Tom reviews the 2025 Santa Cruz Bronson

The Santa Cruz Bronson has long promised to be the elusive do-it-all bike that every mountain biker dreams of. With the release of version 5, Santa Cruz claims to have enhanced its already impressive versatility and performance even further. We set out to see if these claims hold up in the real world.

To truly put the new Bronson to the test, we sought out some incredible terrain to challenge its reputation as Santa Cruz’s most versatile bike. We took it out on some mega alpine pedals in Revelstoke, BC as well as smashing out DH laps in North Vancouver. At first glance, the latest Bronson doesn’t appear dramatically different. But as soon as you take a closer look and hit the trails, the changes become apparent. 

Santa Cruz bikes always come with high expectations. Read on to see if the latest Bronson continues to hold its place as one of the best trail bikes on the market.

Watch our video review of the Santa Cruz Bronson here:

An overview of the 2024 Santa Cruz Bronson

The 2025 Bronson maintains its mixed-wheel setup, with the previous version being Santa Cruz’s first foray into the MX trail bike scene. That model served as a proof of concept, and since then, Santa Cruz has expanded its lineup with several MX bikes, including converting both the Nomad and 5010 to mullet specific designs.

The Bronson still offers 150mm of rear travel paired with a 160mm fork. This combination hits the sweet spot for many riders, which is why so many “do-it-all” bikes feature this amount of travel. It feels appropriately suited to the Bronson’s overall character.

The majority of the changes made to the new Bronson are focused on improving the bike’s descending performance. The Bronson has always been a light and lively steed. However, its shortcomings were previously exposed when the trail got rough, and its ability to track the ground fell short of other options on the market.

With that in mind, Santa Cruz had two main goals when developing this bike. The first was to improve the suspension kinematics and the second was to dial in the weight bias across the entire size range.

To address the first aim, you’ll notice a subtle redesign in the shock positioning, now placed lower and further forward. This adjustment has allowed the engineers to refine the bike’s kinematics, which Santa Cruz claims provide an overall improvement by striking a better balance between efficiency and suppleness. The new layout is designed to reduce anti-squat properties, effectively minimising the unwanted pedal kickback that was present in the previous generation.

When the mountain bike community talks about “pedal kickback,” they’re referring to the negative impact of chain tension on the suspension’s performance. Too much disruption can cause an uncomfortable sensation through the pedals as the chain tugs on the crankset. Reducing a bike’s anti-squat properties is key to minimising this issue, but engineers have to be cautious not to overdo it. Reducing anti-squat too much would result in excessive suspension bob, making pedalling inefficient. After riding the bike over the last month, I noticed that its ability to track the ground had significantly improved and the pedal kickback is certainly less obvious. More on this later.

The second key focus for Santa Cruz in designing the new Bronson was fine-tuning the weight distribution. To achieve this, they increased both the reach and chainstay lengths. The goal was to create a more centred riding position, improving overall stability and predictability on the trail.

As we’ve come to expect, Santa Cruz continues to offer a lifetime warranty on the frame and bearings. Its warranty support is widely recognised for being fast, efficient, and reliable, giving you added peace of mind when investing in a high end bike like this. Additionally, if the build kit you chose comes with Santa Cruz Reserve wheels, you’ll also get a lifetime warranty on those — including crash replacement. So when you see that gnarly rock garden up ahead, don’t hesitate to give it some beans!

Santa Cruz Bronson geometry & size chart

The engineers have increased both the reach and chainstay lengths by about 5mm. While that may not sound like much, in bike geometry terms, it’s quite significant. As a result, the Bronson is now considerably longer, and in fact, it’s only 1-2mm shorter (wheelbase) than the more aggressive Santa Cruz Nomad, the brand’s 170mm enduro bike.

On the size large (tested) in the high position, the reach now measures 480mm, and the rear centre length is 442mm. It’s also important to note that the rear centre lengths are size specific, meaning the chainstay length increases with each frame to maintain a consistent weight distribution across the entire range.

The bike also retains its adjustable geometry via a flip-chip. While the changes aren’t massive, they’re noticeable on the trails. Expect to see 2-3mm added to the reach, a 0.3° shift in the head angle, a 3mm adjustment in bottom bracket height, and a 0.3° change in the seat tube angle. The flip-chip also affects the progressivity of the shock. In the low setting it offers increased bottom-out resistance, which is particularly beneficial when switching between air and coil shocks.

2025 Santa Cruz Bronson price & specs

Arriving in Australia, the new Santa Cruz Bronson will offer four build options, plus a frame-only choice for riders who want to customise their setup. Prices start at $8,999 AUD and reach $13,999 AUD for the top-tier build. At Flow HQ, we tested the Bronson C GX AXS, which comes in at $10,499 AUD. You can find the full list of build options and prices in our ‘First Look’ article here.

Historically, Santa Cruz has used a mix of Fox and RockShox for suspension duties, but with the new Bronson lineup, it has committed exclusively to Fox throughout the lineup.

One notable component choice is the inclusion of SRAM’s new Maven brakes across all models, except the Bronson C S-Kit, which features SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes. Both brakes offer exceptional stopping power and are gravity-oriented. It’s a somewhat unexpected choice for an all-mountain/trail bike. This spec decision signals Santa Cruz’s aim to position the Bronson as one of the burliest trail bikes on the market. While those tackling technical terrain will likely appreciate these brakes, they may be overkill for more general trail riding.

2025 Santa Cruz Bronson C GX AXS

• Frame | C Carbon, VPP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel)
• Fork | Fox 36 Performance Elite, GRIP X2 damper, 160mm travel
• Shock | Fox Float X Performance Elite / 230×57.5mm
• Wheels | DT Swiss 370 Hubs & Race Face ARC 30 Rims
• Tyres | Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 3C MaxxGrip 29×2.5in Front & Minion DHR II EXO+ 3C Maxx Terra 27.5×2.4in Rear)
• Drivetrain | SRAM GX AXS Transmission 1×12 w/32T Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
• Brakes | SRAM Maven Bronze w/200mm Front & 180mm Rear HS2 Rotors
• Bar | Santa Cruz Carbon 35 handlebar, 800mm Width
• Seatpost | OneUp Dropper Post V3 31.6mm
• Price | $10,499 AUD

Santa Cruz Bronson sizing & fit

At 179cm, I found the size large to be a great fit. The reach (478mm) and rear-centre (443mm) lengths are almost spot on with my usual preferences, which certainly translated well on the trail. Some bikes give an instant sense of comfort, and while this is always a matter of personal preference, the new Bronson feels like a bit of a Goldilocks bike for me in terms of geometry.

A standout feature of the Bronson’s design is its size-specific geometry, which I see as a major advantage. This approach means that rear centre lengths increase proportionally with the reach across the entire size range, ensuring consistent ride characteristics. While statistics show that most riders fall within the medium and large size categories, it’s refreshing to see Santa Cruz prioritising geometry for riders across the bell curve. Whether you’re a shorter rider on a small frame or taller on an XXL, you can expect the neutral riding position to feel the same in all sizes.

Suspension setup

I started with the recommended suspension settings provided by both Santa Cruz and Fox, and I have to commend Santa Cruz on the user experience of its setup guide. Even for experienced riders, suspension tuning can be intimidating, but Santa Cruz simplifies this with detailed guides tailored to each bike model. These guides consider both the suspension tune and the bike’s kinematics, making it much easier to get a solid setup from the start.

My final settings were quite close to the recommended ones for my 75kg weight. I did adjust the rebound slightly, increasing it by one to two clicks to match my preference for a slightly faster response.

I also considered adding a volume spacer to the Fox 36 fork for a bit more support in rougher terrain. Instead, I opted to increase the air pressure, which added support deeper in the travel but reduced some suppleness off the top. Eventually, I reverted to the recommended air pressure and added a few extra clicks of high-speed compression, which struck a better balance but wasn’t exactly what I was after. If I had more time I’d play around with volume spacers to try and dial the fork in further.

Santa Cruz Bronson C GX AXS weight

The Bronson C GX AXS weighs in at 15.6kg with a tubeless setup and no pedals. Given the bike’s intended purpose and its build kit, this is a reasonable weight. It’s not light, nor would it be considered heavy.

For a bike of this type, however, I’d recommend swapping the rear tyre for something with a more durable casing. In the Maxxis lineup, a Double Down rear tyre would be a solid choice, though it would add a bit to the listed weight.

The frame itself is 175g heavier than the previous model, primarily due to the extra frame material required to extend the bike’s length.

What do I like about the Santa Cruz Bronson?

When the Bronson was released, it was clear that improving descending performance was the main focus of its redesign. But how have these changes impacted its real-world performance on the trails?

The bike now feels closer to an enduro bike than a traditional trail bike. The trail category often showcases a wide range of capabilities, making each model an interesting test, as you’re never quite sure what to expect. In the Bronson’s case, it definitely leans toward the burlier end of the spectrum.

The suspension upgrades have enhanced the bike’s ability to stay grounded and track the terrain, a quality that’s further amplified by the longer wheelbase. If I were to choose an enduro race bike from the Santa Cruz lineup, I’d actually pick the Bronson over the Nomad and Megatower (both of which offer 170mm of rear travel). I’ve been riding the Nomad quite a bit lately, but even with the Bronson’s shorter travel, I found it to be more stable and better at maintaining traction.

The Nomad would still be the preferred choice as a ‘bike park’ bike, where having more travel is advantageous for handling bigger jumps, drops and hefty compressions. Its extra travel provides better support for absorbing those heavy impacts, making it ideal for more aggressive park riding.

Descending performance | Flow trails

While the Bronson now performs better in rough terrain, it hasn’t lost its playful nature. In fact, the added predictability makes the bike feel more lively, as it stays composed when approaching features, allowing you to ride with more control.

The bike has plenty of pop, thanks to its suspension platform, which you can confidently push into when hitting jumps. This same support is satisfying in corners, and like the previous generation, it continues to be a fantastic bike in the turns. The geometry and mixed wheel setup makes it easy to manoeuvre through corners with precision and control.

You may notice the slower rolling speed of the smaller rear wheel on flowy sections without many twists or turns. If you’re looking for a bike that excels at maintaining speed and momentum, a full 29er or a less slack, more traditional trail bike might be a better fit. Within the Santa Cruz offerings that would be the Tallboy or 5010. The Bronson shines in technical and varied terrain but isn’t as fast on flatter, flowier trails.

Descending performance | Steep terrain

For a bike in the trail category, the Bronson performs exceptionally well on steep terrain, often exceeding expectations for its weight class. One standout feature is the smaller rear wheel, which allows for greater agility when the trail gets steep and technical. The bike is easy to lean and manoeuvre beneath you, helping to maintain an optimal position. On full 29ers, I’ve often encountered wheel buzz against my rear, but with the Bronson, I noticed even better lateral clearance between my thighs as well. This side-to-side freedom makes it easier to shift the bike without any clearance issues, adding to its calmness on steeper trails.

This smaller rear wheel also reduces the jackknifing effect that can occur when braking heavily on a full 29er. Along with this, the Bronson makes it easier to find catch berms at the bottom of chutes, as you don’t feel like the bike is getting away from you. At 179cm (5’11”), I find that this setup provides optimal clearance and enhanced manoeuvrability, significantly boosting my confidence in challenging conditions.

Climbing | Does it match the descending capabilities?

When a bike undergoes significant changes to improve downhill performance, there’s often a concern that it might compromise climbing ability. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the new Bronson.

Santa Cruz’s VPP suspension continues to deliver a strong and efficient pedalling platform. This becomes especially apparent when you’re out of the saddle and laying down serious power. Even with the shock fully open, you won’t push through the travel, keeping the ride firm and responsive. Climb switches can be quite beneficial, but there are also significant advantages to pedalling without them. On this bike, I preferred to tackle climbs with the shock fully open, as it offered a great balance between efficiency and traction when needed.

The smaller rear wheel also provides a noticeable benefit in acceleration when tackling steep up-and-overs. A few quick, powerful cranks before a feature will reward you with impressive responsiveness. This is one area where the Bronson has an edge over a full 29er, which may be more efficient on longer climbs but lacks the same punchy acceleration.

When it comes to climbing on smooth fire roads or winding single trails, this bike performs exceptionally well, as all trail bikes should. A significant part of this comfort can be attributed to the 78° seat angle, which is 1° steeper than the previous model. The stack height is also 6mm taller, which contributes to a more upright and neutral riding position.

What didn’t I like about the new Bronson?

Overall, I connected well with this bike. However, at times, I found it challenging to get the front to handle predictably. The bike comes with a Fox 36, which I think is a solid choice for a trail bike, as it caters to most riders’ needs.

That said, I sometimes found myself wishing for a sturdier fork. Not necessarily for added travel, but for enhanced rigidity. The upgrades Santa Cruz made have significantly boosted the Bronson’s capability to charge harder, leaving me wanting to set it up with more of an enduro focus. If you’re looking to fully transition this bike into the enduro realm, a beefier fork like the Fox 38 or RockShox Zeb would be a straightforward upgrade, enhancing front-end stability to better align with the rear performance. Additionally, swapping to heavier casing tyres would complete the transformation into a dedicated enduro-ready machine.

My preference for a burlier fork stems more from the local terrain I ride, rather than any criticism of the stock setup. So, if you frequently ride rougher trails, I’d recommend not shying away from a heavier-duty fork on this bike. It’s a swap that could really elevate its performance.

The higher-end CC carbon frames will omit internal routing for cable actuated drivetrains, whereas the C carbon frames will include it. This choice is noteworthy and aligns with a recent trend, as seen with Specialized’s new Stumpjumper 15. According to Santa Cruz, this decision was made to save 100 grams per frame. SRAM, Shimano and others like TRP produce high-quality cable drivetrains, so removing the option to use these products is an unusual choice. While there’s no doubt that more wireless systems will emerge, given the industry’s trajectory. However, it seems we’re still a ways off from a complete shift to wireless-only systems.

Component highs & lows

At a price of $10,499 AUD, you’d expect minimal component swaps right off the bat, and fortunately, the Bronson C GX AXS delivers on key specs. I was pleased with the GX AXS wireless drivetrain; it performed flawlessly, and the derailleur held up even after a few impacts.

Another highlight is that models equipped with Santa Cruz Reserve wheels come with Santa Cruz’s lifetime warranty. This, paired with the lifetime frame warranty, provides excellent value and added peace of mind.

Throughout the range you’ll find Maxxis tyres and I have to commend Santa Cruz for opting for a softer/grippier compound on front and and a more durable compound for the rear tyre. However I would have love to have seen this bike spec’d with a Double Down casing tyre on the rear. Double Down is the casing below a full blown DH tyre in the Maxxis range, these are best suited to enduro and trail riding.

Who’s the Bronson for & how does it compare to the Hightower?

The 2025 Santa Cruz Bronson is a trail bike that blurs the lines with an enduro bike. It’s suitable for riders seeking a robust setup without the sluggish feel often associated with longer travel setups. However, if you frequently tackle big features, the 150mm of rear travel may not suffice. This is where a longer travel bike will have the advantage over the Bronson. For general trail riding, this bike offers a pleasantly stable and grounded experience.

Its quick direction changes and manoeuvrability on steep terrain are significant highlights. Nevertheless, there are situations where its closely related counterpart, the Santa Cruz Hightower, may be the better choice.

On paper, the Bronson and the Hightower appear to be very similar bikes. Both feature aggressive geometry and offer 150mm of rear travel, with the primary distinction being their wheel size. Interestingly, they share the same front triangle. The Hightower, as a full 29er, provides a smoother ride and excels at maintaining momentum. It performs exceptionally well over long stretches where you can let the bike flow, significantly outpacing the Bronson in those scenarios. However, I found that the Bronson shines in situations requiring frequent direction changes.

We asked some of the team at Santa Cruz why they haven’t incorporated geo adjustment to accommodate both wheel sizes. Apparently using a flip chip would see too much of a compromise to the kinematics and ride quality, this is why at this stage they’re committed to focusing on one wheel size combination for each frame.

Flow’s Verdict

The 2025 Santa Cruz Bronson lives up to its reputation as an all-rounder. Recent improvements in descending performance have significantly enhanced its overall capabilities. While it retains its climbing prowess, the new setup provides even greater confidence on rugged descents.

This bike potentially offers two distinct configuration options. In its stock form, it’s a solid trail bike that edges into enduro territory, though I’d still classify it primarily as the former. Having the flexibility to configure a bike to suit your needs is a major advantage; with a few adjustments, you can easily transform it into a full-fledged enduro bike.

The Bronson will be well suited to Australian conditions, effectively navigating the often rough and rocky terrain while maintaining a sprightly feel that helps on our often flatter hills. However, if you’re specifically seeking a bike that excels at maintaining momentum, there are better options available.

As a mixed-wheel trail bike, the Bronson ranks among the best on the market and is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a versatile bike that can handle a variety of terrain.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER - Tom Wilson

Hometown

North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Height

179cm

Weight75kg

RIDING STYLE

The tyre-rolling cornering type