The Golden Menu — Built Fresh: The 2026 Santa Cruz Stigmata

• Posted on 17 October 2025
• By Michael Belair
• 0

This week on The Golden Menu — Fresh Builds, Made to Order, we’re serving up a Santa Cruz Stigmata in Matte Carbon, built to blur the line between gravel and mountain. With a SRAM Eagle XX Transmission, Ingrid crankset, and custom Roval Control wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Rick XC Pros, this rig is ready for anything. Bags, Garmin, and even a speaker on board — it’s adventure, dialed in Golden style.

Custom Build Feature: Santa Cruz Stigmata – Built for Big Days Out

Every once in a while, a bike rolls out of the Golden Sports workshop that reminds us why we love custom builds. This Santa Cruz Stigmata, finished in the new Matte Carbon colourway, is one of those bikes. 

The Stigmata has always been Santa Cruz’s way of blurring the line between gravel and mountain. It’s light and fast like a road bike but strong enough to take a real beating off-road. The geometry strikes a sweet balance: comfortable enough for long rides, but aggressive enough to feel quick and precise. It’s a platform that begs to be customized, and this particular build takes that idea to the next level.

Out back, it’s running a SRAM Eagle XX Transmission, paired with an Italian machined Ingrid crankset up front — a mix that delivers a huge gear range and plenty of punch for steep climbs. Shifting and braking come courtesy of SRAM Red AXS levers and calipers, giving a confident, modern  gravel setup that feels smooth and precise on any terrain. A custom Cervélo cockpit with PRO Aero clip-on extensions ties it all together, offering a stable and comfortable position for those long gravel miles, no matter the speed.

Because this bike was built with big rides in mind, storage was key. A Restrap frame bag and Mission Workshop handlebar and saddle bags keep gear tucked away securely, with easy access when it’s time for snacks or layers. Two bottles take care of hydration duties, and the third cage holds a Bluetooth speaker — a small touch that makes quiet forest roads a bit more lively.

Then there’s the wheel setup — easily one of the highlights of this build. A custom pair of Roval Control 29” carbon mountain bike rims, laced with silver spokes to DT Swiss 350 hubs, brings serious durability and a unique look that stands out without shouting. Wrapped in the new Schwalbe Rick XC Pro 2.25” tires, this bike can dig into just about any terrain, from loose dirt to rough doubletrack, and still roll fast when the trail smooths out.

Up front, a Garmin 1050 keeps the adventure on track, guiding the rider through new routes and unknown terrain. Every piece of this Stigmata has a purpose, and style to match.

This build shows what the Stigmata does best: adapt. Whether it’s a long day exploring backroads, an overnighter through the woods, or a fast gravel loop with friends, it’s a bike that thrives on variety. Thoughtful parts, solid design, and a few personal touches came together to make something that’s both practical and a little bit wild... and that’s exactly how we like it!