SPEC
Frame ‘CC’ carbon fibre, 150mm (5.9in) travel
Fork Fox 36 Float Factory, 160mm (6.2in) travel
Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
Drivetrain SRAM X01/GX Eagle AXS (1x12)
Wheelset Santa Cruz Reserve 30 V2 carbon rims on Industry Nine hubs, Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip EXO TR 29x2.5in (f) and Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO TR 29x2.4in (r) tyres
Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 200/180mm rotors
Bar/stem Santa Cruz 35 carbon, 800mm/ Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm
Seatpost/saddle RockShox Reverb Stealth 175mm dropper/WTB Volt
Weight 14.15kg (31.2lb), large size without pedals
The 2022 Bronson makes the shift from 650b wheels front and rear to a ‘mullet’ set-up with a bigger 29er wheel up front. Santa Cruz say: “If in doubt, take a Bronson out,” suggesting that it’s capable of tackling any type of riding. Let’s see…
THE FRAME
This model is built from Santa Cruz’s top-quality CC carbon fibre, which has a lifetime guarantee, as do the frame bearings. Its 230x60mm shock is mounted low down and driven by the bottom link of the brand’s VPP linkage, retaining the familiar Bronson look. There’s now space for either a coil or high-volume air shock. A bearing instead of a bushing is used at the rearmost shock mount, to compensate for the amount it rotates during compression.
This story is from the December 2021 edition of Mountain Biking UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2021 edition of Mountain Biking UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT CARBON 297 RS
The original Megawatt proved itself almost instantly, winning our inaugural E-Bike of the Year award in 2022.
CALIBRE LINE T3 29
£1,100 (with £5 GO Outdoors card) Cost-effective proper' mountain bike
ROUTES QUICK BLASTS
Facing shorter days and inclement weather, Max finds three satisfying routes that show it doesn't have to be an all-day ride or nothing
TRAILCREW HAVOK BIKEPARK
A hand-cut, rider-built bike park, Havok reopened earlier this year at a new site in West Yorkshire and is still expanding
From dust it did rise
Steve Thomas traces the birth of British mountain biking, from 'tracker bikes' to Muddy Fox
THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET
In our final challenge of the series, we see if e-bikes really are as good at climbing as they're cracked up to be, as we tackle Antur Stiniog back to front
THE RIDER OFF YEAR' 23
THE BIG REVEAL! You voted in your thousands - now meet our winners...
CURTIS AM9
£5,200 (custom build), £1,450 (frame only) Can Curtis's handmade steel shredder live up to its heritage and price tag?
FIRST RIDES
£9,000 How much for a hardtail?!
6 OF THE BEST PROTECTIVE VESTS
Lightweight body armour for back protection on the trails