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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Santa Cruz Hightower was already a benchmark mid travel mountain bike for aggressive riders with a big budget. Can 'Glovebox' internal storage and other detail changes really be worth an extra £1000? I got a chance to find out around the punishingly rocky and slippery trails of the Ard Rock Enduro. So jump aboard with me to see what differences those details make. You might be surprised.
Thanks to Giro Cycling UK, Peaty’s and Crud for sponsoring the channel, Santa Cruz UK for lending me the bike for test and for my Patreon supporters for their monthly pledges. If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: www.patreon.co...
Any questions get busy in the comments.
Cheers
Guy
So I am coming from a V1 megatower, been thinking about a Bronson but I like to keep my speed once I pedal. I also do enduros but don't jump much and drops are maybe 2 feet. Will the high tower with the 145 rear be enough for a heavy rider? I enjoyed my V1 high tower 135 rear.
Thanks for the help.
Picked one up about a year ago, has been so great! Stiff and super stable at speed. Took a little getting used to as this is my first 29er coming from a 5010. I feel a little overbiked at times, probably as a result of coming from the 5010 which is so playful. SDU has been really easy to work with; the Fox 36 took a little dialing in to get sorted, but bumping up to 160mm travel and removing the volume spacers helped quite a bit. Did my first enduro race ever this past spring on it and had heaps of fun, and a 130-mile, 2-night bikepacking trip. Such a versatile bike. Have since gotten a second set of wheels, Roval SLs with Rekon/Dissector, for more XC/long trail days, then the stock ARC30s (switched to DHF/DHR, both EXO+) for shorter tech/all-mtn/enduro-ish days. Thanks for the review!
Second pair of lighter / faster wheels is a genius idea 👌🏻
Great vid, I just bought one. Did you ride with the flip chip in high or low (or both)?
I've ridden it in both and generally prefer to go low. Enjoy your bike anyway Clint, you made a great choice for sure
Recently ordered a Hightower V3 myself, can't wait to take it out for a ride!
Can’t wait to get my new frame built up! Amazing bikes!
I bought my Hightower v2 based of your review just over a year ago and absolutely love it . done enduro races on it ripped my local trails and scaled Munro’s such a all round capable bike .
That’s so good to hear mate 🤘🏻
Thanks for the great content sir !
How would you compare the Hightower and the Spectral 29 ? Which one of them is more playful and poppy suspension wise ? :)
Thanks for the content Guy! Considering that you rode both the Hightower and the Bronson during this event, do you have thoughts on how they compare? I know the Hightower has 5mm less rear travel, but with the better roll-over of the larger rear wheel I feel like that should be a wash(?). I suppose the Hightower runs a smaller shock with a higher leverage ratio; do you recon that makes any noticeable difference? I'm surprised that the Hightower only has 150mm front travel to the Bronson's 160mm. Do you find the Hightower to be under-forked? Would you bump it to 160mm if it were your bike? If they were running the same fork, do you think the capability of the two bikes is comparable? I feel like in the reviews I've seen people go out of their way to *NOT* compare these bikes, which I find strange since they are similarly positioned in the MX/29 lineups. What are your thoughts on this?
@GuyKesTV - do you remember if this was a quiet bike? i remember the v2 being really loud and cable rattly, in your video this seems pretty silent, but obviously gopro doesn't always pick up all the sounds you actually hear riding it
this video is so fun. my favorite type of weather, amazing bike, great riding and commentary. 💪⚡🔥
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 🤘🏻
I absolutely do not regret buying the Hightower C V2 . The only improvement I ever wanted was that glove box.
Dremel?
@@GuyKesTV Absolutely not!
So, is it the rear shock creating better climbing ? Or the dimentions of the frame ?
Both. Rear suspension is slightly more sensitive and the steeper seat angle puts you in a better position.
Nice video. That’s a size L if I heard correctly, may I know what’s your height? Sc wheelbase has increased for the newer models … I’m 5’6 size M under sc size table but the longer wheelbase is my biggest worry
Hey Alan, Wheelbase is proportionate as chainstay lengths change each size. I’m 5’ 11” 👍🏻
How would you rate the v2 2021 model, will it do enduro
Oh hell yes, it’s basically just this bike without the Glovebox
I want the alloy version badly
hello guy. i have been considering this bike but at 176cm i am at the lower end of a size L. since i have bought my last 2 bikes after your videos and greatly value your tests, do you think i could manage a size L compared to a M, even with some tinkering? santa cruz thinks so, and i am coming from a Bronson v3 size M which i do feel has become a little cramped for me at my ripe old age of 52. would appreciate your opinion. thank you
Hey Marco I reckon as you're on the line between both a large for a stable feel but medium for a more playful vibe. I'm 180cm so not much difference between us and that's how I'd size it. Glad my previous reviews worked out for you anyway and thanks for the kind words. Thoroughly approve of the Misfits logo too 🤘🏻
@@GuyKesTV thank you as usual Guy. your reviews are the bible as far as i'm concerned. never failed so far! the only problem here in italy is availability. I may have to transform a GX axs into something a little better in terms of shock/ammo and wheels. i can deal with a C frame instead of a CC, and the code rs are ok, GX vs X01 no big deal, etc, but suspension and wheelset for me is too important. thanks again!
Fiend for Life!
My local shop has the carbon c version in an XL that I’m seriously tempted by, but at 6’5” would I do better on a xxl? Just love your vids, the energy that comes across is infectious, great work.
Morning Rob, glad you enjoy the vids. What bike are you coming off? Will the shop let you have a quick roll round the car park?
@@GuyKesTV I’m coming off a 2015 Specialised Camber Evo XL. Did take it round the car park, felt amazing in that brief test
This or the Tallboy? Peaslake/Swinley and occasional bike park, Scotland trips etc
I'm just testing the Tallboy ATMO so video will be up soon. It'd love your local Peaslake, Swinley stuff as it's got real pop and efficiency but the Hightower isn't much heavier or less responsive and it'll handle sketchy moments on bike park / Scottish trail days a lot better.
Awesome! cheers for that, much appreciated.
@@scoutrenegade6761 No problem chief
Read your review yesterday and figured a video was imminent! I’m heading into the bike shop today to pick this bike up in xxl.
Good shakedown, keep it up!
You lucky b@stard! Enjoy mate
Hey Preston, how tall are you mate? Are you long legs/ arms & short torso or vide versa?
Hi ! love your content. Bronson or Hightower which bike is for rougher trails ? the smaller wheel in the back didn't slow you down much on Bronson ? Thank you !
Hi Robert. Glad you enjoy the content. Do you mean rougher, faster trails or slow, technical trails with big features?
I guess
faster,rougher trials = hightower
slower,steep,technical = bronson
Am i right ?
I just meant which one is more suitable for a bit rougher terrain lets say once in a while in the bike park.
I am definezely not a racer i love going fast though
@@robertrolko8740 Yes spot on. Hightower just rolls a little bit faster and smoother. Bit more of a sensible/efficient vibe though. Bronson jives around more easily between trees/off jumps and drops and generally feels more playful. Both awesome bikes.