Shimano GRX groupset. There is also a ‘Force AXS’ version that offers 650b wheels.
| Kit | RIVAL | GRX | FORCE AXS 27.5 | FORCE AXS | RED AXS RESERVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,599 | $4,599 | $5,899 | $5,899 | $9,899 |
| Weight | 8.73kg / 19.25lbs | 8.26kg / 18.2lbs | 8.69kg / 19.16lbs | 8.52kg / 18.77lbs | 7.81kg / 17.22lbs |
| Wheel Size | 700c | 700c | 650b | 700c | 700c |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM Rival 22 Long Cage, 11spd | Shimano GRX 11spd | SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 12spd | SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 12spd | SRAM Red eTap AXS 12spd |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival 1 | Shimano GRX 810 | SRAM Force eTap AXS | SRAM Force eTap AXS | SRAM Red eTap AXS |
| Crankset | Easton EA90, 40t – 170mm (52), 172.5mm (54-56), 175mm (58-60) | Shimano GRX 11spd 48/31 – 170mm (52), 172.5mm (54-56), 175mm (58-60) | SRAM Force 1 42t – 170mm (52), 172.5mm (54-56), 175mm (58-60) | SRAM Force 1 42t – 170mm (52), 172.5mm (54-56), 175mm (58-60) | SRAM Red 1 46x33t – 170mm (52), 172.5mm (54-56), 175mm (58-60) |
| Cassette | SRAM PG1150, 11spd, 10-42t | Shimano Ultegra HG800 11-34t | SRAM XG1295 Eagle 10-50T | SRAM XG1295 Eagle 10-50T | SRAM Red XG1290 12spd 10-33t |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano GRX Braze-On 11spd | SRAM Red eTap AXS Braze-on 12spd | |||
| Chain | SRAM PC1170 | Shimano SLX M7000 11spd | SRAM XX1 Eagle 12spd | SRAM XX1 Eagle 12spd | SRAM Red 12spd |
| Bottom Bracket | Easton BSA BB | Shimano Ultegra BB | SRAM DUB | SRAM DUB | SRAM DUB |
| Brakes | SRAM Rival 1 Flat Mount | Shimano GRX Flat Mount Brakes | SRAM Force | SRAM Force | SRAM Red |
| Brake Rotors | Avid Centerline 160mm | Shimano RT80 Ice-Tech Centerlock 160mm | SRAM CLX R Centerlock 160mm | SRAM CLX R Centerlock 160mm | SRAM CLX R Centerlock 160mm |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 110 IS Integrated Headset |
| Bars | Easton EA50 AX flare bar | Easton EA70 AX flare bar | Easton EA70 AX flare bar | Easton EA70 AX flare bar | Easton EC70 AX flare bar |
| Stem | Easton EA50 Stem | Easton EA90 Stem | Easton EA90 Stem | Easton EA90 Stem | Easton EA90 Stem |
| Grips | Velo Bar Tape | Velo Bar Tape | Velo Bar Tape | Velo Bar Tape | Velo Bar Tape |
| Front Hub | DT 370 12×100 28h | DT 350 12×100 Centerlock 28h | DT 350 12×100 Centerlock 28h | DT 350 12×100 Centerlock 28h | I9 Torch 100×12 Centerlock 24h |
| Rear Hub | DT 370 12×142 28h | DT 350 12×142 11spd Centerlock 28h | DT 350 12×142 XD Centerlock 28h | DT 350 12×142 XD Centerlock 28h | I9 Torch 12×142 XDR Centerlock 24h |
| Rims | WTB Asym i23p 700c Rims | DT XR 361 Asym 29″ 28h | RaceFace ARC Offset 25 27.5″ Rims | DT XR 361 Asym 29″ 28h | Santa Cruz Reserve 22 700c Carbon Rims |
| Rim Options | Santa Cruz Reserve 25 650b Carbon Rim | Santa Cruz Reserve 22 700c Carbon Rim | |||
| Spokes | DT Competition (28) | DT Competition Race (28) | DT Competition Race (28) | DT Competition Race (28) | Sapim CX-Ray |
| Front Tire | Maxxis Ravager EXO, 700x40c | Maxxis Rambler 700x40c | WTB Ranger TCS 27.5×2.0 | Maxxis Rambler 700x40c | Maxxis Rambler 700x40c |
| Rear Tire | Maxxis Ravager EXO, 700x40c | Maxxis Rambler 700x40c | WTB Ranger TCS 27.5×2.0 | Maxxis Rambler 700x40c | Maxxis Rambler 700x40c |
| Tubes | Stans Sealant 2oz | Stans Sealant 2oz | Stans Sealant 2oz | Stans Sealant 2oz | Stans Sealant 2oz |
| Seat Post | Easton EA50, 27.2, 12mm offset, 350mm | Easton EC70 27.2 Zero Offset 350mm | Easton EC70 27.2 Zero Offset 350mm | Easton EC70 27.2 Zero Offset 350mm | Easton EC90 27.2 Zero Offset 350mm |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Pro | WTB Silverado Team Saddle | WTB Silverado Team Saddle | WTB Silverado Team Saddle | WTB Silverado Carbon Saddle |
Santa Cruz Stigmata Size Guide
Frame Size – Height
52 – 5’3″ to 5’6″
54 – 5’6″ to 5’9″
56 – 5’9″ to 6’0″
58 – 6’0″ to 6’2″
60 – 6’2″ to 6’5″
Conclusion
The high-quality build and attention to detail are hard to find fault with on the Stigmata, especially considering the near-perfect geometry of the carbon frame. If you’re looking for an all-round, all-road bike carbon bike then the Stigmata is an excellent choice. However, if you are looking for something specific you may be able to find a more exact fit for the same price.
While the Stigmata is an excellent cyclocross bike that has proven itself in the field, it might not fit all the requirements of a single track, gravel or bikepacking bike. However, if you’re looking for a fast on-and-off-road commuter that you can also take out for the occasional bikepacking weekend, it might just be ideal.
Where to Buy Santa Cruz Stigmata Online?
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About the Author
Sam Millers
Sam Millers is the guy behind Bikexchange.com. From the early days of three wheels to conquering challenging mountain trails, Sam's love for cycling knows no bounds.With a background in web development, Sam seamlessly combined two of his greatest passions – cycling and technology. As the creative force behind Bikexchange.com, he shares insightful stories, expert tips, and engaging content for fellow cycling enthusiasts.When he's not exploring new biking routes or tweaking website codes, Alex enjoys sipping on a post-ride espresso and planning his next cycling adventure.
