Beautiful Bicycle: Anders' Custom Santa Cruz Bronson

Recent updates to the Santa Cruz Bronson and Hightower have blurred the line between trail and enduro bike, with slacker geometry, longer reach, and an increase in travel. Bikes like the Bronson and Hightower have adapted to become enduro-capable, while maintaining their longstanding pedaling and uphill efficiency. 

When Santa Cruz dropped the v5 release of the Bronson, in a vibrant color palette (what Santa Cruz calls Kalimotxo), I was immediately intrigued, as this was the first time Santa Cruz had made this color available on the Bronson in nearly a decade. Not only did the color catch my eye but so did the adapted geometry that further optimized the Mullet platform (29” up front, 27.5” in the back), which the Bronson 5 is built around. Along with the decrease in antisquat, this bike is built to rip. 

A Stiff Standout

Starting with the fork, I wanted to contribute to the eye-catching color of the bike by choosing the 160mm RockShox Zeb Ultimate, Electric Red with the Charger 3.1 damper. This fork combines a stiff nature with tons of adjustability that the Charger 3.1 damper provides for riders like myself, who tend to ride more technical and steep terrain. Typically, the Bronson comes with a Lyrik or 36, which have smaller stanchions that are inherently lighter but don’t offer quite as much support and stiffness. Since a lighter weight build was not a top priority for me, I opted for something with a bit more rigor. 

Brakes 

When it comes to brakes, many mountain bikers love a good debate about the pros and cons of the Shimano or SRAM system. In this case, I strayed away from both brands. Instead, I opted for the TRP DHR Evos. These brakes are the gold standard when it comes to modulating and staying consistent even through extended descending time, where some systems lose power or overheat. Another motivating factor: the silver color scheme also matched with a few other bits and pieces on the build. 

Drivetrain 

Hot take: mechanical ain’t dead, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. SRAM recently came out with the 70 and 90 mechanical drivetrains, and they are something to behold–and to ride. Both offer the same robust feel that the transmission drivetrains boast, but also allow for the ability to switch gears faster under load than even the electronic models. This Bronson has the 90 kit with an XX chainring. All parts within the transmission ecosystem are interchangeable, which incorporates an incredible amount of customization to tailor your build. 

Wheels and Tires

As noted above, my approach to this build was to place greater emphasis on durability over weight. Leaning into this theme, I went with RaceFace Turbine wheels with Continental Kryptotal tires with Downhill Casing for great durability, and all the grip one would ever need.  

Conclusion 

Bottom line, this bike stands out in its unique build and color scheme, representing the trail breaking capabilities of modern trail bikes, along with how far Santa Cruz has come as a brand, in both design and engineering.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about Santa Cruz mountain bikes or the Bronson? Feel free to drop by the shop, send us a message, or give us a call at (801) 364-0344. 

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