Santa Cruz Highball: : Best bikes in the world live ride review.

[@buildersedge888]

Dude...fantastic! video! I felt like I was on the bike myself when you were screaming on the downhill. Wow! Looks like a fabulous bike! Thank you.

[@gmdelacruz9415]

Have had my Highball since 2014 and love it! Great review.

[@brush_popper]

Awesome bike. Awesome trail. Awesome rider.

[@brush_popper]

Wish I could find that model here in my country. Nice bike.

[@malayneum]

the geometry numbers are similar to s-works epic 2018. bikeradar gave a high score for it. could this highball be the cheaper alternative?

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, the geometry is very similar to the Epic hardtail except that the Highball is 10mm longer in reach.

[@jonathanjerman9155]

Great review. Curious if you’ve ridden the Ibis DV9 and can share a comparison.

[@GuyKesTV]

Sorry Jonathan, I haven't used the DV9 yet.

[@ghettomoto3804]

How does this compare to the chameleon? I ride in Seattle’s pnw and we have a lot of tactical trails. I am a roadie too so I love speed and thinking about potentially doing some xc racing this year. Any help would be great

[@ghettomoto3804]

Guy Kesteven thank you so much for the quick reply! You are the man. I already have a Bronson so maybe the chameleon is more of the same and the highball might be a better choice

[@GuyKesTV]

No worries buddy. Beats weighing 16 different dropper posts for a magazine grouptest which is what I should be doing! As daft as it sounds given that one has 150mm of travel I'd say Chameleon and Bronson are really similar in character - punchy and a ton of fun if you ride them rude. Highball will definitely add a very different but still very enjoyable ride option to your Seattle sorties. Get some skinnier tyres on and it'll slay a lot of gravel bikes too if that's a thing up in your corner.

[@ghettomoto3804]

Guy Kesteven okay so now I just watched your review on the Blur. Both of these bikes look really good. I’ve watched some of the World Cup this year and most guys are opting for full suspension now. Which bike do you think would be better? Hope you got around to weighing your dropper posts 🤪

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, literally just pressed send on 4273 words of dropper post joy! Just to double check do you mean you just watched the Blur video or Highball?

[@ghettomoto3804]

Guy Kesteven let just say I watched both of your videos on the new blur and highball. I’m torn now if I should go with the hard tail or full suspension. Considering I already have a Bronson I’m not sure if it makes sense to get another full suspension bike. What are your thoughts and where are you posting your reviews on the seat posts?

[@supersammie2007]

Great video! How does it compare to the newer Air 9 RDO?

[@GuyKesTV]

SSpecial_K I’m afraid I’ve not ridden the latest Air but it’s definitely the smoothest race hardtail I’ve ridden recently. Even smoother than the Cannondale Si. Geometry/clearances and warranty are more trail friendly than most too.

[@supersammie2007]

Great to hear! Plan is to make this my dedicated race bike and I love the fact that SC has lifetime warranty on their frames.

[@GuyKesTV]

Yeah, it's certainly good for peace of mind. Niner are also going through a bunch of ownership changes right now (currently Huffy group I think) so not sure how that will play out long term.

[@loudawgs]

Hello Mate, I cant find any info on the 2016 Santa Cruz High Ball. How do you rate it? I found one for sale used. What do you think I should pay for it? Thank you mate! Cheers

[@GuyKesTV]

DjSweet Lou the previous Highball was a lot stiffer but crazy quick if you want a proper power bike. Can’t really help on price I’m afraid as it depends on spec and condition.

[@loudawgs]

@@GuyKesTV Thank you for the quick reply!

[@adamcoppock5018]

Hi Guy, thanks for the video. I am looking at buying a highball, I am 5ft 9.5 tall. I fall right between the M and L size.... what size would you go for if you were my height?

[@GuyKesTV]

Adam Coppock if you can try them out at a demo or just in a dealer. Hightower is relatively long for an XC hardtail but I’m used to long bikes so rode a large (I’m 5 11). What bike do you ride now and what Stem length?

[@diehlleonardo06]

What you think about large handlebars like that (750mm) ?

[@GuyKesTV]

Leonardo Diehl for pure racing they’re maybe going to be an issue on the start line, but for control on tougher trails they’re great. It also depends what width you’re used to.

[@diehlleonardo06]

I went from 700mm to 720mm and felt the need to increase. I have a 780mm and I need to cut it, my doubt varies between 740, 750 and 760. I have observed most brands with large handlebars actualy.

[@GuyKesTV]

Leonardo Diehl if you have time start with a cut to 760. if you still catch on trees or it feels too big, chop to 750 and so on. If it’s the feel of the width rather than hitting trees that is the problem then just move yours grips and controls in until you find the sweet spot and then cut the bar to that width.

[@diehlleonardo06]

Guy Kesteven thanks! I will do that!

[@royrcf]

Nice bike and a good review. Is there a rider weight limit for this frame?

[@GuyKesTV]

rory flowers I’m almost certain there’s no weight limit on the Highball but let me check.

[@GuyKesTV]

Hey Rory, got the official word back from Santa Cruz which is: "we started listing max weights in the owner's manual- it's technically 300 lbs for all models."

[@royrcf]

Hi Guy , Thank you for the update, that is very interesting. I have been a fan of Santa Cruz bikes for years and the Highball will be top of my list when I come to update my bike

[@ebenlaubscher4153]

Great review

[@richyd2411]

Wish some one would review the more affordable C frame .

[@GuyKesTV]

Hey Richard, I've not ridden the C Blur but I've ridden the C Bronson, Tallboy and 5010 a lot and all of those are impossible to tell apart in terms of stiffness. Even how they react to the trail in terms of chatter/vibration is essentially a wash too. The only difference is around 2-250g extra weight, but they're still a lot lighter than the carbon versions. I know that's not an exact answer to your question but hope it helps.

[@pault477]

Would it also work on city streets?

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, it'd take anything urban in its stride, but a Santa Cruz Stigmata gravel bike would be better for mixed on and off road.

[@totalglitch]

Could you throw 700cwheels on this and use it as a gravel bike?

[@GuyKesTV]

Absolutely. You don't even need different wheels. 35-40mm gravel tyres will fit fine on the existing wheels. Just don't go too high on the pressures.

[@hervemasson5976]

nice vidéo Guy !! did you test the Highball with 2 differents offset ? if yes do you prefer 44 or 51 ? thanks !

[@GuyKesTV]

herve masson I’ve not tried Highball with the 51, but have tried Blur with both and I’d definitely go with the 44mm.

[@hervemasson5976]

@@GuyKesTV thank you Guy .

[@davecech4741]

Hi Guy - I have two 2nd gen Highballs in the garage...one Eagle XO1 and the other XT (gotta have a back-up bike!). One of my buddies test rode the new 3rd generation Highball and claims it's his new mistress and after watching your video I am feeling like I am missing out on the party. I am happy with my bikes and often ride the Bay Area trails you have in your Santa Cruz review videos. I guess my question is, how much would I benefit from switching to the 3rd gen highball frame on one of the bikes for a typical ride in Demo, Skeggs or even Ft. Ord? Also, knowing that I am a more XC focused kind of dude, if I wanted a full suspension bike in my quiver, is the Blur the right choice, or should I consider something with a little more travel and slacker to broaden the range of what I can go tackle confidently (say UCSC for example)? I know I need to get out and do a test ride, but it would be great to get your thoughts here.

[@jandeclercq7535]

How big are you Guy ?

[@GuyKesTV]

Hi Jan, I'm 180cm/5foot 11in, 69kg/154lbs, and run a 75cm/29.5in BB centre to saddle top height (I have short legs and a long body). Hope that helps.

[@Montblanc1986]

Highball XX1 or Specialized Epic S-Works Guy?

[@GuyKesTV]

Kazak Thranduil I’ve not ridden the Epic yet. Geometry is very similar and S-Works frame is 50g lighter. The Highball is £1000 cheaper for similar XX1 spec though.

[@exodusvelo]

The highball, any day. Specalied is quite boring in comparison, much less slooping, boring "race" graphics, a true corporate look if you ask me. Santa is a brand too, but I think if you imagine looking bike at both those two options in a 5-10 year time, the santa would look great, like an old Fat Chance. the s-works would be just meeeeh!! Will look like a 2009 scott scale... horrible.

[@Montblanc1986]

How tall are you?

[@GuyKesTV]

Hi Kazak, I’m 180cm and ride a large

[@exodusvelo]

F#6king proper video review, many should learn. Been behind these frame for a long time, just ordered one, waiting for it to arrive anxiously.

[@GuyKesTV]

Wow, thanks fella. Hope your frame gets to you soon.

[@happy2818df]

a new XX dub is seriously stiffer than the previous XX version... for sure man...

[@GuyKesTV]

The old one was pretty flexy though eh!

[@Goodman-4525]

Can't believe it's still a 27.2 post. At least there's still a threaded bb (yay!)

[@GuyKesTV]

You get so much more flex out of a skinny rigid post it's too tempting to ignore if you're trying to make life in the saddle comfortable. There are a few more dropper options than there used to be and I reckon we'll be seeing a ton more skinny short travel posts once gravel bikers start deciding to use them.

[@Goodman-4525]

Guy Kesteven The most travel a 27.2 post has (that I can find) is 100mm that KS makes. Besides, if the post is an alu one, won't metal fatigue snap it eventually?

[@GuyKesTV]

TBH, 100mm is probably as much as you need if you're sat behind a 69.5-degree head angle already. From my experience the posts are generally OK in 27.2mm, it's the frames that go! SC have specced a Syntace carbon anyway and the frame is lifetime warrantied so they must be confident in it.

[@Goodman-4525]

Guy Kesteven It's only carbon on the top builds. The base bike (which I might be able to afford) has rf ride post

[@Goodman-4525]

Guy Kesteven oh and I don't see a front mech mount either

[@natokowski734]

I understand every word your saying ..no need for subtitles!!

[@GuyKesTV]

Glad you can understand me, not everyone can! Plus the subtitles work if people are watching with the sound off

[@royrcf]

Also helps if English is not your first language.

[@Morte_Deus]

@@GuyKesTV i liked the subtitles!