ChainLove
Gear Merchant
Santa Cruz Bicycles Highball Mountain Bike Frame - 2013
If you're privateering your way around the XC race circuit, and need a durable go-fast machine, the aluminum Highball is the answer. Santa Cruz's renowned expertise with hydroformed aluminum has created a frame that mimics the ride quality of the carbon version, only at a friendlier price point. In addition, the geometry of the Highball Aluminum is identical to that of its carbon brother.
Its short, 17.3in chainstays put your center of gravity more over the rear wheel. This position provides a surprising amount of flickability that separates the Highball from the typical, lumbering feel of some 29ers. It pops out of corners and navigates tight, technical lines with glee. For this reason, if you've been considering moving up to a big wheeler, but you've been wary of some the common objections like reduced maneuverability and slower accelerations, this bike will make you question the validity of claims about what a 29er can't do.
To be clear, this is a race-oriented machine. You'll be responsible for absorbing most of the bumps when you're in the saddle as you roll over technical terrain. For a cushier ride, you may want to look at a bike with longer chainstays. Adding to the aggressive, race-oriented feel of the Highball is a short head tube -- only 3.9 inches in the Medium and Large frame sizes. This gives you a compact front end that allows you to get into a powerful cross-country position.
In addition to dialing in the geometry, Santa Cruz incorporated several worthwhile finishing touches. A strut reinforces the brake-side rear dropout to provide confident, vibration-free braking. This is a feature that you'll appreciate, considering that with a larger wheel diameter and rolling mass, 29ers require more stopping power. Look down near the bottom bracket of the Highball, and you'll discover an asymmetric, forged chainstay yoke that provides maximum strength and stiffness, while ensuring adequate tire and chainring clearance.
The Highball comes standard with fixed dropouts for geared use, but they are removable for swinger-style dropouts if you want a single-speed conversion.
Price: $429.99 (42% Off!)
Regularly: $750.00
Buy Now
If you're privateering your way around the XC race circuit, and need a durable go-fast machine, the aluminum Highball is the answer. Santa Cruz's renowned expertise with hydroformed aluminum has created a frame that mimics the ride quality of the carbon version, only at a friendlier price point. In addition, the geometry of the Highball Aluminum is identical to that of its carbon brother.
Its short, 17.3in chainstays put your center of gravity more over the rear wheel. This position provides a surprising amount of flickability that separates the Highball from the typical, lumbering feel of some 29ers. It pops out of corners and navigates tight, technical lines with glee. For this reason, if you've been considering moving up to a big wheeler, but you've been wary of some the common objections like reduced maneuverability and slower accelerations, this bike will make you question the validity of claims about what a 29er can't do.
To be clear, this is a race-oriented machine. You'll be responsible for absorbing most of the bumps when you're in the saddle as you roll over technical terrain. For a cushier ride, you may want to look at a bike with longer chainstays. Adding to the aggressive, race-oriented feel of the Highball is a short head tube -- only 3.9 inches in the Medium and Large frame sizes. This gives you a compact front end that allows you to get into a powerful cross-country position.
In addition to dialing in the geometry, Santa Cruz incorporated several worthwhile finishing touches. A strut reinforces the brake-side rear dropout to provide confident, vibration-free braking. This is a feature that you'll appreciate, considering that with a larger wheel diameter and rolling mass, 29ers require more stopping power. Look down near the bottom bracket of the Highball, and you'll discover an asymmetric, forged chainstay yoke that provides maximum strength and stiffness, while ensuring adequate tire and chainring clearance.
The Highball comes standard with fixed dropouts for geared use, but they are removable for swinger-style dropouts if you want a single-speed conversion.
Price: $429.99 (42% Off!)
Regularly: $750.00
Buy Now