Santa Cruz’s new Blur TRc 5in-travel trail bikeMatt Pacocha
The swoopy frame packages cross-country weight with slack all-mountain anglesMatt Pacocha
The upper swing link is carbonMatt Pacocha
The TRc relies on a standard quick-release rear end, which Santa Cruz say is plenty stiff due to its one-piece designMatt Pacocha
A new derailleur hanger sandwiches the carbon drive side dropoutMatt Pacocha
A stout top tube terminates in a tapered ZeroStack head tubeMatt Pacocha
A tapered head tube helps boost steering stiffnessMatt Pacocha
Like all of Santa Cruz’s carbon VPP bikes, all of the shock and linkage anchor points are molded from carbon onlyMatt Pacocha
The down tube stems from the 1.5in tapered head tube and terminates in a large bottom bracket assembly, which gives the bike rock solid pedaling and steering characteristicsMatt Pacocha
The down tube features bottle mounts within the front triangle and belowMatt Pacocha
The asymmetric lower linkage offers grease portsMatt Pacocha
The reason for the asymmetric design of the lower linkage is to allow for use of a bottom bracket mounted chain guideMatt Pacocha
A clearer view of the VPP systemMatt Pacocha
The new Santa Cruz Highball in matte carbon greyMatt Pacocha
The Highball features a tapered head tubeMatt Pacocha
The Highball routes cables along the underside of the top tube, and relies on Santa Cruz’s universal use of a 30.9mm seatpostMatt Pacocha
A Highball tumbler and good clearance for a 2.0in tireMatt Pacocha
The Highball sports carbon dropoutsMatt Pacocha
The Highball looks to take on Niner’s Air 9 Carbon, Scott’s Scale 29er and the Trek SuperflyMatt Pacocha
The Highball’s wide top tubeMatt Pacocha
Santa Cruz decided to stick with a standard threaded bottom bracket shell for the Highball. They have, however, fitted SRAM’s 156mm Q-factor XX crankMatt Pacocha
The non-drive dropout and disc brake mount are molded from carbonMatt Pacocha
The seat tube features a slight sweep to better clearancesMatt Pacocha
The Tallboy has been so popular in the 29er segment that Santa Cruz have now molded it from aluminum to broaden its reachMatt Pacocha
Tapered head tube on TallboyMatt Pacocha
Tallboy now mirrors much of Santa Cruz’s line in the sense that it comes in both carbon and alloyMatt Pacocha
Santa Cruz equipped the Tallboy with a 120mm Fox Float 29 RLC fork for the launchMatt Pacocha
Tallboy features a forged swing linkMatt Pacocha
Tallboy also uses the offset lower link allowing for plenty of drivetrain clearanceMatt Pacocha
Big wheels and 4in of VPP suspension travel have made the carbon Tallboy very popularMatt Pacocha
Massive tubes offer front end steering stiffness and strength, but are said to come up short of what can be offered in carbonMatt Pacocha