Santa Cruz

HightowerS

Claimed weight33.55 lbs / 15.21 kgComplete bike

FrameSanta Cruz Carbon C VPP f…FOX 36 Float Performance, G…

GroupsetSRAM GX Eagle (right),…SRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 12-sp…

WheelsReserve 30|TR AL -or- R…Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 WT…

Tire clearance64 mm

The fourth-generation Santa Cruz Hightower shifts the platform away from its versatile trail roots and closer to a dedicated all-mountain machine. Rolling on 29-inch wheels, the V4 frame bumps rear travel to 150 millimeters and pairs it with a 160-millimeter fork. Santa Cruz also revised the VPP suspension layout, dropping the shock lower into the front triangle to reduce anti-squat and minimize pedal kickback.

This evolution targets riders who prioritize descending composure over snappy acceleration. While it remains capable of long days in the saddle, the Hightower now leans heavily toward steep, rough terrain. It suits aggressive pilots who want the high-speed stability of an enduro sled but prefer a slightly more manageable footprint for everyday trail riding.

Santa Cruz Hightower

Build

Size

$4,699See deal

01 / Buy

Where to get it.

No retailers stocking size m.

Size

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02 / Specifications

Spec sheet.

Every component shipped with this build.

01Frameset

4 components

FrameSanta Cruz Carbon C VPP frame, 150mm travel, 29in wheels (73mm threaded BB shell)

ForkFOX 36 Float Performance, GRIP, 160mm, 44mm offset

Rear shockFOX Float X Performance, 230x57.5

Weight33.55 lbs / 15.21 kg

02Drivetrain & brakes

10 components

Shift leversSRAM GX Eagle (right), 12-speed

Rear derailleurSRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed

CassetteSRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50T

ChainSRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed

CranksetSRAM GX Eagle 148 DUB, 32T

Bottom bracketSRAM DUB 68/73mm threaded BB

Front brakeSRAM DB8 Stealth

Rear brakeSRAM DB8 Stealth

Front rotorSRAM HS2 200mm

Rear rotorSRAM HS2 200mm

03Wheels & tires

4 components

Front wheelReserve 30|TR AL -or- Race Face AR30; DT Swiss 370, 15x110, 6-bolt, 28h

Rear wheelReserve 30|TR AL -or- Race Face AR30; DT Swiss 370, 12x148, XD, 6-bolt, 36t, 28h

Front tireMaxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO

Rear tireMaxxis Minion DHR II 29x2.4, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+

04Cockpit & contact

5 components

StemOneUp Stem, 42mm -or- Burgtec Enduro Stem, 42mm

HandlebarsOneUp Aluminum Bar, 35mm rise, 800mm

SaddleSDG Bel-Air V3, Lux-Alloy

SeatpostOneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 (S: 120mm, M: 150mm, L: 180mm, XL: 210mm, XXL: 210mm)

Grips/TapeSanta Cruz Bicycles House Grips

03 / Geometry

Geometry & fit.

5 sizes published.

The Hightower’s geometry reflects its aggressive intentions, placing the rider in a centered, upright position for climbing while stretching out the wheelbase for descending stability. A steep effective seat tube angle, hovering around 78 degrees depending on the size and flip-chip setting, keeps rider weight forward on steep pitches.

At the front, the head tube angle slackens to roughly 64 degrees, paired with a notably tall stack height. While this high front end offers security on steep descents, several reviewers found it could make the steering feel vague on flat corners or steep climbs. To compensate, testers frequently recommended lowering the stem or running lower-rise bars to keep adequate weight on the front tire.

Santa Cruz utilizes size-scaled chainstays across the size run, ensuring the bike's balance remains consistent for riders of different heights. The frame also includes a flip-chip at the lower shock mount, allowing riders to slightly tweak the bottom bracket height and angles to suit their local terrain.

Reach × Stack · size mmm

Where the handlebar sits relative to the bottom bracket — the single most important fit pair.

01Fit geometry6 values

Stack632 mm

Reach460 mm

Top tube595 mm

Headtube length120 mm

Standover height723 mm

Seat tube length405 mm

02Component geometry3 values

Handlebar width800 mm

Stem length42 mm

Dropper travel150 mm

03Handling geometry7 values

Headtube angle64.2°

Seat tube angle77.9°

BB height344 mm

BB drop29 mm

Front center800 mm

Wheelbase1237 mm

Chainstay length436 mm

Which size should I buy?

Slide your height to see the recommended size. GearWise's fit algorithm works from the published stack, reach, and ETT — the brand's own recommendation may differ.

Your height

5'8"173 cm

5'0"5'5"5'10"6'3"6'7"

Recommended sizemBased on stack, reach & ETT for your height · score 87/100.

→Calculated from GearWise's own stack / reach / ETT algorithm — the brand's size chart may recommend a different size, and a proper bike fit beats any calculator.

04 / Other builds

The lineup.

9 builds, ranging $4,999 – $11,399.

The Hightower lineup spans nine builds, split between Santa Cruz’s C and CC carbon frames. The premium CC frames save weight but eliminate internal cable routing for the drivetrain, restricting those builds to wireless electronic shifting. Riders who prefer mechanical drivetrains must opt for the slightly heavier C frame, which retains traditional cable ports. All frames feature a threaded bottom bracket and the brand's Glovebox internal downtube storage.

Suspension duties are handled by Fox on the majority of the line, with RockShox appearing only on the entry-level models. Most builds feature SRAM Maven brakes, though several reviewers noted that the stock 180-millimeter rotors felt undersized for a bike with this much descending capability, suggesting aggressive riders might need an immediate upgrade to larger rotors.

Similarly, the stock Maxxis tires pair an EXO casing up front with an EXO+ in the rear. While this keeps the complete bike weight reasonable, testers frequently recommended swapping to heavier casings to match the frame's enduro-adjacent limits. Value is bolstered by a lifetime warranty on the frame, pivot bearings, and the Reserve carbon wheels included on higher-end builds.

— · Currently viewingS

Carbon C

$5,899On this page

05 / Reviews

From the press.

15 reviews from the cycling press.

Reviewers largely agree that the Hightower has traded some of its former agility for outright descending speed. At velocity, the bike is highly composed, with testers noting it acts as a "full-throttle bruiser for the rough stuff" (Bike-test). The revised suspension kinematics successfully isolate the rider from trail feedback, making the new frame "noticeably smoother than V3 in terms of foot feel" (Bike Perfect). Multiple reviewers praised its ability to carry momentum through chunky rock gardens and root beds.

That stability comes with a clear tradeoff in tight terrain. At slower speeds, the lengthened wheelbase requires deliberate rider input, forcing pilots to "manhandle the bike" (Flow Mountain Bike) through tight switchbacks. A few testers also found the suspension tune to be quite firm, requiring an aggressive riding style to fully utilize the travel.

On climbs, the Hightower prioritizes traction over efficiency. While it carries a slight weight penalty compared to its predecessor, the active rear end keeps the tire glued to the trail on technical ascents. It lacks the immediate acceleration of lighter trail bikes, but it reliably grinds up steep, loose grades without excessive pedal bob.