Description

2017 Santa Cruz Bicycles Tallboy Carbon 29 R1x Complete Mountain Bike

 

2016 saw some well-received changes to Santa Cruz’s much loved Tallboy, including a few geometry tweaks, an updated linkage, and the third generation of VPP suspension. We’re happy to report that those updates are back for 2017 with some new colorways and build kits to boost your time on the trail. The 2017 Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon 29 R1x Complete Mountain Bike harnesses the XC spirit of the original Tallboy and adds a bit of all-mountain flair to dig into bigger terrain with ease. Santa Cruz specs this particular build with SRAM’s NX drivetrain, Level T hydraulic brakes, and smooth-spinning WTB wheels wrapped in versatile Maxxis tires.

The cross-country discipline hasn’t been immune to the increased versatility that the all-mountain/enduro set has been so loudly demanding, and Santa Cruz aimed to make the Tallboy into a bike that would challenge you to dive off the buttery singletrack and onto more unpredictable trails. To do this, it slackened the head tube angle from the previous model’s 70.2 degrees down to a trail-ready 68 degrees and shortened the chainstays by 13mm to a stubby, responsive 17.01in. Coupled with a significantly longer reach, these changes result in a rear triangle you won’t need to worry about whipping around corners and grinding through spiraling climbs. This complements a stable, confident front end that’s prepared to charge through rock gardens and unpredictable descents alongside your enduro rig-driving cohort.

Tallboy 3 also benefits from Santa Cruz’s improved flip chip technology. Making its inaugural appearance on the Hightower, the flip chip allows riders to change their frames to be compatible with either 29in wheels or 27.5+. On the Hightower, this switch results in slight changes to head tube angle, but on the Tallboy 3, you can ride either wheel size without adapting to any alterations to frame geometry. Whether you enjoy the plush, cushy ride of 27.5+ or were an early and loyal supporter of bombproof 29er stability, you will always have the freedom to switch sides later on.

Geometry is only half the story, and Tallboy fans will be pleased to learn that the third generation VPP suspension platform didn’t undergo any earth-shattering changes. In fact, it’s the same VPP that the Bronson 2.0 and 5010 2.0 received. It’s inspired by the burlier Nomad, which means you get links that stay out of the way to accommodate a piggyback shock’s external can without giving up the bottle cage. Ultimately, the redesigned linkage lets Santa Cruz build the frame with more ground clearance, lower standover, and a stiffer design to complement the already stiff Boost back end.

Third generation VPP also received a few tweaks to its tuning compared to older version, with its new curve deviating from the previous “U” shape and moving towards more of a flattened check mark, with less dramatic ramping on either end of the arc. This improves the suspension’s traction and compliance early and towards the middle of the stroke, lending more consistency and grip across root-laced, inconsistent trails. These changes thankfully don’t have any impact on acceleration, so the crunchier Tallboy remains just as nimble and responsive as its predecessors.

The Tallboy Carbon features a full carbon fiber frame boasting the same stiffness, durability, and strength as Santa Cruz’s top-line Carbon CC frame. It’s just made with a less costly carbon fiber that carries a tiny bit more weight and brings a big reduction in overall price. Each triangle is built as a whole piece, allowing engineers to continuously shape high-stress junctures and avoid creating weak points or areas of the frame with less structural integrity. Before completion, the carbon is compacted from the inside as well, eliminating excess material build-up inside the tubing and saving even more weight over quicker, less precise construction methods.

Expanding the definitions of XC capability

Responsive pedaling platform with 4.5in of VPP travel

Spacious geometry for sending bigger lines

Flip chip allows compatibility with both 27.5+ and 29in wheels

Carbon construction reduces weight and increases stiffness

Santa Cruz’s innovative design consistently leads the industry

 

2017 Santa Cruz Bicycles Tallboy Carbon 29 R1x Complete Mountain Bike

Frame Material:

Carbon C

Suspension:

VPP

Rear Shock:

Fox Float Performance

Rear Travel:

110mm

Fork:

Fox Rhythm

Front Travel:

120mm

Headset:

Cane Creek 10 series, integrated

Shifters:

SRAM NX

Front Derailleur:

n/a

Rear Derailleur:

SRAM NX

ISCG Tabs:

yes, ISCG 05

Crankset:

30t Race Face Aeffect AL

Bottom Bracket:

included w/ crankset

Cassette:

10 – 42t SRAM XG1150

Chain:

SRAM PC1110

Brakeset:

SRAM Level T

Brake Type:

hydraulic disc

Rotors:

180mm Avid Centerline

Handlebar:

Race Face Ride Lo-Rise, 760mm, 35mm clamp

Handlebar Width:

760mm

Grips:

Santa Cruz Palmdale lock-on

Stem:

Race Face Ride, 35mm clamp

Saddle:

WTB Volt Race

Seatpost:

Race Face Ride 31.6 x 400mm

Wheelset:

WTB STP i23 TCS

Hubs:

[front] Novatec D711, [rear] Novatec D712

Front Axle:

15 x 110mm Boost

Rear Axle:

12 x 148mm Boost

Tires:

[front] Maxxis Minion DHF EXO 3C, [rear] Maxxis Crossmark 2 DC EXO TR

Tire Size:

[front] 29 x 2.3in, [rear] 29 x 2.25in

Pedals:

not included

Recommended Use:

cross-country

Manufacturer Warranty:

lifetime on frame

 

2017 Santa Cruz Bicycles Tallboy Carbon 29 R1x Complete Mountain Bike

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