Tallboy 29 R2x Complete Mountain Bike - 2017
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Whereas the original Tallboy was a purebred cross-country machine that happily moonlighted as a competent trail rig, the 2017 version of the Santa Cruz Tallboy 29 R2x Complete Mountain Bike pushes further into the realms of trail rowdiness with 110-millimeters of VPP suspension paired with an updated geometry that's slacker and longer than before. Another innovation, the newest Tallboy features a flip-chip in the upper linkage that allows you to swap out the steam-rolling 29-inch wheels for the voluminous traction of 27.5+ wheels—all without making drastic changes to the bike's dialed trail geometry.
Instead of the 70-degree head tube angle found on the previous Tallboy, you'll find the new Tallboy features a trail-competent 68-degree head tube angle. By moving to the slacker end of the riding spectrum for a short-travel 29er, the Tallboy gains confidence at higher speeds where a racier XC bike would feel squirrely and unnerving. However, this push towards being slacker isn't as drastic as many bikes in the all-mountain and enduro categories, so you'll still enjoy the sharp handling traits inherent to the original Tallboy. Although the bike has grown substantially in wheelbase and reach to meet modern standards, the chainstays remain incredibly short at 17 inches for snappy turning of the rear end around switchbacks and tight sections of trail.
New for the 2017 version of the Tallboy, you'll find the ability to switch between 29 and 27.5+ wheels with its integrated flip-chip along the upper linkage. The flip-chip rotates to allow the shock mount to migrate between high (29) and low (27.5+) settings, but without drastically altering the bike's dialed geometry and handling characteristics on the trail. You'll find the 29-inch configuration of the bike seen here is faster at rolling over obstacles and carrying momentum, meaning it's a great companion for entering the local race series one day, then shredding the trail with reckless abandon the very next. In 27.5+ form, the Tallboy turns into a trail juggernaut with its high volume tires soaking up jarring rocks and roots while offering unparalleled traction across loose dirt and sweeping corners.
Delving into the Tallboy's VPP suspension, you'll find it increased from the previous 100 millimeters to 110 millimeters of travel. Although 10 millimeters might not seem like a drastic change, this extra travel feels a bit deeper than the numbers suggest, as Santa Cruz tuned the shock with more progressiveness to prevent it from bottoming out or feeling harsh on bigger hits. The suspension itself is slightly reconfigured to offer greater sensitivity to small bumps, so you can find traction over those rocky sections of trail where you'd previously struggle to lay down power. The VPP suspension's curve is flatter when compared to previous generations, meaning it feels more consistent at tracking over terrain inconsistencies on the trail.
This particular R2 build gets Santa Cruz's aluminum frame, which offers a commendable level of strength for the trail rider seeking fun and reliability over fancier carbon frames at much higher price points. The Shimano SLX 2x11 drivetrain gives you crisp shifts across a massive range of usable gears, meaning you'll be able to power up any trail, so long as you have the lungs and legs required for the grade. Looking out front, FOX's Rhythm 120-millimeter fork packs 34-millimeter stanchions for stiff tracking, which is a desirable trait when you're blasting over rough and rocky sections of trail. Another stand-out feature are the SRAM Level T brakes, which provide great modulation and stopping power at this price range.
Details
- Blurs the line between XC speed and trail rowdiness
- 29-inch wheels provide roll-over and momentum benefits
- 110mm of efficient VPP suspension with a progressive shock tune
- Flip-chip provides the ability to switch 29in for 27.5+ wheels
- Aluminum frame offers dependable strength and stiffness
- FOX Rhythm fork with 34mm stanchions for stiff tracking
- Shimano SLX 2x11 drivetrain provides wide range of gears
- Item #SNZ00BI
- Frame Material
- aluminum
- Suspension
- VPP
- Rear Shock
- Fox Float Performance
- Rear Travel
- 110mm
- Fork
- Fox Rhythm
- Front Travel
- 120mm
- Headset
- Cane Creek 10 Series, integrated
- Shifters
- Shimano SLX M7000 SL
- Front Derailleur
- Shimano SLX M7000, direct mount
- Rear Derailleur
- Shimano SLX M7000 Shadow+
- Crankset
- Shimano SLX M7000
- Bottom Bracket
- English threaded
- Cassette
- Shimano SLX M7000
- Chain
- Shimano SLX M7000
- Brakeset
- SRAM Level T
- Brake Type
- hydraulic disc
- Rotors
- Avid Centerline, 180mm
- Handlebar
- Race Face Ride Lo-Rise, 35mm
- Handlebar Width
- 760mm
- Grips
- Santa Cruz Palmdale lock-on
- Stem
- Race Face Ride, 35mm clamp
- Saddle
- WTB Volt Race
- Seatpost
- Race Face Ride
- Seatpost Diameter
- 31.6mm
- Wheelset
- WTB STP i23 TCS (32h)
- Hubs
- [front] Novatec D711, [rear] Novatec D712
- Front Axle
- 15 x 110mm Boost thru-axle
- Rear Axle
- 12 x 148mm Boost thru-axle
- Tires
- [front] Maxxis Minion DHF Exo 3C, [rear] Maxxis Crossmark 2 DC EXO TR
- Tire Size
- [front] 29 x 2.3in, [rear] 29 x 2.25in
- Recommended Use
- cross-country, trail
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime on frame
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