Santa Cruz Stigmata
Wheelsize: 700c
The Santa Cruz Stigmata is a high-performance gravel bike engineered for adventurous riders tackling diverse terrain from smooth dirt roads to technical gravel trails. Featuring generous tire clearance for wide gravel tires and a stable thru-axle design for confident handling in challenging conditions, the Stigmata excels on mixed-surface riding and bikepacking adventures. Available in multiple SRAM build options including Force 1x, Force 2x, Rival 1x, and Rival 2x configurations, riders can choose the drivetrain setup that matches their riding style and budget. The carbon frame construction combines race-ready performance with rugged durability for long-distance gravel racing and multi-day bikepacking trips. Whether exploring local gravel paths or tackling epic adventure rides, the Santa Cruz Stigmata gravel bike delivers the versatility, functionality, and performance serious gravel cyclists demand for pushing limits on unpaved terrain.
Highlights and information
Santa Cruz Stigmata Gravel Bike: Premium Performance for Racing and Bikepacking
Wheelsize: 700c (up to 50mm wide)
The Santa Cruz Stigmata is a premium gravel bike that delivers exceptional versatility, durability, and race-ready performance for serious gravel riders. Engineered with progressive gravel geometry and generous tire clearance, the Stigmata seamlessly transitions from fast gravel roads to technical off-road trails and mixed terrain. The lightweight CC Carbon frame construction provides maximum stiffness-to-weight ratio for efficient power transfer while maintaining the rugged durability needed for demanding bikepacking routes and rough gravel conditions. Perfect for local gravel rides, gravel racing, and long-distance adventure cycling, the Santa Cruz Stigmata offers the speed, stability, and reliability that competitive and adventure-focused cyclists demand for any gravel journey.
Why the Santa Cruz Stigmata Stands Out
The Santa Cruz Stigmata is engineered for high-performance gravel riding with progressive geometry that excels in stability on technical terrain and responsive handling on fast road sections. The 700c wheels accommodate up to 50mm wide gravel tires for superior traction and comfort across diverse surfaces, while the lightweight CC Carbon frame delivers optimal stiffness and durability for demanding rides. The innovative Glovebox integrated storage system provides secure, convenient storage for ride essentials without compromising the bike's sleek aerodynamic profile—eliminating the need for external frame bags. Additionally, the Stigmata is compatible with gravel suspension forks for enhanced comfort and control on rough gravel roads and technical bikepacking routes, making it one of the most versatile performance gravel bikes available.
Who Should Ride the Santa Cruz Stigmata?
The Santa Cruz Stigmata is perfect for gravel riders who demand both adventure capability and race-ready performance. Ideal for gravel racers tackling competitive events, bikepacking adventurers exploring remote trails, and endurance cyclists embarking on long-distance journeys, this bike is built for riders who push their limits on challenging terrain. With its blend of high-end carbon construction, practical integrated storage solutions, and all-terrain versatility, the Stigmata is designed for serious gravel cyclists who need a bike that handles technical gravel roads, backcountry exploration, and multi-day adventures with equal confidence.
What Contender Bicycles Likes About the Stigmata
- Dropper Post Ready: The Stigmata is designed with dropper post compatibility, allowing you to drop the saddle when things get wild on the trail.
- Race-Ready Performance: With its progressive geometry and fast-rolling 700c wheels, the Stigmata is built for both speed and stability on a variety of terrains.
- Glovebox Storage: The Stigmata features an innovative Glovebox storage system located within the downtube. This integrated storage solution comes with a Tool Wallet and Tube Purse, allowing riders to store essential gear such as a pump, multi-tool, tire plugs, and a spare tube without the need for bulky bags. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and design.
Key Features
Frame and Material
The Santa Cruz Stigmata is designed with a lightweight CC Carbon frame that has been meticulously engineered to withstand the rigors of the most demanding gravel rides while still keeping the overall weight low. This innovative frame combines exceptional durability with a degree of flexibility, which results in a riding experience that is both responsive and enjoyable. Whether you are navigating smooth pavement or tackling rough, uneven trails, the Stigmata excels in performance across a variety of surfaces. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for cyclists who seek adventure and reliability in their equipment.
Geometry and Fit
The Stigmata features progressive geometry with a long reach and slack head angle, offering enhanced stability on technical terrain while maintaining road performance. This design provides better control on rough trails and precision on fast descents. A long top tube and short stem deliver stable steering, ensuring confidence during off-road races or when fatigue sets in. The 70mm stem with extended reach optimizes rider positioning, enhancing off-road capability. Overall, the progressive MTB geometry maximizes the Stigmata's off-road performance, ensuring a smooth, controlled ride in challenging conditions.
Highlighted Models and Key Components
Santa Cruz Stigmata 4 CC Red Force 1x Rudy AXS Reserve
- Frame: CC Carbon frame
- Suspension: Fork: RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR, 40mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM Red x X0 Eagle AXS T-Type, 12spd electronic drivetrain
- Wheels: Reserve 25|GR Wheels
Santa Cruz Stigmata 4 CC Force 1x AXS Reserve
- Frame: CC Carbon frame
- Drivetrain: SRAM Force x X0 Eagle AXS
- Wheels: Reserve 25|GR Carbon Rims
Santa Cruz Stigmata 4 CC Rival 1x AXS
- Frame: CC Carbon frame
- Drivetrain: SRAM Rival x GX Eagle
- Wheels: Easton ARC Offset 25 700c
Additional Highlights
- UDH Compatibility: Equipped with UDH, the Stigmata is compatible with next-gen transmissions, ensuring easy upgrades and reliable performance for the future.
Not Exactly What You're Looking For?
- Santa Cruz Skitch: The Santa Cruz Skitch provides the ultimate blend of speed, range, and versatility, making it a game-changing e-bike for city commuters and gravel adventurers alike. Whether you're replacing car trips, conquering hilly streets, or exploring rugged backroads, the Skitch ensures an exhilarating, efficient, and practical riding experience every time.
- Santa Cruz Blur: The Santa Cruz Blur is renowned for its ability to both climb and descend with ease. It offers a comfortable and confident ride, remaining efficient on climbs thanks to its well-engineered suspension system. This suspension absorbs small bumps without feeling too soft or unstable, ensuring a smooth ride across various terrains while maintaining solid control.
- Orbea Terra: Whether you're climbing steep gravel paths, riding through picturesque backroads, or enjoying long-distance journeys, the Orbea Terra opens the door to adventure. With its innovative design and performance-focused features, it is truly the ultimate choice for mixed-terrain cycling.
The Bottom Line
The Santa Cruz Stigmata ranks among the best gravel bikes for serious riders seeking premium performance, reliability, and versatility across all terrain types. Whether competing in gravel races, tackling technical off-road trails, or exploring remote bikepacking routes, the Stigmata's combination of progressive geometry, lightweight CC Carbon frame, and innovative Glovebox integrated storage makes it the ideal gravel bike for racing and adventure. With wide tire clearance, gravel suspension fork compatibility, and practical storage solutions, the Santa Cruz Stigmata delivers the race-ready performance and all-terrain capability that competitive gravel cyclists and adventure riders demand.
The Santa Cruz Tallboy is the ultimate mountain bike for riders who want to tackle both challenging climbs and technical descents with confidence. Featuring a refined VPP suspension system, it offers 130mm of front travel and 120mm of rear travel for a perfect balance of efficiency and smooth, bump-absorbing performance. The lightweight yet durable Carbon C and Carbon CC frames are designed to handle long rides and tough terrain with ease. Equipped with 29-inch wheels, the Tallboy provides excellent stability and traction, while the Proportional Geometry ensures an optimal fit for every rider. This combination of advanced design and high-end materials makes the Tallboy a versatile and dependable option for all types of riders. Whether you're racing cross-country or exploring rugged trails, the Tallboy is ready for any adventure, offering a ride that's both responsive and comfortable.
The Santa Cruz Skitch is the ultimate city bike for those who want to fly through traffic and leave the gridlocked world behind. Combining sleek, lightweight design with powerful e-bike technology, the Skitch makes every ride a breeze—whether you're commuting or cruising around town. Powered by the Fazua Ride 60 motor, this bike offers up to 28 mph of speed and 60 Nm of torque, making it ideal for quick escapes, long-distance gravel rides, or navigating urban environments. Available in both drop bar and flat bar versions, the Skitch is a versatile e-bike that turns every journey into a fun, speedy adventure. Its 430 Wh battery ensures you have the power you need for longer rides, while the lightweight frame and smooth handling make it a joy to ride, no matter the distance. Whether you're tackling your daily commute or venturing off-road, the Skitch offers an unparalleled combination of performance, speed, and efficiency.
The Santa Cruz Blur is built for riders who crave podiums and thrive on challenging trails, embodying Santa Cruz’s years of expertise in crafting world-class carbon full-suspension bikes. Featuring the revolutionary Superlight Suspension, it’s the lightest, most efficient XC race bike they’ve ever created, designed to convert every watt of energy into forward momentum. Whether you’re tackling steep climbs or technical descents, the Blur’s precision-tuned suspension ensures smooth handling and maximum efficiency, giving riders the confidence and control they need on competitive courses. Built with Santa Cruz’s highest-grade carbon fiber, it’s engineered for peak performance without excess weight, making it the ideal choice for grueling XC races and local circuits alike. With the Blur, riders don’t just cross the finish line—they blur the line between speed and victory.
At Contender Bicycles, our best tools for selling bikes are the people who ride them. Everyone at Contender Bicycles has extensive experience riding bikes across many brands. If you have any questions regarding a Orbea or want to discuss build options, we are here to help.