Santa Cruz Bronson

chiefinspector

Considering going for one of these in the summertime. It's quite a high price to pay for a bike but it's the sort of bike that i am after and the reviews seem quite positive.

Does anybody here own one of these and how do you find it? Alternatively is what other comparable bikes should be considered?

lawman

I shall be demoing one in two weeks, but the reviews from mags and websites so far have been good. Some say the rear suspension needs some tuning, but tbh what I'd do, and plan to do if I buy one, is ride it for a year then get the shock tuned when it needs servicing as you'll have had a year on it to know if there's anything you don't particularly like about it.

On paper the frames look pretty much spot, threaded BB not dumb ass pressfit, stealth dropper post routing, lifetime warranty on bearings and reduced frames if you crash it bad enough to wreck and a 5 year warranty against defects. Geometry looks pretty good as well and I've long been a fan of VPP and Santa Cruz, really looking forward to the demo, I just know that later in the year I'm going to be very, very poor!

chiefinspector

lawman wrote:

I just know that later in the year I'm going to be very, very poor!

Same here. If i do go for it then i'll have to lie to the wife about how much it costs

sofaboy73

unless you're sold on the 650B wheel size, i would have a look at the nomad. have ridden both and prefer the nomad (biased though as that's what i own)

sofaboy73

unless you're sold on the 650B wheel size, i would have a look at the nomad. have ridden both and prefer the nomad (biased though as that's what i own)

Dick Scruttock

sofaboy73 wrote:

unless you're sold on the 650B wheel size, i would have a look at the nomad. have ridden both and prefer the nomad (biased though as that's what i own)

Word on the internet is a 650b Nomad has been spotted been tested and will be out this year.

I love my Bronson, it does everything well. I had a Mojo HD130 and it was ok, the new 650b Mojo is a lash up and I'd not go near it with a barge pole. Not sure what else you could look at, Pivot Mach 6 maybe?

Kowalski675

I like the 5010, but can't afford one. In the spec it was tested in last months What MTB it was 8 grand. :shock:

paul.skibum

I had a very brief tootle round on an alloy Bronson and I am pretty sure that I am going to get either that or the Heckler in the new year (choice of bike dependent on funds! alloy Heckler or Carbon Bronson if I am flush!)

chiefinspector

I am going to demo a Bronson as my LBS has one available. The price can vary considerably depending on what spec you choose but looks like it has a lot going for it.

Not sold on the 27.5 wheel size just yet as always had 26er's so if i don't take to it then it's back to the drawing board.

http://www.santacruzbikes.co.uk/Bronson/#builder

paul.skibum

I'd try a Nomad and a Bronson - same suspension, similar travel but different wheel sizes - prices are similar - if you like the suspension I dont honestly think you will see much difference from the wheel sizes!