Santa Cruz has just revealed the fourth incarnation of its Hightower. Dubbed by the brand as "probably the most versatile bike in our line-up", the latest version gets more travel, a slacker front end, a steeper seat tube, and redesigned VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension. The six-model range starts at $4,999 / £4,899 / €5,499 for the R model, topping out at $10,999 / £9,999 / €11,499 for the XX AXS RSV.
"Built for trails of every kind", the Hightower 4 gets beefed-up hit absorption capabilities with a 10mm increase in fork travel, which takes it to 160mm, while the rear gets a 5mm boost to 150mm.
The overhaul to the fourth-generation VPP suspension system means that, like the latest Bronson, the shock and lower suspension link now sit lower down in the frame. Santa Cruz says this lower position reduces anti-squat to improve traction when pedaling over rough terrain.
As you'd expect, key frame numbers have evolved too, though the changes are very subtle. Depending on whether the frame is in the Hi or Lo geometry setting, the head angle is now a tad slacker at 64.2/63.9 (Hi/Lo) degrees. Santa Cruz says it didn't want to go too slack on the front end as it would negatively affect the handling. The effective seat tube angles across the size proportionate frames are now around a degree steeper than before at around 78 degrees, this is designed to give better positioning on steeper climbs.
Another geo tweak is that the rear center (measurement from the middle of the BB to the middle of the rear axle) has been extended by 2mm to help improve traction. Overall, numbers have grown slightly in most areas of the bike, with reach and stack getting a touch bigger too. Reach on large bike in the Hi suspension setting is 480mm and the stack is 641mm
Santa Cruz says the changes give the new Hightower "a more settled, mature, and confident ride". The brand says though it now has the same suspension capabilities as its mixed wheel Bronson, the Hightower is more efficient while the Bronson is more aggressive. Capability-wise, the longer travel Megatower and Nomad sit about the Hightower, while the 120mm Tallboy sits below it.
Build-wise, Santa Cruz has almost gone with Fox suspension across the entire range (the R model gets a base RockShox Lyrik) with 36 forks ranging from Performance to Factory and Float X shocks to match (the R gets a Fox Rhythm).
All the models come with 29in wheels. The R to XO AXS bikes get Race Face AR30 rims with increasingly fancy hubs from SRAM and DT Swiss as you go up the model range. The two RSV models get Reserve carbon rims with Industry Nine hubs (1/1 on the X) and Hydra on the XX).SRAM drivetrains adorn all the bikes with wired NX and GX gears on the R and S models respectively, then wireless drivetrains from GX to XX across the other bikes. Only the builds (R to GX AXS) with Santa Cruz's slightly less fancy C carbon have plumbing for a gear cable – the fancier CC carbon frames are wireless drivetrain only.
Brakes all come from SRAM too, with DB8 Stealth stoppers on the R and S models, then Mavens of increasing expensiveness as you move up the range. The DB8s come with 200mm rotors at both ends, while the more powerful Mavens only need 180mm discs.
The Hightower 4 comes in two color options – 'Gloss Day Green' and 'Matte Deep Purple'.
SRAM drivetrains adorn all the bikes with wired NX and GX gears on the R and S models respectively, then wireless drivetrains from GX to XX across the other bikes. Only the builds (R to GX AXS) with Santa Cruz's slightly less fancy C carbon have plumbing for a gear cable – the fancier CC carbon frames are wireless drivetrain only.
Brakes all come from SRAM too, with DB8 Stealth stoppers on the R and S models, then Mavens of increasing expensiveness as you move up the range. The DB8s come with 200mm rotors at both ends, while the more powerful Mavens only need 180mm discs.
The Hightower 4 comes in two color options – 'Gloss Day Green' and 'Matte Deep Purple'.
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 model list and US, UK, EU pricing
- Hightower R: $4,999 / £4,899 / €5,499
- Hightower S: $5,899 / £5,699 / £6,399
- Hightower GX AXS: $6,999 / £6,599 / €7,399
- Hightower XO AXS: $7,999 / £7,799 / €8,799
- Hightower XO AXS RSV: $8,999 / £8,799 / €9,999
- Hightower XX AXS RSV: $10,999 / £9,999 / €11,499
Our take
The Hightower has always leaned towards pedaling efficiency over trail capability, but Santa Cruz has moved the dial a couple of clicks back in the other direction. Bigger suspension, better performance on rowdy trails, and steering that's a touch slacker should all boost the bike's tough trail performance.
Our tech ed, Guy Kesteven, was hugely impressed with the Hightower 3 and has just reviewed the latest version, saying: "The new Hightower is hungry for the ever faster and rowdier direction mountain biking is increasingly heading in, but can still climb like a goat and haul ass through the pedals. That makes it a pricey but properly outstanding aggressive all-rounder."
For more, see his full Santa Cruz Hightower 4 XO AXS RSV review.
Tech specs: Santa Cruz Hightower 4
Hightower R
- Frame: C Carbon, 150mm travel
- Fork: Rockshox Lyrik Base 160mm
- Shock: Fox Rhythm
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle NX 1x12
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 Stealth 200mm rotors f/r
- Seatpost: SDG Tellis
- Wheels: Race Face AR30 29in rims on SRAM MTH hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 3C EXO MaxxGrip front, DHR II 29x2.4 3C EXO+ MaxxTerra rear
- Price: $4,999 / £4,899 / €5,499
Hightower GX AXS
- Frame: C Carbon, 150mm travel
- Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite 160mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Bronze, 180mm rotors f/r
- Seatpost: OneUp V3
- Wheels: Race Face AR30 29in rims on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 3C EXO MaxxGrip front, DHR II 29x2.4 3C EXO+ MaxxTerra rear
- Price: $6,999 / £6,599 / €7,399
Hightower XX AXS RSV
- Frame: CC Carbon, 150mm travel
- Fork: Fox 36 Factory 160mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX AXS Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate, 180mm rotors f/r
- Seatpost: OneUp V3
- Wheels: Reserve 30 HD rims on i9 Hydra hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 3C EXO MaxxGrip front, DHR II 29x2.4 3C EXO+ MaxxTerra rear
- Price: $10,999 / £9,999 / €11,499
