Original: $7,235.85
-65%$7,235.85
$2,532.55The Story
INFO
The Highball is our race-bred XC hardtail.
When the trail (or the competition) calls for the direct drive efficiency that only a hardtail can offer, the Highball is the choice. It looks straightforward but that belies the high-tech features and design hidden within. This is a modern take on the simple machine that many still choose to put battery acid in their thighs and fire in their lungs in order to conquer something. Whether you’re chasing medals, personal demons, or just some riding buddies, this is a hardtail you’ll be happy to log long hours upon.
Hardtails are about as subtle as bikes come, and in the case of the Highball, simplistic refinement belies engineering effort. We’ve learned from our road biking pals that a great deal of a hardtail’s compliance comes from the seatpost: the smaller the diameter, the softer the feel, and with more seat post exposed to daylight, more compliance is had— which is the reason the Highball features low slung top tube and the smaller, 27.2mm diameter post. But you need not be sitting to recognize the ‘soft’ feel of the Highball— the dropped seat stays are made of custom laminate, finely tuned here in Santa Cruz for vertical compliance— and they’re oriented to isolate the top tube from high speed trail chatter, reducing feedback to the, uh, engine.
SPECS:
| Frame | Carbon CC |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Sid SL Ultimate, 100mm, w/Remote |
| Rear Shock | None |
| Rims/Wheels | Reserve 28|XC Carbon |
| Hubs | DT Swiss 350, Centerlock, 24h |
| Spokes | N/A |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon Race 29"x2.35", EXO |
| Crankset | SRAM X0 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset |
| Chainrings | 34t |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB |
| Chain | SRAM X0 Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd |
| Front Derailleur | None |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type, 12spd |
|
Cassette/Rear Cogs
|
SRAM X0 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t |
| Shifters | SRAM AXS Pod Controller Rocker Paddle |
| Handlebars | Santa Cruz Carbon Flat Bar, 31.8x760, 7mm Rise |
| Grips | SRAM Twistloc |
| Stem | SRAM Atmos 7k, 60mm |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Silver Stealth 4-Piston w/ SRAM HS2 Centerlock 160mm |
| Pedals | Sold Separately |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Medium Fusion, CroMo SL |
| Seat Post | OneUp Dropper Post, 27.2 |
Description
INFO
The Highball is our race-bred XC hardtail.
When the trail (or the competition) calls for the direct drive efficiency that only a hardtail can offer, the Highball is the choice. It looks straightforward but that belies the high-tech features and design hidden within. This is a modern take on the simple machine that many still choose to put battery acid in their thighs and fire in their lungs in order to conquer something. Whether you’re chasing medals, personal demons, or just some riding buddies, this is a hardtail you’ll be happy to log long hours upon.
Hardtails are about as subtle as bikes come, and in the case of the Highball, simplistic refinement belies engineering effort. We’ve learned from our road biking pals that a great deal of a hardtail’s compliance comes from the seatpost: the smaller the diameter, the softer the feel, and with more seat post exposed to daylight, more compliance is had— which is the reason the Highball features low slung top tube and the smaller, 27.2mm diameter post. But you need not be sitting to recognize the ‘soft’ feel of the Highball— the dropped seat stays are made of custom laminate, finely tuned here in Santa Cruz for vertical compliance— and they’re oriented to isolate the top tube from high speed trail chatter, reducing feedback to the, uh, engine.
SPECS:
| Frame | Carbon CC |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Sid SL Ultimate, 100mm, w/Remote |
| Rear Shock | None |
| Rims/Wheels | Reserve 28|XC Carbon |
| Hubs | DT Swiss 350, Centerlock, 24h |
| Spokes | N/A |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon Race 29"x2.35", EXO |
| Crankset | SRAM X0 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset |
| Chainrings | 34t |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB |
| Chain | SRAM X0 Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd |
| Front Derailleur | None |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type, 12spd |
|
Cassette/Rear Cogs
|
SRAM X0 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t |
| Shifters | SRAM AXS Pod Controller Rocker Paddle |
| Handlebars | Santa Cruz Carbon Flat Bar, 31.8x760, 7mm Rise |
| Grips | SRAM Twistloc |
| Stem | SRAM Atmos 7k, 60mm |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Silver Stealth 4-Piston w/ SRAM HS2 Centerlock 160mm |
| Pedals | Sold Separately |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Medium Fusion, CroMo SL |
| Seat Post | OneUp Dropper Post, 27.2 |
