The Highball is our 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. SPECS: Frame Carbon C 29" Hardtail Fork RockShox Sid SL Select+, 100mm, w/ Remote Rear Shock N/A Rims/Wheels RaceFace ARC Offset 27 29" Hubs (F) DT Swiss 370, 15x110, Torque Cap, 6-Bolt, 28h (R) DT Swis 370, 12x148, XD, 6-Bolt, 36t, 28h Spokes N/A Tires Maxxis Rekon Race 29"x2.35", EXO Crankset SRAM GX Eagle DUB T-Type Chainrings SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, 34t Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB Chain SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd Front Derailleur N/A Rear Derailleur SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type, 12spd Cassette/Rear Cogs SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, 10-52t Shifters SRAM AXS Pod Bridge Handlebars Santa Cruz Carbon Flat Bar, 31.8x760, 7mm Rise Grips SRAM Twistloc Stem SRAM Atmos Stem, 60mm Brakes SRAM Level Bronze Stealth 4-Piston w/ SRAM HS2 160mm Rotor Pedals Sold Separately Saddle SDG Bel-Air V3, Lux-Alloy Atmos Seat Post RaceFace Next, 27.2, 400mm Extras N/A