2018 Santa Cruz Tallboy - Road Cyclist's First Take

2018 Santa Cruz Tallboy C S is a beautiful bike!  I got it in early December and was anxiously awaiting for it to arrive.

It arrived in late December.  A local bike shop in Boise put it together for me.  It looked really nice.  I took it for a couple rides on a Greenway and finally made it to a local trail in the beginning of January.

I loved the comfort of the bike.  I really enjoyed the scenery and the freedom to go and explore the mountains.  I loved the that I didn't have to share the road with cars.

However, after riding road bikes for almost 6 years, this bike felt a little unstable.  I felt like I don't have a lot of control with the handlebars.  It maybe the geometry or just the fact that I am used to road bikes.

I also didn't like the singletrack and rock gardens.  Climbing felt kind of weird, especially when I had to share a narrow trail with bunch of people, dogs and cyclists. 

I know a lot of people who are obsessed with mountain biking.  Maybe I will like a fire road much better.  But for now, I am thinking that MTB may not be my thing... at least for now.   I may give it another try at some point in life, when I have more time to explore mountains.

So, goodbye Santa Cruz Tallboy!