Strengths: pretty light, incredible lateral stiffness even by todays standards, efficient climbing, super durable & low maintanence, rides like a hardtail when you want it to
Weaknesses: XC'ish geo may not suit all riders, but then it is an XC trail bike...
Bottom Line:
I picked this bike up second hand in immaculate condition around 10-12 months ago and have been riding it on mostly technical and flowing singletrack trails. In this environment this thing absolutely shines. It climbs like a mountain goat and absolutely cranks out of the corners (very similar feel to a hardtail out of the corners).
I've ridden newer, longer travel XC, AM & trail machines but most didn't compete to the accelleration and fun factor of this thing. I bought it on a whim thinking i would have upgraded to something newer and more complicated by now (hence test riding numerous other, more modern bikes) but i can't bring myself to stop riding the Tazmon as its just such a blast on the trails. Santa Cruz really got it bang on with this one, their very first production MTB. When released the Tazmon simply stunned the press, and now i know why.
Its also as tough as nails. Along with regular trail riding I've jumped it & ridden light FR on it and it doesn't flinch at all. Very rigid, the pretty burly rear end and Risse shock probably has a lot to do with it, along with the unique design. It may look like any other single pivot design but it has a difference - the shock is fixed to the frame at two points, and this is what gives it its superior rigidity compared to typical single pivot design (ala, Heckler, Superlight, etc).
Then there is the maintanence side of it, or lack there of. 12 months of hard riding and it still feels brand new and i've not touched it.
If your looking for a versatile XC/trail bike that requires little or no maintanence, and find a Tazmon for sale (they are extremely rare so good luck) definitely give it lots of consideration, and don't let the age or short travel (3") of it put you off. The Tazmon is basically a stiffer, tougher SC Superlight with little weight disadvantage. The only reason Tazmon production was stopped was because production costs were simply too high, which says a lot for the quality of these legendary bikes.
Similar Products Used: mongoose teocali, norco six, other dualies & numerous hardtails
Bike Setup: XT drivetrain, rear Avid V with front Deore cable disc, Marz. Bomber Z1's, 80mm stem with 1" risers
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Submitted by
R Leone
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2004
Strengths: Burly, overbuilt. Works like a FS frame should.
Weaknesses: Limited choices of shocks, Santa Cruz doesn't make swingarms for them any longer (I called), no disc mount (hey it was made in 1996)
Bottom Line:
I nabbed this off the MTBR classifieds for $450, a little apprehensively. I was aware of the SC Superlight, but not the Tazmon. It's basically the same design with an additional beam at the shock junction. This bike is tough, and the suspension works very well. My only gripe is that I can't upgrade to one of the newer stable-platform shocks as this model requires a Risse damper. No biggie, the Risse Terminator works fine, and the single pivot design resists pedal-induced bob fairly well. With the Marzocchi fork and mostly XTR stuff, it's no lightweight (about 27.5 lbs), but I won't have to worry about breaking anything. It's a stable and trusty frame.
The Tazmon is a little-known Santa Cruz model, and like the older Heckler, is a real sleeper for the money.
Bike Setup: Pretty standard stuff: XTR 8 spd setup, XT brakes, XTR/Mavic 517 wheels, Marzocchi Atom Bomb, blah blah
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Submitted by
Todd
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasanton, CA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2003
Strengths: Bulletproof frame
Weaknesses: No rear disc mounts. Lack of rear shock options.
Bottom Line:
I cant believe how great a job Santa Cruz did with this bike. They created the bike back in 95 (i think?) and it is still a well used design and it feels like something you could pick up from a showroom today. If you can find one used do not hesitate to pick it up!
Bike Setup: Fox V125F, Risse Astro5 rear, Truvativ Stylo Team cranks, XT 9spd. components, XT hubs/Sun rims, Avid Front disc, Easton bars, CK headset, Panaracer FireXC Pro tires.
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Submitted by
serge
a Cross Country Rider
from lafayette, LA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Strengths: laterally rigid, sweet frame. Risse astro-5 very good.
I too was looking for a heckler, (not a superlight due to my 220+ lb clydliness), but couldn't pass up the great deal on a Tazmon, and don't need the extra travel while I'm living in Louisiana. I swapped out just about all components from my not very stock stumpjumper pro, and sold it for a serious loss, but wife said one of the bikes had to go. -Better lateral rigidness compared to 4" travel Hecklers for sure, I'm glad I didn't get a Heckler and it handles like a dream, especially with a wider bar. -Toptube is kinda short, but that's a known issue for SantaCruz, so on went the newer style Easton seatpost w/ ~30mm rear offset.. much lighter than the XY, and enough lay back that I didn't have to resort to a Hellbent. I quickly found I that a brake booster in the rear did a lot for brake feel. -The Risse astro-5 shock has taken lots of abuse by me and keeps coming back for more. It seems pretty darn plush for an old school air shock. I'll probably send it in for a rebuild during the dog days of summer here.
To sum it up, an excellent switch for an aging mtn biker who does more 'epic' rides these days and wanted to go with a trusted company, which happens to be in my home town. I haven't noticed much 'brake jack' and wanted a low maintenance bike for my first FS experience.
Bike Setup: EA-70 post, bontrager saddle, syncros riser, titec ti stem, old school 8-spd xtr drivetrain w/ avid ultimate brakes+levers, rhyno lite/xtr wheelset, 545 pedals and... oh, and a '99 Z2 w/ speedbomb kit.
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Submitted by
Joe Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas
Weaknesses: Weight (sorta), lack of shock options, only 3" travel
Bottom Line:
Got this rig on the cheap at mtbr.com. Was looking for a Heckler, but couldn't pass on this gem. Came with good, 3-4 year old parts that serve as reserve parts now. This frame is the godfather of SC single pivot design. Overbuilt shock mount/toptube design is trick and laterally stiff...by comparison, the top tube shock mount on Superlight/Heckler looks like it could rip off with ease. SOLID! Not the agile sprinter of Superlight, but you can crank harder can't you? Only 3" of rear travel on the frame specific Risse Astro-5 (5-way adjustment of untoiceable dampening), but for XC that's just fine. (I had Risse re-valve and tune the shock for $40...it came back to me in perfect condition in 1 week, awesome...talk to "Fish"). The rear does feel more solid than the Superlight or Heckler under hard cornering or gnarly root/boulder sections. Z1 jacks up the front and eases the steering a bit, inspiring this classic BMX'er, novice MTB'er to haul ass and let the bike float down the descents, but lockout the Z1 on climbs and it will gitty up a goat path just the same. I'm 6'2", 200lbs, new to trail riding, but have had no prob at all cozying up to the wonders of dual suspension...I only notice it when I need it. TIP: upgrade the cheap Chinese cartridge bearings for better American/Japanese hardware for 'bout $30 from your local bearing shop. A fun, durable, classic trailbike for sure...though, I'm looking forward to the 2002 Heckler for more travel. Will hang on to the Taz for friends use/backup in the future. Would be 5 chilis, but "weaknesses" bring it down to four. Buy it if you want a solid, short-travel suspension trail rig and can find one. Go Fast!!
Similar Products Used: Superlight, Heckler, various hardtails
Bike Setup: Large '96 Tazmon frame - ALL NEW: Z1 MCR, HS 33 brakes (awesome!!), custom-built XTR/32h Rhyno Lite wheels, real 180mm White Ind. cranks/Race Face rings, XTR r. der/ XT f. der, XT 8-spd cassette, ZuZu pedals, Mythos 2.1's and/or Tioga DH 2.3's, Sram Attack shifters, Club Roost riser bar, Thomson stem, King Headset, WTB Speed V saddle, black setpost
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Submitted by
Maxx Volume
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethesda
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2002
Strengths: Well balanced/easy to man handle.
Weaknesses: Being F'd when you try the same stuff on your bud's bike.
Bottom Line:
Real nice bike set up all around, rear shock swap out an issue, but not a dead end.
Strengths: The bike rides like a hardtail going up and screams going down through the chatter bumps. With the light Girvin Cross link forks I can jump logs and RR tracks in a snap.
Weaknesses: Variety of shock options. The Asto 5 is really nice but I would still like to have other options. Being solid means weight. You can compensate for this if you go with lighter wheels, rims and hubs.
Bottom Line:
No longer being made by SC but it should be. Are you listening SC? I bought this one at AnotherBikeShop in Santa Cruz. Great people and some of the best prices I have found on or off the net. Get one b4 it is too late.
Bike Setup: I have always loved the Girvin/K2 Cross link frt suspension with its seperate shock. Most people think the longer the travel of the suspenion the better it must be. I on the other hand believe tracking and stablity is the way to go. This is the same front suspension setup that is on my 2000 R1100S BMW, Telelever, developed to an art on the Saxon Trax Racing motorcycle. I look at most frt suspensions that people are using and see weight and masive fork braces to eliminate tracking and stiction problems. Then they have to deal with all the other problems of a conventional fork like oil seals and weight from inner springs, oil and seals. I also went this time with platform pedals from Wellgo, $12, with Powergrip straps, $15.
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Submitted by
Crue Jones
a Downhiller
from Dracut, Ma. USA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000
Strengths: Everything about this bike is strong. Heavy at a little over 30.bs. But this B can take a beating, Street Riding, Dirt Jumps, Downhillin', XC, and Hangover sunday rides. This bike will take it, Over and over. I cracked a headtube and SC replaced the frame with a new swingarm and new frame design. So I think I'm gonna have her for a while now.
Weaknesses: Cannot put a coil shock on it. Small complaint, but I wish it was possible.
Bottom Line:
This Bike kicks serious ass. I do it all and she takes it. If you dont agree, let me know: cruejones@yahoo.com Only thing I havent done to this bike is get the Astro-5 revalved, soon though. Probably at the 2000 Nationals at Mount Snow. Which is another place that kicks ass. Go buy it, the frame isn't being made anymore. So hurry, your gonna lose a beauty.
Bike Setup: Marz. Z1, XTR everything, Tioga 2.1 DH Tires, Azonic bars and stem, Titec Berserker seat, Syncros seat post, Sun Rynho Lites, Gripshift 9.0sl shifter/der combo. and some S&M pedals. Red frame, polished swingarm
Strengths: No nonsense, simple design. Excellent balance, low weight, most laterally stiff FS bike made.
Weaknesses: Not enough travel for true downhilling.
Bottom Line:
I was initially disappointed as the ride is not plush but I finally got everything dialed when I bagged the Judy internals (RS SUCKS) and replaced them with an Englund system and had Risse junk the Genesis for an Astro-5 and re-valve it for faster rebound so I could run lower pressures without packing down. I now do not see ANY of my buddies on the downhill portion of our rides - I wait for them at the car. This thing corners better than any other FS design because of the excellent lateral stiffness of the rear swingarm. Great design. It you want fancy - buy a GT. If you want what works, buy a Taz. Put Machine Tech hubs on and glide silently thru the woods and YOU TOO can experience Nirvana.
For Sale; 18 Tazmon, black w / polished swing arm, XT deraillers, LX shifters, crank, brakes, mavic / exage wheels, all mostly just basic or generic parts, very upgradable, excellent condition. The reason I am selling is I want to get a Super8. I can provide better components but prefer to transfer them over to my new ride. I am selling this bike with very solid parts at a decent price to at least get a fully functional bike with great frame into your hands. Easier to afford and you can ride it now, upgrade slowly as your budget grows. If thisis tacky or inapropriate for this forum, I am sorry, please remove if possible. Thank you, $1400 / offer
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Submitted by
Sam Messina
a weekend warrior
from brick, nj, usa
Date Reviewed: May 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
The Tazmon is onw of the best all around full suspension bikes out there. I've had mine for roughly a year and always look forward to riding it. I have made a few changes to save weight and its about 26lbs. but it doesn't matter too much for me anyway since i'm 220lbs. myself. Side to side rigidity in the back was one of the selling points for me and I love the three way adjustable Risse shock. I balanced out the front suspension by installing Englund air cartridges in my FSX JUDY. The bike is great ascending and descending. Overall a very sweet ride from such a small company.
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Submitted by
Alastair Murdoch
a downhiller
from Ayrshire, scotland
Date Reviewed: December 16, 1997
Bottom Line:
I've got a tazmon, 18frame with the standard elroy damper. It's built with hope/shimano hubs of velocity deep section rims which are practically indestructable. I noticed that most of the reviewers are cross country riders, but that does not mean that this bike can't jump or downhill with the best. Although it cannot compete with a 6+ frame, it makes the absolute most from it's sub 3 back end (Yes I worked it out). Totally solid and built like a brick s*** house, I can't see this frame breaking like my old kula. Only downside is that the seals on two shocks have gone within the few months I've had it but that was attributed to the wrond valving for my weight/style. They were really quick with the replacements anyway. As for the dumbass who says they squeak, what can squeak about a sealed cartridge bearing? Even if they do, greasing it should remedy the problem. My bike is ridden in wet, muddy conditions for most of the year an as yet has'nt uttered a complaint. Unlike some GT's I could mention
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Submitted by
Dale
a weekend warrior
from New Paltz, New York
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1997
Bottom Line:
Had my Tazmon for 6 months. Quick, stiff, bitchin' climbing machine. You want to ride real hard with this bike. I built it with XTR, Crosslands, WB SC 90. When I get home from work tomorrow morning I will beat the thing hard and it will laugh at me. Build one up if you're looking for a really, really fun piece of machinery.
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Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from Santa Fe
Date Reviewed: October 6, 1997
Bottom Line:
I finally bought a Tazmon after considering the full suspension scene for the past year. I'm glad I did... Mine weighs about 25.75 lbs with a full XTR group and generally light stuff including a Judy SL. I chose the Risse 5 way shock option as well. After some serious riding including hideous long singletrack climbs (over 5,000 vertical yesterday) and steep rock garden descents, the 'Cruz rules! It is a refreshing alternative to the latest 30+ lbs free-ride industry craze. This bike is everything people have said about it. It sprints like a hardtail with no slop yet delivers an incredibly refined ride, not a floater, but supple in control suspension response like a highly evolved sports car. You owe it to yourself to consider the Tazmon before you buy something less.
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Submitted by
Tosh
a weekend warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997
Bottom Line:
I've had my Taz for about 7 months. The advantages of this full suspension charateristics are so subtle that I find myself appreciating my bike more the longer I had it. It's fitted out with XTR and Judy SL Longs. Very firm frame with just enough travel on both ends to take the bite out of big hits. The ride is not plush but feels refined. It climbs very well with it's active suspension. You just learn to stay seated most of the time and it just works for you. It weighs about 25 lbs and feels so stable I forget that the rear is shocked and moving until l ride the same trail on my old Stumpjumper. Light, solid, good climber and stable at speeds. I believe the Tazmon qualifies as a perfect Freeride bike.
