New Santa Cruz Bronson gets updated suspension design
And is poised to be the one bike to do it all.
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The Santa Cruz Bronson is a bike for those who can only have one. Santa Cruz has given the Bronson a well-deserved refresh boasting 150mm of rear travel. Santa Cruz has paid special attention to its suspension kinematic, claiming that it's the best VPP it's ever made. Here's everything we know.
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Like the previous model, the Bronson runs a mullet wheel setup, favouring the mixed sizes for its performance when riding steep terrain. With that, Santa Cruz has taken everything it's learned from mullet wheels and has balanced the Bronson's handling, awarding the bike with a longer chainstay and proportional geometry.
The new Bronson welcomes a 63.9- to 64.2-degree head angle that's adjustable through a flip-chip. In its low position, the head angle will sit at 63.9-degrees, while the reach on a large frame measures 478mm, the effective seat tube angle is 77.9-degrees and the chainstay is 443mm long. The chainstay is proportional to the frame size, too, with the measurements starting at 438mm and going up to 449mm on the XXL.
2024 santa cruz bronson suspension.jpg, by Liam Mercer
A lot of work has taken place around the suspension. For the Bronson 5, Santa Cruz has reconfigured the layout to provide a lower anti-squat that the brand says results in a smoother and more efficient ride. On top of that, Santa Cruz claims reduced pedal kickback and more sensitivity.
Frames come kitted with full internal cable routing on the C Carbon frames. On the CC Carbon frames, only the dropper and rear brake are routed through the frame. There's also a neat glovebox that offers handy downtube storage. Of course, suspension travel comes in at 150mm at the rear, and 160mm at the front. CC and C Carbon frames also benefit from Santa Cruz's Lifetime warranty.
2024 santa cruz bronson glove box.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The new Bronson comes in two colours, Kalimotxo and Root Beer (a couple of colourways we've seen before) and there are five build kits on offer. Three bikes run SRAM AXS drivetrains as well as SRAM's Maven brakes. Fox 36 forks are found on models S and above, and there's a Fox's Float X shock. Then, each model runs a Maxxis Assegai and DHR II tyre combo.
Prices start at £4,900 for the C R kit and go up to £8,800 for the top-of-the-range CC XO AXS RSV bike.
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