No matter how good new bikes get, one product specification will always remain important – price. Few of us have unlimited funds for their mountain bike habit hobby, which means that top tier carbon bike might not always be in the budget. Fortunately, a number of bikes still come in more affordable aluminum models. Others, like the new Santa Cruz Bronson, 5010, and Tallboy were introduced in carbon only, but will now be followed with their more affordable aluminum siblings. That brings the entry point for a new Santa Cruz to just $2,599 for a D Kit on the 5010, while aluminum framesets will sell for $1,899. Other than the hard tail Highball 27 & 29, Boost spacing will probably require you to buy new hubs at the minimum to build up those framesets, but the opportunity cheaper framesets may make it easier to use up those parts you have lying around. Long live the custom build.
Otherwise, the changes mostly involve new part spec for complete build kits which means more gears in the back and fewer up front for most of the range…
Along with the addition of aluminum frame options, Santa Cruz is offering new coats of color for the entire line. For the 5010 that means the Gloss Red & Mint (top) and matte carbon/black & yellow (above). The colors are the same for both the carbon and aluminum versions, which is the distinction between matte black and matte carbon.
The Bronson finds itself clad in slate blue & orange as well as matte carbon/black & slate blue.
Both the Highball 27 and 29 will be sold in the same colors with a grey & red option as well as matte carbon/black & white.
Unchanged since we saw their launch at Sea Otter, the new Tallboy will be available in yellow & emerald or dark grey & rust.
Even the Stigmata cross bike gets in on the action with a choice of yellow & mint or Matte carbon & slate blue.
With the launch of the Tallboy, it was assumed that Santa Cruz would offer build kits with SRAM Eagle, but limited availability forced them to remain quiet on the subject. Now, it’s official – all X01 and XX1 build gets will soar with the new 1×12 Eagle drivetrain. The only exception to the rule is their X01 build for the V10 which receives SRAM’s 7 speed DH specific X01 DH drivetrain for obvious reasons.
While 1x drivetrains add a gear a the top tier, Santa Cruz is adding 1x drivetrains in the lower tiers at the same time with new NX 1x option for the R and D kits. Bikes like the 5010, Tallboy, and highball can be purchased in 1x or 2x configurations with NX 1×11 for the R1x builds and Shimano SLX for 2×11. Other bikes like the 5010, Bronson and Tallboy (some bikes available in either R or D) see the NX drivetrain as their 1x option as well with prices starting at $2,599 for the aluminum 5010 and $2,699 for the aluminum Bronson and Tallboy. Check out Santa Cruz bikes’ website for full build, geometry, and pricing details.
