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Juliana
Joplin 2.0 Carbon 27.5+ S Complete Mountain Bike - 2017

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Rocket fuel.

Drawing inspiration from its race-rocket predecessor and learning from the Santa Cruz Tallboy, its genre-defining sibling, the 2017 Juliana Joplin 2.0 Carbon 27.5+ S Complete Mountain Bike gets updated with plus compatibility and some modern touches like Boost spacing, enduro-inspired suspension links, and Santa Cruz's versatile flip chip.


The key difference that sets the Joplin apart from the Tallboy is in the shock tune, with the former lightening up a bit for lighter riders. Juliana calculates that typical women cyclists are around 30lb lighter on average than men, so the Joplin's lighter shock tune allows lighter riders to take full advantage of the bike's 4.5in of VPP travel. In the end, it's a tale of suspension and geometry that's dramatic enough to rival the biography of fast-living, hard-rocking musicians; however, like any good story, it has a twist. In this case, that surprise ending is the flip chip.


The flip chip sits in the upper link and can be rotated to allow the shock mount to migrate. Repositioning the shock attachment point effectively accounts for the 9mm difference in radii between 27.5+ and 29in wheel/tire systems, keeping the geometry as static as possible across wheel sizes. The latest Joplin is Juliana's first use of Santa Cruz's flip chip, which originally debuted on SC's Hightower. If that model was its testing ground, then the flip chip has moved one step closer to perfection with the Joplin because hanging the Hightower results in a slight change in head tube angle; however, the Joplin's head tube stays the same for 27.5+ and 29in wheels.


Compared to the previous Joplin, the newest model takes just a bit off the top of the head tube, dropping 2.2 degrees to fall from the standard 70.2 to a moderately slack 68 degrees. Courtesy of the Flip Chip's slight geometry alteration, that number stays the same whether you're running a 29in wheels with a 120mm fork or 27.5+ with 130mm. The frame's chainstays and reach also join the modern geometry movement: the stays are shorter by 13.3mm and the reach bumps up dramatically, resulting in a chassis that's far more capable in virtually every trail situation than its predecessor.


The VPP travel has also taken a turn for the crunchier, gaining an additional 10mm, which aligns the Joplin perfectly with the emerging crop of 4.5in, do-it-all, 27.5+ bikes. That's not to say it's just rolling off the press as one faceless frame in a sea of similar models, as the flip chip means the Joplin is essentially two frames: a race rocket 29er with a long, stable geometry and, as spec'd here, a plus-size barge for floaty traction on surfaces ranging from off-trail snowscapes to rain-slicked root lattices. The beauty is that, instead of shelling out for two separate premium machines, you just need the flip chip, two wheelsets, and two forks.


Despite all the tweaks to geometry, the inclusion of a Flip Chip, and the centimeter of additional travel, the VPP design is a carry-over from Santa Cruz's re-worked frames like the Bronson 2.0 and 5010 2.0. It's inspired by the enduro-minded Nomad, and the result is that the links stay out of the way, which lets the Joplin accommodate a piggyback shock's external can without giving up the bottle cage. The repositioned links also make for more ground clearance, lower standover, and an additional boost in stiffness to the already stiff Boost back end.


The latest VPP's changes aren't limited to wandering links, though; the system's tuning has also been tweaked. Where the old suspension curve described a deep "U," the new VPP's curve resembles a flattened check mark, with less dramatic ramping on either end of the arc and, as mentioned above, a lighter tune to give lighter riders access to the deep end. The results are that, during the initial and mid stroke, it boasts increased bump compliance to keep the tires glued to the trail for more traction across lumpy trails and root latticed climbs. It also maintains its predecessor's firm feel during accelerations, so it won't dampen the Joplin's spirited kick while jockeying for position in a mass start or a finishing sprint. The shock's ramp-up arc doesn't dramatically alter as the shock compresses, so the pedaling platform stays consistent across travel, with less wallowing, bob, and bottom-outs — even while the Boost axle's path turns rearward to absorb bigger hits deep in its travel.


Juliana’s industry-leading carbon fiber construction makes its way into Joplin 2.0 Carbon 27.5+ S, although this version uses a slightly lower grade of carbon fiber than the super high end Carbon CC frame. This requires more material be used to achieve the same strength, so it does carry a bit more weight, but in every other aspect it’s held to the same astoundingly high standards as Juliana’s Carbon CC level frames. The upshot is that you get a frame that’s every bit as stiff and strong, at much more palatable price point.


The frame's two carbon triangles are built as whole pieces rather than glued together from disparate bits, a method that saves weight and increases structural integrity by allowing Santa Cruz to wrap carbon continuously through and around key junctures. This process reinforces the frame with less material while eliminating the artificial stress points that result from bonded construction methods. Finally, the carbon is also compacted from inside and out for a more even finish that avoids any structural defects, excess material build-up, and resin pooling for even more weight savings.


The Joplin's reworked linkage and Boost axle spacing mean it's one-by only, but the frame still comes equipped with ISCG 05 tabs. The threaded bottom bracket is another feature that we've come to just expect from the California-based brand, and it's a strong selling point for those who don't like dealing with the tricky tolerances and creaky interface of press-fit models. The Joplin's 27.5+ mode accommodates every manufacturer's 2.8in tires, but some 3in models may have clearance issues depending on how the tire manufacturer takes its measurements. Understandably, the frame's clearance decreases as a 29er, but it still accommodates most 2.35in tires.


Details

  • Juliana's XC rocket gets updated with expanded versatility
  • 110mm of smooth, responsive VPP travel
  • Longer, slacker geometry for stability through big lines
  • Carbon construction balances weight and price
  • Stiffness and durability consistent with top-tier Carbon CC model
  • Plush plus-sized wheels boost traction and add float
  • Juliana Bicycles leads the way in the world of off-road women's racing
  • Item #JLI0031
Frame Material
carbon fiber
Suspension
VPP
Rear Shock
Fox Float Performance
Rear Travel
110 mm
Fork
Fox 34 Float Performance
Front Travel
130 mm
Headset
Cane Creek 40 Integrated
Shifters
SRAM GX
Front Derailleur
n/a
Rear Derailleur
SRAM GX 1x11
ISCG Tabs
yes, ISCG 05
Crankset
Race Face Aeffect AL
Bottom Bracket
73mm threaded
Cassette
10 - 42 t SRAM XG 1150
Chain
SRAM PC 1130
Brakeset
SRAM Level TL
Brake Type
hydraulic disc
Handlebar
Race Face Ride
Handlebar Width
760 mmHg
Grips
Juliana single-sided lock-on
Stem
Race Face Ride
Saddle
Juliana Segundo
Seatpost
[small] Rock Shox Reverb Stealth 125mm travel, [medium, large] Rock Shox Reverb Stealth 150mm travel
Seatpost Diameter
31.6 mm
Wheelset
Race Face AR 40
Hubs
[front] Novatec D541, [rear] Novatec D542
Front Axle
15 x 110mm Boost thru-axle
Rear Axle
12 x 148m Boost thru-axle
Tires
[front] Maxxis Rekon EXO 3C, [rear] Maxxis Rekon EXO
Tire Size
[front] 27.5 x 2.8 in, [rear] 27.5 x 2.8 in
Pedals
not included
Recommended Use
cross country
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime on frame

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