In quick succession SantaCruz released new versions of 2 of the most popular all-time bikes in their star-studded line up; the Bronson and the Hightower. We’ve been fortunate to get our hands one each of them and we’ve spent the past couple of months test riding them back-to-back. Which model will suit what kind of rider and ultimately which one did we prefer the most? Let’s dive in and find out.
Words // Blake Nielsen Photos // Matt Staggs
It would probably be fair to say that in years past the Hightower and Bronson did not appear to be so closely related, beyond the family genes. With these new versions of each bike though, they’re essentially the same except one is a dedicated 29” and the other is exclusively mixed wheels sized. When comparing same frame size Bronson directly to same size Hightower how closely matched are the pairs travel, geometry and key measurements such as rear end, wheelbase, reach, etc?
That is a great starting point for this back-to-back review of these 2 bikes, I was actually a bit gob-smacked when I delved into the geometry of the 2 new versions once I found out I was getting both! I looked back through the previous generations of geo (massive shoutout to the Santa Cruz website and their bike archive!) and it has never really differed. It’s quite rare that we get 2 bikes from the same brand simultaneously so I was stoked to jump into it and nerd out.
Santa Cruz have always stayed true to their commitment of not having “mulletable” bikes or anything of the nature and it makes perfect sense, no matter how well it is achieved, there will always be compromises in both directions. Sticking true to making the best performing bikes that they possibly can, Santa Cruz takes the time to perfect with one wheel size, finding a set geometry for a particular genre of bikes and making the rest of the pieces of the puzzle work around that. Literally, and I mean literally the only difference in the geometry is 3mm in the chainstay lengths in the 2 new models, surprisingly of which the Bronson actually has the longer chainstay, even with it’s smaller 27.5 rear wheel.
Although they are so damn similar on paper, I was actually pretty damn surprised with how different they still feel and behave out on the trail.
Now in its 5th generation since Santa Cruz first introduced the Bronson back in 2013, this platform has become one of the worlds most recognised ’trail bikes’ of our generation. It’s also become known as the quintessential purebred mixed wheel ‘mullet’ platforms. There’s always a gamble when a brand goes back to the drawing board to a create ’new version’ of an extremely popular existing model. What benchmarks were Santa Cruz chasing with the 5th ‘gen Bronson?
While it has seen some pretty drastic changes visually and with how the bike rides out on the trail, I think it is almost better to look at the 5th gen as being a refinement rather than a new version. Santa Cruz have always done a great job at picking up on things within their own design that they think could be done better and incorporating that around aspects that are already fantastic in any given design. The changes that they made around the VPP suspension design were quoted to be purely performance based, at first I was a little worried that this would take away from the fun, playful nature that the Bronson is known for, but it has done no such thing. To me MX 150/160mm travel bike should be all about having the most fun possible on a bike, while still comfortably climbing all the way back to the top of the hill, that is a massive benchmark of this class of bike and the Bronson wasn’t chasing that, it already was the benchmark. In the latest generation though, it is all of that and so much more.
To me it makes total sense to update both the Hightower and Bronson at the same time and with the same effective changes. As far as allrounder bikes go it is bloody hard to go past the Hightower, that is even more relevant now with the new linkage system, the added traction from the updated VPP really does make the 150mm of travel seem like more in some ways, feeling a little less harsh off the top if setup on the stiffer side to keep things balanced if you’re climbing as much as you are descending. While I can’t put my finger on exactly why, the new Hightower seems a little more lively and playful than its previous version and other bikes in the category too.
One design element that both bikes share is that the rear shock has been positioned a little lower and further forward in the frame, a move that was made in order to increase the bikes ‘anti squat’. Can you start by giving us an overview of what exactly anti squat is and why Santa Cruz made such a focus on minimising ‘it’ on both of these new models?
Anti-squat is the act of the suspension system compressing whilst the bike is accelerating under pedal power, a more common description is how pedal efficient a bike may be, but there is a lot more to it than just that. A “higher” amount of anti-squat gives the suspension a harsher feeling almost as if it’s binding up, too little anti-squat and you will have the feeling of excessive pedal bob even if your suspension spring rate is correct. Finding that sweet spot for any given linkage system will give a feeling of your suspension system being free and uninfluenced by external forces, offering better traction, better feel for what the bike is doing underneath you and a more efficient and effective use of your shock. By Santa Cruz’s own admission then by lowering the anti-squat, they must have felt that their previous models weren’t as effective in these areas as they could have been, which is just natural progression of design.
It is mind boggling how much the smallest of changes in shock position/pivot point layout can make to all of these values, which change throughout the suspensions stroke too. All that effort was well worth it by the engineering team, as these are some bloody amazing bikes out on the trail.
You’ve ridden previous versions of both of these bikes (by name sake) so when you first hopped on these new versions what stood out to you about how the rear wheel ’tracked’ in terms of what Santa Cruz were chasing with reducing anti squat – does it seem to make a difference out on the trail in the real world?
The updates around the suspension have made an enormous difference to the overall feel of the bikes on the trail. To be honest at first you kind of don’t get that VPP feeling, it feels a little foreign to what you expect but once you get into the nitty gritty of it it does feel like the natural progression of the linkage system that has had so much impact on the industry for all these years. The added grip levels and the feel you get of the trail underneath you are second to none, there is a real sense of connection to the ground, without any harshness or chatter at the same time. When you work through the changes they seem quite small on paper but they make for a huge impact in the real world.
What are some of the other major changes/tweaks that Santa Cruz have introduced into the frame design of each bike?
While they both retain the tried and true VPP suspension linkage system layout, it has seen some pretty major changes in kinematics like we have mentioned in regards to the anti-squat values. In doing so from a “function over form” perspective, the frame does look quite different to previous generations and other VPP bikes alike, with the rear shock in a lower and further back position. Santa Cruz have added a bit of extra flair to the redesign, while also keeping the general feel of the layout to remain the same and to be honest, other than updates to geometry for the most part they have stayed the same. The previous models of both bikes were up to date with frame storage, all of the best common standards in headsets, BB’s ect so there was no need to reinvent the wheel on these fronts, instead all focuses were on performance, particularly around the already loved VPP system.
Alright so in our reviews we often talk about the ‘personality’ of a bike, meaning the nature in which is handles, it’s playfulness, it’s character on the descents, what it’s like to pedal and where it’s limits are. And so with that in mind, how would you articulate the ‘personality’ of the Bronson?
The Bronson is an all day trail bike, but it almost feels like it doesn’t want to be called that anymore. It is super efficient and is not going to have you loathing a massive climb by any means, however it feels like it wants to be classified in the next tier above, because there is no feeling of it not being capable of big features and the roughest of terrain. The way you sit in the bike is incredibly comfortable and will make you feel at home instantly, regardless of what bike you’re coming off. It eggs you on to try that risky line or go deeper on that big jump, it’s ready and willing for whatever task you put it up to.
Okay, okay, so let’s go ahead and dive straight into describing the ‘personality’ of its big bro the HighTower?
To be brutally honest, the Hightower has the same personality out on the trail in my opinion, just with a bigger wheel haha. It still feels like a thoroughbred that will happily pedal all day, but there’s a little devil on it’s shoulder that wants you to go big! I really don’t think that the larger rear wheel takes away from that at all, it is just a different option from those riders out there that feel the benefits of a slightly larger contact patch on the rear end is for their liking.
What kind of rider, and what kind of riding experience that a rider is chasing, would you say each of these bikes is going to suit that little bit more over the other?
I really think they will offer the same experience for any respective riders, any rider that has been on a number of different bikes or has been around for a little while will have their own reasons for preferring either size of rear wheel. With everything else throughout each bike being so damn close it is no surprise that they feel so similar, I was expecting more difference myself though I’ll be honest. To me, it will come down to riding style, height/leg length and what any particular rider would prefer to ride on the most often ridden trails that would be of an advantage on either bike.
Before we get to your final verdict can you set the scene by giving us some insight about your personal riding style the sorts of trails you ride ‘most often’ which will obviously be two of the largest contributing factors choosing between these bikes?
While I’m not a focussed racer anymore and would prefer to slide though a corner than get optimum grip, I’m certainly a sucker for big jumps and love to play around making features out of things that were never designed to be that. I am only 170cm tall and have quite short legs for my height and have a hard time not getting hung up on a 29er rear wheel (RIP beloved Fox pants and shorts). My local trails are reasonably tight and very loose with constantly changing terrain thanks to a lot of rock.
Drum roll please… if you had to pick between these 2 bikes to be the 1 and only bike you got to ride for the next season or so, which are you opting for!?
Personally I would have to go for the Bronson, but it was a very tight decision! I love both bikes in their own respects and while they are so damn similar there certainly are differences in feel on the trail. My riding style and the types of trails I lean towards definitely make me lean towards the MX setup and that is the sole reason for the Bronson. I absolutely loved riding the two bikes back to back, this is something I often do on the same day and even section for section, never have I had two bikes that were so close in their geometry and all round behaviour before. I admire Santa Cruz for sticking to their guns and having dedicated wheel size bikes, they could easily combine these two and other bikes in the range in the same way to have the 2 wheel option, they would also have higher profit margins in doing so due to having less carbon moulds. In the aim of performance and making no compromises to having the absolute best possible end product though, the hyper brand will continue (I hope) to make these dedicated bikes.
Key details 5th generation Bronson
Wheel size // Mullet, 29” front, 27.5” rear
Frame // Full carbon, choice of two carbon ‘layup specs’ being C and CC, lifetime warranty of frame and bearings.
Pricing // Frames from: $3499 Complete builds from: $4999
Browse // www.santacruzbicycles.com
Key details 4th generation Hightower
Wheel size // 29” front and rear
Frame // Full carbon, choice of two carbon ‘layup specs’ being C and CC, lifetime warranty of frame and bearings.
Pricing // Frames from: $3499 Complete builds from: $4999
Browse // www.santacruzbicycles.com