The Highball is Santa Cruz race-bred XC hardtail.

When the trail (or the competition) calls for the direct drive efficiency that only a hardtail can offer, the Highball is the choice. It looks straightforward but that belies the high-tech features and design hidden within. This is a modern take on the simple machine that many still choose to put battery acid in their thighs and fire in their lungs in order to conquer something. Whether you’re chasing medals, personal demons, or just some riding buddies, this is a hardtail you’ll be happy to log long hours upon.

Hardtails are about as subtle as bikes come, and in the case of the Highball, simplistic refinement belies engineering effort. We’ve learned from our road biking pals that a great deal of a hardtail’s compliance comes from the seatpost: the smaller the diameter, the softer the feel, and with more seat post exposed to daylight, more compliance is had— which is the reason the Highball features low slung top tube and the smaller, 27.2mm diameter post. But you need not be sitting to recognize the ‘soft’ feel of the Highball— the dropped seat stays are made of custom laminate, finely tuned here in Santa Cruz for vertical compliance— and they’re oriented to isolate the top tube from high speed trail chatter, reducing feedback to the, uh, engine.

Key Features

• Available in: Carbon C and Carbon CC
  
• Wheel Siz.e: 29er
  
• Front Travel: 100mm

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame: Carbon C 29" Hardtail
  
• Fork: RockShox Sid SL Base, 100mm, w/ Remote
  
• Rear Shock: N/A
  
• Rims/Wheels: RaceFace AR Offset 27, 29"
  
• Hubs: [F] SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 6-Bolt 32h [R] SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, HG, 6-Bolt, 32h
  
• Spokes: N/A
  
• Tires: Maxxis Rekon Race 29"x2.35", EXO
  
• Crankset: SRAM Stylo 148 DUB 
  
• Chainrings: 34t
  
• Chain Guide: N/A
  
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB 68/73mm Threaded BB
  
• Chain: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
  
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
  
• Cassette/Rear Cogs: SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t
  
• Shifters: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
  
• Handlebars: RaceFace Ride
  
• Grips: ESI Chunky Grips
  
• Stem: RaceFace Ride, 60mm
  
• Brakes: SRAM G2 R w/ Avid Centerline 160mm Rotor
  
• Pedals: Sold Separately
  
• Saddle: SDG Bel-Air V3, Steel
  
• Seat Post: RaceFace Ride, 27.2