Bikes

The Chameleon is a blank canvas, ready to go in whatever direction your imagination takes it. Creativity in wheel size, gearing and component choice make it the perfect muse for freethinkers and freedom seekers alike. We made the Chameleon for riders who like to sculpt their ideal bike, and aren't afraid to experiment. Whether 29er or mixed, geared or fixed, multiple major configuration transformations are made easy via the interchangeable dropouts. The low slung top tube and progressive geometry means this bike blends into whatever surroundings you place it. From raucous short-cuts across town to skipping the city altogether. It turns itself to trail exploration with the flip of an Allen key, thanks to the triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube and standard bottle mount within the frame. Whatever the weather, however long the ride, wherever you're going, the Chameleon is so endlessly customizable and adjustable that the only constraint is really your own mind and motivation.

The Chameleon is a blank canvas, ready to go in whatever direction your imagination takes it. Creativity in wheel size, gearing and component choice make it the perfect muse for freethinkers and freedom seekers alike. We made the Chameleon for riders who like to sculpt their ideal bike, and aren't afraid to experiment. Whether 29er or mixed, geared or fixed, multiple major configuration transformations are made easy via the interchangeable dropouts. The low slung top tube and progressive geometry means this bike blends into whatever surroundings you place it. From raucous short-cuts across town to skipping the city altogether. It turns itself to trail exploration with the flip of an Allen key, thanks to the triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube and standard bottle mount within the frame. Whatever the weather, however long the ride, wherever you're going, the Chameleon is so endlessly customizable and adjustable that the only constraint is really your own mind and motivation.

The Chameleon is a blank canvas, ready to go in whatever direction your imagination takes it. Creativity in wheel size, gearing and component choice make it the perfect muse for freethinkers and freedom seekers alike. We made the Chameleon for riders who like to sculpt their ideal bike, and aren't afraid to experiment. Whether 29er or mixed, geared or fixed, multiple major configuration transformations are made easy via the interchangeable dropouts. The low slung top tube and progressive geometry means this bike blends into whatever surroundings you place it. From raucous short-cuts across town to skipping the city altogether. It turns itself to trail exploration with the flip of an Allen key, thanks to the triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube and standard bottle mount within the frame. Whatever the weather, however long the ride, wherever you're going, the Chameleon is so endlessly customizable and adjustable that the only constraint is really your own mind and motivation.

If in doubt, take a Bronson out. You know what's hard about choosing what model of Santa Cruz suits you? It's having to narrow down what kind of riding you want to do. But what if you don't want to be pinned down by labels? What if you want to just be a mountain biker in the broadest sense of the word? What if you want to choose how you ride rather than what to ride? If this sounds familiar, then try a Bronson. Our demo crew have a saying, 'If in doubt, take a Bronson out'. The 150mm-travel bike can go deep on any landing and the VPP suspension design makes sure that there's no wasted energy when heading back up for another go. If you value style at speed or want to have fun feeling fast, then mixed wheels (29" up front, 27.5" out back) show that the spectrum is a loop, not opposite points on a scale. The larger front wheel provides more traction and stability that'll make you feel more confident squaring off the turns and diving for the inside lines. But a 27.5-inch tire in the rear means this bike still loves getting up on the back wheel and into the air. From flat out on the trail to fully flat over a table, each generation of Bronson rider redefines expectations of what a mountain biker is. Wheel Size: - Size X-Small: 27.5-inch - Sizes Small – X-Large: 29-inch front / 27.5-inch rear

More travel than a white van Big-mountain riding is a nomadic existence: meeting friends in far-flung car parks; pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable; sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered, and bruised. That's life. That's how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists. Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But, each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, a lower link grease port, shuttle guards, and free bearing replacements. Why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fiber doesn't just mean lighter, it means tough as hell backed up by a lifetime warranty and crash replacement support. There's no time for puzzling when on a road trip, either. That's why we chose 27.5 wheels as the go-to for the widest variety of riding styles and rider sizes. When peeling your bike out of the van at a new spot, your only question should be: "Is this a full-face or a half-lid kinda ride?" The 64-degree head angle and 77-degree seat angle puts you in the sweet spot when winching up to the top of a big drop-in. Meanwhile, proportional chainstay lengths mean handling is never compromised, regardless of frame size. And, when we say big travel, we're not talking about your Transit's odometer. We're talking 170mm of 38mm diameter fork and 170mm of VPP rear suspension compatible with both coil and air shocks. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock, plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm and rubberized DT protectors that shrug off strikes. So, van-lifers, unite. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets.

Get creative with your surroundings. The 5010 turns obstacles into features. Its nimble, poppy feel makes even the most mundane rides feel like they're loaded with features to hop, skip, and jump over. It's the kind of bike that makes new trails feel as familiar as the back of your hand. 27.5 is the fun-sized wheel size. Smaller wheels provide an ideal balance between toughness and weight saving making them the most fleet-footed (or quick fingered) whether launching logs or weaving through stumps. With its quick and agile character, the 5010 has become a go-to plaything for progressive riders the world over and the only contender on any backyard trails. It's a bike that goes harder than its vital stats may suggest. A 140mm-travel fork is paired with 130mm at the rear, the lower-link VPP configuration of which leaves you feeling there's a lot more travel at hand. And, you can choose how out of hand you want to get, as this pocket rocket fits all sizes and types of rear shocks. It's no handful, either. The relatively slack head angle makes it predictable to steer, the relatively low BB height turns like it's on tracks, and the short chainstays make this plaything easy to pick up and throw around. No matter how much of a big kid you are, the bike grows with you. We've tailored the geometry so frame size is matched to size-specific chainstay lengths and super-low standover heights make it feel (almost) like that BMX you had as a kid. Okay, perhaps that's a bit nostalgic, but the 5010's certainly a perfect gateway to the highs only proper mountain biking can offer. The 5010's balance and poise can turn any rider from cautious neophyte into a full-fledged flyer. The legendary Santa Cruz fit, finish, and quality construction make this pocket rocket tougher than a Tonka toy. Fun and games are guaranteed, and the frame and linkages come with a lifetime warranty. So don't be afraid. Roll up your sleeves, and go get creative.

More travel than a white van Big-mountain riding is a nomadic existence: meeting friends in far-flung car parks; pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable; sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered, and bruised. That's life. That's how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists. Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But, each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, a lower link grease port, shuttle guards, and free bearing replacements. Why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fiber doesn't just mean lighter, it means tough as hell backed up by a lifetime warranty and crash replacement support. There's no time for puzzling when on a road trip, either. That's why we chose 27.5 wheels as the go-to for the widest variety of riding styles and rider sizes. When peeling your bike out of the van at a new spot, your only question should be: "Is this a full-face or a half-lid kinda ride?" The 64-degree head angle and 77-degree seat angle puts you in the sweet spot when winching up to the top of a big drop-in. Meanwhile, proportional chainstay lengths mean handling is never compromised, regardless of frame size. And, when we say big travel, we're not talking about your Transit's odometer. We're talking 170mm of 38mm diameter fork and 170mm of VPP rear suspension compatible with both coil and air shocks. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock, plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm and rubberized DT protectors that shrug off strikes. So, van-lifers, unite. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets.

If ever there was a gravity riders' XC bike, the Tallboy is it. The new 120mm Tallboy takes a leap further into what short-travel bikes really are capable of. With kick-ass lower-link VPP suspension, a streamlined design, the typical Santa Cruz refinement, and rather radical geometry, the Tallboy is back to being a genre-bending folk hero. Sure, 10mm more travel might only seem like one small step. But, coupled with a lower link-driven VPP suspension design, this is one giant leap for the Tallboy. It's the kind of bike that makes you sprint while going up, along, over, or down because of the maximum efficiency of the VPP design and responsive, lightweight chassis. But, because it shares the same engineering principles as our longest travel bikes, the progressive lower link-mounted shock feels equally at home doing cross-country as it does in extreme-country. Paired with a 130mm fork the new Tallboy becomes ever more appealing to riders who like to open it up. And, the geometry: that's a big part of what's going on... Established theory suggests shorter-travel bikes get ridden more slowly, therefore require steeper and more conservative geometries. In reality though, when was the last time you ever throttled back on a fun trail because you weren't on a bigger bike? ...caution to the wind and all that. So, we've done the same here and mimicked our longer travel geometry to create a bike with a 65.5-degree head-angle, generous front center, and short-offset fork, something rarely seen on a bike of this ilk. And, the radical thinking doesn't stop there. The Tallboy's short-short 430mm chainstays have +/- 10mm of rear axle adjustment to ensure riders of all sizes and styles feel equally at home. Match that to a relatively low BB (335mm and 37.5mm drop), and you've got a combo that's ready to haul into every pocket turn and launch out the other side.

BIGGER. BADDER. BETTER. With big 29-inch wheels, a long reach, 165mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension paired with a 170mm-travel fork, the Megatower is one big, bad monster bike. Capable on gnarly downhill terrain, the Mega's also got a pedalable pedigree to get you back to the top.

The road goes on forever and the party never ends. When the Stigmata was resurrected in 2015, we fused a number of MTB standards and design features to create our spin on the modern CX bike. Something must have clicked, because within months of launch it raced to victory at the legendary Three Peaks, and has continued to contend at elite cyclocross races around the world. Nowadays, the internally routed disc brakes, generous tire clearance and thru-axles approach that made the Stigmata famous have become more of a norm, so we took a fresh look at which standards the riders of tomorrow wanted access to today. Threaded bottom brackets remain a perennial favourite across our entire line thanks to their proven robust, cost-effective and compatible design. "If it ain't broke…" ...and it never is. Fender mounts add a bit of CYA, and highlight the Stigmata's ever-widening scope of purpose. We added to that with three bottle cage mounts so that the frame can still hold at least one normal bottle even when running a front triangle bag. Deeper adventures, bigger tires perhaps? The frame now clears up to a 45mm 700c or a 2.1" 650b tire. Marry the latter to our Force/X01 AXS mashup kit and you've got yourself the kind of drop-bar singletrack and gravel rallycat we can all get onboard with. And when it comes to good old-fashioned off-road etiquette, the Stigmata's had some coaching at the Highball school of stiffness, handling, and offroad feel. The carbon layup borrows knowledge gained from not just the Highball, but also Danny MacAskill's trials bike, to produce a ride so law-abiding you'd think HR had sent it on a compliance training course. Geometry plays a big part here too, so we've made tweaks to improve handling for smaller riders and reduce toe overlap. The reworking of the 52/54cm frames means the Stigmata now comfortably suits riders from 5'3" and up. Meanwhile different fork offsets—50mm for the 52-54cm sizes, and 45mm for the 56-61cm sizes—help ensure your little piggies don't go to market on the front wheel. Topped off with tidy details like 12mm front axle, flat mount brakes and build-specific Reserve wheel packages, the Stigmata is designed to let you decide whatever the heck you want this category to be.

THE TRAIL BIKES THAT LOVE TO PLAY The Santa Cruz Tallboy combines short travel efficiency with modern geometry to create a bike that's as up for the big climb as it is the big descent. These sporty 29ers are the perfect choice for riders considering a cross country bike but will likely never race. They climb efficiently, roll fast on the on the flats, and have some real capability for when the DH music goes from easy listening to rock-and-roll. Featuring a 130mm fork and 120mm of Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) rear suspension travel, Tallboy is sporty, capable, and fun.

BIGGER. BADDER. BETTER. With big 29-inch wheels, a long reach, 165mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension paired with a 170mm-travel fork, the Megatower is one big, bad monster bike. Capable on gnarly downhill terrain, the Mega's also got a pedalable pedigree to get you back to the top.

The Downhiller's XC Bike The Tallboy has earned a loyal following amongst those who seek a go-to bike that will hold up to the relentless hammering of "power hour" hot laps or long days in the saddle harvesting the best TRs. The highly-refined VPP suspension on the Tallboy combines pedaling efficiency and all-out bump-chomping prowess. If ever there was a gravity riders' XC bike, the Tallboy is it. Fully dialed at every size: Proportional Geometry and frame stiffness tune Chainstay length and seat angle are matched to the frame size (STA steepens and rear centre grows as frame size increases) so that every rider, no matter what height, gets the same balance of geometry and handling characteristics. We tailor stiffness for every size to make sure everyone gets the same ride quality. Bigger riders means greater stresses on larger frames, but that's remedied with our size-specific frame stiffness tunes.

The Megatower is the fusion of big wheels and the biggest-hitting suspension system. It’s a modern day brawler, as suited to die-hard racers as it is to riders wanting to conquer their hometown trails. The Megatower is the most capable, confidence-inspiring 29er trail bike in Santa Cruz's line-up. The lower-link-mounted shock configuration—designed for compatibility with both air and coil shocks—provides a progressive shock rate that has unmatched traction and bottom-out resistance, making it ideal for taming the longest descents and rowdiest hits. In order to make the Megatower stride confidently across the globe, it has an enormous amount of clever adjustability hidden in its bones. A tidy and concealed flip chip in the lower-link adjusts bottom bracket height and changes progressivity of the rear suspension. A second modular point in the rear dropouts allows for a 10mm fore-aft adjustment in chainstay length to dial in the rider’s rearward weight distribution—either set for play or for stability. The flip chips are a robust mechanism for riders looking to tune their ride according to their needs without compromising reliability and durability. No wackadoo mousetraps and frail proprietary shocks here. The Megatower isn’t all fight and fury, it’s smart and savvy too. It has a sharp, 76-degree seat tube angle for winching to the top of the kinds of descents where having a roomier cockpit and a 65-degree head tube angle will come in handy. And, you can still carry around a full water bottle inside the frame (even with a piggyback shock), and the frame is well protected with a shock fender, shuttle guard, downtube protector, and ribbed chainstay protector. - Carbon CC 160mm frame - FOX 38 Float 170mm fork - Fox DH X2 Factory Coil 2-Position shock - SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain - SRAM Code RSC brakes

THE TRAIL BIKES THAT LOVE TO PLAY The Santa Cruz Tallboy combines short travel efficiency with modern geometry to create a bike that's as up for the big climb as it is the big descent. These sporty 29ers are the perfect choice for riders considering a cross country bike but will likely never race. They climb efficiently, roll fast on the on the flats, and have some real capability for when the DH music goes from easy listening to rock-and-roll. Featuring a 130mm fork and 120mm of Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) rear suspension travel, Tallboy is sporty, capable, and fun.

If in doubt, take a Bronson out. You know what's hard about choosing what model of Santa Cruz suits you? It's having to narrow down what kind of riding you want to do. But what if you don't want to be pinned down by labels? What if you want to just be a mountain biker in the broadest sense of the word? What if you want to choose how you ride rather than what to ride? If this sounds familiar, then try a Bronson. Our demo crew have a saying, 'If in doubt, take a Bronson out'. The 150mm-travel bike can go deep on any landing and the VPP suspension design makes sure that there's no wasted energy when heading back up for another go. If you value style at speed or want to have fun feeling fast, then mixed wheels (29" up front, 27.5" out back) show that the spectrum is a loop, not opposite points on a scale. The larger front wheel provides more traction and stability that'll make you feel more confident squaring off the turns and diving for the inside lines. But a 27.5-inch tire in the rear means this bike still loves getting up on the back wheel and into the air. From flat out on the trail to fully flat over a table, each generation of Bronson rider redefines expectations of what a mountain biker is. Wheel Size: - Size X-Small: 27.5-inch - Sizes Small – X-Large: 29-inch front / 27.5-inch rear

Get creative with your surroundings. The 5010 turns obstacles into features. Its nimble, poppy feel makes even the most mundane rides feel like they're loaded with features to hop, skip, and jump over. It's the kind of bike that makes new trails feel as familiar as the back of your hand. 27.5 is the fun-sized wheel size. Smaller wheels provide an ideal balance between toughness and weight saving making them the most fleet-footed (or quick fingered) whether launching logs or weaving through stumps. With its quick and agile character, the 5010 has become a go-to plaything for progressive riders the world over and the only contender on any backyard trails. It's a bike that goes harder than its vital stats may suggest. A 140mm-travel fork is paired with 130mm at the rear, the lower-link VPP configuration of which leaves you feeling there's a lot more travel at hand. And, you can choose how out of hand you want to get, as this pocket rocket fits all sizes and types of rear shocks. It's no handful, either. The relatively slack head angle makes it predictable to steer, the relatively low BB height turns like it's on tracks, and the short chainstays make this plaything easy to pick up and throw around. No matter how much of a big kid you are, the bike grows with you. We've tailored the geometry so frame size is matched to size-specific chainstay lengths and super-low standover heights make it feel (almost) like that BMX you had as a kid. Okay, perhaps that's a bit nostalgic, but the 5010's certainly a perfect gateway to the highs only proper mountain biking can offer. The 5010's balance and poise can turn any rider from cautious neophyte into a full-fledged flyer. The legendary Santa Cruz fit, finish, and quality construction make this pocket rocket tougher than a Tonka toy. Fun and games are guaranteed, and the frame and linkages come with a lifetime warranty. So don't be afraid. Roll up your sleeves, and go get creative.

The Trail Bikes that Love to Play The Santa Cruz 5010 has always been more capable than many expected. But now with a high-traction 29-inch wheel up front, a maneuverable 27.5-incher out back, and even more refined suspension, their touch is even more deft on the trails. Featuring a 140mm fork and 130mm of VPP rear suspension travel, 5010 was made for sporty performance.

THE MOUNTAIN BIKE, DISTILLED With 29-inch wheels, 145mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) travel and a versatile personality, the newest Santa Cruz Hightower delivers mountain bike thrills over a wide range of terrain. Big on wheels, medium on travel, and short on fuss, this do-it-all model shines with a versatile balance of geometry, spec and durability. It's mountain biking, distilled.

BIGGER. BADDER. BETTER. With big 29-inch wheels, a long reach, 165mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension paired with a 170mm-travel fork, the Megatower is one big, bad monster bike. Capable on gnarly downhill terrain, the Mega's also got a pedalable pedigree to get you back to the top.

BIGGER. BADDER. BETTER. With big 29-inch wheels, a long reach, 165mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension paired with a 170mm-travel fork, the Megatower is one big, bad monster bike. Capable on gnarly downhill terrain, the Mega's also got a pedalable pedigree to get you back to the top.

BIGGER. BADDER. BETTER. With big 29-inch wheels, a long reach, 165mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension paired with a 170mm-travel fork, the Megatower is one big, bad monster bike. Capable on gnarly downhill terrain, the Mega's also got a pedalable pedigree to get you back to the top.

BIGGER. BADDER. BETTER. With big 29-inch wheels, a long reach, 165mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension paired with a 170mm-travel fork, the Megatower is one big, bad monster bike. Capable on gnarly downhill terrain, the Mega's also got a pedalable pedigree to get you back to the top.

THE MOUNTAIN BIKE, DISTILLED With 29-inch wheels, 145mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) travel and a versatile personality, the newest Santa Cruz Hightower delivers mountain bike thrills over a wide range of terrain. Big on wheels, medium on travel, and short on fuss, this do-it-all model shines with a versatile balance of geometry, spec and durability. It’s mountain biking, distilled.

From flat out on the trail to fully flat over a table, if you wanna send it the Bronson delivers. The 150mm-travel bike can go deep on any landing and the VPP™ suspension design makes sure that there’s no wasted energy when heading back up for another go. If you value style at speed or want to have fun feeling fast, then mixed wheels (29" up front, 27.5" out back) are the right choice. The larger front wheel provides more traction and stability that’ll make you feel more confident squaring off the turns and diving for the inside lines. But a 27.5-inch tire in the rear means this bike still loves getting up on the back wheel and into the air.

THE MOUNTAIN BIKE, DISTILLED The newest version of the Hightower remains our greatest hits of engineering - now further refined and bottled into our most all-terrain of bikes. Big on wheels, medium on travel, and short on fuss, this is the do-it-all model that does it over and over again thanks to a versatile balance of geo, spec, and durability. If you're not looking for extremes, just something extremely good, the Hightower is your elevator. Engineering Details: OUR ENGINEERS' GREATEST HITS Not all frames are created equal. Hightower represents Santa Cruz's greatest hits, showcasing our design, engineering, and performance prowess. LOWER LINK ASSEMBLY The highly-sculpted and optimized Lower Link (A) houses a geometry-adjusting Flip Chip (B) and beefy Pivot Axles (C) to virtually eliminate lateral flex. UPPER LINK ASSEMBLY We only use the highest quality Enduro MAX or TPX sealed, radial bearings (A) and premium fasteners (B) for our linkage assemblies. They're easy to properly torque and maintain, plus we offer free replacement bearings for life. ONE-PIECE SWINGARM VPP suspension utilizes a one-piece swingarm that eliminates the need for pivots on the stays, creating a stout, bulletproof rear end for accurate tracking and superior performance. CC CARBON Santa Cruz offers top-end CC Carbon, which is lighter and comes paired with more premium suspension. CARBON MASTERY The Sag Window (A), Glovebox (B), and internal cable tunnels (not shown) demonstrate Santa Cruz's expertise at combining practical function with carbon design and manufacturing artistry. THE SUM OF THE PARTS In isolation, all these things are great—together with fanatical suspension tuning, a premium build spec, and meticulous attention to detail, they're transcendent. SRAM Eagle Transmission - stronger, better shifting, wirelessly The next generation SRAM Eagle Transmission specced on our CC-carbon models is a radically robust, fully integrated, and interdependent wireless transmission. Built around the universal constant of the wheel axle itself, the Full Mount hangerless attachment creates a far stronger connection to the frame and the super strong derailleur provides unprecedented strength. Shifting under load is made possible due to a combination of X-SYNC technology and cassette mapping, creating seamless shifts even during your hardest power output. The new AXS Pods are extremely ergonomic and highly customizable, so shifting gears is light and intuitive. It's simply the most advanced transmission and nearly as tough as the mountain itself. Hightower 3 Highlights: VPP™ VPP™ suspension can be optimized to strike the right balance between pedaling efficiency and all-out bump-chomping prowess. That means wherever you see "VPP" you know it's tuned to perform exactly how it should for the purpose it's designed for. 145mm VPP travel Looking for something good at climbing, and downhill, and going round and round your local trails? Say hello to Hightower. 145mm in the rear paired with 150mm up front is your perfect combo. Suspension sensitivity Compared to the last Hightower, we reduced the anti-squat in the first 40% of travel. This noticeably improves suspension sensitivity in both climbing and descending scenarios due to reduced chain influence on the suspension. Suspension consistency Hightower's leverage curve is relatively straight, with added progression towards the end of the travel. This provides improved bottom-out resistance with more consistent damping and support. Glovebox Place your ride essentials securely beneath a new high-quality latch and panel in the Hightower's downtube. The Glovebox comes with a fitted Tool Wallet and Tube Purse, tailored for the frame to keep your tools close to hand. Full carbon CC frame Carbon CC frames use the very best materials and production processes available, are made in our own factory, and have a lifetime warranty. Sag window A window allows easier suspension sag and setup. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm, and rubberized DT protectors to shrug off strikes. Flip chip In the Low position, the shock rate becomes more progressive, particularly at the end of the stroke, and there’s some bottom-out resistance to be gained. In the High setting, the bike rides a little higher in its travel and supplies the rider with more mid-stroke support. Tweakers and finicky shredders can adapt the suspension feel to their needs and desire. Proportional geometry Chainstay length and seat angle is matched to the frame size so every rider, no matter their height, gets the same balanced geometry. Across all sizes however, the headtube angle has been slackened to help stability at speed, lowered the bottom bracket to compliment the better supported suspension, and increased stack in favor of modern handlebar setups.

THE TRAIL BIKES THAT LOVE TO PLAY The Santa Cruz Tallboy combines short travel efficiency with modern geometry to create a bike that's as up for the big climb as it is the big descent. These sporty 29ers are the perfect choice for riders considering a cross country bike but will likely never race. They climb efficiently, roll fast on the on the flats, and have some real capability for when the DH music goes from easy listening to rock-and-roll. Featuring a 130mm fork and 120mm of Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) rear suspension travel, Tallboy is sporty, capable, and fun.

The Highball is our flagship carbon hardtail race thoroughbred, and a dark horse in XC versatility. More capable than a pure endurance bike, more composed than most XC race-rigs, the Highball has evolved to be easier to ride harder for longer. We fine-tuned the carbon layup process and the low-angle, bridgeless seatstays join the seat tube below the top tube junction in order to curb trail chatter. Built around a 27.2mm diameter seat post, the whole package combines to take the "hard" out of hardtail riding. It has the mindset of a race bike but it's prepared for more. With capacity for three bottle cages, the ever-reliable threaded BB and, of course, the lifetime warranty that comes standard with all Santa Cruz bikes, it's the kind of bike that'll go far.

The Trail Bikes that Love to Play The Santa Cruz 5010 has always been more capable than many expected. But now with a high-traction 29-inch wheel up front, a maneuverable 27.5-incher out back, and even more refined suspension, their touch is even more deft on the trails. Featuring a 140mm fork and 130mm of VPP rear suspension travel, 5010 was made for sporty performance.

THE MOUNTAIN BIKE, DISTILLED With 29-inch wheels, 145mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) travel and a versatile personality, the newest Santa Cruz Hightower delivers mountain bike thrills over a wide range of terrain. Big on wheels, medium on travel, and short on fuss, this do-it-all model shines with a versatile balance of geometry, spec and durability. It’s mountain biking, distilled.