Santa Cruz Tallboy: suspension setup & specs
The Santa Cruz Tallboy is a downcountry bike with 140 mm of fork travel and 130 mm at the rear. Here you will find all 6 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus matching SAG and tyre pressure starting values.
Calculate the setup for your Santa Cruz Tallboy →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29".
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deore 2027 | RockShox Pike Base, 140mm (140 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | 185x50 | 130 mm | 14.4 kg | €4,999 | Setup → |
| 90 2027 | RockShox Pike Select, 140mm (140 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | 185x50 | 130 mm | 14.0 kg | €5,999 | Setup → |
| GX AXS 2027 | RockShox Pike Select+, 140mm (140 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | 185x50 | 130 mm | 13.3 kg | €6,999 | Setup → |
| XT Di2 2027 | RockShox Pike Ultimate, 140mm (140 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate | 185x50 | 130 mm | 13.5 kg | €7,999 | Setup → |
| X0 AXS RSV 2027 | RockShox Pike Ultimate, 140mm (140 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate | 185x50 | 130 mm | 13.2 kg | €9,499 | Setup → |
| XX AXS FA RSV 2027 | RockShox Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant, 140mm (140 mm) | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant | 185x50 | 130 mm | 13.3 kg | €12,999 | Setup → |
How it compares
With 140 mm at the fork, the Santa Cruz Tallboy sits above average: across the 13 bikes in the “downcountry bike” category in our database, the median is 130 mm. The fork has 10 mm more travel than the rear end with 130 mm – a common layout that takes load off the front on steep terrain. Within Santa Cruz’s mountain bikes, it sits between the Santa Cruz Chameleon and the Santa Cruz Bronson on travel. The frame is made of carbon.
Santa Cruz quotes 13.2 kg for the X0 AXS RSV 2027 build; that is 0.7 kg more than the 12.6 kg median of 6 comparable bikes. There are 1.2 kg between the lightest and the heaviest build. The starting price of €4,999 (Deore 2027) is roughly in line with the category median (€5,000). The top build, XX AXS FA RSV 2027, costs €12,999. Fork and shock come from RockShox on every build. The fork line-up ranges from the RockShox Pike Base, 140mm to the RockShox Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant, 140mm.
Setup notes for this spec
- Fork (RockShox Pike Base, 140mm): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
- Rebound: on RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
- Air shock (RockShox Deluxe Select+): 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 Tallboy
The table converts the recommended SAG percentages into millimetres, so you can check them with the O-ring directly on the stanchion and on the shock shaft. Adjust the air pressure until the value is right. If Santa Cruz specifies its own target SAG for your model, that takes priority.
140 mm fork, 50.0 mm shock stroke (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 24 mm | 24 % = 12.0 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 28 mm | 28 % = 14.0 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 31 mm | 30 % = 15.0 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 28 mm | 27 % = 13.5 mm on the shock shaft |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
The values apply to 2.40″ 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 Dissector 29"x2.4, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+ / Maxxis Dissector 29"x2.4", MaxxTerra, EXO+; Maxxis Forekaster 29"x2.4", MaxxTerra, EXO / Maxxis Forekaster 29"x2.4", 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 suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion (or on the shock) or in the suspension manufacturers’ setup charts. Our calculator gives you a starting value including rebound for your weight and riding style. What matters afterwards is the measured SAG from the table above.
Sources
- Tallboy Deore 2027
- Tallboy 90 2027
- Tallboy GX AXS 2027
- Tallboy XT Di2 2027
- Tallboy X0 AXS RSV 2027
- Tallboy XX AXS FA RSV 2027