SANTA CRUZ TALLBOY V5 | Short on Travel, Not on Fun

The newest Santa Cruz Tallboy has BETTER PRICING and optional SRAM Transmission. I review here the XO Transmission build. The Tallboy is a downcountry ripper that can carry you into some rougher scenarios than I anticipated. It is fast, energetic, and a sub-30 pound bike that can still hammer.

[mattvielbig]

I just got one of these, one of the things that surprised me the most is how easy it is to stand up and pedal to gain more speed in dull sections. Where other big travel bikes make it hard to stand and pedal, this bike really shines!

[LCNismo]

I don’t know why so many people hate the reverb. I have 3 of them and never had any issues with any of them. My oldest one is from 2018 c rev. I do have the axs reverb though and I love it

[kaneda]

Mine is a riot on local trails, almost like a BMX bike that climbs like a goat and goes over everything. Top video 👍🏻

[luisquiroga]

Coming from dirt bikes it reminds me alot of a Beta Xtrainer. Blurring lines between categories making something unique

[MarcusOliver]

Proper smooth trails there guy. No UK mud or roots coming to get you. Tallboy does well on even sketchier trails

[duffyrides]

Great job with this video ! Always wanted this bike. Have had two megatowers which I also review on my channel. But next bike will likely be more in the Trail category as no Enduro racing in my short term plans at this point.

[jamesdorsijiuhjuh]

Pisgah miles definitely hit different!!

[flexmtb]

Great video tbh. Solid review of the tallboy.

[AOL]

Nice review! I have a 2020 TB V4 and love it overall. The one thing I read about this new V5 is that they supposedly actually lessened the anti-squat on this version? Why would you do that on a short travel trail bike? I would think you would go in the opposite direction. If you want a plusher bike with greater small/mid bump sensitivity, then why not go with the Hightower?
The owner of the bike shop I bought my TB4 from put it nicely when he said, the new TB4/5 just doesn't move when you want it to, as it has a slight hesitancy versus say a DW Link/Switch Infinity bike. I'm more of the school of thought that a short travel trail bike should be leaning more towards XC pedaling efficiency and less on plushness. For the latter, just go with a Hightower, especially if this TB 4/5 is coming in at 28lbs+? That's my only gripe with this bike, otherwise I think Santa Cruz's customer service is second to none and the burliness of this frame and bike overall just screams quality!

[tjabaley]

Great review. I’ve been on a 2012 tallboyLT and added a stumpy evo last year but don’t love it. Im thinking bout the new tallboy. Looks about right for trails like pisgah/DuPont.

[whatnomadtravelnursemtb]

Thats odd it doesn't come with the Reserve wheelset? In your intro it has reserve wheelset....there aluminum wheelset doesn't cost to much so it doesn't make sense. Looks like a great option!

[Chance.B]

Great review man. How does it compare to the Smuggler, especially climbing?

[mxbigd]

What is the advantage of SC going with the 35mm rise bar over the previous gen 20mm rise bars?

[felixsu]

How tall are you to use this M size? Just want a gauge. Thanks .

[mmedia]

What are the purpose of short travel MTBs? An advantage to long travels pedaling uphills?

[RodrigoGarciactg]

How would this bike feel coming from a Trek Marlin 5 hardtail that has 100mm of fork travel? Am I going to notice all this "Sketchy" short travel stuff or is it going to feel good? I've done all my local trails on that $600 hardtail so I'm wondering if I will even notice any of those special "cons" haha

[BobbySchaffer]

bike or bahyk ? southern accent and mountain bike.

[fischermtb]

Maybe I missed it, but how tall are you? You’re on a medium, right?

[marklouieadame]

Why they think 120mm on trail is underbike lol… this can actually take big drops jumps and climb so good lol…

[nicholashines]

Man that thing is silent going down the trail.