Highball 29 Carbon CC XTR Complete Mountain Bike - 2016
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Don't worry though, we have a lot more Hardtail in stock than that.
Shop Similar ProductsBreak up with bob.
There are times when full suspension mountain bikes are a definite necessity, but if your focus is less on enduro pro DH bombing runs and more on speed, then you probably won't miss the 6in of marshmallow suspension Santa Cruz's Highball 29er Carbon CC XTR Complete Mountain Bike forgoes with its hardtail and big-wheeled aggression. One thing you might miss, though, is bobbing up and down on smooth singletrack or steep climbs, and the Highball Carbon CC's hardtail is even more efficient than the heavier, more pedestrian Carbon C model. Say goodbye to Bob, once and for all.
As with its predecessor, the new Highball frame's carbon layup is a single piece 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 pedaling load, and allowing for comparable strength with less material. Translated into trail talk, this means it hits the bricks when you stomp on the pedals, dampens high-speed chatter, and holds lines like a cat on carpet — all with a low weight that makes any full-suspension bike look like a bloated DH slug.
The Highball somewhat addresses the lack of rear suspension with a diminished seatpost, slimmed down to 27.2 millimeters. While this doesn't quite equate to the square-edge hit capabilities of the Nomad or Bronson, it does help to eat up chatter that will otherwise accumulate over the course of a long ride. Up front, the 29-inch model has a sharper head tube angle than the Highball 27.5 so it dances nimbly through switchbacks and technical sections. Although it has longer chainstays than the 27.5 version, The Highball 29er actually has a shorter wheelbase, courtesy of that head tube angle, which contributes to the confident handling when quarters get tight.
For 2016, Santa Cruz is finally building the Highball XTR as a true, all-XTR affair. The previous generation's Race Face crank has been replaced with Shimano's flagship XTR double crankset. While the enduro crowd is falling over themselves to hop on the one-by bandwagon, cyclists who are interested in every aspect of the ride — both up and down — will appreciate the expanded range of gearing options afforded by a double chainring mated to an 11-40t cassette. The rest of the kit remains largely the same in the new model year, including the standout DT Swiss 240 hubs and FOX Racing Shox 32 Float fork.
- Frame Material
- Carbon CC
- Fork
- FOX Racing Shox 32 Float Factory
- Front Travel
- 100 mm
- Headset
- Cane Creek 110
- Shifters
- Shimano XTR M9000
- Front Derailleur
- Shimano XTR M9025
- Rear Derailleur
- Shimano XTR M9000
- ISCG Tabs
- yes, ISCG 05
- Crankset
- 26 / 36 t Shimano XTR M9000
- Bottom Bracket
- BSA threaded
- Cassette
- 11 - 40 t Shimano XTR M9000
- Chain
- Shimano XTR M9000
- Brakeset
- Shimano XTR M9000
- Brake Type
- hydraulic disc
- Rotors
- 160 mm Shimano RT86 Ice-Tech
- Handlebar
- Santa Cruz Carbon Rise
- Handlebar Width
- 720 mm
- Grips
- ESI Racer's Edge
- Stem
- Syntace F109
- Saddle
- WTB Silverado SLT
- Seatpost
- Syntace P6
- Wheelset
- [rims] WTB Asym i19
- Hubs
- DT Swiss 240s
- Front Axle
- 15x100mm
- Rear Axle
- 12x142mm
- Tires
- Maxxis Ikon
- Tire Size
- 29 x 2.2 in
- Pedals
- not included
- Recommended Use
- cross-country
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime on frame
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