I was posting the other day about wanting a new bike, and how I was considering a MTB. It’s been years since I did any trails, but decided that I want to try and use the opportunity to get back into the game, so this weekend I’ll be going to test out two bikes that are up for sale in my area.
Santa Cruz Bronson CC and a Santa Cruz Hightower LT CC X01
They will mostly be doing trails, but I’d like something that I can grow into and do more stuff over time. And again; as mentioned before I’m an absolute beginner here but I’d rather buy once, cry once and all that.
Curious if anyone here has any thoughts or perhaps see anything I should be especially mindful of when I go to test them out?
The Hightower, as I understand, is largely stock, while the Bronson has the following components.
Rockshox Lyrik Rc2 160 mm.
Rockshox Super Deluxe 160 mm.
Cascade link.
Carbon Reserve 37mm with dt 350 nav.
Shimano Saint brakes
Shimano XT 11 spd gear.
Race face crank.
Oneup handlebar 35mm.
Schwalbe magic Mary tyres 2,6.
Oneup 210 v2 dropper.
Fabric saddle
Appreciate any tips or advice 🤜🤛
by Evil-economist
5 Comments
Forgot to add that the two bikes are basically priced the same, and both are from mid-2020
Both are multiple generations old but I like the Bronson better if you’re ok with 27.5.
29 or 27.5?
Meh… That is from the time period before they really properly ‘fixed’ 29ers.
The Bronson has a full degree steeper seat tube, full 1.5-2 degree slacker head tube, slightly longer reach per size, slightly shorter seat tube, etc etc
That said, if you just want to pedal around, and basically have a long legged XC bike… The Hightower is ok. Just okay.
But the Bronson is a much better all around trail bike that is still more than capable climbing and pedaling as well as much more comfortable descending. Only ‘downside’ is smaller wheels. Which is an upside for people like me. And not a huge issue given how long people have been enjoying 26 and 27 inch wheels.
Oh also he Bronson is when the lower VPP re-design took place so overall the weight distribution of the bike is much more pleasant during descending with that weight down down by the BB.
The Hightower got this treatment the very next year, so yeah… Close but no cigar. The comparison would be more fair with the re-designed Hightower.
NOTE: My opinion is of the models in general, not the specific generations of the models you posted. Not sure it makes a huge difference in the comparison though.
It depends on what you ride. I used to ride a bike similar to the Hightower. The Hightower very popular at the bike park I ride. It’s a good pedaler, but travel isn’t the best.
If you ride a bike park, or aggressive terrain, go Bronson, but know that pedaling uphill isn’t as easy as with the Hightower. If most of your riding is XC or quite a bit of uphill with only occasional bike park or aggressive terrain, go Hightower.
I ride the Bronson now and it’s made a huge difference on bike park blues and single blacks which are mostly downhill. Pedaling uphill is noticeably more of a slog than on my Stumpjumper.
Both are solid choices. I’d choose based on terrain and how much uphill you like to do.