Juliana Joplin Aluminum D - 2019

Part endurance racer, part rowdy trail bike…the Joplin is ridiculously fun. A luxurious endurance ride and raucous little trail bike all at once, the Joplin is a Jackie of all trades and mistress to no one. Mastery of speed and distance is the name of the game here. 29-inch wheels are proven to roll quicker than smaller sizes, with the added benefit of smoothing out the rough stuff with greater ease — just the ticket for going that little bit faster and further than you’ve gone before. The Joplin also delivers surprisingly quick acceleration and a nimble feel for a big-wheeled bike. Make no mistake, this is a punchy climber with great geometry for charging uphill. Naturally suited to cross-country ventures, the lightweight aluminum and 110mm VPP travel turn multi-day expeditions into effortless Grand Tours. Backed up by a lifetime warranty no matter how far or hard you go, the Joplin is the kind of rock-rolling royalty that never grows old.

The Joplin Aluminum D sits at the entrance to Santa Cruz' mountain bike legacy, built with quality components that belie their entry-level notions. A RockShox Recon 120mm fork leads the way with satisfying control over rocky and rooty trails, followed by a very capable Fox Float DPS shock for composure over bigger hits. WTB rims wrapped in dirt-clawing Maxxis tires help you clean sketchy sections of trail thanks to the tubeless design that allows lower tire pressure, giving you more traction when you want it most. A SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain keeps you moving with wide-range gearing, while SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes inspire confidence with plentiful stopping power. A Juliana Segundo saddle and Race Face bar/stem combo complete this all-around trail machine.