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Scott Bike Vs Santa Cruz: Which is Best? Full Comparison

A blue beach cruiser bike on a beach with palm trees.

The Scott Bike and Santa Cruz ranges are both well-respected brands and have a variety of options for consumers to choose between. They are both expensive brands but are well worth the price tag they come with as they are performance bikes.

Scott Bike and Santa Cruz are respected for a good reason. Both brands cater to all riding styles with high-performance bikes and are in similar price ranges. There is no clear winner when it comes to which bike is best as both brands stand on their own merit, and it comes down to preference.

Santa Cruz bikes are manufactured in the USA, while Scott Bikes are manufactured in Switzerland. You can purchase both brands from most major stores and through the brand’s online stores. Both brands are built for:

  • durability
  • reliability
  • performing on tough terrains

Breakdown of Scott Bikes

Scott Bikes are in a higher price bracket than most bicycle brands because they are one of the best brands on the market. The brand is well-respected for its structural stiffness and aerodynamic designs. In addition, Scott Bikes are designed to last the test of time and are guaranteed to survive difficult terrains.

High-performance athletes regularly use Scott Bikes, and it is clear Scott takes their company motto, “no shortcuts,” seriously. In fact, Scott has sponsored several world-class athletes, which has boosted their standing in the cycling community.

Greg Lemond was the first cyclist riding a Scott Bike to win the Tour de France in 1989, and the company has only grown since then. Scott further developed the first carbon fiber mountain bike on the market. Their bikes still guarantee the same level of performance as they did back then.

The brand has consistently been ahead of its competitors and innovatively leads the bicycle market with its latest product upgrades. Scott Bikes are designed to be ahead of the curve with:

  • fresh designs
  • newer materials
  • better bicycles than their competition

Price

There are budget-friendly models available, as well as premium models. Scott caters to the large community of cyclists, and their reputation precedes them. Scott is known to be a ground-breaking company and, historically, has played a role in the advancement of cycling technology.

On average, a Scott Bike will cost around $1000 to over $10 000. However, second-hand Scott Bikes are known to retain their value and can cost around $2000 for the medium-range models.

Range

Scott further manufactures these types of bikes:

  • electronic
  • mountain
  • road
  • casual

There is no shortage of models when it comes to choosing a Scott Bike. A large appeal to most cyclists is that Scott Bikes are consistently the stiffest bikes on the market.

If you aren’t a serious cyclist, consider purchasing a hybrid bike, as this allows you to cycle on versatile terrains. Scott Bikes are reliable and guaranteed to take you thousands of miles of adventures. You won’t regret spending the extra for a high-quality bike you will be proud of.

A woman on a bike riding on a road in the mountains.
Santa Cruz makes woman-specific bikes

Breakdown of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is well respected and well-known in the cycling world. The brand has a large variety of bikes that cater to all forms of riding, and they have a lifetime warranty on all of their bicycles and parts.

Range

The Santa Cruz brand manufactures:

  • mountain bikes
  • road bikes
  • gravel bikes
  • e-bikes
  • casual cruisers

Their bikes are manufactured out of:

  • carbon materials
  • premium aluminum
  • Shimano and SRAM parts

Initially, Santa Cruz only manufactured unisex products but started manufacturing women-specific models in 1999. This step in the brand’s development attracted more customers as women were able to buy comfortable bicycles and uniquely express themselves through their bikes.

Santa Cruz bikes are aimed at a more serious cycling market as they are a more expensive brand. However, Santa Cruz’s bikes are some of the highest quality bikes you can find, and they are guaranteed to be durable and reliable.

Price

Their prices range from $999 to over $9000. Santa Cruz uses carbon to manufacture their bike frames, which ensures that its products are:

  • durable
  • lightweight
  • stiff

In addition, their products are designed to stand the test of time. Secondhand Santa Cruz products are often valued at over $6000, and specific retro models have become collector items.

One of the main reasons why Santa Cruz bikes are more expensive than most of their competitors is the company does not mass produce its products. As a result, customers can choose between more affordable parts or more expensive elements when they purchase their Santa Cruz bike.

You are guaranteed to buy a quality Santa Cruz model even if it is second-hand, granted that the original owner looked after their bike. It is also easy to upgrade Santa Cruz parts and can easily be done by most bike mechanics.

Santa Cruz stocks parts for their older models on their website, making it easy to upgrade your bike if you want. Another feature of the Santa Cruz brand that attracts cyclists is its excellent customer care.

Santa Cruz mountain bikes are designed to be hardtail bikes, which most cyclists prefer as they are less expensive and more durable. Additionally, with a hardtail bike, you don’t need to worry about as much maintenance as with other designs.

Interestingly, Santa Cruz is the parent company of Juliana, which sells bikes that World Champion Juliana Furtado has developed. Santa Cruz has earned their stellar reputation and continues to develop bikes that take cyclists further in their careers.

Santa Cruz products are designed to be high-performance bicycles and have enabled many professionals and cycling enthusiasts to cross the finish line and carry out exciting adventures.

A man and woman riding bikes on the sidewalk right next to a sandy beach with the boardwalk and sun in the background in Santa Cruz, CA.
Santa Cruz is the winner

Conclusion

Ultimately, Santa Cruz is favored when it comes down to the better brand, as they have exceptional customer service and offer a lifetime warranty.

Both brands are incredible bicycle manufacturers and innovatively design faster, more durable, and better bikes year after year. You won’t be disappointed with either a Santa Cruz or Scott Bike.

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