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Bike Perfect
Santa Cruz pitches its new Hightower 4 as the mythical MTB that can truly ride everything
By Rich Owen,
9 days ago
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.
Santa Cruz's fourth gen VPP suspension design sits lower in the frame than before to help keep the suspension more active while pedaling (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
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
The inside of the downtube has been scooped out to help lower the shock position (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
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'.
The top four Hightower models get SRAM's latest Maven brakes with 180mm rotors (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
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'.
The fanciest model in the range gets SRAM's fanciest AXS gears (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
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
The mid-range, GX AXS Transmission equipped model looks like the sweet spot for cost vs components (Image credit: Santa Cruz)
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."
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