Santa Cruz Highball

While the Highball is optimized for cross-country racing, its geometry and inclusion of a dropper post make it quite capable for general trail riding. It excels on smoother, flowy singletrack, though it will be less forgiving on extremely rocky or technical downhill terrain compared to a full-suspension bike.

Santa Cruz uses their Carbon CC layup to achieve the best possible balance of stiffness and low weight. It is their highest-grade carbon construction, designed to be incredibly responsive under power while remaining durable enough for the rigors of competitive cross-country riding.

The SRAM X0 Eagle AXS drivetrain is remarkably low-maintenance compared to traditional cable-actuated systems. You will need to keep the battery charged, but the system is sealed against the elements and eliminates the need for cable tension adjustments or housing replacements.

For cross-country terrain, 100mm is the standard travel length and provides an efficient platform for climbing and pedaling. If your local trails are exceptionally rough or steep, you might find the limits of this travel, but for most XC-focused riders, it offers the perfect balance of weight savings and bump absorption.

Yes, the Reserve 28|XC wheels come tubeless-ready out of the box. Running them tubeless is highly recommended to take full advantage of the lower tire pressures and puncture protection they offer.