REVIEW - 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower - It's Not Your Dad’s Bike
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2019
- In its debut, the Santa Cruz Hightower developed a bit of a reputation for being a “dad bike.” It was a pretty good all-around mountain bike that just seemed to lack a certain amount of excitement surrounding its geometry and the capability of its VPP suspension tune. While the 2018 and 2019 Santa Cruz Hightower may have been a good beginner to intermediate bike to buy, fast forward to the new year ad dad grows a beard, gets some neck tats and starts running rowdy trails in Squamish B.C. Santa Cruz made sure dad’s new dream bike is ready for all the high-speed rowdiness he needs for his fresh persona with the newly updated 2020 Hightower.
#MTB
View full specs and more info: www.vitalmtb.com/product/guid...
Hightower Highlights:
- 29-inch wheels
- 150mm (5.9-inches) front and 140mm (5.5-inches) rear wheel travel
- Aluminum, CC and C carbon frame options
- Lower-link mounted Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension system
- 27.5+ compatible with flip chip in “Hi” setting
- 29x2.4" or 27.5x2.8” max tire clearance
- Hi/Lo flip chip in lower shock mount
- Metric 210x52.5mm shock size with rear bearing mount
- Internal cable routing with hose guides
- Threaded 73mm bottom bracket with ISCG05 mounts
- Boost 12x148mm rear axle spacing
- Fits 36-tooth boost chainring (52mm chainline) or smaller
- Integrated 41/52mm headset
- 180mm post brake mount
- Water bottle mount inside front triangle
- Shock fender, shuttle guard, downtube protector, and ribbed chainstay protector
- Lifetime warranty on frame and Reserve wheels
- Lifetime bearing replacement
- Weight: 29.8-pounds (13.5kg, as tested)
Cruise over to www.santacruzbicycles.com for more details.
Video by Rhoddy Jenson and Dylan Stucki - กีฬา
I’m a dad with the old Hightower get off my lawn!
Yeah I have two, one *unused* (F.S. $7000) and one well used I keep at the cabin 2018 Medium XX1 Carbon Reserve, Factory 36 Hightower LTs and I rode this new 2020 thinking "Ooh la la, newest, latest, greatest!" but was so disappointed it made me sad that Santa Cruz have left their heritage and followed Specialized "Downhill".
Where's the POP, where's the SNAP, where's the CLIMB?
Too bad they've left their VPP heritage and gone downhill Geo.
Dont we all!
I love watching videos of bikes I can't afford
Same
Finally, a review that's not just a guy rambling on over some GoPro helmet cam footage! Great review and great format - just the right mix of information and on-the-bike action. Totally on point.
Lior Dayan just FYI- a lot of the vids that are just “talking over gopro footage” are just average people who have jobs, family and other obligations taking time to put up a vid about their thoughts on a bike to hopefully help others and don’t have the time or resources to produce a slick vid like this. I don’t think you realize how much time goes into just filming and editing a gopro vid, let alone something like this. Not saying you gotta watch or like the gopro talking vids, but realize that the people putting them up are doing it for free, outta their spare time, for their love of the sport and to help others maybe make a better decision on which bike to buy.
@@dadventuretv2538 I'm fully aware of that - i'm on of those guys myself:)
Been "volunteering" in various biking magazines for over a decade, as a photographer and technical reviewer- always out of pure passion, with no or very little pay, while managing a full time job, family, etc... And, being a photographer myself, i fully appreciate the technical effort as well.
So i'm not saying this out of disrespect. However, i've grown a little tired of seeing 15minute unedited helmet footage "reviews" where the guy hops on the bike for the first time, rides a couple of trails, and ends up saying very little about the bike itself. Most of those videos can be a quarter in length, and much more informative, with hardly any added effort. So, while i appreciate their passion to review and share their thoughts, i think some constructive criticism is due.
@@finkelmann werd!
I like how he went on about the steeper seat tube angle being better for climbing when the vast majority of the footage shows him out of the saddle.
You're right about the footage... haha, but the climbing position is actually really nice. I'm coming from a Trek Slash at the moment, and I can't get the seat far enough forward. The steeper seat tube does allow you get more over the front of the bike, which is especially noticeable on steeper climbs.
Kris Celeste it probably climbs like you’re in quick sand ! Ridiculously over priced like all SC , I just had my 5010 Xe serviced , cost £400 ! Free bearings is the SC Warranty? Absolute bs , you have to pay for everything , 😤😤😤😤😤
@@Cartsp70 bearings are free, labour to replace them is not.
Well, coming from a 2012 Tallboy LT (140f/135r older geometry) I gotta say the new Hightower climbs great whether you are seated or standing and my climbs are not nearly as buff as the ones in this video.
@@Cartsp70 shame you just cannot get everything for free isn't it???
SMH!!!!
You are right. My 80 year old Dad rides a 2018 Hightower. Thank God I can buy one now.
You've sold me, I'm going to buy that by the end of the year. Wish they had more color options but the desert tan is cool.
Nice review. My girlfriend used to have the "dad's bike" and she was quite happy with it. The only thing I resent is that the seat tube angle gets slacker with increasing frame size. The thing is, us taller riders pay the price of the slacker seat tube angle even more, as the effective angle is even slacker the higher you have your saddle. In reality, the XXL should have an extra degree added, not removed.
My dad loves his Hightower ;)
Mine too!
Me too
I bought this bike brand new, and 3 years later, I still love it as much as the day I bought it. I can't say anything negative about it. If your the type person that has to find something negative in everything we'll I guess you can knit pick it, but having rode a hardtail for 7 years getting on that bike was like a dream.
so worth it? I can buy also Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon LT as new fullsus. bike. Not sure yet
@HVPTai Mine is the alloy S build, it was worth every dime. I've never owned a Carbon bike, honestly don't see myself ever owning one, but Santa Cruz has a lifetime warranty on the frame, so make sure you get that transferred into your name, just in case. Yes, if you are getting a deal that you are happy with, go for it. Mine has the Lyric Select plus 150mm fork, 140mm Ultimate Deluxe plus shock, and SRAM Eagle GX drive train, I absolutely love everything about it, it is a freaking beast on the trail, great for XC or downhill.
@@rachet0708 thank you 😊
Hey ! Really loved all the info! Super helpful! I’m looking for my first real bike. I live in near Nelson bc. Looking for a good all rounder as I can only have one bike atm. I’m currently looking at the Hightower aluminum R vs the S build(any other good do it all bike recommends are welcome around this price point.) have any thoughts on those two builds? Worth going up ? Thanks!
What size did you ride and how tall are you. The added reach is mentioned which seems to be offset somewhat by the seat tube angle. With the added reach Santa Cruz’s size chart did not effectively change, so what does the added reach do…
This dad tears it up on his 2019 matte black Hightower!
How tall are you and which size bike were you riding?
Thinking of the hightower as my first 29er. Cant decide between hightower and bronsen as i ride enduro trails and do a lot of jumping, i do race enduro now and then but i mostly ride for fun. Any advice on wich one i should choose?
I’d love to know what the leverage rate is on this one. Starting and ending.
How is the aluminum version for climbing? 34lbs is pretty dang heavy
Would you choose the new high tower over the Bronson as your primary do it all bike if you could only have one to ride trails and do some bike park? I’m torn on the two I’ve never rode a 29er and I’m in the market for a new ride. Thank you
at 5'9.5", what size would you ride? I currently have a Hightower LT in Large.
Me: *watches video*
My kidney: bro don’t leave me
Nice review!
If stuck between sizes for an all mountain trail bike, size up or down??
if you only could choose 1 bike, 2020 hightower or 2020 tallboy which do you go with?
What size did you ride in the video? What is your height?
I’m on the fence between the HT or 5010... opinions anyone?
*now that i saw this video, i'm considering getting this one*
Is this more of a downhill bike or more of trail bike ? Im going to be riding more flat land and the occasional hill decent . Thank in advance !
Damnit.. I am a dad. I need one of these.
Looks awsome but they screwed up the cable routing now you can't heat shrink. Hate sloppy cables.
HTLT every day all day! Thug life!
Dadbod describes an overbiked guy on a megatower, on smooth, manicured trails. Low travel bikes are under super athletic people who can put up with the punishment and smaller margin of error.
Damn it I just bought the Megatower!
Easy with the Dad stuff. I'm a dad and I ride a Hightower!
The big downer? It looks like all the models weigh about 10% more than the previous generation. That’s a pretty significant weight penalty.
Nice review. I'm torn between a new bronson or a 29er. How's the HT compare. Thinking carbon rims so thinking about future bike builds with the 29ers...
I've tested a bronson and really enjoyed it. Not been able to test anything else though.
I have ridden the new Hightower and the new Bronson. The Hightower felt like a Bronson with 29er wheels. It was so playful to ride, really didn't expect that. At the end I had to made the same decision as yours and I went for the new Hightower.
@@wero5531 thanks for the reply.. I'm just under 5 9" but test Rode the large bronson... It felt right and didn't know it was a large till after an hours riding. A mate brought it for me to demo.. I really liked it.
I really want the rolling speed of 29s and being able to roll over stuff.. Would you say having a little less travel than the bronson is a problem?
Amazing Bike
Great video keep it op
Any idea of what the leverage ratio is ? Progressive , regressive , linear ?
The Hightower is a progressive bike. Slightly less so than the Megatower, but more than in years past.
So what's a dad bike in first place?
Do I need one since I have a kid? Does my riding suck? Please help.
Yes,yes and yes
@@Montblanc1986 thanks, much appreciated.
The best of Santa Cruz is the low standover high, it fits all people
Seatbounced a megatower yesterday nearly had my shorts ripped off
Tallboy or Hightower? Whats your take after reviewing both of them?
Neither Long travel slack hardtail all day long !!!!
I’m a teenager in the Bay Area what is a good way to get money for a bike like this? I have a $1500 trek Gary fisher elite full suspension it works great but it comes with some cons
Work and save. I'm 50, rode cheaper hardtails for years. It took years, but I finally got the money to get one.
What size were you riding?? 6’4” 34 inseam can’t decide on a XL or XXL?
Im 6'4" 36" inseam, and ride a XL 2018 Hightower., I am also 200 pounds lean.
I am just over 6’4 and about to snag a XXL. Weighing both options right now...
Any chance you could comment on how this new Hightower is vs the RM Instinct(not the bc version)? Currently looking at the instinct but this ride just came up at the local bike shop.
Second this question!
Quiver killer?
No mention of reduced fork offset? SC probably doesn't want to give props to Transition for starting this trend.
A trend no doubt. Transition had the spotlight for a long time and people seem to know where things began. It's becoming quite common these days and for good reason!
New Bronson vs new Hightower... Thoughts?
Definitely the Hightower. More versatile, 29er wheels are nice, happy to sacrifice 10mm travel for the bigger hoops. I demoed a Bronson yesterday (XL, I'm 6'2") and although the smaller wheels make the steering pretty light, I didn't feel any advantage. Even if you're looking for a bike that handles park days, I think I'd rather go with the Hightower over the Bronson. I'm a tall guy though, things may look different for smaller riders.
How tall are you and which size did you test?
I'm 6'5" and I tested the XL. I really would like to also test the XXL, because that size will finally give me the same perspective as someone who is on a medium considering a new bike with almost a size up in the reach. I felt that since I am currently on an XL Trek Slash, the XL would be the most relative comparison. I'm stoked to finally have some XXL options on the market to test. Stay tuned.
Dylan Stucki
I am guessing it wasn’t available then. Thanks for the reply!
I don’t like the thing that santa Cruz is making bikes nearly identical to each other, they all look like the new bronson and the new hightower have almost the same frame of the nomad . Except the 5010 that i love
forking up to 160, here we come.
Yew hew!!! Us too
hot damn what trails are those?
Treasure Trail - You can tell by the stump with the little penis coming off it: th-cam.com/video/DYWU561iwTU/w-d-xo.html
@@petertyliszczak3411 hahaha cheers!
Dylan Stucki left Enve Composites?
Yea, in 2016...
Dylan Stucki hahhahahahhahahahahahahahaha
sweet weapon
I love how each new bike has "better" angles when it's all about speculation and preferences. You can have a bike from 2010 and still be very modern.
Andrew Fallon yea I’m pretty sure head angle and geometry shouldn’t be about the newest modern trends but more about how it personally fits, different geometry for different body shapes and sizes
my dad has a yeti sb5+ so i think it might be like my dads bike
3:27 Stick in the rear spokes
The fork looks totally overwhelmed. This dad needs a rowdier ride. You're right, not my bike.
man I remember when I was a young boy and the Bullit was the hot thing, black front triangle, chrome rear for mine. That was..uh..20 years ago? Get off my lawn!
The new sales tactic is to call bikes a few years old dad bikes now huh? Flow trails for everyone!!!
So the kids need a 65 degree head angle to ride anything pointing down. Give me a fast-handling "Dad bike" any day.
What is a Dad bike, anyway?
the megatower should be a mini Nomad and the hightower a mini megatower then
4:52-4:57 What the hell does this even mean?
Good question, Sounds like he is reading off a Santa Cruz marketing script.
Looks like my polygon d7
I thought Santa Cruz would make some positive changes to their 2020 colorways after all the complaints on the 2019 colors. Nope! They still went with merlot barf burgundy, baby poo yellow, with burnt sienna smeared into every color 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Not referring to this High Tower specifically, but the line as a whole. And this is coming from a guy who has ridden SC bikes for 13 years.
Paint it.
Paint it then. They can’t make everyone happy
How freakin lame.
Correct, that bike is not my Dad's bike.
The new Lyrik decals look really ugly
This bike cost me $44k after converted currency.. T_T why created something that was so expensive when people love this kind of health sport..
Don't kid yourselfs. The Hightower is definitley a dad bike.
sigh... here we go again, who need kidneys anyway, right?
Aluminium 'D' build is less than 3k... ride a season, then get a fork upgrade instead of servicing it ;-)
my dad has a hightower tho
Longer, lower, slacker... But I thought this mantra was "over rated" ✌🤪
BB is higher now by 3mm to 340mm
Seems like SC got the memo the SB130 was the hottest bike to ever sell
Where'd you read that, can I get a copy?
All mountain rigs are getting too similar to enduro beasts
Fact.
But they still pedal well and aren't too heavy. I don't see the problem with that.
I like the geometry changes but the colors are not good at all and rockshox across the board isn’t my favorite. Definitely prefer Fox.
The bike not for dads but only dads can afford one.
actually, they have lots of price points for this
Starting at $2,899...
Dylan Stucki for that price you get Sram SX Eagle, RockShox 35, Sram Guide T etc, all the new but CHEAP Sram product.
32lbs for a full carbon trail bike for $4300, ok
The top of the line alloy build at $4200 is better than I expected. The carbon bikes are breathtakingly expensive for the build you would want.
Just buy the AL frame for 1500€ when its on sale.
Youll end up with an 12 Speed XT and Lyrik Setup and Newmen wheels setup If you search for deals.
Price? Components? Details 😒
All of that info is tied to the article: www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Santa-Cruz/Hightower-CC-X01-29-Rerserve,26704#product-reviews/3577
So basically a Bronson
It's not your dad's bike but it seems to be everyone elses.
2:00 CUT! I said CUT!!!
Got off of being critical of Dads...who the hell you think is paying for a $6k bike for you whipper snappers???
But it is my dads bike
My dad has a better bike than me
Welcome to 2020, a year when mainstream bike brands are starting to catch up on the Nicolai/Geometron Geolution from 2016. BTW, at that time, this type of geometry was deemed unusable and too extreme by most of the MTB "journalists" that rave about it today.
Informative review! But, no offense, such a drone like delivery, nearly put me to sleep
I don't get what the means about the old version being more of a dad bike than the new one and to add more he was like the new one is bigger than the older one. I have seen Tony Hawk do more amazing things on a skate board than most kids will ever be able to do such as a 900 in competition and a few years ago he did one at like 48 years of age ( th-cam.com/video/TnvPt_a7iOQ/w-d-xo.html) and Tony Hawk is a dad. Seriously some individuals are awesome and shouldn't be put in categories as if the are such less quality individuals such as show respect where it is deserved. Ride on awesome individuals because being awesome is more of a inner thing and not a kid or parent thing how i mean. 😁
TF is a dad bike?!