Santa Cruz Tallboy
While the carbon Tallboy has been incredibly successful for Santa Cruz Bicycles, there is no denying it is a top shelf bike with a top shelf price, and for those of us out there who don't live in a mansion, the considerate chaps at Santa Cruz have brought their 29er VPP platform to a much more accessible pricepoint with an aluminum version of the Tallboy. Featuring the same 100mm (4") of rear travel, the Tallboy is designed as an XC/trail bike that is perfect for long days in the saddle on rolling, undulating terrain that brings out the best of the bigger wheels. Being the fastest growing segment in the mountain bike industry, the demand for 29er bikes like the Tallboy is increasing, as riders seek to increase their stability on the trail and benefit from a smoother ride that improves momentum over their smaller wheeled cousins. A 26" bike will still suit those riders who are after a more "animated" ride that allows them to really throw the bike around and whip around tight singletrack, though if you feel you could benefit from the increased traction, lower centre of gravity and trail-gobbling ability of the big wheels, a 29er Tallboy will keep you glued to the dirt whether you're winding up a steep climb or gliding over the top of a rock garden. There are a multitude of build options with the Tallboy, as with every Santa Cruz bike, and you can spec a 100 or 120mm travel fork up front, depending on the attitude you want the bike to have: 100mm for XC and endurance racing or 120mm for additional stability and comfort on the trails. Find out for yourself why the Santa Cruz Tallboy is becoming one of the most popular 29er bikes on the market.
 
From Santa Cruz:

“Tallboys have become mighty popular bikes in the relatively short time since we introduced them, and they have been getting rave reviews from the press and, more importantly, from the thousands of riders who’ve rolled off into the sunset aboard them. The pairing of VPP suspension and 29” wheels created a fast rolling, crisp handling, versatile bike that exploits the benefits of big wheels to the best of their advantage, at home anywhere from remote alpine singletrack to crowded jittery start lines. Now the tall can is available in aluminum – same geometry, same lines, same great suspension, teeny bit more weight, whole lot less money..”

Virtual Pivot Point
The patented VPP suspension by Santa Cruz is characterized by 2 counter-rotating mini links that separate the front triangle from the solid rear swingarm. By creating a "virtual pivot point" for the rear suspension, instead of the fixed main pivot like on a Superlight or Heckler, the Santa Cruz engineers are able to reduce the effect that chain torque (pedaling forces) has on the rear suspension, effectively reducing the pedal "bob" that you would normally get on a dually. In fact, we would encourage you to get out of the saddle and hammer the pedals on a VPP bike to see just how efficient the suspension really is. By reducing the negative effects your pedaling has on the suspension, you are able to climb faster, sprint harder and get more power to the rear wheel in a much wider variety of trail situations - all with less effort. The other cool feature to the VPP suspension is the path that the rear axle takes as it compresses through the travel, allowing for a balance between pedal efficiency and the ability to absorb those square-edge hits on rocks and roots. It all adds up to suspension that does its thing without you having to worry about flicking levers or adjusting your riding style, whether you're on a buff switchback climb or descending a fast-paced rock garden. Santa Cruz have also gone out of their way to ensure that your VPP bike is easy to maintain, with clever grease ports for the lower links bearings and durable hardware that uses basic hex keys to strip down the suspension, all without having to remove the cranks or BB cups. Combined with the stout links and oversized aluminum pivot axles, the VPP design gives you quality suspension in a laterally stiff frame that is easy to maintain and will last you for years to come.
 
Sizing
- Medium: Suits riders between 5'5" and 5'10"
- Large: Suits riders between 5'10" and 6'2"
- X Large: Suits riders between 6'2" and 6'5"

Frame Geometry:




The Santa Cruz Tallboy Alloy 29er features:

• Lightweight 6069 Alloy tubeset
• Carbon upper link and forged alloy lower link
• 100mm rear travel
• Designed for 100-120mm travel forks
• Sealed Angular Contact pivot bearings with Oversized pivot axles and locking collet heads
• Fox Float RP2 rear shock or Fox Float RP23 Boost Valve rear shock
• Tapered Headtube
• Seatpost diameter: 30.9mm
• Seatclamp included with frame
• Front Derailleur Spec: Hi Clamp, Top Pull, 34.9mm diameter
• Weight: 3000 grams (6.6lbs) with shock