Name: Santa Cruz Hightower
Brand: Santa Cruz
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93 (5 reviews)

93/100

BikeRide Score

Users (1 rating)

100

Experts (4 reviews)

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Santa Cruz Hightower. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

21 reasons to buy

The Hightower is available in aluminum and carbon builds, allowing riders to find a bike that fits their budget.

The supportive VPP suspension provides riders with an efficient pedaling platform for climbs.

Seated climbs are comfortable with the geometry of the Hightower placing riders over the cranks.

The short chainstay and slack headtube make the bike stable on descents but still nimble through corners.

Testers found the bike planted on climbs, with minimal pedal bob.

140mm of travel in the rear gives the Hightower a bottomless feel.

Santa Cruz provides riders with a lifetime warranty on the frame and bearings on the bike.

Flip-chip adjustments on the shock, bottom bracket and chainstay allow riders to fine-tune the Hightower’s geometry to their riding style and terrain.

The Hightower handles chunky, steep terrain confidently.

Wide 800mm handlebars, a short stem and a 175mm dropper post give riders stability and control steering the bike.

The bike comes with a 29’’ wheel and tire set but can also fit a 27.5” setup.

The active rear of the bike with the VPP suspension allows the bike to track well and stay in line.

The cables are internally routed on the bike, giving the bike a clean, neat appearance.

The Santa Cruz Hightower has room for a water bottle.

Hydraulic disc brakes on the bike are responsive in both builds, with SRAM and Shimano components.

A shuttle guard on the downtube protects the bike from trail debris and damage from obstacles on the trail.

Testers were pleased to find that the Santa Cruz Hightower has room for a water bottle.

A small mudguard protects the shock on the bike.

The bike is available in five sizes, fitting a wide range of riders.

The Hightower's chainstay protector uses noise dampening.

The threaded bottom bracket on the Hightower is easy to maintain.

5 reasons not to buy

Experts found it hard to tune the sag, as the shock dips low into the frame.

The Hightower's 170mm cranks reduced leverage and power on climbs.

One tester found the bike heavy upfront, making it difficult to go fast on steep descents.

The Hightower is not coil shock compatible.

The bike is not 2x compatible.

Bottom line

The Santa Cruz Hightower is a versatile trail bike. Testers describe the bike as 'bottomless' on descents, with 140mm of travel in the rear. The bike is capable of tackling chunky and steep terrain. The pedaling platform is efficient for climbing. Riders rarely had to use the firm setting on the shock. The bike is not coil shock or 2x compatible. Experts found this to be ideal for long rides over a variety of terrain.

Where to buy

$3,499.97 Gravity Coalition See it $4,079.99 eBay See it $4,799.00 Jenson USA See it $4,799.00 Contender Bicycles See it $4,799.00 evo See it $4,799.00 Competitive Cyclist See it $4,799.99 Mike's Bikes See it

See at Gravity Coalition

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Facts

Gender

Men, Women

Type

Mountain, Trail, Non-Electric

Release Year

Brand

Wheel Size

Number of Gears

Gearing Type

Weight

35.26, 34.85, 33.15, 32.54, 30.29 lb

Suspension

Full

Brake Type

Disc: Hydraulic

Frame Material

Aluminum, Carbon Fiber

Expert Reviews

88/100 based on 4 rated expert reviews

Apply to become an expert

100

Mountain Bike Rider

Level 5 expert