Santa Cruz has a knack for creating bikes that become instant classics, and the Hightower is no exception. For years, it has been lauded as the quintessential all-mountain machine, capable of tackling any trail you point it at. The latest iteration, the Hightower 3, doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but rather refines an already exceptional platform. As Santa Cruz themselves put it, this bike is their “Greatest hits compiled into one bike.” So, what exactly has been refined? Let’s dive into the details of the new Santa Cruz Hightower and explore what makes it a standout in the crowded all-mountain bike category.
What’s New with the Hightower 3?
The Santa Cruz Hightower 3 focuses on evolution, not revolution. The core DNA of the Hightower remains, but Santa Cruz has strategically tweaked key areas to enhance performance and rider experience. The most significant updates lie within the suspension and geometry, along with some welcomed practical additions.
Suspension Updates: Tuned for Trail Bliss
Santa Cruz’s Lower-Link VPP suspension platform is renowned for its traction and control. However, early iterations sometimes leaned slightly towards traction at the expense of playfulness. With the Hightower 3, Santa Cruz has honed the suspension kinematics to strike a more balanced and dynamic feel. Drawing on learnings from recent successful models like the Heckler 9, the Hightower 3 boasts a more refined suspension tune.
Technically speaking, the Hightower 3 features reduced anti-squat in the initial 40% of its travel, alongside a slightly more linear leverage ratio. Furthermore, the end-stroke progression has been increased. What does this translate to on the trail? The reduced anti-squat enhances small bump sensitivity, making the ride smoother and more comfortable, especially on chattery terrain. The updated leverage curve ensures consistent suspension performance throughout the travel, providing predictable support and preventing harsh bottom-outs on bigger hits. The result is a suspension system that is both plush and supportive, offering excellent traction while retaining a lively and engaging feel.
Geometry Tweaks: Modernizing the Mountain Machine
In line with modern mountain bike trends, the Hightower 3 receives geometry updates that result in a slacker and longer stance. The head tube angle now sits at 64.5/64.8 degrees (adjustable via flip chip), paired with a seat tube angle of 76.6/76.9 degrees. While the reach remains similar to the previous generation at 492/495mm in size XL, the wheelbase sees a more substantial increase due to the slacker head angle and introduction of size-specific chainstays. On an XL test bike, the wheelbase measures 1276mm with 440mm chainstays.
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 Side View
Santa Cruz’s commitment to rider fit is evident in the size-specific chainstays. Each frame size gets a unique chainstay length, ranging from 431mm on a small to 443mm on an XXL. This ensures balanced handling and weight distribution across the size range, preventing the common issue of larger bikes feeling unwieldy or smaller bikes feeling cramped. Additionally, all frame sizes feature an increased stack height, contributing to a taller front end that inspires confidence on steep descents. Santa Cruz has masterfully adopted modern geometry principles without going to extremes, creating a bike that is progressive yet remains versatile and user-friendly for a wide range of riders and trails.
Practicality and Convenience: Sag Window and Glovebox
Beyond performance-oriented updates, Santa Cruz has incorporated features that enhance usability. Setting sag on Santa Cruz bikes has historically been a bit fiddly. The Hightower 3 addresses this with a new sag window cut into the shock tunnel on the non-drive side. This simple yet effective feature allows for much easier sag setup, eliminating the guesswork and frustration of blindly searching for the sag indicator.
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 Sag Window Detail
Another welcome addition, borrowed from the Megatower, is the Glovebox integrated storage in the downtube. This clever feature allows riders to stash essential tools, tubes, or snacks directly within the frame, eliminating the need for bulky saddlebags or overstuffed pockets. These practical touches demonstrate Santa Cruz’s attention to detail and commitment to creating bikes that are not only high-performing but also convenient and enjoyable to live with.
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 Glovebox Feature
Riding the Santa Cruz Hightower 3
The technical updates on paper translate seamlessly to enhanced performance on the trail. Testing the Hightower 3 in the challenging, wet conditions of Oakridge, Oregon, revealed a bike that is both efficient and incredibly capable across a wide spectrum of terrain.
Uphill Performance: Efficient and Grippy
Despite the less-than-ideal conditions of muddy trails and slick roots, the Hightower 3 impressed with its climbing prowess. The updated suspension platform is immediately noticeable, feeling significantly more efficient and responsive compared to previous generations of Lower-Link VPP bikes. While maintaining the renowned Santa Cruz traction, the Hightower 3 exhibits a newfound pep and eagerness to accelerate. This enhanced climbing efficiency positions it favorably against competitors like the Orbea Occam, Giant Trance X, and Ibis Ripmo, surpassing the climbing capabilities of the Hightower 2 in particular.
The rear suspension excels at maintaining traction on technical climbs, minimizing wheel spin even on steep and slippery surfaces. The ride feel is remarkably smooth and quiet, effectively absorbing small trail chatter. The steeper seat tube angle contributes to an efficient pedaling position, even for taller riders, facilitating a balanced weight distribution and making technical climbing sections feel more manageable. The Hightower 3 handles tight uphill switchbacks with surprising agility, a testament to its well-balanced geometry and centered riding position. Overall, the Hightower 3 is a highly capable climber that efficiently conquers a variety of ascents without sacrificing downhill prowess.
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 Climbing Uphill Trail
Downhill Performance: Confident and Playful
Descending on the Hightower 3 is where the refined suspension truly shines. The bike disappears beneath you, inspiring confidence and allowing you to focus solely on the trail ahead. The updated suspension curve provides consistent support throughout the stroke, striking a perfect balance between plushness and responsiveness. Compared to the Hightower 2, which could sometimes settle deeper into its travel, the Hightower 3 feels more energetic and engaging. It responds readily to rider input, making it easy to pump for speed, pop off jumps, and carve through berms.
The suspension’s supportive nature lends itself well to a playful riding style. The Hightower 3 is eager to get airborne and handles bunnyhops and jumps with ease. Even on challenging trails with high-speed G-outs, the suspension resists harsh bottom-outs effectively. The more linear leverage curve ensures predictable and consistent performance, providing a confidence-inspiring ride across a range of downhill scenarios. Handling is sure-footed and composed, whether navigating high-speed flow trails or tackling steeper, rougher terrain. The Hightower 3 strikes a remarkable balance, feeling equally at home on diverse trail types and never feeling out of its depth. While pushing the bike’s limits, it’s more likely the rider’s capabilities that will be tested before the bike reaches its maximum potential. Cornering is intuitive and balanced, requiring minimal effort to weight the front wheel and maintain control. The frame-specific chainstays likely contribute to this centered and balanced feel, enhancing overall handling and maneuverability.
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 Banner Image Downhill
The most compelling aspect of the Hightower 3’s downhill performance is its ability to fade into the background, allowing the rider to fully immerse themselves in the experience. It simply does everything it should, and nothing it shouldn’t, enabling riders to focus on their technique, the trail, and the sheer joy of riding. As the top tube graphics subtly suggest, “just push play” and enjoy the ride.
Santa Cruz Hightower vs. Competitors
The all-mountain bike category is fiercely competitive, with numerous excellent options available. Comparing the Hightower 3 to other bikes in the Santa Cruz lineup and key competitors helps to further define its position and strengths.
Santa Cruz Megatower 2
The Megatower 2, while also a 29er from Santa Cruz, occupies a burlier, more gravity-focused niche. While both bikes boast exceptional suspension, the Megatower leans towards plushness and maximum downhill capability, whereas the Hightower prioritizes a firmer, more supportive feel with enhanced all-around versatility. The Megatower excels on rugged, demanding terrain, while the Hightower shines as a more versatile machine capable of tackling a wider range of trails with equal aplomb. The Hightower is the more efficient climber and the better choice for riders who prioritize all-day riding and varied terrain, while the Megatower is the weapon of choice for those who frequently ride steep, technical descents.
Santa Cruz Hightower 2
For owners of the previous generation Hightower, the question of upgrading to the Hightower 3 is pertinent. The answer is a resounding yes for those seeking enhanced performance. The Hightower 3 represents a significant step forward, offering improved climbing efficiency, more confident descending capabilities, and a more refined suspension feel. While the Hightower 2 remains a capable all-mountain bike, the Hightower 3 surpasses it in almost every metric. However, the Hightower 2’s slightly shorter wheelbase might still hold an advantage in extremely tight and twisty terrain, appealing to riders in regions with particularly technical, slow-speed trails.
Ibis Ripmo
The Ibis Ripmo is often cited as the Hightower’s closest competitor in the all-mountain category. Both bikes are renowned for their climbing prowess and descending capabilities. Climbing performance is now remarkably similar between the two, with both exhibiting a lively and efficient feel. However, subtle differences emerge on the descents. The Ripmo may feel slightly lighter and quicker handling, while the Hightower offers a more planted and stable sensation, particularly in rougher terrain. The Ripmo’s suspension tends to be more easily accessed and softer overall, while the Hightower provides a firmer, more supportive platform that excels in handling bigger hits and compressions. Choosing between the two often comes down to personal preference, with the Ripmo appealing to riders seeking a more agile and playful feel, and the Hightower catering to those prioritizing stability and all-around confidence.
Who Should Ride the Santa Cruz Hightower?
The Santa Cruz Hightower is designed for mountain bikers, pure and simple. Its versatility and balanced performance make it an ideal choice for a vast range of riders, from seasoned veterans to ambitious newcomers. If you’re looking for a bike that can handle epic days in the saddle, conquer challenging climbs, and descend with confidence and composure, the Hightower is a prime contender. It’s the quintessential all-mountain bike for riders who demand a machine that can do it all, exceptionally well.
Final Verdict: Santa Cruz Hightower 3
The Santa Cruz Hightower 3 is not a radical departure, but a masterful refinement of an already exceptional all-mountain bike. It retains the core versatility and balanced performance that made the Hightower a classic, while strategically enhancing key areas to elevate the riding experience. With its updated suspension, modern geometry, and practical features, the Hightower 3 solidifies its position as a top contender in the all-mountain category.
One-Line Santa Cruz Hightower Review: The quintessential all-mountain bike, refined to near perfection for ultimate trail versatility.
