Following on from the launch of their recently updated Bronson, Santa Cruz give the Hightower the same treatment in geometry and kinematic.
A revised VPP layout, slacker head angle and longer, size specific rear are the headlines for the new Santa Cruz Hightower 4.
The Santa Cruz Hightower 4 gains a bump in travel by 5mm from 145mm to 150mm, a slacker head angle and the new VPP layout drastically reduces the anti-squat, similar to the Bronson that was launched a few weeks ago.
Moving the linkages and top shock mount further forward and lower down has done several things. Travel jumps by 5mm to 150mm and the anti-squat has been reduced compared to the outgoing model. From the Hightower 3’s 150% at the start of the travel dropping to 60%, the new bike has 130% dropping to 0%.
The aim here is t reduce pedal kick on square edges, and make the bike more active across technical traverses and up techy climbs. If the Bronson was anything to go by, this is far from just hype. The Hightower now accepts larger volume shocks as well although stock models come with Fox Float X dampers.
Rear centre on the new Hightower also grows across the board, but in relational to the bike’s size, like in all of Santa Cruz’s models, proportional geometry and frame stiffness remains. This offers size-specific ride quality and feel.
Six models are available, three Carbon C and three Carbon CC bikes. The Hightower Carbon C R starts the range at £4,899.00 with the Hightower Carbon CC XX AXS RSV topping out at £9,999.00
Geometry
The Hightower 4 is available in SM, MD, LG, XL and XXL. Reach on the MD in Lo is 458mm with a seat tube length of 405mm. Head angle is 63.9 degrees with an effective seat tube angle of 77.6 degrees. Rear centre on the MD is 437mm with a wheelbase of 1238mm.
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 models
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 Carbon C R
Key features:
- Rockshox Lyrik Base 160mm fork
- Fox Rhythm shock
- SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drive
- SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes
- Raceface AR30 rims on SRAM MTH hubs
- SDG Tellis dropper
- £4,899.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 Carbon C S
Key features:
- Fox 36 Performance 160mm fork
- Fox Float X Performance shock
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drive
- SRAM Code R brakes
- Raceface AR30 on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- OneUp dropper
- £5,699.00
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 Carbon C GX AXS
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Performance Elite Grip X2 160mm fork
- Fox Float X Performance Elite shock
- SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-type 12-speed drive
- SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth brakes
- Raceface AR30 on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- OneUp dropper
- £6,599.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 Carbon CC XO AXS
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Factory Grip X2 160mm fork
- Fox Float X Factory shock
- SRAM XO Eagle AXS T-type 12-speed drive
- SRAM Maven Silver Stealth brakes
- Raceface ARC 30 rims on i9 1/1 hubs
- OneUp dropper
- £7,799.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 Carbon CC XO AXS Reserve
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Factory Grip X2 160mm fork
- Fox Float X Factory shock
- SRAM XO Eagle AXS T-type 12-speed drive
- SRAM Maven Silver Stealth brakes
- Reserve 30HD Carbon rims on i9 1/1 hubs
- OneUp V3 dropper
- £8,799.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Hightower 4 Carbon CC XX AXS Reserve
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Factory Grip X2 160mm fork
- Fox Float X Factory shock
- SRAM XX Eagle AXS T-type 12-speed drive
- SRAM Maven Ultimate Stealth brakes
- Reserve 30HD Carbon rims on i9 Hydra hubs
- OneUp V3 dropper
- £9,999.00 RRP
