Extra Normal, Extra Good: Santa Cruz Hightower Review | 2022 Fall Field Test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- The Hightower isn't the light and speedy trail bike you'd want to do the odd cross-country race on, and it's also not a burly one that you'd take to a bunch of rowdy enduro races. But it's most certainly a damn good trail bike that's easy to get along with everywhere.
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You guys are good at this, I appreciate what you do.
(Even though I'll never buy a $10K bike).
Broke people problems
@@LCNismo Financially smart people problems.
@@LCNismo Pfft, I could pay cash for a dozen of these if I felt like it.
They're just not a good value.
I don't fault anybody who feels otherwise... go for it.
@@Lex-Rex amen...Parts spec is abysmal for this cost.. what an insult...
@@LCNismo not buying a $10k bike makes your broke? Sounds like you have delusional people problems lmaooo
Santa Cruz bikes are awesome. But you have to wait till one goes on sale or till you find someone selling one lightly used. They do the details right, but the price is too high! Compared to the Yeti reviewed yesterday this is still cheaper and comes with carbon wheels with lifetime crash replacement vs the alloy wheels on the yeti. Boutique prices for sure. Excited to see what the Norco review says.
Also I like the new Bronson V4 MX even better than the hightower. It's fun everywhere.
Imagine dropping 10 grand on a bike and not getting top of the line everything.
Even worse, imagine dropping 10k on a bike and literally not getting top of the line anything. That parts spec is shameful AF.
@@m4ximusprim3 That's what I'm saying.
That hurts and I don’t even own one lol
@@m4ximusprim3 frame only is the only way if your buuying a bike like this.
It look like the companies do that to push people more into the Ebike direction, cuz you can buy a decent ebike for less than 10k for sure.
To the “Cheaper bikes are just as good” commenting crowd. That’s as dumb a statement as pricier bikes are automatically better. Anyone saying the former is just pissed they can’t afford a more expensive bike, and anyone saying the latter probably has buyer’s justification.
Sorry, but there are differences in bike’s feel- even two with exactly the same numbers will feel different. And it is very subjective to each rider.
My advice- demo as many as you can and buy the one that feels the most like an extension of you within your price range.
If you really don’t have a lot to spend, go aluminum and look at used, left overs and online only brands.
If you have some more to spend and really like one of the more expensive brands but maybe can’t go all in on a high end build at purchase, there’s nothing wrong with getting a lower end build and upgrading along the way. I started with a Bronson C R build- the NX stuff one, and now have Shimano drivetrain and brakes and Onyx hubs. There’s nothing wrong with riding Nx for a while- there’s too much component snobbery and bling factor in mtbing. And if you’re not sure yet on components, which is where I was when I bought, it gives you a chance to ride while you figure out what you like and want to upgrade to.
And if you have enough to spend let’s say 10K on a bike, I wouldn’t recommend it unless either every component is your dream and you won’t swap anything out (which probably unlikely) or you have to have a bike to ride like tomorrow and can’t wait to build it. Because for 10-11K I’d want the exact bike I want, so I’d get a frame and build it up exactly how I want for each component, even if it cost me a bit more.
But at the end of day, do your homework, and buy what you really want. Cause every day you go to ride and look at your bike with the knowing smile that you got your baby, it will be well worth it. Def better than looking at it each time and thinking, man I wish I had bought…. Cause hey, we only live once.
Out. 🤙
I just bought the HT S build, which is ~$3k less than what they reviewed. Yeah, these bikes are pretty expensive for what you get, but I shopped around and got one at a pretty good discount and felt good about buying it. I had demo’d the bike before I bought it, so I knew it fit me like a glove, and I absolutely love the way it rides. After buying my first mountain bike in 1987, I finally bought what I consider to be a dream bike.
I'm in the same boat, but coming from an Aluminum V4 Tallboy. Finally spending money on a dream bike in getting my S build in this paint color was the best decision I'd made. First 3 rides out I PRed all of my previous segments regardless of if they were climbs, descents, or flatter XC flow. This thing absolutely rips, and while it's expensive I'd go back and buy it again and again.
@@MachineSwede Me too with the PR's! I call it my magic carpet ride. No regrets at all. And the paint job is a bonus -- I wasn't expecting it to be so awesome. (And I'm not even a dentist!)
As a SantaCruz owner I can say it sucks that they have chosen to effectively be the Next Yeti. Frame only 4k lol.
I’m not bothered so much by the price of a frame but that adding components to the frame increases the price THAT MUCH. Buying a complete bike should be a good deal no?
SC’s been running a sale (like most big brands) for seven months now, and you can buy a full carbon Hightower v3 for $4600. If you can find one still at a shop, the v2 is lighter weight and $1000 less. Still warrantied for life, still lifetime free bearing replacements, still SC’s “No Missed Rides” customer service. SC supports local shops and puts millions into trail building and advocacy programs every year. There’s really no comparison with direct to consumer brands who cut out shops to save money and provide crap customer service.
@@pgjudo right now I’m on a Megatower v1. It seems to fit between the Hightower v3 and the mega v2. The new mega is much heavier and too far on the Downhill spectrum. I have considered that Hightower v2. Great bike , I demoed one last year and loved it.
I have a 2021 AL Hightower and made it my own. Fox 38 170mm, Fox float X, GX AXS with XX1 cassette, Cascade components link, Fox Transfer dropper, and I-9 wheels with hydra hubs. Love it!
This is one heck of a bike!
Made custom build with cc frame, rockshox sdu-rearshock and 160mm lyrik ultimate. Gx-transmission and handbuild alloy wheels on hope pro4 hubs finishing off with code rsc and 200mm discs. Its literally rocket ship and so quiet. Likes to go uphill but absolutely loves blasting downhills!
Is still maneuverable with 160 fork?
Yup, no big difference really 64.5 vs 64.2 degrees. 145mm of vpp suspension easily outperforms 150mm fork so that is why i went with 160
@@velitiede I have the same bike and i love it, i was thinking to do the same with the fork, thanks for the tips!
You did it right. Sounds like an amazing build. Put that new lyric on an AM hardtail and it is way nicer than the factory fork on my FS.
is it really quiet? whats the cable management like on it? i love a silent non rattly bike
The more i watch these tests, the more i love my Canyon Spectral. Super stiff carbonframe, fox elite suspension, shimano xt breaks and shifting, decent DTswiss wheels and a flipchip for 4000 bucks, that gets me a frame from santa cruz👀
They're good value for money. As a mechanic, I hate working on them though.
@@2dcutout
Why?
@@petesahad3028 lots of niggly things - from my limited experience (I worked in shops where I rarely saw them) the dust caps are a pain to get off - held on by 2mm allen keys (the bane of any mechanic) and the bearings weren't great, plus the type of person who can only just afford a canyon is the kind of person who doesn't realise how important proper servicing is (or can't afford to have it serviced properly). This applies to Giant owners too. Any warranty issues or sourcing Canyon only service parts is a slow and painful process too (although not as bad as YT).
The quality difference in design for maintenance with a Santa Cruz is huge. It's like the designer set out to make things high quality and consistent and easy to work on, Canyons are made to a budget.
SC’s been running a sale (like most big brands) for seven months now, and you can buy a full carbon Hightower v3 for $4600. If you can find one still at a shop, the v2 is lighter weight and $1000 less. Still warrantied for life, still lifetime free bearing replacements, still SC’s “No Missed Rides” customer service. SC supports local shops and puts millions into trail building and advocacy programs every year. There’s really no comparison with direct to consumer brands who cut out shops to save money and provide crap customer service.
Propain Hugene on full Fox factory with gx transmission for $4200 during Black Friday. Santa Cruz can keep their overpriced bikes, many bike brands caught up and there’s no reason for them to be expensive.
I have the 2020 AL version and it rips! I do agree about the component spec for it. Kinda wish it had some more boujee parts haha but I mean that's more expensive stuff to break. Overall this bike is a shralpin machine! Love the Field Tests! Keep it up
Would be interesting to see a comparison of this bike and the new Stumpy 15. Very similar specs/geo.
All the Pinkbike team are great, they are riders who really know their stuff, are entertaining and at times are really funny. Thanks guys for your honest thoughts and comments, you do a great job! Oh and yes - you call out the brands on price too, some sticker pricing has rocketed sky high - not to be confused with UFO's though!
I own a 2022 V2 alloy version with carbon wheels, cranks, bars, other light bits, and a Dissector / Rekon tire combo, making it lighter and more nimble feeling. Weight on my is 31.9 lbs for a size large. Like you guys said, you can take a Hightower in various build directions. I run mine in the High position, which with the V2 geo 65.5 HTA speeds up the handling nicely. Mines' not a high speed bomber, but it is an awesome all-arounder.
This video was really helpful when I was deciding which brand/frameset to use for a self build project - thank you. I bought the CC frameset with the Super Deluxe Ultimate shock and got £400 off because of a tiny 2mm scratch on the frame near the BB. I've gone down the "all-mountain route", shifting the bike a little more enduro, with Fox 36 160mm fork, 200mm front brake rotor, etc. While Santa Cruz doesn't appear to be discounting its bikes here in the UK anything like as much as Trek, Specialized, etc, the component companies are, so you can now build a v high spec Hightower 3 for much less than they retail. I've used Hope or Enve for BB, stem, headset, handlebars, etc, AXS Eagle X01 and XX for drivetrain, Hope Tech 4 / E4 brakes and rotors, a Reverb AXS dropper, DT-Swiss XMC 1501 wheels. The spec is somewhere between the stock X0 AXS RSV and XX AXS RSV versions of the Hightower and the cost is £1,000-1,500 less (and a little lighter as well). We seem to be a in strange period where (if you can find a good frameset) self build will get you some decent value.
If i'm spending over 10k on a bike, no way in hell should there be anything I want to change
That’s why my next bike will be an Arrival 152 SP2. $7400 including carbon wheels, lightweight, and mid/upper spec everything. Or get the SP1 that’s absolutely top spec for $9200!!!!!
I've just ordered an X01 build Hightower 3 in green, for me it seems like the perfect all rounder. Currently riding a 115mm travel Giant Trance 2 29 it will be nice to have some more suspension and a better bike to tackle a bit of XC/flow/techy climbs and rocky descents - it was a very hard choice to decide on the right bike that could handle a bit of it all.
I live in moab ut and the HT slays the double blacks here easy and the mountains in Colorado, you're gonna love it
@@Samtino20 Than would be an unreal place to ride! I ended up getting a Megatower 2 in blue instead as they had them in stock and was going to be months to get the Hightower in.
The Megatower is amazing though I can't believe how well it climbs, it just does everything so well!
It sounds/looks great and covers the important stuff (to me really well) eg, high quality frame and brand support
Both the Hightower colors came out really good but this color in person has to be their best color yet.
I’d love to see a Hightower AL with a Sram GX / NX or Shimano SLX mechanical drivetrain, Sram Code R or Shimano SLX 4pot brakes, Stans Flow S1 wheels, and Fox Performance level suspension or Rockshox Select + level suspension. Just a good mid level build kit on a well designed alloy frame. Maybe with a 4k or under sticker price.
I think you guys nailed this bike. I ended up putting a cascade link set to the low position with a zeb and love it. Feels more plush and capable on the DH but doesn’t give up much climbing or in corners.
One thing they didn’t mention is that you can’t add a coil spring to the HT. I was seriously looking at it untill I found guerilla gravity. You have the ability to pick your components and get a bike made here in the US for a lot less$$$vs one made overseas.
This comment didnt age very well, rip GG
I feel like details such as in frame storage are way more important to the overall experience with a bike than stuff like how they climb a little different, or how one bikes suspension is a tad more supple than the others.
Being able to fit a big water bottle or storing a repair kit, a wallet a muesli bar in the frame so you can go on rides without the need for a backpack (or hip bag) makes a huge difference in day to day use.
Still, 10k for bike like this is ridiculous.
I am seeing a trend emerge, buying the frame only and building it up properly will be the way of the future. So far these parts specs are ridiculous for the price of the bike. I’ll buy an expensive complete but not if I have to immediately turn around and change out brakes, low engagement hubs, etc.
*For high end bikes. For budget it's really hard to beat OEM in my opinion.
@@alexisonbike3652 yeah I would agree with you except that beginners who don’t know what they prefer/want are the only people buying complete budget bikes. I could be wrong but I don’t think people who are really into MTB are buying budget bikes, I definitely don’t see that at my local trails.
I loved my V1 Hightower LT, and I can say it was my favorite bicycle I have ever owned, but the price for a V3 is just too much.
Also, I still want fox X2 compatibility, but at least there's other really good shocks on the market now.
SC has full carbon complete V3 builds starting at $4600.
I own a Hightower 2. Great video and I have always like the way you guys review the bikes. The points highlighted on this video, "Spot on". Hightower is a "Do it all bike" The only bike you need and with different tires and wheelsets you can either inch towards enduro or lean back on cross country. One can also use 27.5+ wheelsets for tight trails. Cons, this bike is pricey!
My only gripe with Santa Cruz is they just get heavier and heavier. I'm not a weight weenie but I'd rather they get lighter than heavier with frame storage.
It would be great to hear how the pivots hold up.
Ben I have enjoyed your mtn bike content since you built up your grey Santa Cruz high tower or V10, I don’t remember the exact model. You are an inspiration for us tall mtn bike riders. Keep up your great content and passion. You deserve all the success in the world because of your work ethic.
I’d buy a Yeti, Pivot, or Ibis because they are equivalent in performance but more for your money.
Ibis is in fact Santacruz... ;)
I’ve demoed this at the factory. The review is pretty accurate. I liked it, but not enough to spend what they ask for it. Which is a shame, it would be a great “one bike”
Full carbon R builds are $4600 now.
Just bought the new iteration of this in the cardinal matte red and this thing is sweet!! This is my first SC and so far it's pretty awesome. I would agree with the pricing on these bikes. I got a bro deal on mine, or otherwise I would not have dropped 8 k on this GX AXS build with reserve wheels. Thought I'd weigh in on this bike, because to date it's the best bike I've ever saddled.....
revolutionary idea, all the santa cruz full suspention bikes look the same (excl v10), maybe thats why it wasn't exiting when it was released
Such an awesome shot from 5:11! Bug wake!
Post purchase affirmation 😂
I want one made out of metal
Beautiful bike! Keep in mind resale value goes along with that build quality. You'll pay a premium up front but that build quality reputation will hold its value better than most other brands when you're looking to re-sell it
'expensive bike continues to be expensive secondhand.' Incredible
Is it though? From what I see, used SC bikes are still expensive, but they drop much more in percentage terms than other better value bikes. Which makes sense, as their premium services are only for the original owner. And from that perspective direct to consumer are the best, some limited edition YTs are sold with almost no loses.
@@dit4963 that hasn't been my experience in my local market here in Arizona. I've managed to sell my prior Santa Cruz tall boy prior to COVID for what I paid for it. My hightower I sold $1,000 higher post COVID. That being said, the dealer I purchased both of them from gave me a substantial discount to begin with.
@@GF-cb8rr I would like to meet those persons who bought those bikes :)) Everyone gets discounts, or if you really got something special, then your examples are not really relevant for the discussion.
@@dit4963 My bikes were discounted about 25% off MSRP. HT was purchased in the spring of 2020 before the retailer realized the MTB industry would take off and have massive supply side shortages. So yes, a C R model retailed for $4300 and I purchased for $3400 OTD was sold in Jan 2022 for $4,650. Keep in mind MSRP went up by then (Jan 2022) already over $5200 for the same bike that was still difficult to find in stock. (Yes, I got lucky.) And I totally disagree with you that most people search or know to ask retailers for discounts (not to mention the retailer I purchased the SC from was universally hated by the other SC bikes shops for giving such a discount to begin with. In fact most shops in my market stayed firm on pricing especially during the pandemic). Regardless of my discounts and to my original point, in my experience my SC bikes held there value. Furthermore, where do you find or a market location that reflects the drastic depreciation on SC bikes vs competition? Did bike prices in your market go down during the pandemic?
Completely unrelated, I'm building up a '22 Process 153 DL with Bomber Coil F&R, TR37s, MT7s, Advent X, Ass EXO+/DHRII DD and OneUp/Wolftooth everything else. Curious to see if the rear coil will address Henry's woes in the review for that bike. But I have a feeling it will dance pretty well with these bikes in the trail category.
Me and my GF both have the new Hightower - the "wellest" balanced bike I ever had! Not that aggressive at, untill you want to and it feels so good uphill. We switched the forks and brakes (Code R feels so strange, tbh - magura mt5 do a better job for me) and go for a 160mm fork - not that big deal, the 150mm fork was well choosen, but the 160mm part makes the bike even more stable down the way and I do not feel any huge difference on flat ground / uphill.
The pricetag is huge, but I would go for the S-Kit again, if I have to choose a new bike. 6.3k for this bike + optional parts to customize your needs.
I think a more fair comparison would be a norco built with more travel / fox 36. Curious to see how the similarly weight aluminum 130mm bike compares to carbon 150mm bikes. I really think the Hightower is probably the best all around mountain bike but the part spec is horrendous even if it were thousands less! I’d consider building a frame up Hightower for sure!
That is way too much money. You could feed a family of four in Whistler for a week for that kind of money.
this comment is gold
I keep going between this and a Megatower V2 frame to replace my MT V1. It's a shame the prices have gotten so high, especially for frame only, but Santa Cruz makes some of the most competent, attractive and durable frames in this day and age. That purple color is absolutely killer as well.
Get the bronson-
Same boat here, megatower v1. Got to demo mega v2 and high v3. Went with the Hightower. Mega is a great bike but also a monster truck. The hightower v3’s numbers are very close to the v1 mega so imagine your mega v1 but more playful with a tad less travel…
Santa Cruz reserve canon wheels “they survived” LOL
been riding SC bikes for years and I agree the way the thing feels turning is amazing, such a great bike, just dumb expensive
This bike is on my shortlist but all of their builds are not to my liking. I will probably look at buying the frame and building the bike with the Fox/Shimano components I want.
Its weird. The Bronson has an XT build but neither the Hightower nor the Nomad do. I don’t get it.
That's the way to go. I did the same with a Tallboy and with some creative online shopping (price compares, coupons, cashback, int'l purchases etc.) saved $3K off of retail & ended up with a top spec bike cheaper than middle SC builds. May take longer but for me it's part of the fun of putting a new bike build together.
That's what I did as well. I prefer XT brakes and put a 160 fork on it.
@@dadventuretv2538 SC is moving towards SRAM only build kits. The Hightower 2 had an XT build option as well. The Bronson V4.1 is SRAM only.
@@edthorne94 that sucks. Def buying frame only then. I hate SRAM brakes and drivetrain.
So we have a long travel benchmark gold standard in the Specialized Enduro. Which trail bike can take the throne for “King of the Trail”?
I'm going to have to wait another week to get the Fuel EX review, aren't I?
same here. but the steeeeeep STA and forward position is scaring me off. I'm more interested in the fluid review, albeit it has limited rear sus travel.
I think current trends and designs for geo, wheel size, etc, have peaked. Anything new is just a marginal upgrade or change, just for the sake of being different. Not sure what bike companies will do next to keep enticing people to buy the latest and greatest.
I’d guess add $2000 to the price and make a 2mm bigger glove box 😂
26. Rear at least. Mark my words- 27.5/26 mullet. Already seeing it in Red Bull.
Seems like a great frame for a money-no-object build, but the amount they charge for mediocre build kits would preclude me from ever getting one of the pre built models.
This bike costs almost 10 grand and has, at best, mid level components? Are the people setting the prices stoned? I can get a Nuke Proof Reactor Carbon with a full XT kit and Fox pro level suspension for $6500. Even though it's a high quality frame, it doesn't justify being $3500 more with lesser components!
In the end the inexpensive aluminum frame Norco is all you need. The Trek might be worth all the versatility it offers. The others are just over expensive eye candy.
I think it hilarious that folks call my Yeti a "Dentist bike" or give me a sense that they think I'm a snob cause of my bike. Let's see I paid 7 k XO1 and Factory build, have since upgraded to XX1 Axs and reverb yup I ditched the cables. Confident I'm still under what this model is selling for with mid grade at best components.
Yeti old models right now on close-out are pretty affordable and new ones are on par with comparable brands / builds. You can buy the new model mid-tier specked bike within a couple $100 of each other (SB140 and Hightower). It's pretty obvious what brands PinkBike has a relationship with. Just think the Race team - Santa Cruz, Commentators doing the new Trek Fuel Ex builds, etc. They should disclose those. Their tests, all very subjective. The climbs as they say all within seconds of each other, meaning if you want to push it for a particular brand you could. You can already tell they will proclaim the Trek as the winner, but no one has been dying to get a Fuel in the past (I will admit the new design and color looks good). The channel just needs to be clear, that they are helping to sell bikes.
The only down side to owning a Santa Cruz is everyone asks “where is your medical practice?” We both laugh for a second, then I tell them where it’s located. We stop laughing and they ride off thinking I’m a kook. 🥴
Picked one up on sale. They are epic bikes.
When people ask me how I like my new Hightower I have to pause before answering. I do like it, but am bummed I payed so much. If I hadn't gotten a little help from insurance (last bike got stolen) I would have never spent that much $. And the pedal strikes! I really have to focus on pedal-placement in the chunk. It is a good bike but for these prices it should be an amazing bike. Just my opinion.
$10k with trash parts. House brand parts and mid end suspension.
Leaving us hanging on the GX AXS. Separate video maybe but I totally agree. POS… I’m about done with it now. What’s going on with the pivot bolts you mention?
Yeah they’re expensive but you have to remember where the headquarters are based. Sure they ship globally but there is so much money around the Santa Cruz and Bay Area that the economics to sell fewer bikes at a premium just might make sense. Santas Cruz May be more popular than specialized here and they’re both local companies.
Damn Levy… a rusmore sweater? Got a baby on the way?
A Rocky Mountain Instinct should be in the test
Who buys such an expensive bike these days?
Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking
I think a lot of people do tbh
Cross shopped the old hightower against the orbea occam which I eventually bought, couldn't justify the price increase for lesser spec on the sc. Still would love to throw a leg over the new one though!
SC’s been running a sale (like most big brands) for seven months now, and you can buy a full carbon Hightower v3 for $4600. If you can find one still at a shop, the v2 is lighter weight and $1000 less. Still warrantied for life, still lifetime free bearing replacements, still SC’s “No Missed Rides” customer service. SC supports local shops and puts millions into trail building and advocacy programs every year. There’s really no comparison with direct to consumer brands who cut out shops to save money and/or ones who provide crap customer service. Also, take a look at how much people will still be getting for their Hightowers in the used market next year compared to the occam.
@@pgjudo I mean, I bought my bike in late 2020 so I don’t think the current sales are going to help my situation much but thanks for letting me know lol
My dream bike😅
I'm sure its a great bike but there are an awful lot of great bikes for an awful lot less
Not a bad review for a bike named after ya.
Great bike, I'm sure, but no value anywhere in the lineup. I was waiting for these to come out earlier this year and was dead-set on buying one ... until I saw the build kits. I'd spend the money but not for those components. Went Stumpy Evo with better components at more than $2k less. Very happy with that choice.
Value throughout the lineup. Still warrantied for life (frame, wheels, bars), still lifetime free bearing replacements, still SC’s “No Missed Rides” customer service. SC supports local shops and puts millions into trail building and advocacy programs every year. There’s really no comparison with brands like Specialized who provide crap customer service.
@@pgjudo Definitely better value now that they’re having to discount everything by 25%.
No chance I will be riding a V3 HT. I have a 2021 and COMPLETELY disagree with Kaz's remarks. I bought my HT because it is [what I've found to be] the all-around best all-mtn bike that dies everything great. Not well.... Great. Shitton of traction and pedals great going up and smashes going down. If there's a better bike, it's seriously splitting hairs that the average rider will never find. This is all so stupid. At this point on the tech evolution arc, any "improvements" or "advancements" are minor refinements to already-great engineering/design. These reviews are just marketing/promotion of "the newest thing". I think we're all at a place with all of this stupidly-priced next-evolution where we just give them both fingers. F all of this. It's actually really starting to be a turn-off. $9k bike..... Jebus.
When he was saying that, I was thinking he was talking about the older VPP V1s, as those traditionally had a stiffer ride under power. The lower link VPP V2s like yours were/are a lot better in the traction department.
Yeah I think Kaz meant the H1, which I agree with. I have a V2 Bronson (upper link) and V3 (lower link) and the upper def had some pedal kickback and high antisquat chain tensioning that could make it harsh sometimes when pedaling hard over gnar when sus is trying to work. Lower link got rid of that and all the lower link bikes now it’s just about small tweeks. And I’m with you, keeping my V3 Bronson- got it set up with all the component upgrades I want, see no reason to change. I might get a Nomad to give me a bit more safety net with some of the places and stuff I’ve moved into riding more, but I’d still keep my Bronny as my regular. And if I do, I’ll probably buy a frame and build it up so I put on it just what I want.
Yeah good/fair points boys(in Tommy C accent)
Can you recommend a sub-$5,000 bike which comes close to this? Thanks!
I can't see paying the Santa Cruz tax unless you're riding big trails a lot. Even weekend bike park trips almost don't justify the schram build kits that all seem to lack, idk why people keep buying it
Could you do enduros on this? I had a V1 mega and it's almost identical as far as numbers go besides the rear stays are longer and 145mm vs 160 rear.
Price and part spec does not work for me.. I have the SC cousin I guess (Intense) I have the Sram xx1, 4 piston brakes, fox factory etc and still paid way less. Maybe this bike would be best as a frame only and carry parts over, or maybe a SC fan wouldn't mind the price tag but I see many other well preforming options for leas
Levy is kinda fanboying on this bike. I sense something here. 😅
U get a better speced YT Capra for 4000 Euro. Even Specialized enduro ltd for 8k. Idk whats going on With Santa.
It's wild to me that you can spend $10,000 and not get xt or xo1 drivetrain or top teir brakes. My XT/XTR Pivot with custom top tier NOBL wheels with BERD spokes, Hayes Dominion brakes, HSC rotors and fox factory suspension was $600 more. Seems like if you're in the market for something that pricey there are plenty of better ways to spend your money.
Thanks for the feedback, text me with the above name on telegram got something special for you 🎉🎁🎁🎉
Buy the Vitus and invest the money saved.... and I own a SC. The future you will thank today's you.
So the question is: this or the Ripmo V2s?
Hightower for sure.
Can't go wrong with either bike, I would say depending on how you like the rear suspension feels, I find the HT more confortable
Ripmo is a much better value and a awesome trail bike
This feels like the Bronson 2019 but if you can find the aluminum version, you'll save $6k.
I don’t get the price on this thing. I bought a different Santa Cruz model several weeks ago. It was a few grand less and I got way better stuff on it.
@pinkbike how would you compare the hightower to the stumpi evo carbon? which one would you rather buy?
I am proud owner of the Aluminum Hightower V2 21"
I still wonder at what point SC riders will realize they are milked like cash-cows :))
What you riding then..?
I have a 2021 SC Hightower that I built from the frame up with a 160 fork and it's a fabulous all around bike. I agree that it's a great cornering bike. That being said, I wouldn't buy the new one. There is no reason for such a steep increase in price. Just over $11K CAD for a GX AXs build with a performance fork, base shock and aluminum wheels. No thanks. It's too bad the We Are One arrival came out after I bought my frame. I like their story and already use their wheels.
Agree. The “ ultimate “ with great reviews at 9,000$ (with TOL parts) looks like a steal compared to these bikes, and yes great story. The 7300$ model has better build parts then these bikes. I am an old guy trying to talk my family into supporting my purchase - lol- justify taking money out of their college funds to “ keep dad healthy”.
There were more clips of the bike going uphill than downhill. Wtf pinkbike!?
Base model is 4,700
I think we have a winner! It will be interesting to see the review of the blindingly yellow GT
I dont think theres a gt on the test bruh
Its a joke because the Trek looks exactly like a GT Sensor
@@thephoenixcycle8854 that's true lol
Is it twice as good as a Canyon Spectral?
Can anyone explain to me, why SC sends a poorly maintained Testbike to a fieldtest?
On sale right now $1000-1500 off
Satan Crud more like it.
Price is a absolute rip piss! Not even compression adjustment on the shock.
Here's my comment
Canyon spectral cf7
Half price.
Who is this bike for? Dentists and Doctors.
Single speeds don't have chain slap!
We all knew at some point the people would finally revolt at the stupid fcking prices and the average components you get for those ridiculous prices. ✊
$9800 … these guys are hilarious
be a good frame to build up...
10K for GX AXS and their lower teir carbon frame?!?!?! LOL At least the yeti has XX1 AXS for 10k and you get their top end frame.
Amazed you got through this review without calling it what it is: Dentist Bike
Nah a dentist would look at the component spec and go for the Yeti, even with the price increase and put carbon wheels on it later.🤪
I have a aluminum Hightower and I 100% agree with the price-to-spec ratio, I mean 4,000$ and you get an SX drivetrain come on!
Yeti sb130 vs Hightower ?
Hightower 100%
I'll wait 5yrs down the road and buy a used one. Maybe then, I can afford it.
I ride a hardtile because I am fat. I lost plenty in last few years. Today I was looking for a full suspension frame. This frame in UK cost £2800 😂😂😂😂 you've got to be kidding me. £2800 for what ?