Every brand has their workhorse. For Ford, it's the F150, Toyota has the Camry, and Santa Cruz has their Tallboy. Since the original launched way back in 2009, it's been one of the brand's best sellers for very good reasons.



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While we may obsess over carbon downhill bikes and argue endlessly over EWS race geometry, the Tallboy is an impeccable choice for the vast majority of riders. With an efficient pedaling platform, just enough travel to keep you out of trouble, and sharp handling, the outgoing model was a well-balanced machine for everything but the gnarliest of outings.

From the mountains to the the flats, the versatile geometry of the Tallboy has made it a long time favorite here at Mtbr.

From the mountains to the the flats, the versatile geometry of the Tallboy has made it a long-time favorite here at Mtbr (click to enlarge).​

The new Tallboy 3 is all of these things, yet even more versatile and capable than ever. Santa Cruz accomplished this task by revamping the geometry, bumping up the travel, and taking advantage of technology pioneered on other product lines.

General updates include using a new lower link design borrowed from the Nomad (and now found on the Bronson and 5010), which helps protect it from rock strikes, as well as helps shorten the stays. The upper link was also moved from the seat tube to the down tube to allow for better standover. The new Tallboy also has internal cable routing, but don't worry, the threaded bottom bracket hasn't gone away.

The new Tallboy 3 will be available in five different sizes: S-XXL.

The new Tallboy 3 will be available in five different sizes: S-XXL (click to enlarge).​

Geometry Updates

Aside from the visual changes, the Tallboy 3 also received some important geometry updates. The outgoing model had 100mm of rear travel, while the new model bumped rear travel up by 10mm to 110mm.

The head tube angle is now 68 degrees, which is 2.2 degrees slacker than that found on the Tallboy 2. This results in a more stable and confidence inspiring handling, while still retaining that XC feel. The reach has been increased by between 40 to 50mm, for a roomier front/center.

The new arrangement of upper and lower links has allowed Santa Cruz to reduce the height of the seat tube by 30mm to improve standover as well as dropper compatibility. This also them to shorten the chain stays by half inch (from 17.53"/445.3mm to 17"/432mm).

Santa Cruz also steepened the seat tube angle by .6 degrees to provide a better pedaling position.

Continue to page 2 for more on the Santa Cruz Tallboy 3 »

When converting between wheel sizes, adjusting the flip chip ensures appropriate geometry.

When converting between wheel sizes, adjusting the flip chip ensures appropriate geometry (click to enlarge).​

Two wheel sizes, one frame

As with the Hightower, the Tallboy will be convertible between 27.5"+ and 29" wheels. In order to do the swap, you'll need to use the flip chip on the shock mount, have a second wheelset, and adjust your fork's travel.

A stiffer fork, more rear travel, a dropper post, and grippier tires? Yes, please.

A stiffer fork, more rear travel, a dropper post, and grippier tires? Yes, please (click to enlarge).​

Spec

In addition to the geometry revisions, there have been some updates to the suspension. Overall the suspension curve is now flatter for a more consistent feel through the travel, but the bike has higher initial leverage for better small bump compliance. The frames have also been spec'd with a more progressive shock tune, to help better resist bottom out, and is more in line with the travel and geo.

With all of these various tweaks, Santa Cruz felt that the platform was more versatile than ever, and the part spec reflects that. In addition to the more progressive shock, they've spec'd a stiffer fork chassis (34 instead of a 32), and all kits now include a dropper post. They've also swapped out the XC slippers for some serious rubber. Instead of matching Maxxis Ikons, new Tallboys will ship with a Minion DHF up front and an Ardent Race EXO out back.

It also worth noting that frames have size specific Reverb seatposts. Size small ships with a 125, M-XL get a 150mm, and XXL frames ship with a 170mm post.

The new Tallboy will ship in either banana slug yellow, or matte gray.

The new Tallboy will ship in either banana slug yellow, or matte gray (click to enlarge).​

Build Kits

Now that you're as excited for the new Tallboy as we are, we have to deliver some bad news. Due to limited parts availability, there will be a serious shortage of bikes at launch. For now, they'll only be offering three build kits: two version of the 29er, and one 27.5+ model.

The most affordable Tallboy 29 will have a full X01 kit, DT 350 wheels laced to Easton ARC 24 rims, Fox Performance suspension, and will retail for $6,499. Claimed weight is 26.4 lbs/12kg. An additional upgrade to ENVE M60 HV wheels is available for an additional $2,000 and brings weight down to 26.2 lbs /11.9kg

This top of the lineTallboy with XX1 kit and ENVE wheels will set you back $9,799 USD. Ouch.

This top of the lineTallboy with XX1 kit and ENVE wheels will set you back $9,799 USD. Ouch (click to enlarge).​

A Tallboy CC with XX1 kit will also be available for $7,799. Differences between this and the X01 kit include Kashima Coated Fox suspension, higher engagement Industry Nine hubs, RaceFace Next SL Carbon Cranks, and SRAM Ultimate brakes. Claimed weight is 26.2 lb/11.9kg with Eason wheels, or 26 lbs/11.8kg with the optional ENVE upgrade.

The Tallboy CC X01 29er and 27.5+ build kits are virtually the same, minus some key elements.

The Tallboy CC X01 29er and 27.5+ build kits are virtually the same, minus some key elements (click to enlarge).​

The lone 27.5+ version shared the same build kit at the X01 29er, but features Easton ARC 40 rims, SRAM Level TLM Brakes, and 2.8" Maxxis Rekon tires. Claimed weight for the $6,499 complete is 26.3 lbs /11.95kg.

While all of these build kits are 1x only, the Tallboy does have a removable FD mount. If you so chose, you can either add a FD to your bike down the line, or build one up custom with a 2x drivetrain. And as their parts supplier catch up, Santa Cruz will expand their offerings to include more affordable carbon price points (which currently start around $3,400).

Continue to page 3 for Santa Cruz Tallboy 3 FAQ »

The Tallboy will also be available in Juliana trim. More on that in a separate article.

The Tallboy will also be available in Juliana trim. More on that in a separate article (click to enlarge).​

FAQ from Santa Cruz Bikes

Where in the product line does this bike fit?
The Tallboy/Joplin's pedigree is closest the current 5010/Furtado.

What is required to change the bike between 29 and 27.5+?
A wheel set and the correct length fork (and a flip of the chip).

Will you sell alternate wheel/fork combo kits separately?
We have no current plans to do so.

Can I just switch the wheels and chip setting and forget about the fork?
We recommend the wheel size-specific settings prescribed for best handling.

Yeah, but what if I'm too lazy or don't wanna buy a second fork?
We'd then suggest going with the 27.5+/130mm fork configuration as running 29er wheels work better with a longer fork than the other way around. Alternately you could switch out the fork's air shaft as needed.

What's your take on the attributes of the two wheel sizes?
29 Build: If straight line speed, rallying through rock gardens and sprinting out of turns is your bag, then 29-inch wheels are the big ticket. Upgrade to carbon rims and you have a precision instrument on your hands.

27.5+ Build: When conditions get loose and the traction just ain't there, you'll want to reach for bigger tires. 27.5+ elevates these bikes to a whole different level, enabling you to rise above the pow, rail the soft spots and carry momentum where standard tires bog down.

For more info visit www.santacruzbicycles.com.