The biggest “issue” I have with the Hightower on the descent came from that same ability to carry speed over rough trails. Just know that the Hightower won’t hold you back if you enjoy bike-park-esque jump trails. That said, even while riding the mellower, slower, but still technical trails of Hartman Rocks in Gunnison, I didn’t have much of an urge to switch the Hightower into the High position. I believe the Hightower is also a better choice for beginner to intermediate riders over a bike like the Yeti SB130 or Santa Cruz Megatower, both of which require a more powerful, game-on approach. 2020. $6,977.23. In particular, I have really enjoyed the RockShox Lyrik Select+ and RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ setup on the Hightower S / Carbon C build. But I find myself losing the rear wheel less often on the Hightower. This seems like a significant tuning/setup item that doesn’t get talked about enough… even to just know what is the factory setup (before you go and remove the shock). After several weeks on the same build Hightower, I found the rear shock in particular in serious need of progression. I set up the rear shock to Santa Cruz’s recommended 160 psi for my weight, which equated to 30% sag, and the rear suspension immediately felt great. Two areas where I was impressed / caught off guard by the Hightower were its straightforward climbing manners and its ability to carry speed on descents. Also unlike skis, only the front center grows on most bikes. (That’s the effective angle, with the actual angle being significantly slacker. For 2020, Santa Cruz redesigned their popular 29-inch wheeled trail bike, the Hightower.The new version replaces both the previous Hightower and Hightower LT models with one model. I get what Eric is talking about when it comes to front-end traction on blown-out, sandy, flat corners, but it does take a true wizard to hit those sort of corners just right. The good news is, it does. (Jonathan also spent a lot of time riding these two bikes back-to-back, and he’s more inclined than I am to give the nod to the SB130 for being the faster, more efficient climber. Compared to the v1 Hightower, the new version’s geometry is significantly different. Buy It Now +$482.72 shipping. The Hightower is one of those bikes that’s so good at everything it’s almost boring. This v2 Hightower and its leverage curve are less sensitive to small changes in shock PSI settings, and I experienced huge improvements in mid-stroke support both while climbing and descending vs. the older VPP bikes. As a fairly tall rider, I am forced to ride (X)XL bikes due to fit. The slightly lower bottom bracket and slightly more progressive leverage curve in the Low setting might have helped me maintain more traction. The v2 Hightower’s suspension package does a great job of keeping up with the capabilities of the Hightower’s geometry, the S / Carbon C build’s spec hasn’t let me down … the Hightower checks a lot of big boxes. The new Hightower now uses the same suspension layout as the Nomad, Bronson, and Megatower. Santa Cruz Hightower CC X01 Reserve kit My test bike came with own-brand Reserve carbon wheels, which have a 30mm internal width to help support the … In between those ends of the spectrum, there are six other builds. Intro. Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. I agree with Eric here that upgrading the rims to Santa Cruz’s Reserve Carbon wheels would be a great upgrade on this bike. Removing the shock or adjusting and monitoring your sag are impeded by the frame, which is a visibility and accessibility issue that will not be a problem once you figure out what you like. Pedal strikes were never an issue for me, though I ride there a lot and have a good idea of where all the notorious SPD-smackers are at Hartman’s. So the Hightower, like the Megatower, is a big bike. Jonathan: I generally like to think that people who sprint up climbs are just trying to make up for their deep feelings of insecurity and low self esteem. In the “Low” position, the Hightower has a 65.2° head tube angle and a 340 mm bottom bracket height. Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. As for the SRAM Code R brakes, Eric had to bleed them twice and when I received the bike from Eric, it was quite clear that they needed another bleed. The change to the “High” position is subtle, bumping those numbers up to 65.5° and 344 mm, respectively. From United Kingdom. The Hightower feels more forgiving and less speed-oriented in these situations, allowing you to be lazier and less game-on when it comes to line choice and body positioning, whereas the Megatower requires attentive, aggressive, and powerful riding. This is a feature that is present on Santa Cruz’s two other lower-link-driven 29” Trail / Enduro bikes, the Megatower and Tallboy, so it’s certainly possible. Santa Cruz responded with the Hightower LT, bumping up suspension travel and capability. But the Hightower still manages to pedal efficiently, is enjoyable when trails flatten out, and is quick and responsive enough to not need to be muscled around at all times. This is because the terrain I ride often rewards attacking out of the saddle and rarely offers tons of traction regardless of what tire I’m running, so I will generally take lower rolling resistance over all-out braking traction on my back tire. Specs, reviews & prices for the 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower S Carbon C. Compare forks, shocks, wheels and other components on current and past MTB’s. $8,494.35. I did initially have more trouble keeping weight (aka traction) over the front wheel of the bike compared to the Megatower, but this was more a result of the terrain where I was riding the Hightower, not as much as the bike itself. It has enough travel to take on rough trails, while still being entertaining on flowy singletrack. Potrai cambiarla al primo accesso. Like Eric, I would have preferred another volume spacer or two in the rear shock, but that is an easy fix that might not be necessary for every rider, depending on your riding style and terrain. Before the version 2 came out earlier this year, the Hightower used a similar design to the Intense Primer, with the shock driven by a short swinglink beneath the top tube. c Code : 58-20201-106-5-632-43610. Specs, reviews & prices for the 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower R Aluminum. Santa Cruz doesn’t list a weight for the aluminum frame itself, but FWIW, the aluminum version of the “S” build is reportedly 1.13 kg / 2.49 lbs heavier vs. the Carbon C version of the “S” build (which is the build we’ve been riding). 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower Review - The Jack Of All Trades. I rarely felt the need to flip the shock’s lever to firm up the suspension, which is a departure from previous Santa Cruz bikes I have ridden (where I found myself locking out the shocks constantly). FWIW, Santa Cruz recommends starting with the Low setting and switching to High setting particularly if you are having issues with pedal strikes. So, the fit of the Hightower was really nothing new to me, and while I’m an inch taller than Eric, I agree with him in that I’ve found the size Large to feel comfortable and functional. Part of this could be due to the fact that I spent more of my time on the Hightower on lower-traction trails. As we’ve mentioned a few times now, both Eric and I enjoy the lower-link-driven VPP suspension as opposed to the upper-link-driven style that was used on both the v1 Hightower and Hightower LT. Riders who prefer a poppier, more lively bike on the way down might prefer the Hightower LT over the v2 Hightower, as I found the v2 Hightower felt more inclined to track on the ground while the Hightower LT was easier to get in the air. Price: $5199.00. From United Kingdom. As geo numbers keep growing and companies keep pushing the limits of that, I’d consider the Hightower to be quite progressive when you compare it against the current field of mainstream Trail bikes. You should not have to do this more than once. The Hightower is a much better choice for beginner to intermediate riders in this regard, and would be my suggestion over the Megatower for riders in that experience range looking to hop on a capable Santa Cruz 29er. Is that a Santa Cruz Hightower, Megatower, Nomad or Bronson? Compared to the Hightower LT, the v2 Hightower has felt more efficient overall on the uphill. The Megatower is a relatively recent addition to the Santa Cruz lineup, effectively replacing the Hightower LT, bumping up to 160 mm of travel at both ends, and featuring significantly more aggressive geometry than the outgoing bike.The Megatower also switches to a lower-link-driven rear shock, a change that Santa Cruz has been implementing on many of their newer Trail / Enduro … But when comparing it to the Megatower, it’s also in part due to the fact that the Hightower gives up its braking traction sooner than the Megatower because you are simply using up your available suspension sooner on the Hightower vs. the longer-travel Megatower. Past & Current Versions: “v1 Hightower” vs. “v2 Hightower”. This would be super interesting. At first glance, Santa Cruz’s latest models are difficult to tell apart. (Or that might have just been in my head.). Test Location: Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, Colorado. Again, I think the more progressive leverage curve of the v2 Hightower’s rear suspension is at play here. S p o n s o r e d. Santa Cruz Hightower 2 C S Reserve Mountain Bike 2020 - Highland Blue. Hydraulic disc brakes on the bike are responsive in both builds, with SRAM and Shimano components. The advanced composite chassis tracks well across all trail surfaces, holds a line, and is reactive to rider directions while isolating pedal-influenced inputs. Inzwischen wurde im Frühjahr ’19 der große Bruder als Megatower neu aufgelegt und dabei grundlegend überarbeitet. Specs, reviews & prices for the 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower R Aluminum. I challenge Blister to get a short and tall bike reviewer. But I’ll stick with my “strikingly similar” assessment.). The 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower is a slack mid-travel 29″ wheeled enduro bike that is as good at going uphill as well as it goes down. Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. In addition to the lower location of the shock, this design change produces a much more progressive leverage curve compared to most of Santa Cruz’s Trail and Enduro bikes of old. You're looking at Santa Cruz's least expensive Hightower, the aluminum 'D' model that sells for $2,899 USD, or around $400 less than the carbon Hightower frame on its own. Overall, the v2 Hightower’s geometry is quite modern, and solidly within the norm for the latest class of ~140mm-travel 29ers. But I also did not feel the need to lock out the rear shock on anything but smooth roads, and pedal bob was not as bad as the v1 Hightower. The difference between the two carbon frames is in the carbon layup, with the CC version cutting a modest amount of weight (Santa Cruz claims ~280 grams depending on model & size), allegedly at no loss of stiffness or strength. A welcome aspect of the Hightower’s character is its generally improved feeling of rear-suspension compliance throughout its travel — most especially on sharp / square / large impacts — compared to the Megatower. Upon first throwing a leg over the Hightower, the fit felt very familiar, and it did give me the feeling of it being a mini Megatower. Jonathan: My two cents: The SB130 feels like more of a race bike. View More: Mountain Bikes Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes Santa Cruz Hightower 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower. This new Hightower is version 2.0 of the venerable Santa Cruz Hightower introduced in 2016, a 29er with 135mm rear travel and 140mm front travel.That bike could accept 27.5+ wheels with a geometry flip chip and a longer fork. The Hightower has been a does-it-all-well trail bike since its inception. For 2020, the Hightower was completely refreshed. Santa Cruz Hightower for sale at Mike's Bikes! Overall, I’d say that the SB130 requires a bit more attentive and powerful riding style, while the Hightower would let you get away with more. Introducing the 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower. Santa Cruz Hightower 2 C S Mountain Bike 2020 - Highland Blue. Compared to the Megatower, the Hightower is much more comfortable at non-race speeds, making it much more enjoyable when you aren’t riding between the tape (i.e., many people’s “typical” day on their Trail bike). Santa Cruz responded with the Hightower LT, bumping up suspension travel and capability. But the differences are clearly noticeable on the trail. Overall though, the Hightower impressed me on the ascent with its efficient and straightforward manners, good traction, and room to move in the cockpit. Since the Megatower is designed to be more of an EWS-race rig, it is meant to carry speed better through rock gardens and high-impact corners. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that. Review: The 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower Gets a New Look & More Travel. The Tallboy has fairly short chainstays (430mm in short position) so for taller riders switching to Long position (440mm) allows for a more proportionate front-center/CS length and will allow taller riders to feel more balanced. At the same time, it was hard for me to find a scenario where the Hightower felt like “too much bike” — even on flatter, mellower trails, the Hightower felt responsive and sensible. For what it’s worth, the Code R brakes on the Megatower required a bleed early on, though, interestingly, the Code R brakes on the 2019 Specialized Enduro have been functioning flawlessly without a bleed for over a year. Jetzt kriegt auch das eigentliche Original ein Update, es erscheint als komplett neues Santa Cruz Hightower 2019. Brand New. At the very upper end, there’s the “XX1 AXS Reserve / Carbon CC” build with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork, RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock, and Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon wheels that will set you back $10,499. Just when we all thought the Hightower couldn’t get any better, well, it did. Befitting a modern mountain bike, there’s no provision for a front derailleur, but Santa Cruz did include ISCG ‘05 tabs for a chain guide. In three words, I’d call this bike stable, confidence-inspiring, and forgiving — even at moderate and slower speeds. It’s also worth noting that Santa Cruz does not recommend coil shocks with the v2 Hightower, and they also say it is not compatible with the Fox Float X2 or Cane Creek DB Air shocks. Huge selection of mountain bikes from brands such as Trek, Specialized, Giant, Santa Cruz, Norco and more. In the early days of the wagon wheeler many thought 29 inch wheels were only suitable for short travel applications. Buy It Now +$482.72 shipping. Huge selection of mountain bikes from brands such as Trek, Specialized, Giant, Santa Cruz, Norco and more. Dylan: After spending time on both the v1 Hightower and Hightower LT, which both featured Santa Cruz’s upper-link-driven VPP suspension, I believe the lower-link-mounted shock layout is a big improvement. Our greatest hits compiled into one bike—just hit play. It has enough travel to take on rough trails, while still being entertaining on flowy singletrack. If you continue to see this message, please email hello@[the site's address] for support. The Santa Cruz Hightower has been a does-it-all-well trail bike since its inception. One thing worth noting about the Hightower’s linkage-driven shock is that, due to its placement in the frame, it is a huge pain to mess with when you are initially setting it up. With geo numbers almost identical to the Megatower but with a bit less travel, the Hightower is faster (no surprise) on the up, and I didn’t find myself going much slower when it was time to head down on all but the roughest trails. (At least, that’s how I try to justify my making them wait for me at the top of climbs.). Super slack and burly enduro bikes are often granted some leeway when it comes to climbing due to their downhill performance, and it's understandable when lighter duty trail bikes don't shine quite as brightly on the descents. There are some out there that are even longer and / or slacker, but the Hightower’s geometry looks far from dated right now. The opposite is true for short riders. Dylan: Especially for a ~140mm-travel bike, the Hightower has impressed me on the descents. And with a lighter parts spec, it’s pretty easy for me to imagine giving up a more Enduro-oriented, longer-travel bike in favor of something like that Hightower which has the geo I really like, the stiffness and support to be a weapon on the descents, but that’s a bit more fun when the trail is not EWS steep, or when my ride is going to be 40 miles long. It does a bit of everything and it does it all quite well. It is worth noting that we reviewed the T1-build SB130 in Yeti’s Turq version of the frame (which would be more equivalent to Santa Cruz’s Carbon CC version) with some higher-end components. People were hungry for a Hightower that offered a bit more downhill capability so Santa Cruz responded with the Hightower LT, a long-travel version with 150mm of rear travel. At a broader range of speeds, and with almost any sort of on-trail feature, the Hightower felt very willing to just simply deal with what was in front of it. Got questions? The suspension feels different, too — the Hightower has a considerably more progressive leverage ratio. Every full-bike build for the Hightower comes with 2.4″ Maxxis Minion DHR2 3C EXO TR tires front and rear, and all apart from the D and R builds get a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper (the D and R builds get a Race Face Aeffect dropper). The advanced composite chassis tracks well across all trail surfaces, holds a line, and is reactive to rider directions while isolating pedal-influenced inputs. As a mid-travel 29er, the Hightower doesn't get to rest on its laurels in either direction - the expectation is that it should be able to hold its own on the climbs and the descents. This new Hightower is version 2.0 of the venerable Santa Cruz Hightower introduced in 2016, a 29er with 135mm rear travel and 140mm front travel.That bike could accept 27.5+ wheels with a geometry flip chip and a longer fork. The 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower is a slack mid-travel 29″ wheeled enduro bike that is as good at going uphill as well as it goes down.