Forum menu
Well Ive just ordered a Hightower C XE Build from Stif. 2018 model with 32% off. So I get to be a smug dentist without the premium pricing.
Next up the smaller the brand the lower the economy of scale you can achieve
Santa Cruz are a division of one of the biggest bike companies in the world. Im sure PON are exploiting all the economies of scale with SC
As I said check the frame price between a few
I have and they are still expensive and get more expensive the further up the spec range you go.
First question is do they?
As I said check the frame price between a few.
I was replying to Chrismac, who had mentioned boutique bikes - so these comments aren't really relevant. Try getting out of automatic "must defend Santa Cruz" mode for a second if you can.
Next up the smaller the brand the lower the economy of scale you can achieve
Yet plenty of smaller brands come in at similar full bike prices to the big boys, funny that.
I can't wait till they bring out an ebike. That thread will be thread of the year.
I was replying to Chrismac, who had mentioned boutique bikes – so these comments aren’t really relevant. Try getting out of automatic “must defend Santa Cruz” mode for a second if you can.
Well as a serious point a SC frame is about the same as a spec carbon one.
Yet plenty of smaller brands come in at similar full bike prices to the big boys, funny that.
Go on then lets see your comparison
Good god no.
I've demeaned myself enough already.
Not sure where this boutique brand shit comes from?
To me they're just another brand that my LBS sells.
They're no more expensive than anything else out there that comes with a full dealer backup.
Real world experience example here for you.
I've had Santacruz bikes since the every early 2000's
At no point have I ever been a dentist or earned a shit load of money.
The last three bikes I have bought have a higher list price than an equally specked santacruz but i've not paid list on any of them either but no one has tried to tell me i'm a dentist for riding any of them.
Just with everything in life deals are available...
Stop trying to judge people on a list price of a bike you've not tried to buy.
Snobbery and reverse snobbery as as bad as each other.
Changed bearings on Bronson and the bolt was cross threaded. SC no problem after receipt new frame came two weeks later. Not a rear triangle, whole frame. Threaded BB brilliant, jungle here's my receipt new free bearings please etc etc. My next bike will be a SC. I demo quite a few before opting for SC. VPP was a bit of a revelation after being a confirmed 4 bar rider. Still happy 5 years in.
Milko9000 are you gonna be buying the new style Nomad or Bronson? If so, canny really help, I've not tried those.
I used to have a SB66 and have a Bronson V2, CC model, drop me a pm if ye want my nonsense thoughts on them... 😊
@milko9000. I’ve just sold my Bronson V2 frame and tried the Nomad V4 and the new V3 Bronson. Both very different bikes. The Nomad is very gravity orintated and does it extremely well, but for me it took the fun out of the trail. Yes you get to the bottom of the run extremely quickly, but it didn’t put a massive smile on my face. The V3 Bronson however was the most playful bike i’ve ridden. The new shock position makes it extremely planted in the corners, but allows you to pop off anything in your way. It also have the benefit of climbing extremely well too. SC change the frame designs every 3 years and it’s only the colours that change annually.
Was chatting to a mate today he loves the sand coloured nomad and I love the turquoise bronson, but we both agreed it’s has to be a Matt black frame as colours go out of fashion and the true sc oficianados will know it’s last seasons, maybe keeping to Matt black I don’t feel the need to upgrade. ;0)
Well Ive just ordered a Hightower C XE Build from Stif. 2018 model with 32% off. So I get to be a smug dentist without the premium pricing.
this, you can get a SC at a fair price if you are prepared to do the leg work.
in fact, I think anyone who pays RRP for a bike is daft
There are mega deals to be had when speaking to a good dealer.
Certainly this time of year. If anyone is in the market for a new SC, please feel free to drop me a PM.
Would love to look after fellow STWers
Many thanks to all that took the time to reply (and for keeping it relatively civil...) and largely based on the general positivity and love for the brand & customer service we decided to take the plunge on a Juliana for Mrs Ready, and I'm now furiously saving for a new Bronson!
Incidentally, I bought it from C6 bikes in Cambridge. Incredibly helpful, and knowledgeable, staff. Highly recommended! They even kept me smiling as I handed over the credit card... 🙂
Not read all of this thread, but I've now owned a Hightower for nearly 2 years. Is it the best riding bike i've ever owned? No, definitely not. Is it the best bike i've owned? absolutely.
I work in the trade and have had access to loads of bikes over the years, this is the only one I've kept for more than 6 months and the only one that has never broken. Its utterly brilliant. Really nicely put together, the bearing warranty is the icing on the cake, quick online form and new bearings in the post the next day.
Owning a bike is about the whole package for me, no point riding brilliantly if it breaks or bearings fail every few months (Mondraker) or the frame snaps (Mondraker and many others), or the components and ancillaries are rubbish quality - you know the bits I mean, cheap headset bearings, BBs, unbranded hubs etc.
The suspension on mine isn't the smoothest (upgraded shock vastly helped improve that), but it handles everything I do without complaint and just works where so many others have failed. and after nearly 2 years it still looks like new.
Only looking to sell mine so I can buy the LT version!
Did you see this Daver?
Yeah, if I hadn't spent several hundred on a factory dpx2 already I'd be all over that!
It's a shame they have such a terrible stock allocation for such a big company, mate of mine ordered the new Bronson frame about 6 weeks ago and still doesn't know when it will arrive in the country. Been told it could be as late as January.
I'd expect that from a small boutique company but not one that's been going for donkey's years.
thanks @nobeerinthefridge, I have sent a PM.
thanks also @chris36860 - did you notice much of a difference from Bronson 2 to 3? My mate's got the v1. Has it really been 6 years from him getting that (only out a couple of months at the time) to now?! Where does the time go, eh?
in terms of fun, I suppose I have to find out if getting down very quickly is what makes me giggle, or doing more fun stuff on the way there.
@milko9000 I only rode it for 40mins on a demo day, but noticed the difference in the down and technical trails. It seemed to climb just as well as the V2 but way far more sturdy and planted on the downs. The longer wheelbase really helps. I’m just over 6ft and the only two things I wanted to change about my V2 was a lower standover and a longer toptube. The V3 has sorted this almost as if SC heard what I was saying!! I had an email today from the SC rep as I collared him at Peaty’s gig Last week and he has told me that my frame is now in the country and will be with me this week!! I’ll let you know how it rides on longer stuff.
It’s a shame they have such a terrible stock allocation for such a big company,
Yeah, not great in that front, I ordered some reserve rims a month or so ago, still no idea when they will arrive.
Based on the difference from a MK2 Nomad (old style VPP linkage) to the MK3 Bronson link and it's like night and day!
They are always tough to get hold of, nomad v3 was the same, they prioritise the US market for sure. My mates shop sells em and even he gave up and got a Rallon instead.
Saying that, I once waited 10 months for a Cotic Rocket, and eventually gave up and bought a Yeti. 😂
They are always tough to get hold of, nomad v3 was the same
I ordered mine the morning it was announced, still took 2 months to arrive!
It tends to be a bit feast or famine with SC stock.
The new Primer Grey V3 Bronson is very special, especially with the reserve upgrade
Any of you SC-enjoyers had a Yeti SB-66 beforehand? That’s what I’ve got now and it’s a bit knackered, I’m trying to decide if I spend the time and money getting it back in condition or just give up and join the bigger wheels bandwagon. The SB-6 isn’t quite doing it for me as a replacement.
Not sure if I’d want a Nomad or a Bronson if I did go Santa Cruz next, I do have friends with both but they’re a: older versions and b: either too big or too small for me. Eventually I’ll do some demos but meanwhile would like to hear anecdotes.
Actually that’s another thing that slightly puts me off SC, their design seems to change quite frequently which makes the shiny new bikes feel extra-old after a relatively short time if that makes sense? I wonder if this latest linkage style will stick around for a bit.
ooo... me.... i went from an sb66c to a 5010cc.... and i felt like a massive step up....
the reality is i don't need 160mm of travel for 99% of the time. In fact, i've ridden everywhere (on the 5010) i did on the sb66c, and never once felt under biked and have pretty much broken all PBs of any worth i'd set on the yeti...
i have drunk the kool-aid as they say
I'm the opposite, the Bronson with 160mm up front pedals so bloody well, I don't see the point of dropping to a shorter travel bike!
(Carbon) horses for courses! 🙂
on Bronson since 21014 - 5010 curios. But Bronsons so good do I just get another?
Thanks @robgclarkson - hadn't really seriously considered dropping 'down' a level in travel. I think I've one more big bike in me before I retire to the 'officially an XC mincer' status, even if it is mostly self-deception by now. (this is all tongue-in-cheek, I promise, I know it's plenty capable especially with a skilful rider). In somewhat more seriousness, I do plan to go do some uplift days and Alps trips on this one so while the majority of my riding will doubtless be nothing to faze a 5010 I'd still like the capability for more to be there.