Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices
Today’s Deals2018 Santa Cruz
Hightower C XE
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
Compare the full range
Manufacturer Price
$5,599| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 140mm front |
| Fork | Fox Performance Elite Float 36 |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Performance Elite |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 11 |
| Groupset | XT |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
Summary
The Santa Cruz Hightower is a versatile enduro bike praised for its efficient climbing, confident descending, and balanced handling. Its VPP suspension system is responsive, though some reviews note occasional hang-ups on climbs and a lack of sensitivity at the start of the stroke. The bike's ability to adapt to various riding styles and terrains makes it a standout, though some riders may find the seat angle less than ideal for steep climbs.
Efficient climber
Confident descender
Versatile for various riding styles
Responsive VPP suspension
Balanced handling
Occasional hang-ups on climbs
Lack of sensitivity at the start of the suspension stroke
Seat angle could be steeper for climbing
The ultimate quiver killer? It is a common claim, but the Hightower LT is a serious contender.
BIKE MagazineThe Hightower blows out of the water the notion that plus bikes are lazy, boring or vague.
BikeRadarSanta Cruz Hightower LT is ready to take on big descents — and long climbs.
MTBRFeedback?
View all reviews
Dec 2019 · Drew Rohde
With a bit more travel, a slighly more aggressive stance and suspension tune, the V2 Hightower has been redirected to be a slightly more downhill biased do-it-all bike. Read the review to see where it excels and what we liked about it most.
Sep 2019 · Jeremy Benson
For 2020, Santa Cruz redesigned their popular 29-inch wheeled trail bike, the Hightower. The new version replaces both the previous Hightower and Hightower...
Very stable at speed
Hard charging
Amazing build
Supportive pedal platform
Great deep stroke support
Build tested is expensive
Somewhat less maneuverable than previous version
Can feel sluggish at lower speeds
Jul 2019
Though its got the same attitude as the longer-travel Megatower, the entirely new Santa Cruz Hightower is entirely its own bike. But you might still have a hard time deciding which one suits you best.
Jul 2019 · Mike Kazimer
The name is the same, but the new Hightower is an entirely different beast than the original.
A true all-rounder - very wide range of capabilities
Comfortable + supportive suspension
Slightly limited shock options
A little heavier than the previous model
Sep 2018 · Mick Kirkman
The Santa Cruz Hightower LT uses their older style VPP configuration, with the shock tucked under the top tube and driven by the upper rocker link.
The Hightower LT handles it all.
Seat angle could be steeper.
Jun 2018 · McCoy
Long-travel 29ers have been making a major comeback in the last year, with modern advancements in geometry and suspension making these machines better
Jan 2018
Some bike reviews go smoothly and everything works just fine - other times things go a little sideways...
Nov 2017 · Christoph Bayer
ENDURO chief-editor Christoph spent a whole year punishing his custom Hightower on a variety of trails. Could the performance of the Hightower impress him?
| Frame | Carbon Fiber BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | FOX 36 Performance Elite Travel: 140mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX Float Performance Elite DPS |
| Bottom Bracket | threaded |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated |
| Stem | Race Face Turbine, 50mm |
| Handlebar | Santa Cruz AM Carbon, 31.8mm diameter, 780mm wide, flat |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Pro |
| Seatpost | RockShox Reverb Stealth Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | none |
| Grips | Santa Cruz Palmdale lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8000, 11-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Crank | Race Face Turbine |
| Shifters | Shimano XT M8000, 11-speed |
| Cassette | e*thirteen TRS Race, 11-speed, 9-46 tooth |
| Chain | Shimano SLX M7000 |
| Chain Guide | none |
| Brakes | Shimano XT M8000 with Shimano RT86 Ice Tech 180mm rotors front and rear Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano XT M8000 |
| Rims | Race Face AR 24 |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Competition with Sapim Secure Lock 14mm brass nipples |
| Front Hub | Front: Novatec D641, 15mm x 110mm, 32 hole, Rear: Novatec D642, 12mm x 148mm, 32 hole |
| Rear Hub | Front: Novatec D641, 15mm x 110mm, 32 hole, Rear: Novatec D642, 12mm x 148mm, 32 hole |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Minion DHF, 2.3", 3c, EXO, TR, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR2, 2.3", EXO, TR |
First added April 14
Last updated April 14
Not listed for 2,975 days