Both bikes have now been in the Santa Cruz line up for over ten years. With the Tallboy V1 launching in 2009 and the 5010 V1 in 2013. Since their incarnation the versatility of both models and their inability to be pigeonholed has inspired a wide range of builds, based on their owners individual aspirations for riding.

Since it’s launch the 29er Tallboy has always had a loyal following with riders looking for that ‘go to’ bike that will be responsive and fun enough for hammering out ‘power hour’ laps whilst still being efficient and composed in order to grind out multiple hour epics at the weekend. If ever there was one bike that would do it all for cross country riders looking to push the capabilities of a lightweight full suspension platform, the Tallboy was always the one. It became a classic.

The 5010, in contrast, was developed for one purpose… fun! Whether that be down at your local jump spot, on a trail centre hot lap or weekend epic. It’s the bike that Danny MacAskill reached for in the majority of his adventures, due to it’s playful nature. However, although limited by the rotational capabilities of it’s 27.5 wheels, with the legendary VPP platform the 5010 also pedalled in the same efficient manner as it’s XC stablemate. Once this was realised, riders who weren’t as performance focused began to use the 5010 as their chosen trail bike.

So the distinctions between the two models became blurred as riders began placing greater demands on the tallboy due to the superb geometry. Adding bigger forks, brakes and wider bars to tackle more technical terrain on their XC loop. Whilst 5010 owners began to upgrade to lighter wheels and components to take advantage of it’s pedalling capabilities, transforming it into a lightweight trail bike that could be hopped, skipped and jumped around the longest XC jaunt. Essentially both bikes were a blank canvas to create a sublime trail bike, with the Tallboy having a bias for speed and efficiency whilst the 5010 was more likely to make up for what it lacks in ability to churn out miles by dishing out the smiles. All this before ‘downcountry’ was a thing!

The Development of the V5 Tallboy and 5010

The obvious difference between both models is the wheel standard which is the main factor in distinguishing handling and performance characteristics between the two.

In 2019 both models received their V4 updates, where they both had radical transformations with the introduction of a lower-link VPP platform. In short the more progressive stroke of the lower link and the lower centre of gravity enabled both bikes to be ridden harder. This was especially the case with the Tallboy which shrugged off the ‘small boy persona’ gaining some aggressive geometry to couple the bigger wheels, resulting in what Santa Cruz called ‘The Downhillers XC bike’. Now dedicated ‘Downcountry XC’ duties were fully taken care of with the Blur, the new Tallboy was developed to have a distinct lack of overlap between it and the Blur, placing it firmly in the trail bike genre.

The 5010 also became a harder hitter thanks to the adoption of the new lower link VPP design giving the bike a lower centre of gravity for more stability at speed and glue like traction in corners. The progressive nature of the lower link added to this by providing more support mid corner meaning this bike could now really be pushed hard. This progression and support also meant the playful 5010 spirit became even more spritely too, allowing for longer pops, bigger drops and amplified corner exploding attitude.

So why change a good thing?

The 5010 V4 still felt slightly trapped in its jib-bike persona with the dual 27.5 wheel setup having it’s limitations. In 2022 both bikes were revised. In the case of the Tallboy V5, just like the Hightower V3 also launched in 2022, Santa Cruz recognised the need for refinement rather than revision. So the 2023 Tallboy doesn't deviate that far from the previous model. Maintaining it’s footing as a capable, efficient and fun trail bike that can be pedalled all day. So it only received just a few tweaks to the geometry and kinematics. The 5010, in contrast, had a radical overhaul, with the adoption of the MX wheel format, revised suspension kinematics and geometry with the aim of building upon its capability from the lower link by adding a big wheel up front whist maintaining a smaller wheel out back so not to sacrifice it’s playful nature it become renown for.

The 5010 V4 still felt slightly trapped in its jib-bike persona with the dual 27.5 wheel setup having it’s limitations. In 2022 both bikes were revised. In the case of the Tallboy V5, just like the Hightower V3 also launched in 2022, Santa Cruz recognised the need for refinement rather than revision. So the 2023 Tallboy doesn't deviate that far from the previous model. Maintaining it’s footing as a capable, efficient and fun trail bike that can be pedalled all day. So it only received just a few tweaks to the geometry and kinematics. The 5010, in contrast, had a radical overhaul, with the adoption of the MX wheel format, revised suspension kinematics and geometry with the aim of building upon its capability from the lower link by adding a big wheel up front whist maintaining a smaller wheel out back so not to sacrifice it’s playful nature it become renown for.

Tallboy V5 and 5010 V5 Similarities

The 5010 has slightly more travel than the Tallboy, 10mm front and rear. However both bikes now share the same developments in Suspension Kinematics, with Santa Cruz finding the perfect balance of support and grip to maximise both bikes capability for descending and tackling technical terrain with a modest amount of travel. This was achieved by having significantly less anti-squat on both than the previous generation Tallboy and 5010 to provide a sensitive, ground-tracking ride and reduced pedal kickback. The leverage curve was then modified in both bikes to be highly progressive to give the rider plenty of predictable support, bottom-out resistance, and a playful response. This means the limited travel is accessible and higher impacts aren’t as jarring as you’d expect from a short-travel bike.

In terms of similarities this is where it ends, both bikes are now quite different in terms of design and how they ride and their intended usage and now can be pigeon holed into their respective genres. The Tallboy is a phenomenally capable XC trail bike, something that the 5010 will never be now thanks to it’s MX platform.

Tallboy V5 and 5010 V5 Differences

Wheel format has always been the distinction between these two, and this is still the case. The Tallboy will hold speed and pedal more willingly than the 5010 with the dual 29er set up at the sacrifice of acceleration on your lunchtime hot laps. It may also be more reluctant to turn quite as quickly as the 5010 with it’s MX set up.

Our mechanic Ben has both the V5 5010 and Tallboy in his garage and explains it perfectly:

“The old 5010 was great, I used to set the pressures high and really enjoyed pinging it around the trail. But the new bike is completely different to ride. The big wheel up front makes it a really capable trail bike, think of it as a smaller Bronson! But amazingly it still feels as playful as the 5010s of old, but now the suspension is super supple with bags of grip. It may not be as pingy, but the smaller rear wheel really makes it handle superbly, it just loves to turn.”

“It feels night and day compared to the handling of the Tallboy, which is much slower to switch direction. The Tallboy climbs noticeably better than the 5010 and is more efficient. but that’s not what it was intended for. I can’t keep off my new 5010, but if I’m heading out on a long pedal I’ll reach for the Tallboy every time, it might be a little less fun that the 5010 but it allows me to get bigger rides in the bank a lot faster and easier. Sometimes the bigger wheel out back is noticeable on faster, more open descending, it just floats over technical terrain, but is hard to pull back on line when things get a little out of shape, it’s a lot easier to correct the 5010 in situations like that.”

For all the handling benefits of the MX set up, the compromise is in climbing. A smaller wheel out back powering the 29er up front will be harder work to propel uphill and technical climbing will require more muscle combined with finesse to lift the bike up and over rock and roots. Whereas the bigger wheel and tyre contact patch of the 29 wheel of the Tallboy will find grip on even the most challenging climbs whilst not getting hooked up in technical features along the way.

Conclusion

We think in a nutshell Santa Cruz themselves summarised it perfectly when they said: “if you’re interested in getting there faster, without so much showing off? Try the Tallboy.”

We’d add… “want to get there a little late but with a bigger smile pop for the 5010!”

Interested in a Tallboy or 5010? Selected models currently have up to 40% off RRP! Still unsure if a Tallboy or 5010 is the best bike option for you? Give us a shout on the phone, drop an email to sales@stifmtb.com or to head to either of our stores for a brew and a chat! We have a full showroom plus a range of demo bikes in all sizes for you to ride.

The 5010

The Tallboy