It’s going on a year and a half since Santa Cruz updated the beloved Bronson, but thanks to smart design and choice of specs, the bike is still a standout. It might lack the ability to run plus tires, but for fans of the standard 27.5″ wheel, that hardly matters. However, it does have all the features necessary to be relatively future proof – for a few years anyways. The bike also features Santa Cruz’s lightest carbon frame which paired with an outstanding Eagle X01 build kit makes for a very light and lively trail bike…
Depending on your location, the Bronson would compete with the 5010 for the title of your ‘daily trail bike.’ Built with 150mm of travel front and rear, this newest Bronson ushered in the latest version of VPP suspension which has had a profound effect on the ride. In addition to providing more clearance behind the bottom bracket shell thanks to the linkage moved to the top, the chainstays have been shortened and the suspension claims to have better small bump performance and a flatter suspension curve. As a result of using higher modulus carbon in the layup, the CC level frame is about 280g less than the C level frame, just in carbon alone. To keep that full carbon frame fresh, the chainstay and the downtube feature molded rubber protection. And like other Santa Cruz VPP bikes, angular contact bearings with dual seals and collet axle pivots help to extend bearing life.