First look and review of the all new Santa Cruz Tallboy! [Links] Cowichan Cycles: www.cowichancycles.com Santa Cruz Bikes: www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-...
I just upgraded to a Tallboy from my 2009 BLT (which I love). I have about 100kms on it and I'm still getting used to the 29" tires, geometry and the wide bars. It climbs much better than I anticipated... rolls really well... I'll enjoy it for years to come.
Thanks for reviewing this bike. Been in between getting this or the Hightower and for my local trails here in north Georgia, this bike fits the bill! Looking to purchase next spring. Great review.
I'm in the same boat Cant figure out what size either. 6ft1.5. Kinda like the Tallboy. I'm not hitting big gaps. HT is probably overkill for me. Although I do like testing my limits.
Very helpful thank you. Looking to fill a gap in my stable (down-country "do it all" bike); Tallboy fits the bill. Thorough and technically sound review - strong work!
Good review. I've had a couple SC bikes and the vpp is really great downhill. I'd also say that in technical climbing vpp tends to handle square edges really well.
I got 1 6 month ago and custom built it from the frame up. Running a 140mm fox 34 and Shimano XT drivechain/brakes with a 32 tooth Oval ring, The wheels are Race Face Next R carbon rims and I use different rubber for different conditions. I just removed my winter/mud tires for my summer lightweight and fast rollers. I currently have my adjustments at high and long. I very much love the bike but I still havent quite dialed it in for my best performane. I am going to change out a 50 stem for a 40 to see if that helps with hand pain. Irs insanely fun bike just taking me a while to get her perfect.
Very helpful video, especially since it boosts my confidence that I ordered the right bike for me yesterday, TB 2022 carbon S build, for riding on a variety of moderately rugged terrain, sometimes all day long in Wyoming, Colorado, and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
At 9:50, I too wanted a little more reach on the Tallboy and felt it was just a little bit cramped. You might be used to your Yeti, which I think has a really good geometry in the reach dept.
First off your reviews are stellar - secondly I bought this bike with this review as the deal sealer. I’ll tell you where this bike shines - xxl sizing - if you’re a big guy , This is your rig - the geo is amazing and reach and top tube are ace. The climbing is better than the pivot.
How tall are you? I am 6’3 with super long arms and 36 inch inseam. I rode a XL TB4 and seatpost was pretty much at max and wouldn’t hold height. Also felt like the reach was too short with my +6 ape factor arms. Was looking at the XXL but no one has one to check out.
this is a serious contender for my next bike, which i hope to buy in the Spring. Being 6'2" , thanks for the precision regarding your feelings on a large at 6'1". I'll go for XL. Great review about the pros and cons.
Hey buddy, thanks to you and your channel I have bought a 2020 tall boy which I love. I am fortunate to live near the cotswolds in the uk. I was undecided which bike to go for Hightower or tallboy. I’ve had 2019 bronson but your reviews of all Santa Cruz bikes are spot on. Would love to come and ride and run with you and your gorgeous Labrador. God bless you and your family always. Love kg
I have a v3 Bronson and I’m looking to make the switch to either a HT2 or TB4. What are your thoughts on your new bike compared to the Bronson? I’m looking for a little better pedaling bike but still fun and capable going down.
@@Sdm07120 hi buddy,in response to your enquiry the tallboy is an awesome pedalling machine,and is far more designed for long days in the saddle and going miles up and hills etc but still with the ability to take on must aspects of mountain biking. For my style of riding much better than the bronson. Let me you know you got this message but you can’t go wrong in getting a tallboy. Love kg
@@keithgriffith124 thanks for the reply. Ya I ride a lot of flowy trails and some technical descents but there’s a lot of pedaling required to get to where you wanna go and the Bronson zaps my energy. It’s great going down just want something more balanced. I like the idea of the HT cause it can handle anything but I’m worried it won’t solve my pedaling issue it’ll be a lot like the Bronson. I’m leaning towards the tallboy because I think it will solve that issue and be perfectly capable and fun on 95% of my rides. The other 5% I’ll just have to go a little slower and choose my lines a bit better.
@@Sdm07120 sorry I don’t know your real name but however yeah I looked at the high tower but that is a sort of all round bike. The tall boy is slightly more trail oriented which took me that way. I can only say I’m a Santa Cruz freak and have several bikes. Got to say for flowy trails I’d challenge anyone to find a better bike. Keep me posted what you decide to do. Any other help give me a message. Nice to talk. Love kg
Love your cool bike reviews. I currently have a TB3 for Xc and trail riding. Question: If I were to get a bigger more aggressive trail with occasional enduro all mountain riding Which bikes would you recommend? Sc tb4?, Sc HT, or yeti 130 or?
The newer geometry bikes allow for greater travel because the seat tube angles are getting steeper. I can't wait to try out the new Transition Sentinel. It looks like a great all rounder.
Just brought the santa cruz based on your review. GREAT BIKE! I notice it rides better in trail mode both up and down. Question I have is: Have you ridden it in trail mode and if so what were your thoughts vs wide open?
The bike is really meant to ride wide open. Trail mode is meant to help with efficiency point to point. Perhaps try adjusting your suspension wide open to meet your needs, increase your pressure and adjust compression of possible. Glad you are enjoying the bike, I am thinking of picking one up myself if I can find one!
Hey man, I enjoyed the very informative and honest review. I’m debating between the 2020 Hightower and the Tallboy. I live near Nelson bc. I’ve just ridden on some green runs in Alberta and looking to move up. Which will be better for the terrain and ability level? I’m fairly new to mtn biking. Dunno if it’s worth to spend the 1000$ extra on the ht or if this will be more of the right bike for me
Good job on the review. Did you find the Tallboy more capable or enjoyable than the Ripley, and which one would you pick for all around trail riding. Thanks.
I would pick the TB over the Ripley for sure. Both were great but I fit better on the TB and I enjoyed the pedal platform on the climbs and trail riding better. It also felt like it had more progression in the shock and so on areas where I clearly ate up my Ripley travel the TB had some to spare.
Great video man. I am thinking of getting this as my third bike. I have a Kona Big honzo 7.5 and a Hightower LT. I share bikes with my kid and wife. This bike seems like a swiss army knife, do you think it would compliment what i already have?
comparison in application vs the new hightower, i.e. who would be looking to ride which bike? your review of the hightower was pretty glowing... off topic, but how does the new hightower compare to your sb 150? great review...thanks.
The HT is just more of everything. The TB climbs better is about as fun on the trail riding but doesn't descend as nice as the HT. It would be very trail dependant and what you want from it. The HT can hit a bit higher into some enduro type environments whereas the TB would be outgunned. The HT is close to my SB150 and right now if I was to sell that bike the HT would be the replacement bike. If I was to keep it, the TB would be a nice compliment for more lighter trail days where I am not looking to take on the rowdiest terrain.
Excellent review! Thank you so much for these. I ride trails lake that 90% of the time. Which bike would you choose as your one bike: the new Tallboy or the new Hightower? Thanks!
If you were only considering the TB or the HT with the same C S build and for the trails you showed in this video, which would you choose and why? I am 6’3”, 225 so an XL is definitely the path for me but I can’t decide between the two bikes and at a $200 price difference, it would seem like a no-brainer to go with the HT. Thanks!
Have you ridden the SB100? If so, how would you compare the two? Even though they aren’t quite the same category. I’m looking to build a bike to compliment my SB150.
The SB100 is a great little bike. I considered it for awhile but in the end I know that I wouldn't likely ever do an XC type race again and for general riding a compliment to my own SB150 something like this, or the Trail 429 for example, I felt was a better fit. Thanks for watching.
This or Following MB for a 200lbs rider? In the past I haven't liked the SC VPP, but everyone seems to love the new lower mounted design. I was a stout feeling bike that pops and can be thrown around on the downs
@@IslandBikeLife it does happen - more GB sightings each year. Not a huge number but they do make it to VI from the mainland. Nice bike and review too!
I’m torn between this and a regular travel stumpy with my lbs availability...Ride mostly east coast in Maryland. Just don’t want too much travel for no reason unless the stumpy can pedal as efficiently as the TB4. Thoughts?
So I’ve watched the reviews of the Ibis Ripley, Tallboy and Evil t429 and you say you ride a yeti. Which would you take as your personal bike between the first three and a SB130?
can you show a video on how to install a dropper post on this 2020 tallboy with an aluminum frame? I'm running in to a problem with running the house through the down tube and out through the back. Seems to be something inside the down tube preventing me from bring it out the back.
Is this significantly better climbing and flat trail riding than the hightower? If it's not I'm thinking the hightower might be a better all day bike on the front range in CO?
It is it not so much better that it makes a massive difference. You trade off climbing for better descents so whatever is your more desired area. I would think the HT might better fit your CO riding better.
I have the current TB3 CC X0. I hate slacker head tube angle bikes and our trails are extremely technical & rocky! There’s absolutely nothing it won’t do so I don’t get the 65.5 degree head tube and the super steep seat tube. I’m afraid I’ll need another f-ing set back seatpoat and have to delete the dropper!
This might be a tough comparison, but how much better is the pedal platform on the TB than something slightly larger but a different company - like the Evil Offering which you reviewed positively for its DELTA system on the climbs?
I would rate the VPP on the Tallboy to be superior to the DELTA. The best Evil bike for pedalling in my experience has been the Offering, great and well balanced trail bike, much like the Tallboy.
I just watched another review that claimed the downhill capability of the Tallboy v4 is similar to the sb130... can that be true? Would you compare the two bikes in capability? Thanks again, trying to figure out a new bike stuck inside without being able to demo has been quite a challenge!
Hmm that is a bit tricky. I would say overall they are actually very similar bikes. I presently ride an SB150, however, I consider the SB130 to be a better bike from Yeti for most of what I ride here. I would say that about the Tallboy as well. I think they would be very similar and equally capable in most situations. Yeti SI pedal platform crushes the VPP for climbing however.
So, wait, two weeks before this ride you tested a Pivot Trail 429 & an Ibis Ripley, - and you'd take this Tallboy *over those?!?* 14:57 Are you sure you weren't just having an extra good day on the Tallboy?
The lower link shock actuation, in isolation, isn’t going to dictate the kinematics. I don’t know why you would have reservations about it. Anyway you missed the biggest issue of this bike. Weight. It’s more or less the same weight as the HT so what’s the point?
Would you take this bike to Colorado or Moab. Is it rock capable? Not big drops but one foot rollers and small drops. Porcupine Rim for instance. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and the comments. I did find the Bronson to be a bit of a pig. For where I live the HT would be good but the Tallboy would be pretty much perfect. If I was buying a new bike this year it would be near, if not at the top of the list.
The most recent 5010 is the same model as the last couple years and it is a super fun and enjoyable bike. Different than the Tallboy in a lot of ways. I would guess that this will be the next bike to get a major revamp, likely deep into the Spring.
I prefer the Tallboy. Lots of people rave about the Ripley, and I liked it a lot, but fir me the Tallboy was a better bike in both climbing and descending.
Yeah it’s fine, and it is more balancing that being held there. It isn’t tightened down which you should not do (clamp it down). No different than being on a bike rack that holds it in the same way.
Weight is an issue ... just 600 grams below the HT, and a whoping 2.2 kg above the Blur. Considering the HT is using a 36 ... theoritically if you use a 34 on the HT, both bikes would weight approx. the same. 🙄
I always laugh at these weight comments. It isn’t an XC race bike like the Blur. It is an aggressive trail bike that isn’t meant to be feather light. It is a bigger bike than the last generation and meant to do more. If it pedaled and climbed horribly the weight might be noticed more, but it doesn’t, and you don’t notice the ‘weight’ as much Ci as you would think.
Island Bike Life maybe because they are small guys, Im 6’ and 170 pounds, so the bike is going to represent a low % of my body weight. So I really dont care about it being a little heavier than the previous model.
Island Bike Life care to elaborate on that? I have a 2019 Fuel ex 9.8 and enjoy the bike, but am looking for something that 1) climbs better 2) is more playful.
I was weary about watching this after seeing the Hightower review where you said there was no reason to run it in anything other than low. Both the Hightower and megatower feel like completely different bikes when rode in the different switches. They feel more like sleds in low and trail bikes in high. Maybe it’s because I’m smaller and ride a medium so the changes seem more drastic. But that being said I do find you vids to usually have something I can take from them even if I feel tired from your monotone dialogue. No offense lol
