There are still those times and places where the best way to light the fuse and blow everyone else into the weeds is by riding a hardtail. 29-inch wheels have revived the venerable double diamond design, and by mixing the smooth rolling hoops with a feathery 2.45-pound carbon fiber frame, Santa Cruz has come up with a potent race weapon.
What is instantly obvious is this is a fast bike both up and down. It is very responsive to pedal input as the BB stiffness allows excellent power transfer to the wheels. Climbing steep walls is a almost a delight with this bike as it goes up when motivated by the rider and it maintains excellent traction. Continue reading →
I picked this bike up in November/December, and it's now April; I bought it to use as an XC bike, and to ride as an alternative to my Tallboy when I felt like it. I've also owned a Blur LT, and ridden rigid 29'ers, hardtail aluminum/steel 29'ers, and lots more bikes, too. Anyhow, during the time that I've owned the Highball. I've ridden my Tallboy once.
I do long, hard XC rides that are at a minimum of 3 hours, and a max of 6 hours, riding around 15 total hours per week. My rides have a lot of climbing, fire roads, singletrack, and street in them. That should tell you the type of rider that I am, and why I prefer the Highball over the Tallboy, nowadays.
Needless to say, I've got ample time on this bike, and have been able to take it through its paces. What I can say about it is after all the time I've been on it is this: it's a cyclists' bike.
It's not twitchy, over the bars, unstable race-ish; it's stable, fast, light, and quick. It flows with whatever you throw at it, and is comfortable to ride for hours on end. It hasn't narrowed itself into a single riding category, in other words. I don't just use it for breaking the sound barrier, I use it for fun, and for going fast, and going hard. I've even lost weight since I've owned it, since I ride more, and ride harder than I do on my Tallboy. Not that I was fat or anything, I'm 6'2" and 180, now, when I used to be around 190. Go figure.
On second thought, I think I'll lose even more weight, to go that much faster up the hills. Thanks Santa Cruz.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Redline d460 29'er, Santa Cruz Blur LT, etc.
Bike Setup: Full X0, Easton Haven Carbon Wheels.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
I'm on a boat
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA, US
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2011
Strengths: Stiff, Light, Fast, Awesome looking
Weaknesses: Hard to fit the White Industries eccentric brake mount in the rear....but I might be the only idiot to use it this way.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs like nothing I have ever ridden....and so so quiet. I can sneak up on you like a navy seal. I was going to get a cheapy off brand carbon bike, but my LBS talked me into spending a couple bucks. Thank god they did.
Similar Products Used: Ventana El Toro, Haro Mary, Lenzsport Milkmoney
Bike Setup: Single Speed. Syncros Cockpit, Syncros FL rigid fork. White Industries Eno hubs and Eccentric Rear. Eno Cranks. sometimes a Fox FL29
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
I'm on a boat
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA, US
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2011
Strengths: Stiff, Light, Fast, Awesome looking
Weaknesses: Hard to fit the White Industries eccentric brake mount in the rear....but I might be the only idiot to use it this way.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs like nothing I have ever ridden....and so so quiet. I can sneak up on you like a navy seal. I was going to get a cheapy off brand carbon bike, but my LBS talked me into spending a couple bucks. Thank god they did.
Similar Products Used: Ventana El Toro, Haro Mary, Lenzsport Milkmoney
Bike Setup: Single Speed. Syncros Cockpit, Syncros FL rigid fork. White Industries Eno hubs and Eccentric Rear. Eno Cranks. sometimes a Fox FL29
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
I'm on a boat
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA, US
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2011
Strengths: Stiff, Light, Fast, Awesome looking
Weaknesses: Hard to fit the White Industries eccentric brake mount in the rear....but I might be the only idiot to use it this way.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs like nothing I have ever ridden....and so so quiet. I can sneak up on you like a navy seal. I was going to get a cheapy off brand carbon bike, but my LBS talked me into spending a couple bucks. Thank god they did.
Similar Products Used: Ventana El Toro, Haro Mary, Lenzsport Milkmoney
Bike Setup: Single Speed. Syncros Cockpit, Syncros FL rigid fork. White Industries Eno hubs and Eccentric Rear. Eno Cranks. sometimes a Fox FL29
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
I'm on a boat
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA, US
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2011
Strengths: Stiff, Light, Fast, Awesome looking
Weaknesses: Hard to fit the White Industries eccentric brake mount in the rear....but I might be the only idiot to use it this way.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs like nothing I have ever ridden....and so so quiet. I can sneak up on you like a navy seal. I was going to get a cheapy off brand carbon bike, but my LBS talked me into spending a couple bucks. Thank god they did.
Strengths: As expected, the frame is super stiff for very efficient climbing. Stand up, pedal, and the bike really accelerates well. Geometry is fairly slack for a racing rig which makes it comfortable enough for everyday riding too. I'm on a low-rise bar and could probably get away with a flat bar setup. Overall, excellent handling both up and downhill.
Weaknesses: The only weakness I can find for this frame would be on very bumpy climbs. But, with that said, this is a hardtail and it's supposed to be super stiff.
Bottom Line:
I've been really impressed with the comfort of this bike. The geometry fits my riding style well. It's extremely efficient pedaling and I'm glad I went with a 2x10 drivetrain. I've beaten all of my old personal bests on local trails with this bike. I expected the bike to climb well, but it also descends great. Steering is predictable and quick. Initially I had reservations about the durability of carbon hardtails, but I think Santa Cruz is one of the few companies that has gotten it right. I've had several hard rock impacts to the frame with NO damage whatsoever. I'm currently on Kenda Small Block 8 tires and I would not recommend running them tubeless. They flat constantly even with Stan's.
This is a great bike for XC or endurance riders who are looking for an extremely efficient pedaling bike that has comfortable geometry that can be ridden all day.
Similar Products Used: I have switched from a 26 inch Ibis hardtail to this bike for XC-racing. I've test ridden the Carbon Niner and Scott 29er.
Bike Setup: 22 lbs/medium frame. Full Sram XO (2x10), Chris King headset, Hope hubs, Stan's ZTR Crest wheels, Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals, Fox 100mm with 15m fork, Kenda Small Block 8 tires (tubeless setup)
