It's Not Really a Trail Bike: Santa Cruz Bronson Review | 2025 Pinkbike Field Test

[@joehoeper3941]

SC makes some great bikes lately. My V6 Nomad is amazing. Easy to live with and rides like dream.

[@ericbeech2652]

Lately? As in, they weren't before?

[@45graham45]

V5 Nomad & V4 5010 are great bikes. I love the 27.5s.

[@5dayMovingAverage]

​@@ericbeech2652 ikr my v3 bronson is still good.

[@Андрей-ш8с4с]

hey mate. Tell me please more about ur new nomad? give me ur nymbers 1 ou to 10. handling, ups, downs, jumps, agility, playfull\calmless? i just bought 5010 and i think about i've been slightly miscalculated (I'm a little afraid for my 5010 because of my 105kg weight. And I think maybe I can compensate for the weight with a longer suspension travel. That's why i'm starting to look somethin, bit with longer travel, or its just a problem in my head?) But its Ok, i will ride a bit, but i'm looking forward and i see nomad. but what expiriene u have? u have only nomad from SC or somethin else or what else's bike u had? and if u had other bike, did the Nomad kill's everybody and its the one hamps here?

[@patrickmccormack1427]

V4.2 Bronson owner here or whatever it is. Cascade link and a 170 38 and basically got a Nomad. The bike was a warranty claim from V3 Bronson. Very capable bike will eat up.Almost anything until you need a downhill bike.

[@_voytax]

I wish Forbidden Druid V2 was in this test. This would be really interesting

[@jeigenseher]

You guys are the best, and I love what you do, but silly question. Why test this bike instead of the Hightower? Am I missing something? Most of the comments\criticism about this bike, apply to the aspects that make this bike what it is. Its an All Mountain\Enduro bike, not a trail bike. If you would have tested an actual trail bike (Hightower), you probably wouldn't have those issues. You even compare this Bronson to the Hightower's trail orientated aspects multiple times. Shocking that a mixed wheel All Mountain\Enduro bike doesn't climb as well as the actual trail bikes in this test. I'm confused.

[@hocho1717]

Nah... Valid question! What you say is EXACTLY the reason why I bought a hightower!

[@flipper2gv]

I think they only compare models that are new new.

[@newttella1043]

I think 29er rear wheel is way too big for me. I get better clearance for my butt and saddle from rubbing/stopping the rear at the worst time. For sure if your butt and saddle can clear the rear wheel, go for 29er High Tower and all the grip and roll over. For me the best I can get out of 29er is limited to the front.😢

[@conman1395]

If you think Pinkbike gets to pick the bikes, then you're crazy. Idk why everyone thinks KZbinrs get to choose what they review. They review whatever they're sent. They'd be stupid not to.

[@jeigenseher]

@@conman1395 You may be right. But it still doesn't make sense. It would be silly for Chevy to send a small SUV to a mini-van test.

[@jonthesailorman]

Very keen to see what the v6 5010 and Nomad will be like. Very much enjoying my 5010 v5, but the backend does show its limitations at the edges of its capability range. It’s great for the most part, but every once in a while it’ll let you get in over your head.

[@RookYZRM1]

Personally, my opinion, a trail bike has 130 rear 140 front (Fox 34 or Pike) and a ~65deg head angle. That new Top Fuel, Smuggler, or Stumpjumper (RIP) are the trail bikes at the top of my list.

[@TeddyParker]

Agreed. The new Stumpy is cool but knowing it came at the cost of that 130/140 rig is a bummer. And I'm sure some EVO fans were bummed as well even though it definitely leans more EVO by comparison. I guess Specialized fans are meant to buy the Epic EVO if they liked the old Stumpy. And the Top Fuel is 120/130 but still a great trail bike. I guess they just didn't want to call it the all mountain or long travel trail bikes for testing. They're gonna call things downcountry then trail then enduro. Sadly lol

[@RookYZRM1]

@ the Gen4 Top Fuel shock can be over-stroked to get 130 and the frames max fork travel is 140, all the spec options are 120/130 though, just gotta read the fine print and do some adjustments after purchase.

[@TeddyParker]

@@RookYZRM1 do they say what it does to geo or is it like... 'dont worry about it its close enough' feel like you'd have to go to 140 fork. or am i thinking about it opposite. over stroke push BB down, under stroke raise BB up?

[@RookYZRM1]

@ eye to eye on the shock doesn’t change, just the stroke. Open the shock, remove the spacer limiting stroke and boom, you get 130 travel, no change to geo. Would never recommend this unless the OE says it’s ok, clearance and frame flex at bottom out is not something you wanna test on the trail. A 140 fork on that Top Fuel would slacken the head tube by 0.5deg if their geo chart is based off a 130 fork, so 65.5 to 65.

[@kristian6622]

Is that really a trail bike with that much travel?

[@dank3823]

Love the retro V1 color.

[@jlh530i1]

fun fact, it shares very similar geo to the out going nomad. Also, the flip chip in the last gen bronson and outgoing nomad seemingly alter progressivety more than anything

[@pippinrush1520]

Current 5010 for the greatest modern trail bike of its time!

[@Bonky-wonky]

@@pippinrush1520 it already is. No need for more travel and slacker angles as a substitute for bad skills.

[@pippinrush1520]

@ yup no doubt. I meant this version of the 5010 (which I freaking love btw). The Bronson has always been their enduro and the nomad is the big mountain bomber

[@lefty6837]

Been loving my 5010 to death. Racing enduro on it and taking it down all the gnar. My spire just sits in the garage until I go to a bike park these days.

[@chrisfontaine6221]

I love my new 2025 Nomad, 170mm front and rear about a pound heavier, I put it in the high chip mode then put it to 20% sag and it's a great climber and feels like a trail bike... let a squeak of air out at the top and it almost feels like a V10/DH sled

[@TeddyParker]

This bike was almost certainly the biggest contender for the 'it will eventually get up the hill, no rush' and 'it does all the things' call backs from Levy. But yeah having your cons be not the best climber and cant change wheels (aka just buy a hightower) and the chain is kinda noisy is pretty impressive. Especially with the pros so glowing. I'm really interested to see what SC does with the Nomad and 5010 going forward...

[@Cevirus93]

I downsized from a Nomad 6 to this Bronson (bcs I got a parkbike already and my hometrails are not canada-like).... and yes it feels very similar to the Nomad in terms of size but way easier to pedal all day and flick around at medium speed aswell. With the Nomad you have to reach a certain speed threshold to unveil its capabilities and its pop. Speeds my hometrails are not built for. This is where the bike shines. That said I also have a small DH-association at my local trails. They built a pretty gnarly track there and the bronson also handles this very nicely.

[@REB4444]

Having owned high-end DW-link, Horst link bikes, and a Santa Cruz Hightower with the current VPP, people need to understand what they mean about it's climbing abilities. It's not that it's a bad climber because it's not at all. It's not as zippy up hill as some but it doesn't wear you out either because it is VERY efficient so you can climb all day just like the other style bikes. It climbs great in technical terrain but maybe not as fast on those easy fire trails. But you still have all your energy left to truly BOMB on the descents. If you want it to climb faster, flip the chip-up if that's what you like, it STILL will have more capabilities than the other bikes on descents but I noticed for my style of riding, I pedaled ALOT better with it. Just that little change made a lot of difference for me.

[@wtfchazpwnt]

I would like to hear more of what Dario thinks of this bike.

[@1forrest1andy]

Did…did Henry just ask for less stack/lower bars?

[@JAFO.]

I'm looking for a confused wheel size *_reverse_* mullet bike which offers fewer options and non-superior performance characteristics for a much higher price than other, somewhat better bikes. Looks like I've got the right bike review.

[@carlosalfonsolopezrodrigue7051]

SC Should mantain full 27.5" bikes :c personally dont like that transition to mullet from full classic 27.5 models...

[@DeanNewman-u6l]

Kept talking about how great it was in the descents, but turned out to be amongst the slowest in the timed test. I wonder if this is covered in the round table? No mention of the annoyingly hidden shock placement for setting sag / servicing - has this changed? I want to add that I really like the format of this field test. Seperate videos for bikes are good, but the other videos in between have really added value.

[@brianbass4971]

Bronson + Fox 38 + cascade link = Bro-mad. You are welcome!

[@xiaolongwang6583]

then why don't just buy a No-mad ? lol

[@MrFullyCharged]

I’m not such a fan of the fox 38. Prefer the Zeb, FWIW.

[@bryand9596]

Curious what the testers personal trail bikes are that they own and ride

[@veljkoradovic9884]

Lovely bike

[@MrDavecore777]

Can you ride this bike as an enduro rig with a 170mm fork? I see it getting closer to the Nomad than the 5010

[@klstrucker930419]

12:30 Why you didn't mention the grease port?

[@adamhart9555]

In my opinion this is an all mountain bike for sure. I view most bikes with 140-160 to be in this category due to the overall versatility in the mountains. I dislike the term trail bike, it seams to confuse people. I live in the PNW so your results may very. Second, no internal routing for shifting is just plain short sighted IMO. I like building my own bikes and I still prefer mechanical Shimano over the Sram wireless, and also like high end frames. I've tried both gens of the AXS on road an mountain and don't like it at all. I hope companies will turn this around when and if they get enough negative feedback.

[@SpencerBaum]

All mountain, trail, light Enduro... Who cares what they are called. Bike is bike

[@50centHotDog]

I really like my t-type and even I think having no cable-routing is ridiculous.

[@clarks888]

@@50centHotDogsame!

[@TFritz82]

how about it - like, any bike is a 'trail bike' only if you believe in yourself hahaha. Yeah, Sram really need to integrate individual gear trim/indexing into their damned app. I hate being held hostage by an app that is under-utilized IMO.

[@mikes.8305]

I love the Bronson, at least the “old” last gen Bronson. Interesting this felt the fastest but was second slowest on the time testing. Maybe the SC Geo is on point but the suspension isn’t? Or it just needs gnarlier terrain?

[@chrisfontaine6221]

the nomad says the flip adjusts shock feel more than it's geometry

[@zosterinski]

Could you compare it to the Nomad please?

[@alexisonbike3652]

So it's more of a downduro ?

[@Mtbmxing]

I never understood the “all mountain” tag. With the exception of xc and dh bikes, full sus usually fall into short, mid, or long travel trail bikes.

[@TeddyParker]

marketiiing

[@valleyryde7418]

“All Mountain” is just a term for bikes in the mid travel category that aren’t good at anything and just okay at everything.

[@TeddyParker]

@@valleyryde7418 "Okay Mountain... Bike." The OKMTB. Maybe not the best marketing term but more accurate.

[@valleyryde7418]

@@TeddyParker I think the only exceptions to this rule are the Process 153 and maybe the Remedy. They definitely punch above their weight class.

[@TeddyParker]

@@valleyryde7418 (blushes with my P153). the Remedy always looked weird on paper but looked totally fine in person. never got to properly ride one tho.

[@1xbikes]

With regard to what type of bike the Bronson is. I have always thought this. There are only two types of mountain bike. Bikes that go uphill, and bikes that go downhill. XC bikes go uphill, and downhill hill bikes do the opposite. All other bikes are a compromise, between the ups and the downs. So, instead of saying, this is a trail bike. Or saying, this is an enduro bike. Would it not be better to say, this bike is more uphill orientated? I ride a Propain Tyee 29'er as a trail bike, and a Spindrift Park as a downhill bike. The Spindrift will pedal uphill if you force it. Though it will punish you with every pedal stroke. The Tyee, gets up hills like a mountain goat being chased by a bear. Though I would argue, that it is better on the downs. Before I bought the Spindrift, the Tyee was my "trail" bike. After the Spindrift purchase it still is. The Bronson, is a big feature capable trail bike, with the emphasis on the descents.

[@jasonpatrickdeleon4701]

Can you review Dartmoor rocbird frame? Thanks Greetings from Philippines

[@ridemx323]

That flip chip hardware design sucks. The little flanges can get caught and bend/break as you tighten back down, and it’s not easy to see.

[@benjy288]

I would like to know what pinkbikes defines as a trail bike

[@SpencerBaum]

Why does it Matter? As long as they're comparing bikes with the same travel and with the same intention, who cares what they are called

[@benjy288]

@@SpencerBaum It matters, imagine how confusing it would be to someone new to mountain biking

[@SpencerBaum]

They'll buy a trail bike, and they'll be happy with it. Someone first getting into the sport 100% wouldent notice the difference between any of the bikes in this field test.

[@benjy288]

@@SpencerBaum They won't even know what a trail bike is, they'll just have to accept what the salesman's tells them

[@JoeJoe-C137]

That's interesting because santa cruz describe it as an enduro bike 🤷‍♂️ I'd say 150 rear is defo enduro territory

[@TheLoamMountaineer]

I’ll keep my Megatower v2, thanks 👍👍🇺🇸

[@lagwall]

The BronsonMX is designed for people who climb to go downhill.

[@ianmulhern5538]

sounds like the one for an ex Moto rider who just wants to go play on some steep Pennsylvania mountain trails and with gravity.

[@JS-sy8mo]

Do people cross shop wheel size bikes, like not sure if they want a mullet or a 29er? I think mixing mullets and 29ers in one field test is kinda weird when a significant variance between two bikes is literally wheel size... It would sort of be like having an xc field test with hard tails and FS bikes...if comparison is to be part of the process...why leave in such big variables?

[@A_shreddingDad]

Get a 27.5 5010. Cascade it. Throw a bigger fork on. Tall handlebars. You’ll thank me later

[@45graham45]

Yep, what I've done.

[@Bonky-wonky]

Might as well buy a bronson 3 then.. I own a 5010 v4 and there’s literally nothing I would change about it. Overforking will make it more capable but this would come at the expense of its trademark playfulness.

[@jonthesailorman]

That 5010 v5 will outride it. Such a rad trail bike.

[@1forrest1andy]

5010 v4 for me too. Tried overforking, went back to 140. Still a lyric for added stiffness under my 90kg weight. Switch to a 55mm stroke shock to get a bit more travel in the rear.

[@michaeltiffe6341]

That is my 5010 at 150/150. Love it and the long head tube makes it so strong for bigger hits. Custom Avalanche tuning on shock and fork with coil rear and coil/air hybrid fork.

[@TFritz82]

Double check those rotor measurements - it really shouldn't be 180 mil up front but rather 200.

[@vrwgq3q]

wait wait wait... is Mike Kaz the shortest of the bunch? - why are you guys riding large/ML rather than large/XL? - could explain why all ya'll complaining about not having 300+MM droppers

[@Mike_Kazimer]

The height range of testers for this round was 5'10" to 6'3" (I'm 5'11"), and we tested mainly size large bikes - all of the reach numbers were between 475-480mm.

[@vrwgq3q]

I wonder what the average inseam is of the bunch - I can't recall, is Santa Cruz still spec'ing reverbs or are they all SDGs now?

[@MasterChronometer]

5010 V5 is really the trail bike in the MX side of the family. It is a rocket uphill and corners like a cat.

[@mikeloamzzz9593]

a great bumbling bike apparently

[@45graham45]

Chain slap. That's just one more reason why having it wireless only sucks. Sram have week non adjustable clutches.

[@MrBig617]

Why are trail bikes just enduro bikes now?

[@rone7982]

Please bring back Levy

[@johndef5075]

Of course it needs all that travel. It weighs 34 lbs.....

[@zsanterre]

well ya dude, its just a mini nomad lol

[@dadlife8289]

These guys "reviews" sound like book reports written by someone who didn't read the book.

[@vigge79]

20min

[@johngruber9112]

30 seconds 1 Views

[@angelreynoso6723]

13 minutes 377 views

[@conorprendergast9909]

13 mins 377 views