The Tallboy has been around in Santa Cruz’s lineup for what feels like forever. It actually launched way back in 2009 and was one of the first 29in mountain bikes to gain much traction at a time when 26in wheels ruled the roost across every category from Lycra-clad XC whippets to baggy kit-wearing motocross-influenced DH huckers.
With an aluminum frame and 100mm rear travel, the original model had a much more climb-orientated and cross-country outlook than this latest fifth-generation shape that sells itself as the "downhiller’s XC bike" – which translates well to being one of the best short travel trail bikes around. Tallboy 1 presumably wouldn’t be slaying too many downhills with its maximum recommended tire width of 2.35in and 135x12mm bolt thru-axle, which I can barely remember was even a ‘thing’.
