The new Stigmata joins the growing list of gravel bikes that can do more and accommodate a suspension fork
(Image credit: Santa Cruz)
Santa Cruz has released a new version of its Stigmata gravel bike. The new bike looks to have borrowed some of the American brand's mountain bike knowledge and is touted as a more capable, adventure-focused machine aimed at opening up a wider range of gravel riding to a broader spectrum of riders.
Santa Cruz claims that gravel is now a spectrum - a point we learned when testing gravel bikes - and that the Stigmata will rise to any occasion, as a bike that accommodates MTB riders gravitating toward drop bars or roadies looking to get rowdy.
The new machine can also accommodate a suspension fork and features more capable geometry. It also has a frame storage compartment, external brake hose routing for easy maintenance and a range of five build options.
The new bike reared its head in a slightly different form earlier in the year at Unbound Gravel 200 when Keegan Swenson rode a different-looking version of the new Stigmata to victory. We speculated at the time whether the American was riding a new Stigmata and our suspicions have now been confirmed.
There is now a down tube frame storage compartment for spares and essentials (or subway sandwiches) (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
Santa Cruz says the new Stigmata is aimed at appealing to the riders who want to push things on rougher, rowdier and perhaps MTB-focused terrain, as well as riders who are racing and sit at the more performance-focused end of the spectrum.
The brand claims to have included 'suspension corrected' geometry which means the carbon frame, which comes in a 'brick red' colour, can accommodate a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR (40mm) suspension fork - the same that came fitted to the YT Szepter we rode last year - or a carbon fibre Santa Cruz rigid fork.
Front-end geometry is said to be based around a longer head tube and slacker head tube angle (69.5 degrees) paired to a 70mm stem. There is also dropper post compatability and one bike spec features the RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR in a 27.2mm size.
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All models come with 700c wheels, and the top two build specs feature Reserve carbon fibre wheels. Maxxis Rambler tyres in a 45mm size come as stock, but the max tyre clearance is also a healthy 50mm.
Most frame options come with a rigid carbon fibre Santa Cruz fork (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
There look to be some design choices that make living with the bike less stressful generally. There is a threaded bottom bracket shell, standard bar and stem and external brake hose routing as well as a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger standard.
There are three bottle cage mounts, as well as hidden fender mounts, and a storage 'glovebox' compartment in the downtube.
All stock build kit options come with SRAM components, with either 1x or 2x (double) chainset options. The Force AXS 1X RSV (Reserve carbon wheel) build is the rowdiest of the bunch and is the only option to come with the RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork and RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper seat post.
Prices start from £2,499 for a Stigmata frame rising to £6,999 for the AXS 1X RSV suspension-equipped option. The full build roundup can be seen in the table below.
The Force AXS build options comes with the top tier RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork with 40mm of travel (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of.
He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.
