Santa Cruz Tallboy 5 Review: Short Travel, BIG Attitude

[@gonzoliam1720]

I tested the tallboy and the hightower on my local trails. At 80kg kitted up it was a simple choice for me: the Hightower is a comfortable trail bike, the tallboy felt harsh through the bars, but with great control on low speed tech. Hightower every day of the week for me. If I want to make it easier to pedal I just put a bit more air in the tires. Nice to see a genuine review. Thanks.

[@pgjudo]

Sold my Hightower. Great fit and finish like all the SC bikes I’ve owned, but it was a vague bike that got lost in compromise. Megatower easily did everything my Hightower did, but the Hightower certainly could not do nearly as much as the Megatower.

[@richardhore-cw4lv]

I put the same tall boy tyres on my hightower, massive difference in performance

[@jevgeniardassov]

Very chunkey trails Guy. The bike is impressively quiet on a trail like this.

[@MTBActionCam1]

Nice review. I definitely appreciate your detailed thoughts on the suspension performance in different scenarios and conditions. Other reviews do not provide this level of detail. Good stuff! Not sure I agree with you on it being a good value though.

[@GuyKesTV]

'Good value' is a relative thing. Compared to the Pivot and the Yeti I reviewed it with for MBR magazine, you're getting better kit and better warranties on the wheels (and on frame compared to Pivot) with the Santa Cruz and that was before the UK prices dropped by 20%. With that new pricing the GX AXS bike is cheaper than a Trek Top Fuel GX AXS and the Tallboy has better forks too.

[@MTBActionCam1]

My bad. I didn't realize you were speaking relative to Pivot and Yeti.

[@grantwilliams2912]

Thank you for creating the review-Surprised about the conclusion. It would be great to learn your take on the new 5010

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, that's the next one on the Santa Cruz list. Keen to try Blur TR as well because I've only tried the XC so far.

[@maxex3me]

It is really a valuable review. It would be nice if you could compare the Tallboy with the carbon frame version of Canyon Neuron in terms of climbing capabilities. Or is it more appropriate to compare it with the Spectral 125 or even the Spectral?

[@javic79]

Good review!!

[@MTB_Derbyshire]

Interesting stuff as always. I'd have had that down as a bike I'd be interested in for my type of riding, but if it's a bit poo on the climbs and better on groomed orange dirt not sure it fits my bill. Great review 😎👍

[@jokke3555]

I think you have tested also the Mondraker Raze RR, how does the Tallboy compare to the Raze? Bit different specs for suspension but geometry quite close to each other and intended use kind of similar in trail category between xc and enduro

[@peterjohnson9243]

Well I wasn't expecting that mate!

[@GuyKesTV]

I sort of was after the TB4, this just takes that aggro DH vibe even further at the expense of tech climbing performance. The lads I know who can REALLY ride full on send trails are absolutely frothing for it and think it’s the best thing ever. It’s a real rider divider though TBF I’m an old off piste techy trail fan and the world seems to be heading more and more towards dirty BMX

[@MarcusOliver2006]

Love my TB3, the best TB version before it went downhill, literally, l😂. Interested in what you think my next SC would be. Blur TR?

[@GuyKesTV]

@@MarcusOliver2006 yeah definitely, it’s not quite as stout as the TB3 but then the frame is a kilo lighter and geo is pretty much identical.

[@nilswehrenbrecht4260]

Hey Guy, do you think a light XC build with a 120mm fork would match with the frame? Best regards from Germany

[@Wes-o9t]

Did you say the Blur TR is more supple than this bike? Care to elaborate please?

[@didzy9349]

Hey guy what brand/model glasses are those? I’ve got the same giro manifest and my Oakley glasses don’t fit when I try to store them on the helmet climbing as the arms curve in to much, want a pair that will securely fit on the manifest as the helmets so comfy

[@GuyKesTV]

@@didzy9349 they’re Julbo. French ski brand but they make really good bike glasses too.

[@didzy9349]

Cool thanks guy appreciated I’ll take a look

[@Mkall2309]

What size would you go on tallboy for 185cm ? I have a Trek Slash Large and a Specialized Epic evo. I think the trek slash is absolute overkill . And the epic evo is almost perfect but on 90kg rider its get beaten up too hard so im thinking of selling both and buy 1 bike for Everything and get as good as i can handeling 1bike insted of swithing all the time between two bikes. Do u think tallboy would be the perfect bike? And what size for 185cm . I have Large on trek and Specialized. Feel nice on downhill but feel litle small on climb / flat

[@adamj2281]

How does this compare to the Scott Spark 940? That's what I have now (well the 950), and I"m on mostly flat, twisty trails, but make trips to a bit more rocky terrain (still mostly blues, low black diamonds). I like the speed of the Spark in flats, and use the twinlock, but...I was wondering how the Tallboy compares on cornering/descending.

[@GuyKesTV]

Surprisingly different bikes. For your riding the Spark is definitely the better choice. Tallboy is very stiff and unforgiving and heavy for its travel too. Great if you’re skilful enough to jump everything or only ride big bike park stuff and don’t want mushy pedalling but not an easy ride by any stretch. The length and slackness makes it a chore on twisty stuff and techy climbs too. Have you got the new style spark with the hidden shock? If you have fry it with the headset in the slacker position and then put the shock in Traction mode and that’ll give you a feel closer to TB

[@adamj2281]

@@GuyKesTV Yeah, glad you confirmed my choice. Interesting response, because I borrowed one from a friend for a quick ride (it was one size up) on a mostly straight shot of the trail, and thought, wow this thing feels really long and fast. I tried it again for a full loop (roughly 2 miles) of the trail we typically ride with twists and turns, and couldn't wait to switch back to my Spark. It just felt cumbersome through turns, so I wasn't sure if that was the sizing being off or the bike. Based on your comments, I think it's the bike. Thanks so much! I have the '22 with the hidden shock, and I'm actually going to go check my headset to see which setting it's in. I figured it wouldn't make a huge difference.

[@timomakkonen4525]

I don’t know how you measured that rear travel but my XL Tallboy 5 CC does have 120 mm vertical rear travel according to my own measurements. Would be interesting to hear what method you used to measure?

[@GuyKesTV]

It’s a method that MBR magazine use involving spirit levels extended from the same point on the saddle and measured vertically to the axle at maximum and minimum travel. It often gives significantly different numbers to those listed by manufacturers.

[@timomakkonen4525]

I used the method by Seb Stott from Pinkbike

[@AlfredoEspino-y5e]

Hello! Thanks for your reviews! How do you compare this tallboy with the yeti sb120? What’s a better choice over all! Thank you

[@GuyKesTV]

Short answer, SB-120. Long answer message me your email and I’ll send you the full text for the Tallboy v SB120 v Pivot 429 test I did for MBR magazine

[@flyingnorseman]

I'd run a Fox 34 over the Pike 7 days a week. No idea why but I cant dial in a Pike to save me life. I can dial a Fox fork in 15 minutes.

[@AlfredoEspino-y5e]

How do you think the yeti sb120 will do on this type of terrain? Thank you!

[@GuyKesTV]

I rode the Yeti here as well and it loved it. Smoother and more controlled than the Tallboy so better through the rocks but still really positive through the pedals. And if you want that firmer ‘race car’ feel just flick the shock into the centre setting 👍🏻

[@strutter5764]

Can you please share the gpx route

[@hollakeef]

Seems like a different bike compared to your review of the 4th gen Tallboy, never seen you enjoy riding a bike that much since. Has the Tallboy gained a glove box but lost its soul?

[@AOL0321]

How does it ride compared to my 2020 Tallboy 4?

[@GuyKesTV]

It's slightly softer pedalling/more comfortable when cruising but doesn't handle slap hits and square stuff as well and the front end is stiffer so that tends to slap more too, even with a Fox fork swapped in. The Glove Box makes it noticeably heavier and more expensive too. There's no increase in shock performance like there is with the new Hightower either so I'd say getting a TB4 was a win.

[@AOL0321]

@@GuyKesTV Thx for the reply. I think I’d get a Hightower if I was going to replace my Tallboy 4, as you recommended. Just a better overall trail bike now.

[@Summitpavingcontractors]

I love my Tallboy 4 cc! I had sram code brakes and 200mm rotors installed and it’s amazing! Wish it had a rear remote lockout though!

[@deanf2259]

Hi Guy, I bought a Tallboy 4 CC and Reserved wheels after watching your Dalby live ride review. Which is where I do most of my riding. I love the bike. Currently have a 2020 Pike ultimate on it but have a Fox performance Grip 2 to put on it. How do you think it compares to the Tallboy 5?

[@mxbigd17]

What bar rise are you running on this bike, 20mm or 35mm???

[@GuyKesTV]

20mm on this bike

[@kennethwang1666]

How does this bike compare to the Trek Top Fuel?

[@GuyKesTV]

Hi Kenneth, I've spent the last couple of months on the Top Fuel so I'll be uploading that video very shortly. Short answer, Tallboy is stiffer in frame feel and suspension when you start pushing hard. Trek is more forgiving when riding flat out but actually pedals better and feels more playful than 'full send'. Trek also win on value too, certainly on mid range bikes and if you go for the SID fork options they're lighter. Plenty of more weight to come out by swapping the Bontrager carbon wheels if they're on the bike you're looking at

[@oliclarke6836]

How does this compare to your flare max?

[@GuyKesTV]

Considering the geom and travel and category are so similar they couldn't be more different in ride feel. Tallboy is brutally stiff up front and you can drive it really hard while the Cotic is much more flexy and flowy up front but because of that traction is incredible, but it can twang around if really pushed hard. Interestingly with light alloy Hunt wheels a SID Ultimate fork and Shimano SLX my Cotic build was only about 200g heavier than this Tallboy. The Cotic climbs way better than it should when you see how much the back end wags when you stamp down hard.

[@JamesMkII]

Santa Cruz value for money is almost the opposite of most other brands, the lower end models you're paying more money for the frame and the brand so it seems worse value for the spec you get. By the time you're up at the higher end like you say it's not that different (or even better) than most other top spec bikes as the 'brand tax' is a smaller part of the price!

[@marksandoval5361]

I'm not a fan of the Tallboy. It's too heavy and too expensive. It is probably the heaviest Downcountry bike made. If you want a light short-travel 29er the Transition Spur, Rocky Mountain Element, or Ibis Ripley are much lighter. If you're going to drag around that much weight, you might as well get a bike with more travel. In general, Santa Cruz bikes are a bad value proposition. They cost way more than similarly equipped bikes from other brands and I don't think they perform any better than those other brands.

[@AOL0321]

You know that Santa Cruz is running a sale on their bikes now, like Ibis right? The Tallboy 5 XO1 is $7K now, down from $8400.

[@AOL0321]

That's for the CC carbon XO1 too!

[@AOL0321]

I have a 20' Tallboy 4 and absolutely love it. I can also tell you that it's a much burlier bike than the others you listed and their Customer Service is second to none. You should ride one if possible. They don't feel like their weight. Definitely the best descender and a great technical climber. I just briefly rode the new Ibis Ripley in a parking lot and it felt nice, but the new Ripley is not as efficient a pedaler as the previous generation, which I can attest to as my friend has the previous gen Ripley. I love his bike.

[@pgjudo]

It’s not by any means a downcountry bike; firmly in the trail bike category.

[@GuyKesTV]

It all depends on how you ride. For most people you're totally right. You might as well get more travel for the same weight. However I know some really hard skilled riders who've gone faster on this Tallboy on really hardcore trails than they would on a mid travel bike because it's so stiff and easy to launch. 'Good value' is a relative thing. Compared to the Pivot and the Yeti I reviewed it with for MBR magazine, you're getting better kit and better warranties on the wheels (and on frame compared to Pivot) with the Santa Cruz and that was before the UK prices dropped by 20%. With that new pricing the GX AXS bike is cheaper than a Trek Top Fuel GX AXS and the Tallboy has better forks too.

[@quitemountainous2528]

I find their "lifetime warranty " a gimmick. It only applies to the original owner and what do you think is a percentage of Santa Cruz owners that do not sell their bikes after a few years? I am pretty certain most people flog them after a few years....

[@Oh_Sully23]

No brand has a lifetime warranty that extends past the original owner. What bugs me is brands that have a set time period warranty like 5 years, but still restrict that to the original owner.

[@didzy9349]

Hey guy what brand/model glasses are those? I’ve got the same giro manifest and my Oakley glasses don’t fit when I try to store them on the helmet climbing as the arms curve in to much, want a pair that will securely fit on the manifest as the helmets so comfy!