Technical climbing on the Santa Cruz Tallboy LT/LTc (and your cockpit setup)

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by push, Aug 24, 2012.

  1. push

    push Premium Member

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    Hey there, all you Santa Cruz fans (or foes)...

    Any owners/demo'ers have enough time on their Tallboy LT/LTc on steep climbing sections that are technical, loose, rutty, steps, rubble, rocky, or soft-sand, (i.e., poor and challenging sections)? I'm talking the 25-30% grade stuff, littered with braking bumps and loose rubble, and maybe a few tricky ledges to clean.

    - How does the bike handle in these conditions? In particular, any trouble with the front end wandering, or popping up?

    And...

    - What's your cockpit setup? Short stem and extra-wide bars (i.e., greater than 720 mm), or more of an XC setup?
    - What rear tire are you running?
    - What length fork are you running, and do you drop it on these climbs?

    And...to stir the pot, those who also have any time on the Yeti SB-95, or Specialized Stumpy EVO 29, please chime in on the trade-offs with the LT/LTc!

    I've been disappointed with the regular Tallboy in these conditions, and hope the slightly longer chainstay and marginally longer top-tube of the LT/LTc might remedy this. Looking forward to see what you all say! Close to buying, this may be the weekend! Can't take one out to try (on actual trails), before buying, though. Looking for input.
     
    push, Aug 24, 2012
    #1
  2. jeff^d

    jeff^d Active Member

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    jeff^d, Aug 25, 2012
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  3. socal_rider

    socal_rider Member

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    I wish I knew that answer too. I hate when the front end wanders.

    I can't find an LT to demo either. You'd think there would be something in a huge population center like SoCal. I'm not buying a new bike I can't try out of a parking lot.
     
    socal_rider, Aug 25, 2012
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  4. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej Well-Known Member

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    Large Tallboy
    90mm x -6 Stem
    780mm 15mm Rise bars
    120mm Reba
    Tires change on a weeekly basis.....currently 2.2 Ikon/2.25 Ardent

    I have mine set up more XC/Trail

    6' w 32" inseam

    I dont find that the front end wanders much, even on steep climbs......not enough to make a mental note of it. It really does like steep technical climbs...it just eats it up. My legs give out on a super steep/techy climb before the bike gives in.

    Keep in mind that I spent years riding long travel bikes with no adjustable travel.....so you just learn to compensate.

    I haven't tried the LT/LTc.......because I know once I do.....I'm gonna want one. So better for me to stay off of it for the time being.
     
    mtnbikej, Aug 25, 2012
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  5. irv_usc

    irv_usc Active Member

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    There have been a few Santa Cruz demo days in oc earlier in the year,which is what led to my purchase. Hard to find a shop demo ride since they don't seem to have that many available.

    OP, I would think that running a flat bar with a negative rise stem to lower the front slightly would help.
     
    irv_usc, Aug 25, 2012
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  6. thephat

    thephat Active Member

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    We should have our Tallboy LTC demo bikes ready at The Path next week if not sooner. We are expecting a full size run of these for our fleet any day.
     
    thephat, Aug 25, 2012
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  7. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    I had as slack of a Tallboy as you can get. Max Angleset, 120mm fork 70mm stem , wide bars(750mm).

    Never noticed it wander too bad, nothing a slight weight change wouldn't fix. On stuff like that I had more issues with traction or motor issues.
     
    mfoga, Aug 25, 2012
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  8. bikerider

    bikerider New Member

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    Medium Tallboy with 90 mm stem 10 degree stem run upside down with 120 fox on the front. I've never had an issue with wandering tire or the front coming up even on the steepest stuff. Traction is better than my old 26 inch Trek Top Fuel and the front used to come up on that if I wasn't paying attention. I started off with the Crossmarks, they climbed ok, but were awful downhill, currently running a Speshy Captain on the back and it climbs real well. I also have a speed king and again no issue on climbing steep loose trails.
     
    bikerider, Aug 25, 2012
    #8

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