I was expecting it to be more an evolution of the LT rather than the original - 140mm rear travel - maybe not as capable as the old LT when it comes to enduro style riding - not sure about those colours yet
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-2020-santa-cruz-hightower.html
Interested to know if its gone the way of a shorter offset fork
Personally, I think it's more of an evolution of the original, because it's in the same realms of travel (135 Vs 140mm).
The geometry though makes it more capable IMO. the numbers look pretty good - the only caveat to me is the actual vs virtual STA. The Megatower made a big song and dance over steeper STA's but if you're tall it was still useless.
I like it though - i've been long term borrowing an SB130 for a while as my short travel bike & this looks very similar, but hopefully with Santa Cruz reliability over Yeti lack of reliability. Have to get on on a test I think 🙂
Not bothered about the short offset fork guff, as i've ridden 42, 44 & 51mm & couldn't tell you which one was which. Mostly bike industry guff IMO.
Posting here as I hadn’t realised a thread had already been started:
I was expecting it to be more an evolution of the LT rather than the original
Isn't the mega tower the "evolution" of the LT?
It's not for me but it's a big improvement geometry-wise and I wouldn't mind a go on one.
Chainstays a bit short for my preference and I'd probably fall between sizes anyway.
Is it just me or have SC lost it a bit on the colour schemes? They used to be among the best but some of the recent crop look quite drab to my eye. Not helped by the new suspension layout, which makes the bikes look a bit lumpen IMO.
That colour is grim. Almost as bad as the brown carbon chameleon. Actually, it's worse.
colours are awful in all of the range this year - bar the nomad in plum colour, the rest of the new ones look cheap and tacky!
At least the colours for the HT are better than this years Bronson colours which are gopping!! Now Ive seen the proper photos and not leaked ones I actually prefer the Juliana maverick option. I’ll have a ride on one for sure but by the sounds of it it’s a little bit more ‘all day’ than what I wanted which I’m sort of gutted about because I love SC bikes.
not in the market for a few years unless i fatally kill mine but i'd be all over this otherwise!
(blue)
Much better geometry but it's a bit porky. 30lb for a 140 trail bike with a high spec build and carbon wheels.
Have to agree with the porky comment. Although the orbea rallon I demod last week was 33lbs of pork but you could get that down with a better build kit. Seeing as my Bronson 28.5lbs it was eye watering.
The weight at 30lb doesn't bother me, the SB i'm on is the same & trying to compare it to the (at one point) 26lb Fuel EX I came off doesn't really work. The Fuel, and various components (including light carbon wheels) also broke, under harder riding.
It's easy to see the weight, it's got a Lyrik/36 on it, Code brakes, massive WT tyres, the wheels might be carbon, but they are bloody heavy.
You could easily build one at ~28lbs & not compromise on the strength, possibly less.
It's reaching that point of probably as close to the one bike solution as I can get in my world. Short enough travel to not be a massive, soggy sofa, geometry is getting dialled & strong enough to go racing with. I really like these style of new generation trail bikes.
Got my order in for a frame. Not keen on the sand colour so went with blue which looks loads better in Guy Kestevens live ride review. Hopefully won't be waiting ages for it
Agree - it looks bang on paper geo wise a good all rounder for just about anything
The new style v10 layout makes the bike feel bottomless it's such a positive change from the old vpp the biggest difference they've made on any recent bike geo aside I'd go as far to say it doesn't even feel like a SC bike anymore... Or more so not what I've been used to
Mt still a bit too burly for me, HT sounds a good compromise for a bit of a everything bike
If I was going 29er this would be on shortlist.. But colours are hideous
Yeti sb130/150 would be the one for me if it had SC backup and warranty
Nothing compares looks wise to me than the new yetis and bang on geo
Holy thread resurrection !!
Just wondering how those that bought the 2020 Hightower are finding them after having them for a while.
Anything that you don't like ?
Give Oscillate Wildly a shout, he replaced his Bronson with one and has been riding it for the past 6 months.