2017 Santa Cruz Hightower 29er Test Ride & Review

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Author: MTB yumyum

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The Santa Cruz Hightower 29er might just be the best bike I've ever ridden for the trail system I ride most. I'm 5'8" and typically gravitate toward a 27.5 bike... The Hightower just plows through the crud, shreds the high speed loose stuff and still corners like it's on rails! Climbing is effortless with the Hightower and the 29 makes the task even easier! High speed is where the Hightower likes to party but was still incredibly fun in the slower switchbacks and tight twisty turns. This might have been the biggest surprise of this test ride... the Hightower was zippy and quick in and out of turns and put a smile on my face all day! The Hightower is a 29er that rides big and fast but still felt dare I say nimble. Most big bikes that handle the chunk so well end up quieting the more tame/buffed trails down to boredom... this was not my experience with this bike. I think you could have a good time on any trail at any speed with this bike. It was incredible! Link to bike: http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/hightower Strava file for the ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/757515383 Go Ride Bike Shop: http://www.go-ride.com/ .

Comments

Did you notice more, less , or same amount of pedal strikes compared to the 2017 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29er?

Love this review. Rode my mates SC HT 27'5+ which felt quick and proved to be as I bettered my previous pb by 11s down to 2:35, which turns out to be the overall fastest this year (who would've? My mates a bit gutted). However I'm leaning to the 29er and you've reinforced the idea. I did consider the 5010 but perhaps the Highchair will cover more bases. Any chance of reviewing the following? Cheers from the UK.

Awesomeness

just subbed! awesome videos, keep it up! could you do a review on the 2017 650b stumpy?

Great review, help me to find and decide for my new bike.

Thanks for all the awesome videos Jason.

I was wondering if you had the opportunity to do any technical/rocky climbs with the hightower? maybe some step ups? I am wondering how it does on the technical climbs ... also, any excessive pedal strikes?

The other question I had was how well did the HT handle technical descends while braking (compared to a DW link such as the switchblade or Yeti 4.5 with the infinity)

Thanks in advance,

Mike

In the market due to my hardtail having a crack in the seat tube along the top tube. Looking at the Specialized Stumpjumper, Santa Cruz Bronson, and 5010. Between the Bronson and 5010, do you know which one climbs best and then incorporates the best of everything else the trail can throw at it? Tallboy looks rad, is the Tallboy more aimed at downhill?

Nice video, what's your camera setup?

I ride a Hightower 29er right now. It's time for a new bike. I am considering the switchblade and 429 trail. Is there enough up to replace the Hightower with a switchblade? Also, do you think the 429 trail is enough bike for all around riding?

Thanks for the great review!It was fun watching it!What do you think about the Specialized Enduro 29?Is that comparable to the HT and SB?

That was fun to watch! Great job

Great trail bikes reviews man, thanks for all these videos, giving us good infos on how these bikes perform on trails. We guys here dont have the luxury to test ride those bikes, so we always searching for reviews in internet..Currently I'm having a SC Tallboy 2 and Im happy with it so far but sometimes we need to move a step higher and since you guys there rode most the trail bikes maybe its a good time to ask you for advice on which trail bike to look for. Bronzon, HighTower, Strive and Specialized Enduro are on top of my list. Maybe you can help me to decide which one, I know they are all great bike but you got the actual feel about how they ride..thanks

These videos are awesome to watch. I feel like I'm out there on the trail. Now all I want to do is get myself one of these bikes and live it up on the trail!

I just ordered a Hightower from my LBS and it should be ready next Monday. Great vid sealed the deal between a 5010 and the Hightower. Keep up the great work. Can't wait!

Great stabilised image, what gimbal did you use to do that ? Cheers from Mexico !!

So how do you compare the Switchblade to the Hightower, I just bought a Switchblade and my buddie has the Hightower and I just wanted to know your thoughts between them.

hello yumyum, many thanks for the reviews, if we compare the Santa to the ex fuel 9.8 , what is the main difference? there is big diff. in the price,

Please ride the 27.5 version and compare them for us. Switchblade 29'r vs Hightower 29'r. Which one is better all around performer?

Thanks for the great review! I'm a bigger (6' 3, 225lb) rider currently riding a Knolly Chilcotin. I'm looking for something that I can comfortably ride long miles, with 2000+ feet of climbing, but still ride aggressively on the DH without killing the bike or myself. My knolly gets the job done, but at too much expense of energy. How would you say this bike would do on a 30 ish mile ride with a decent amount of climbing? It looks like it handled the rough downhill on Jacobs just fine, so I'm very interested to hear a bit more about your impressions on its climbing capabilities? Thanks.