Burlier than a Tallboy, but less travel than a Megatower, is the 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower the ultimate all-mountain bike? Ben has spent 6 months finding out.
Key features:
- RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 150mm fork
- RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock
- SRAM XO1 Eagle 12-speed drive
- SRAM Code RSC brakes
- Santa Cruz Reserve 30 rims on DT Swiss 350 hubs
- Rockshox Reverb Stealth dropper
- £7,799.99 RRP
The Hightower cuts a now familiar silhouette, with its steeply sloping downtube, angular rear triangle and low shock mount, it shares the same layout as pretty much the whole 2020 Santa Cruz stable of bikes. This is the more expensive, lighter weight carbon frame, denoted by the “CC” on the spec sheet but it also comes in a slightly heavier “C” version as well as aluminium. Whilst this is an £8k super build you can step onto the Hightower ladder for just £3099 with the “D Aluminum” model.
The little details are taken care of perfectly on the Santa Cruz. From cable routing to the ribbed chain stay protection and paint finish, everything was beautifully executed with a fine eye for detail. Out of the box this bike is silent as a mouse. Everything is squared away, and at eight grand, it needs to be.
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From Wide Open MTB
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