Saving weight means little without retaining an appropriate level of stiffness and responsiveness too. So Santa Cruz took all the acceleration and out-of-the-saddle sprint qualities of a Carbon XC race rocket, and fused it with a rear end that rails corners just as a hardcore trail bike would. It's unique XC-Trail attitude is also reflected in the geometry. It's 67.1 degree head tube angle, and 425mm reach, is a bit steeper and shorter than the Joplin. It meets the demands of aggressive climbing, yet the Wilder has a slightly more slack seat tube angle, with a longer chainstay than the Joplin, adding the familiar confidence on descents. Speaking of chainstays, each one is specific to the frame size. So riders of all height enjoy the same performance, no matter what.
Past the build details, other features amplify the radness and wild personality of the Wlder. Super fast 29" wheels pair with a 120mm fork, smoothing out even the sketchiest of maneuvers. Room for two water bottles within the front triangle, allows bigger training days and more race wins.
