SANTA CRUZ BRONSON CC X01 AXS RSV MX

£8,599 How does the new mullet-wheeled Bronson measure up?

- Alex Evans

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.