Bikes

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504Wh battery keep the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The mixed-wheel option gives riders the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. But retaining the 27.5 rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very lithe and accurate. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 75Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. Like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind!

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504wh battery keep the weight down (45.3lb) compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (310g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (36%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. The 27.5-inch wheels keep the bike playful and maneuverable in order to make the most of the trail. The slack head angle (65.5-degree) and 445mm chainstay length provide a snappy and fun feel while still providing traction for when the trail gets steep and technical, both up and down. Like all Santa Cruz bikes, the Heckler pedals well regardless of watts involved. The 160mm-travel fork is paired with 150mm-travel at the rear to provide a wide range of capabilities. We tweaked the VPP kinematics to have slightly lower anti-squat than other bikes. This adds a touch more support and traction over rough stuff when pedaling seated—a major advantage of having the pedal-assist on your side. And like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind! The Heckler's boundaries aren't defined by distance, laps, or time. The boundaries in our head that say, "Don't bother", "Turn back", "Impossible." Smashing these boundaries is what got us hooked on riding in the first place. Heckler's not about taking things easy, it's about making things possible.

Our bikes have always been about amplifying fun, so our goal for the Heckler MX was to make something light and agile that can help you on-site blind terrain. A mixed-wheel bike gives the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. The 27.5-inch rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very light and accurate. The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and doing so independently. Whether tackling rides that are guarded by monstrous climbs, or cramming more into less time, it's about rarer rides becoming the norm for you. The interchangeable 500wh battery keeps the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than E8000 drive unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. We used the full Shimano STEPS battery and motor system again because it means assured reliability and global aftermarket service.

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504Wh battery keep the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The mixed-wheel option gives riders the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. But retaining the 27.5 rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very lithe and accurate. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 75Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. Like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind!

The Santa Cruz V10 is the winningest bike in downhill World Cup history. Born from racing, and more than adept at the bike park, the V10's lower-link-driven, VPP suspension sports 216mm of VPP travel — yet it pedals out of corners and down long motorway sections much more efficiently than you'd ever expect. The sixth generation V10 features a flip chip to adjust the geometry to give you a low and slack and a lower and slacker setting: - High: 64° headtube angle / 360mm bottom bracket height - Low: 63.5° headtube angle / 353mm bottom bracket height The shock rate has been tuned to be more linear and deliver consistent damping throughout the travel. Carbon lay-up analysis and frame shape optimization allowed for more efficient use of material, and the savings were then reinvested into other areas to ensure the bike withstands huge, flat landings. The V10 Carbon C S comes with a set of dependable components built for the rigors of DH racing. A Fox 40 Performance Elite fork and DHX2 Performance Elite shock keep you glued to the trail, while the E13 LG1+ rims wrapped in 2.4-inch Maxxis High Roller 2 rubber ensure superior control at speed. SRAM Code R four-piston brakes paired to 203mm front and 200mm rear rotors won't let you down when you need them, and a Santa Cruz direct mount stem and wide Race Face Atlas bar provide stiff leverage for navigating the roughest DH tracks.

Each weekend, at race venues the world over, there is one rider who gets hoisted upon the shoulders of the crowd and carried to the podium. Or at least leaves with a water bottle as their prize. And between each of those races, innumerable wannabes are putting in the hours on the rollers and in the gym all because they want to feel what it's like to take the win. They know that to beat the pack every advantage needs to be acquired. That's where the Blur fits in. We tapped into everything we've learned from years of making the highest quality carbon full-suspension bikes so that we could put as little (weight) as possible into the Blur frame. The trim frame and super-efficient Superlight suspension will be the key to translating your input into competition-beating performances. But the Blur isn't just for the short track. Two water bottle mounts within the front triangle should keep chuggers happy. And the high-quality fit, finish, and carbon construction promises multi-day racers a worry-free existence—meaning there's no fiddly proprietary parts that could leave you stranded in a Cape Epic or Breck Epic campsite. The carbon frame, while being light, is made to go the distance and as always the legendary Santa Cruz lifetime warranty and Rider Support team have got your back. The Blur isn't guaranteed to make you a race winner, but being the lightest, full-suspension carbon XC bike we've ever made (Approx 23lb as complete. Blur frame is 289g lighter than the previous model), it might be the difference between claiming first place...or just crossing the line.

Santa Cruz Bullit MX could be the world's burliest trail e-bike. Imagine the gnar-taming capabilities of the big-hitting Nomad and Megatower boosted with Shimano's new EP8 STEPS motor, and you start to see a bike that's not only off-the-charts capability-wise, but in terms of how far and wide you can go with it, as well. Bullit's high-capacity 630wh battery and more refined, more powerful—not to mention lighter and smaller—EP8 motor combine with a smasher build to turn those once-a-year epics into your regular rides and let you unlock new, long rides you never thought possible. Designed for tackling the steepest and deepest of trails, Bullit's 170mm-travel fork with 38mm stanchions, DoubleDown tires, and coil shock options beg for the abuse of rooty, rocky horror fests usually reserved for the aforementioned big-hitting pedal bikes. Where the Heckler puts a premium on agility and playful handling, the Bullit comes to brawl with a no-limits attitude. Like many of our bikes, the inspiration for this one initially came from the Syndicate—our works-level DH squad. After champion puzzler and downhill demon, Loris Vergier, talked us into a mixed-wheel V10 DH sled, it was really just a matter of time before we brought that World Cup mindset to a broader use case. And, like with Loris' race bike, we've found it provides the confidence-at-speed of a 29er with the more spritely handling characteristics and maneuverability of a 27.5 rear end. Unlike Loris' V10, however, this big-hitting mixed bike goes uphill, as well. - 85 Nm Motor - 630 Wh Battery - 170mm Travel - 29/27.5 (MX) Wheels

Santa Cruz's most notorious thriller, the Bronson, is ready for action no matter what role it's cast into. The Bronson has the biggest personality in our range. From flat-out on the trail to fully flat over a table, each new generation redefines expectations of what a 150mm bike can do. The new lower-link mounted shock configuration opens up greater possibilities for maximum bump performance, a supportive mid-stroke, and a barely detectable bottom out. It’s like our most capable all-around bike just had a set of afterburners bolted on. With 150mm of VPP travel on 27.5-inch wheels, the Bronson continually rides the sharp edge between agility and stability. Ideal for negotiating tech-gnar one moment and fast flowing terrain the next, the 160mm fork travel and 65-degree head angle ensure handling remains refined. Meanwhile, the redesigned, one-piece swingarm keeps the rear wheel tracking on point, however twisted you get. There’s plenty of room to run up to 2.8-inch tires on plus rims. We offer build kit options for "regular" 27.5 and Plus-size, using 2.6 tires. It feels like the sorta big is the sweet spot between the Velcro-like traction of plus tires and the traditional feel of a supportive casing on standard-width tires. Its versatility makes Bronson the go-to choice for those seeking a skeleton key to unlock unfamiliar trails. - Carbon CC frame - Fox 36 Float Performance 160mm fork - RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock - 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain - RaceFace ARC Offset 30 27.5-inch rims - RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post

Big mountain riding is a nomadic existence. Meeting friends in far-flung car parks. Pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable. Sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered, and bruised. That's life. That's how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists. Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, lower link grease port, shuttle guards, and free bearing replacements. Why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fiber doesn't just mean lighter, it means tough as hell, lifetime warranty, and crash replacement support. There's no time for puzzling when on a road trip either. That's why we chose 27.5 wheels as the go-to for the widest variety of riding styles and rider sizes. When peeling your bike out of the van at a new spot, your only question should be "Is this a full face or a half lid kinda ride?" The 64-degree head angle and 77.5-degree seat angle puts you in the sweet spot when winching up to the top of a big drop in. Meanwhile, proportional chainstay lengths mean handling is never compromised, regardless of frame size. And when we say big travel, we're not talking about your Transit's odometer. We're talking 170mm of 38mm diameter fork and 170mm of VPP rear suspension compatible with both coil and air shocks. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm, and rubberized DT protectors to shrug off strikes. So van-lifers unite. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets.

The Megatower is the fusion of big wheels and the biggest-hitting suspension system. It’s a modern day brawler, as suited to die-hard racers as it is to riders wanting to conquer their hometown trails. The Megatower is the most capable, confidence-inspiring 29er trail bike in Santa Cruz's line-up. The lower-link-mounted shock configuration—designed for compatibility with both air and coil shocks—provides a progressive shock rate that has unmatched traction and bottom-out resistance, making it ideal for taming the longest descents and rowdiest hits. In order to make the Megatower stride confidently across the globe, it has an enormous amount of clever adjustability hidden in its bones. A tidy and concealed flip chip in the lower-link adjusts bottom bracket height and changes progressivity of the rear suspension. A second modular point in the rear dropouts allows for a 10mm fore-aft adjustment in chainstay length to dial in the rider’s rearward weight distribution—either set for play or for stability. The flip chips are a robust mechanism for riders looking to tune their ride according to their needs without compromising reliability and durability. No wackadoo mousetraps and frail proprietary shocks here. The Megatower isn’t all fight and fury, it’s smart and savvy too. It has a sharp, 76-degree seat tube angle for winching to the top of the kinds of descents where having a roomier cockpit and a 65-degree head tube angle will come in handy. And, you can still carry around a full water bottle inside the frame (even with a piggyback shock), and the frame is well protected with a shock fender, shuttle guard, downtube protector, and ribbed chainstay protector. - Carbon CC 160mm frame - FOX 36 Float Factory 160mm fork - Fox Float X2 Factory 2-Position shock - SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain - SRAM Code RSC brakes

Our bikes have always been about amplifying fun, so our goal for the Heckler MX was to make something light and agile that can help you on-site blind terrain. A mixed-wheel bike gives the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. The 27.5-inch rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very light and accurate. The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and doing so independently. Whether tackling rides that are guarded by monstrous climbs, or cramming more into less time, it's about rarer rides becoming the norm for you. The interchangeable 500wh battery keeps the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than E8000 drive unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. We use the full Shimano STEPS battery and motor system again because it means assured reliability and global aftermarket service.

Our bikes have always been about amplifying fun, so our goal for the Heckler MX was to make something light and agile that can help you on-site blind terrain. A mixed-wheel bike gives the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. The 27.5-inch rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very light and accurate. The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and doing so independently. Whether tackling rides that are guarded by monstrous climbs, or cramming more into less time, it's about rarer rides becoming the norm for you. The interchangeable 500wh battery keeps the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than E8000 drive unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. We use the full Shimano STEPS battery and motor system again because it means assured reliability and global aftermarket service.

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504wh battery keep the weight down (45.3lb) compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (310g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (36%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. The 27.5-inch wheels keep the bike playful and maneuverable in order to make the most of the trail. The slack head angle (65.5-degree) and 445mm chainstay length provide a snappy and fun feel while still providing traction for when the trail gets steep and technical, both up and down. Like all Santa Cruz bikes, the Heckler pedals well regardless of watts involved. The 160mm-travel fork is paired with 150mm-travel at the rear to provide a wide range of capabilities. We tweaked the VPP kinematics to have slightly lower anti-squat than other bikes. This adds a touch more support and traction over rough stuff when pedaling seated—a major advantage of having the pedal-assist on your side. And like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind! The Heckler's boundaries aren't defined by distance, laps, or time. The boundaries in our head that say, "Don't bother", "Turn back", "Impossible." Smashing these boundaries is what got us hooked on riding in the first place. Heckler's not about taking things easy, it's about making things possible.

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504wh battery keep the weight down (45.3lb) compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (310g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (36%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. The 27.5-inch wheels keep the bike playful and maneuverable in order to make the most of the trail. The slack head angle (65.5-degree) and 445mm chainstay length provide a snappy and fun feel while still providing traction for when the trail gets steep and technical, both up and down. Like all Santa Cruz bikes, the Heckler pedals well regardless of watts involved. The 160mm-travel fork is paired with 150mm-travel at the rear to provide a wide range of capabilities. We tweaked the VPP kinematics to have slightly lower anti-squat than other bikes. This adds a touch more support and traction over rough stuff when pedaling seated—a major advantage of having the pedal-assist on your side. And like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind! The Heckler's boundaries aren't defined by distance, laps, or time. The boundaries in our head that say, "Don't bother", "Turn back", "Impossible." Smashing these boundaries is what got us hooked on riding in the first place. Heckler's not about taking things easy, it's about making things possible.

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504wh battery keep the weight down (45.3lb) compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (310g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (36%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. The 27.5-inch wheels keep the bike playful and maneuverable in order to make the most of the trail. The slack head angle (65.5-degree) and 445mm chainstay length provide a snappy and fun feel while still providing traction for when the trail gets steep and technical, both up and down. Like all Santa Cruz bikes, the Heckler pedals well regardless of watts involved. The 160mm-travel fork is paired with 150mm-travel at the rear to provide a wide range of capabilities. We tweaked the VPP kinematics to have slightly lower anti-squat than other bikes. This adds a touch more support and traction over rough stuff when pedaling seated—a major advantage of having the pedal-assist on your side. And like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind! The Heckler's boundaries aren't defined by distance, laps, or time. The boundaries in our head that say, "Don't bother", "Turn back", "Impossible." Smashing these boundaries is what got us hooked on riding in the first place. Heckler's not about taking things easy, it's about making things possible.

Big mountain riding is a nomadic existence. Meeting friends in far-flung car parks. Pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable. Sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered, and bruised. That's life. That's how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists. Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, lower link grease port, shuttle guards, and free bearing replacements. Why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fiber doesn't just mean lighter, it means tough as hell, lifetime warranty, and crash replacement support. There's no time for puzzling when on a road trip either. That's why we chose 27.5 wheels as the go-to for the widest variety of riding styles and rider sizes. When peeling your bike out of the van at a new spot, your only question should be "Is this a full face or a half lid kinda ride?" The 64-degree head angle and 77.5-degree seat angle puts you in the sweet spot when winching up to the top of a big drop in. Meanwhile, proportional chainstay lengths mean handling is never compromised, regardless of frame size. And when we say big travel, we're not talking about your Transit's odometer. We're talking 170mm of 38mm diameter fork and 170mm of VPP rear suspension compatible with both coil and air shocks. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm, and rubberized DT protectors to shrug off strikes. So van-lifers unite. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets.

The Chameleon changes to suit its environment. Twenty-niner or 27-plus, geared or single-speed, this adaptable hardtail utilizes a suite of simple, swappable dropouts to convert it from aggro trail charger to single-speed racer to husky bikepacking mule, or anything in between. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable on a wide range of terrain—aggressive trail riding to jump lines to all-around use. Going for maximum speed and rollability? Go 29er. Riding mostly loose terrain? Get some Plus tires that provide traction for days. With the Chameleon, the most versatile bike in our range ticks even more boxes. - Aluminum 29/27+ frame - FOX Rhythm 34 130mm fork, 29/27+ - SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain - WTB ST i40 TCS 2.0 rims - Maxxis Rekon 2.8" tires

Our bikes have always been about amplifying fun, so our goal for the Heckler MX was to make something light and agile that can help you on-site blind terrain. A mixed-wheel bike gives the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. The 27.5-inch rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very light and accurate. The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and doing so independently. Whether tackling rides that are guarded by monstrous climbs, or cramming more into less time, it's about rarer rides becoming the norm for you. The interchangeable 500wh battery keeps the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days. The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than E8000 drive unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 70Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and is tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. We use the full Shimano STEPS battery and motor system again because it means assured reliability and global aftermarket service.

Our greatest hits compiled into one bike. Just hit play. If ever a bike resembled your most cherished mix tape compilation, the Hightower is it. Featuring our lower-link mounted shock design, updated, adjustable geometry, this "Engineering Best Of..." assembles some of our biggest design pleasers 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 big-ass climbs. The VPP suspension's lower-link-mounted shock creates a nearly linear leverage curve, meaning it mops up bumps of all sizes and maintains the kind of progressivity normally reserved for our V10 DH bike! 145mm 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 when the porridge gets too hot! 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 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-canceling chainstay protector to keep things quiet. The lifetime frame warranty and lifetime pivot bearing replacement policy assure you that the Hightower will keep delivering the hits for years to come.