Building bikes is an expensive, rewarding and at times stressful but utterly addictive hobby. I'm only two builds in and already wanting to make a third.
Couldn't agree more! You don't build a bike to save money for sure but to make something special and your own. Somethings things can get a little crazy but with enough planning I've had pretty good success with parts going together. Have fun with your third ;-)
Nice review Gene! I have the first year of the Tallboy 4(2020) in the Rocksteady Yellow(changes to a mustard color in low light) and every time I ride it, it amazes me at how stout and sturdy the build is and how it damps small to medium sized bumps/gravel so well. It's a very forgiving bike and as you say, it climbs beautifully, especially over technical terrain-just stay seated and pedal through stuff and it soaks it up. Just did a 3.5 hr. double opposite loop ride at Sterling and the new Augusta Mine Trail today and I don't feel beat up that much at all. One other point of note is that Santa Cruz's customer service is second to none. I stripped out the axle collets for the main pivots and they sent me a new set of collets for free.(BTW, when you grease that lower link, make sure your hex socket has a long enough hex piece so you don't engage only half of the bolt! It took an easy out with penetrating oil to finally remove them.) Amazing people there and I was fortunate enough to visit their showroom in Santa Cruz this past March.
Just got this bike a week ago in Santa Cruz CA! My first full suspension bike coming from a Trek Marlin 5 Hard Tail XC bike for the last 3 years.... Feels amazing! Way different riding experience. I love it but I also love the feel of my hard tail. They are two different experiences!
Glad you like the bike! I've got lots of how to videos on the channel but also have a playlist you might like just focused on building a mtb th-cam.com/video/C8eLD7wNHbk/w-d-xo.html
I am curious how much you have used the Box drivetrain, I've heard too much bad stuff about Box, and had horrible experience myself with the Box One X-wide RD. I need something that lasts more than few tens of km. bushings lasted about 70km, before the RD was so sloppy it struggled to shift. I use a much cheaper Rd now, Deore M6100 SGS, and won't waste more money on Box, maybe they can release something that works in the future, but for now it's not for me. Box sent me a warranty replacement but same thing happen. I've been told the shifters fail too.
Solid build video.. I just recently put a Rockshock 35 with 160mm travel fork on my Giant Talon straight head tube hard tail and have made a couple other upgrades. It was difficult trying to learn how to do it. Thank God for TH-cam..lol..And yes building a bike is just as much fun riding it. I use my hardtail more than my Stance or Reign SX full suspension bikes.
nice bike Gene..I have a question and i hope I word it correctly because sometimes things can come off as rude or mean and thats the furthest thing I want to convey..SO..let me start lol..IF a person wants to buy a certain bike from a company and go by the reviews etc..How does that work when all you have is the frame from the actual bike and not everything THEY put on them from the factory? It kind of makes it hard to judge that bike when its all your parts..AND hard to give reviews on the bike because again,its not really a Santa Cruz at that point. eh..I hope I got my question across in a friendly manner? lol..Its just something I was thinking about right as the video started..Thanks for the video and hope you get some good rides on that bike..
This is a very valid point for sure! So here is what I have seen with all my bikes. For the most part the frame is gonna make or break how the bike rides. In this video I mentioned that changing out the fork was needed to make things right, but the best fork in the world can't make a poor quality frame do what you want. This frame is designed to climb amazing and it pretty much does no mater what parts you put on it. That all being said, I think you might have given me a good idea for a new video ;-)
I’ll be building up a Tallboy this winter (same frame as yours), but my parts spec will be totally different. Maybe I missed it, but what travel fork are you running? I’ll be going with a 140. My goal is to build up a light bike that will complement its climbing prowess. I test rode one last summer at Santa Cruz HQ and it was an amazing bike. Of course their demo bikes are kitted with the top of the line components, like AXS.
Well here's the deal, AXS won't help a bike climb any better so I wouldn't loose any sleep over those parts HAHAHAHA! This frame was built to climb so well and I have been impressed for sure. For the fork, I went with 130 based on the spec of the website but I'm sure 140 will be great as well! I can see this bike being around for awhile for me.
@@rgmtbI’ve started my build! Just ordered all the parts and waiting for them to arrive. Maybe I’ll do a vid of the build when I’m done. Really stoked to see how it comes together. Based on my spreadsheet it should come in at 28.25 lbs (or so). I know it’ll be a climbing beast but hoping it’s a capable descender too! How are you liking the bike after some time on it? Any spec changes?
@@323johnnybravo no, I ride a transition sentinel, You know, the bike company that came out with modern geo in 2017. SC bikes have a ton of issues, Had an old 5010....
@@mustclime5311 lols sorry , Transition has pushed the sport ahead. Awesome bikes. I Just run into a lot of Trek riders who hate every other brand lol 😂
@@323johnnybravo There is a reason SC has lifetime bearing replacement....I had to replace mine every 3-6 months( crappy seals)....the new ones also love to get crap in between the swingarm and the shock tunnel, take it out on a light mud day and say goodbye to your paint or wrap. they are also impossible to keep really clean because of said shock tunnel. Setting shock sag on the older ones REALLY SUCKS because of the shock tunnel.
@@mustclime5311 I have a Nicolai/Geometron G1, but I like Nicolai bikes, as they are made properly double sealed pivots. there are covers with O-rings, and a bolt securing it. Only pivot I had to service was the rear most as it's the most exposed, rest were like new, and bearing life is great, had mine since 2019, still original bearings. As conditions can be horrible here with snow, i want to build a fat bike, my dream bike is a Argon Fat. mud if I cna't get that I will likely get something else.
Great bike. I bought mine in 2010 with high end components. Recent upgrades have brought the weight down to 22-1/2lbs. Fantastic bike even better.
What a great video and bike!!! Can't wait to see you get some serious rides in on it!
Thanks man! I'm stoked with the outcome and looking forward to getting some trail time for sure ;-)
Building bikes are super fun
Just subscribed. Also just a regular 66 y/o mtb'r who loves riding my Tallboy. Interesting build you did.
HAHAHAHA! Excellent to have you around my friend ;-)
im buying one for 2800 so yeah not cheap
Building bikes is an expensive, rewarding and at times stressful but utterly addictive hobby. I'm only two builds in and already wanting to make a third.
Couldn't agree more! You don't build a bike to save money for sure but to make something special and your own. Somethings things can get a little crazy but with enough planning I've had pretty good success with parts going together. Have fun with your third ;-)
@@rgmtb Certainly no money saved whatsoever. Please don't encourage me to go for number three, please.
Nice review Gene! I have the first year of the Tallboy 4(2020) in the Rocksteady Yellow(changes to a mustard color in low light) and every time I ride it, it amazes me at how stout and sturdy the build is and how it damps small to medium sized bumps/gravel so well. It's a very forgiving bike and as you say, it climbs beautifully, especially over technical terrain-just stay seated and pedal through stuff and it soaks it up. Just did a 3.5 hr. double opposite loop ride at Sterling and the new Augusta Mine Trail today and I don't feel beat up that much at all.
One other point of note is that Santa Cruz's customer service is second to none. I stripped out the axle collets for the main pivots and they sent me a new set of collets for free.(BTW, when you grease that lower link, make sure your hex socket has a long enough hex piece so you don't engage only half of the bolt! It took an easy out with penetrating oil to finally remove them.) Amazing people there and I was fortunate enough to visit their showroom in Santa Cruz this past March.
Love the build. Such a great bike!
Thank you!
So tempted to build up a 2023 frame but I have so many bikes lol!
How did you get that Suntour fork. Can't seem to find their high end stuff in stock anywhere.
I work with a wonderful rep that helps me keep my bikes running! Shoot me an email and I'll check with him to see what they have in stock.
7:01 I am surprised you did not go for an oval chainring. is this for testing purposes? Also no chain guide.
I like the current price of the Al frames and I need a short travel bike. Is there any reason I should be considering carbon ?
How much travel did that for give you?
This is a large sc tallboy 2022 right? How tall are you?
Nice ride! I have a 21 Hightower and love it.
Buddy of mine has a Hightower as well and loves it too. Another quality bike for sure!
Just got this bike a week ago in Santa Cruz CA! My first full suspension bike coming from a Trek Marlin 5 Hard Tail XC bike for the last 3 years.... Feels amazing! Way different riding experience. I love it but I also love the feel of my hard tail. They are two different experiences!
That's my dream bike if i ever win the lottery, looks awesome!
Well at least I can tell you that it's worth it if you can make it happen :-)
Nice job. i’ve never built a bike. Have you done a how to video on building a bike. If not, I would like to see that.
Glad you like the bike! I've got lots of how to videos on the channel but also have a playlist you might like just focused on building a mtb
th-cam.com/video/C8eLD7wNHbk/w-d-xo.html
Nice build!
Q: what crank boots are you running? I’m having trouble finding some to fit the wider gx crank.
Thank you. Here is an affiliate link to the exact ones I bought from Amazon
amzn.to/3IDrIjf
Good looking bike. Ouch on the WT pedals, although they look to be a quality pedal....
They certainly are not cheap but at least when you see them first hand you can totally see the quality that has been put into them.
Hello sir! Are you running 150mm in the front with the Durolux 36?
No, only 120mm. That is the travel that this frame is designed for so I had the fork setup for that.
I am curious how much you have used the Box drivetrain, I've heard too much bad stuff about Box, and had horrible experience myself with the Box One X-wide RD. I need something that lasts more than few tens of km. bushings lasted about 70km, before the RD was so sloppy it struggled to shift. I use a much cheaper Rd now, Deore M6100 SGS, and won't waste more money on Box, maybe they can release something that works in the future, but for now it's not for me. Box sent me a warranty replacement but same thing happen. I've been told the shifters fail too.
Unique build. I dig it !! Like this frame color more than the new colors for 2023 also.
Thank you!!!!
Solid build video.. I just recently put a Rockshock 35 with 160mm travel fork on my Giant Talon straight head tube hard tail and have made a couple other upgrades. It was difficult trying to learn how to do it. Thank God for TH-cam..lol..And yes building a bike is just as much fun riding it. I use my hardtail more than my Stance or Reign SX full suspension bikes.
nice bike Gene..I have a question and i hope I word it correctly because sometimes things can come off as rude or mean and thats the furthest thing I want to convey..SO..let me start lol..IF a person wants to buy a certain bike from a company and go by the reviews etc..How does that work when all you have is the frame from the actual bike and not everything THEY put on them from the factory? It kind of makes it hard to judge that bike when its all your parts..AND hard to give reviews on the bike because again,its not really a Santa Cruz at that point. eh..I hope I got my question across in a friendly manner? lol..Its just something I was thinking about right as the video started..Thanks for the video and hope you get some good rides on that bike..
This is a very valid point for sure! So here is what I have seen with all my bikes. For the most part the frame is gonna make or break how the bike rides. In this video I mentioned that changing out the fork was needed to make things right, but the best fork in the world can't make a poor quality frame do what you want. This frame is designed to climb amazing and it pretty much does no mater what parts you put on it. That all being said, I think you might have given me a good idea for a new video ;-)
@@rgmtb awesome. Thanks Gene. I hope you get many miles from the bike. And look forward to the video idea.
I’ll be building up a Tallboy this winter (same frame as yours), but my parts spec will be totally different. Maybe I missed it, but what travel fork are you running? I’ll be going with a 140. My goal is to build up a light bike that will complement its climbing prowess. I test rode one last summer at Santa Cruz HQ and it was an amazing bike. Of course their demo bikes are kitted with the top of the line components, like AXS.
Well here's the deal, AXS won't help a bike climb any better so I wouldn't loose any sleep over those parts HAHAHAHA! This frame was built to climb so well and I have been impressed for sure. For the fork, I went with 130 based on the spec of the website but I'm sure 140 will be great as well! I can see this bike being around for awhile for me.
@@rgmtbI’ve started my build! Just ordered all the parts and waiting for them to arrive. Maybe I’ll do a vid of the build when I’m done. Really stoked to see how it comes together. Based on my spreadsheet it should come in at 28.25 lbs (or so). I know it’ll be a climbing beast but hoping it’s a capable descender too! How are you liking the bike after some time on it? Any spec changes?
Such a bad ass bike and i'm loving my PNW Loam Dropper post we got for my Tallboy.
Thanks for testing this bike out for me when my back was messed up! PNW certainly does make a nice dropper.
How does that dropper compare to the stock one it comes with?
disappointed......not a fan of SC bikes.
Let me guess you ride A Trek 🤣🤣
@@323johnnybravo no, I ride a transition sentinel, You know, the bike company that came out with modern geo in 2017. SC bikes have a ton of issues, Had an old 5010....
@@mustclime5311 lols sorry , Transition has pushed the sport ahead. Awesome bikes. I Just run into a lot of Trek riders who hate every other brand lol 😂
@@323johnnybravo There is a reason SC has lifetime bearing replacement....I had to replace mine every 3-6 months( crappy seals)....the new ones also love to get crap in between the swingarm and the shock tunnel, take it out on a light mud day and say goodbye to your paint or wrap. they are also impossible to keep really clean because of said shock tunnel. Setting shock sag on the older ones REALLY SUCKS because of the shock tunnel.
@@mustclime5311 I have a Nicolai/Geometron G1, but I like Nicolai bikes, as they are made properly double sealed pivots.
there are covers with O-rings, and a bolt securing it. Only pivot I had to service was the rear most as it's the most exposed, rest were like new, and bearing life is great, had mine since 2019, still original bearings. As conditions can be horrible here with snow, i want to build a fat bike, my dream bike is a Argon Fat. mud if I cna't get that I will likely get something else.