Once the tech bits for Santa Cruz’s new Superlight 29er and Highball alloy 29er were posted, we threw a size run of each bike on the scale. The Superlights were mainly built up with their D/XC spec, which includes a Shimano Deore crankset, shifters and front mech and the SLX rear derailleur. It rolls on WTB’s new Frequency rims mated to Shimano hubs. Brakes are Avid Elixir 1 with 160mm rotors, and fork is Rockshox Reba. Rear shock on all models is from Fox. This is their lowest end stock build option and usually comes with a full Easton alloy cockpit, but these bikes had Truvativ stem and bar.
The other key difference, which is likely adding about a pound to the total weights shown here are the Maxxis Ardent tires. They’re run tubeless, but they’re some heavy all-mountain treads. The D/XC kit comes stock with Maxxis Crossmark wire bead tires and lightweight tube, but the rims are pre-taped with Stan’s NoTubes rim tape and include the tubeless valve cores. In other words, it’ll come in a bit lighter than what you see here and you can very easily drop another 1/4 to 1/2 pound by throwing some lightweight tubeless XC tires on there.
Click through for weights for each size and geometry charts. The Small Superlight 29 came in at 27lbs 3oz. All weights are without pedals…
The Mediume came in at 27lbs 1oz, and here’s why it’s lighter: It’s got higher end Thomson stem and Easton Haven carbon handlebar. Otherwise spec is the same.
Large is 27lbs 5oz. Notice the different size swing arms between the small/medium and the large/XL sizes.
XL came in at 27lbs 11oz. Honestly, there’s no reason why these bikes can’t be built down to 24.5lbs without breaking the bank. Santa Cruz made no mention of it, but man wouldn’t it be something to see this in a carbon frame? That would conflict with the idea of the Superlight as their budget full susser, but still.
HIGHBALLa ACTUAL WEIGHTS:
The size small Highball-alloy hardtail 29er came in at 24lbs 3oz. These were built up with their SPX/XC build kit, which includes a full XT drivetrain and Icetech brakes, Thomson Elite seat post, Easton alloy stem and carbon handlebar and a lighter WTB Silverado Team saddle. The spec list says they get Mavic rims laced to DT Swiss hubs, but these were rockin’ Frequency rims and unspecified hubs and the same heavy duty Ardent tires. This small version had the brakes off it, which is why they’re hanging from the saddle during weigh in, so it might have been an ounce or so heavier with adapter and mounting hardware.
Medium is 24lbs 10oz but had a heavier stem. Parts were being swapped around frequently to get the riders fit properly.
The large is 24lbs 8oz.
XL was 24lbs 10oz. To see how these stack up, you can check the Highball Carbon weigh-in from last year.
The frame here is either Medium or Large, they weren’t marked and quite honestly look very similar. It’s weighed with seat collar and the singlespeed swinger dropouts, so a standard geared setup with the stock dropouts would be a bit lighter. Weight is 3lbs 14oz.
