TheX Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 Any owners here? It's on my semi-short list for a new bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 It was on my list but I ruled it out for a bunch of reasons. After riding an Orbea I fell in love with it. But I am more of a 130mm guy, didn't need the longer travel of the Hightower. On the upside it has a threaded bottom bracket, I am not a fan of the press fit models. Also the SRAM brakes were a no-go with me. Hightower is a good bike. If you are interested in shaving 10mm of the front travel and saving a few hundred, you're welcome to borrow my Orbea Occam. I think Wes might still have some 2019's available at killer prices. He does have a demo of the 2020 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 Brian M has one - he's usually at R&I. I've a Tallboy which is pretty similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrzej Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 I own a 2018 Hightower and have loved it. Big enough travel for Bike Parks and still a lot of fun in BCGB. Very versatile. I’ve heard this new version is even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 Having ridden my buddies Megatower, I think the hightower would be a trail ripper around here. Pedals like a bike with less travel and is very light for its size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share Posted November 21, 2019 Thanks, looking at the Bronson too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natas1321 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Love mine and have no complaints and actually picking up another one in a week or two. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I bought a Hightower 1 as soon as it came out in spring 2016 and it's been an awesome bike; I've taken it to enduro races, all-day backcountry XC rides, downhill parks, and ultra endurance events, and the versatility is excellent. Santa Cruz has one of the best warranties in the industry, and the VPP suspension works great. I wouldn't hesitate buying another one. The Hightower 2 is a bit heavier and longer, but it might be a more comfortable climber with the steeper seat tube angle. I would be torn between the Tallboy 4 and the Hightower 2 for an all-around squishy trail bike. There are plenty of other bike brands I wouldn't rule out, but Santa Cruz bikes just look and feel good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbike85 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I looked at it but ultimately went a different direction. Loved the geo numbers, but didn’t care for some of the specs. Ended up going with the Norco Sight, which if I were doing it today I would go with the 2020 Norco Optic over the 2020 Sight. The new Optic is what the Sight use to be and the new Sight is what the Range use to be. No telling what the Range will become. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chongo Loco Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) I've had mine since 2016 too. It's a great Brushy/BCGB bike, bit of overkill for the R&I though. I got the 27.5+ configuration initially for the 150 Pike, the 29 had a 140 Pike. Ended up loving the plus tires, and never did get around to buying a backup set of 29 wheels. Big tires eat up the rocks and they've done well when I hit the front range and the Appalachians in the SE in the roots/rock. Now the Hightowers only come with 29 wheels but 27.5 plus wheels still fit. The Hightower LT and Megatower are 29 only. I've been pretty impressed with SC's warranty. Broke a piece on the chainstay of a 5 y.o. Tallboy and they sent me a brand new gen 3 frame. And they still send bearings free of charge if you have proof of purchase. They've tucked the VPP link above the BB now on most models so it's a lot easier on the bearings than my Gen 1 Tallboy, but still nice to have. Wish I had gone to the SC demo last weekend. Wanted to try the Gen 4 Tallboy. It's shorter travel, but has a headtube angle closer to my Gen 1 Hightower. And almost forgot. I wish I had a later generation Hightower with the link down low on the seat tube. Mine's a PITA to fit a large bottle. Edited November 22, 2019 by Chongo Loco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motopail Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Hightower luv for sure.... so much fun to ride..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 Heading out to *hopefully* buy a bike. Not a Hightower, but close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 Woohoo, Bronson C S. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie193 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Looks awesome- enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 2 hours ago, TheX said: Woohoo, Bronson C S. Loaner ... or rainmaker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 Definitely a rainmaker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrzej Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Congrats! You’re gonna love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natas1321 Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 Nice choice and have fun with the new toy. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 24, 2019 Author Share Posted November 24, 2019 Wow, after riding a 100mm XC bike for the last few years, this thing is PLUSH. Wish I would have had it for the Banduro...but hey, I was the only guy bombing downhill there with a lefty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4fun Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Sweet ride!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yosmithy Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 I test rode the LT when I was looking to upgrade. It was a toss up between the LT and the Yeti 5.5. To me they were so close, I went with the Yeti basically because the frame felt a better fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brentb Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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