After a long wait and some tantalising photos of the latest frame being developed, Santa Cruz have finally officially unveiled the latest model in its range, the new Highball Carbon 29er hardtail.
Here’s what the official statement from Santa Cruz says: “Bigger wheels have revived the venerable double diamond design, and by mixing the smooth rolling hoops with a feathery 2.4-pound carbon fiber frame, we’ve come up with a potent race weapon. Anyone who complains about a bad day climbing while riding this bike needs to find another sport. The Highball is insanely light, razor sharp, nimble but surefooted, stiff as a plank, and designed to do two things: 1. Race. 2. Win.”
The frame is light, just 2.45lb achieved by a full carbon fibre construction similar to that found on the Tallboy and Nomad. SC reckon a complete build, featuring the components pictured on the bike seen here, comes in at 21lb. We expect a sub-20lb weight should be possible with a few choice component choices.
Four sizes will be offered, including an XXL option which will please the taller riders out there, some of which have found the XXL Tallboy to be one of the few options when you’re over 6′ 5″.
There’s some tidy details to be found on the frame. Dropouts and the disc mount are moulded into the frame at the layup stage to reduce weight and ensure a stronger build, the chainstays are short to keep the wheelbase from being too long, there’s a tapered headtube to accept the current trend for bolt-through forks with tapered steerer tubes.
It looks good, and I for one can’t wait to see it in the flesh and swing a leg over it.
No word on UK pricing yet but over in the US it’ll set you back $1899 for just the frame – we’ll let you do the maths.
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