The best of Santa Cruz—from bikes like the Tallboy, Bronson, Hightower, to iconic Santa Skateboards. 2025’s top-performing gear for every kind of rider.
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Whether you are on the mountainside or grinding the urban jungle, the California-based brand has always been a name to recognize. For decades, this California-born company has produced some of the best mountain bikes and skateboards in the world. In 2025, their offerings are as good as ever, with models like the Cruz Tallboy, Santa Cruz Bronson, and Santa Cruz Hightower ahead of the rest, plus their venerable Santa Skateboards arm.
In this in-depth guide, we will delve into Santa Cruz’s lineage, what is special about each model, and why it is the choice for serious riders and lifestyle aficionados across the U.S.
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A Quick History of Santa Cruz
The California-based brand Cycle was founded in 1973 in Santa Cruz, California, starting with the notoriety from its Cruz Skateboards. Over the years, they transitioned into the mountain biking realm and became a giant with a large lineup of trail, enduro, downhill, and electric bikes.
It sets itself apart from competitors with a mixture of innovative frame design, durable carbon materials, progressive geometry, and high-end components, all with a lifetime frame warranty{1}.
Santa Cruz Tallboy: Short Travel, Big Capabilities
If you’re looking for a bike that feels fast, climbs well, and can still handle technical descents, the Cruz Tallboy is a top pick.
Key Features:
- Travel: 120mm rear / 130mm front
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Frame Material: Carbon C or CC
- Use Case: Downcountry / Trail riding
Combining XC speed with trail geometry, the Cruz Tallboy is a perfect bike for riders who want one rig to do it all! For 2025, it gets an upgrade to the suspension kinematics system for a more efficient and improved climbing system, making for more traction in climbs and less effort needed to climb.
Whether you’re in the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest or your local bike park, you’re going to find the Cruz Tallboy to be a solid option. With its dexterity and lightweight, it offers a ride that is one of the most versatile trail bikes in the U.S. right now{2}.
Santa Cruz Bronson: Built for Aggressive All-Mountain Riding
The Cruz Bronson is a 150mm travel beast ready for all-day descents, drops, and technical terrain. What sets it apart is its mixed wheel setup—29″ in the front and 27.5″ in the rear—which keeps it fast but playful.
Quick Specs:
- Travel: 150mm rear / 160mm front
- MX Wheels: 29″ front, 27.5″ rear
- Frame: Carbon C/CC or aluminum
- Use Case: Enduro / Aggressive trail
In the U.S., riders who frequent places like Moab or the Sierra Nevadas love the Santa Bronson for its capability on drops, berms, and rock gardens. The latest 2025 edition features new geometry tweaks for a more comfortable seated climb and a lower center of gravity for technical sections.
Santa Cruz Hightower: The One-Bike Quiver
The Cruz Hightower sits comfortably between the Tallboy and the Bronson, delivering 145mm of rear travel and 150mm up front. This mid-travel 29er is perfect for long rides with serious downhill segments.
Hightower Highlights:
- Travel: 145mm rear / 150mm front
- Wheels: 29″ front and rear
- Frame Sizes: S–XXL
- Use Case: All-mountain / Big backcountry rides
If you live in Colorado, Vermont, or even the Appalachian region, the Cruz Hightower gives you the confidence to take on mixed terrain with comfort and speed. It’s widely considered the “do-it-all” trail bike for U.S. riders.
Santa Cruz Skateboards: Iconic Since 1973
Before bikes, Cruz Skateboards was what made the brand a household name. Known for bold, edgy graphics like the screaming hand and explosive colors, their boards have graced streets and parks for over five decades.
Why Riders Love Santa Cruz Skateboards:
- Premium North American maple decks
- Classic and modern shapes
- Pro models and cruisers
- Collabs with artists and pop culture icons
Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just picking up the sport, Cruz Skateboards offer style, history, and performance. You can find their decks in nearly every major skate shop across the U.S., from L.A. to New York.
Where to Buy Santa Cruz Bikes and Boards
Looking to grab a Santa Cruz Tallboy, Santa Bronson, or any other bike from the brand? Here’s where to look:
For Bikes:
- Local bike shops (LBS) with authorized dealerships
- Online retailers like Jenson USA, Competitive Cyclist, Backcountry
- Santa’s official website (with dealer locator)
- Second-hand: Pinkbike Buy/Sell, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace
For Skateboards:
- Zumiez, CCS, and other major skate retailers
- Independent skate shops
- Santa’s official store
- Amazon (for complete skateboards and decks)
Availability and pricing may vary by region, and certain models like the Cruz Bronson may have longer waitlists due to popularity.
Pros and Cons of Choosing Santa Cruz
Pros:
- Lifetime frame warranty for bikes
- Resale value is strong
- Premium build quality
- Great support network in the U.S.
- Distinct brand style with a loyal following
Cons:
- Higher price point vs. competitors
- Lead times on popular builds (especially Bronson and Hightower)
- Skateboards can be pricey for beginners
Still, for many, the performance and quality make Cruz gear worth the investment.
Who Should Choose Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz bikes and boards are perfect for:
- Riders looking to have a high-end experience with nothing held back.
- Mountain bikers seeking to explore rough, aggressive terrain.
- Skaters who love quality decks with amazing artistic flare.
- People in the USA who love brand heritage and things backed by warranty.
Whether your preference is the lightweight Cruz Tallboy, the burly Cruz Bronson, or the versatile Cruz Hightower; whatever you are athletic, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for fun, you’ve found it!
Conclusion
Santa Cruz has perfected the blend of performance, style, and durability on-road or off-road. For 2025, this company offers some eye-catching bikes and boards. If you’re choosing something that lasts, performs, and gets noticed, you can’t go wrong with a Cruz bike or board.
If you’re still conflicted between a Cruz Tallboy, an out-of-control Santa Bronson, or any one of their tried-and-true Cruz Skateboards, that’s exciting. If you want a single bike to do it all, the Cruz Hightower is an ideal choice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Santa Cruz based?
Santa Cruz is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, and their mountain bikes are designed and tested right there before production.
What’s the difference between the Cruz Tallboy and Hightower?
The Cruz Tallboy is a short-travel trail bike (120mm rear), while the Cruz Hightower is a mid-travel trail bike (145mm rear) suited for more aggressive terrain.
Are Santa Cruz Skateboards good for beginners?
Yes, Cruz Skateboards offer both pro-level and beginner-friendly complete boards, though some models may be priced slightly higher due to their premium materials and graphics.
Is the Santa Bronson good for jumps and drops?
Absolutely. With 150mm of rear travel and mixed wheels, the Santa Bronson is ideal for enduro trails, jumps, drops, and technical descents.
Can I buy Santa Cruz bikes online?
Yes. Many authorized retailers like Jenson USA and Competitive Cyclist offer online ordering with shipping or in-store pickup for Cruz bikes.
What type of terrain is the Cruz Hightower best suited for?
The Santa Cruz Hightower is best for all-mountain and technical trail riding. It’s a great one-bike quiver for riders in varied U.S. terrain.
Do Cruz bikes come with a warranty?
Yes, all carbon and aluminum Cruz bike frames come with a lifetime warranty, plus lifetime bearing replacement on full-suspension frames.
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