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Considering a Santa Cruz Tallboy frame - Is carbon worth the extra £600 cost?
Currently ride an alloy 140m Full-Suss 26er at around 27.5lbs, trail riding around South Downs, Surrey Hills, and the odd weekend in Wales / Peaks / Lakes etc. Enter the odd local race such as Gorrick, Big Dog but not seriously.
I think so yes, they look great, are stiff etc etc
If I had the money I'd have a Nomad & Tallboy carbon......in the meantime I will make do with my Butcher
that video dispells the myth about strength
Yeah, I think SC carbon has passed the test if that video's anything to go by. Obviously time will tell about longevity, but based on that video, I'd have a carbon SC. Having said that, I don't really think the performance advantage is worth £600 - you'd be better off putting that £600 into some bling lightweight wheels I reckon but if you're building up a SC then performance might not be your only factor...
There's also the nagging factor ("what if I'd spent the extra on this bike") and you want to be completely happy when you're spending £4k on a new bike.
the one thing about that video is that with an aluminium frame, you can see that its buggered if you smash the front end hard enough whereas the carbon frame looks fine right up until it snaps in two.
saying that, if i had the money id buy carbon, as id probably never get close to breaking it.
The alloy frame would be perfectly adequate I think with money spent on a decent mid-lightweight build, but will I regret not getting the carbon frame a few months down the line?
I had the same thoughts on the Tallboy but the alloy one is around 1.5lb heavier so builds started at around 27lb - seemed a bit chunky.
Also I know I REALLY wanted the carbon so rather than compromise, just saved a bit harder and bought what I wanted....
I can't really answer the "is it worth it" question, but in the last couple of weeks I've ridden both the ST mag SC Nickel test bike (alu) and a carbon Blur. While the Nickel was as sorted as you would expect from any SC bike, the carbon Blur really took it to another level. A superb bike to ride in every respect, and what really sealed it for me was when I hoisted it onto my shoulder for a portage section - it was like a normal bike, but with added helium. I now need one in my life.
It was worth it for me. I love my carbon tallboy. The best thing about it is that you can ride absolutely everything on it, it goes where my Nomad goes but is a whole universe more fun going uphill!
All Santas are wonderful, but last year I bought a carbon Blur XC frame from a guy on here - insurance replacement for paint bubble (yes, Santa do quibble-free warranties) and the guy had moved on to a TallBoy in the meanwhile. Wow - most amazing bike! So much stiffer at the front end, even with standard QR forks. Makes it capable in really technical situations. Like dave360 says, takes everything to another level.
So - yes, carbon Santa Cruzes are worth it.
O god I want a Tallboy carbon now, I heard they were good
I already have a Butcher with 36s for my dark peak riding, I was looking at the Highball for local stuff but like the sound of the Tallboy
Glad you're enjoying the blur Dekadanse ! Still have the Tallboy carbon. Awesome bike. To the op, if you can afford the extra its worth it. If its going to cause to much of a financial stretch,get the Alu model,it'll still be v good.
You might have hit the nail on the head there Pete. 😀
I was reliably informed by a guy in the trade that no they weren't, the next time I rode with him he had a carbon frameSanta Cruz frames - Is carbon worth the extra cost?
Woah, that video is amazing. Wonder why they didn't do this exact thing a long time ago. The concrete wall bit at the end is absolutely nuts.