A little warning up front. If you believe that aggressive trail bikes are the development mistake of the century and absolute nonsense, and if you also believe that nothing will ever change your mind, then the new Santa Cruz Tallboy is definitely not the right bike for you. Then read on here: Orbea Oiz TR, Norco Revolver 120 or Specialised Epic Evo vs Cube AMS 100 TM.
VPP rear triangle and flat geometry
The Californians describe their latest creation as "radical" and radical is certainly not just a marketing term. Because a 120-millimetre trail bike could hardly be more radical. Enduro-inspired VPP rear triangle, 130 mm forks, fat tyres and a geometry that just screams full throttle. Downhill, of course. A super-slack 65.5 degree head angle for a trail bike, a long reach (470 millimetres in L), 430 or 440 millimetre chainstays, a steep seat angle of just over 76 degrees and a super-low bottom bracket with a drop of 38 or even 41 millimetres. Skill is required if you don't want to touch down with the 175 mm cranks (sizes M-XXL).
And what can the Santa Cruz Tallboy do uphill?
The ride uphill on the new Santa Cruz Tallboy seems to be a minor matter. A minor matter, however, which the Tallboy should have well under control. Despite its downhill strength, the VPP rear suspension is considered to be reasonably drive-neutral, and in combination with the long chainstays and the steep seat angle, technical trails should also be easy to master uphill. As long as you don't touch down with the cranks. On the downhill, you'll have plenty of smoothness and the low bottom bracket should still give the long bike a lot of cornering ability. We'll have to try it out to see what Santa Cruz's promise of a manoeuvrable trail bike is all about. One thing is clear: despite 130/120 millimetres of travel, the Tallboy is more of a micro enduro bike than a light tourer for crossing the Alps.
Santa Cruz Tallboy 2020: models and equipment
On the equipment side, the Tallboy offers a full range of options. The frame is made of aluminium, the cheaper C Carbon or the expensive CC Carbon. When it comes to the drivetrain, the Californians use Sram's Eagle range, and the brakes are also all from Sram (with the exception of the top XTR model). Suspension, on the other hand, comes from Fox and Rock Shox, sometimes in mixed combinations, and tyres from Maxxis. Annoyingly, the really good equipment is reserved for the CC Carbon models. If you stick with aluminium or C Carbon, you'll have to make do with the Fox Performance suspension, Guide R and GX Eagle (C Carbon) or Guide T and NX Eagle (aluminium).
Prices in euros and weights are not yet available, but the price of the Tallboy should be close to that of the Hightower. All information on the individual models can also be found on the Website of Santa Cruz.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
