New Juliana Joplin 29 or 27plus

Not to be outdone by big brother, Juliana announced an updated Joplin to coincide with the new Santa Cruz Tallboy (since they’re basically the same bike). The new Joplin shares a frame with the Tallboy, but comes with a lighter suspension tune designed to offer a plusher ride to lighter-weight riders. The suspension promises to be better over small bumps, resist bottoming out and offer a more consistent, smooth feel through the suspension’s travel.

Updates over the previous version include a lower standover height, slacker head angle, longer reach, shorter chainstays, shorter seat tube and steeper seat tube angle.

Travel gets bumped from 100 to 110 mm via the stiffer Fox 34 fork. Grippier Maxxis tires (29 x 2.3 or 27.5 x 2.8) and a dropper post round out the further trail-bike-ification of the Joplin. A women’s-specific saddle, smaller grips and an “ultraviolet” paint job are also included. Juliana specifically said it will not call the bike “Purple Rain.” Shame.

The frame retails for $2,899. Complete builds are as follows: SRAM XX1 ($7,799), SRAM XO1 ($6,499). Get down to your local Santa Cruz/Juliana dealer to check one out, as they should be available soon, if not right now.