2025 Santa Cruz Bronson V5 - VPP Gets Better! #mtb

#loamwolf #santacruzbikes
Back for it’s fifth round of trail-shredding fun, the 2025 @santacruzbicycles2841 Bronson 5 is here and seems to be making some noticeable leaps in terms of suspension performance and geometry. The new Santa Cruz Bronson will come in C and CC carbon frames only, run MX wheels and sport 150mm of improved VPP travel out back with 160mm of travel up front. I was only able to put a very short ride on this during Crankworx Whistler on a particularly fun little trail in Function Junction. Even with the short ride time however, I was able to pick up on the updates rather quickly and am excited to get a long term review bike in our possession soon. So, let’s check out the details on the Gen 5 Santa Cruz Bronson.

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[Mockle]

LOVE the honesty and openness here! More brands need to do this and less of the overtly PR nonsense. Loved the open conversation about VPP and the c vs cc carbon etc. Good job gentlemen.

[danielray]

Great looking bike. Appreciate the transparency, but to be honest, saving 100g and giving up the option of a cable actuated drivetrain is crazy. Hopefully V5.1 has cable ports again. Can't wait to demo one myself

[stoneenforcer]

As a life long rider, i always appreciate honest true reviews from riders with real world experience.

[lexusstefan]

Damn, removing the routing for the gear cable altogether is like apple removing the headphone jack type of move.

I use AXS but i still want the option to go cable if i have to

[The.JZA.]

I’m really happy to see people talking about suspension/antisquat in this way. I see lots of people judging suspension based on how much anti squat it has but they forget that more anti squat results in harsher suspension. All suspension tuning is a compromise so if you want super plush then you can’t put in heaps of anti squat.

[JeepingNet]

Geez, I was getting ready to buy a Bronson last week -- This looks like a big improvement and is likely going to be on my new list! Great job on the video

[jawzzy]

There's been too much of a focus on pedalling performance on AM/enduro bikes over the past 5 years. It does come at the expense of DH performance to some extent. I don't get why brands pursued it so much when shocks have features like climb switches. Good to see Santa Cruz going in the right direction on this.

[a.r.]

I am confused about people in the comments. People seem to ignore that the C frame has cable routing. Or are people seriously butthurt that they have to spend less on the frame if they want cable routing? Sure, if it is a trend and cable routing won't be an option in the futurre alltogether i am with you. But to me it makes sense for the marginally lighter frame (which is pure luxury to be honest) to be focused on the luxury components. (More so as i am regularly trying to make my 5010 heavier for bikeparks and would do that on a Bronson for sure)

[grantwilliams]

Looking forward to the long termer.. Currently trying to choose between Druid V2 or the new Bron’

[dayMovingAverage]

I like the bronson 3. That bike is an all around bike for me except going to rocky double diamond trails.

[Justin-nyun]

⁠​​⁠​⁠​⁠I would like to decide to buy frame only to run a cable drivetrain. But I can’t do that because only the CC frame is available.

This is forcing people up to the higher spec models with the higher profit margins.

Or buy a £/$5k build, for the frame. Let’s say £/$2.8k for the C’s frame cost. Which leaves £2.2k for the rest of the components. You couldn’t even recover 50% from selling the worthless parts. An NX groupset (£100), Fox Rhythm (£200), Shock (£200) and wheels (£100). Stem, bars, brakes, grips (£150)

£1200-£1500 down for the privilege of a cabled drivetrain

[russgordon]

Very interested in your longer term thoughts about VPP suspension performance and if the past harshness (on repeated square edge hits) you've experienced has been sorted out with the latest design. If it has, then will SC apply this to other models such as the Heckler SL?

[jailbreak]

Why did they reduce the shocks stroke?

[WM]

A new Bullit with this suspension design, must be coming out soon…..

[pauk]

Amazing Video as always! Now I have to decide if I should get the Stumpy 15 pro or the new Bronson in the XO AXS RSV setup. What do you think are the pros and cons?

[Jump-n-smash]

Can I finally buy a Bronson with a fox shock and a fox fork? This is what was keeping me from getting the v4.

[jamesmarshall]

I’m currently riding a V4 with a DHx2 and a cascade link. I’m curious if the new stock V5 is comparable.

Also, is there room for a coil on the V5?

I always appreciate your reviews they’re spot on! Thanks

[Schwabz]

How does VPP compare to Yeti’s infinity switch

[briannyob]

I will have to buy a new tray style bike rack when I get a new bike because bikes keep getting longer and longer. Doesn't anyone ride tight, twisty, and technical trails anymore?

[joahsprenger]

How is it possible to have antisquad while coasting? The cassette isnt engaging .. therefore pedal kickback shouldnt occur right? What am i missing???