You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So I thought I'd decided on a Santa Cruz 5010, most likely Carbon C, as my next bike however
I'm a big unit, circa 120kg, so have been wondering would a Tallboy or even a Bronson might be a more suitable option ? Now I'm not going to be doing any road gaps and will spend 99% of the time with my wheels on the ground but cant help but wondering if the other two options maybe a little more robust? Now I know that there are cheaper and better bikes available but I've wanted a Santa Cruz for 20 years if not more and I'm now in the position to buy one so that's what I'm doing, the question is just which one ?
Some good explanation of the different frames here -
https://www.stifmtb.com/blogs/news/the-hightower
Note - theres a whole series, however I've chosen the Hightower as its the newest. And best, obviously 😀
Remember that
5010 is to
Bronson is to
Nomad,
with small wheels, is the same as
Tallboy is to
Hightower is to
Megatower with big wheels.
Ref Santa Cruz - I actually didnt really want one becasue there everywhere, all my mates have them, I hate Audis too, but genuinely it ended up being the right bike for me, so sod what anyone thinks. And I love it too.
I've got a 5010 and a Bronson and am a large lad. Absolutely no problems with how robust the 5010 is. 3rd year on this frame. I've had to change the frame bearings once and it was due to the upper link bearings only. I prefer the 5010 for most riding. It has a DPX2 shock vs the CCDBAir on the Bronson.
I've never got on the the SC 29ers as they were a bit steamroller for me. Haven't tried the latest generation though.
My advice? Test ride them both back to back on trails you know like the back of your hand and are representative of what you normally ride.
Hightower, and that’s coming from a 5010 owner.
Struggled to chose at the time, but the 5010 was in stock while Hightower was new and none left in the spec I wanted.
Love the 5010 and it’s rock solid for me at 100kg, but if I had both in front of me again in stock, I’d take the Hightower. Wouldn’t sell what I have to upgrade though.
Thanks all for your input, today is the day, I'm off to order a High Tower C!
You won't be disappointed! I've had my v2 hightower for 9 months and its awesome, enjoy...