After flying the Wideopenmag nest, Vero Sandler has gone on to bigger and better things, namely being one of the first female riders at Red Bull Rampage.
We’re not even going to try and hide how stoked we are on how far Vero Sandler has come since she raced World Cups for us many moons ago. To see her lining up at the first ever women’s Red Bull Rampage has us cheesing.
Our man on the ground Daniel Seago met up with Vero to take a look at her very special, custom Santa Cruz V10c.
Photos by Daniel Seago.
Vero Sandler’s Rampage-Ready Santa Cruz V10c:
Frame: Santa Cruz V10 Carbon CC
Shock: Rockshox Vivid Ultimate
Fork: Rockshox BoXXer Ultimate 200mm fork
Wheels: Reserve Carbon
Tyres: WTB Verdict TCS Tough Hi Grip
Bar: Burgtec Ride High 38mm
Stem: Burgtec Direct Mount 50mm
Grips: Burgtec Prototype Vero Sandler Signature
Pedals: Burgtec MkV
Seat Post: Burgtec Xpress
Seat: Burgtec Cloud Boost
Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate
Cranks: SRAM XO carbon
Ahead of the inaugural and historic womens’ event at the 2024 Red Bull Rampage, Vero Sandler received a brand new Santa Cruz V10 Carbon CC in Gloss Black Sparkle and Black. In its eighth edition as one of the most successful downhill bikes of all time, the V10 offers 200mm rear wheel travel via its VPP linkage.
Vero opts to run a size small V10 to keep the bike playful and fun. Reach on the Small is adjustable between 412 and 428mm with a seat tube of 435mm. Head angle is 63 degrees with a seat tube angle of 77.9 degrees. Chainstays are adjustable between 440 and 450mm.
Vero’s V10 started life as a frame and is built reflecting her sponsors. First though, let’s talk about the not-so Gloss Black Sparkle and Black finish. Vero elaborated on her custom finish, saying “Santa Cruz sent me a stealth black V10 for Rampage which I was stoked on. The day before the dig day we decided to have a rest day, we were just chilling out, and a bit bored really. My dig crew asked if they could draw on my bike, I asked Jordan at Santa Cruz and he was stoked on it. They really went to town, each putting their own mark on the bike. It’s by far my favourite bike I’ve ever owned.”
Suspension is handled by a Rockshox BoXXer Ultimate out front with 170psi. Vero has no clue if there’s any tokens in there. The Rockshox Vivid Ultimate has full tokens and max air pressure at 300psi. Vero even says she’s made the suspension and tyres softer for Rampage to balance the grip and the hits. Drive train is the rock solid SRAM XO DH 7-speed setup. SRAM’s Maven Ultimates have proven their worth as the steep, loose terrain has required some emergency stops already.
Burgtec features heavily on Vero’s bike here. Ride High 38mm bars at 750mm width are held in place by a Direct Mount 50mm stem. Vero is also in the early stages on fine tuning her own Burgtec Signature Grip and has her first set on her bike for Rampage and reckons “they’re running mint so far.” A Burgtec Xpress post and Cloud Burst saddle rounds it out. WTB Verdicts front and rear in Tough casing and High Grip compound deal with the rocks and the traction.
“It feels incredible to be here, a lot of us didn’t think this would actually happen. It was dangled in front of us for a few years and nothing came of it.
I think everyone is just super stoked to be here, myself included. I feel very grateful to be part of the first group of women here.
I don’t know if I’m the first Santa Cruz rider at Rampage… I think there was a guy, not sponsored, just riding Rampage on a Santa Cruz, but it’s sick either way.”
