Exclusive Video: Bronson--Santa Cruz's New 650b Trail Bike

Forum comment bit at the beginning is priceless. And spot on.

Very good article and a video that really adds to the story. I have to agree that 650b seems like a pointless compromise (and I also should admit that I haven't ridden a 650b bike yet). At the heart of this article is the idea held by some riders that mountain bike companies are not commercial entities (which of course they are). At some level (even if it wasn't the primary reason the company was originally started by some guy in a shed) they have to make money. In my humble opinion, the multitude of BB 'standards', headset sizes and crankset BCDs has more to do with sales than engineering, but I don't have to support any of them with any of my hard-earned cash. Why shouldn't they make a 650b bike? If you don't want it, don't buy it. Does the existence of the Bronson reduce the buzz you feel at then end of a great decent? Does it kill the joy of clearing a climb you've never managed to crest before or make the view from the top less beautiful? And that's the kind of thing mountain biking should be about; not expecting corporations to match our personal ideals.

i should consider swearing less, apparently there are people who take offense to that kind of thing. but most of that video footage was filmed after 5 hours of seb and vernon saying the same **** over and over again: "but why is it 650b? I don't really think it needs to be, do you think it needs to be? do you have proof it needs to be? there are lots of people on forums who say it doesn't need to be. why isnt it 26? wouldn't 26 be better than 650b? And instead of going out and riding the bike that day, we sat around doing that...

it is ironic that the comments censor curse words. #too****inglateforthat

Great video.

Has there been any changes to the vpp for the Bronson?

Fascinating video. I don't understand the apparently antagonistic tone from Bike, and I don't fault Joe from being put off by it. One thing that Joe said that rang true was that wheel size doesn't matter on a ****ty bike. I'm a tall guy who races and rides mostly rolling and not-too-tech terrain, and have owned 29ers exclusively for the past 5 years (good ones from Turner, Niner, and Surly, mediocre one from Cdale, 2 ****ty ones from Spesh). I actually would consider a 650b because I believe it would be more nimble and fun, while retaining most of the speed characteristics the 29er does for the areas I mostly ride (when I borrowed my teammate's 26er, I loved the nimbleness of it, but got dropped pretty quick).
I've never owned a Santa Cruz, but the Bronson will likely be on my list next time I'm due. It looks like it strikes the balance between speed and agility that would be appealing to me.

I.van - I can't believe you care about anything except wheel size!

VPP generally is the same, its still got counter-rotating links and we use the same sealed bearing and axle system. What we focused on was improving small and medium bump absorption, where we developed the bike's shock rate in conjunction with shock tuning from Fox. The leverage was increased (compared to the Blur LT), by decreasing shock stroke from 63.5mm to 57mm while increasing travel from 140mm to 150mm.
So bump absorption is great.
The number of mules we made, and the learning acquired getting long travel 29ers to pedal well funneled into this bike, so it pedals as well as a good XC bike both seated and standing. Big claims for sure, but ride reviews should be coming soon. If there was only a bike website thats had one for six months that could review it instead of riding their soapbox...

I'm excited to ride this bike! I agree that how the bike rides is its most critical trait, I can care less which wheel size is on the bike as long as the bike rips. It is a bit of a bummer this story focuses so much energy on the wheel size and so little on how the bike rides. I would have much rather heard Seb's and Vernon's thoughts on how this bike rides compared to their current favorite bikes (Enduro, TB LTc, and Mojo HD). After riding a TRc last year I was hoping the Bronson would have a super low BB and super short chainstays, I assume the final frame numbers where selected to provide addition clearance and stability? How about a CC DBAir shock option?

joeg said:

I.van - I can't believe you care about anything except wheel size!

VPP generally is the same, its still got counter-rotating links and we use the same sealed bearing and axle system. What we focused on was improving small and medium bump absorption, where we developed the bike's shock rate in conjunction with shock tuning from Fox. The leverage was increased (compared to the Blur LT), by decreasing shock stroke from 63.5mm to 57mm while increasing travel from 140mm to 150mm.
So bump absorption is great.
The number of mules we made, and the learning acquired getting long travel 29ers to pedal well funneled into this bike, so it pedals as well as a good XC bike both seated and standing. Big claims for sure, but ride reviews should be coming soon. If there was only a bike website thats had one for six months that could review it instead of riding their soapbox...

Click to expand...

Thanks Joe, that was what I was hoping to hear. The Bronson flavour of VPP is more like the Tallboy LT, rather than the older Blur LT.

It was nice to get some insight into the development process of the Bronson. I rode a Carver Killer B a few years ago and liked the way the bike felt, the Titanium frame contributed to the overall experience and the bike felt faster than my 26. I just enjoyed riding it. I put a 650b wheel on the front of my XC bike and rode some technical rock sections on my local trail. The slight change to the head angle and larger wheel made a noticeable difference. I rode a Scott Genius 27.5 the other day but wasn't sold on it. Not because of the wheel size either.
I've been looking for a longer travel bike suited to Enduro riding for about 6 months.
I would have liked to read more about the carbon frame. The process used to make such a light AM frame. Tell me how the bike rides! How does it compare with the competition? Does it have enough tire clearance for chunky tires? Have to say the harping on wheel size got a bit old.

I just put an order in for a Bronson here in Australia. Hope I don't have to wait 6 months to get it. Thanks for making the bike I wanted Santa Cruz.

I've been really interested in the 650b category to add to my quiver. I want a LT bike that doesn't compromise geometry but also can keep up with the 29ers. I'm riding a Single 29er HT, and my knees and back are ready to retire to full suspension. Bronson is a really beautiful bike and could be my next buy if it's built right.

Mr. Kemp is clearly out of touch, arrogant, and a bit condescending. Regardless of his words here, he is still not convincing. I am one of those people who sent messages to SC to please build a 650b Bike. I had ridden the 27.5" wheelsize since 2009 when they were fitted to my Heckler, then Bullit, then Jamis XAM2, then the Nickel, then the Butcher, then my Blur LTc. Believe it or not, there are people out here who are curious and will experiment. This 650B thing is VERY different from the 29er movement. The 29er movement took frame makers to drive it. The 650B movement took one guy: Kirk Pacenti, to have knobby tires made by Panaracer to allow us to build up wheelsets and start experimenting with existing frames. The industry is not going to sit back and miss another boom which is why all the innovative manufacturers are building 650b frames now. Just because the general MTB consumer is just now catching on to the whole 29er movement does,nt mean that this wheelsize will not be successful or valid. Its not anyone cashing in, its because the wheelsize works well, and was field tested and driven by open minded riders, not manufacturers. Anyone complaining about a third off road wheelsize should get out of the way and let evolution keep rolling, Including myopic bike magazine authors.