Santa Cruz Bicycles

Bronson S Mountain Bike

Positioned between the agile and playful 5010 and the big-hitting Nomad, the Bronson strikes a perfect balance for riders seeking a bike 27.5-wheeled bike that truly does everything well. Enduro racing, jumps, and gravity trails are well within its realm, but so are all-day pedalfests deep in the mountains. That's why it's been a favorite of ours (and many other riders) since we threw a leg over the first generation way back in 2013. Now in its third generation, the Bronson is an ultra-refined package as you expect from a modern Santa Cruz, and comes with a workhorse parts kit that's ready for season after season of hard riding.

The third generation Bronson receives the lower-link VPP treatment that's now widespread in the Santa Cruz lineup. The bike maintains the same 150mm rear travel as previous generations, but the lower-link VPP allows a more linear suspension curve for better sensitivity and overall bump absorption. The revised suspension maintains the same efficient pedaling and climbing performance of previous generations, but with increased traction on rough trails and descents, letting you ride harder if you please.

The Bronson also sees some significant changes to geometry, pushing it further into the gravity spectrum. The reach and wheelbase are longer and the head tube is slacker, providing more stability during high-speed sections and technical descents. Santa Cruz knows that pedaling prowess matters, so they incorporated a steeper 75.3-degree seat tube angle to balance the long and slack geo. Combined with the efficient VPP platform, the bike tackles tough climbs with ease. The geometry is also adjustable via a flip-chip in the linkage, allowing you to tune the handling to suit the trail at hand.

This particular Bronson is offered with an aluminum frame for those aggressive riders seeking something that's a bit more economical, but without significantly altering its riding characteristics. The alloy frame is practically identical to carbon models in geometry and specs, meaning you'll reap the benefits of trickle-down technology in terms of dialed handling and high levels of overall strength. It's even backed by Santa Cruz's lifetime warranty, so you'll have added peace of mind while mobbing down rock gardens and dropping into aggressive terrain suited to a bike of this style.

*Due to unprecedented demand in the global supply chain and the bike industry over the last 18 months, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be minor. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.