The Tallboy was the first purebred 29’er to grace Santa Cruz when it was launched way back in 2009, and since then the model has earned both legendary and iconic status. New for 2026 Santa Cruz has majorly overhauled the Tallboy, giving it more travel, less weight, and (drum roll please) a 4-bar rear linkage.
Now because we anticipate that a wave of ‘keyboard hero’s’ are about to light up the internet with their opinions about how SantaCruz has sold its soul to the devil for dropping their familiar VPP design in favour of a 4-bar linkage (which we’ve only seen in recent times on the brands latest e-MTB models) we decided to reach out to SantaCruz directly about the decision to ditch the VPP of their latest analogue MTB?
Well, simply put our brand refuses to compromise on ride quality, and after pushing the previous VPP Tallboy to its limits, they knew it was time for a new approach. Four-bar linkage unlocked everything they were looking for in this next iteration: reduced weight, improved seatpost insertion, and the ride characteristics they wanted—all while retaining that unmistakable Santa Cruz ride feel. With Vala and Bullit already proving the platform, confidence in this direction was validated.”
– Rachelle, Au Marketing Manager
You’d probably have to agree that the new Tallboy looks pretty f*king sweet, but there’s a lot more going on with this new bike that just it’s pretty looks. Let’s take a deeper dive into what else in new about the latest ‘gen Tallboy.
Key Features
One Frame, One Layup, All Drivetrains
- Tallboy frames are all made with our highest-grade CC Carbon to put maximum performance in the hands of every rider. And every frame accommodates mechanical drivetrain cable routing.
Sized And Tuned For Every Rider
- XS to XXL. The Tallboy has proportional geometry and stiffness, so every rider gets the same ride feel and performance across the size range. The new suspension layout also delivers better seatpost insertion, enabling longer droppers.
Glovebox V2
- A better latch, stronger engagement, and new mounting process makes Glovebox more durable, quieter, and easier to live with.
Flip Chip
- Hi for pedaling, Lo for sending. Dial in your preferred ride-feel and geometry without any fuss.
Accessory Mount
- A great place to mount a tube or multi-tool. More room for snacks in the Glovebox.
Specs, Weight, and Pricing:
- 130mm 4-Bar Rear Travel // 140mm Fork Travel
- CC Carbon Frame
- 29” Wheels
- XS – XXL Frame Sizes
Weight Complete bike from 13.2kg
Price Complete Bikes from: $7,499 here in Australia
Frame: $6,199 Au.
Slimmed Down, Beefed Up
The new Tallboy is 300 grams lighter than the previous model, and over 400 grams lighter than the 5010. With complete bike weights comfortably under 30 pounds, Tallboy is a capable trail bike that won’t punish you for having 130mm of travel.
Why Four-Bar?
Four-bar systems can easily achieve a low anti-squat, which means minimal pedal kickback on square-edge hits, and they remain active while pedaling up and across rough, technical terrain. They exhibit fantastic performance while braking on steep, rough terrain, isolating the rider from harshness and maintaining traction at all times. That means the bike (and subsequently, the rider) can be consistently composed while riding the hardest trails.