2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy: Everything you need to know
I first saw the 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy at the Santa Cruz European HQ in Morzine last summer. It caused quite a stir, especially after Steve Peat put it on his Instagram page. It was sitting there in the window in the gorgeous Rocksteady Yellow and it was obvious that it had gone through some updates. The first thing I noticed was the larger head tube and fat down tube that is slightly squared off.
But taking a closer look revealed that the shock is mounted lower in the frame and uses the VPP suspension system. It has now has 10mm more travel on the front and the rear. So, what does all this mean? In this post I am going to delve in to the details of the 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy.
Who is it for?
The 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy is for those that want a short travel 29″ wheeled mountain bike that has excellent capability with a nimble and snappy feel. You will find yourself at home on this bike pretty quickly and feel confident about tackling more technical terrain straight away. If you tend to go for big rides and need something that is easy to pedal, you will love this bike. On climbs it has the characteristics of a cross country bike, but feels like a playful trail bike the rest of the time.
Details
The 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy comes in two colours, Rocksteady Yellow and Stormbringer Purple. You get the choice of two different levels of carbon Fram material, C and CC (CC is the top end version). The top spec bikes come with Shimano XTR or SRAM Eagle AXS, with SRAM NX Eagle at the bottom of the carbon-framed bikes.
There is also an aluminium frame, if you want to save some money and are not bothered about the exotic stuff. But whichever frame material you choose, you are going to get a very stiff and responsive bike.
Prices start from £2,899 for the Tallboy D and go up to £9,299 for the CC XX1 ASX Reserve.
Suspension Details
The 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy is following in the footsteps of other Santa Cruz mountain bikes with the VPP suspension system. VPP stands for Virtual Pivot Point which gives the bike a better suspension curve than its predecessor. This design gives late stroke progression for plenty of control on bigger impacts. It also reduces the amount the bike bobs while pedalling.
Geometry
There is definitely a trend ant the moment with mountain bike geometry. This trend is blurring the lines between the different categories of bikes. Historically 29″ wheeled bikes with short travel have mainly been used for cross country riding. This means that they were always expected to be ridden a bit more conservatively. But, the way bike technology is currently evolving, bikes are much more capable. This is partly down to modern geometry, as they are becoming lower and slacker. The 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy has a 65.5° head-angle and steep 76.6° seat tube. These numbers are usually seen on longer-travel bikes. This means that you could consider the Tallboy to be a short travel Hightower.
It has been designed this way, because Santa Cruz say that just because some riders prefer short travel bikes, it doesn’t mean that they don’t want to go fast on the descents.
The geometry is also adjustable with a flip chip. It has a high and low setting. Whichever way you have it don’t to personal preference and the terrain you are riding. Additionally, you can alter the length of the chainstay to allow adjustment of the wheelbase.
Ride Characteristics
Although the 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy only has 120mm of travel, but it doesn’t feel like it. It will confidently find its way over rocks and roots, while being sure footed in corners and through compressions. The VPP suspension allows you to get on with the job of riding fast. It rewards the rider that attacks the trail with attitude.
It is very confidence inducing at speed and is very efficient while pedalling, even when the shock is not in “trail” mode.
2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy Models
Santa Cruz Tallboy D
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy Alloy D |
| WHEELSIZE | 20″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | RockShox Recon RL 130mm 29 |
| SHOCK | FOX Float performance DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed |
| SHIFTERS | Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed |
| CRANKSET | Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed 32T |
| CASSETTE | Sram PG1210 12-Speed 11-50t |
| CHAIN | Sram PC Chain |
| BRAKES | Sram Level |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline |
| HANDLEBAR | Race Face Ride |
| STEM | Race Face Ride |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated |
| SEATPOST | Race Face Ride 31.6 400mm |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | Sram MTH 746 32H |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy R
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy Alloy R |
| WHEELSIZE | 20″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | FOX Rhythm 34 130mm 29 |
| SHOCK | FOX Float performance DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Sram NX Eagle 12-Speed |
| SHIFTERS | Sram NX Eagle 12-Speed |
| CRANKSET | Sram NX Eagle 12-Speed 32T |
| CASSETTE | Sram PG1230 12-Speed 11-50t |
| CHAIN | Sram NX Eagle Chain |
| BRAKES | Sram Guide T |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Race Face Ride |
| STEM | Race Face Ride |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated |
| SEATPOST | Race Face Aeffect Dropper 31.6 400mm |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | WTB ST i25 TCS 2.0 29″ |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy C R
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C R |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | FOX Rhythm 34 130mm 29 |
| SHOCK | FOX Float performance DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Sram NX Eagle 12-Speed |
| SHIFTERS | Sram NX Eagle 12-Speed |
| CRANKSET | Sram NX Eagle 148 DUB 12-Speed 32T |
| CASSETTE | Sram PG1230 12-Speed 11-50t |
| CHAIN | Sram NX Eagle Chain |
| BRAKES | Sram Guide T |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Race Face Ride |
| STEM | Race Face Ride |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated |
| SEATPOST | Race Face Aeffect Dropper 31.6 400mm |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | WTB ST i25 TCS 2.0 29″ |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon C S
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C S |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | FOX 34 Float Performance, 130mm, 29″ |
| SHOCK | FOX Float performance DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Sram GX Eagle 12-Speed |
| SHIFTERS | Sram GX Eagle 12-Speed |
| CRANKSET | SRAM Stylo 7k 148 DUB, 32t |
| CASSETTE | SRAM XG1275 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t |
| CHAIN | Sram GX Eagle Chain |
| BRAKES | Sram Guide R |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Race Face Ride |
| STEM | Race Face Ride |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz Palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated |
| SEATPOST | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1X Lever, MatchMaker, 31.6 |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | RaceFace AR Offset 27 29″ |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon C S Reserve
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C S / Reserve |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | FOX 34 Float Performance, 130mm, 29″ |
| SHOCK | FOX Float performance DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Sram GX Eagle 12-Speed |
| SHIFTERS | Sram GX Eagle 12-Speed |
| CRANKSET | SRAM Stylo 7k 148 DUB, 32t |
| CASSETTE | SRAM XG1275 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t |
| CHAIN | Sram GX Eagle Chain |
| BRAKES | Sram Guide R |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Race Face Ride |
| STEM | Race Face Ride |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz Palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated |
| SEATPOST | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1X Lever, MatchMaker, 31.6 |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | Santa Cruz Reserve 27mm 29″ Carbon/ DT Swiss 370 32H hubs |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon CC X01 Eagle
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C C |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | RockShox Pike Select+, 130mm, 29″ |
| SHOCK | FOX Float Performance Elite DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| SHIFTERS | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| CRANKSET | SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon 148 DUB |
| CASSETTE | SRAM XG1295 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t |
| CHAIN | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| BRAKES | SRAM G2 RSC |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Santa Cruz AM Carbon |
| STEM | Race Face Aeffect R |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz Palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset |
| SEATPOST | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1X Lever, MatchMaker, 31.6 |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | RaceFace ARC Offset 27 29″ |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon CC X01 Reserve
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C C / Reserve |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | RockShox Pike Select+, 130mm, 29″ |
| SHOCK | FOX Float Performance Elite DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| SHIFTERS | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| CRANKSET | SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon 148 DUB |
| CASSETTE | SRAM XG1295 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t |
| CHAIN | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| BRAKES | SRAM G2 RSC |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Santa Cruz AM Carbon |
| STEM | Race Face Aeffect R |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz Palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset |
| SEATPOST | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1X Lever, MatchMaker, 31.6 |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | Santa Cruz Reserve 27mm 29″ Carbon/ DT Swiss 370 32H hubs |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon CC XTR Reserve
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C C |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | RockShox Pike Select+, 130mm, 29″ |
| SHOCK | FOX Float Performance Elite DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Shimano XTR M9100 SGS, 11/12spd |
| SHIFTERS | Shimano XTR M9100 SL, 12spd, I-Spec |
| CRANKSET | E13 TRSr crank, 32T, Boost |
| CASSETTE | Shimano XTR, 12spd, 10-51 |
| CHAIN | Shimano XTR, 12spd, w/ Quick Link |
| BRAKES | Shimano XTR M9120 |
| ROTORS | Shimano XTR Ice. Tech Rotors, Centerlock, 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Santa Cruz AM Carbon |
| STEM | i9 A35 |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz Palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Hope Integrated Headset |
| SEATPOST | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1X Lever, MatchMaker, 31.6 |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | Santa Cruz Reserve 27 29″ Carbon |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Santa Cruz Tallboy CC XX1 AXS Reserve
Specifications
| FRAME | Tallboy C C / Reserve |
| WHEELSIZE | 29″ |
| COLOURS | Stormbringer Purple |
| Rocksteady Yellow | |
| FORK | RockShox Pike Ultimate, 130mm, 29″ |
| SHOCK | FOX Float Factory DPS |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, 12spd |
| SHIFTERS | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, 12spd |
| CRANKSET | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 148 DUB, 32t |
| CASSETTE | SRAM XG1299 Eagle Rainbow, 12spd, 10-50t |
| CHAIN | SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12spd |
| BRAKES | SRAM G2 Ultimate |
| ROTORS | Avid Centreline 180mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Santa Cruz AM Carbon |
| STEM | i9 A35 |
| GRIPS | Santa Cruz Palmdale Grips |
| HEADSET | Hope Integrated Headset |
| SEATPOST | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1X Lever, MatchMaker, 31.6 |
| SADDLE | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle |
| FRONT TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHF 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| REAR TYRE | Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29″ x 2.3 EXO TR |
| WHEELS | Santa Cruz Reserve 27mm 29″ Carbon |
| SPOKES | DT Swiss Competition |
Are you going to slash out on a 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy?
This is a super capable trail bike that loves to be ridden fast and hard. When ridden in this way, it will reward you and will have you grinning from ear to ear. Please leave your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
