The Propain Tyee, by most accounts. The PRO10 platform runs anti-squat in the 100–110% range at sag (sometimes higher), which makes the rear end stable enough that reviewers consistently report not needing a climb switch — even on coil-shock builds. The Megatower's revised VPP gets praise for being a 'spritely' climber for 165 mm of travel, but its anti-squat is tuned lower to prioritize traction over snap, so it feels more active under power.

Geometry helps both. Both run steep seat tubes (Tyee ~76.9–77.3°, Megatower ~77.4° at size M) that put weight forward over the bottom bracket on long ascents.

The Megatower has the edge in pure plow. The V2's longer stroke shock and revised VPP kinematics deliver a more linear, more bottomless feel — multiple reviewers call it 'mini-DH' and praise its composure at warp speed. Size-specific chainstays (437 mm at size m) keep the rider centered between the wheels.

The Tyee descends nearly as hard with the right shock. With an air shock it's described as 'peppy' and engaging but with 'more feedback' on rough successive hits; with a coil shock multiple reviewers call it an 'aggressive rocket ship' that 'gobbles up chunky rocks and roots.' Spec the coil if descending is the priority — Propain often offers it at no extra cost in the configurator.

Bigger than the spec sheets suggest. The Tyee starts at $4,999 for the Signature Spec 1 (Marzocchi Bomber Z fork, SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission) and tops out at $6,499 for the Signature Spec 2 (RockShox ZEB Ultimate, Vivid Ultimate, GX Eagle Transmission, DT Swiss EX 1700 wheels).

The Megatower starts at $6,099 for the entry SRAM 90 build with Fox Performance suspension, and runs to $9,749 for the X0 AXS RSV with Fox Factory and Reserve carbon wheels. There is no Megatower under $6k and no aluminum frame option at all. At equivalent drivetrain tier (GX), the Megatower GX AXS at $7,249 sits about $750 above the Tyee Signature Spec 2 — and the gap widens fast above that.

Tire clearance: The Megatower clears up to 63.5 mm (about 2.5") on the listed builds, which covers any modern enduro tire including DH casings. Propain doesn't publish a structured clearance number for the Tyee 5 in the data we have — the stock specs use 2.4–2.5" Maxxis or Schwalbe and reviewers don't flag clearance as a constraint.

Storage: The Megatower's Glovebox down-tube compartment is one of its signature features, with an included tool wallet and tube sleeve. The Tyee 5 has no in-frame storage.

This is one of the cleanest differences. Santa Cruz offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and pivot bearings to the original owner, plus lifetime warranty on Reserve carbon rims (RSV builds). They also commit to ten years of replacement-parts availability. The lower VPP link has a grease port for in-place bearing flushing.

Propain offers a standard manufacturer's warranty against defects but does not match Santa Cruz's lifetime bearing program. Service is direct: parts ship from Germany and warranty work runs through the brand, not a local dealer.

Generally no. Propain sells direct-to-consumer from Germany; there is no US dealer network and no formal demo program in most regions. You configure online, the bike ships built, and any service goes back through the brand. If hands-on demoing is critical to your buying process, the Megatower's dealer network is a meaningful advantage.

The upside of the DTC model is that the configurator lets you tune the build to your preferences before it ever leaves the factory — including swapping the shock between air and coil, often at no charge.

Reviewers are nearly unanimous that the choice changes the bike's character. Air keeps it 'peppy' and lively — the natural pairing for riders who pump and pop on flow trails. Coil transforms it into what Theloamwolf called an 'aggressive rocket ship' with 'downhill bike levels of control,' fixing the small-bump harshness that the high-anti-squat air setup can produce on rough successive hits.

Because Propain's configurator often lets you pick coil at no extra cost, riders who prioritize descending should default to it. Riders who prioritize playfulness can keep the air shock and live with the trade.

The Megatower runs sizes S through XXL with size-specific chainstays (437 mm on the small grows to 448 mm on the XXL), so very tall riders stay centered between the wheels. Reach goes from 430 mm on the small to 520 mm on the XXL.

The Tyee 5 runs XS through XL across two wheel sizes (27.5" and 29") and a flip-chip in each, so the size matrix is broad but tops out at 485–499 mm of reach in size XL. Smaller riders are well-served by the 27.5" frames, which the brand specifically positions for sub-170 cm riders. If you're 6'4"+, the Megatower is the easier fit.