This article is part of the Mtbr's Enduro Compare-O. See all the stories in this special section here--https://reviews.mtbr.com/category/enduro-compare-o-2014

BEST OF TEST WINNER: BEST ENDURO RACE BIKE

While a large percentage of our high-dollar fleet inherently has podium potential, Santa Cruz's much vaunted Bronson Carbon goes to the top step. Slack and stable, galloping fast and eager to attack, the Bronson has that extra je ne sais quoi to nip the field at the line. Undoubtedly the smart, high-zoot build helps, but at the heart of it, Bronson's stiff, responsive and fun-to-ride chassis wins the day. And not just Race Day, but everyday, because even on some idle Tues-day, throwing your leg over a Bronson Carbon is a victory in itself.

See the rest of the award winners here.

In the 1972 action-thriller The Mechanic, Charles Bronson plays a sophisticated man who enjoys classical music, fine wine and collects art. Despite his refined tastes, however, he makes his living as a hit man that meticulously and precisely plans and executes his kills. And while Santa Cruz's Bronson (the bicycle) was actually named for the street of their former headquarters, one can't help but see the similarities between movie and mountain bike. The latter looks every bit a sophisticated objet d'art, but when put in motion delivers a performance nothing short of killer.

As we mentioned in our First Look at the Bronson Carbon, the much-hyped 27.5-inch wheel superbike had no shortage of fanboys (and girls) within our test crew. Few, however, had thrown a leg over one-let alone one that cost $10,000 and came spec'd with an XX1 drivetrain and Enve carbon wheels. But once they did, the anticipation immediately turned to accolades.

"I actually had adrenaline shakes for the first 20 minutes of riding this bike-that's how fast it felt," said one rider who is no stranger to speed. "It's quick, nimble, agile, capable, and ready to attack anything-a rowdy bike with a touch of refinement."

Those comments reflect the unanimous sentiment of our test crew who collectively likened the Bronson to a rally car-"souped-up, fast, incredibly grippy and ready to attack stage-after-stage," as one rider put it.



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Of carbon goodness and VPP machanations

At the heart of Bronson's inspired performance is the bike's stunningly stiff yet light weight carbon frameset. Santa Cruz's Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension system manages the rear end's 150mm of travel creating a ride that's supple across the entire range of potential impacts.

"I felt the Bronson had a really wide range of capability," explained one rider. "It was supple on smaller, rapid-fire hits, but managed bigger impacts well too. Square-edge hits, braking bumps and even drop-to-flat, I always felt the suspension was in its element."

Indeed, conversation about the Bronson seemed often to shortcut directly to its descending acumen, in both rough and smooth conditions.

"The trails at Demo aren't really bermed," observed one rider. "But the Bronson seemed to encourage you to lean it over, and the bike responded quickly, slingshotting you through a turn's exit.

"I wasn't really trying to pin it, but the bike just has a way of organically making speed," he continued. "Often I didn't realize how fast I was going until I got on the brakes."

Keeping it on the up-and-up

Though the Bronson makes a pretty good case as an all-arounder, a few riders found some nits to pick with the bike's climbing ability.

"The bike's suspension worked great on steep, technical climbing sections," observed one rider. "However, I had difficulty finding the sweet spot in terms of front/rear balance. The front end generally wanted to float up on steep pitches. Shifting my weight forward compromised rear traction."



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Another rider concurred but suspected it might be related to chainring spec.

"I couldn't seem to keep the front wheel firmly planted on the ground, it was too light in the front end," he suspected. "The large 34-tooth chainring spec'd with the XX1 system didn't help matters on the steep techy stuff."

Other riders-particularly ones intimately familiar with VPP bikes-felt the 26.94-pound Bronson climbed without issue.

"This bike climbs neither like an XC racer nor a pig, but it ascends reasonably well for its intent," one rider commented. "With the CTD shock, I lock it out for the long fire road slogs and pretty much leave it in Trail for everything else and find it exceptional."

Continue to Page 2 for more on the Santa Cruz Bronson Carbon and full photo gallery »



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Star-studded spec

Undoubtedly the build-level effects our impressions of this bike, and, indeed, what it delivers on the trail. SRAM's XX1 drivetrain performs flawlessly, quietly with nary a single chain drop (and would even if it didn't inexplicably, come with the chainguide supplied on our test bike). The Enve AM carbon wheelset is light, stiff and accelerates with ease-the Easton Havoc carbon handlebars wide and comfortable. Its Shimano XTR disc brakes are not only light and powerful, but modulate better than any brake we've ever tried. Maxxis Holy Roller II's give the bike a confidence-inspiring, planted feeling in nearly all conditions.

Like every bike that doesn't come with a RockShox Pike, we have to ask "what if?" but we're pretty happy with the Fox 34 Talas CTD Kashima 120-150mm spec'd here, as we are with its rear counterpart, the Fox Float CTD Kashima.



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Beauty in the details

Some of the things we really liked about the Bronson lie in the attention to detail and smart choices the Santa Cruz crew made in creating the bike. We've had hit-or-miss experiences with press fit bottom brackets-and many of our test bikes came so equipped-but Santa Cruz sticks with the reliable 73mm threaded bottom bracket which we feel will be appreciated in the long run.

Linkage hardware is all top notch and well thought-out-grease ports for easy maintenance, collet-style pivot axles that lock in place without pinch bolts, and angular contact bearings for keeping things laterally stiff. Even if you completely disassemble the linkages, it's all dead simple. Santa Cruz put forth yeoman's effort to make the Bronson's maintenance tasks almost as easy as riding it.

Who is this bike for?

With its wide-ranging suspension performance, excellent handing, galloping speediness and ridiculously good parts spec, the Bronson makes a divine enduro race machine. As Santa Cruz has proven with some of the best racers on the toughest of courses, this bike has competition chops. At the same time, it's also got all-around trail bike capability. When pressed to choose between the Bronson and its shorter-travel brethren, the 5010-which is touted more as the "all day adventure bike"-most of our riders see no point in going shorter given a weight difference of just over a pound when you consider the greater capability the Bronson provides.


The Last Word

Let's call this the second-to-last-word for now. As much love as this bike garnered for its outstanding performance, there was equal aghast for its lofty price-even our most price-tolerant test riders agree $10k is a lot of coin. But rather than give you the "you can afford it or you can't" spiel we're going to step outside the boundaries and shoot this bike out against a much more affordable version-the $3,400 Bronson Aluminum R-AM. Santa Cruz is building one up for us right now, and it will take us a few weeks to ride and process everything, but we hear ya and we're on it.

The Good

  • Amazing descending prowess
  • Stiff, responsive frame
  • Loves to go faster
  • Star-studded spec

The Bad

  • High price
  • 34-tooth chainring too tall for some
  • Front end can wander on steep climbs

Price and trickle down versions

Bronson Carbon as tested: $10,029
Bronson Carbon frame set: $2,899 with Fox CTD Factory shock
Bronson Carbon R AM: $4299
Bronson Alloy R AM: $3399



2014 Santa Cruz Bronson Carbon

  • MRSP: $10,029
  • Weight: 26.94 pounds (size large, without pedals)
  • Wheel size: 27.5 inches
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
  • Color: Tennis Yellow, Matte Carbon/Orange/Blue
  • Frame Material: Full carbon
  • Fork: Fox 34 Talas CTD Kashima 120-150mm
  • Rear Travel: 150mm
  • Rear Shock: Fox Float CTD Kashima
  • Headset: Cane Creek 110
  • Handlebar: Easton Havoc 750mm
  • Stem: Thompson 70mm
  • Grips: Lizard Skin Peaty Lock-on
  • Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
  • Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail, 180mm front/160mm rear, Icetech rotors
  • Brake Levers: Shimano XTR Trail
  • Shifters: SRAM XX1
  • Front Derailleur: N/A
  • Rear Derailleur: SRAM XX1
  • Cassette: SRAM XX1, 11-speed 10-42
  • Crankset: SRAM XX1 1X 34t
  • Rims: Enve AM
  • Hubs: DT 240S
  • Spokes: DT Swiss Competition
  • Tires: Maxxis High Roller II, 2.3-inches
  • Bottom bracket type: SRAM Threaded
  • ISCG Tabs: Yes
  • Chainguide: -
  • Saddle: WTB Volt SLT Ti
  • Head tube angle: 67 degrees
  • Seat tube angle: 73 degrees
  • Chainstay length: 17.3
  • Bottom bracket height: 13.6 inches
For more information visit https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/.

This story is part of Mtbr's 2014 Enduro Compare-O. Check out our intro story here for all the ground rules and goings ons.