I think it's one of those questions that is going to be different for different riders. If I had to choose one bike though for things that range from XC to lift served bike park riding, I'd take the Bronson (I have a V1).

I haven't been on a Hightower, though. And for my riding, I'd probably go 5010 if I was going for a new gen bike, but that's because my riding is biased toward all mountain/XC vs. bike park days at the moment and both bikes got more aggressive. So it's really hard to crown a king, but right now 140-160 bikes will do a lot in either direction.

 

I think it's one of those questions that is going to be different for different riders. If I had to choose one bike though for things that range from XC to lift served bike park riding, I'd take the Bronson (I have a V1).

I haven't been on a Hightower, though. And for my riding, I'd probably go 5010 if I was going for a new gen bike, but that's because my riding is biased toward all mountain/XC vs. bike park days at the moment and both bikes got more aggressive. So it's really hard to crown a king, but right now 140-160 bikes will do a lot in either direction.

Excellent points. My buddy rides his Nomad almost exclusively at this point, he takes it to the downhill park, he takes where I like to go (technical single track), he takes it on the more flowy stuff. He says it climbs well over the technical stuff and he's adapted to squish when pedaling fast. I imagine it's not for everyone, but he thinks it's a great all around bike once you get used to it. The Bronson makes more sense to me in terms of being more rounded and dynamic, but neither bike really fits the way I ride. I like to climb...I like technical challenges...and I don't care for downhill stuff.

 

The reason there are so many bikes in their line up is there is not one definitive answer to this question. As others have mentioned it depends on where you ride, how you ride, what you want your ride to feel like. Choose one bike for a "do it all, one bike quiver" and yes it can do everything....but it can't do everything equally.

Choose a bike that fits the majority of the riding you do. Don't pick a bike for the few times you be riding something out of the ordinary.

I like the idea of the Hightower and Tallboy being able to run in two different "modes" tire sizes though. This gives you a lot of flexibility in your one bike quiver.

 

It depends on where you live and what you like to ride. I live in Vancouver and I ride the Shore, Squamish and Whistler Bike Park. My best all around bike is what I own: a Nomad. I use my Nomad to ride the bike park one day and then go for a 30 km ride on road, gravel path and trails right from my house the next day.

If I wasn't riding the park at all, I would say a Hightower would be the best all around bike.

 

I own a TB LTc and Bronson V2 and although they overlap each other a bunch, they also shine in their own respect a lot. Around here most would say both are too much travel, but my riding style I prefer it that way. Everybody is different therefore the need for SC to have a bunch of bikes available.

I've demoed every SC full suspension bike now except a V10 and I can see why someone would choose any of them. Some meet my style of riding, some don't. For example I'm not a big fan of super low bottom brackets, it's not my riding style, but I see why people love them. Same thing with plus tires, not my thing but I get why people love them.

What I like about all current SC bikes is they pedal well, fun to ride, and incredibly stiff and nimble.

 

What I like about all current SC bikes is they pedal well, fun to ride, and incredibly stiff and nimble.

That. 100% that

 

The question presented by the OP is somewhat like asking what's the best Ford vehicle.

Depends on what you use it for.

 

The question presented by the OP is somewhat like asking what's the best Ford vehicle.

Depends on what you use it for.

We should add to this thread.....What is the best pedal? Flat or Clipless?

 

I would say it depends on your local terrain. Where I live, the TB2 is king among the other santa cruz bikes.

 

As I said above, it's going to differ somewhat for different riders, but i don't really think it's an absurd question. I think the OP means "Best do-it-all bike" rather than "what's the all around best choice".

I agree. I believe the objective to gather a little input on the generally best SC.

I'm with Greenjack on selection. My area and my style is more XC and that moves my choice for the TB2

 

As I said above, it's going to differ somewhat for different riders, but i don't really think it's an absurd question. I think the OP means "Best do-it-all bike" rather than "what's the all around best choice". So it's more of a question as to which bike would be enjoyable to ride in the widest range of situations, XC to lift-served.

If I had to have one bike and woke up every morning, spun a wheel, and rode whatever it landed on, I'd choose a Bronson or a Hightower (which I haven't been on). They aren't really the best for either XC or lift served, but I could have good fun on them in both situations and not be thinking "Wow, I wish I was on another bike" the whole time.

I can see some people arguing for the Nomad (which I also haven't been on), but for me that class of bike sucks up too much of the small stuff to maximize all around fun.

 

As I said above, it's going to differ somewhat for different riders, but i don't really think it's an absurd question. I think the OP means "Best do-it-all bike" rather than "what's the all around best choice". So it's more of a question as to which bike would be enjoyable to ride in the widest range of situations, XC to lift-served.

If I had to have one bike and woke up every morning, spun a wheel, and rode whatever it landed on, I'd choose a Bronson or a Hightower (which I haven't been on). They aren't really the best for either XC or lift served, but I could have good fun on them in both situations and not be thinking "Wow, I wish I was on another bike" the whole time.

I can see some people arguing for the Nomad (which I also haven't been on), but for me that class of bike sucks up too much of the small stuff to maximize all around fun.

Yeah what I was trying to get across in my OP was a bike that you could use for everything. Something where you could throw it on the bike rack and take it anywhere.

I'd probably tend to think it'd have to be something with a little squish because the lower bottom bracket bikes might not fare as well at the bike parks...then again a Nomad wouldn't suite some people in other situations. That's why I was thinking more along the lines of the Bronson, or Hightower.

 

The Hightower is the most versatile bike in the SC lineup. Sure, different terrain and speed of riding will have a different answer to what bike is best but given the OP's questions I think in terms of 1 bike over all terrain... the answer is Hightower 8-days a week. (unless you need a size Small)

For most people this is a very real questions and the answer is... find the bike with the least amount of compromises for your give terrain, riding style and speed.

If you ride everything from XC to lift service the Hightower will put the biggest smile on your face and is incredibly stable and plush at speed yet snappy and lively in the slower tight stuff. Climbs well too!

Fun question!

 

The Bronson is the most versatile bike in the SC lineup. Sure, different terrain and speed of riding will have a different answer to what bike is best but given the OP's questions I think in terms of 1 bike over all terrain... the answer is Bronson 8-days a week. (unless you need a size Small)

For most people this is a very real questions and the answer is... find the bike with the least amount of compromises for your give terrain, riding style and speed.

If you ride everything from XC to lift service the Bronson will put the biggest smile on your face and is incredibly stable and plush at speed yet snappy and lively in the slower tight stuff. Climbs well too!

Fun question!

Works for pretty much a lot of their bikes... I could have choose Tallboy, Nomad, 5010... Just saying.

 

The Bronson and HT are basically the same purpose with different wheelsizes. The 29er bikes have finally gotten good enough where it is purely a preference. If you want a bike that is the MTB SUV, get one of those bikes.

I happen to prefer the crushing feel of the HT. But I do like the Bronson a lot. I like the sport-wagon bikes too--Tallboy and 5010. But I can do stupid **** on the HT and it doesn't expose my weaknesses like the smaller travel bikes.

 

The Bronson and HT are basically the same purpose with different wheelsizes. The 29er bikes have finally gotten good enough where it is purely a preference. If you want a bike that is the MTB SUV, get one of those bikes.

I happen to prefer the crushing feel of the HT. But I do like the Bronson a lot. I like the sport-wagon bikes too--Tallboy and 5010. But I can do stupid **** on the HT and it doesn't expose my weaknesses like the smaller travel bikes.

This guys got it 100%... I could have said Bronson or Hightower but the HT is faster and does everything else just as well.

5010 sportswagon... hahah, perfection!

 

In this order from most to least: HT, 5010, TB3, Bronson, Nomad. But then again, it depends.

 

why so many bikes? Is there one that is the best all around? Is it even possible to quantify something like this with so many variables? We were talking about the Hightower and how it comes in the plus and 29er. Then we talked about the Tallboy and how it does too. Then the Bronson. On it went. Then we talked about trail conditions, and local climates. And we talked about how fat bike sales have slipped...how Santa Cruz maybe wisely stayed out of that game, and how they got rid of their single pivot bikes.

FWIW...
Riders will adapt to almost any bike, and from one bike to the next the difference might be really subtle... so there is not an absolute answer.

However, if there is one clear metric that dictates (in paper at least) how the bike should be used it is: head tube angle. That's the one metric that then percolates onto many other metrics in the bike (ie: fork travel, wheel base, etc)

Santa Cruz literally has one different model per each degree change. The more acute the angle (64° with the V10), then the more aggressive stance (better for downhill). From there it eases up 1 degree per bike model to balance other uses (climbing, cornering, etc. - all the way to 68° with the Tallboy)

Model	Head Tube Angle
V10	64
Nomad	65
Bronson	66
5010	67
Hightower	67
Tallboy	68

All these bikes (except maybe V10, which is clearly a DH daemon) are considered solid all-mountain/enduro bikes (for XC see hardtails like Chameleon or Highball).

So if you want the "best all around" All-mountain, I'd say stay in the middle: 66° or 67°.... that means: Bronson, 5010, or HT.

But... Which one on these?
Next, you need to look closer at the details, ride style and terrain around you.

Lot's of jumps/drops... Need maximum fork travel? Then go Bronson (150mm), next HT (140mm or 150mm with top S+ kit) and 5010 (130mm)

Or do you want Aluminum frame (for whatever reason)? Then HT is out - it only comes in Carbon.

Or do you want rear shock mounted on the downtube? (supposedly better shock/pivot alignment) - Then the HT is your choice.

or want max lateral stiffness with shock top tube mount? Go back to Bronson vs 5010

Or want the option of 29er wheels too? Then stick to HT which can run 27.5+ and 29" wheels.

On paper, I think I'd stay with the HT. It has a good in-between head angle, so neither downs nor uphills will be compromised, it still can be had with plenty fork travel (140mm or 150mm), and versatile options on wheel size.

 

Setup will play into overall capability A LOT. Wide rims and an ElevenSix? Wider bars, shorter stem? Fork upgrade, or a longer fork? Tire choice? Much tweaking to be done to ANY of the base bikes to adapt them to what you're looking for in a dream bike capable of everything you need it to do.

That being said, I'd have to say Hightower from the current line-up.

 

Different riders, different trails, lots of variables . I have owned/ridden most of SC bikes except the Nomad/V10. For awhile I owned a TB2, Bronson, and LTc. The bike that I picked most to ride was the LTc and now its my Hightower which is similar to the LTc.

 

best bike depends on terrain. thats why SC makes more than 1 bike

duh lol

 

Not hard to roll with the question. If you could only have one SC bike while imagining that you want a good all a rounder despite whatever you actually do all time.

I agree with people saying either Bronson or HT. Just depends on your preferred tire size.

 

Not hard to roll with the question. If you could only have one SC bike while imagining that you want a good all a rounder despite whatever you actually do all time.

I agree with people saying either Bronson or HT. Just depends on your preferred tire size.

Yeah that seems to be the consensus, I've never ridden either, I own a TB3 and I used to own a 5010. I liked both bikes, but I definitely prefer the TB3 for where I ride (technical New England single track). But I bet the Hightower would be an awesome bike. Where I am I mostly see 5010's and Bronson's...haven't noticed too many Hightowers. My TB3 is in the plus setup, I like it for the traction and stability, but I do look at those Hightowers and wonder...

 

The best all around bike SC makes is the Nomad, HT and Bronson.

 

The best all around bike SC makes is the Nomad, HT and Bronson.

You know what's funny? Most people are saying Hightower, but a friend I ride with has the Nomad 3rd generation and he has no problem whatsoever riding that thing up technical climbs. None. And he's had no problem getting the bike to pedal fast on straight aways - or in any situation for that matter - and going downhill? The bike handles like it is on rails. I've only ridden the thing in the parking lot but it feels "roomy" and comfortable. Didn't feel like I was sitting on top of the bike, but rather inside it. I always felt like I was sitting on top of my 5010 - the Nomad felt like I was sitting in the cockpit of an airplane. I liked that.

 

I think most here agree that terrain and riding style will dictate this for each person. Most of my riding is super technical with punchy ups and downs. The N3 slays this stuff. Then you have the fact that it's a really good XC peddler and is a great park bike so the N3 is right in the middle of what I ride. The Bronson, 5010, TB3 are strong enough bikes to handle some burly things, but from my experience the suspension just gets overwhelmed when things get chunky and fast.

I have not ridden the HT so I can't comment on it. Some of my buds have it and love it. I have heard them complain of bottoming it out on bigger things, so that would concern me. The HT LT sounds like it could bring things up to the Nomad range.

 

I think 27.5" wheels are becoming obsolete, so my vote for the best SC all-rounder goes to the new HT LT.

(edited for moar consistancy)

 

I think 27.5" wheels are fast becoming obsolete, so my vote for the best SC all-rounder goes to the new HT LT.

That's good stuff!! And you have crowned a bike that nobody has even seen or ridden not to mention a lack of confirmation of its existence, and hasn't even hit dealer floors yet. But if/when it does come out, I'll convert my HT LT to an HT LT. I'm tired of giggling every time my tire rubs the seatpost on jumplines and stepdowns.

 

^^^ 27.5 wheels going away....And why do you think think this?

 

Well now that 29" wheels have been proven to be faster even in DH, I think that 27.5" will see a long decline. They may retain some market in bike park oriented bikes since some will prefer smaller wheels for built berm/jump trails. Of course this transition will take 2-3 years, but the writing is on the wall.

 

So which is it "long decline" or "fast becoming obsolete" and where did you get this information?

 

Same here, but who's gonna buy regular HT frame when the LT-version is released. No links then I suppose

 

Best all around Santa Cruz?
Chameleon.

 

All our bikes will become obsolete, 27.5 , 29 , boost, super boost, etc., maxle, 10x100, 12x142, etc, quick release,etc, titanium, carbon, plus, fat , . Its all will be obsolete within 5 years to 10 years or so. The industry will find ways to force you to buy the next best thing!

 

Absolutely and there's no fighting it, you can hold out but for the most part most people cave in. I do like seeing the older bikes out on the trail...the pride of ownership...the guys who ride just as well on them. But for the most part industry trends rule the trails. I mean how long does a bike last for anyway? Even if you take care of it, if you ride a lot? Sooner or later it makes sense to replace it. Is five years a reasonable number on a bike? I know people that get rid of them a lot quicker than that (as the latest and greatest rolls out onto the bike store floor).

 

Hightower. Hands down.

 

I have been 29er full sus for the last 4 years and i must say its great. So fast, keeps rolling, makes trails where i had to pedal loads so much more fun because it just keeps the speed up, loads of grip in corners and just great on epic rides. I would never want to be without my 29er.

BUT I long for smaller wheels again. I'm 5'6" and as nimble and light as my TB2cc is i just can't move it around like i could a 26" bike. If i was 4 or 5 inches taller it may be a different story but I can see myself always having a 27.5 and 29.

Looking forward to getting a new 5010 this year if they bring out so colours I like, roll on 1st July. Got my fingers crossed.

 

I've had a 29er and a 27.5 (5010). I liked them both, they both had their advantages. I own a 27.5 plus bike now, it's kind of the best of both worlds for what I do. You can make a lot of mistakes on a plus bike and get away with it, but it's not quite as nimble as a 27.5 in certain situations. But compared to my 29er it plows through stuff just as easily and it's pretty much as fast.