Santa Cruz Bronson: suspension setup & specs

Manufacturer data retrieved on 26 September 2026 · 8 builds · RRP €5,499 – €9,999 · Bike type: Full-suspension MTB

The Santa Cruz Bronson is an all-mountain bike with 160 mm of fork travel and 150 mm at the rear. Below you will find all 8 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.

Calculate the setup for your Santa Cruz Bronson →

All builds

Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29" / 27.5" (Mullet).

Build	Fork	Shock	Shock size	Rear travel	Weight	RRP	Calculator
70 2026	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float Rhythm	230x57.5	150 mm	15.8 kg	€5,499	Setup →
Deore 2027	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm (160 mm)	RockShox Deluxe Select+	230x57.5	150 mm	15.8 kg	€5,499	Setup →
R 2025	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float Rhythm	230x57.5	150 mm	15.7 kg	€5,499	Setup →
90 2026	FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Performance	230x57.5	150 mm	15.5 kg	€6,399	Setup →
S 2025	FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Performance	230x57.5	150 mm	15.2 kg	€6,399	Setup →
GX AXS 2026	FOX 36 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Performance Elite	230x57.5	150 mm	15.1 kg	€7,399	Setup →
X0 AXS 2025	Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Factory	230x57.5	150 mm	14.7 kg	€8,799	Setup →
X0 AXS RSV 2025	Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Factory	230x57.5	150 mm	14.7 kg	€9,999	Setup →

How it compares

On travel, the Santa Cruz Bronson is right where the “all-mountain bike” category usually is: 160 mm up front against a median of 160 mm from 15 bikes. The fork has 10 mm more travel than the rear end with 150 mm – a common layout that takes load off the front on steep terrain. On travel, it slots in between the Santa Cruz Tallboy and the Santa Cruz Megatower in the Santa Cruz range. The frame is made of carbon.

According to Santa Cruz, the X0 AXS RSV 2025 build weighs 14.7 kg. Within the range, weight varies by 1.1 kg. The starting price of €5,499 (70 2026) is roughly in line with the category median (€5,500). For the X0 AXS RSV 2025 build, Santa Cruz asks €9,999. Depending on the build, fork and shock come from FOX and RockShox. In total, 4 different forks are used, from the RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm to the Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm.

Setup notes for this spec

Air fork (RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
Rebound: turn the red FOX and RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
Air shock (FOX Float Rhythm): measure SAG in your riding position, ideally with a helper holding the bike. Cycle the shock a few times after every pressure change.

Target SAG for the Santa Cruz Bronson

SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Santa Cruz take priority.

160 mm fork, 57.5 mm shock stroke (all builds)

Riding style	Fork SAG	Shock SAG
XC / touring	17 % = 27 mm	24 % = 13.8 mm on the shock shaft
Trail	20 % = 32 mm	28 % = 16.1 mm on the shock shaft
Enduro / rough	22 % = 35 mm	30 % = 17.2 mm on the shock shaft
Bike park	20 % = 32 mm	27 % = 15.5 mm on the shock shaft

How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.

Tyre pressure starting values

The values apply to 2.50″ wide tubeless tyres with a trail casing. With an inner tube add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi), with an insert take off about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi). Stock tyres: Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+ / Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+; Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", 3C, MaxxGrip, EXO+ / Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+.

Ready-to-ride weight	Front	Rear
60 kg	1.43 bar (21 psi)	1.63 bar (24 psi)
70 kg	1.55 bar (22 psi)	1.75 bar (25 psi)
80 kg	1.67 bar (24 psi)	1.87 bar (27 psi)
90 kg	1.79 bar (26 psi)	1.99 bar (29 psi)
100 kg	1.91 bar (28 psi)	2.11 bar (31 psi)
110 kg	2.03 bar (29 psi)	2.23 bar (32 psi)
120 kg	2.15 bar (31 psi)	2.35 bar (34 psi)

Air pressure in the fork and shock

You will find a guide value for air pressure on the fork sticker (or on the shock) or in the suspension makers’ charts. Our calculator also takes riding style and rebound into account. In the end, measured SAG is what counts.

Note: all values without guarantee. Specification can vary by model year, frame size and market – if in doubt, the type plate, the manual and Santa Cruz’s information apply. Never exceed maximum pressures.