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SANTA CRUZ

SANTA CRUZ Skitch

Electric Gravel Bike
SANTA CRUZ Skitch
SANTA CRUZ Skitch
1 / 2
RankNo. 57 of 91Best Electric Bikes
Ranking Net Score+30+30 from reviews0 from votes
Sources2531 positive · 13 negative
Priced at$6,086.22

Released Jan 2026

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No. 57 of 91 in Best Electric Bikes
Priced at$6,086.22

Released Jan 2026

Shop on AmazonShop on Google
+30Ranking net score+30 from reviews and discussions0 from votes on BettaScore25 sources

The Santa Cruz Skitch is a lightweight electric gravel bike with a Fazua Ride 60 motor, 430 Wh battery, and carbon frame, available in drop- and flat-bar builds for city travel and gravel rides.

What reviewers say, by topic

Pick a topic to see the quotes behind it. Topic points add up to the Ranking Net Score.

Total +30 pts

Net positive 5

Net zero 1

Net negative 2

Sentiment
Format
5191
25 sources
WIREDreview

wired.com

  • Battery & Range-1 pts

    That battery is not super powerful

  • Motor, Assist & Gears+1 pts

    powerful, light, fun to ride

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    powerful, light, fun to ride

  • Design & Looks+1 pts

    Just so gorgeous and cool

  • Value & Support-1 pts

    You can get 90 percent of the functionality from a cheaper bike

View source ↗
That battery is not super powerful powerful, light, fun to ride powerful, light, fun to ride Just so gorgeous and cool You can get 90 percent of the functionality from a cheaper bike
Redditdiscussion

Nbd Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Battery & Range+1 pts

    30 mile ride, pretty flat (1,000 ft total elevation gain) and in the lowest assist setting and only dropped one light.

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    I love my Skitch. I've had it since 2023 and it's been awesome. Just got done with a 30 mile ride, pretty flat (1,000 ft total elevation gain) and in the lowest assist setting and only dropped one light. I call it my do-all bike. Where I live we have a ton of MTB trails and I've even taken it down some of the downhill-only trails. It's been fun.

View source ↗
30 mile ride, pretty flat (1,000 ft total elevation gain) and in the lowest assist setting and only dropped one light. I love my Skitch. I've had it since 2023 and it's been awesome. Just got done with a 30 mile ride, pretty flat (1,000 ft total elevation gain) and in the lowest assist setting and only dropped one light. I call it my do-all bike. Where I live we have a ton of MTB trails and I've even taken it down some of the downhill-only trails. It's been fun.
YouTube
  • Brakes & Lights-5 pts

    The biggest limiting factor and what really kept me from riding the sketch hard and maybe fast was not so much the bike and its capability, it was the lack of ability to slow down between the brakes and the tires. There was not a lot of braking traction. I didn't feel comfortable going fast knowing I couldn't shut it down really quickly if needed.

  • Battery & Range+5 pts

    Santa Cruz does claim a range of up to 60 mi on this thing, and that's a pretty decent gravel ride.

Santa Cruz does claim a range of up to 60 mi on this thing, and that's a pretty decent gravel ride. The biggest limiting factor and what really kept me from riding the sketch hard and maybe fast was not so much the bike and its capability, it was the lack of ability to slow down between the brakes and the tires. There was not a lot of braking traction. I didn't feel comfortable going fast knowing I couldn't shut it down really quickly if needed.
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Motor, Assist & Gears+1 pts

    It had great response going up a 12 percent grade for a few minutes when it was needed.

  • Comfort & Fit-1 pts

    The tire pressure set for that day made it seem a little stiff in the saddle.

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    I left that ride thinking it's a fun bike.

View source ↗
It had great response going up a 12 percent grade for a few minutes when it was needed. The tire pressure set for that day made it seem a little stiff in the saddle. I left that ride thinking it's a fun bike.
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Motor, Assist & Gears+1 pts

    It rides exactly like a regular bike with the motor off, I don't feel any resistance.

  • Comfort & Fit+1 pts

    It's very smooth.

View source ↗
It rides exactly like a regular bike with the motor off, I don't feel any resistance. It's very smooth.
Redditdiscussion

Decisions Santa Cruz Skitch Now Or Wait 4 Weeks

  • Motor, Assist & Gears+1 pts

    The Skitch rides like a regular bike with an extra kick for the work commute.

View source ↗
The Skitch rides like a regular bike with an extra kick for the work commute.
Redditdiscussion

Nbd Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Brakes & Lights-1 pts

    I don't love the brakes

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    I haven't ever had a non-MTB fit me so well

View source ↗
I don't love the brakes I haven't ever had a non-MTB fit me so well
Redditdiscussion

Thoughts On Santa Cruz Skitch Sizing

  • Comfort & Fit-1 pts

    the reach on the flat bar is 405 mm, which seems compact, which gives me pause.

View source ↗
the reach on the flat bar is 405 mm, which seems compact, which gives me pause.
YouTube
  • Portability & Storage+5 pts

    you don't have to be a bodybuilder to carry it upstairs or put on the back of your car

  • Comfort & Fit+5 pts

    it's got an upright seated position and adjustable stem

it's got an upright seated position and adjustable stem you don't have to be a bodybuilder to carry it upstairs or put on the back of your car
Redditdiscussion

Nbd Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    It is so much fun!

View source ↗
It is so much fun!
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Battery & Range+1 pts

    After 25 miles on a daily commute the battery is between 25%-40% depending on how much e assist I use.

  • Motor, Assist & Gears+1 pts

    going uphill is almost more enjoyable than downhill.

  • Comfort & Fit-1 pts

    Having suspension would be nice

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    It's made my commute so much fun.

  • Value & Support-1 pts

    I did feel uncomfortable spending that much on a commuter bike.

View source ↗
After 25 miles on a daily commute the battery is between 25%-40% depending on how much e assist I use. going uphill is almost more enjoyable than downhill. Having suspension would be nice It's made my commute so much fun. I did feel uncomfortable spending that much on a commuter bike.
Redditdiscussion

The Santa Cruz Skitch Is A Super Commuter

  • Battery & Range+1 pts

    The range is excellent

  • Portability & Storage+1 pts

    If you're even remotely considering buying a Skitch for commuting, I can't recommend it enough. The range is excellent, it's not 50 pounds and is light enough for me to carry up and down stairs, and the bigger tires and clearance make commuting on rough roads a breeze! Also, Old Man Mountain racks are a great option if your bike doesn't have rack tabs.

View source ↗
The range is excellent If you're even remotely considering buying a Skitch for commuting, I can't recommend it enough. The range is excellent, it's not 50 pounds and is light enough for me to carry up and down stairs, and the bigger tires and clearance make commuting on rough roads a breeze! Also, Old Man Mountain racks are a great option if your bike doesn't have rack tabs.
YouTube
  • Battery & Range+5 pts

    With a 430Wh integrated battery, the Sketch offers impressive range for commuting, long fitness rides, or extended mixed terrain adventures.

  • Comfort & Fit+5 pts

    tire clearance and progressive geometry add comfort and control across a wide variety of surfaces.

With a 430Wh integrated battery, the Sketch offers impressive range for commuting, long fitness rides, or extended mixed terrain adventures. tire clearance and progressive geometry add comfort and control across a wide variety of surfaces.
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Motor, Assist & Gears-1 pts

    60nm feels underwhelming after you've had access to 85nm+.

View source ↗
60nm feels underwhelming after you've had access to 85nm+.
Redditdiscussion

Nbd Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Motor, Assist & Gears+1 pts

    the brakes and shifting are spot on.

  • Brakes & Lights0 pts

    my 4 piston Shimano brakes with big rotors are definitely better

  • Comfort & Fit+1 pts

    this is a Large and fits me well at 5'10", 32 inseam, and gorilla arms.

View source ↗
the brakes and shifting are spot on. my 4 piston Shimano brakes with big rotors are definitely better this is a Large and fits me well at 5'10", 32 inseam, and gorilla arms.
YouTube
  • Comfort & Fit-5 pts

    the bike's pretty rigid

  • Motor, Assist & Gears-5 pts

    I didn't like the shifting the actuating the shifting with numb hands on The Descent down 242 was really hard

I didn't like the shifting the actuating the shifting with numb hands on The Descent down 242 was really hard the bike's pretty rigid
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch

  • Comfort & Fit-1 pts

    A couple of ideas to help with the stiffness of the ride

View source ↗
A couple of ideas to help with the stiffness of the ride
YouTube
  • Comfort & Fit+5 pts

    the frame itself is carbon, so it has a really smooth, comfortable ride

the frame itself is carbon, so it has a really smooth, comfortable ride
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch Flat Bar Sizing

  • Handling & Ride Feel+1 pts

    a tighter geometry is better for easy street and trail terrain.

View source ↗
a tighter geometry is better for easy street and trail terrain.
Redditdiscussion

Santa Cruz Skitch Flat Bar Sizing

  • Handling & Ride Feel0 pts

    The Skitch felt suuuper long to me

View source ↗
The Skitch felt suuuper long to me

What reviewers say, by topic

Tap a topic to read its quotes. Topic points add up to the Ranking Net Score.

Net positive 5

Net zero 1

Net negative 2

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