Having noticed how sensitive and plush the rear suspension feels on the climbs, you can make full use of all the traction it generates on the descents even with the short 120 mm travel. From a utility standpoint, this means a single, large(ish) triangle that’s better suited for a frame bag (or a large water bottle). Here are the specifics…The most visible difference between the former (version 3) Tallboy and the V4 model is the move to a lower-link suspension design.

The oval shaped lower-link flip chip sits at the base of the shock mount and adjusts the BB height up and down. The 2.3″ Maxxis DHF up front and the DHR in the back make a great combo for the greasy roots and technical terrain that we have in the Pisgah National Forest.
The design is specifically designed to improve the downhill experience and smooth out the terrain without leaving your arms trembling.But when it comes to climbing, it fails. That means they have a shorter fork, making them slightly more “sensitive” to the road. The lifetime-warrantied carbon Reserve wheels are solid and definitely improve the build overall, but I’d opt for the Reserve 30 or the new Reserve 37 over these 27mm internal width rims. So, you can be well-prepared before making a final choice on such a quality-oriented bike.There are many different things to consider, and choosing without being familiar with most of them will not be wise. The suspension consists of a RockShox Pike Select+ fork and a FOX FLOAT Performance Elite DPS shock. He doesn't have a classic 9 to 5 routine – sometimes he's in the office, sometimes he'll take his laptop to sit in the garden and sometimes you'll even find him working remotely from his van parked at one the best riding spots in the world. Even in the muddiest of dirt or the flattest of pavement, these wire & grip-oriented tires ensure you can climb over anything, stop when needed, and still grab the floor with enough strength to never slip. Bikes such as the revamped One of the most interesting changes, partially borrowed from the Hightower, is the use of two flip chip mechanisms to tweak the Tallboy’s geometry.

January 24, 2020 January 18, 2020 by Ryan Stewart.

As usual, the frame is available in two carbon grades, either the high-end, lighter weight CC version or the slightly heavier C version. Going for Aluminum, Carbon C, or the most expensive Carbon CC will make a massive difference in results.

There are also nine build options between the aluminum and carbon models, ranging from the $2,699 AL D to the high end CC XX1 AXS RSV for $10,399.

Luckily, that’s exactly what Christoph did. But in case you’ve never heard of Santa Cruz, rest assured others have. And all the cockpit components are nicely done, including the wide 800mm carbon handlebar. I’m testing the $8,199 CC XO1 RSV model ($6,999 without the carbon Reserve (RSV) wheels).

We were excited to get the chance to pre-ride the new Tallboy 4, specifically, the 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy CC X01 RSV.

The shorter chainstay length (430mm) is more playful and lively, and the longer (440mm) is more stable descending and provides more traction for climbing, as well as more stability and comfort over long rides.

That’s the great thing about this bike is the amount of options available to cater to your preferences or fit.In the end I liked the more playful feel of the shorter chainstay length so I threw a Maxxis Ardent 2.4” on the rear but ended up keeping the Honcho on the front for now.

The 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy was revamped with lower-link suspension, 120 millimeters of travel, and an interesting axle flip-chip that allows 10mm of chainstay adjustment and clearance for 29 x 2.6″ tires. So, I suspect it was just a fluke.Lastly, I wasn’t too keen on the SRAM G2 brakes. Ultimately, the local bike shop where he purchased it had to replace the cassette to resolve the issue—after quite a few tuning attempts.


I not only had a hard time keeping the front wheel planted, I also had to fight to keep the front end from wandering on ultra-steep climbs. I had three mechanics try to dial it in, but the shifting was delayed and off in the mid-gears. It doesn’t shy away from steep terrain thanks to its slack geometry and you never feel like you’re teetering over the handlebar. And with many other components also changing, you’re set to choose the one that you prefer depending on your needs & desires.That’s highly versatile of bikes to go for – and something you must not overlook when picking.Lastly, we couldn’t leave behind the quality of the design, making sure you’re getting exceptional comfort every time.Here, there are a few features that stand out. In that case, you won’t regret it.Well, you may think this comes as a surprise after reading the previous advantages & knowing that this is a next-level mountain bike.But yes, the low design of the bike could put you in an awkward situation when going uphill.While it won’t deliver the worst performance out there, you may start feeling like it doesn’t climb as taller bikes do. In a nutshell, CC is Santa Cruz’s top tier carbon layup, meaning that they are able to use less carbon than in the C frames, yet retain the same strength, making it a lighter frame.