[JustChris]

Hi all, anyone got any feedback on Santa Cruz bikes, specifically Enduro ones such as the Bronson?

I'm looking to trial one at Llandegla soon but if there are better options. Canyon always look amazing value to me and I'm likely to steer clear of CF. I have 2 offs downhill on my last ride and I think I'd be happier with mid tier components for now

[....,,,,..,,..]

The Bronson is a very good bike.

Was using my mates the other week in Cannock.

However would I buy one, yes if I was 20 - 30 or much fitter, then I could justify the outlay.

Santa Cruz do some great bikes.

Note typing this on my iPad and putting on my knee support from buggering it Sunday lol



Edit: I can recommend Rutland if you want to try different ones.

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/advan...spx?manuid=751

[neilr]

Brilliant bike, specifically the new Bronson, but its a boutique brand so be prepared to pay a premium, are they worth the money? That's a question only you can answer

Unless you know someone with the specific Canyon model, properly sizing the bike could be an issue as they are direct sales only, so no dealers and test rides, agreed they are brilliant value for money. If you've no issues buying from a direct sales brand may I suggest YT Industries Capra and Commencal Meta.

You could also buy second hand, much like buying a car and let someone else take the initial hit.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Brigand

The Bronson is a very good bike.

Was using my mates the other week in Cannock.

However would I buy one, yes if I was 20 - 30 or much fitter, then I could justify the outlay.

Santa Cruz do some great bikes.

Note typing this on my iPad and putting on my knee support from buggering it Sunday lol



Edit: I can recommend Rutland if you want to try different ones.

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/advan...spx?manuid=751

Originally Posted by neilr

Brilliant bike, specifically the new Bronson, but its a boutique brand so be prepared to pay a premium, are they worth the money? That's a question only you can answer

Unless you know someone with the specific Canyon model, properly sizing the bike could be an issue as they are direct sales only, so no dealers and test rides, agreed they are brilliant value for money. If you've no issues buying from a direct sales brand may I suggest YT Industries Capra and Commencal Meta.

You could also buy second hand, much like buying a car and let someone else take the initial hit.

Thank you both, greatly appreciate the time and courtesy for a reply. I will check all these out!

The weekend was my first proper off roading and I really loved it. The smile on my face on the downhill sections is something I just don't get on my road rides. I can see a switch coming Do you guys ride with MTB cleats, loads of people I saw just had trainers on, coming from years of road biking the one thing I felt at the weekend was really out of sorts only powering the down stroke, and I found bouncing around on pacey downhill bits in nerving with only my hands and ass as contact points at times!

[neilr]

I ride flats, none clips, good quality flats and a pair of FiveTen shoes do the job for me

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by neilr

I ride flats, none clips, good quality flats and a pair of FiveTen shoes do the job for me

Ditto

Much prefer flats and FiveTens and their sticky soles

[....,,,,..,,..]

Review on the bike you want...

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/27-5-fu...-2016-review-2

[neilr]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Thank you both, greatly appreciate the time and I found bouncing around on pacey downhill bits in nerving with only my hands and ass as contact points at times!

Bit of advice... get your arse off the saddle when you're decending , have a look on YouTube at GMBN's channel they have some great "how to" vid's covering all aspects of trail riding

[....,,,,..,,..]

If you are going for a 'decent' bike and following forum rules.

Some flats for you...

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/pedals-...t-pedal-review

[Hanchurch]

I always ride clipped in, spds are fantastic once you've got used to them. I've been using them for 20 years for every ride from cross country to black routes.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Since we have an mtb thread on the go.

Be careful with people fucking around with trails / tracks

https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/na...otage-yet.html

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/trail_news...h-wales-352648


I would seriously bury any fucker doing this, some place deep in the bloody woods.

We had some of this last year in Cannock, its bad enough with bloody snakes never mind fuckwits trying to basically kill or severely harm someone.

[Bimmer_Boy_22]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Hi all, anyone got any feedback on Santa Cruz bikes, specifically Enduro ones such as the Bronson?

I'm looking to trial one at Llandegla soon but if there are better options. Canyon always look amazing value to me and I'm likely to steer clear of CF. I have 2 offs downhill on my last ride and I think I'd be happier with mid tier components for now

My friend has Santa Cruz Nomad and I got Ibis Mojo HD. Both are great MB. Both build in SantaCruz. Any damage to frame is backed by both companies.

[Bimmer_Boy_22]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Since we have an mtb thread on the go.

Be careful with people fucking around with trails / tracks

https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/na...otage-yet.html

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/trail_news...h-wales-352648


I would seriously bury any fucker doing this, some place deep in the bloody woods.

We had some of this last year in Cannock, its bad enough with bloody snakes never mind fuckwits trying to basically kill or severely harm someone.

That is just sad.

[rossm]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I'm looking to trial one at Llandegla soon but if there are better options. Canyon always look amazing value to me and I'm likely to steer clear of CF.

You don't have to worry about carbon. The whole video is worth watching but the last 30 seconds are particularly telling. Look how hard they are smacking the square edge of the lathe with the frame

Canyon are based in Koblenz, approx 30 mins drive away from the Nurburgring. Well worth the visit, as well as combining it with a ring trip and even some riding in the Eifel area...really lovely place to be for petrolheads and cyclists

[Ice Man]

I have a SC Highball it's a great bike and a quality frame. I would recommend getting a Santa Cruz

[matt@stratford]

I have a 5010. It replaced my Blur LT and Blur XC before that. Great bikes

[neilr]

Just demo'd a new Bronson today, really fun bike. It climbs well with loads of traction, very playful backend when decending, really comes alive when your on it. The front ends light and poppy, easy to manual and tracks nice and true. Seems to gather speed and hold it really well, awesome bike.
Think I may have to empty the piggybank

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by neilr

Just demo'd a new Bronson today, really fun bike. It climbs well with loads of traction, very playful backend when decending, really comes alive when your on it. The front ends light and poppy, easy to manual and tracks nice and true. Seems to gather speed and hold it really well, awesome bike.
Think I may have to empty the piggybank

Hey thanks, really appreciate that, spot on

[McBride]

Excellent bikes but A well specced one will set you back.

Depending where in the country you are located I would recommend a visit to stif cycles in Harrogate who specialise in custom built bikes and are a Santa Cruz retailer. They also do quite a few demo days on local trails so you could try both the bronson and nomad (the one I would pick)

[....,,,,..,,..]

For anyone relatively new to this stuff.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-mountainbiking

http://www.ibikeride.com/mtb-map?keywords=&rating[]=&query=all&bbox=56.5467,-5.1412,56.9226,-4.8130&order=alpha

They are some really good trail centres, now is a great time to get on them, as all the fair weather brigade don't go on them.

Winter rides are great and even better are winter night time rides - get some good lights though.


Edit: Lights
http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/best-mount...-lights-335433

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/articl...ke-lights-186/

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/ar...-lights-28195/

[neilr]

Originally Posted by McBride

Excellent bikes but A well specced one will set you back.

Depending where in the country you are located I would recommend a visit to stif cycles in Harrogate who specialise in custom built bikes and are a Santa Cruz retailer. They also do quite a few demo days on local trails so you could try both the bronson and nomad (the one I would pick)

I'd take the Bronson over the Nomad, just a bit to much bike for my riding, word on the street is theirs a new Nomad due earlyish next year with 170mm travel on the rear

[McBride]

Originally Posted by neilr

I'd take the Bronson over the Nomad, just a bit to much bike for my riding, word on the street is theirs a new Nomad due earlyish next year with 170mm travel on the rear

Am I correct in thinking the Santa Cruz range is as follows;
Bronson - 150mm 650b
Nomad - 160mm 650b
Hightower - 140mm 650+/29er

There's no doubt that the bronson is more than enough to deal with most of the trails in the U.K. With the bigger enduro bikes getting ever lighter and better at climbing I think I would still go for the 160mm for riding places like bike park Wales and hamsterley.

170mm is pushing is a bit far though IMO. Isn't the new s-works enduro 170mm as well? Of all the enduro machines I think the new 9.9 slash 29er is my favourite