Earmarked with the latest VPP suspension and a sophisticated carbon fiber chassis, the rock solid Santa Cruz Tallboy 29" carbon frame is designed to be insanely flex-free and fun handling.
Strengths: Very stiff frame, light, climbs like no other.
Weaknesses: I have not encountered any yet other than price.
Bottom Line:
I just did a custom built Tallboy Carbon, Fox 32 RLC, full XTR, 240 hubs, Arch wheels, and this build is by far the best 29er I have owned to date, I build a new bike every couple of months just to try something new and I can honestly say this one I will keep. I have been through the Niner frames, Gary Fisher/Trek, Pivot, and Specialized, and finally I have found a bike that is all around a perfect fit for my style of riding. It climbs very well, decends with confidense and the cornering is good (Not as good as a Niner Jet 9) I am excited everytime I think about riding my Tallboy.
Strengths: Fast, Strong Front Triangle, responsive, actually fits my body, durable, front fork/wheel is solid (15mm thruaxle well worth it), rear suspension design is very responsive on rocks, roots, small bumps, and snakes (yes, that was a fun trip)
Weaknesses: rear end flexes a lot (supposedly fixed on 2012 model), rear shock seems to bottom out frequently on small drops (less than 3 ft. and I run 230 psi - might should run more?)
Bottom Line:
Miles so far: 160ish, weekend rides mostly 10-15 miles at a time, trails range from hardpack singletrack to technical, rock and root laden, climbs - aka "punishment"
I'm 6'6" and 230 pounds and I finally have a mountain bike that fits correctly! The 29" wheels are a must for tall riders. Some of the folks I meet that are on other 29ers complain about thieir bike's poor/slow handling, but the TallboyC handles just as briskly as the Scott Spark 26er I rode previoiusly. I can snap around corners with minimal effort -even tight corners.
The bike is incredibly fast over everything flat or uphill. It's not hardtail fast uphill, but the uphills around here are full of rocks, roots, and other surprises, so full squish keeps me sane. The bike floats over obstacles, and I've found myself picking the 'bad' lines just to see if they are possible. They are, although the rear end feels like it moves around. My major complaint is the flexy rear end. It doesn't seem to impede acceleration, but it feels squirely on some rocky sections.
The bike is confidence insipiring on downhill sections (no world cup stuff, just some rocks and roots with a small drop or two).
I find myself thinking that I'm cheating by riding this bike over what has put me over the handlebars previously. Every once in a while I'll ride it harder than I probably should for an XC bike (more all mountain application), but the bike feels to be resilient enough to handle it.
Similar Products Used: Trek Superfly 100 (faster than TB, but rougher because of less suspension), Trek Rublefish (beefier than the TB, but slower than molasses in winter)
Bike Setup: 2011 model; XXL frame, Full XT, Fox 120mm up front and RP23 in rear, Maxxis Ardnet 2.4" front, Maxxis Ardent 2.25" rear (both tubeless), Fizik Gobi Saddle, Shimano XT All Mountain clipless pedals, 28 pounds
Strengths: Makes you feel invincible - because you are (most of the time)
Makes me a better rider = happier camper
Weaknesses: Makes you feel invincible - but you aren't; low bb requires paying attention in baby skull and larger rock gardens; everything else is point and shoot
Bottom Line:
Got the 2011 large frame with XT kit and 120mm fox float. Upgraded wheels to Stans Arch - highly recommended; immediately shed 1/2 lb and made the "acceleration lag" of the 29r a myth. Also changed out stock CrossMarks for WT B Bronson 2.2s. These are bombproof, and don't weigh all that much at 700gr. Also upgr to XTR brakes which are the bomb - but I hear the new XTs are pretty much as good. Complete bike with SPDs is 26.3lb. I'd like to get it lighter but it rides soooooo fine, I'm not motivated to spend the $$. In spite of the negative comments on the paint, I love the "black beauty" simplicity and stealthiness of the rig. With all the white racer boy paint jobs out there, I'm fine with understatement.
Everything has pretty much been said about this bike. I've been able to clean everything I could on a 6" travel Trek Remedy but this thing crushes on the climbs. Big drops are still a bit sketchy but that could just be a personal (mental) issue. Riding the TB is more fun than a box of hampsters with cotton candy on top. My only problem is they just announced the TB/LT and it's got me wondering...what if?
My first ride out I could immediately feel just how fast and "flickable" it was. The other first impression I noticed was how I was clipping my pedals on some areas I normally dont even think about when leaving my feet down, I defiantly need to pay much more attention to my foot position on the TB. Overall frame was incredibly stiff very much just point and go, dont let anyone tell you aluminum can be built just as stiff as carbon. I actually found the front to be a touch twitchy with a 90mm stem but soon as I replaced it with a 110mm it felt perfect. The frame was so stiff I could really dial in my rear shock settings they way I like. One thing I did was replace the stock RP23 with a RS RT3 and what a difference! Highly recommended to you TB fans. The short wheelbase and chainstay was very noticeable around corners, it makes for a very "26er feel" around turns in its ability to cut tight. I thought the short chainstay might make climbs tough but that was not the case at all, she climbs and stays planted as well as some other FS rigs Ive owned with an inch or so longer chain stay. I really liked the feeling of being almost right over the rear wheel, it adds controllability to both climbs and corners.
All and all im very impressed since day 1 with my TB. I would say to the guys who prefer longer crank arms to steer clear though. Im now running 170mm and it feels great, at anything over 175mm I would imagine the pedal strikes might get out of control.
Total bike build is right around 24.5 lbs good job SC :)
Strengths: Fit and feel, carbon frame , handles, climbs does it all fron XC to AM in Phx AZ
Weaknesses: ?? cost
Bottom Line:
I got my new Frame in Jan 2012 and built it up with a new XT kit. Fox F120 fork. I did the demo rides the year before when SC came to town and i knew then i had to have one. It has not disappointed me. I am faster and can climb better , and it reinvigorated me to ride more. I weigh 190 and ride agressively and the bike has been great on all the trails here in AZ. The Fox suspension is awesome the XT kit works flawless, Mavic rims good. The only bad thing so far are the Maxxis tires have thin sidewalls , but they roll great. I'm luv'n my new Tallboy C
Similar Products Used: Specialized , Titus, Pivot , Fisher/Trek demos no other 29r has felt this good.
Bike Setup: XT Grouppo, Fox suspension with Kashima, Mavic SS29R wheels , Easton carbon low rise bars, Thompsen post and stem, Chris King headset, Maxxis Ikon EXO tires XTR Trail pedals.
Strengths: Look and feel...craftsmanship of this bike is amazing. Once you sit on it for the first time and start pedaling you feel like you have complete control. Truly an extension of your body...
Weaknesses: Time it takes to get one!
Bottom Line:
Im 5-10", 170 lbs. I ride a matte black 2012 size Large with a 80mm head. I upgraded the cranks for the crappy ones it comes with on the Rxc model to SLX. This bike is simply amazing...I moved from a hard tail to this, and I will never go back. I ride XC exclusively- this bike is perfect for me.
The gang at Santa Cruz is awesome too...very helpful and always willing to chat about their products and how to help you.
Submitted by
voodoobike
a All Mountain Rider
from AZ
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2012
Strengths: Light, well built, nice color (blue) climbs well, zirk fittings (maybe worth it or not)
Weaknesses: Extremely flexible rear end. Too low BB. Too short top tube on Medium size. Bearings loosening constantly.
Bottom Line:
If you ride rough technical trails, forget this one. I can see the appeal of this bike on smoother trails and the overall high ratings perhaps because most riders are not going to so anything highly technical. It rolls fast, handles well and climbs really good. I'm not really a fan of the VPP suspension, yet this iteration is OK, acceptable.
I'm not a hard heavy rider, 150 5'-8", yet the rear swingarm is EXTREMELY weak and rear wheel deflection is so high, that when it gets rough and steep this severely affects stability. I'm surprised if any taller heavier rider would not have a problem with this flexibility even on smooth riding. The front end of the frame is itself rigid.
I think that the high deflection may have something to do with constant bearing loosening. Also the bearings and pivot axles are on the small and weak side. No doubt the new 29er Santa Cruz 120mm and 140MM travel models are going to be much less noodlely rear ends.
Submitted by
BigKidOnBike
a Cross Country Rider
from WA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2012
Strengths: Amazingly versatile bike. My first 29er/very user friendly right out of the gate. Light. Front end is dead on in terms of steering responsiveness. This bike climbs like nothing else I have ever ridden! It hasn't backed down to anything I've thrown at it in terms of climbing (only 'quit' when my legs failed). Easy to set up. Killer parts spec. I was unable to bottom out the travel when I attempted to do so at demo day (I was worried that 4" of travel wouldn't be enough). Keep in mind that the biggest stuff I go off of anymore is about 3'. Super bling factor! The matte black with red accents really looks cool IMHO.
Weaknesses: Expensive. Theft bait. Rear end does not seem as stiff as demo rides were (I thought they were running carbon Havens at Duthie/SCB told me they always ran the alloy Havens at their demo days??). Mavic TN719's may be flexing (I'm big/6'1", 200 lbs.). Crossmarks didn't 'hit the mark' for our muddy Western WA conditions this winter/switched out to Nevegals.
Bottom Line:
The best MTB I have ever ridden! I'm feeling absolutely blessed to be able to ride this bike every time I get on it. Totally dependable, and fun fun fun every time out. A lot of money for a bicycle, but it's probably my favorite toy so I am getting my money's worth out of it.
Similar Products Used: Demo'd JET 9, EPIC Carbon, Rumblefish, Superfly. I've been a 26" rider since mid 80's/this is the first 29er I've owned. Last bike was a Jekyll (she was stolen).
Bike Setup: XT, TN 719s, Nevegals X2 set up tubeless with Stan's strips/juice, Selle Italia seat, EA 70 carbon bars/ends
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
lkfoster
a Weekend Warrior
from Ashkelon, Israel
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2012
Strengths: Plush ride once the damping is sorted.
29" wheels roll over rocks nicely
Crisp handling
Excellent climber, even if I am not
Accelerates better than my hardtail
Weaknesses: Low BB means more pedal strikes on rocky terrain
Bottom Line:
The bike was a gift from the American wife after she got tired of my waffling on what to buy. I was a bit concerned about buying a bike without having even seen one let alone ride one but this time it turned out well.
I'm not the fastest rider out there (being in the mid-50s will do that to you) but I find myself riding familiar trails much quicker than ever with this bike. The trails I ride are a mix of rocky semi-technical and sand/hardpack. The bike is excellent on both.
It took about a month to get used to seeing the massive tires but now I don't even notice them.
The SPX kit had everything I was looking for on a bike, though the OEM Maxxis Crossmark tires are less than impressive in sand or mud. The only thing that I changed was the seatpost in order to get an adjustable one. Tires will be next but I'm waiting to get back to the states for that.
Similar Products Used: Giant MCM Team cf hardtail
Giant XTC Team NRS
Bike Setup: Stock SPX with RS Reverb 2012 seatpost
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
lowaired
a Cross Country Rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2012
Strengths: This bike is the perfect balance of pure xc and almost all mountain. Geometry and efficiency. Plenty of travel . Quality craftsmanship, great looks but not too flashy (stealthily cool)
Weaknesses: maybe some sort of down tube protection like some competitors bikes . (but mtbr member sells a light bash guard for cheap) so none yet.
Bottom Line:
Built this bike to be super light and Super fast while still having the strength for aggressive riding as well . I have owned or rid in almost every 29 wheel bike out there ( hifi, superfly, rumble fish, jet 9 , rip 9, air 9, stump jumper, epic, scalpel , and my favorites were all for different reasons. But the rip 9 is unreal downhill and light climbing while the air 9 is a crazy climbing goat i was looking for the combination of the 2 so i ventures into the carbon full xc market. Cannondale scalpel 1 lefty awesome bike fork is killer but wanted to change to many components making it extra pricey. The Superfly is a awesome bike and really fit the need for me however i liked the top of the line Pro model that was super pricey and still wanted to change wheels and a couple other thing was well Both rode equally well but preferred the lefty fork feel and weight savings over the 2. So then came the idea of the tallboy ( already proven and crazy reviews) . So bottom line is we took what was best from all and integrated it into My tallboy carbon lefty custom weighing in at 21' lbs 15 oz in a Large frame!
Unreal bike looks amazing and rides better than it looks! Still toying with air pressures etc. but after a few rides its noticeably faster and less sticky and climbs much more efficiently . 5 chills for me !!
Similar Products Used: Niner Rip 9 (closer too all mountain much harder too climb) Trek Superfly 100 Elite (awesome bike for a off the shelf very similar. I just like custom build personally)
Jet 9 RDO ( availability and pricing flexibility too difficult)
Bike Setup: Large Black lProject 321 lefty carbon, Sram XX group , Formula R1 Carbon brake set , Hand built Stans American Classic crests w/ X ray spokes , Carbon bars, stems TI carbon Saddle , Monarch RT3 shock , ...
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2012
Strengths: . . .
Weaknesses: . . .
Bottom Line:
I am a former professional downhiller who was anti 29er's for years. I finally made the switch to this bike without even test riding one (thought a change would be fun). All I can say is WOW! This thing climbs and descends insanely! I've only ridden my bike twice, but I can say without a doubt, that I will never ride another 26" bike again (unless I need an all mountain or DH bike). I've owned 5 Santa Cruz bikes over the years, and again, they've hit the nail on the head. The first 20 minutes was a little different, but after that, I felt right at home. I don't even feel like I'm riding a 29" bike (other than the fact that it climbs and descends better than my 26" cross country bikes). If you're on the fence, jump! You won't regret it one bit!
Bike Setup: Large Tallboy Carbon, 2012 Shimano XT, Fox 120 Kashima Fork, Fox RP23 Kashima Shock, Stans Wheels . . . tubeless
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
schugu
a Cross Country Rider
from Heber, UT
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2012
Strengths: Lightness, cockpit comfort, agility, for the..."vein".. aesthetics.
Weaknesses: product availability when spring arrives
Bottom Line:
I'm not gear head so forgive any inaccurate or lack of details to the exact set up. I'm 6'3 200Lbs "geared up" and this bike makes me feel like a forest nymph frolicking through the woods. Oh yea, it's January in Utah and I'm having as much fun on a bike as should be having on a board that I haven't used yet... It's fast, it climbs, it handles effortlessly. Pedal scrape is the sacrifice for stability. Gonna be a while before I mount a 26". Seems like the bike for Tallboys has arrived..Ungha!
Similar Products Used: coconut conditioner, k.y. jelly, Turner 5 spot
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er XL.XT drive train and brakes, Fox float 29 Kashima coat, RP23 kashima coat.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
AK Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida through Alaska
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2012
Strengths: Weight - 5.28# for a XL frame WITH seat collar
Stiff
Can be set XC firm or AM plush
Weight - 5.28# for a XL frame WITH seat collar
Fast, just motors over everything
VPP very active over pretty much everything
Zerks make pivot maintenance easy (thanks David Turner for showing everyone the light)
Weight - 5.28# for a XL frame WITH seat collar
Did I mention its light?
Weaknesses: Don't know if its a weakness, but the geometry is skewed a little XC IMHO, low BB and steep HT angle
Carbon durability - so far so good but the downtube gets blitzed by a lot of crud off the front tire
Cost - but what boutique frame is inexpensive?
Bottom Line:
This is an update after almost a year-and-a-half - this thing has changed the way I ride and I'm still very happy with my purchase. I'm 6'2" and the XL was a tad larger than my Turner, but SC's sizing is kind of between most others, so I went XL with no regrets - fits perfect. My frame with seat collar weighs just 5.28#, so there was no weight penalty upsizing, its actually 2 pounds lighter than my last DW Turner.
The Tallboy is fast, it really just motors everything. I set up mine with my Reba at 140mm to slacken the geometry about 1 degree and raise the BB to just under 13" unsagged. The extra travel up front is perfect for me, lots of squish and very stiff. I run a short/flat stem and low rise bars so the added front end height from the fork doesn't make the TB feel like a chopper. I'm not an XC racer so the slacker ride hits a sweet spot for the handling, its still fast, but lots of flow - its not twitchy at all.
With sensible parts its light, but stiff very bombproof. The wheels are a little heavy compared to my previous 26" setup - so I'm looking to upgrade to some lighter hoops ... should get my bike under 24#. I'm going a little more XC since moving to Florida, plus the wheels feel a little slow to spin up to speed.
One of my favorite attributes of the Turners was how low slung the bike always felt, on fast DH runs the bike just flowed - the TB rides a lot like my Turner, you just get into a speed groove and point it where you want to go. Its a lot of fun. I'm not the greatest rider, but I find it easier to keep up with faster friends on the TB than my DW Spot.
The VPP is very active and can be setup to your preferences - more XC firm or more AM plush. I opted for more plush. With modern shocks and designs like VPP, DW Link and Maestro you get the best of both worlds - active over small and large bumps, plush, no bob so these days it just comes down to what you want in terms of cost, travel, geometry, weight and so on. The TB hit all of the check boxes for me, its been nirvana. Its a great time for MTB's with so many designs that work so well, this one suits my needs to a T.
I'll say this, I've owned about 2 dozen bikes over the last 15 years and about half of those didn't last longer than one Alaskan summer (about 4 months), if I didn't like the way it rode I just stripped the frame, sold it and bought something else. I'm keeping the TB and this coming year I'll be road trippin to explore all the great trails I can in TN, NC, VA and everywhere else within about 1000 miles of Tampa. The Tallboy will be the only bike strapped to my Element.
Similar Products Used: Jumped head first into 29ers ... this is my first, but its so good I parted ways with both my beloved Turners, an XC Flux and a Spot with a Fox 36, sold my Puglsey too - though I miss the fatbike so I may be getting another, also had a lot of other rides from Cannondale, K2, Ventana, Trek and so on. But for the last 7 years I've been pretty much all Turner, never thought I'd ride a bike that would make my Spot obsolete.
Bike Setup: 24.62 lbs - insane for a XL 29er. This is the lightest bike I've ever owned, amazing. Will drop below 24 with some ~1700g American Classics or Havens. My setup: 140mm Reba with Maxle, King/Stans wheels (2000g, soon to be replaced with something lighter), Haven Carbon bars, Crank Bro's carbon post, 2.1" tires tubeless, polished XTR 960 cranks running 22/32/bash, sram drivetrain with old 9-speed gripshift, eggbeaters, formula R1 brakes, lots of light parts with nothing exotic - no TI bolts or drilled chainrings
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Submitted by
santana reigel
a Cross Country Rider
from Hartford, ct
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2012
Strengths: I have been riding road for 50 years, Rocks for two years. I am built like a grass hopper. Inseam and sleeves are both 36 inches. I probably weigh in at 180 with backpack and a pound of sweat. The bike is light. With blackmamba adjustable seatpost , 20mm maxle, xtr pedals Maxxis Ardent tires 2.4 weighs 26lb on my bathroom scale. My titus racer x titanium weighted 32 lbs. Confidence inspiring, i have only started year 3 of riding newengland rocks and roots . I am able to maintain visual contact with the group that I have been trying to ride with. On my other bike they would just drop me instantly. Most of the the group have been riding the terrain for 16+ years and they read it much better than I do. The tallboy requires less energy to move . I find that I have some energy left to stand up and hammer some times.
Weaknesses: Number 1) The biggest disappointment was that there was no magic going up walls with obstacles. I am referring to cleaning rocks measured in feet. On very steep climbs two foot high and four foot high rocks are just hard to clean as they always were . To be perfectly clear on steep climbs with rocks and roots lower that one foot it climbs better, with less effort.
Number 2) perceived weakness is carbon because of the thousands of rocks per mile. The ones as big as softballs get picked up by the front tire and flung at the down tube ( skid plate there ).
Build weakness ) The SRAM PG 1050 cassette i replaced immediately because it has rivets that protrude enough to catch the chain and jam it into the spokes. It did this in the first two attempted rides. This happened while riding not shifting. Yes I checked the adjustment on my bike stand and in my driveway before riding. Ebay saved the day I now use a XTR cassette.
Bottom Line:
I can reconnect with the group before they start eating their power bars. Before they would be already finished. The tallboy has moved me up a notch instantly . More speed in descents and the flatter sections with less effort . This bike leaves me with more energy reserves so I can work on my technical skills this year. I was able to follow one of the faster descenders yesterday. I stayed close enough so that I could see his line and his moves. I couldn't do that before. The tallboy will put you at the top of your game.
Similar Products Used: Titus Racer x titanium, Progressive rear shock, RockShox RC2L Uturn 115mm, Kenda Nevegal stickE, to be fair this bike was a little to small for me.
Submitted by
tneely2327
a Cross Country Rider
from Goodyear, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2011
Strengths: Confidence inspiring handling, light and stiff, suspension and geometry, Feels like I am on my motocross bike!
Weaknesses: Expensive, long term durability in rocky Az
Bottom Line:
My first niner was Salsa's Big Mama which I absolutely loved, but It unfortunately broke on the drive side chain stay. Replaced that with a Spearfish which handled much better, but lacked the suspension and comfort that I was accustomed to having on the long rides that I use my big wheeler on. I have been on mountain bikes for decades, this is by far the best handling and one of the stiffest bikes I have ever owned. The combination of the components, suspension and geometry for me is like riding my enduro motorcycle on single track.....I look where I want to go, drop the seat post and hammer with confidence over and through things that I have named for the various injuries incurred on previous attempts. My only concern is the frame durability with the constant onslaught of central Arizona rocks being thrown at it....I would go with the aluminum frame if I could go back, but only because of the geology of my local trail.
Similar Products Used: Salsa Big Mama
Salsa SpearFish
Bike Setup: Fox 32 Talus 29 120 RLC Fit 15QR, Fox Rp23, Full XTR Trail Components, Stan's Arch rims w/Chris King hubs, Chris King headset/bottom bracket, RockShox Reverb Dropper Post, Fizik Gobi Saddle, Geax Saguaro TNT Tires
