Hightower 2
- Overview
- Details
- Bike Builder
- Geometry and Sizing
- Technical Support
- Warranty
THE MOUNTAIN BIKE, DISTILLED
The Hightower is our compilation of engineering’s greatest hits. Big on wheels, medium on travel, short on fuss, this is the do-it-all model that does it over and over again thanks to a versatile balance of geo, spec and durability. If you’re not looking for extremes, just something extremely good, the Hightower is your elevator.
- Need more travel in a big wheel package? Try the Megatower.
- Want to race XC whippets on the climbs but still charge the downs? Try the Tallboy.
- Proud owner of a new Hightower? Register your bike here.
Key Features:
| Available in: | Aluminum, Carbon C & Carbon CC |
| Wheel Size: | 29er |
| Front Travel: | 150mm |
| Rear Travel: | 145mm |
Design Details
Design Details
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VPP™
VPP™ suspension strikes the right balance between pedaling efficiency and bump capability. 145mm in the rear paired with a 150mm fork is the perfect combo for just about anything".
Geometry
With 65-degree head tube angle, the Hightower sits squarely in the Goldilocks zone, but with a touch more “Oh sh*t get me out of here” capability when the porridge gets too hot!
Carbon and aluminium
Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames. The second-generation Hightower also comes in aluminium.
Flip Chip
The Hightower also has a bonus disc to heighten the experience—the flip chip. In the High setting, the BB height is a little higher for those tricky tech trails and/or when Plus sized tires are required. In the Low position the shock rate is more progressive.
Water, protection, refinement
There’s a room for a water bottle inside the main frame and a threaded BB for convenience. There’s refined cable routing for better shifting performance, simpler installation, and no cable rub. On top of that, there’s a tailgate shuttle guard, downtube protector, shock fender, and noise-cancelling chainstay protector keeping things quiet.
Built Right
The lifetime frame warranty, lifetime pivot bearing replacement policy, and lifetime guarantee on the optional Reserve carbon wheels assures you that the Hightower will keep delivering the hits for years to come.
D $3,799 USD $3,049 35.10 lbs / 15.92 kg | R $4,299 USD $3,449 34.13 lbs / 15.48 kg | S $5,249 USD $4,199 34.15 lbs / 14.49 kg |
|---|
Material | Material | Material | ||
Rear Shock | Rear Shock | Rear Shock | ||
Fork | Fork | Fork | ||
Rear Derailleur | Rear Derailleur | Rear Derailleur | ||
Shifters | Shifters | Shifters | ||
Cassette | Cassette | Cassette | ||
Chain | Chain | Chain | ||
Bottom Bracket | Bottom Bracket | Bottom Bracket | ||
Headset | Headset | Headset | ||
Rear Tire | Rear Tire | Rear Tire | ||
Front Tire | Front Tire | Front Tire | ||
Sealant | Sealant | Sealant | ||
Front Hub | Front Hub | Front Hub | ||
Front Rim | Front Rim | Front Rim | ||
Rear Hub | Rear Hub | Rear Hub | ||
Rear Rim | Rear Rim | Rear Rim | ||
Front Rotor | Front Rotor | Front Rotor | ||
Rear Rotor | Rear Rotor | Rear Rotor | ||
Brakes | Brakes | Brakes | ||
Crankset | Crankset | Crankset | ||
Handlebars | Handlebars | Handlebars | ||
Stem | Stem | Stem | ||
Saddle | Saddle | Saddle | ||
Seatpost | Seatpost | Seatpost | ||
Grips | Grips | Grips | ||
Travel | Travel | Travel | ||
Wheel Size | Wheel Size | Wheel Size |
Geometry
All units are in millimeters or degrees.
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 428 | 453 | 473 | 493 | 518 |
| Stack | 601 | 610 | 619 | 637 | 660 |
| Head Tube Angle | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° |
| Seat Tube Length | 380 | 405 | 430 | 460 | 500 |
| Front Center | 745 | 774 | 798 | 827 | 862 |
| BB Height | 344 | 344 | 344 | 344 | 344 |
| BB Drop | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| Wheelbase | 1178 | 1207 | 1231 | 1260 | 1301 |
| Rear Center | 433 | 433 | 433 | 433 | 439 |
| Head Tube Length | 90 | 100 | 110 | 130 | 155 |
| Top Tube Length | 566 | 594 | 618 | 645 | 679 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 77.1° | 77.0° | 76.8° | 76.6° | 76.3° |
| Standover Height | 704 | 718 | 717 | 718 | 709 |
Units
cm
Frame Sizing
If you're on the cusp between the recommended height range of two sizes, the absolute best thing is to try to ride them both. At a minimum, check the stack/reach measurements on your current bike and compare it to the new model you are looking at to get an idea of a fit you are already comfortable with. If riding the bike is not an option, consider the following.
Units
cm
S
M
L
XL
XXL
Maintenance Information
How to find your serial number
Something not right? Use our warranty claim form to file a claim. We'll do everything we can to get you back to riding as fast as possible.
File a claim for a Santa Cruz product
If you have any other questions or would like to follow up on a warranty claim, contact our Warranty Department.
Hightower Tech Support
| Suspension System | VPP |
| Front Derailleur | No compatibility |
| Headset/Headtube | Integrated (IS41/52) |
| Seat Post | 31.6mm |
| Seat Clamp | 36.4mm |
| Eye to Eye length | 210mm |
| Stroke | 55mm |
| Fork Compatibility | 150-160mm |
| BB Shell | 73mm Threaded |
| Max Tire Size | 2.4" (29"), 2.8" (27.5") |
| Max Chainring Size | 36t |
| Water Bottle Mounts | 1 |
| Shock Mounting Bushing Front | 20x8 |
| Shock Mounting Bushing Rear | 30x8 (bearing compatible) |
Download the shock setup PDF for this bike and get even more detailed sag, high/low rebound, and high/low compression recommendations for shocks below and get recommendations for the fork in each build.
We design our bikes to last, to be easy to work on and we make sure to provide the parts and information so you can make your bike last for many lifetimes.
