If ever a bike resembled your most cherished mix tape compilation, the Hightower is it.
Featuring Santa Cruz's lower-link mounted shock design, and updated, adjustable geometry, this “Engineering Best Of...” assembles some of Santa Cruz's biggest hits into one belter of a road-trip companion.
The Hightower has been a does-it-all-well trail bike since its inception. More maneuverable than its longer-travel sibling, the Megatower, and more at home in the steep-and-chunky than its snappy cousin Tallboy, Hightower excels when the route covers ‘all points in between,’ and descents come courtesy of some huge
climbs. The VPP suspension’s lower-link-mounted shock shock position creates a nearly linear leverage curve, meaning it mops up bumps of all sizes and maintains the kind of progressivity normally reserved for the V10 DH bike.
140mm of rear travel complemented by a 150mm front end gives Hightower just a bit more front and rear travel over the first generation model. Combined with a slacker 65-degree head tube angle, the Hightower still sits squarely in the Goldilocks zone, but with a touch more “Oh sh*t get me out of here” capability - you'll ride out of trouble wherever you find it.
Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. The advanced composite chassis tracks well across all trail surfaces, holds a line, and is reactive to rider directions while isolating pedal influenced inputs.
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, to provide additional bottom-out resistance. Whatever mood you’re in, the tone of the Hightower can be adapted to meet your individual taste. And speaking of taste, 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.
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.
Santa Cruz Hightower Features:
- Fork Travel : 150mm
- Fork Compatibility : 150mm-160mm
- Frame Travel : 145mm
- Shock Size : 210x52.5
- ICSG-05 Tabs : Yes
- Headset : Integrated (IS41/52)
- Seatpost Diameter : 31.6mm
- Seat Clamp Diameter : 36.4mm
- BB Shell : 73mm Threaded
- Max Tyre Size : 2.4"
- Max Chaingring Size : 36t
- Shock Mounting Bushing Front : 20X8
- Shock Mounting Bushing Rear : 30X8
- Water Bottle Mounts : 1
- Coil Shock Compatible? : No
- Adjustable Geometry : Yes, Hi/Lo settings, adjusted with flipchip on lower link
Product Code | SCHT2FRM22MELON-S |
---|---|
Brand | Santa Cruz |
Colour | Orange |
Manufacturer Colour | Melon |
Gender | Unisex |
Ready to ride
Every bike from Start Fitness is fully checked & assembled before despatch and will arrive, almost, ready to ride. Each bike is assembled by one of our CyTech accredited mechanics and then packed into one of our custom boxes.
*This process has a lead time of 5-7 working days.
Unfortunately during peak times this may be slightly delayed. We will however, aim to despatch your bike as quickly as possible. Minimal assembly, with basic tools, is required before you can ride. Assembly tools are not usually included.
Making sure you are home
Once fully checked and boxed, we will contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date when you will be home to take delivery. Our bikes are despatched with a premium delivery service which usually delivers next working day (excludes weekends & bank holidays) for mainland UK orders, it may take slightly longer for some areas, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and outlying Scottish areas. European bike deliveries usually take approximately one week.
Taking Delivery
Any mechanical or cosmetic issues need to be reported to us within one week of the delivery date. If you do not plan on using the bike straight away, we advise that you remove it from the box and check it over ASAP as we cannot be responsible for any reported issues (other than standard warranty issues) later than one week from the date that the bicycle was delivered.
First Service
After a few weeks of riding (we recommend around 6-8 weeks, regardless of how much the bike has been used), a new bike will need a service to make final adjustments and to re-check all nuts and bolts. This is necessary as the bike goes through a ‘bedding in’ phase, after which, final adjustment may be necessary. We recommend that this is carried out by a CyTech qualified mechanic.
It is important to have these checks carried out to prevent any avoidable problems which may not be covered by warranty and to ensure the smooth running of your bicycle. If you’re local to us, we’re able to offer this first service free of charge* at our Newcastle store (NE1 6JE). You’ll just need to call our workshop on 0191 917 3825 to book your service in, and don’t forget to bring your proof of purchase when you drop the bike off with us.
If you’ve had the bike delivered, it will be your responsibility to ensure a first service is carried out at a trusted bike shop local to you, preferably by a Cytech certified mechanic. Start Fitness are unfortunately not able to cover any costs associated with this service if carried out by another store.
*Please note that this complimentary check-over does not include any labour to replace worn parts or to fit new accessories. All bikes should be delivered to us in a clean and serviceable condition, or a £15 cleaning charge will be payable.
Bike Servicing
Bicycles need to be serviced regularly, as a guideline we would advise on at least one full service per year and/or a standard service twice a year. If the bike is used regularly in adverse conditions, more regular servicing may be required.
Still not sure? Need some advice?
Book a call with one of our experts to get more information on this product.
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