Santa Cruz Bronson V5 2025 Review: The ideal all-rounder for everyone?

The new, beautifully designed carbon frame is instantly appealing. As is typical of Santa Cruz, the workmanship is absolutely top-notch . Everything fits perfectly, and the shapes and lines appear seamless.

Another immediately noticeable feature of the Bronson V5 is that the shock is now positioned lower and is significantly more accessible. This is made possible by a clever design change to the seat tube. The ingenious part: it splits towards the down tube into a kind of inverted Y. This not only looks pretty cool, but also allows you to adjust the shock much more easily.

Also very cool: the integrated storage compartment in the downtube, aka glovebox , with its two specially designed pouches. They're reminiscent of pencil cases from school and, thanks to their practical compartments , offer ample space for tools and other essentials. A major plus: the usual high-quality materials used in the pouches, which appear very robust and durable.

Also fantastic: the frame colors. Santa Cruz offers two options here: While the Translucent Root Beer, reminiscent of delicious maple syrup, looks incredibly sophisticated and mature with its dark red sheen, the exotic-sounding Kalimotxo shade impresses with a wonderful 80s neon look. We think both frame colors are fantastic. Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste.

The Shuttle-Guard and the downtube protector make a very robust impression and are suitable for the intended use of the bike.

The downtube protector, in particular, could have been a bit longer for our liking. Don't get us wrong, the Bronson is already very well protected with the protector – but as we all know, flying stones and debris aren't exactly gentle and can easily reach higher areas. We recommend an aftermarket downtube protector or frame protection film. We'd be happy to advise you and help you find the right protection for your bike.

We have nothing but compliments for the fantastic chainstay protector . It's not just rock-solid – the new, handlebar-oriented rubber fins keep the chain perfectly and silently in check, even on the most brutal descents.

Uphill performance: Relaxed climbing of the mountain

The promised reduced anti-squat made us very curious: How well does the Bronson V5 perform uphill? It quickly became clear: relaxed and even quite efficient. We particularly liked the upright seating position, which offers a great deal of comfort.

The aforementioned high front end requires a bit more pressure on the front wheel on very steep climbs. However, the Bronson V5 climbs exceptionally well overall – even though the bike isn't exactly lightweight despite its carbon frame – and it compensates with superbly robust construction. We were particularly impressed with the SRAM X0 AXS electronic drivetrain , which consistently delivered crisp and precise shifts.

Easy going thanks to Reserve carbon wheels

Rotating mass is a tricky thing. Even a few hundred grams make a big, noticeable difference. With the Reserve wheels... (Bronson X0 AXS RSV) made of carbon, the Bronson V5 rides more smoothly uphill and also reacts much more agilely to every pedaling impulse.

In our opinion, this is a worthwhile upgrade for all mountain bikers who enjoy tackling many climbs but still want very stable wheels for descents. Want to learn more about Reserve wheels and their performance? We have all the information for you here .

All active and playful mountain bikers will love it: the Bronson loves airtime and is easy to get airborne. In our test, we had a blast using even the smallest roots as jumps. In short: this bike has tons of pop.

Tires are always a bit of a personal thing: every mountain biker has their favorites. Nevertheless, we think the Americans have made an excellent choice here. Up front, the familiar MAXXIS ASSEGAI MaxxGrip EXO+ is at work, which impressed us in testing with its excellent grip and smooth ride. At the rear, the tried-and-tested MAXXIS Minion DHRII MaxxTerra EXO+ is fitted.

Tuning tip: Upgrade to a more robust carcass, such as the DoubleDown version. It offers even greater puncture protection.

In our test bike (Bronson X0 AXS RSV), the new FOX 36 Float Factory fork with Grip X2 damper impressed with its excellent responsiveness and ample reserves . The same applies to the FOX FLOAT X Factory shock , which is a perfect match for the Bronson's optimized VPP rear suspension , offering sensitive responses while still providing plenty of travel.

The bike truly shines on challenging local trails. Want to pull off a quick manual or use the small jump after the berm as a trampoline? Yes! Absolutely. Rougher trails or easier bike park sections are also perfectly suited to its intended use. But it's also clear: if things get too intense, the Bronson will honestly and transparently show you that it's not a hardcore enduro bike. The best part? It won't suddenly overwhelm you or throw any tantrums.