SANTA CRUZ BRONSON 2016

Santa Cruz’s Bronson made the biggest splash of any new bike in recent memory when it debuted in 2013. It was one of the first carbon-framed full-suspension trail bikes from a major manufacturer to roll on what was then the newfangled 650b wheels, and there weren’t many bike nerds around who weren’t wiping droll off their keyboards for days after the unveiling. But a lot has happened since then, especially in the geometry department. Top tubes have stretched, rear ends have gotten shorter, and dropper posts have become even more ubiquitous than before.