A while ago Santa Cruz dropped some new bikes

I’ve been waiting for a while for Seb to send me something from the Santa Cruz bike launch in Sedona, but to no avail. @Dan Barham, @calamitystrange, @garyperkin and @2Flat have been Twittering up a storm and every other website on the planet has posted up something already. So in case Spoke is the only website you check, well this post is for you; I think we’re the official losers of the new Santa Cruz bike post that Seb blogged about over here. Anyway, onto the bikes. There’s a new Superlight 29er which is pretty damn cool. I almost think that given the market for the Superlight there’s no point in continuing the 26″ version but Santa Cruz is, combined with the new alloy Highball (which some are saying is pretty much a 29er Chameleon) the grand total of Santa Cruz bikes now sits at 19 models.  Anyway, below is the full press release from Santa Cruz…
NEW BIKES! SPRING!
It has become something of a spring tradition at Santa Cruz Bicycles to spring some new bikes on an unsuspecting public. While it might be a bit early in the year, there are blossoms on trees around here and we’re optimistic that spring is beginning to be sprung, so what the heck, let’s introduce two new big wheel bikes.

HIGHBALL

Yes indeedy, the skinny carbon fiber killing machine has now been joined by a new ALUMINUM brother (and therefore will now be known as the Highball C). Taking the swift and light intent of our 29″ wheeled carbon Highball and crafting it out of aluminum, we’ve added a couple of very notable other features: value and versatility. The proprietary aluminum tubing allows for a strong, respectably light frame, and features the same responsive geometry as our carbon race bike. Riders have the option of running a fixed position rear dropout for geared use, or a pivoting, adjustable dropout for single speed use. Clean lines and super-versatility aside, this is also one of our most affordable bikes, redefining the notion of “bang for your buck.” Check out these features:

S, M, L, XL sizes (note that the 22.2″ top tube length and 28.3 standover on our small is shorter and lower than that claimed on some other “extra-small” bikes)

Fixed or swinger SS dropouts
Tapered headtube
Hydroformed top- and downtubes
Asymmetrical forged chainstay yoke (for optimal strength, stiffness, and chainring clearance)
Brake strut on non-driveside for vibration-free braking
Two bottle mounts
Threaded BB shell (we think this is still the best, most user-friendly, widely compatible, globally serviceable way to install a bottom bracket.)

SUPERLIGHT29

We’ve been wanting to build this bike for a while now. Combining the proven value and performance of the legendary Superlight with the smooth rolling stability of larger wheels, we present the Superlight29. Custom hydroformed aluminum tubing, a reliable, efficient, responsive single pivot suspension design offering 100mm of travel, terrain eating 29″ wheels and kickass value for money all add up to a timeless sweetheart of a bike. The big wheel Superlight is also available in a small size with the lowest standover in this class of bike, and is packed with features that would be at home on much more expensive bikes:

S, M, L, XL sizes (note that the 22.2″ top tube length and 27.3 standover on our small is shorter than what some other folks are calling “extra-small”, and lower than anything else in this class)

Hydroformed top- and downtubes
Tapered headtube
Replaceable derailleur hanger
100mm travel
7.875×2″ shock and “large” swingarm for L and XL sizes
6.5″x1.5″ shock and “small” swingarm for S and M sizes (better for standover clearance)
15mm collet axle pivot hardware
Custom tuned Fox Float RL shock
Continuous cable routing, dropper post routing
Threaded BB shell (we think this is still the best, most user-friendly, widely compatible, globally serviceable way to install a bottom bracket.)