What do we think about the new tallboy? Lots riders have been asking for a 130mm 29er with a 140 fork, which climbs pretty fast and is fun on mixed trails and jumps etc. Basically, a replacement for our ‘23 Optics, Smugglers, trailcats etc. Thoughts?
by Lopsided_Belt_2237
9 Comments
I have a tallboy 5. I still have a great time on it, but If i could change anything about it, i would get a hightower.
If it’s essentially the same bike on paper as a smuggler and an optic, then what would compel you to upgrade to this? Is it an upgrade?
The Norco fluid is under 3000$ with similar travel and design, why would you choose this over that, or any other horst link trail bike?
I’m genuinely curious as this segment has me interested but since the tallboy shares the same design with so many other bikes, I struggle to understand why it’s worth the price. That purple is really calling me though lol .. still not enough to pay the sc tax, and I say this as someone who’s owned many Santa cruz bikes and loved them all.
I guess the big question you raise is why would anyone need a replacement for a 3 year old optic or smuggler? And what about it could make the sc tax worthwhile? Even the previous gen, if you wanted a short travel dual link trail bike, you could get a ripley or trance for way cheaper.
I have had a Tallboy since 2023, it’s great, but I don’t really feel like the vpp was any better than other brands, so I don’t see the point of paying nf extra for it
Now the vpp is gone
Why would anyone spend $7,000 on one of these when it’s the same bike as a $4,000 specialized or Trek or Transition?
It’s way too fucking expensive
As others have said you can get a fluid for way cheaper and there’s now nothing unique about this rig without the vpp
You can argue the premium for the blur (XC tax). For longer travel bikes they are very versatile and they are vpp so I think there’s a case for the cost there
But this? Who is this even for? I’m a mountain bike sicko and I’m not gonna pay 9 large (Australian) for a short travel trail bike
Santa Cruz Smuggler
Same travel and weight as a gen 5 Trek Fuel EX
I love this category but this bike doesn’t make sense at this price.
I’d choose the smuggler over this. I’d choose a revel rascal over both smuggler and this.