As Santa Cruz is currently remodelling its entire bike range, the women's bikes from its own Juliana brand are also getting a new look. Following the redesign of the Juliana Maverick and Roubin models, the Joplin is now also rolling into the shops with a facelift. The previously rather sporty fully (120/110 mm) with 29-inch wheels impressed above all with its powerful drive and good climbing characteristics. Downhill, the bike was naturally limited by its 110 millimetre rear suspension travel. However, this is now set to change with the new model.
The Juliana Joplin 2020 with trail upgrade
The Juliana Joplin now offers 130 millimetres of travel at the front and 120 millimetres of travel at the rear. This pushes the bike from marathon to trail use. As with all new Santa Cruz and Juliana models, the shock has been moved low down into the frame triangle. This should ensure a lower centre of gravity and a fuller cornering position. In addition, the Lowerlink VPP rear triangle is designed to further minimise drive influences.
For a trail bike, the steering angle is remarkably slack and enduro-like: 65.5 degrees. But in combination with the steep seat angle (76.3 degrees), 430-440 millimetre chainstays (adjustable by 10 mm via flipchip!) and a relatively long reach of 450 millimetres in size M, the bike should retain its manoeuvrability, still climb well, steer agilely through hairpin bends and be perfect for long rides. Incidentally, the bike has striking values in terms of BB drop: with a drop of 38 or even 41 millimetres, you could quickly sit up when pedalling in technical terrain with the 175 millimetre long cranks (bike size M).
The test course: Denmark
We were able to test the extraordinary bike for the first time on very unusual terrain, namely in Denmark. More precisely, in Slettestrand in Jammer Bay, in the north-west of Jutland. Here, the ice age glaciers from the north have pushed up a chain of hills parallel to the long sandy beach. 50, perhaps 60 metre high forest and meadow hilltops. So there are no long, constant climbs to chase up the Joplin here. But the locals from Mountainbike Slettestrand started building and signposting trails in the hills here ten years ago. Our test course therefore consists of around 20 kilometres of narrow, winding trails with constant, sometimes steep ups and downs. The ground alternates between wet to dusty sand and rooty forest and meadow soil. Perfect for testing the manoeuvrability and agility of a trail bike.
The Juliana Joplin uphill
At 1.70 metres tall, the Joplin in size M is very comfortable (up to 1.75 metres tall). Not too upright, not too stretched - despite the relatively long reach of 450 millimetres. The 770 millimetre wide handlebar gives you the feeling that you have everything under control. Shock adjustment: best with the platform on undulating terrain. Unfortunately, the platform lever on the low-mounted shock is not visible when sitting in the saddle. The water bottle obscures the view from above. You can feel the three settings Open - Platform - Closed relatively quickly. But the problem would be solved if the bottle cage were positioned a little higher up in the frame triangle. There would still be some space for it.
On flat terrain, the bike rolls well and with a firm acceleration, the large wheels are quickly set in motion. Thanks to a rain shower, the sandy trails have a firm top layer. This allows the Maxxis tyres to work well. It feels like riding on a velvet carpet. Soft, but firm. Only in bends do you feel a minimal sideways skid. But the sandy trails dry quickly. The soon deeper sandy bends have to be taken very sensitively with the 2.3 inch wide tyres. Incidentally, the frame has room for tyres up to 2.6 inches wide. The Joplin climbs over short ramps without any problems, even if they are criss-crossed by roots up to ten centimetres high - the fork and shock absorb such bumps very sensitively if you ride the latter open. Typical of trail centres, such as here in Slettestrand, are the narrow, winding uphill trails. The Joplin takes even these elegantly and without bumping into anything. Incidentally, you don't have to lean too far over the handlebars on the ramps. If necessary, however, the chainstays can be extended by one centimetre using a flip-chip. This should ensure a smoother ride and even more traction on climbs.
The Juliana Joplin downhill
Downhill has not exactly been one of the Joplin's favourite disciplines. But the 10 millimetres more suspension travel and the enduro-trimmed overall appearance should now rectify this. There is also the option of trimming the geometry towards downhill using a flip chip. However, only highly sensitive riders will really feel the 0.2 degree slacker steering angle. The lowered bottom bracket, on the other hand, will be more noticeable. In the low position, the bottom bracket drop changes from 38 to a remarkable 41 millimetres. A touchdown in very technical terrain is therefore quite likely. In any case, we didn't bother with the conversion, as the Danish coastal hills hardly present any technical obstacles. We were therefore unable to really push the Joplin to its limits. The bike simply floats over the roots and smaller steps, even in platform mode. However, you have to actively push the rather smooth-running bike into fast, tight cornering combinations, but it keeps its nerve in key sections. In the middle of the forest, there was still a steep downhill section about ten metres deep to overcome. And immediately afterwards, there was a right-hand bend with a boulder and root course that you had to manoeuvre into. So feel the lever and open the damper all the way. The Joplin confidently takes off over roots, jumps off, lands and then circles through the rocky passage without any bumps. It easily irons out any small riding mistakes made by its pilot. Thanks to the VPP rear suspension, the rear definitely feels like it has more than 120 millimetres of travel. All in all, this conveys a plush, safe riding experience. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see how the bike performs on long, rocky Alpine descents. Then the 180 mm brake discs would also come into their own. A test ride that is still pending.
Speaking of Alpine use: According to Juliana, the Joplin is made for long rides. In terms of the comfortable riding position, its drive power and its good-naturedness on technical descents, we can only agree with this. However, according to the manufacturer, the bike only weighs 12.66 kilos (without pedals) in the CC high-end version. That would still be manageable in terms of weight on a crossing of the Alps, for example. But perhaps less so in terms of price: the high-end Joplin costs 7199 euros (frame only: 3199 euros).
Two cheaper carbon versions with simpler equipment are also available, but this is also reflected in the weight: 5299 euros/13.4 kg and 4599 euros/13.78 kg (not included).
With the two aluminium versions (without chainstay extension), on the other hand, you might still have fun in the low mountain ranges, but not on an Alpine crossing with long climbs and a heavy rucksack: the two available aluminium versions for 3699 euros and 3199 euros weigh a mere 14.58 and 14.76 kilos respectively (without p.).
All detailed information about the bike: www.julianabicycles.com
Pics: Max Schumann
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
