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$7449.00
Positioned as the no-compromise trail-duro steed from Santa Cruz the Hightower provides all-mountain capabilities with trail bike climbing characteristics. The modern geometry numbers and aggressive-but-not-overwhelming 145mm of rear travel make this rig ready for all-day excursions or technical descents--and everything in between. Now boasting VPP lower link suspension it offers some flavor from its longer-travel siblings for a supple feel while charging unforgiving descents. We categorize the Hightower as Santa Cruz's most capable bike equally comfortable logging a few thousand vertical feet in the high-alpine as it is shredding the occasional day at the bike park. The Hightower has long been known as a do-it-all trail bike capable of backcountry endurance adventures in the Santa Cruz mountains and fast laps at your local trail network when you need to hammer out as many post-workday miles as possible. The current generation remains as that but is ultimately a more capable bike than before stretching its reach out 20mm (on sizes small through large) offering more room in the cockpit to play with along with a more relaxed 65. 2-degree head tube that elevates confidence on the downhills. You might think this stretched-out cockpit comes at the cost of pedaling efficiency but the Santa Cruz designers mitigate sluggish climbing by moving the seat tube to a steeper 76. 7-degrees putting you in a more comfortable position for tackling steep climbs and hammering out high-mileage days. While previous versions of the Hightower used an upper-link VPP configuration the current bike enjoys the increased bump compliance and glued-to-the-trail traction you'll only get with a lower-link mounted shock. This lower-link VPP platform is something that's previously been reserved for gravity-fueled sleds like the Nomad and Bronson but has slowly trickled down to the rest of Santa Cruz's lineup the reason being that it simply rides better in every situation while also l...
