With a lowered bottom bracket, super-sloped top tube, all the suspension buried in the belly and the fork raked out in front, the Tallboy looks like its at full-travel just stood still. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, its the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Read our review here. If you like to attack trails flat out with stability and reaction time on your side, the slacker geometry and 800mm bar are brilliant. A full 800mm width Santa Cruz carbon bar provides power-steering leverage through a 50mm stem. Browse other Mountain Bike Frames, Racing Downhill with 29-inch Wheels in 2003 - Alex Morgan on The Path Less Paved, SUSPENSION COMPARISON - Lets Go Racing Season 2, Episode 5, Post-Race Interviews - Snowshoe World Cup Downhill, Nukeproof Introduces the Sprung Collection, What an Incredible Race! The XX1 build we tested in 29er format now gets SRAMs latest 12-speed, 10-50t Eagle transmission and a RockShox Pike fork (the Fox 34 Performance Elite is an upgrade). In the low position, head tube angle relaxes to 65.5 (from 68), and the seat tube angle cranks up to 76.3 (from 73). Its agile, precise and, thanks to the stiff suspension, always offers enough support to pull off steps and ledges. This really benefits a bike like the Blur," said Eamon Briggs, Santa Cruz's senior mechanical engineer, continuing, "The qualities of a lower link bike that we really like are the tunability of the leverage rate curve and the packaging. Some shorter travel bikes can feel like they skip from small bump sensitivity to big hit progression with little going on in the middle. With a dedicated race 29er - the Blur - added to the Santa Cruz range last year, the fourth-generation Tallboy is definitely more about trail slaying than marathon racing. View our Cross Country Mountain Bike Frames or Trail Mountain Bike Frames buyer's guides. Free standard shipping on all bikes (contiguous U.S. only). Can the 29 Californian keep up with the strong competition of our group test with its conservative 120 mm rear travel? Aluminum frames come in small through extra-large, and carbon frames come in extra-small through double-extra-large. . A gear editor for his entire career, Matts journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and hes been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. |, The already low Tallboy is now longer and slacker, with added plus tyre compatibility, With 29in wheels fitted, the VPP suspension and Fox Float shock feel far from plush, With its longer, slacker geometry the new Tallboy encourages a much more attacking attitude than most 100-110mm bikes. The least expensive models use an aluminum frame, and there are two carbon framesthe heavier and cheaper C and the lighter, more expensive, CC frame. And if it's better than the Following MB, it's one hell of a sweet bike. As deputy editor-in-chief, Peter is as much a man of action as he is of words. The Tallboy's women's specific twin is the Juliana Joplin. This design began with Santa Cruz's gravity bikes and has trickled down to shorter-travel models ever since. By It's a sharp climber, and lively at trail speedsunexpected from geometry this long and slack. Why does a long-travel bike ride like it does? Both fork and rear end start super supple before settling onto an impeccably damped mid stroke for maximising the g-forces. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50, Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. This makes them one of the few manufacturers in this test to rely on a mixed suspension setup, with the fork and shock supplied by different brands. It also has a small effect on shock rate: in the low setting, it is a bit more progressive, in the high setting more linear. The Californian company have gone all out with the progressive transformation, too. The Santa Cruz Tallboy CC X01 Reserve proves that the amount of travel alone doesnt say anything about the handling of a bike. In the short setting, the stays are 430mm, in the long 440mm. Rides: Pace RC295, Cotic FlareMax, Specialized Chisel, Vielo V+1 gravel bike, Nicolai FS Enduro, Landescape custom gravel tandem. Terrain: Natural technical singletrack, man-made blue, red and black. A bearing on the rear of the shock improves sensitivity and itll take piggyback dampers as well as single-can shocks in 190x45mm length/stroke. Tall riders will even be able to run a dropper with more travel awesome! The are four CC builds priced $6,999, $8,199, $9,799, and $10,399. If you want to optimise your Tallboy for uphill performance, you should combine the high setting with long chainstays. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. A small mudguard shields the shock and link from dirt and mud, while a reasonably sized seat and chainstay protector reduces chain slap and ensures a quiet ride. Alternatively if youre wanting extra travel for soothing away the terror of hitting a rock garden too fast or rolling up/over/off anything with casual indifference then the 150mm fork/140mm rear Hightower should be your choice. Then the XC-race focused 100mm Blur 29 came along. The 3.1kg frame/shock/hardware weight (medium CC) is also 400g heavier than the previous Tallboy and complete bike weight is up 800g (X01/RSV) too. Particularly at the rear, the weak casing is a constant threat to the expensive Santa Cruz Reserve carbon wheelset vulnerable to damage. Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? All sizes can fit a water bottle in the main triangle. And that's what the Tallboy is for. The rear end works heroically. On foot or with a shuttle, please! The position of the FOX shock hiding deep inside the frame makes it difficult to measure sag when setting it up, made all the more difficult by the lack of any sag markings printed on the shaft. All frames carry a lifetime warranty. Just a readiness to get hard on the gas immediately, ready to send the next section or rip the next corner a new one. The bottom bracket is low, but not crank threateningly so at 335mm. With a 130mm fork and 120mm rear shock its got 10mm more travel compared to the previous Tallboy. The Tallboy was Santa Cruz's first 29er, with about 100mm of travel when it launched. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70, Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Even with the changes, the Tallboy was still Santa Cruz's light-weight trail 29er. ), also known as mountain biking. Climbing is just a means to an end. NY 10036. The optional Reserve wheelset upgrade is available for an additional 1,200. The latter is 470 mm in size L and increases as the frame size grows. Theyre all trail, rather than cross-country, biased, with control-friendly chunky tyres and wide bars. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the riders input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?, We dont calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. Maxxis DHF 2.3in front tyre multiplies the radical handling advantage, but wed be very tempted to switch the DHR on the back for something faster rolling on a bike that grips so well anyway. Santa Cruz needs to develop some sort of visual sag indicator, or Fox needs to start etching a sag scale on its shocks like RockShox. Flatter, broader tube profiles, slick swingarm/mainframe symmetry and internally routed cables sucked into the face of the headtube to eliminate paint rub, give it a really clean look, too. After that, Santa Cruz rolled out the third-generation Tallboy which had a bit more travel110mm rear and 120mm frontand a bit longer and slacker geometry. The Santa Cruz is a very quiet riding buddy. Short-travel trail bikes have a reputation for being good climbers and, as a result, only fun on flowing descents. In typical Santa Cruz fashion, the Tallboy frame is available in two grades of carbon: the lighter CC model and the more affordable C version. Anything more might make it feel too low slung and sluggish," Santa Cruz's brand manager Seb Kemp said in an email. Rock and root traction and speed are excellent on natural trails too and the steep seat angle gives great pedalling poise. But I was continually surprised that this bike could do so much so well and without the nagging sensation of compromise. Geometry gets the typical changes that roll out with every mountain bike update these days. Theres no 27.5+ tyre option, but a chainstay chip can be flipped to fit a 29 x 2.6in tyre. Rockshox also supply the 175 mm Reverb Stealth dropper (size L) which, thanks to the short seat tube, can be slammed all the way into the frame. Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%! The special thing about the Tallboy 4 is it warps preconceived notions. Join Bicycling All Access for more in-depth bike reviews. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. Our test bike features the higher-end CC frame. Models with aluminum rims may be upgraded to the Reserve rim. The Juliana womens version adds Aquarius Green in XS-M sizes. Since then hes written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. Free standard shipping on orders over $49. I won't pretend this bike is as fast uphill as an XC-race bike or as fast downhill as an enduro bike. Exceptional performance across a wide range of speeds and terrains. There's also a small change to the suspensionlonger stays increase the leverage ratioalthough Santa Cruz's information did not provide any details. Long and slack means a stable bike at medium to higher speedsand the Tallboy isbut the bike is better balanced and more lively than its numbers telegraph. Maximum of 33-percent sag. This design also lowers the Tallboy's center of gravity and makes it look compact with a low-slung stance. While pro riders will have a blast on relatively tame trails, beginners will be easily overwhelmed by the demanding and harsh nature of the Tallboy. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. On the downtube, a TPU plate protects the carbon frame from impacts and stray rocks. Free shipping on orders of $99 or more (U.S. only). I eventually settled on 3psi over body weight. When it comes to guiding consumers, Peter cut his teeth at Vancouvers oldest bike shop and now puts pen to paper on the daily translating this know-how into our editorial plan. XS (Low, High), S (Low, High), M (Low, High), L (Low, High), XL (Low, High), XXL (Low, High), Use code "MEGADEAL" for an additional 15% off at Worldwide Cyclery, No match. Ride aggressively and the Tallboy will reward you with responsive and lively handling a blessing if you know what youre doing. Thats because while geometry is near identical, the progressive rear rate of the Tallboy means deeper travel is all about feedback and precise control not forgiving, feature-erasing plushness. So far we havent had to call him by his alias Sani Peter, so heres hoping he keeps it right side up for the rest of his time here! Our bike came with a Pike Select dropped to 130mm travel for a super tight and precisely damped feel off the buttery top. The third generation of Santa Cruzs premium-priced benchmark trail racer gets a makeover and builds up either firm and fast as a 29er or fat and fun in 650b+ livery. Heres why you can trust us. published 20 August 19, The fourth-generation Tallboy is more about knee pads and trail raving than skin suits and marathon racing - it's brilliant, Massively confident aggressive/progressive geometry with high control, short-travel suspension, Frames and complete bikes significantly heavier and less rider responsive than previous Tallboy. Intentionally or not, brands have been sniffing around that question a lot recently. Now driven off the bottom link, the Tallboy's shock sits lower in the frame. In size L, the Tallboy CC X01 hits the scales at 12.9 kg. For all its superlatives, it doesn't go uphill like the best marathon bike or downhill like the best enduro bike. Bike Perfect is supported by its audience. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. The RockShox Pike on the front also helps. How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?, Is the bike stable at high speeds? The Tallboy has a noticeable mid-travel platform to help the rider pump and pop, and to keep the chassis level and quiet when carving a berm or dancing over a rock garden. The geometry helps calm the Tallboy, even when the suspension is pushed to its limits. Climbing? Add the DHR rear tyre and while it always encourages you to attack every climb and acceleration like an interval session the results arent as rabid as before. How much of the experience is just geometry, and only the travel? I feel like it has the qualities a wide variety of riders might appreciate, but without the focus they want. The low front combined with the 800 mm bars enables precise steering behaviour but also results in chilling OTB moments on steep sections. Aggressively punchy as a 29er and flat-out, full-gas fun as a high-performance 650b+ bike. When not tearing up Stuttgarts local trails while testing bikes, he loves nothing more than loading up his self-renovated VW T5 and hitting the road. Impeccably damped and focused suspension character mean it wont suit riders who like the lumps taken out of their trail or their hands held if they overstep their skill/speed ratio either. The Santa Cruz Tallboy CC X01 is the exact opposite. Proper sag is really important you guys! The Tallboy is available in six frame sizes, from XS to XXL. But it works brilliantly. It doesn't sag on climbs the way a longer-travel bike does, which keeps the rider's weight centered. Which is only partially useful because it's difficult to accurately measure the Tallboy's sag. But it's hard to say precisely what the Tallboy is best at, or what it's for. "I recommend starting with body weight, which should be around 30-percent sag. G-Form Pro-XBarely noticeable sleeve with light pads and a mesh back panel.$60 | Competitive Cyclist, Dakine SlayerThick padding in front with mesh behind the knees to keep you cool.$65 | Competitive Cyclist, Fox Launch EnduroAbrasion-resistant, soft, breathable, and easy to pedal in.$60 | Competitive Cyclist. Guy Kesteven Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. Reach grows too: a size medium jumps to 448mm (from 430). Apart from ensuring a more progressive rear end, this setting slackens out the seat angle by 0.2. Usual premium Santa Cruz pricing does make the CC wish-list for most riders and while C and A bikes are more affordable, component comparisons for less exalted brands will never look good for Santa Cruz. One of my favorite bikes is Evil's Following MB. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they dont deliver on the trail., No, its not about racing, its about efficiency. It's stiffer than a Fox 34 with better big-hit performance, which provides better accuracy and control. Here the shocks climb switch would help but this is hard to reach and reduces traction significantly for technical climbs. The Tallboy CC XTR RSV ($9,799) gets Shimano's new XTR 1x12 drivetrain and XTR 4-piston brakes; all other models use SRAM drivetrain and brakes. Not as awesome are the standard SRAM G2 RSC brakes: while SRAMs popular trail stoppers offer toolless lever reach and bite point adjustments, in combination with the undersized 180 mm rotors, they tend to overheat quickly and thus require strong fingers. $8,199 as tested Weight: 27.7 lb. This expert, screw-driver-flexing two wheeled-whizz has many envy-inducing characteristics, including a background in motocross, several EWS race plates to his name, and more than 150 recorded days at Whistler Bike Park. A custom rebound tune means trail connection is fantastic though and itll cat land serious drops without a hint of hysterics or ricochet. But that's changing. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. The Evil Following MB redefined what could be done with 120mm of travel. Even with the compression damping fully open, the rear suspension tends to slap and clatter through trail trauma rather than carrying speed smoothly, and pedalling can choke the stroke and vice versa. All internal lines run through guide pipes for easy installation, the bottom bracket is threaded and both bearings and frame are lifetime warrantied. 35mm legs on the RockShox Pike gives it just-right stiffness for the Tallboy's capabilities. That never happened either. It's sort-of-weird with the build and geometry of a heavy-duty trail bike, but with less travel (120mm rear, 130mm front). I expected it feel dull until speeds picked up enough to wake up the geometry. Bike Perfect is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Seat tubes are also on the short side (size medium, 405mm) to accommodate longer dropper-post travels. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. But then they give it a 65.5-degree head tube angle, a lengthy 1187mm wheelbase (size medium), and slammed the BB with 41mm of drop. With experienced riders, the Tallboy punches above its weight and takes on drops and jumps without batting an eye provided they know what theyre doing. New York, The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension., This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.
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