Bike Check: Chris Panozzo's Santa Cruz Tallboy

You might know Chris Panozzo better for winning the past two Gravity Enduro national titles, or the last round of the MTBA Gravity Enduro national series. But if you've met Chris, you'll also know he likes to go fast. On two wheels or four, and not just on his enduro bike either. Chris has elected to stay at home instead of contesting rounds 3 and 4 of the Enduro World Series (EWS) and is getting his racing fix in a couple of different ways.

Last week, we caught up with Chris Panozzo while he was racing the 4 day Port to Port MTB stage race. Chris did hit some sections full gas on his Santa Cruz Tallboy, pimped out with Fox Factory suspension, XTR Di2 and Crank Bros wheels. But by his own admission he was better at 20 minutes of power compared to over 2 hours.

The Santa Cruz Tallboy is a far cry from his usual Bronson. With 110mm of VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) travel out back and 120mm of travel via a Fox Float 34 up front, this is one wickedly fast trail bike. Decked out with 29" Crank Bros Cobalt wheels and Maxxis Minion SS tyres, Chris had a good mix of fast rolling grip and tyre strength.

Chris runs Shimano's XTR Di2 and while the Tallboy isn't totally Di2 ready, Chris did manage to rig it up – some tape was involved. 

Chris has said he's off to do some cyclocross racing next – so I expect we'll be seeing a pimped out Santa Cruz Stigmata pretty soon!

All photos by Tim Bardsley-Smith

Bike: Santa Cruz Tallboy 

Frame size: XL

Forks: Fox Float 34 120mm

Rear shock:  Fox Float DPS EVOL

Cranks: Shimano XTR 175mm

Bottom bracket: Shimano XTR

Pedals: Shimano XTR Trail

Rear mech/shifter: Shimano XTR Di2

Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail

Rotor sizes: 160mm

Wheels: Crankbrothers Cobalt

Tyres: Maxxis Minion SS

Seatpost: Fox Transfer Post

Seat: PRO Turnix

Bars: PRO Koryak Carbon Di2 Compatible

Stem: PRO Tharsis Trail Di2 Compatible, 55mm

Grips: ODI Elite Motion

Chris in action at the Sundown Shoot Out at the Hunter Valley Crowne Plaza.