2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C: Weight & Specs

Let's dive into the specifics of the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C, focusing on its weight and other important specifications. If you're a mountain biking enthusiast, you know how crucial understanding these details can be for optimizing your ride. The Bronson C is renowned for its versatility and performance, making it a popular choice among riders. So, let's get started!

Overview of the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C

The 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C is a marvel of engineering, designed to tackle a wide range of terrains with ease. This bike is built around a carbon fiber frame, which strikes a perfect balance between strength and weight. The frame's geometry is carefully crafted to provide riders with optimal control and comfort, whether they're climbing steep inclines or descending technical trails. The Bronson C features a 150mm travel fork and 150mm rear travel, making it incredibly capable on rough terrain. It's this combination of travel and geometry that gives the Bronson C its playful and responsive feel.

The bike's versatility is further enhanced by its compatibility with both 27.5-inch and 27.5+ tires. This allows riders to customize their setup based on their riding style and the conditions they'll be facing. The 27.5-inch wheels provide a nimble and responsive ride, while the 27.5+ tires offer increased traction and stability. The Bronson C also features Santa Cruz's VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension design, which is known for its efficiency and sensitivity. This suspension system effectively isolates pedaling forces from suspension movement, ensuring that riders can climb efficiently without sacrificing downhill performance.

The 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C is available in a range of build options, each carefully selected to provide riders with the best possible performance. From entry-level builds to high-end models, there's a Bronson C to suit every budget and riding style. The bike's internal cable routing keeps the frame clean and tidy, while also protecting the cables from the elements. The Bronson C is also equipped with a number of features that enhance its durability, such as sealed cartridge bearings and a reinforced head tube. Overall, the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C is a well-rounded and capable bike that's sure to impress even the most demanding riders.

Weight Details

When it comes to mountain bikes, weight is a critical factor influencing performance. A lighter bike is generally easier to climb, accelerate, and maneuver. However, it's essential to strike a balance between weight and durability, as a bike that's too light may not be able to withstand the rigors of aggressive riding. Let's break down the weight considerations for the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C. The frame weight for a medium-sized Bronson C is approximately 6.2 pounds (2.8 kilograms). This is a respectable figure for a carbon fiber frame with 150mm of travel. However, it's important to note that the complete bike weight will vary depending on the build kit and components used.

A complete 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C, with a mid-range build kit, typically weighs around 28 to 30 pounds (12.7 to 13.6 kilograms). This weight range is competitive with other bikes in its class. However, riders looking to further reduce weight can opt for lighter components, such as carbon fiber wheels, a carbon fiber handlebar, and a lightweight saddle. Upgrading to a lighter wheelset can make a significant difference in the bike's overall weight and performance. Similarly, a carbon fiber handlebar can shave off a few grams while also improving vibration damping. A lightweight saddle can also contribute to weight savings, while also enhancing comfort.

It's also worth noting that the weight of the Bronson C can vary depending on the frame size. Larger frames will naturally weigh more than smaller frames. Additionally, the use of 27.5+ tires can add weight compared to standard 27.5-inch tires. However, the added traction and stability of 27.5+ tires may be worth the weight penalty for some riders. Ultimately, the ideal weight for a mountain bike depends on the rider's preferences and riding style. Riders who prioritize climbing performance may want to aim for a lighter bike, while riders who prioritize descending performance may be willing to sacrifice some weight for increased durability and stability.

Key Specifications

Beyond weight, several other specifications contribute to the overall performance and feel of the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C. Let's explore some of these key details. The frame material is carbon fiber, known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and vibration damping properties. The fork travel is 150mm, providing ample suspension for soaking up bumps and jumps. The rear travel is also 150mm, ensuring a balanced and controlled ride. The head tube angle is 66 degrees, striking a good balance between stability and agility. A slacker head tube angle provides more stability at high speeds, while a steeper head tube angle allows for quicker handling in tight corners.

The reach measurement, which indicates the distance from the bottom bracket to the head tube, is 445mm for a medium-sized frame. This provides a comfortable and balanced riding position. The stack height, which indicates the vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube, is 607mm for a medium-sized frame. This provides a comfortable and upright riding position. The wheel size is 27.5 inches, offering a good balance between rolling efficiency and maneuverability. The Bronson C is also compatible with 27.5+ tires, which offer increased traction and stability.

The bottom bracket height is 339mm, providing ample clearance for pedaling over obstacles. The chainstay length is 430mm, contributing to the bike's playful and responsive feel. The Bronson C also features internal cable routing, which keeps the frame clean and tidy while also protecting the cables from the elements. The bike is equipped with a threaded bottom bracket, which is known for its durability and ease of maintenance. The Bronson C is also compatible with a dropper post, which allows riders to quickly and easily adjust their saddle height on the fly.

Build Options and Components

The 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C was offered in several build configurations, each featuring a different selection of components. These build options allowed riders to choose a bike that suited their budget and riding style. The entry-level build typically included components such as a SRAM NX drivetrain, RockShox Revelation fork, and SRAM Guide T brakes. This build provided a solid and reliable performance at an affordable price. The mid-range build typically included components such as a SRAM GX drivetrain, Fox Float Performance fork, and SRAM Guide RS brakes. This build offered improved performance and durability compared to the entry-level build.

The high-end build typically included components such as a SRAM X01 drivetrain, Fox Float Factory fork, and SRAM Guide RSC brakes. This build provided top-of-the-line performance and was aimed at serious riders who demand the best. Some builds also included carbon fiber wheels, which further reduced weight and improved performance. The choice of components can significantly impact the bike's weight, performance, and overall feel. Riders looking to save weight can opt for lighter components, such as carbon fiber wheels, a carbon fiber handlebar, and a lightweight saddle. However, it's important to strike a balance between weight and durability, as a bike that's too light may not be able to withstand the rigors of aggressive riding.

Regardless of the build option, the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C was a well-rounded and capable bike that was sure to impress even the most demanding riders. Its carbon fiber frame, versatile geometry, and capable suspension made it a great choice for a wide range of riding styles and terrains.

Rider Reviews and Feedback

To get a well-rounded perspective, let's consider what riders themselves have to say about the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C. Many users praise its versatility, noting that it handles everything from technical climbs to fast descents with confidence. Riders often highlight the bike's playful and responsive feel, making it a joy to ride on a variety of trails. The VPP suspension is frequently mentioned for its efficiency and sensitivity, providing excellent traction and control. Some riders have noted that the Bronson C is a bit more expensive than some of its competitors, but they generally agree that the performance and quality justify the price.

Some riders have also commented on the bike's weight, with some feeling that it could be lighter. However, most riders acknowledge that the weight is reasonable for a bike with 150mm of travel and a carbon fiber frame. Riders looking to further reduce weight can opt for lighter components, such as carbon fiber wheels and a carbon fiber handlebar. Overall, the feedback on the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C is overwhelmingly positive, with riders praising its performance, versatility, and overall quality. The bike has earned a reputation as a capable and fun-to-ride trail bike that can handle a wide range of terrain.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C is a well-designed and versatile mountain bike that offers a great balance of weight, performance, and durability. Its carbon fiber frame, 150mm of travel, and playful geometry make it a capable and fun-to-ride trail bike. While the weight may not be the absolute lightest in its class, it's certainly competitive, and riders can always opt for lighter components to further reduce weight. Whether you're tackling technical climbs, bombing down fast descents, or just enjoying a leisurely ride on your local trails, the Bronson C is sure to impress. If you're in the market for a new mountain bike, the 2018 Santa Cruz Bronson C is definitely worth considering.