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Santa Cruz Bronson V4

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#401 ·
Picked up a Float X Performance for super cheap. Is adding the compression dial a noticeable improvement or even trying to get it tuned? I wouldn't mind running air more frequently, especially since my rides are more mellow in the winter, but it's gotta be worth going through the headache of swapping shocks.

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Since getting the 38 dialed in, I won't be pursuing the Cascade link (or a Nomad!) unless there's a ridiculously good sale. I don't know if it's the damper itself or the fact that it's shiny and new, but finding my settings was much easier than it's been in the past. I really went after a balanced front and rear and it's upped my confidence on this bike a lot. I feel like that's especially important on mixed wheels.

For anyone looking, Jenson had some pretty sweet deals on V4 and V4.1 frames! They might not have a lot of stock, but I saw a CC V4.1 for under $2800 USD.
 
#402 ·
Any body running a custom rear mudguard they are keen to share photos of? Or even purchased one that works well?

How does everyone find this area when riding in the mud? My bike has only just arrived but its summer here so not alot of rain at the moment. The OG fender almost looks comical its so tiny.
 
#403 ·
hodgkijay said:
Any body running a custom rear mudguard they are keen to share photos of? Or even purchased one that works well?

How does everyone find this area when riding in the mud? My bike has only just arrived but its summer here so not alot of rain at the moment. The OG fender almost looks comical its so tiny.
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The sole purpose of the tiny rear fender is to protect the shock. As for mudguards, I've seen some with but not sure which ones and how well they work... You have to accept that you're going to get dirty while riding in the mud.
 
#404 ·
Muddy-Runs said:
The sole purpose of the tiny rear fender is to protect the shock. As for mudguards, I've seen some with but not sure which ones and how well they work... You have to accept that you're going to get dirty while riding in the mud.
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Haha yes I am well aware of all of the above. The reason I ask as I have previously had a rock wedge in and around a linkage and damage the frame. Unfortunately this was not warrantable and meant throwing out the rear triangle. Not something I’m looking to repeat so all of my bikes for the past 4 years have had some kind of custom mudguard!
Talked to a mate about 3d printing one and using the mounts from the fender. Should be a cool task.
 
#405 ·
Any 5' 5" riders out there? I'm on the line between Small and Medium. I rode them around the lot at my LBS but it's hard to get a true feeling for them. I'm trending toward the small but it's tough to decide without trail input.
 
#406 ·
edenger said:
Any 5' 5" riders out there? I'm on the line between Small and Medium. I rode them around the lot at my LBS but it's hard to get a true feeling for them. I'm trending toward the small but it's tough to decide without trail input.
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I’m just over 5’6” and would not size down. The reach and the wheelbase are just right for a trail bike.
 
#407 ·
edenger said:
Any 5' 5" riders out there? I'm on the line between Small and Medium. I rode them around the lot at my LBS but it's hard to get a true feeling for them. I'm trending toward the small but it's tough to decide without trail input.
Click to expand...
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#408 ·
At 6'1"ish, I am stuck between sizes. This time, I went with the Large instead of the XL and couldn't be happier. I came from an XL 5010v3 which always felt a little long. Sizing down has made a huge difference for me. My knee and back no longer bother me and I am waaaay faster both up and especially down. I am consistently getting some of my best ever times on a lot of different trails.
 
#410 ·
ZenkiS14 said:
How many of you guys are on coils? Debating a new Bronson next spring with a Super Deluxe Coil. How much livliness did you lose? Trail feel loss?
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I am currently going through this. What shock are you currently running?

My last bike I had switched out to a coil and swore I would never go back. I ran the new 2023 Super Deluxe Ultimate air which came with the bike and was extremely impressed. However before even riding the bike I ordered the new Super Deluxe coil with HBO.

I swapped it over and in my first 3 rides I have struggled with it a bit. There's more traction yes. But there also seems to be a lot less mid stroke support and it doesnt feel like it holds you in bigger compressions as well as the air shock. I was running 2 clicks HSC, 3 clicks LSC and 4 clicks rebound.

I have the right tune in the coil. I just think the new air chock is that good, and thats coming from someone who up until last week thought I would ride a coil for the rest of my life.
 
#411 ·
I've run both coil and air on my Bronson. ran the coil (DHX2) with 65mm stroke and a Cascade link paired with a 170 38 to basically turn the bike into a Nomad. I loved the way it rode during the summer when the trails were blown out and full of holes and big compressions. I chose to race it in Ashland OR in this setup over my Hightower v3 even though the trails in Ashland are pretty buff, because it provides so much confidence riding at the limit, fully pinned in that configuration. with the cascade link I thought the coil managed the travel very well, didn't bottom harshly or blow through travel. it was comfortable running low speed rebound really fast too.

I switched back to my Float X and 36 a little while ago, and I also love it in this guise, still very confident descending but couple pounds lighter and obviously not quite as planted as the heavier, longer travel setup. I think the air setup is optimal more often than not, but I like it alot both ways. will def swap back to coil for bike park riding. if you guys up thread are struggling with setup with your coils, perhaps try the cascade link if you're open to continued tweaking. I like the cascade link with air and coil shocks, haven't gone back to the stock link.
 
#412 ·
ZenkiS14 said:
How many of you guys are on coils? Debating a new Bronson next spring with a Super Deluxe Coil. How much livliness did you lose? Trail feel loss?
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I ran a Push coil for almost the entire time I was on the Bronson. It was a lot easier on my legs as I felt the air shock amplifies the 27.5 wheel's feedback over sharp edged hits. Once my compression was set (the recommended rebound was solid from the start), I had plenty of support and traction. I'm running a coil on my Nomad now and I don't anticipate going back to air as long as I'm on a mixed wheel bike.
 
#415 ·
I have been looking at a bigger bike to add to my quiver along my Tallboy V5. The bike would see the short, tight and techy enduro tracks we have here as well as a few trips to lift access bike parks during the season. I was thinking the Bronson might be a nice complement to the Tallboy being different enough but not quite a full on enduro sled that's too much for my terrain and use. I also like the fact that you could experiment with a coil shock too to further separate it from my Tallboy.

Is anyone else running a similar quiver and what are your thoughts?
 
#416 ·
Yea, I'm right there with you. I am currently on a 2023 Mx Wheel Stumpy Evo, which is nearly identical to Bronson in geo, along side my 120 down country bike, and both bikes are perfectly capable and far enough away from each other that they are both enjoyable at their own places.

I'll be Bronson and Blur soon likely!
 
#417 ·
Hi Guys,

I have a kind of dumb question. I just ordered a Bronson V4 frame from Jenson (hard to say no to those deals). In the box there were two foam tubes and some clear frame stickers.
Any idea what these things are for?
Initially I thought the tube was for the in-frame cable routing, but they don't seem to fit. If the stickers are for frame protection, they don't seem to be sized for specific sections of the frame (unless I am missing something).
 
#419 ·
I should be taking delivery of a V4.1 Bronson frame in the next few days. I'm considering getting a Marzocchi Bomber CR and having it tuned by Avalanche. Can anyone tell me if the Bomber CR will fit? I've seen pictures with an 11.6 and a Cane Creek coil but I'm not sure if the Bomber CR has significantly different dimensions.
 
#420 ·
matsf said:
I should be taking delivery of a V4.1 Bronson frame in the next few days. I'm considering getting a Marzocchi Bomber CR and having it tuned by Avalanche. Can anyone tell me if the Bomber CR will fit? I've seen pictures with an 11.6 and a Cane Creek coil but I'm not sure if the Bomber CR has significantly different dimensions.
Click to expand...
I chatted with Craig about getting one for my old Bronson. I didn't ask about fit specifically, but Craig didn't recommend getting the shorter reservoir in addition to the standard upgrade.
 
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