I just picked up this 2016 Santa Cruz Tallboy CC EXACTLY how you see it in the first picture for $1,500 with the Reserve Wheels 30 SL carbon wheelset with Industry 9 hubs. Bike weighed in at 27 lbs 10 Oz with the X01 11 speed drivetrain and the Reverb hydraulic dropper. I have quite a bit of Eagle kit laying around and some other spare goodies. So I put it on the stand, threw in some new sintered compound pads, bled the brakes, installed a GX AXS derailleur & controller, GX 10-50T cassette, X01 chain, and OneUp 125mm dropper. Now it’s as you see it in the second photo. The rear shock still needs rebuilding.
So, I have 3 options here:
1. Continue to upgrade with Pike Ultimate 130mm fork, rebuild rear shock or replace with Rockshox unit, Maxxis Rekon (or similar) tires, SRAM Code RSC brakes, SRAM H2 rotors, and carbon WTB silverado saddle
2. Install a standard mechanical GX Eagle derailleur & shift lever, swap to Raceface AR 30mm alloy wheels, same tires, rebuild the rear shock and leave everything else
3. Sell it exactly as is for profit.
Thoughts please 🙏
by originaljfkjr
2 Comments
My ultimate goal is to have a 120-130 mm trail bike. I have the 100mm travel Blur for marathon XC.
I would say that is depends on your end goal. Is there something else you want to put the AXS on? Would the carbon wheels make your race bike lighter?
personally I would go with option 2, but add some beefier tires because I enjoy underbiking and pushing shorter travel bikes hard (I have a 120mm travel xc hardtail I sometimes use for DH trails for a bit of a change from my enduro bike and it also keeps the resale value and your investment low if you decide you fancy a change.
On the other hand, if you think your keeping the bike for long term then 100% option 1 if you have the parts available!
In the end tho, it’s your bike so do what you like!