History of Santa Cruz

11-03-23 | Simon

Santa Cruz Bicycles is a mountain bike company based in Santa Cruz, California, founded in 1993 by Rob Roskopp, Mike Marquez, and Rich Novak. The company was born out of a passion for mountain biking and a desire to create high-quality bikes that could handle the rugged terrain of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

In the early years, Santa Cruz Bicycles focused on producing full-suspension mountain bikes, which were still a relatively new concept at the time. The company gained a reputation for innovative designs and attention to detail, with a focus on performance and durability. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Santa Cruz Bicycles continued to innovate and push the boundaries of mountain bike design, introducing new technologies such as the Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension system and carbon fiber frames. The company also expanded its product line to include downhill bikes, cross-country bikes, and more.

In 2015, Santa Cruz Bicycles was acquired by Pon Holdings, a Dutch conglomerate that also owns brands such as Cervélo, Gazelle, and Focus. Despite the acquisition, Santa Cruz Bicycles has maintained its focus on producing high-quality, performance-oriented mountain bikes, with a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Today, Santa Cruz Bicycles offers a wide range of mountain bikes for riders of all levels, from entry-level hardtails to high-end carbon fiber full-suspension bikes. The company is also known for its sponsorship of professional mountain bike teams and athletes, including the Santa Cruz Syndicate downhill racing team.