Santa Cruz Highball 29er
Building on the success of the 29er Tallboy dual suspension bike, the Highball has been introduced by Santa Cruz Bicycles as the leaner and meaner hardtail brother of the Tallboy. Sharing the same 29er DNA as the Tallboy, the Highball features tight chainstays, a short headtube and an aggressive "long and low" geometry that makes it more suitable for flat out XC racing and riding. Being the first XC Santa Cruz bike without a rear shock, the Highball is also the lightest frame they have ever produced, coming in at a staggering 1120 grams! But don't let the weight fool you, the clever brains at Santa Cruz wanted to ensure that this frame would maintain the snappy acceleration, responsive handling and ride quality that their bikes are renowned for, and the Highball delivers that in spades. With the larger 29er wheels able to roll more smoothly and confidently over rough terrain, the Highball becomes ideal for anything from short track XC racing through to Enduros events, where it's incredible power transfer and low weight will have you chasing down the podium. Sure, a dually could be the better option for really rough trail riding with chunky rock gardens and drop-offs, but if you're on rolling terrain with lots of climbing, sweeping descents, log roll-overs and buff singletrack, you would struggle to find a faster and more fun bike than the Highball. Bridging the gap between sluggish-handling 29ers and twitchy 26" race hardtails, the Highball carbon 29er delivers an all-round ride that will suit any rider willing to search for the limits on the race track.
From
Santa Cruz:
"There are still those times and places where the best way to light the fuse and blow everyone else into the weeds is by riding a hardtail. Bigger wheels have revived the venerable double diamond design, and by mixing the smooth rolling hoops with a feathery 2.4-pound carbon fiber frame, we’ve come up with a potent race weapon. Anyone who complains about a bad day climbing while riding this bike needs to find another sport. The Highball is insanely light, razor sharp, nimble but surefooted, stiff as a plank, and designed to do two things: 1. Race. 2. Win."
The Santa Cruz Highball 29er Carbon features:
-
29er specific Carbon Fiber frame
-
Unique net molding process and continuous carbon fiber frame technology
-
Designed for 100-120mm travel forks
-
Tapered Headtube
-
Seatpost diameter: 30.9mm
-
Seatclamp included with frame
-
Front Derailleur Spec: Hi Clamp, Top Pull, 34.9mm diameter
-
Weight: 1120 grams (2.47 lbs)
Sizing
- Medium: Suits riders between 5'5" and 5'10"
- Large: Suits riders between 5'10" and 6'1"
- X Large: Suits riders between 6'1" and 6'4"
- XX Large: Suits riders between 6'4" and 6'7"
Frame Geometry:
D XC 29" Build:
A brand new build kit option for 2012, the D XC spec gives riders the opportunity to get onto the amazing Highball frame at a cracking price. The full 10 speed Shimano Dyna-Sys drivetrain provides slick and dependable shifting, and the latest Avid Elixir 1 disc brakes will pull you up in a hurry with their ferocious power. Knowing the value of a solid 29er wheelset, Santa Cruz have laced up the WTB Laserdisc rims to Shimano Deore disc hubs for a dependable and serviceable wheelset for the privateer XC racer. Sure you could drop weight from the wheels and other areas of the bike, though the beautiful Highball frame will back up any upgrades you choose to make down the track.
-
Shimano 3x10 speed Drivetrain with SLX rear derailleur and Deore 2-piece crankset
-
Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors
-
Easton EA30 Low-rise Bars, Stem & Seatpost with WTB Rocket V saddle
-
WTB Laserdisc XC 29" Wheelset with Shimano M525 hubset
-
Maxxis Crossmark 2.1" tyres
-
Compatible forks: RockShox Recon Silver TK 29" Solo Air 100mm Taper QR
R XC 29" Build:
Centered around the new 10 speed drivetrain that combines Shimano XT and SLX components, the R XC 29" build is the next level up in quality for riders after a slicker and more durable drivetrain, as well as improved braking quality with the upgraded Avid Elixir 5 brakes. The wheels receive a substantial upgrade in the weight and stiffness stakes thanks to a custom Mavic TN719 wheelset that uses the smooth rolling XT hubset that makes for a solid choice for laying the power down. Further dropping weight, the lightweight Truvativ Stylo cockpit and folding Maxxis Crossmark tyres trim excess fat - which is ideal if you're getting into longer rides and racing.
-
Shimano 3x10 speed Drivetrain with Deore XT derailleurs and M552 2-piece crankset
-
Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors
-
Truvativ Stylo Team Bars and Stylo Race Stem
-
Easton EA50 seatpost and WTB Volt Race saddle
-
Mavic TN719 Wheelset with Shimano XT hubs
-
Maxxis Crossmark 2.1" folding kevlar tyres
-
Compatible forks: RockShox Reba RL Dual Air 29" 100mm Taper QR15, Fox 32 Float 29 100mm RLC Taper QR15, Fox 32 Float 29 120mm RLC Taper QR15
SPX XC 29" Build:
For those after a bomber build that keeps everything solid and dependable for back country riding, while dropping overall bike weight compared to the cheaper builds, the SPX XC build kit ups the ante in quality with a full Shimano XT 10 speed drivetrain, carbon fiber Easton EC70 handlebars and Thomson Elite seatpost. The 29er specific Mavic wheelset is built on the solid TN719 rims and dependable DT Swiss 350 hubset. Rounding off this sweet build are the new XT brakes that provide increased stopping power with a stout, one-finger brake lever. If you want a bike that leaves you little reason to upgrade anything - the SPX option gives you top of the range performance, without the top of the range price. .
-
Shimano 3x10 speed Drivetrain with full Deore XT shifting, cranks and derailleurs
-
Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm Ice Tech rotors
-
Easton EA70 stem and EC70 carbon handlebars
-
Thomson Elite seatpost with WTB Silverado Team saddle
-
Custom Mavic TN719 Wheelset with DT Swiss 350 hubs and double butted DT Swiss spokes
-
Maxxis Crossmark 2.1" folding kevlar tyres
-
Compatible forks: RockShox Reba RL Dual Air 29" 100mm Taper QR15, Fox 32 Float 29 100mm RLC Taper QR15, Fox 32 Float 29 120mm RLC Taper QR15
XTR XC 29" Build:
The no-holds-barred full XTR build kit is now available on the Highball for those riders after the absolute mac-daddy groupset on their new steed. Updated for 2012 with the addition of the excellent XTR disc brakes, the top-tier build also sees the new M985 Shadow Plus rear derailleur that provides secure chain retention thanks to a firmer spring arrangement. A race-ready Mavic 29er wheelset drops rotational weight, without sacrificing the stiffness or acceleration that is so important to a quality 29er bike. Matching the chrome finish on the XTR cranks and brakes is a beautiful Cane Creek 110 headset and Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, that ensure the carbon Highball is not without its bling. For the serious enthusiast and competitive rider, the full XTR build is all about having a bike that is quiet, efficient, smooth and durable whilst also being about as light as you can possibly get.
-
Shimano 3x10 XTR drivetrain with 24/32/42 crankset, 11-36t cassette and M985 Shadow Plus rear derailleur
-
Shimano XTR Hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm Ice Tech rotors
-
Easton EA90 stem with EC70 carbon riserbar
-
Thomson Masterpiece Seatpost with WTB Silverado SLT saddle
-
Cane Creek 110 Headset
-
Custom Mavic Wheelset with DT 240s rear hub, Chub 15mm front hub and Mavic TN719 rims
-
Maxxis Crossmark 2.1" folding kevlar tyres
-
Compatible forks: RockShox Reba RL Dual Air 29" 100mm Taper QR15, Fox 32 Float 29 100mm RLC Taper QR15, Fox 32 Float 29 120mm RLC Taper QR15
Choose Santa Cruz bikes for innovative design and quality geometry!