An introduction to Santa Cruz demo bikes and a discussion on how to choose a mountain bike
Santa Cruz demo bikes have arrived!
I'd like to introduce what kind of bikes these demo bikes are, who they're recommended for, and also touch upon a rough guide to choosing a mountain bike, as the specialization has made it a bit confusing.
The demo bikes that have arrived are two Santa Cruz models: the TALLBOY and the NOMAD.
Let's take a look at each one.
TALLBOY
This is a short-travel trail bike with 130mm front/120mm rear travel and 29-inch wheels. In modern terms, it falls into the "downcountry" category.
The bike is lightweight (around 13kg) and climbs effortlessly with almost no pedaling loss. It's easier and faster than many hardtail bikes.
It's also known as a downhill rider's XC bike, capable of attacking descents to the satisfaction of a downhiller.
This model is recommended for those who want to pedal and ride on their own, including the journey to the trail.
Frame Material: CARBON C
Kit: GX AXS (electronic shifting)
Size: M (best for riders around 165cm-175cm)
Details👉here
NOMAD
This is an enduro bike with 170mm front/170mm rear travel and mullet wheels.
It truly shines in bike parks like Tokusa-ga-mine WOODPARK and Fujimi Panorama, or on closed downhill courses. You can ride it with complete confidence.
The VPP system used by Santa Cruz has almost no pedaling loss when seated. So, if you're willing to work hard on the climbs for the sake of the descents, self-powered trail rides are definitely an option.
Frame Material: CARBON C
Kit: R Kit
Size: M (best for riders around 165cm-175cm)
Details👉here
These demo bikes will be in the store for a while, so please consult with our staff if you'd like to try them out.
Santa Cruz generally has domestic stock, so we should be able to assist you without much delay. Please consult us if there's a specific model you're interested in.
If the total amount is over 800,000 yen, you can use the Grumpy Loan with no interest for up to 60 installments.
The Problem of Too Many Mountain Bike Types
Modern mountain bikes have become too specialized, and the boundaries between categories are often blurry.
If you have a clear idea of what you want to do, it's not a problem, but otherwise, it can be difficult to figure out which model is right for you.
Here's one criterion to consider when choosing.
That is,
1. Do you want to pedal and ride on your own?
2. Do you want to play in a bike park?
1. Want to pedal and ride on your own
If you prefer to pedal and ride on your own, a bike with a front suspension travel of around 120mm to 140mm would be a good choice. This would be a bike like the TALLBOY.
Other bikes in this category:
2. Want to play in a bike park
Conversely, if your main goal is to enjoy bike parks, you don't need to consider pedaling as much, so a long-travel bike with 150mm or more of travel would be a good choice. The NOMAD is perfect for this.
Other bikes in this category:
There's also the question of full suspension or hardtail, but I think either is fine. It's okay to choose based on your budget and preferred style.
This is just one criterion for judgment, but I hope it helps as a reference.