First Ride: Santa Cruz's New Bronson Gets a Mullet for 2022
There's a new version of the Santa Cruz Bronson for 2022, and this time around it's sporting a mullet. That's right, eight years after debuting as Santa Cruz's first bike to roll on 27.5” wheels, the newest iteration has joined the mixed wheel party with a 29” wheel up front and updated geometry to go along with it. Rear travel remains at 150mm, which is paired with a 160mm fork.
At the moment, the Bronson is only available with a full carbon frame, in either the less expensive and slightly heavier C option, or the lighter and pricier CC layup.
Santa Cruz aren't exactly known for their bargain basement prices, and that trend continues with the new Bronson. Completes start at $5,049 USD for the Bronson C R model, which has a RockShox Lyrik Select fork, a Fox Float X Performance shock, and a SRAM NX drivetrain.
At the moment, the Bronson is only available with a full carbon frame, in either the less expensive and slightly heavier C option, or the lighter and pricier CC layup.
Santa Cruz aren't exactly known for their bargain basement prices, and that trend continues with the new Bronson. Completes start at $5,049 USD for the Bronson C R model, which has a RockShox Lyrik Select fork, a Fox Float X Performance shock, and a SRAM NX drivetrain.
Santa Cruz Bronson Details
• Wheel size: 27.5" rear / 29" front
• Travel: 150 (r) / 160mm (f)
• C or CC carbon frame
• 64.5 or 64.7-degree head tube angle
• Size specific chainstays
• Sizes: XS - XL
• MSRP: $5,059 - $11,389 USD
• Frame + shock: $3,699 USD
• Weight (as shown, size L): 31 lb / 14.1kg
• santacruzbicycles.com
• Wheel size: 27.5" rear / 29" front
• Travel: 150 (r) / 160mm (f)
• C or CC carbon frame
• 64.5 or 64.7-degree head tube angle
• Size specific chainstays
• Sizes: XS - XL
• MSRP: $5,059 - $11,389 USD
• Frame + shock: $3,699 USD
• Weight (as shown, size L): 31 lb / 14.1kg
• santacruzbicycles.com
The highest end model is priced at $11,399 USD, with a no-expenses-spared list of parts that includes SRAM's XX1 AXS wireless drivetrain, Fox Factory 36 fork, and Reserve Carbon wheels. The frame with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock goes for $3,699.
There's frame protection in the important places...
...and the new Bronson has room to fit any 230 x 60mm coil or air shock.
Frame Details
Not surprisingly, the Bronson's look falls in line with its other longer-travel stable mates - from a distance it's difficult to tell the different models apart. A 230 x 60mm shock is situated low in the frame, where it's driven by an aluminum link that connects to the swingarm. There's enough room run any coil or air shock with those dimensions, and the frame's kinematics make it possible to run either type of shock without issues. A flip chip at the rear shock mount can be used to make subtle geometry tweaks – the BB height changes by 3mm, and the head angle by .2-degrees.
There's clearance for up to a 2.6” rear tire, molded frame protection in key places, and SRAM's Universal Derailleur hanger to help make it easier to find a spare if necessary. Other details include a threaded bottom bracket, ISCG 05 tabs for running a chain guide, and plenty of room for a water bottle inside the front triangle.
Frame color options for the Bronson are gold or green, and there's also a new light blue Juliana Roubion. For those who aren't familiar, the Roubion is the exact same frame as the Bronson, but complete bikes have different grips and saddles.
Geometry
Along with the larger front wheel, the Bronson has undergone the expected longer and slacker treatment, although Santa Cruz didn't go totally wild with the updated numbers. After all, the goal was to retain the quick and easy handling of the previous version rather than turn it into something that would tread on the Nomad's territory.
The head angle now sits at 64.5-degrees in the low setting, a number that's paired with a 76.5-degree seat tube angle and 439mm chainstays. Those seat tube angle and chainstay numbers vary slightly depending on the size, a trend that's becoming increasingly common in order to help preserve a similar front / rear center balance throughout the size range. Reach numbers range from 402mm for an XS (which has two 27.5" wheels) to 500mm for the XL.
Prices
Santa Cruz's VPP suspension design handles the Bronson's 150mm of rear travel.
Ride Impressions
Bike categories are blurrier than ever (no pun intended), but after a few rides I'd say the Bronson still comfortably retains its place in the longer travel, all-rounder category. It has a compact feel to it, the type of bike you can stuff into tight corners, or wriggle up through a tricky, chunky climb without too much effort, all while having enough travel to take the edge off rough descents.
Santa Cruz reduced the amount of anti-squat on the new Bronson, but that doesn't seemed to have hampered its climbing abilities. Where the first couple generations of this model had an almost-locked-out feeling under power, the new versions (the previous model included) have toned that sensation down, which means there's more traction, and an overall smoother rider.
The Bronson is quick in the corners, but I did find myself needing to pay a little more attention to avoid getting too far over the back of the bike while pushing through flatter corners. We'll see if that changes once I get in some more ride time and experiment with different cockpit positions and suspension settings – it may be that I've gotten lazy from riding so many longer and slacker 29” bikes lately, and that the sweet spot is a little smaller on the Bronson. The shorter back end does make it an easy bike to get airborne, and there's a nice, even ramp up that keeps it from using its travel up too quickly.
Look for a full review later this summer once I rack up enough ground and air mileage on this mixed-wheel machine.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Both companies have a very strong visual identity where the bike brand is more important than the individual model - and both are known for owner loyalty, longevity and retaining their value well.
OK, they're also both overpriced and have had periods of being the fashionable choice - but they do arguably offer something more than other brands.
Transition have done a good job with a "tense" kind of style
Now I think SC is a bit like Audi in that SC has a similar design language over all "tiers", refined, rather minimalistic (no useless shapes, single colors or pretty much), constant or pretty much tube width, etc, and overall a form follows function design, but like Audi at some points you go round in circles.
Audi got at that point a few years ago. They had a great line-up with the A5, A7, TT, R8, even the SUVs were great, but after that they started to struggle to evolve their design, overdoing it with over-aggressive shapes for no reason.
Frank the welder had weird ideas about DH bikes. The headtube was BMX/trails steep.
I’ve got a friend who rides quite well, and runs f&r 27.5s on his 29 Enduro.
No. 27.5 is nominally 1.5” lager in diameter than 29, so running a tire .4” larger will not result in almost the same diameter
Apples and Oranges, swings and roundabouts.
As for the looks, the main thing I look for is a low top tube so with the lower shock they've improved in my eyes.
So my advice, get the bike that you'd love to ride. Then ride it and love doing that. Regardless of what others are riding.
Is that a bad thing?
But I agree- SC should of went 650b f/r- as they could have make the Hightower a mullet
How about maneuverability, "whippiness", "flickability"? Smaller wheel (given same tire and wheel build) is always going to be easier to move around, and for some people that's more important than rollover.
I added some photos of the mullet 5010 for you guys.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/20757238
Just told what they want!
I ordered the Bronson 4 and it's the 3rd I will have (had the bronson 2 and 3) Love that bike! Don't need much travel and don't need 29er wheels... and I'm racing. (for fun sure but that's why I don't need 29er). I think the mullet can be a really good solution for all the compromise you have between both size of wheel. But I think that you still can but 27.5 on this bike.
I remember, back when I was a kid, $5k = GX (and sometimes: XT). How I long for 2020!
It’s obvious the editorial staff has never ridden an NX bike and experienced how bad it is, otherwise they would be making a bigger deal about it.
In general... for a 27.5 bike, Id like to keep WB at or under 1235... but I still need a rooming cockpit.
I did worry about that too, but need not have. Its still incredibly poppy and playful in its 150/140 configuration. I went from a 1225mm nukeproof reactor 275 to the scout and didn’t really notice the increased wheelbase.
Demoed both the 5010 and sb140 before buying, the lates 5010 doesn’t pedal anywhere near as well as the scout and was less confident. Lose - lose. The sb140 is much much smaller than the number suggest, 480mm reach is down to a very low stack. Again scout climbed better and descended more confidently for me.
Yes it's amazing, yes it's subtly different to the 1,000 other variants on the same recipe, but it just feels... pointless?
Sorry to be a Negative Nancy... but have Santa Cruz got really super boring recently?
Doesn’t matter though because flowtrail dads will keep buying them for the simple reason that it says Santa Cruz on the downtube.
But it’s so good for full day 5.2 mile trail rides…
Nailed it.
If you want to talk ridiculous, talk about the wealth gap that makes it easy for a relatively small market like $11K bicycles to survive, even thrive. Most everyone on here saying the prices are ridiculous is just jealous that they can't afford it That includes me. The affording part, not the jealousy: I'm super happy with my moderately customized $4K bicycle, but spending 2.5 times that much just wouldn't be possible for me.
*(We can get into what the perceived values of these expensive products is later, because yes, there surely is some value ascribed to the name, the cachet, the simple fact that it is expensive.)
Maybe they are selling more low-end builds, and the price increase (I still think it's exaggerated in your story) could be to grow margins on the volume products as costs rise (tariffs, shortages, etc). To keep the same margins on the (presumed) low volume stuff would send the prices crazy high and likely further reduce the sales volume.
There is always a reason and it's usually not just to f*ck over the customers.
I think Kaz is too tall to review these bikes though. Leg shortening surgery or a shorter reviewer please!
I'd actually like to get some testing done between people across a range of rider heights though. I keep hearing that taller people are better off with full 29ers, but since it's a geometry and handling impact as much as it is a size impact, I'd imagine there's more to it than that.
The only disadvantage I feel over the 29er is the rear wheel hangs up easier in rocks/roots. I don't notice any disadvantage over 27.5.
I ride longer travel bikes, for xc and light trail I think the 29er is still king unless you are tiny.
Aggressive trail to DH depends on your height, tiny people 27.5, short folks mullet, giants 29. Those in the middle can chose what they like.
Note, this person is not me. I'm not getting a rear wheel bigger than 27.5 on trail bike (150ish travel in my book) ever, if I can help it. I greatly dislike knobs in my ass and simply don't require the benefits of a big wheel in the back for the riding I like to do, and in fact do like the benefits of a smaller wheel for the skills I possess.
The tough sells are jamming 29ers into a XS or S. Chain-stays that fit a 29er can only get so short but still need to remain balanced with the shorter front-center of a small size. And with a shorter seat height, at some point wheel size and travel are going to add up and cause interference, either with the rider or the seat, to that adds some more limitations, including seat-tube angle, which, yes, can be too steep.
Crazy how my gen 4 nomad has the same 230x60 shock as this .
I like the look of Santa Cruz lower link bikes, they look stout and clean. Beats the hell out of something like a Jekyll with all the braces it looks ridiculous and dated to me.
I do wish they would throw some better color ways into the mix but I’m a function over form guy at the end of the day. A color would never STOP me from getting a bike I wanted, if I don’t like either color I’ll just pick the one I like more. It literally doesn’t have any effect on anything
Perhaps I'm over-thinking it, but it's not a good first experience of a brand IMO.
I think SC is basically operating on people's ignorance of pricing and components. Rich people in silicon valley don't necessarily care.
ca.evil-bikes.com/a/bikes/insurgent?fbclid=IwAR2Ha4L8yZ0GdXTdpCcv5t7JONV4ix6Fj4YrxgIKulHNkGAJGJ9Qs7DyHY0
I thought this platform was performed to wirk better with a RS shock, so why putting a DPX on the first model ?
Or they are going to put every bike out there in two versions, one in 29/29 and one in 29/27.5…
Obviously that has nothing to do with Santa Cruz, but the bronson doesn’t really fit well in between the 5010 and nomad anymore. Why would anyone own a bronson and nomad? They are way too close .... until now because it’s mx.
I’m interested what the megatower update will hold
Why is the assumption that less anti-squat equals less "climbing ability"? It's stuck in the old thinking that a stiff suspension always climbs better. This completely ignores the potential of an active suspension's ability to add traction and how traction can actually be more efficient: you can just keep pedaling smoothly and not have to worry as much about what the rear wheel is going over or about to go over.
Santa Cruz has obviously come around to this thinking that adding traction and comfort is a worthy tradeoff for some (perceived) loss of "pedaling efficiency", as evidenced by the same claim on the Blur, and it's great!
You've got some nice fire roads, it seems. Around here, even on fire roads lockout just makes for a bouncy ride and tires skipping around under power. On some "carriage trails" near me I can out sprint my gravel/all-road bike with my 150mm trail bike because the tires grip and I don't spin out.
don't knock it until you've tried it.
Well, yeah, no shit. Even if it's the same wheel and tire, there is more of it on the 29er. Not to mention the hardtail likely is shorter overall. So obviously the front end is going to feel relatively heavier since it's at the end of a longer lever. This is likely part of the reason that the Bronson has a high-ish stack and not a stupid long reach. Both those combine to add leverage and make it a bit easier to lift the front, despite the overall length. So you get both bonuses of longer chain-stays for stability _and_ leverage to lift the front when needed. Win Win!
When you mullet a 29“ bike, something like a flip chip might be the only thing you need. Adding mixed wheels to an existing 29“ is easy. So adding mixed wheels as an option to the hightower is the way to go.
Changing a 27.5“ bike to mullet means changing nearly everything to a 29“ bike except the rear triangle. Changing a 29.5“ bike to mullet only affects the rear triangle and can be achieved with flip chips/mutators. Mulleting a 27.5 means killing the 27.5 bike completely and adding all the downsides of 29 to it.
But then again, it's not a good comparison, the YT's are more expensive too now.
This misnaming must end. @mikekazimer:
If they really were just chasing the tick marks, wouldn't it be the slackest, steepest, and longest, instead of just an evolution of the last version?
... and nothing about this bike makes it sound like it'll ride better than the previous version aside from maybe the steeper seat tube angle.
And I'm not worried about it, my next bike wasn't going to be an SC regardless... their new frames are way too heavy.
Unfortunately you don't seem to be the target customer for this, HOWEVER other companies may happily sell you a nullet (non-mullet).
Sometimes fads work, look at droppers, tubeless, 1by, the sport of mountain biking... I say throw it all at the wall and see what sticks.
What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday - Standard advertising motto and seems to work, the WC guys seem to like mullets...
Amazing.
So it's idiotic for not being a sheep and believing everything the industry tells you is the 'next big thing' and 'the new standard'?
Idiotic for being annoyed that the choice of having 27.5 wheels all round is gradually but surely been taken away from us? Now being replaced by faddy Mullets.
Fact is.... And it is an fact. No one needs a Mullet!! Your average rider which is most of us will not notice any difference. You won't be any faster and you won't find it easier to ride. It's a fad. It will dissappear with other 'next big things' like Plus Size tyres which were also faddy and ridiculous.
Think you will find you are the idiot for believing all the crap the industry pumps out.
Anyways Mullets are a fad. A Faddy McFad Face!
What you are forgetting is this was done more than10 years ago as 'the next big thing' and it disappeared because aer it was a fad. And it's still a fad! Once people realise its utter crap it will go.