The Best Bikes From Santa Cruz Right Now
Though today Santa Cruz is a staple in the mountain bike world, it started as a small, boutique brand founded in 1993 by Rich Novak, Mike Marquez, and pro skateboarder Rob Roskopp in a tiny space carved out of the Seabright Cannery building in Santa Cruz, California. From the beginning, the company focused on innovative full suspension designs, introducing their first bike, the Tazmon, in 1994. That single-pivot, dual-suspension model furthered the notion that one bike could do everything and do it well. It was a revolutionary concept, as previously cross-country bikes were hardtails and downhill bikes had dual suspension with nothing in between. But Roskopp and his partners were intent on blurring the lines that separated the previously rigid categories, and we’re all better off for that thinking today.
Suspension and Carbon Innovators
Santa Cruz continued to revolutionize suspension in 2001, introducing its patented Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) design, where two short links rotate in opposite directions, allowing for adjustable shock rates based on the intended use of the bike. The technology enabled Santa Cruz to be consistent with the same suspension system across its entire line of mountain bikes.
The company is also known for making carbon fiber more affordable, introducing two versions: CC for higher end builds and C for more affordable models. Additionally, it can take at least a portion of the credit for ushering in the age of enduro racing thanks to the Nomad, which was built for pedaling up and ripping down.
Juliana Bikes
Instead of “shrinking it and pinking it,” in 1999 Santa Cruz partnered with famed cross-country racer Juli Furtado to build a mountain bike built specifically for women, addressing everything from grip size to gear ratio, a move that led to the creation of Juliana Bikes. And while today’s Juliana offerings essentially share the frame design with their analogous Santa Cruz offerings, it’s positioned as entirely separate brand that uses different colors and build kits targeted specifically at the needs of women.
Recent Changes
Santa Cruz has grown from a boutique brand to a trend-setter in the industry with its own exclusive manufacturing facility. But the bikes are still hand assembled in Santa Cruz and the company continues to push the boundaries of suspension and carbon, with in-house labs dedicated to testing new designs and manufacturing processes.
And in 2017, Santa Cruz entered the high end carbon wheel market with its Reserve line-up that includes 29, 27.5, 700c, and 650b options with rim widths ranging from 22mm to 37mm depending on wheel size. Prices start at $1,599 for a set and they are available as an upgrade on most Santa Cruz bikes. Reserve wheels carry a lifetime warranty.
What’s New in 2019
With a dozen different models (plus five more in the Juliana line), there’s never much downtime at Santa Cruz HQ. This year has seen the debut of several new and/or revised offerings, including version 4.0 of the Tallboy short-travel trail bike (and its analogous Juliana Joplin), the second iteration of the Hightower (along with the Juliana Maverick), and the unveiling of the all-new Megatower, a 160mm 29-inch trail smasher. Santa Cruz has also continued to dabble in the drop bar space, with its Stigmata cyclocross/gravel bike (and sister steed, the Juliana Quincy) getting updated this year.
Now that you know a little more about the brand, check out our eight favorite Santa Cruz bikes, along with two Juliana models.
Bronson Carbon CC XTR Reserve
You like to go downhill? What a coincidence, so does the Bronson. Completely redesigned for 2019, the new Bronson has longer reach, a slacker head tube and a steeper, shorter seat tube for more comfortable descending. It has 150mm of suspension travel on the VPP platform that’s mounted lower in the frame for better pedal performance and 160mm up front on a 65.4-degree head angle. You can pick between 27.5 or 27.5+ tires with clearance for up to 2.8-inch tires. Models range from $3,499 to $10,499.
Blur Carbon CC X01 Eagle
The Blur, launched in 2002, changed the world of full suspension forever with its single pivot cross-country design. It disappeared from the lineup for four years, but Santa Cruz brought it back in 2018 as a 29-inch speedster with 100mm of front and rear travel, including a fully revised VPP rear suspension that improves pedaling power. A stiff carbon frame and dual remote lockout make this bike zippy. Modern geometry means it can shred, too. Models range from $3,799 to $9,999.
V10 Carbon CC X01 29
Santa Cruz bills the V10 as the winningest bike in downhill World Cup history, and they certainly have a strong argument. This is the bike that legendary Santa Cruz Syndicate riders such as Steve Peat and Greg Minnaar have ridden to countless victory over the years, and Santa Cruz has continued to evolve the machine over its six iterations. The latest version has a lower-link VPP with 215mm of travel and a flip chip that allows you to adjust the geometry between “low and slack” and “lower and slacker.” The newest frame has been optimized for durability and has a longer reach, too. Models range from $5,799 to $8,699.
Chameleon R+
Santa Cruz will always be best known for its full suspension bikes, but they play in the hardtail space, too. The Chameleon can be run with 29- or 27.5+ wheels and tires, has a progressive 67.3-degree headtube angle, and has internal routing for a dropper post if you want to up its rowdy factor. Front travel is 120mm or 130mm depending on wheel size, and its available in aluminum and carbon frame models, with prices ranging from $1,799 to $2,399.
Tallboy Carbon CC XTR Reserve
The renaissance of short travel trail bikes is on full display with the latest iteration of the Santa Cruz Tallboy. Though 120mm of rear travel might not sound like much, this bike is truly a quiver killer, equally adept at scampering up steep techy terrain as it is floating through chundery rock gardens thanks to its 29-inch wheels and 130mm of travel up front. Frame geometry mimics Santa Cruz’s longer travel trail slayers, with a slack 65.5-degree headtube angle for more stability, short 430mm chainstays for increased playfulness, and a long front center that puts the rider in a well-balanced attack position. Complete bike options range from a $2,699 build with aluminum frame and budget-conscious parts spec, to a $10,399 no-expense-spared carbon fiber wonder machine with all the latest and greatest components.
Hightower S
The quintessential trail bike, version 2.0 of the venerable Hightower platform has addressed all the shortcomings of the initial release — and added in a few new features. Rear wheel travel was bumped to 140mm for just a touch more downhill capability, while the seat tube angle was steepened to 77 degrees, allowing for a better climbing position, especially on steep terrain. Santa Cruz also moved to a lower-link-mounted shock, which creates a more linear suspension leverage curve, meaning it can handle hits big and small but still maintain the type of progressivity normally reserved for downhill bikes. The Hightower also features a geometry-adjusting flip chip. Choose the High setting for a little extra BB height (or to run 27.5+ tires), or go Low for a little extra bottom out resistance. Frames options are aluminum or two different grades of carbon. Complete bikes range from $2,899 to $10,499.
Stigmata Carbon CC GRX
Santa Cruz’s spin on the modern cyclocross bike, the Stigmata boasts internally routed disc brakes, a threaded bottom bracket, fender mounts, and appropriation to mount up to three water bottle cages. It also has gobs of tire clearance. Run up to 45mm rubber on a standard 700c set-up, or swap to 650b and mount 2.1 tires for maximum off-road capability. You can even route a dropper post if you want to get extra rowdy. The higher end CC carbon frame can be dressed with a variety of build kits, ranging from $3,599 for SRAM Rival and aluminum wheels to SRAM Red eTap AXS with Reserve carbon hoops for $9,899. Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX drivetrain is the choice here. It helps keep the price reasonable, and offers a ton of performance and value.
Megatower Carbon C S Coil
If the Hightower just isn’t quite burly enough for your needs — and 29er wheels are non-negotiable — then the Megatower is calling your name. With 160mm of front and rear travel, a slack 65-degree headtube angle, and space for a full-size water bottle even when running a piggy-back shock or trail-smoothing coil, the Santa Cruz Megatower is ready to brawl. It also has a ton of adjustability thanks to a pair of flip chips. One in the lower link adjusts bottom bracket height and rear suspension progressivity; the second in the rear dropouts allows for 10mm of fore-aft chainstay length tweaking so you can dial in your rearward weight distribution. Go longer for stability or shorten things up for a more playful ride. Two carbon frame options (standard and high end) can be dressed with a full array of spec choices, putting complete bike prices between $4,499 and $10,499 ($5,399 as pictured here).
Juliana Quincy Rival
Named to the gold rush town situated deep in California’s Sierra Mountains, the Quincy is the Juliana version of the Stigmata cyclocross/gravel bike. The higher-end CC carbon frame and fork can be outfitted with 700c or 650b wheels. And you can opt for the more budget friendly SRAM Rival build (chosen here) for $3,599, or go for SRAM’s Force AXS group ($5,899) that features wireless electronic shifting and a 12-speed drivetrain that means you’ll almost always have the right gear for climbing or descending. Three frame size options cover rider heights from 5’0 to 5’9, and spec bar widths are commiserate with frame size.
Juliana Joplin S
The Juliana version of the Santa Cruz Tallboy, the Joplin is a little bit (cross) country, a little bit rock and roll. This 29-inch trail bike boasts a 120mm of VPP rear travel, paired with 130mm up front. It’s a perfect combination for the rider that wants a bike that can efficiently claw its way uphill, but won’t leave their teeth rattled on chunky descents. Frame sizes run XS to M, so even riders traditionally pushed toward 27.5 bikes can enjoy the rollover benefits of bigger wheels. And with a 65.7-degree headtube angle, near 77-degree seat tube angle, and roomy 450mm reach size M, the Joplin hits all the marks for modern, progressive trail bike geometry. Frames are available in aluminum and two grades of carbon, with complete bikes costing between $2,699 and $6,999.
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