Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Emmanuel
Do you want to purchase a new downhill mountain bike but are still unsure which brand best suits your riding needs and budget?
You have landed on the right page because we feel compelled to share in-depth content on the ten best Santa Cruz downhill mountain bikes.
Also, we will give other links to the best mountain bike manufacturers in the cycling industry; you will then select your favorite downhill MTB.
Table of Contents
How Can You Choose a Suitable Downhill Mountain Bike?
When you want to purchase a bike for downhill mountain biking, a good understanding of a downhill bike will help you choose the right bike immensely.
A quality downhill MTB must be durable and stable to roll down steep mountains at crazy speed through the roughest terrain.
Check factors such as bike size, suspensions, tire sizes, brakes, and transmission to buy a perfect downhill bike.
From the geometry standpoint, a slacker head tube angle is recommended to know that a downhill bike tends to increase speed as it rolls down a hill. A slacker head tube will provide stability as you descend.
Besides, an excellent downhill bike will have front and rear suspensions for comfortable rides, typically with long suspension travel of 7-10 inches rear and 7-8 inches front.
For the frame, choose aluminum or carbon, proven as frame materials that can withstand the beating.
The Top Ten Santa Cruz Downhill Mountain Bikes.
Santa Cruz Bronson C R.
Frame | Carbon C MX 150mm Travel VPP™. |
Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select, 160mm. |
Wheels | Maxxis Minion 29″ front, 27.5″ rear. |
Shifters | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd. |
Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd. |
Price | $5,049.99. |
Santa Cruz Bronson C R is one of the best-selling downhill bikes with a mixed-wheel configuration that provides better traction, stability, and control.
It combines the Bronson sports an ultralight carbon frame with the SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain.
The Bronson has a 64.7-degree head tube angle to help you reach the fastest speed possible with a stable ride.
That combination alone will ensure you finish at the bottom of the hill without problems.
Besides, 150mm rear and 160mm front suspensions provide comfort on any deep landing.
Also, many mountain bikes are delighted with the Santa Cruz Tallboy mountain bike.
Santa Cruz Tallboy C S.
You will know that the Tallboy can hit those bumps when you get on the bike and feel the crank.
Santa Cruz Tallboy C S downhill MTB can also perform deep landings down the hill’s bottom. Santa Cruz equipped it with lower-link VPP suspension on the carbon frame making the bike ready for action.
Also, Santa Cruz Tallboy C S has a 130mm fork that provides extra oomph on the roughest trails.
Lastly, 65.5 degrees head tube angle, generous front center, and short offset fork play a role significantly in the Tallboy’s greatness. This quality MTB costs $5,699.99.
Tallboy C R.
You may not be convinced enough about the Tallboy C S regarding the price.
In that case, the C R variant offers a more affordable price with almost the same components as the former bike.
The noticeable difference is the letter R, meaning the carbon fiber quality is lower grade. Don’t get me wrong; it is still a carbon frame to handle the beating quite well.
Tallboy C R also combines an SRAM NX Eagle groupset and SRAM Guide T brakes.
You can crank this bike as fast as possible and have a full-stoping control ability. Tallboy C R costs $4,799.99.
Also, the Active Skin Repair Spray can aid you in treating minor wounds you suffer from when mountain biking; it works perfectly.
Santa Cruz 5010 C R ($4,799.99).
If you like 27.5-inch wheels, the 5010 will serve you nicely on the roughest descent with excellent performance.
a downhill MTB equiped with 27.5-inch wheels lets you accelerate faster and better maneuverability.
So, the 5010 can take you through sharp turns without hesitation. It boasts a 140mm fork and 130mm rear with the VPP configuration.
Santa Cruz 5010 C R has more travel than meets the eye as you jump from one bump to another.
If you don’t like 29-inch wheels, try the 5010 C R.; you can find these MTBs, other quality bicycles, and components at the Mikes’ Bikes retailer.
Bronson C S MTB.
The letter S indicates the build kit level with more upgrades. The Bronson C S features a complete SRAM GX Eagle groupset better than the R variant.
Also, you will appreciate the Bronson C S MTB fork, front hub, saddle, seat post, and other kit upgrades.
The 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear combinations will give you what the Bronson model is known for better traction.
Moreover, they offer stability and control; roll on the Bronson C S to feel the speed down the steep hill. Ensure you wear a safe mountain bike helmet every time you go riding.
Tallboy AL D ($3,349.99).
Tallboy AL D is the third Tallboy on this list; it is the perfect option to taste what it is like to beat downhill tracks.
Quality AL D downhill MTB has an aluminum frame. Although it is not as tough as carbon frames, aluminum is a stiff and durable frame for the job.
The letter D indicates that the bike features a basic build kit, hence the less expensive price tag.
However, you will still get a bike that can handle a relentless beating on hours of downhill rides like the Santa Cruz Hightower AL D mountain bike.
- Tallboy AL D has an Aluminum 29/27+ 145mm Travel VPP anf RockShox 35 Gold RL, 150mm forl.
- Wheels: Maxxis Minion 29 “x2.4.
- The Santa Cruz brand demands $3,549.99 for its quality Tallboy AL D downhill mounatin bikes.
The lower-link-mounted VPP platform empowersHightower to perform impressively over a deep landing.
Besides, the VPP creates a little extra bounce so that you embrace this to hammer those corners without losing traction.
Santa Cruz Bullit CC R MX ($8,449.99).
Long for an electric bike to help you climb those rooty and rocky hills so you can tackle the downhill afterward? Get your hands on the Bullit CC R MX.
Santa Cruz equipped its Bullit CC R MX downhill with a premium carbon CC frame making it solid and stiff.
The frame and 170mm travel suspensions create a bike you can confidently ride on the roughest downhill possible.
Besides, the high-end Santa Cruz Bullit CC R MX has robust mixed tires for more traction on the ground, stability, and maneuverability.
Nomad C R ($5,149.99).
Nomad C R sports a C carbon frame for durability, 170mm travel suspensions for bump absorption, and 27.5-inch wheels for faster acceleration.
These components make the Nomad C R a bike that best describes downhill characteristics.
With the Nomad model, Santa Cruz tends to focus on maneuverability so that you can expect better handling.
Santa Cruz V10 S 29 ($6,699.99).
V10 S is another mixed-wheel bike on this list. If you are serious about downhill racing, consider the V10 your winning machine.
Santa Cruz V10 S 29 is among the best accessible downhill mountain bikes. Famous racers like Loris Vergier, Luca Shaw, and Greg Minnaar have piloted this bike’s various builds.
Some even got to the podium recently riding the V10; it is up to you to decide which downhill MTB is worth it.
Where Can You Find These Best-Rated Downhill Bikes?
You can find all these bikes and many others at Mike’s Bikes online using the link provided.
Be it mountain bikes, road bikes, components, or whatever else in the cycling industry, Mike’s Bikes Online shop lets you select your favorites.
Also, this retailer has around twelve stores and hundreds of professional staff: you will likely find Mike’s Bikes shop near you.
Santa Bruz Downhill Bikes Final Thoughts.
That’s what we can tell about the ten best Santa Cruz downhill mountain bikes; we hope his content is helpful.
You can now decide which bike best fits you; whether the Bronson C R, C S, or AL D variant; pick the most suitable to get the most out of your money.
Also, you can pick the 5010 C R and Nomad C R if you prioritize faster acceleration; it depends on your planned downhill tackle and what you can spend.
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