Ooh biscuits anyone?  BTW what kind of biscuits does a Santa Cruz owner eat?

The most expensive ones!

I’ve ridden are couple and they are great bikes, not to the level that generates this amount of adulation vs abuse though. And it’s interesting that even the owners have completely different views in their climbing vs descending prowess etc.

@jmatlock You shall be having mail.

@one_happy_hippy That’s what I’ve in mind, having been razzing my little Solo around North Vancouver, Squamish, BPW, and Havok up the road, and planning to begin exploring the Alps next year. Ideally I need to give both the Nomad and the Bronson a good testing to be sure.

By all accounts, sounds like I’ll be shelling out for a V4 at some point 😳

Grow up, I’m merely pointing out that lots of the haters on these threads are spreadsheet warriors, who’ve never spent any time on a SC to form a valid opinion. Are you saying you don’t fall into this category and that my ‘abuse is  untrue?

Abuse. Gies a **** break.

As for Bob, that’s between you and him, there’s obviously been previous with you and him, did you not let on your casting couch when you were a porn magnate or something?

I didn’t say I hated them and your insult, all be it quite a pathetic one, was directed at one particular person not the “haters”.   Your abuse is uncalled for and pointless unless you are trying to be employed by Trump.

I have no history with Bob or anyone else on this or any other forum.

Now children play nice while the adults talk about bikes 😝😂🤣

@jonnyboi cheap biscuits, I eat cheap biscuits because I’ve spent all my money on a SC 😂 But it’s worth it

@cheekysprocket didn’t realise you were in BC changes things a bit, if I had Whistler on my doorstep and the option of smashing park laps on a regular basis then I probably would have gone for a V4. Ok it’s not an xc bike but they pedal so well that you can also get around on it pretty well.

I only went for the Bronson over the Nomad as I’m going down to one do it all bike and the amount of pedalling I will be doing is greater than the amount of uplifts etc.

I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. The newer lower VPP driven shock linkage is something else compared to the previous VPP / Shock link on the nomads, Bronson and 5010’s etc.

It’s a little bit annoying that they have become so popular.

I used to go out riding many years ago when I got my first and people mocked me for spending so much on a bike nobody had heard of and with those silly motorbike brakes nobody needed.

Still got a 2007 Superlight frame (contoured swing arm) that I bought at a great price from Stif when the original frame was found to be cracked.

Fast forward to now and I’m a lot older, erm…. fatter and generally less good at everything. I can afford one of the new bikes and am sorely tempted but I now fall into the all the gear and used to have an idea but now takes it slow weekend warrior tick box.

In the 20 ish years since I got mine it’s quite an achievement for the brand to come so far. Wonder if it was Peaty that gave them the footing in the UK, or maybe he just  influenced me as my other bike love is old GTs.

Time to buy a Robot Bike instead 😀

Should have been at N3 with us this morning Poah,  there were a few SC riders mincing about, me included! 🤣

Should have been at N3 with us this morning Poah,  there were a few SC riders mincing about, me included!

was stacking my shelves

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.

The bit that gets me is that they still charge boutique prices and sell that image when they arent anymore. They have become a mass market product, hence why you see so many but have retained the boutique pricing. Fairplay to them, its a clever trick to pull off. Now they are part of PON they are even more mass market and lost that something special of true boutique brands like Yeti, Intense and Ibis from that same part of the world

This thread is like the ones we used to get when Orange 5’s were the target species.

*waits for someone to pop up & say, ‘yeah but they were/are overpriced crap*  😆

People who see them as overpriced are not actually going in looking to buy a bike. A conversation with a reasonable dealer will have a bike found for you and sold at a really competitive prices.

For example I am currently selling the previous Carbon 5010 (V2) fully built starting at £2800

Fox 34s

NX 11spd

Race Face Dropper

Its a mega bike, many would say the perfect trail bike. And under 3k brand new.

Not all SC bikes are 10k dream builds

The bit that gets me is that they still charge boutique prices and sell that image when they arent anymore.

So how do the frame prices compare to say specialized?

Now if only they would stick the lower linkage shock on a Hightower…

(or, someone at intense would rip it off and put it on a primer)

Why should “boutique” brands cost more anyway?

And what’s the difference between a “boutique” brand and just a small bike company?

Probably needs its own thread actually, if anyone cares.

First question is do they?

As I said check the frame price between a few.

Next up the smaller the brand the lower the economy of scale you can achieve

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?

https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Rear-Shocks,35/Outsider-Bikes/Missing-Link-Long-Travel-Conversion-for-the-Santa-Cruz-Hightower,24175

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