Description
Redesigned for the fifth iteration of aggressive all-mountain prowess, the Santa Cruz Bronson is back, and with it comes some exciting new improvements. The Bronson is known to do it all; from crushing hair-raising descents, finessing through a jump line, and not shying away from a long, grueling climb, the Bronson is our go-to if we could only have one bike. This year, the Bronson updated its geometry for more capability, equipping us with a slacker 64. 2-degree headtube angle and longer, size-specific chainstays for more stability on steep terrain. Meanwhile, the steeper seat tube angle, averaging 78 degrees, puts us in a more efficient position to cruise up technical climbs. The redesigned Bronson has a new VPP suspension pivot layout to reduce anti-squat characteristics, rotating the rear shock more forward in the frame and parallel to the ground, making for a more efficient and smoother ride. The Bronson still rides on 150mm of VPP suspension, but it has been fine-tuned for more downhill capability through more progressive suspension kinematics. Thanks to the lower anti-squat characteristics, the Bronson is more active on technical terrain, providing a smoother ride and more traction. Additionally, the frame received a larger cutout above the bottom bracket to make sag reading and setup easier. The Bronson still sports its mixed-wheel setup for the best combination of speed, agility, and efficiency and its threaded bottom bracket and UDH configuration for durability and easy replacements. Of course, we can’t forget Santa Cruz’s beloved Glovebox internal frame storage, which allows us to stash tools, layers, and snacks inside our bike for easy access. The finishing features for the Bronson 5 include chainstay and downtube protection, a flip chip to slacken out our geometry for bike park days, and silent internal cable routing. The GX Eagle Transmission build of the Santa Cruz Bronson is equipped with quality components and an electronic drivetrain at a more budget-friendly price point than the top-tier builds. Santa Cruz’s Carbon C frame utilizes quality carbon fiber for a stiff and lightweight frame, and the Carbon C version is built to the same standards as the premium Carbon CC frame for reliability. SRAM’s GX Transmission AXS drivetrain gives us the latest technology in the electronic drivetrain market, providing flawless shifting even under load, an auto-adjusting clutch in the derailleur that aligns it back in the proper position should it get misaligned after a crash, and a nearly bombproof design. Reserve 30TR 6061 aluminum rims are lightweight and super durable and are paired with DT Swiss 370 hubs for a premium wheelset. Maxxis Assegai and DHRII tires with proper compounds and casings offer reliable grip and durability all over the mountain. Finally, the Performance Elite Float X rear shock soaks up trail chatter and keeps us gripped to the ground, and the Performance Elite 36, Grip X2, 160mm fork makes quick work of big hits.*Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be of equal or better spec level. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.
