Great insight I think I might have to get a Bronson as my next bike playful trail bike then bump up travel and Chuck a coil on and you got a Enduro freeride rig. 2 in 1. Great video.
I have the cascade link on my Bronson, set to 170mm, paired to a 170mm Fox 38. The link transformed the bike for sure, great upgrade. You have me curious about those calipers now.....
I must have an early version of the Cascade link. Mine has no flip chip. Is 160mm travel. Bought in 2020 maybe? Love it especially with a ZEB upfront! The Bromad!
Hey nice video! Good to know. Question: I ride a Bronson 2022, thinking on only upgrading(for now) the front shock to a 170mm 38 Fox Float Performance. Will that be okay for down hill considering that I will leave the rear shock as it came (150mm)??
Keep in mind, a 170mm 38 will be closer to a 180mm 36 in axle to crown. It can definitely be done and will improve the downhill capability of the bike. As far as the rear travel, I'd send it and see what happens. You can always upgrade to a Cascade link if you feel like you need more. 👊
wondering how the geometry changes with the 180/180 setup. Does it keep the stock bronson head angle? how does it affect wheelbase and chainstay length? Any thoughts / facts on that? Anyways nice build, was thinking about similar setup but no lacking info about the geometry made me hesitant.
Hey, I have Bronson and Zeb at 160mm. I saw on some forms that the extra 5mm increase in axel to crown will throw off steering… did you notice anything ?
Interesting rig. 170 front with 180 rear isn’t imbalanced where the front normally has more than the rear? I had been keeping an eye out for the new Hightower but bummed that they still didn’t make it coil compatible so passed on that bike again. I had passed on the HT2 a few years back for similar reasons. I’m guessing you went Bronson for the coil ability and added travel option with the link? Wish they made the HT3 coil compatible and able to slam a 200-210 dropper. I went for a Ripmo V2s as it doesn’t have those limitations. The Ripmo’s geo also runs great with a 170 fork.
how do you go about setting the sag on an SC bike that have the shock on the lowers ? the shaft is in the tunnel and i cant use the Bottom out bumper a guage and its so hard to measure please help , its my first FS bike
Noticeable, yes slightly. I didn’t mind the change. For those more concerned about this, running a Zeb with 160mm travel would still be a great option that would add more capability without affecting geo as much.
Very nice review, always interesting, I would like to ask you how do you compare your Bronson with a Hightower, I currently ride a hightower v2 with a cascade link and I am considering to change that really satisfying bike and moove to a new one to choose from Bronson or Hightower V3. I usually don't ride in bike parks but mostly in natural enviroment or sometime italian enduro course, do you have some consideration to share? from my actual setup I would like to improve handling capabilities in tight cornering, thank you, Paolo.
From my experience, both the V3 Hightower and newest Bronson would be a great improvement over the V2 Hightower. If your wanting to speed up your cornering, I’d give the Bronson a strong look.
Did you have this bike before you demoed the Heckler MX? If you have to start over, would you get the new Nomad over your Bronson if the components are identical?
I had the Bronson and the Heckler during the same time period. My Heckler was the full 29er version though. And no that the new Nomad is MX, that’d be a much harder question to answer, though I’d for sure lean Nomad. Stay tuned for a full Nomad review.
Could be yes or no, depending on how much you feel like you need more progression. If you can find a set up that gives you good mid stroke and bottom out support, I wouldn’t pay for it. This version of the Bronson had much better kinematic right out of the box.
Insane build and great video. I really like my V4. Do you feel like the extra length on the chainstay from the cascade link changed how the bike cornered? I think it brings the chainstay length close to that of a size XL. I wish that custom sticker guy lived in the PNW 😀
Thanks! I’m probably the worst at cornering, so it would probably be something that would stand out a lot to me and I don’t think the link had any negative impact in cornering. And the decals, I hear you 😅
wow man that is the sexiest Bronson ive seen to date! Mucho bueno Would love to see some 3rd person shots of you taking it thru some gnar just to see how well the Bronsons chassis handles the extra punishment. The ONLY other thing I personally would do is send that SD coil in for a Vorsprung Tractive tune. I had this done to my SD air that's on my CC'd Hightower V2. The way the rear wheel tracks the terrain after doing this is insane. Have you considered that?
Thanks! And I'm always interested in hearing other experiences on getting the most out of suspension. I'm looking to experiment with the 23' Super Deluxe very soon, but I would love to have Vorsprung do some tuning as well. I'd say they can really take good and make it great.
Do you mean to come off as rude, or does that just happen? FYI, I don't make this stuff up. IT WAS SPEC'd WITH A 150mm POST, UPPING IT TO 180 definitely had this close to being as far as the 180 would go in.
Come come I never see a scratched Santa Cruz ? Is the paint that good or do people just ride really carful ? 😂 honestly don’t think I’ve seen a scratch on one and I just assume they are pro riders that don’t crash haha
I went a slightly different route on my V4 with the Fox 38, DHX2 65 and the Cascade link, but yeah....she's a beast! So stoked on how it rides now.
Sounds like a killer setup!
How does Cascade link change the geometry (STA, buttom bracket hight), when you put 170/180 fork?
Dude...... that saddle tilt adjuster, I need that!! I wasn't even aware they made something like that. Great video!
Switchgrade is an awesome piece of kit 👌
Great insight I think I might have to get a Bronson as my next bike playful trail bike then bump up travel and Chuck a coil on and you got a Enduro freeride rig. 2 in 1. Great video.
That build is beautiful, especially the Zeb up front.
I have the cascade link on my Bronson, set to 170mm, paired to a 170mm Fox 38. The link transformed the bike for sure, great upgrade. You have me curious about those calipers now.....
I must have an early version of the Cascade link. Mine has no flip chip. Is 160mm travel. Bought in 2020 maybe? Love it especially with a ZEB upfront! The Bromad!
Man this setup looks so good!!!
The NS oilrub pedals and Stem would Match perfect too👀🤔👍🏼
Nice to see a new video man :) loving your content!
Thanks 🤙🏼🤙🏼
Ha!! I got the stock c build. This gives me some serious future goals. Mine is a cross country bike 😂
Bronson frenzy!!🤩
Does the cascade link void your frame warranty?
Hey nice video! Good to know.
Question: I ride a Bronson 2022, thinking on only upgrading(for now) the front shock to a 170mm 38 Fox Float Performance. Will that be okay for down hill considering that I will leave the rear shock as it came (150mm)??
Keep in mind, a 170mm 38 will be closer to a 180mm 36 in axle to crown. It can definitely be done and will improve the downhill capability of the bike. As far as the rear travel, I'd send it and see what happens. You can always upgrade to a Cascade link if you feel like you need more. 👊
Thanks 😊
I have exactly that set up 170 zeb with 150 shock rear. Is killer
wondering how the geometry changes with the 180/180 setup. Does it keep the stock bronson head angle? how does it affect wheelbase and chainstay length? Any thoughts / facts on that? Anyways nice build, was thinking about similar setup but no lacking info about the geometry made me hesitant.
Geo is changed any time you start changing fork travel. In this case, HT angle is slackened slightly. The changes were worth it for me.
Did you have to drop the stem to keep the geo right? The 170mm zeb is 15mm longer axle to crown compared to the the stock 36.
Probably did a spacer or two. I can’t remember exactly how much right off, but you are correct in that the Zeb is taller than the 36.
Hey, I have Bronson and Zeb at 160mm. I saw on some forms that the extra 5mm increase in axel to crown will throw off steering… did you notice anything ?
Dr.!wow!good videeo~see you on my side- 🤗
Any recommendation for Bronson 2019 model to increase the rear travel?
cascadecomponents.bike/products/v3-bronson-lt-link
Interesting rig. 170 front with 180 rear isn’t imbalanced where the front normally has more than the rear? I had been keeping an eye out for the new Hightower but bummed that they still didn’t make it coil compatible so passed on that bike again. I had passed on the HT2 a few years back for similar reasons. I’m guessing you went Bronson for the coil ability and added travel option with the link?
Wish they made the HT3 coil compatible and able to slam a 200-210 dropper. I went for a Ripmo V2s as it doesn’t have those limitations. The Ripmo’s geo also runs great with a 170 fork.
Great video. Do you have any impressions on the new Hightower 3?
V3 Hightower is sweet per the short time I’ve spent on one. Hoping to do a review on one soon.
how do you go about setting the sag on an SC bike that have the shock on the lowers ?
the shaft is in the tunnel and i cant use the Bottom out bumper a guage and its so hard to measure please help , its my first FS bike
Yeah. That bike is positively PROMETHEAN!
hi, just watching this video 1 year late. did you have to change the chain length since the link stretches out the chainstay by +6mm?
No we didn’t have to put a new chain on
170 Zeb raises the BB slightly I guess ? noticeable difference ?
Noticeable, yes slightly. I didn’t mind the change. For those more concerned about this, running a Zeb with 160mm travel would still be a great option that would add more capability without affecting geo as much.
That is what I am having built up right now zeb 160mm on Bronson V4! Excited to pick it up Monday.
Next level would be a 27.5 190mm Zeb , that would turn it into my 180mm rear(65mm steoke shock) 190 front V5 Nomad
Very nice review, always interesting, I would like to ask you how do you compare your Bronson with a Hightower, I currently ride a hightower v2 with a cascade link and I am considering to change that really satisfying bike and moove to a new one to choose from Bronson or Hightower V3. I usually don't ride in bike parks but mostly in natural enviroment or sometime italian enduro course, do you have some consideration to share? from my actual setup I would like to improve handling capabilities in tight cornering, thank you, Paolo.
From my experience, both the V3 Hightower and newest Bronson would be a great improvement over the V2 Hightower. If your wanting to speed up your cornering, I’d give the Bronson a strong look.
Hey bike looks great. What size frame ? And how tall are you ?
Thanks! Medium and just a hair under 5’10”
Did you have this bike before you demoed the Heckler MX? If you have to start over, would you get the new Nomad over your Bronson if the components are identical?
I had the Bronson and the Heckler during the same time period. My Heckler was the full 29er version though. And no that the new Nomad is MX, that’d be a much harder question to answer, though I’d for sure lean Nomad. Stay tuned for a full Nomad review.
Awesome, thank you! Looking forward to that review. I can’t decide between the Bronson or Nomad.
Would you say the cascade link is worth it for a stock suspension setup in the short setting?
Could be yes or no, depending on how much you feel like you need more progression. If you can find a set up that gives you good mid stroke and bottom out support, I wouldn’t pay for it. This version of the Bronson had much better kinematic right out of the box.
Insane build and great video. I really like my V4. Do you feel like the extra length on the chainstay from the cascade link changed how the bike cornered? I think it brings the chainstay length close to that of a size XL. I wish that custom sticker guy lived in the PNW 😀
Thanks! I’m probably the worst at cornering, so it would probably be something that would stand out a lot to me and I don’t think the link had any negative impact in cornering. And the decals, I hear you 😅
wow man that is the sexiest Bronson ive seen to date! Mucho bueno
Would love to see some 3rd person shots of you taking it thru some gnar just to see how well the Bronsons chassis handles the extra punishment. The ONLY other thing I personally would do is send that SD coil in for a Vorsprung Tractive tune. I had this done to my SD air that's on my CC'd Hightower V2. The way the rear wheel tracks the terrain after doing this is insane. Have you considered that?
Thanks! And I'm always interested in hearing other experiences on getting the most out of suspension. I'm looking to experiment with the 23' Super Deluxe very soon, but I would love to have Vorsprung do some tuning as well. I'd say they can really take good and make it great.
Bro what are you on about, that one up dropper will go deeper in that frame.
Do you mean to come off as rude, or does that just happen? FYI, I don't make this stuff up. IT WAS SPEC'd WITH A 150mm POST, UPPING IT TO 180 definitely had this close to being as far as the 180 would go in.
Come come I never see a scratched Santa Cruz ? Is the paint that good or do people just ride really carful ? 😂 honestly don’t think I’ve seen a scratch on one and I just assume they are pro riders that don’t crash haha
Hey I just wanted to know if you have your cascade link in the short or long travel? Would there be a difference in ride between the settings?
siiiick
Holy crap! $300 for that seat angle adjuster 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
🤷😕🤔
Why not just get a nomad !?
Never heard that one before 🤙🏼