Pairing both 29" and 650b wheels looks to be taking the mountain bike world by storm and Santa Cruz's Bronson, as well as Juliana's Roubion, are the next bikes to join the mullet bike ranks. Both bikes also get a refined VPP suspension platform and size-specific chainstays, much like the new Blur and Wilder XC bikes.

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The 2022 Bronson is built around a carbon frame with 150mm of travel at the rear, and 160mm up front. Of course, there's also the bike's big change which is the move over to a mullet wheel size set-up. Juliana's women's specific Roubion, gets the same changes.

The bike's frame comes kitted with a threaded bottom bracket and can accommodate either coil, or air shocks. There's space for a 2.6" tyre thanks to Boost 148mm spacing.

Santa Cruz has gone for mullet wheels claiming that it results in more front end traction with a more responsive rear end. The brand says that the setup is for those who are after the composure of a 29er paired with quick handling, and those who like their trails steep.

Along with the change in wheel size, the Bronson (as well as the Juliana Roubion) the brand has further refined the VPP suspension linkage which uses a longer stroke shock for lower overall leverage while still offering a progressive, linear rate.

It's claimed that the lower leverage results in a more composed evolution of VPP. Then a lower instant centre, and anti-squat makes for less influence on the chain, which hopefully means less pedal feedback.

Much like the Blur and Wilder that were launched last week, the Bronson and Roubion get size specific chainstays. For example, a small frame comes with a 427mm chainstay, whereas an extra-large sees a 442mm measurement.

On the subject of geometry, the new Bronson and Roubion get their reaches stretched by 15mm, the head angle is slackened by .9° and it's stack is 20mm taller.

A large frame is built with a 472mm reach (in its low setting) with a 64.5° head tube angle, and a 76.5° seat tube angle.

Another neat touch is that each build from the XT MX model up gets Santa Cruz's new carbon handlebar which come with a 35mm rise, 8.5° backsweep and a 5° upsweep. It's also compatible with Di2 and it's available aftermarket. 

Prices for the new Bronson start at £5,000 for the base level R MX and they go right up to  £9,900 for the top end XX1 AXS RSV MX model. As for the Roubion, prices start at £5,000 again but go up to £8,600 for the X01 AXS RSV MX build.

Both bikes are available as a frame only for £3,500.

Then, there are five sizes available from XS to XL, although the XS size opts for a 650b wheel size both front and rear.

• www.santacruzbicycles.com

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