Whether it's a need for speed or just wanting to take it back to the basics, the Santa Cruz Highball is a lightweight hardtail popular amongst the Herd for its versatility. Racing one minute and exploring tight singletrack the next, the Highball is up for anything and delivers a raw and lively ride feel we miss out on our full-squish steeds. Designed for cross-country racing, the Highball deploys 29-inch wheels, progressive geometry, and a super lightweight frame to bring us lightning-fast handling and acceleration. Strategically placed seat stays help to eliminate vibrations from transferring through the rigid rear end, and a smaller diameter seat tube and seat post ensure a smoother feel. A 67-degree headtube angle gives the Highball a rather slack front end for being equipped with a 100mm fork, ensuring we have the stability and confidence to take on more aggressive trails. The 73. 5-degree seat tube angle puts us in a centered position over the pedals, providing us with an efficient and powerful climbing position. The Highball comes complete with downtube and chainstay protectors and three water bottle mounts in the front triangle. The S build of the Santa Cruz Highball is fitted with reliable and value-loaded components fit for any rider. First up, Santa Cruz's Carbon C frame gives us a reliable and lightweight frame at a more budget-focused price point, equipping us with the same stiffness and handling, just at a slight weight penalty. Next, SRAM's GX Eagle drivetrain gives us a proven and reliable 12-speed drivetrain that sports a huge 10-52-tooth gear range that allows us to easily make it up technical climbs. A RockShox Sid SL Select, 100mm fork is incredibly supple and lightweight and features a 3-position lockout through SRAM's TwistLoc Ultimate grips for climbing efficiency. RaceFace AR Offset 27 aluminum rims equip us with a durable and lightweight aluminum wheelset, and premium Maxxis Rekon Race tires provide low rolling resistance while maintaini...