Thread: Spearfish v. Tallboy? Which should win my $$$?

Help me pick my new 29er.

The Salsa Spearfish takes on Santa Cruz Tallboy.

Both bikes will be similiarly spec'd and within a couple hundred bucks of each other.

The Santa Cruz should be about 2lbs heavier.

My riding is mostly east coast single track...long rides of 2-3+ hrs.

What says everyone?

-Smarty

I'd vote for the Tallboy. I'm in the market for a new 29er as well. And just an FYI, there's a high likelyhood they will be releasing a long travel version of the TB at Sea Otter in a few weeks. It's been rumored all over. I'm holding out for that, but also looking hard at the Ibis Ripley which should be out later this year.

Anecdotal experience, but a friend had both a Pivot 429 and TB for a while at the same time. He recently sold the Pivot. I'm interested in the Salsa, but stuck on HT's for around here.

Since I'm fairly local, what trails is it intended? Brandywine, Fair Hill, White Clay/Middle Run, maybe Iron Hill down your way? I ride French Creek and Bear Creek often up my way which is what makes me want a FS29.

My few rides I've taken on a Spearfish have been delightful. T the time I owned a Fisher Superfly 100 (2010 - before all the pro/elite/etc names), and though their suspension designs are remarkably similar, I felt the Salsa was a much more efficient while pedaling. Felt a lot more like a hardtail.

That being said, I've never ridden a Tall Boy, so can't fairly compare the two.

Originally Posted by VTskibum

Anecdotal experience, but a friend had both a Pivot 429 and TB for a while at the same time. He recently sold the Pivot. I'm interested in the Salsa, but stuck on HT's for around here.

Since I'm fairly local, what trails is it intended? Brandywine, Fair Hill, White Clay/Middle Run, maybe Iron Hill down your way? I ride French Creek and Bear Creek often up my way which is what makes me want a FS29.

I live appx 2miles from Brandywine; so most of the rides will be there, but will ocasionally got to the others just to mix it up a bit. I'll also be taking it up to NH (littleton area) a few times for some fireroads and some easy single track (read: no drops bigger than 2.5-3' and rarely that big).

Spearfish all the way! I'm a Salsa maniac, but the Spearfish is definitely one of my favorite rides. Gotta love that orange.

Originally Posted by PluckyP

Spearfish all the way! I'm a Salsa maniac, but the Spearfish is definitely one of my favorite rides. Gotta love that orange.

After getting my first 29er earlier this year, the salsa el mar, I am convinced I will never buy any other brand of mtn bike. I'm actually looking forward to selling a couple of bikes later this summer to get another one.

Now, to answer your question, ride both, get the one that feels the best.

Originally Posted by PluckyP

Spearfish all the way! I'm a Salsa maniac, but the Spearfish is definitely one of my favorite rides. Gotta love that orange.

I wanted the green one, but the bike store guy (who sells both the Salsa and the Santa Cruz) said the SF2 (the orange one) was one of the best "bang-for-the-buck" values he's seen and recommends that SF above the other two (and the Tallboy). If I get the Salsa, the SF2 will be the one I go with.

-Smarty

Originally Posted by supermodel159

After getting my first 29er earlier this year, the salsa el mar, I am convinced I will never buy any other brand of mtn bike. I'm actually looking forward to selling a couple of bikes later this summer to get another one.

Now, to answer your question, ride both, get the one that feels the best.

Good to know. Just ordered an El Mar last night! Not to thread jack but do you have the #2? Do you like the wheelset?