Santa Cruz Tallboy Review: Version 5

It’s been a long time coming, but today, we finally have the Santa Cruz Tallboy 5. Santa Cruz calls it the downhiller’s XC bike. It's quick, nimble, and surprisingly stable. So stick around to see if the Tallboy 5 is everything it’s cracked up to be.

0:00 Intro
0:40 Suspension, Geometry, and Intended Use
3:27 Ride Review - Uphill
6:23 Ride Review - Downhill
9:23 Who is the Tallboy For?

[thelzardking]

Easily my new favorite review channel. I appreciate how succinct the reviews are without the feeling of them being over produced or any vlogginess that so many other channels exhibit these days. They come across very honest, and that’s a great thing!

[benediktmerl]

Great, concise review. The riding footage is sick and the fall scenery was gorgeous. The Tallboy seems like a perfect mountain bike for people who just like big days out in the mountains (like me)

[JinPheh]

I'm only 2 minutes into the video but I'm absolutely loving the arts and crafts presentation at the start lol

[REB]

What makes your reviews great is the subtle nuances that helps distinguish all these great bikes & who they are for. To me it's still the most capable short-travel trail bike out there & the climbing is very efficient even if it's not the fastest which means you are not any more tired than if you were climbing with the Ripley or Trail 429 or Yeti SB 120 that are just in another category of climbers. So it is pleasant & comfortable to climb all day and that's what most people like about it. But where it shines is downhill AND exploring trails you've never ridden where you'll have the confidence knowing it can handle most anything that can unexpectedly pop-up. The closest short travel trail bike that does that is my Pivot Trail 429. The 429 climbs better, is more maneuverable, but is not quite as plush & comfortable but a lot more plush & comfortable than let's say the Ripley or the Yeti SB 120 but still more capable than those bikes.

[florian]

Try and get your hands on a Forbidden Druid V2 and see how it stacks up to your recent trail category bikes. Awesome videos!

[AOL]

Always love your reviews and this was another great one. I have the first 2020 TB4 released and love my bike. I'm confused as to where this bike sits though as in my opinion, I would have hoped they would have given this bike more anti-squat and made it more efficient pedaling wise, not less. It's very, very heavy for a 130/120 bike so if I had to get a new bike, I'd just jump to the Hightower with more travel for that weight and maybe get a used XC bike like an old Epic or other XC short travel rig. I will say this though, the customer service at Santa Cruz is second to none. Those guys are so responsive and always, always follow up to your emails/calls promptly. My visit to their factory in Santa Cruz 2 yrs ago did not disappoint!

[_Crew]

Great review and cinematography. Really enjoy your production style. Subscribed.

[tzaidi]

Been binging ur vids and just have to say thanks. Vids are detailed but succint and totally applicable. Nearly lost my mind searching for a bike but this vid and ur XC showdown vid helped a ton. TB v 5 Melon is on its way as we speak. Thanks!

[William.N]

Love how the vids keep getting better!

[SmokinSober]

Great review! I just subscribed. I am currently on a Gen 6 Trek Fuel EX8 XXL. I am dreaming of a Tallboy in XXL. It will help me chase the students on the local mtb team.

[drewsky]

just picked up my v4 tallboy last month, love it so far, excellent review!

[KManhunters]

Just discovered your channel. Thank you for the great quality content!

[willskissick]

As a TB4 alloy owner, I’ve been wondering if I should upgrade. Excited to watch!!!!

[kevinmanzo]

what comes to mind for the following: Plush ride to not roast your joints, safe stable down hill, pedals fast when you want to fly on the flowy and flat, capable and confident on technical steep climbs

[Sdm]

What length stem are you using? Are those the 35mm rise bars? Looking to change up the stock cockpit a bit. Great reviews as always!

[ernestovidales]

Great review, I have a V4 Bronson that I love to ride but looking for a second bike to complement it. I know they’re both trail bikes but is there enough difference between the two, to keep both?

[victorchiappetta]

My Tallboy is pretty great. Interesting that an XL fit me perfectly and I love the comfort of this bike. Never any aches or pains. I can ride all day. I do occasionally lose traction at the most inconvenient moments on technical climbs however. Could be my technique. BUT, I did a test ride on a Niner Jet RDO and that thing NEVER has any wheel slip. I also tested an XL and I was sore and in pain the next day. Maybe an L would have been a different story. I was very tempted to pay the restocking fee on the Tallboy as the Niners went on a crazy sale and I could have saved a bunch of money for better specs. But I couldn’t risk the loss of comfort. Niner is well worth checking out for those looking.

[JF-ozgd]

Great review, your content has become my “go to” for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is I’m about your size, so I like seeing XL bikes in action. Tallboy has been my trail bike for years, I currently ride the v5 with a slightly burlier build (140 pike and SD ultimate). It handles everything I’m willing to ride here in New England. I do wonder about the space between the Tallboy and Hightower though and wonder if the Hightower isn’t a better option for most riders. It been forever since I’ve been on a Hightower so not sure if it feels like a bigger bike like the Tallboy does.

[ap]

Review and riding on point! ...That foliage tho! Sheesh! ❤

[nicholashines]

Sorry man I took your advice and already bought an SB 140 as well as almost immediately realizing you were correct and a higher rise bar was needed. Check and check maybe my next one will be the Tallboy I did on the previous version and it was pretty rad.