Highball Carbon 27.5 S Complete Mountain Bike - 2016
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Shop Similar ProductsHigh-tech on a budget.
As you've probably noticed by now, we love new tech. We degenerate to wide-eyed, slobbering geeks over things like SRAM's revolutionary one-by drivetrains and Santa Cruz's nutty obsession with constantly reshaping industry expectations for carbon frames. Given these proclivities toward nerdery, it's little wonder that we're unreasonably stoked on Santa Cruz's Highball Carbon 27.5 S Complete Mountain Bike. It comprises our favorite innovations in frames and component manufacturing over the past several years, bringing it all to a price that the non-sponsored tech enthusiasts among us can swing.
This Highball features a less-expensive, slightly heavier version of the price-is-no-object Carbon CC frames. The loss of dollar signs doesn't equate to a loss of stiffness or durability, though, as the Carbon C is just as ready to get up and go during sprints, on climbs, or after a crash as the Carbon CC models. Carbon C is less expensive because it's a lower-modulus material, so more material is required to net the same stiffness and durability of Carbon CC frames. This brings the weight up by a claimed 280 grams, so while it may not feature on World Cup podiums, it's certainly well represented in races between those of us more interested in the ride than the scale.
As with the 2015 Highball Carbon C, the 2016 model still enjoys Santa Cruz's meticulous construction practices, featuring a single layup instead of a jigsaw puzzle of individually-cured carbon tubes. This allows Santa Cruz to wrap the fibers continuously around structurally important junctures like the head tube and bottom bracket, strengthening the frame, dissipating the force from impacts, and more efficiently channeling pedal input. Efficiency, durability, and even a touch of weight loss compared to building with individual tubes — the advantages of Santa Cruz's construction methods go some way toward eliding the differences between Carbon C and Carbon CC.
Santa Cruz justifies retaining the 69-degree head tube angle for the new model year by citing the line-holding benefits of high rake combined with mid-sized wheels. Compared to the original 29er Highball, the 27.5-inch model has a lower, longer geometry, so it's tethered to lines both on the way up and the way down. Despite its long wheelbase, the Highball 27.5 has shorter chainstays than the 29er, so it capitalizes on the stiff, carbon hardtail and 12x142mm rear axle for efficient power transfer that lends itself to pushing through grades and carrying speed out of switchbacks.
As hinted at non-too-subtly above, the Highball S's drivetrain is just as exciting as the frame. It's a SRAM one-by setup mated to a Race Face Aeffect crank. While the idea is familiar, the GX branding on the rear shifter and derailleur is not. GX is SRAM's one-by-for-the-masses offering, bringing the simple, race-friendly effectiveness of an uncluttered drivetrain to a non-racing price. The Easton ARC 24 rims are another new offering from a venerable manufacturer that Santa Cruz is showcasing here, and the result is — again — a bike that'll make even the most stoic of tech geeks' eyes sparkle.
- Frame Material
- Carbon C
- Fork
- FOX Racing Shox Float Performance
- Front Travel
- 100 mm
- Headset
- Cane Creek 40
- Shifters
- SRAM GX (right only)
- Front Derailleur
- n/a
- Rear Derailleur
- SRAM GX
- Crankset
- 32 t Race Face Aeffect SL
- Bottom Bracket
- BSA threaded
- Crank Arm Length
- 175 mm
- Cassette
- 10 - 42 t SRAM XG1150
- Chain
- SRAM PC1130
- Brakeset
- Shimano SLX M675
- Brake Type
- hydraulic disc
- Rotors
- 160 mm Shimano RT66
- Handlebar
- Race Face Evolve
- Handlebar Width
- 720 mm
- Grips
- Santa Cruz Palmdale Lock-On
- Stem
- Race Face Turbine
- Saddle
- WTB Volt Race
- Seatpost
- Race Face Ride
- Wheelset
- [rims] Easton ARC 24
- Hubs
- SRAM MTH 716/746
- Front Axle
- 15x100mm
- Rear Axle
- 12x142mm
- Tires
- Maxxis Ikon
- Tire Size
- 27.5 x 2.2 in
- Pedals
- not included
- Recommended Use
- cross-country
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime on frame
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