THE ULTIMATE ALL-ROUNDER?

2023 Santa Cruz Hightower is a jack-of-all-trades that defies categorisation

NEED TO KNOW

Santa Cruz tout their latest Hightower as a pan-discipline mountain bike designed for “all-terrain riding”. Its 145mm of rear-wheel travel and 150mm fork, 29in wheels and made-over longer, slacker and lower geometry make it their most versatile full-suspension bike. Suspension updates for 2023 include reduced anti-squat in the first 40 per cent of its travel and a leverage rate that’s more progressive overall, but ramps up in a more linear fashion.

Like the 2023 Megatower, the new Hightower gets a ‘Glovebox’, as Santa Cruz dub it. This internal storage compartment is located behind a door on the top side of the down tube. Each size frame has been tuned to have its own ride feel, with size-proportional chainstays, so a large bike with heavy rider should feel the same as a small bike with light rider.

WHO’S IT FOR?

Designed as a true generalist, the Hightower’s geometry, travel and suspension should mean it’s just as comfortable hammering alpine descents as it is lapping trail centre loops or heading out on all-day bridleway epics.

KEY STATS

Travel: 150mm front, 145mm rear via Santa Cruz’s VPP twin-link suspension system

Wheel size: 29in

Frame: Aluminium alloy, ‘C’ carbon fibre or ‘CC’ carbon fibre, sizes S to XXL

Geometry: (all figures for large frame in ‘low’ setting) 64.5degree head angle, 76-degree seat tube angle, 472mm reach, 438mm chainstays.

Extras: Internal storage compartment, shock sag measurement window, tool wallet, tube purse.

Pricing: £5,399 to £9,599

More info: www.santacruz bicycles.com

WHEN’S IT AVAILABLE?

The C and CC Hightowers are available now, with the aluminium version set to follow later this summer.