The fifth generation Santa Cruz Bronson remains a 150mm travel mixed-wheel trail bike but gets longer rear centre and a reduction in anti-squat.
Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 in a nutshell
- CC & C carbon frames
- MX wheels
- SM-XXL frame sizes
- 150mm VPP travel
- 160mm fork travel
- 437mm (SM) to 449mm chainstays (XXL)
- Glovebox downtube storage
- ISCG05 chain guide mounts
- Threaded BB
- Santa Cruz UDH
- IS headset
- Lifetime warranty
- Kalimotxo or Root Beer colourways
- SRP £4,899 to £8,799
Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 geometry
Santa Cruz Bronson Mk5 models
UK pricing
- C R, £4899
- C S, £5699
- C GX AXS, £6,599
- CC XO AXS, £7,799
- CC XO AXS RSV, £8,799
We have a test bike winging its way to us as we speak. Watch for it appearing in Freshj Goods Friday and then a full review in time. In the meantime, here’s what we know so far…
Highlights from the Santa Cruz press release:
THE CORE ALL-ROUNDER WITH A WILD SIDE. SIDE HITS ESPECIALLY.
When you can only have one bike, and your mission is to ride that bike into oblivion then this is the one. From manicured bike parks to blown out loamy berms, alpine lines to backyard trails, the Bronson is as at home in the air as it is in the dirt. For the rider with a Peter Pan disposition or who wants to get into a pan flat tabletop position, the Bronson encourages bad behavior.
This is the fifth generation of the well known and admired Bronson. And there’s been some big changes. Suspension is where we made the most dramatic advances. Anti-squat is one of the key attributes that makes a mountain bike perform well, and we decided to lower it again – a lot, this time. The lower VPP™ link is placed even lower and more forward to optimize anti-squat. The result is a plush, open feel with a lot of traction. This is the best VPP™ we’ve ever made. There’s more traction on offer, and it makes for a very composed descender.
The Bronson’s suspension and this geometry work together to create such a settled, assured ride that you’ll swear you can hear it gently whispering to you, ‘You’ve got this. Don’t brake. Go for the side hit. Do it.’ And which might leave you asking your riding buddies to do another lap. Still doubting about it? Watch the Syndicate’s Laurie and Ollie dog fighting showdown as part of their braap summer.
Internal cable routing (drivetrain) on C Carbon frames. Only dropper and rear brake on CC Carbon frames.
EVOLVED MX GEOMETRY
A longer rear center helps balance the rider. Proportional geo. Chainstays are longer. But is also matched to frame size so every rider, no matter their height, gets the same balanced geometry.
EVEN BETTER VPP
Re-configured layout for improved pivot placement/suspension.
Lower anti-squat equals a smoother and more efficient ride.
Anti-squat refers to how much your pedaling inputs stiffen the suspension. Too little and you have a bike that bobs under power. Too much and the bike will be harsh and not as able to absorb bumps while under power.
MIXED WHEELS
The BB drop differs front to rear (as opposed to full 29 or 27.5).
You have more stability in front, less in rear – makes the bike handle more neutrally when pointed downhill.
MX bikes will feel lighter on the front due to the weight bias.
Provides more freedom in chainstay length – size specific chainstay lengths, especially good for shorter riders.
