New for this year, the Santa Cruz Bronson CC SRAM XX1 Reserve 27.5 Mountain Bike 2018 gets a fresh set of paintjobs, as well as an updated build kit.

When the Santa Cruz Bronson was first introduced, it took the market by storm and redefined what people expected from a 150mm trail bike. With an even further refined design the Bronson utilises its incredible stiffness and weight to create a nimble, aggressive riding style. Equally at home in the Trans-Provence as it was on The ridge, updating and improving was going to be no small feat.

The most visible upgrade to Santa Cruz Bronson 2.0 is a completely new VPP® link arrangement. The lower link tucks neatly above the bottom bracket, fully-recessed and protected from impacts. Meanwhile the box-section upper link now mounts cleanly to the top tube and enhances lateral stiffness as a result. Shock rate’s been refined in the process too, delivering greater small bump sensitivity and a more progressive mid-stroke.

Geometry has also evolved subtly to meet demand from riders for a bike of this ilk. The seat tube angle’s been steepened, placing the rider right above the cranks and perfectly in position to lay down the power. Meanwhile a one-degree slacker 66 degree head tube angle combines with a 20-25mm longer top tube and shorter chainstay length to create an evermore rally-ready geometry than its predecessor.

Santa Cruz Bronson 2018 Features

• The most visible upgrade on the Santa Cruz Bronson V2 is the completely new VPP® link arrangement; the lower link tucks neatly above the bottom bracket, fully-recessed and protected from impacts
• The box-section upper link now mounts cleanly to the top-tube and enhances lateral stiffness as a result.
• Shock rates have been refined in the process too, delivering greater small bump sensitivity and a more progressive mid-stroke
• Geometry has also evolved subtly to meet demand from riders for a bike of this ilk; seat tube angle’s been steepened, placing the rider right above the cranks and perfectly in position to lay down the power
• One-degree slacker 66 degree head tube angle combines with a 20-25mm longer top tube and shorter chainstay length to create an evermore rally-ready geometry than its predecessor

Santa Cruz Bronson CC X01 Reserve 2018 Build Highlights

• Rockshox Lyrik fork
• SRAM XX1 Eagle groupset

Santa Cruz Bronson 2.0 Frame Features

• 148mm Rear Axle Spacing
• 27.5″ wheels
• Angular contact bearings maximize stiffness
• Bottle cage mount within front triangle fits piggyback shocks
• Collet axle pivots lock in place without pinch bolts
• Double sealed pivots for long bearing life
• Full carbon dropouts and disk mounts
• Full carbon frame and swingarm
• ISCG05 tabs
• Molded rubber swingarm and downtube protection
• Threaded Bottom Bracket

Santa Cruz Bronson CC Frame

The CC-level carbon frame found on the Santa Cruz Bronson CC is every bit as stiff and strong as the C-level frame, but it is lighter (about 280grams lighter) and stronger thanks to the higher tech carbon fibre layup process. This material allows for higher stress points of the frame to be built without additional reinforcement, shaving off more than half a pound from the frame in the process.