Santa Cruz Launches the New Tallboy 5 1

The Tallboy has earned a loyal following amongst those who seek a go-to bike that will hold up to the relentless hammering of "power hour" hot laps or long days in the saddle harvesting the best trails. If ever there was a gravity riders’ XC bike, the Tallboy is it. Our focus on Tallboy 5 was to maintain the capable intentions of the previous bike and improve the execution for a more predictable and active suspension that maintains pedaling efficiency. 

Highlights

• C & CC frame options
• 29-inch wheels
• 120mm (4.7-inches) rear wheel travel // 130mm (5.1-inches) fork travel
• VPP suspension design
• 65.5-degree head tube angle
• Hi/Lo flip chip geometry adjustment 
• Size specific seat tube angles and chain stay lengths
• Glovebox frame storage
• Compatible with 130-140mm fork
• Boost 148mm rear hub spacing
• Sizes: XS - XXL
• MSRP: $5,299 - $10,399 USD

Glovebox

By drastically reducing peak anti-squat, we further decoupled the chain’s restriction on suspension movement to improve both small bump sensitivity and square edge compliance. Because anti-squat values trend with anti-rise, we were also able to reduce the anti-rise to improve braking sensitivity on the new Tallboy 5.

Snappy Suspension 

In addressing the leverage curve, we found that reducing progression, both by lowering the starting ratio and increasing the ending ratio, improved sensitivity further in the travel and helped the bike ride higher in its stroke, producing a more responsive, snappy feel.

Bump Buster

By drastically reducing peak anti-squat, we further decoupled the chain’s restriction on suspension movement to improve both small bump sensitivity and square edge compliance. Because anti-squat values trend with anti-rise, we were also able to reduce the anti-rise to improve braking sensitivity on the new Tallboy 5.

Geometry 

We mimicked our longer travel geometry to create a bike with a 65.5-degree head-angle, generous front center, and short offset fork. Chainstay length and seat angle are matched to the frame size (STA steepens and rear centre grows as frame size increases) so that every rider, no matter what height, gets the same balance of geometry and handling characteristics.  

We tailor stiffness for every size to make sure everyone gets the same ride quality. Bigger riders means greater stresses on larger frames, but that's remedied with our size-specific frame stiffness tunes.

Build Kits

Lifetime Warranty

All Santa Cruz and Juliana frames, pivot bearings, and Reserve carbon rims have our lifetime warranty. No BS - easy to work on, easy to find parts for, built to last.

To learn more about the new Tallboy, head to santacruzbicycles.com 

View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the new Santa Cruz Tallboy and Juliana Joplin in the Vital MTB Product Guide.