Lighter and more comfortable

The new frame is slightly lighter than the old one. The seat stays of the rear triangle ride relatively flat to the seat tube where they reach well below the top tube. The flat strut angle should allow a high degree of damping so that the body does not receive the full force of the impacts. Despite the flexible rear triangle, the frame should be sufficiently stiff in the bottom bracket area so that the power is converted into propulsion without loss. In addition, Santa Cruz is once again relying on bolted bottom brackets, which considerably simplifies installation and maintenance.

Of course, the frame also offers the necessary access points to mount a dropper post with internal cable routing. However, these are not included in the basic specifications and would have to be retrofitted. The bikes are equipped with normal seat posts, including Syntace "P6 Highflex Carbon" posts, with which the frame offers the highest level of comfort.

Santa Cruz also thinks about the "permanent biker", and so the Highball frame offers the possibility to mount three bottle cages. On the seat tube, on the down tube and on the underside of the down tube.

Unspectacular angles

Its geometry is not particularly striking, as it is roughly comparable to that of proven World Cup bikes. At 69.5 degrees, the head angle is not particularly slack, the seat angle is 73 degrees and the chainstays, at 430 millimetres, are also similar in length to hardtails from other brands.

On the other hand, the wheelbase, top tube length and reach are slightly longer than most. Depending on the frame size, the wheelbase of the Highball is around 10 to 35 millimeters longer. This should give the Highball a little more smoothness. The top tube length and reach are also up to 25 millimetres longer than the Gros.

Short ride report Highball CC

Like the Blur, we were also able to take the Highball out for a proper ride, on which nothing should be missing except dust. But before the test ride, the Highball has to be weighed. The 9.6 kilograms may seem a bit much at first glance and in view of the high-end equipment - wrong: The test bike in frame size L has a variable seat post, the extremely robust spare wheels, trail instead of light cross-country pedals and chunky tires. If we count back over our thumbs, the nine kilogram limit should be easy to crack, even with pedals. So it is still light and within the range of its renowned competitors.

As expected, its riding position is nice and sporty, but still well balanced, so that the bike quickly tempts you to play around. However, this bike's core competencies are soon put to the test, as an increasingly steep path leads us to the trails. Steady climbing is no problem, and that was to be expected from a hardtail with standard geometry.
The climb curbs our enthusiasm with a few greasy sections, but the bike masters them well. Not only because of the grippy Maxxis Forkaster tires, there is also enough weight on the rear wheel for the lugs to do their job well. However, this does not cause it to rebel on steeper terrain.

The following trail winds its way up the hill. You can push up in cross-country style, get out of the saddle and accelerate again after the bends. Only very hard acceleration reveals that the frame is not quite as laterally stiff as expected. However, it is far from being soft, after all, the propulsion of the Highball is still good.

Hard fun

Downhill, the Twentyniner feels good at first. The rear end delivers what was promised and offers enough flex to absorb bumps and vibrations. At the front in the headset area, however, the bike is stiff and therefore precise to steer. We chase through the numerous bends with agility and control, trying to brake less and less.

Even at higher speeds, the Highball is surprisingly smooth - something that a convinced fully rider would not expect from an agile hardtail. Even on steeper and technically demanding descents, this smoothness still has some effect. Steps, wet stones and roots and even smaller jumps don't seem quite as hairy. The dropper post could qualify this statement, but it doesn't. The saddle also had to stay up for downhill testing purposes.

Conclusion

The Highball is a great and light hardtail that can be used a little more widely than its harder counterparts. The bike is particularly interesting for long-distance races - even those that go beyond the classic marathon distance - because of its greater comfort. Three bottle cages can also be screwed onto the frame for precisely this purpose. Even though it is slightly softer in the bottom bracket area, it can also be used for cross-country races and the fun on the after-work lap doesn't fall by the wayside either.

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