Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C S Bike 2019With the retirement of the popular Tallboy LT, Santa Cruz needed a replacement for the longish travel, 29" category. So, Santa Cruz unleashed the entirely new Hightower. The Hightower is a truly modern trail bike. Taking cues from the Nomad, the Hightower is given a slacker head angle, longer reach, and shorter chainstays than its predecessor. Making a modern bike also means making a bike that is versatile, and able to adapt to a variety of terrain. The boost rear end of the Hightower allows you to run either 29er or a 27.5+ wheel and tire sizes, and a flip chip on the upper link let you change the geometry depending on the wheel size you choose. If straight line speed, rallying through rock gardens and sprinting out of turns is your bag, then 29" wheels are the big ticket. When conditions get loose and the traction just isn't there, you'll want to reach for bigger 27.5+ tires.Santa Cruz's C level carbon frames offer a high level of performance with outstanding strength and stiffness at a minimal weight penalty when compared to their CC level frames. Adding to the frames refinements are internal cable routing that maintain a sleek appearance while shielding your cables from the elements to help keep your shifting smooth. ICSG-05 tabs let you run your favorite chainguide, and water bottle cage mounts, because well, every bike should have water bottle cage mounts.The Hightower's 135mm of travel is supplied though its time tested and proven VPP linkage system. Now in its third generation, the VPP mini-link suspension has been well refined. Just like the Nomad, the Hightower's lower link is nicely tucked in the frame supplying greater clearance, and keeping it from striking against obstacles. Pedaling is always efficient while remaining smooth through the chatter, and a bottomless feel has you plow through the bigger stuff.Santa Cruz has expertly outfitted the Hightower with SRAM's elite GX Eagle Drivetrain. Eagle brings the best SRAM has to offer. You will enjoy the crisp shifts and plentiful 12-speed gear range as you charge the trail. When it comes time to slow things down, SRAM's Guide R hydraulic disc brakes will get you slowed down quickly with predictable control. Fox Float Performance suspension is smooth over the chop, and easily sucks up the big hits. The Race Face wheels wrapped in Maxxis Minion rubber supply the traction and confidence needed to mash through rock gardens and rail high speed corners. Topped off with a capable cockpit and Rock Shox Reverb dropper post, the Hightower is ready to tackle any trail.REVIEWSPink Bike - "The faster you go the more it comes alive, urging you to let off the brakes and see just how hard you can push the rear wheel into a turn." - Mike KazimerDirt Rag - "To put it simply, this is one of the best mountain bikes I've ever ridden. It just does it all, does it well, and keeps doing it with a minimum of fuss." - Gary PerkinFeaturesSanta Cruz C Carbon Frame with all the strength and stiffness you would expect from Santa Cruz.135mm of VPP Suspension time tested to provide efficient pedaling while maintaining bump compliance and ground hugging traction.Boost 12x148 hub spacing provides improved handling and allows the option of running 29" or 27.5+ wheels.High/Low chip on the upper link lets you customized BB height to suit your choice of wheel size.Fox Float Performance Suspension Fork with 140mm of travel with rebound and 3 position compression adjustment, is plush through the chop and soaks up the big hits.SRAM GX Eagle Drivetrain provides precise shifts with a huge gear range to tackle all terrain.Rock Shox Reverb Dropper post with 150mm of travel, gets the saddle out of the way for technical terrain.SPECIFICATIONSFrameSanta Cruz Carbon C, 135mm VPP, 12x148mm thru axleForkFOX 36 Float Performance, 140mm, 29"Rear ShockFOX Float Performance DPSHeadsetCane Creek 40 IS Integrated HeadsetShiftersSRAM GX EagleFront DerailleurThey still make those?Rear DerailleurSRAM GX EagleCranksetSRAM Stylo 7k 148 DUB, 32t - 170mm (XS-S), 175mm (M-XL)Bottom BracketSRAMPedals-ChainSRAM GX Eagle 12 SPDCassetteSRAM XG1275 Eagle 10-50TBrakesSRAM Guide RWheelsetRace Face AR Offset 27 29" Rims, DT 370 15x110 32H, DT 370 12x148 32HTiresMaxxis Minion 29x2.3 DHF 3c EXO TR, Maxxis Minion DHR2 29x2.3 EXO TRHandlebarRace Face Aeffect RStemRace Face Aeffect R 50mmGripsSanta Cruz Palmdale Lock-onSeatpostRockShox Reverb Stealth 31.6SeatclampAlloySaddleWTB Silverado ProIntended UseTrail, AMWeight28.4 lbs// Geometry & SizingMETRICINCHSanta Cruz Hightower - 140mm ForkSizeSmallMediumLargeExtra LargeXX LargeA: Seat Tube Length390420450490510B: Effective Top Tube574601622650685C: Stack604609613623641D: Reach405430450475505E: BB Height337337337337337F: BB Drop3333333333G: Head Tube Length9095100110130H: Head Tube Angle67deg67deg67deg67deg67degI: Seat Tube Angle74.3deg74.3deg74.3deg74.3deg74.3degJ: Standover Height710710713720727K: Chainstay Length435435435435435L: Wheelbase11381165118712151255Crank Arm Length170mm175mm175mm175mm175mmStem Length50mm50mm50mm50mm50mmHandlebar Width760mm760mm760mm760mm760mmSuggested Rider HeightFrame SizeSmallMediumLargeExtra LargeXX LargeRider Height5'2"+ 157cm+5'5"+ 165cm+5'9"+ 175cm+6'1"+ 185cm+6'3"+ 191cm+Santa Cruz Hightower - 140mm ForkSizeSmallMediumLargeExtra LargeXX LargeA: Seat Tube Length15.416.517.719.320.1B: Effective Top Tube22.623.724.525.627.0C: Stack23.824.024.124.525.2D: Reach15.916.917.718.719.9E: BB Height13.313.313.313.313.3F: BB Drop1.31.31.31.31.3G: Head Tube Length3.53.73.94.35.1H: Head Tube Angle67.0deg67.0deg67.0deg67.0deg67.0degI: Seat Tube Angle74.3deg74.3deg74.3deg74.3deg74.3degJ: Standover Height28.028.028.128.328.6K: Chainstay Length17.117.117.117.117.1L: Wheelbase44.845.946.747.849.4Crank Arm Length170mm175mm175mm175mm175mmStem Length50mm50mm50mm50mm50mmHandlebar Width760mm760mm760mm760mm760mmSuggested Rider HeightFrame SizeSmallMediumLargeExtra LargeXX LargeRider Height5'2"+ 157cm+5'5"+ 165cm+5'9"+ 175cm+6'1"+ 185cm+6'3"+ 191cm+