I walked into The Path about six months ago and they just happened to be unloading a shipment of SC bikes. They had one large Bronson V4, I immediately snapped it up and canceled the Hightower that I had on order from a different shop. So stoked I was there that day!
Glad it was helpful! I think if you're not doing lift-access bike park riding as much as I do but still like to send it in the chunk, the Bronson is a great choice!
@@mtb_alan I do lift access about 1/3 of the time, if the nomad was mullet I think I would pick it no questions asked . I’m coming off a 2015 altitude that’s 28 lbs…. Hard to find something that’s not going to be completely different
I'm 5'8" and recently got the 2022 Bronson... A MAZ ING!! The Mullets is 100% everything I wanted in a bike. I will let you borrow mine, if you're ever in Nor Cal.
I'm right on the bubble between medium and large... now you have me rethinking my life! My last few bikes I've sized up to large, but I'm considering dropping back down to medium to see if I notice an increase in maneuverability without sacrificing capability/confidence. Nice review!
Hey, I'm looking at getting a Bronson, and can't make up my mind between an M or an L,, I'm 5' 10" - trouble is I live in Spain and there are none to try out, so I'm going to need to buy before I try! Out of interest, which size did you go with and how tall are you? Cheers,
@Dr. J MTB thanks for the info,, I currently ride a Yeti SB5 in an M, I really like it, as its playful and easy to hop around and jump down the trail, but I always feel unstable descending off and over big rocks, hoping that the Bronson will be equally as playful but more capable descending,, Just not sure if the L will loose some of that playfulness??
Smaller bikes FTW! I'm 5'6, and when I was buying my Nukeproof Dissent 275 DH bike, I tried out both the Small (425mm reach, 1221.5mm wheelbase) and Medium (445mm reach, 1241.5mm wheelbase) sizes. I could have ridden the Medium, and sure it was more stable, but the Small was just plain more fun to throw around. Getting rad on the medium always felt like more of a chore. In the end, it really is personal preference, but I do think some manufacturers have started going overboard with long reaches on their bikes. Although, I think they've realized that it's a point of diminishing returns for the average rider-not-trying-to-win-a-World-Cup-race to size up too far, so it looks like reach numbers are starting to settle at more reasonable numbers now across the board.
Indeed indeed. I know a guy who is about 6’ and rides a medium to match his riding style. I definitely found it easier to throw that small around. Still wanna see how the medium feels but I’m thinking I might ride a small for my next bike.
Just bought the 2022 Bronson in August. I live in Big Bear and Goldsmiths just happened to have some come in. My first full suspension mtb and I love it!
Great vid Alan, I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the V4 but I don’t know if it’s enough to get me out of my 2020 Bronson V3 I absolutely love this bike. I do however want to give the MX a try. Have a rad day brother!!
The V3 is sick! I rode the heck out of that bike before I got the Nomad. Personally, I think the MX Bronson is a legit upgrade from the V3, but hey...love the bike you ride, right?! :)
Another great vid man! Sounds to me like a change to mullet might be in the near future for you 😃 I got my mullet coming in January, not Santa Cruz, but I am sold on the mixed.
Great review of the Bronson. Have you got to try the Medium Bronson yet? I’m 5’6 and really struggling to decide what size to choose. From Norway and no place to demo the bike. What’s your experience with the small? Any good advice?
I had this same bike, same build. Just sold. Loved it. I’m 6’2” so I went with an XL, which is what I’d normally be accustomed to. It ended up being bigger than needed for me. The Large would have been a better fit. This is a very long bike.
Hey Alan! Did you ever get a chance to try out the med. Bronson? I’m the height as you and was looking into downsizing as well. Just wanted your thoughts on the sizing difference you’ve experienced
I haven’t yet. But after a discussion with a Santa Cruz rep, I’d get a medium. This is based on the fact that I hit the bike park and other places where we get pretty high speed. I realized that the small was fine that day in Sedona because we never hit the kind of speeds I hit at the bike park. Also, I don’t have the kind of BMX background or bike handling skills that my buddies have who ride smaller sizes. Hope that helps you choose. 👊🏾
Hey Alan! Hope you see this. I live in the Phoenix area and ride Sedona quite often. Ironically there's been 2 bikes I've had my eye on, 1 being the Bronson and the other being the Nomad. I currently have a Stumpjumper comp alloy and wanted to try something different. I'm definitely going to try and get into Thunder mountain bikes to see if they still have this bike available for rental so I can try it out. With being able to ride both bikes how do they compare while riding the terrain in Sedona (or California) Is there one you prefer more than the other? Thanks! Love the channel brother!🤙
Great question. Personally I think the Bronson is better suited for Sedona. The Nomad is better for faster bigger stuff and bike park. That being said, I’m on a Reign now. And I think I’d take a Trance X to Sedona. Hope that helps.
Crazy! I rented that same Bronson a week after you rode it. Now I know why the shifting didn’t work. Lol. Also the bar length was way too long for that size. Felt like 800m+.
I am not prepared at this time to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of that about which you are implying. 😅 Seriously tho, rad bike! I personally felt ok with the bar width but then I was on the top end of the bike size. 🤘🏾
I'm glad youtube algorithms took me here, the way you explained sizing definitely helped. But I do got to ask, is the bike playful, snappy and/or poppy?
Been waitin’ for you to review the new Bronson. Everything you said about it could be said, and in fact has been said, by you and me and a lot of others, about the V3 Bronson. So here’s the question: how much different does that 29er up front make the bike feel compared to the V3?
They changed more than the front wheel. The geo is updated too. It carries momentum better. Handles chunk better. Is more solid in turns. Overall, it’s more of a brawler descending while still being fun and poppy and not losing anything on climbs. And this is based on my experience on a size small. On a medium it might be even more of a beast on the downs. It was significant that I could go as hard on a small V4 Bronson as I do on a medium Nomad. I don’t think I could say the same thing about a small V3 Bronson.
my bike has been stolen yesterday and am wondering if I should get a nomad, or just get another bronson like I had previously. Or just get a different bike?
@@mtb_alan I'm so mad. Driving back all the way from whistler to comforting socal and someone cut the cables on the rack. I do like jumps a lot but also enjoy tech. I'm indecisive whether to try somethin new or same old.
Ugh! That sucks! Glad you got to do go Whistler. I think they're both really capable bikes...especially now that the Bronson is MX. For me, the choice between the Nomad and the Bronson came down to how much time I spend at the bike park. The longer slacker bike at the bike park made more sense. I think if I didn't spend so much of the summer at Snow Summit, I might lean more toward the Bronson. That being said, it'll be interesting to see if a new Nomad comes out any time soon.
A video I was always wanting, a comparison between the latest Nomad and Bronson MX. How was jumping the new Bronson? Did the 29er front feel way heavier or was the weight difference in the front negligible?
@@mtb_alan Thanks for the response! I have a V2 and love it but have been considering a newer version for the modern updates. Just didn’t want to be disappointed.
It’s amazing how many people ride a bike that is too big for them, i’ve been at people riding a large bike and they are 5.4 . Some say a larger bike makes it more stable but it makes it harder to handle and maneuver.
Yeah. The right size is key. I swear there’s a machismo dynamic at play with some people. I also know dudes who claim they’re 5’8” and are an inch shorter than me at 5’5”. 😆
@@mtb_alan I raced a track Hardtail medium one time after that weekend I got home and told the wife to sell it I normally ride a small frame road bike mountain bike and the medium destroyed me. Finding the right geometry frames makes the ride a much better adventure
Rad video, been super curious about the V4 Bronson, it does look super fun, then again I feel like Santa Cruz makes great bikes in general. Let me know If you ever want to come ride San Diego trails 🤘🏼
@@mtb_alan you asked if we knew of one! Lol I just got the twin of that one. I got the green "R" build Bronson! Love it! Can't wait to take it back to the west coast where I came from!
Missing Sedona right now... I've got a Paydirt Gold v4 Medium Bronson S build that's fantastic. You could maybe take it for a spin if you can't get a hold of one!
Specialized moved to a new sizing method, which is more about your riding style that your physical size. I wonder if other companies will try this as well.
Indeed. Their S sizing is neat. That being said, standard size names work pretty well for the most part. It’s really the in-between people that could benefit from trying different sizes. That being said, I know a couple experienced riders who prefer to downsize in order to accommodate their riding style.
@@mtb_alan I have the issue that height-wise I am a medium in most bikes I have tried, but because long arms make a medium feel a little off sized. I end up riding too straight up, and climbing is a pain.
😂 They did keep looking at it and then back at me when I returned it. But dude! You hold zero responsibility for my dumbness. But if you feel guilty, you can make it up to me when I make it up to your wood necks.
Rental bikes are like rental cars, don't buy a rental bike 😂 Glad you're still laughing after those tumbles, Sedona is on my bucket list.👍 #crashymccrashface
Thanks!
🤘🏾my pleasure!
I walked into The Path about six months ago and they just happened to be unloading a shipment of SC bikes. They had one large Bronson V4, I immediately snapped it up and canceled the Hightower that I had on order from a different shop. So stoked I was there that day!
Heckin’ A!
Great stuff Alan. Man those trails look so fun! I bet your a little beat up though after those crashes.
Thanks Doug. Sedona is a blast. I came out mostly unscathed. Just a little bruise on the ol’ elbow. 👍🏾
I have that exact bike and it has taken #1 spot over my 2021 specialized enduro. Awesome video man!
Thanks Donny! I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I rode it. Was tempted to shell out another 100 bucks to keep it longer. 😆
That's pretty rad to hear...that good aye? Must be the combination of both fun and capability!
Super helpful video when I’m consider a Bronson or a nomad . I do a lot of climbing so leaning toward Bronson and I love the idea of mx wheels
Glad it was helpful! I think if you're not doing lift-access bike park riding as much as I do but still like to send it in the chunk, the Bronson is a great choice!
@@mtb_alan I do lift access about 1/3 of the time, if the nomad was mullet I think I would pick it no questions asked . I’m coming off a 2015 altitude that’s 28 lbs…. Hard to find something that’s not going to be completely different
I'm 5'8" and recently got the 2022 Bronson... A MAZ ING!! The Mullets is 100% everything I wanted in a bike.
I will let you borrow mine, if you're ever in Nor Cal.
Awesomeness! Thanks. 👊🏾
Oops, 5'8" and I'm Riding a Medium
I'm right on the bubble between medium and large... now you have me rethinking my life! My last few bikes I've sized up to large, but I'm considering dropping back down to medium to see if I notice an increase in maneuverability without sacrificing capability/confidence. Nice review!
Right on! Hopefully you can try before you buy. Thanks!
Hey, I'm looking at getting a Bronson, and can't make up my mind between an M or an L,, I'm 5' 10" - trouble is I live in Spain and there are none to try out, so I'm going to need to buy before I try! Out of interest, which size did you go with and how tall are you? Cheers,
@@martinfox77 5’9” and this was a medium. I’ve more recently been running the V6 Nomad in large. I’d go large at 5’10”
@Dr. J MTB thanks for the info,, I currently ride a Yeti SB5 in an M, I really like it, as its playful and easy to hop around and jump down the trail, but I always feel unstable descending off and over big rocks, hoping that the Bronson will be equally as playful but more capable descending,, Just not sure if the L will loose some of that playfulness??
Smaller bikes FTW!
I'm 5'6, and when I was buying my Nukeproof Dissent 275 DH bike, I tried out both the Small (425mm reach, 1221.5mm wheelbase) and Medium (445mm reach, 1241.5mm wheelbase) sizes. I could have ridden the Medium, and sure it was more stable, but the Small was just plain more fun to throw around. Getting rad on the medium always felt like more of a chore.
In the end, it really is personal preference, but I do think some manufacturers have started going overboard with long reaches on their bikes. Although, I think they've realized that it's a point of diminishing returns for the average rider-not-trying-to-win-a-World-Cup-race to size up too far, so it looks like reach numbers are starting to settle at more reasonable numbers now across the board.
Indeed indeed. I know a guy who is about 6’ and rides a medium to match his riding style. I definitely found it easier to throw that small around. Still wanna see how the medium feels but I’m thinking I might ride a small for my next bike.
Absolutely love my v4 Bronson!!
Yew!
Just bought the 2022 Bronson in August. I live in Big Bear and Goldsmiths just happened to have some come in. My first full suspension mtb and I love it!
Heck yeah!
@@mtb_alan as a matter of fact, Dallas was the one that turned me on to your channel
That’s rad. They fixed my bike a couple times for me when I was up at Snow Summit. 🤘🏾
I’m 5’4 and a year ago went from a small 2015 Norco sight A2 to a medium 2021 Sight A2 and love it
Nice!
Great vid Alan, I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the V4 but I don’t know if it’s enough to get me out of my 2020 Bronson V3 I absolutely love this bike. I do however want to give the MX a try. Have a rad day brother!!
The V3 is sick! I rode the heck out of that bike before I got the Nomad.
Personally, I think the MX Bronson is a legit upgrade from the V3, but hey...love the bike you ride, right?! :)
Thank you 🙏 for the review! This is a bike I have been considering for a upgrade from my hardtail chameleon.
Glad to help! It is such a good bike!
Mullet power is strong with you! Great review and video! I love my mullet powered Bronson!
😆🤘🏾
I’m 5’5 and use the small Bronson! Join the Mullet power side!
I like it!
Another great vid man! Sounds to me like a change to mullet might be in the near future for you 😃 I got my mullet coming in January, not Santa Cruz, but I am sold on the mixed.
Yeah! For sure. I’m sold on the mullet.
Great review of the Bronson. Have you got to try the Medium Bronson yet? I’m 5’6 and really struggling to decide what size to choose. From Norway and no place to demo the bike. What’s your experience with the small? Any good advice?
At 5’6” I would suggest size medium.
I had this same bike, same build. Just sold. Loved it.
I’m 6’2” so I went with an XL, which is what I’d normally be accustomed to. It ended up being bigger than needed for me. The Large would have been a better fit. This is a very long bike.
I'm also 6'2" and ordered a Tallboy in XL that's supposed to arrive in February. Hopefully I ordered the right size.
@@norcalchrismeister I bet you’ll be ok with the TB in XL. That bike doesn’t have the slack geo of a Bronson.
@@Gabesafish Cool. Thx for letting me know bro. I can't wait to ride the TB!
Yeah...I think bike size is a slight bit trickier than it used to be.
Hey Alan! Did you ever get a chance to try out the med. Bronson? I’m the height as you and was looking into downsizing as well. Just wanted your thoughts on the sizing difference you’ve experienced
I haven’t yet. But after a discussion with a Santa Cruz rep, I’d get a medium. This is based on the fact that I hit the bike park and other places where we get pretty high speed.
I realized that the small was fine that day in Sedona because we never hit the kind of speeds I hit at the bike park.
Also, I don’t have the kind of BMX background or bike handling skills that my buddies have who ride smaller sizes.
Hope that helps you choose. 👊🏾
Hey Alan! Hope you see this. I live in the Phoenix area and ride Sedona quite often. Ironically there's been 2 bikes I've had my eye on, 1 being the Bronson and the other being the Nomad. I currently have a Stumpjumper comp alloy and wanted to try something different. I'm definitely going to try and get into Thunder mountain bikes to see if they still have this bike available for rental so I can try it out. With being able to ride both bikes how do they compare while riding the terrain in Sedona (or California) Is there one you prefer more than the other? Thanks! Love the channel brother!🤙
Great question. Personally I think the Bronson is better suited for Sedona. The Nomad is better for faster bigger stuff and bike park. That being said, I’m on a Reign now. And I think I’d take a Trance X to Sedona. Hope that helps.
@@mtb_alan Absolutely man! I appreciate your input! 🙏
Bronson is a sickk bike mate! so cool!
💯 agree!
@@mtb_alan 😄😄😄
I picked up a V4 Bronson back in July and have been loving it! What hubs were on the one you rode?
Also I work at a Santa Cruz dealer in Massachusetts and I have a medium Bronson in stock
Nice. I am guessing it had the DT 350s, but I don’t recall for sure.
One of the best mtb model to date
💯
Crazy! I rented that same Bronson a week after you rode it. Now I know why the shifting didn’t work. Lol. Also the bar length was way too long for that size. Felt like 800m+.
I am not prepared at this time to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of that about which you are implying. 😅 Seriously tho, rad bike! I personally felt ok with the bar width but then I was on the top end of the bike size. 🤘🏾
I'm glad youtube algorithms took me here, the way you explained sizing definitely helped. But I do got to ask, is the bike playful, snappy and/or poppy?
Heck yeah! It’s definitely poppy and playful. And still capable in the steeps and chunk.
you sir just made it easier to decide my next bike... Can't wait to demo one! Thanks!
Yew!
Nice vid. I dig the Sedona. It’s too bad I didn’t get to meet ya!
Thanks! Sedona is a good time for sure. Maybe next time. 🤘🏾
Been waitin’ for you to review the new Bronson. Everything you said about it could be said, and in fact has been said, by you and me and a lot of others, about the V3 Bronson. So here’s the question: how much different does that 29er up front make the bike feel compared to the V3?
They changed more than the front wheel. The geo is updated too. It carries momentum better. Handles chunk better. Is more solid in turns.
Overall, it’s more of a brawler descending while still being fun and poppy and not losing anything on climbs. And this is based on my experience on a size small. On a medium it might be even more of a beast on the downs.
It was significant that I could go as hard on a small V4 Bronson as I do on a medium Nomad. I don’t think I could say the same thing about a small V3 Bronson.
@@mtb_alan cool and well put. The V3 went to 11 compared to the V2, so I guess the V4 goes to 12 compared to the V3. so… back to the Bronson?? Lol.
@@dadventuretv2538 🤘🏾
I’m def considering the Bronson as my next bike.
my bike has been stolen yesterday and am wondering if I should get a nomad, or just get another bronson like I had previously. Or just get a different bike?
Damn! Sorry to hear.
It really depends on what you want out of a bike.
@@mtb_alan I'm so mad. Driving back all the way from whistler to comforting socal and someone cut the cables on the rack. I do like jumps a lot but also enjoy tech. I'm indecisive whether to try somethin new or same old.
Ugh! That sucks! Glad you got to do go Whistler.
I think they're both really capable bikes...especially now that the Bronson is MX. For me, the choice between the Nomad and the Bronson came down to how much time I spend at the bike park. The longer slacker bike at the bike park made more sense. I think if I didn't spend so much of the summer at Snow Summit, I might lean more toward the Bronson.
That being said, it'll be interesting to see if a new Nomad comes out any time soon.
A video I was always wanting, a comparison between the latest Nomad and Bronson MX. How was jumping the new Bronson? Did the 29er front feel way heavier or was the weight difference in the front negligible?
Yew! I didn’t do a lot of jumping but what jumps I hit, the Bronson felt great!
How did you like this one in comparison to the last gen?
The V4 is a different animal. IMO, it’s more capable and just as fun as the previous generation.
@@mtb_alan Thanks for the response! I have a V2 and love it but have been considering a newer version for the modern updates. Just didn’t want to be disappointed.
@@dcouture79 No problem. I’d say the V4 leans more on the descending side and trades off a bit from the climbing side.
I saw glimpses of your other bike in this vid😛
Yup!
Santa cruz bronson is a Really nice weapon
I agree!
I just came here to watch the Sheyn follow cam. 😂🙄 I hate to see him go but I LOVE to watch him leave.
That Love butt tho.
Bronson rocks!
💯
I’m still on the V2 Bronson. I gotta check out this mullet.
From the V2, it’d be a game changer.
It’s amazing how many people ride a bike that is too big for them, i’ve been at people riding a large bike and they are 5.4 . Some say a larger bike makes it more stable but it makes it harder to handle and maneuver.
Yeah. The right size is key. I swear there’s a machismo dynamic at play with some people.
I also know dudes who claim they’re 5’8” and are an inch shorter than me at 5’5”. 😆
@@mtb_alan I raced a track Hardtail medium one time after that weekend I got home and told the wife to sell it I normally ride a small frame road bike mountain bike and the medium destroyed me. Finding the right geometry frames makes the ride a much better adventure
💯
Have you ridden a 4th Gen medium yet?
I've not.
Bluedog cycles in Viroqua Wisconsin has a medium v4 Bronson in the paydirt gold color. Hit those guys up they are fantastic!
Thanks!
Rad video, been super curious about the V4 Bronson, it does look super fun, then again I feel like Santa Cruz makes great bikes in general. Let me know If you ever want to come ride San Diego trails 🤘🏼
Heck yeah!
Can I come? I'm in IE. Not a famous RUclipsr but I like to ride new places
@@ramirosoto7333 Sedona MTB Festival is right around the corner.
Nice, Im torn between Hightower and Bronson. Also, sizing as im just inside the large chart
Both great bikes!
What did you end up going with?
There is a Medium Gold "R" Bronson at Pedal Power Bike shop in Lexington Kentucky
Kentucky! I used to cross the TN/KY border to buy cigs on the cheap back in the 80s.
@@mtb_alan you asked if we knew of one! Lol
I just got the twin of that one. I got the green "R" build Bronson! Love it! Can't wait to take it back to the west coast where I came from!
Yew!
Missing Sedona right now... I've got a Paydirt Gold v4 Medium Bronson S build that's fantastic. You could maybe take it for a spin if you can't get a hold of one!
Wow! I really appreciate that. You did see my crashes right? 😂
@@mtb_alan You'd be on your best behavior because I'll be pacing you on your Nomad. 😜
Ah...that'd be a good way to reign me in. 😝
thunder mountain bikes, is the best , they were the only shop to have a gx derailer and i was fortunate enough to buy it for 100 bux
Nice!
@@mtb_alan i remember seeing you at the path
Yo! 👋🏾
@@mtb_alan hey yo!!!! “rodney dangerfield”
What kind of shifter does it have
Check the Santa Cruz website for the most accurate info. 👍🏾
Specialized moved to a new sizing method, which is more about your riding style that your physical size. I wonder if other companies will try this as well.
Indeed. Their S sizing is neat. That being said, standard size names work pretty well for the most part. It’s really the in-between people that could benefit from trying different sizes. That being said, I know a couple experienced riders who prefer to downsize in order to accommodate their riding style.
@@mtb_alan I have the issue that height-wise I am a medium in most bikes I have tried, but because long arms make a medium feel a little off sized. I end up riding too straight up, and climbing is a pain.
@@PatrickFortunatoJr interesting. And seat position, stem length, stack height, and bar roll adjustments haven’t helped?
@@mtb_alan I haven't gotten that far yet :) I am VERY new to this.
Ah got it. Yeah…all those adjustments can make a huge difference. See if your LBS does MTB fits. I know my shop, The Path does.
Can someone tell me what trail that is at .14?? I from Sedona and that looks narly fun
That’s where you take a right from Slim Shady onto Easy Breezy. 👍🏾
Good to see you’re not pulling people over no more lol.
Let it go.
Thunder mountain is gonna want to keep the security deposit after seeing these crashes (that I feel partly responsible for 😬) 😅
😂 They did keep looking at it and then back at me when I returned it. But dude! You hold zero responsibility for my dumbness. But if you feel guilty, you can make it up to me when I make it up to your wood necks.
@@mtb_alan what was the damage. A bottom bracket scrape?? Ahhh the pleasures of a carbon frame 🤦🏻♂️
@@themiddleagemasher8108 no damage.
I'm 5'6" and to me I the med bronson was way to big so the small was a smart choice
I've got that bike! Let me tell you, it's a beast. But all santa cruz bikes are. You can't go wrong with santa cruz, just impossible
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Rental bikes are like rental cars, don't buy a rental bike 😂 Glad you're still laughing after those tumbles, Sedona is on my bucket list.👍 #crashymccrashface
Ha! Truth.
Yeah...I made it out unscathed.
TBH, I think the smaller bike actually made it easier to handle crashes better.