2024 Santa Cruz Tallboy V5 | Review

[@eugenejmarais]

I have the same bike with Reserve wheels. I had the V4 before. I set the shock up exactly like on the website and I actually like it more than what was on the V4. I did upgrade the fork to a 140mm Pike Ultimate. It definitely climbs better than the V4 and small bump sensitivity is incredible. Nice review

[@dialedmtb]

Thank you, I appreciate it! Glad you are enjoying it! I have been riding it with the 140 pike and super deluxe on the back, if you want to get a little more from the rear end I 100% recommend getting the super deluxe, it was pretty big for me! Its an awesome bike!

[@MichaelKelly-yv2mo]

Great down to earth speak, I can feel the bikes by yer expression or describing the bikes feel,, and honest,,for some of us the shock might be an issue. This bike or the Norco optic for for me,, thanks brother,, and cheers, I opened a few watching yer channel,, it was fun having a few with ya. GRRREAT bike reviewing, down to earth speak.

[@Chance.B]

Sounds like a great bike! I'll be curious how it rides with the Rockshox setup!

[@dialedmtb]

I got it all on there, going to go ride it after work today!! Super stoked. I will get a video out on that in probably 4 weeks or so.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

@@dialedmtb Oh man you could do a couple videos on that. Just post a initial impression video too.

[@dialedmtb]

It would be cool to do a Pike vs 34 video. We will see if I have time to get that done this month! The Tallboy "update" video I am going to try to have out the last week of October to first week of November though.

[@flexmtb]

Great review of the Tallboy man. Probably the best one out there.

[@dialedmtb]

Thank you I appreciate that a ton!

[@MrDavecore777]

The shock is the one thing that pushed me back from this bike, I have heard his issue from multiple people. Vurious to hear your feedback with the SD Ultimate and Pike. The 5010 actually comes specced with it so tempted to go straight to it instead, thanks

[@dialedmtb]

I have had the 5010, and while on paper they look pretty close, it is quite a bit of a different feel. What kind of terrain do you have? But I have a few rides on it with the Pike (140mm) and the SD Ultimate and it is really good. Changed the bike a lot in only good ways!

[@MrDavecore777]

I’d say we have everything from smooth gravel to chunky donkey trails through to loamy and techy trails. I’d hope to be able to use it as a do it all bike

[@dialedmtb]

I would go with the 29" wheel for sure!

[@juliensommacal4521]

Hi, I am French, and I have a Santa Cruz Tallboy 2023 kit S. I would like to change my bike for one that is as fun but with a little more punch on the climbs and agile on the windings. I ride on hilly and twisty terrain. I'm going to keep a bike with 130mm of travel. What can you advise me ? THANKS

[@dialedmtb]

I would say the Yeti SB120/SB120LR, or the Specialized Stumpjumper. Go for a little more expensive of a build if you can, and get the bike lighter and that will help a bunch on the climbs, or put a set of 1300-1550g wheelset on your current Tallboy. That will help over the heavier wheelset that comes on the S kit Tallboy.

[@jasonhiggins214]

Love the reviews. How do you like the wicked wills, and are they super race construction? I currently ride an ibis ripley v4s and the shock is so shit. I have currently on order a new super deluxe ultimate with hydraulic bottom out. Will let you know next week.

[@dialedmtb]

Thank you, I appreciate it! I really like the wicked wills, to me its the best tire in its category (compared to Maxxis I would put it somewhere in-between a Rekon, the new Forekaster, and Dissector). It seems to have as much or more grip then all of those and have similar rolling resistant traits as the Rekon. I got the super race in Addix Soft, I wanted the Addix Soft compound and this is the only option they give with that. It is Schwalbe part number 11654329. But yeah I have a couple of rides on the bike now with the Pike Ultimate and Super Deluxe Ultimate on it and it is way better! You will like it for sure!

[@jasonhiggins214]

@dialedmtb thank you for the reply, good to hear 👍

[@dialedmtb]

Yeah of course! Let me know how you like it.

[@jasonhiggins214]

Hey mate. 2 rides in on the super deluxe ultimate shock and it is so good 👍. Still need a bit more tuning to do(haven't ridden much recently),but so good. 215psi 7 clicks of rebound (from slow) HSC open LSC open (so far) 3 volume spacers. Keep the video coming bro. Awesome 👌

[@dialedmtb]

That is awesome to hear, yeah I am loving it on mine too!

[@cberg9480]

Hey I have the bought the AL build on sale but has a a Fox 34 factory like yours but also swapped the rear for a a Fox float factory X. I had the same issue where I felt like I was getting bounced off the back. The float factory x can be adjusted. The bike rocks now. It is my trial bike. I wish I never bought into the bigger travel hype. I have this and and enduro for the bike park. The tall ball eats up everything.

[@dialedmtb]

Yeah the Float X is an awesome shock as well! I'm glad it wasn't just me that felt that! My last TB (a V4) didn't do that so it was weird. I did my first ride last night with the super deluxe and Pike on it and wow.. I will be putting out a video on that in about 4 weeks to give an update on the bike.

[@craigzorman5785]

Thoughts on this vs the Element. And what happened to the Element?

[@dialedmtb]

The Element is a very firm feeling short travel bike, more on the XC side then the Trail side of things. I know the geo would make you think its a trail bike 100% but when you ride it, it says different. It feels a lot more like my Spur did with RockShox SID suspension on it where this bike feels a lot more capable and fun. I ended up selling the Element because I just didn't ride it much because it wasn't as fun as my other bike.

[@freshiesat9]

Did you ever make the updates to the Tallboy? Did you release that update video?

[@dialedmtb]

I did make all the updates, I thought I released that video but I would have to check. If not I will try to get that out this summer! Been a very busy summer for me so I have not been able to much video editing

[@dwccch]

Any thoughts on how it compares to the Smuggler. Thanks for the review

[@dialedmtb]

So it is close, overall I like the tallboy a little better. Especially with a 140 pike and a super deluxe on the back! A little better of a climber, and more fun on the descent bit still eats up chunk as well!

[@StefanReinthaler]

Great review! How does it compare to the Hightower 3?

[@dialedmtb]

So the TB is for sure a quicker climber, more flickable and nimble, and more fun I would say to ride unless you are in steeper and more technical conditions... but at that point I would probably look to a Megatower. The Hightower is good, but I feel like it gives a little too much to be an all around bike.

[@leejohnh22]

How does this climb compare to the Spur? I am also guessing it descends quite a bit more calmly

[@dialedmtb]

The way I had both of them setup (the spur at 24.5lbs and the tallboy at 28lbs) the spur did climb a descent amount better, but the tallboy is a lot more enjoyable of an overall ride. It has more traction on the climb in loose/rocky/rooty sections and on the descent it has a lot more to give everywhere on the descent!

[@duffyrides]

Coming from the Megatower I wanted to step down to more efficient pedaling bike like the Tallboy or the SB120 and heard the Tallboy wasn’t a good climber with disappointed me as a Santa Cruz fan that wanted one. But maybe those people were just referring to the V4 and seems the minor change to the V5 improves the climbing ? Would you still recommend the Tallboy ? I also see Competitive Cyclist has amazing deals on the SB120 right now. Can get an X01 AXS SB120 for 5999 whereas that same build would be thousands more on the Tallboy. However I’m willing to look at an S build and do some mods here and there over time. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks !!!

[@dialedmtb]

Hey! Both are awesome bikes, it all depends on how you have the bike built. I have this tallboy built up at about 27lbs right now and it climbs amazing. Yes you can put heavier wheels and tires on it and it climbs more like a 140mm trail bike but then it also descends like a bike in that category also. The SB120 will climb a little bit better, but descend a little worse. Not worse really in a bad way just as in the rear end doesn't feel as plush as the tallboy. It is amazing what SC has done with the TB for 120mm of rear travel. Yeti and SC are my two favorite brands. I think that SC has the better 120mm bike, and I think Yeti has the better Enduro bike. So my two bikes that I currently own are a Tallboy and SB160, if that helps at all.

[@danielgrafik]

Hey man, love the review(s). Wondering if you had an opinion on the TB v5 vs The Stumjumper carbon (none Evo). I've got a bunch of spare, brand new parts, so am looking for a frame, and I've got some good offers on the Tallboy and SJ'er. Local trail are very flat, lots of short ups and downs, and you have to generate a lot of you own speed. I'm not too concerned with climbing, but since we have a fair bit, I don't want my efforts to go to waste. I'm not gonna go park or enduro riding any time soon. Also, I'm 42 and need to be on work on mondays :) I prefer confident geo, to lots of travel (which isn't needed with my riding anyway). And cornering ability and poppy-ness is really nice. Unsure if the Tallboy and Stumpjumper are in totally different categories? /Thanks

[@dialedmtb]

Honestly those two bikes are both very very similar. To be honest you will be super happy with both of them. If you build the Tallboy I switched it to a 140mm Fork so it is even more similar to the StumpJumper. I'd just get whatever one you can get for a better price, or whatever one you think looks better or has the color you like. Both are super good bikes!

[@danielgrafik]

@@dialedmtb Ended up going with the Stumpjumper as it's from a local bike shop, that'd like to support. But thanks for the answer, and I think you confirmed the thoughts I was having regarding does two specific frames... which was good! Thanks again :)

[@dialedmtb]

That is awesome! How are you liking the bike?

[@danielgrafik]

@@dialedmtb Haven't gotten the frame yet, only ordered it, but I'll let you know once it's all built up 🤞

[@dialedmtb]

Awesome, you're going to really enjoy it I think!

[@TomCollins-c4h]

You probably did but still want to ask if you tried different volume spacers in the shock?

[@dialedmtb]

Yeah I only tried once, still had a similar feel with a larger volume spacer. Have you used this new shock yet?

[@sunwarmth62]

I have a 2018 Tallboy 27.5 Carbon R kit, wondering if it is worth it to upgrade to the new Tallboy 29er?

[@dialedmtb]

It is definitely going to be a whole different feeling bike in my opinion. To me, yes I would like the updated 29er version way better, and you probably would also but it will take a handful of rides to get used to it probably. This bike is awesome so if you're looking to get a new one I would recommend the V5 for sure!

[@snowairland]

If your bike is a tallboy 3 you can just buy 29 inch wheels cause it accommodates both sizes. Also I still really like my tb3 in mullet mode with a 2.8 tire.

[@frankbaratta9635]

Wicked Will front e rear ?

[@dialedmtb]

Currently running them front and rear

[@AOL0321]

That's a great review. I've had two Pike's and frankly, I'm not a fan of the Rock Shox. I've ridden a Fox 34 before on an old Ibis V2(I know the new and old are probably two different forks though) and it was waaaaay smoother and did not seem to get overworked like my Pike does. How is the climbing efficiency of this Tallboy vs. my 2020 V4? I live in the Hudson Valley of N.Y. below West Point and ride fairly, but not exclusively technical terrain(Sterling Forest is awesome) and I'd say pedaling efficiency is more important than descending here. Don't get me wrong, my TB V4 is a beautiful technical climber, but might not be as efficient as say a DW Link or Switch Infinity.

[@dialedmtb]

Yeah the forks have gone back and forth for me between Fox and Rockshox, I liked Fox better in 2022, but with the 2023 RS stuff with the buttercups and new design that's my favorite right now. But I think Fox is coming out with new products in the next few months and it will probably go back ahead of RS. haha! But between the two bikes, V4 & V5, the V5 does have a little bit better of a pedal platform for climbing, so I would say maybe 5-10% better on the climbs. Then somehow it is more compliant and has better feeling on the descent as well. I am assuming they used some of the Cascade link geo in their new linkage. It works great! But with that said, I don't think VPP will ever climb as good as Switch Infinity or DW within the same category of bike. I rode an SB120 and with the new SB120 LR with Rockshox stuff I think that bike might be the best of everything right now in this category.

[@AOL0321]

@@dialedmtb I was looking at that SB 120 too but it's also kind of heavy still?

[@AOL0321]

@@dialedmtb I also see that Santa Cruz is running sales again now!

[@dialedmtb]

The SB120 rides a lot lighter than it is. But the TB is an amazing bike! Did you end up with one?

[@AOL0321]

@@dialedmtb Yes I bought a 2020 new when the first Tallboy 4’s came out.

[@JedEdelstein]

Man you are raving about how plush the rear end is, Ive just not had the same experience with my 5010 with similar if not the same VPP suspension

[@dialedmtb]

Dang that is weird, I had the last 27.5 5010 and it was pretty dang good too. What rear shock is on yours?

[@denisjolliet6398]

Hi. How would you compare it to the sb120?

[@dialedmtb]

It is pretty close, I did compare this bike to the SB120 in this video though, not sure if you missed that? But basically the SB120 climbs a little better and the Tallboy descends a little better.

[@dmweyland]

did you try to add volume spacers to the shock?

[@dialedmtb]

Yeah I only tried once, still had a similar feel with a larger volume spacer. Have you used this new shock yet?

[@TomCollins-c4h]

@@dialedmtb Hey I asked the same question first and you gave this guy the love.

[@dialedmtb]

I replied to both of you! haha

[@TomCollins-c4h]

@@dialedmtb you did, its all good :)

[@williambennett263]

How are you liking the new AXS on this bike?

[@dialedmtb]

The new AXS Transmission is awesome! If you have it setup right it is crazy smooth and you really can just shift whenever you want. Takes some time to get used to but once you do, you won't want to go back to anything else!

[@haorob]

Can I ask how tall you are, I am 5’6 and thinking about a medium

[@dialedmtb]

I am 5'8", I would say the medium would work for you, but plan on putting maybe a shorter stem on it and pushing the seat all the way forward. The small would fit you also though. I have rode a large and with the longer feeling bike it is a little more stable but not as nimble and was not as easy for me to pop off of trail features and move the bike around. So I would definitely go pedal both around at your local shop and go ride them each a decent amount of time. I would recommend starting on the small test ride first then move to the medium.

[@kevinmanzo862]

Where can I get those shoes

[@dialedmtb]

Haha what shoes are they?

[@snowairland]

I haven’t ridden the new tallboy but, it’s probably only a little better than my tallboy 3 in mullet mode with a 2.8 on the rear wheel and a 130 pike up front for northern Utah cross country riding.

[@dialedmtb]

I never rode the V3, only the V4 and V5 but the V5 is definitely a great bike, I am sure your setup is rad also!

[@snowairland]

@@dialedmtb I’ve always calculated that bikes improve by 5-7% every year=after 5 years bikes are at least 20% better, so I start looking into replacing my bike every 5 years.

[@dialedmtb]

Not a bad way to look at it!

[@nicholashines7686]

You should try the Ohlins TTX air one. The Ohlins stuff is incredible

[@dialedmtb]

I have heard great things! I just know for sure that the new Rockshox stuff is amazing and I know I can get it setup how I like it pretty quick.

[@ROSE-by5su]

@@dialedmtbget suspension from Rulezman he got some good stuff

[@dialedmtb]

I have never heard of that, the new RockShox stuff I put on is great though!

[@TheHuester44]

Maybe a Pivot 429 trail would be a better choice.

[@dialedmtb]

I have only heard great things!!

[@bogusfranz1503]

Cool bike - you looked faster on the Switchblade 😅

[@dialedmtb]

The Switchblade is a quick bike for sure, definitely think the new one would be super rad as well!

[@MichaelKelly-yv2mo]

One more thanks to ya, Tom Pettys other band MUDCRUTCH song HOPE,, song says thanks for review of Tallboy, that or Smuggler for me soon. Cheers again brother

[@flyingnorseman]

I have a v four tall boy. It took me 6 minutes to dial in.

[@dialedmtb]

Yeah I had a X01 V4 as well, did a review on it on the channel as well. That thing just seemed perfect from the first time I jumped on it. I changed the suspension and had the same feeling now with the new V5.

[@andyb9664]

You look and sound drunk 🤔😀 not sure tho, but funny af 😀 nice review!

[@dialedmtb]

Haha I had like 1 and a half beers.. not drunk that's for sure but just trying to have fun.

[@rofl51185118]

Just buy a frame and do your thing, Santa Cruz Specs are totally rubbish :D

[@dialedmtb]

Haha yeah doing a frame build makes more sense most of the time!

[@jiajianhou426]

I think you are drunk. Lots of mistakes during spec and even said go to specialized website for a SC bike geometry lol

[@dialedmtb]

My bike is different than the stock build. Sometimes the wrong words come out though for sure. Thanks for the feedback

[@topchoice1621]

I love when people buy new bikes and automatically swap out parts lol 😂 kinda defeats the purpose of buying a new bike just stick with the old one

[@dialedmtb]

If you don't have fun customizing your bike to how you like it then what's the fun in a new bike anyways? I have a lot of parts, and I always build all my bikes from the frame up (even if I get a full "build") so might as well put on what I think are the best parts on the market for my bikes if I am building it right?

[@topchoice1621]

@@dialedmtb I get it

[@Kovacs-sf1hi]

This is the dumbest take I’ve ever seen. A bike isn’t the parts, it comes down to the frame. Put all your parts on two different frames and you’ll notice a huge difference. Adding familiarity to a new bike also boosts confidence since you KNOW exactly how the brakes you use feel, same goes for hubs and cockpit.