Santa Cruz Hightower

If you can only have one trail bike and it needs to do everything, the Santa Cruz Hightower 4 makes a compelling argument. With 150mm of VPP suspension, 29-inch wheels, and geometry tuned for real terrain rather than hero dirt, it pedals efficiently enough for long days in the alpine and descends with enough confidence to keep things interesting when the trail tilts down. Five build levels and two carbon options mean you can spec it to your budget without compromising the fundamentals that make this bike so good in the first place.

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BIKING TYPE

Trail

WHEEL SIZE

29"

TRAVEL

160mm Front / 150mm Rear

Hightower 4 Review

Check out the full deep dive review and follow along as we put the Santa Cruz Hightower through its paces.

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Updated VPP Suspension

Millimeters matter: The lower VPP™ link is forward and low to optimize anti-squat, resulting is a plush, open ride feel.

Proportional Chainstay Lengths

Chainstays are longer, but also matched to frame size so every rider gets the same balanced geometry regardless of height.

The Glovebox

Place your ride essentials securely beneath a new high-quality latch and panel in the Hightower 4 downtube.

Hightower 4 Build Kits

Build	70	90	GX AXS	X0 AXS	X0 AXS RSV	XTR RSV
Frame	Carbon C	Carbon C	Carbon C	Carbon CC	Carbon CC	Carbon CC
Fork	RockShox Lyrik Base	FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip	FOX 36 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2	FOX 36 Float Factory, Grip X2	FOX 36 Float Factory, Grip X2	FOX 36 Float Factory, Grip X2
Shock	FOX Float Rhythm	FOX Float X Performance	FOX Float X Performance Elite	FOX Float X Factory	FOX Float X Factory	FOX Float X Factory
Drivetrain	SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type	SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type	SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type	SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type	SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type	Shimano XTR Di2 M9250
Brakes	SRAM DB8	SRAM Maven Base	SRAM Maven Bronze	SRAM Maven Silver	SRAM Maven Silver	Shimano XTR 9220
Rims	Reserve 30\|TR AL	Reserve 30\|TR AL	RaceFace ARC 30 -or- Reserve 30\|SL AL	RaceFace ARC 30 -or- Reserve 30\|SL AL	Reserve 30\|HD Carbon	Reserve 30\|HD Carbon
Cost	$	$$	$$$	$$$$	$$$$$	$$$$$$
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Hightower 4 FAQs

Who is the Santa Cruz Hightower for?

The Hightower 4 is for riders who want one bike that climbs efficiently and still has real confidence on technical descents, without leaning hard into either extreme.

It runs full 29" wheels front and rear, paired with 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork. That combination gives it the rollover speed and stability of a big-wheeled bike while keeping the weight and pedaling manners of a true trail bike. If your rides mix long alpine climbs, all-day backcountry loops, and the occasional bike park lap or enduro-style descent, the Hightower 4 is built around exactly that kind of versatility.

Harry from our evo Whistler store reviewed the Hightower 4 and found it climbed with ease while bringing a noticeably more mature descending platform than before. Check out his take here: https://www.evo.com/blogs/reviews/santa-cruz-hightower-4-bike

What's new with the Santa Cruz Hightower? How is it different from the Hightower 3?

The Hightower 4 feels more composed at speed and on rough trails, while maintaining the climbing efficiency Hightower has always been known for.

Santa Cruz bumped travel to 160mm up front and 150mm in the rear, slackened the head tube angle to 64 degrees, and reworked the VPP suspension with a lower shock position. That lower mount, combined with reduced anti-squat, gives the rear end a plusher, more open feel on choppy terrain without costing you anything on the way up.

Beyond the suspension changes, Hightower 4 picks up an updated Glovebox in-frame storage compartment and refined size-specific geometry across the lineup. The result is a bike that holds its composure on bigger, rowdier terrain than the previous version while still feeling light and lively on mellower trails.

What's the difference between the Hightower 4 and the Bronson?

The core difference comes down to wheel size and the kind of riding feel that creates.

Both bikes share 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, but the Hightower runs full 29" wheels while the Bronson 5 uses a mixed setup with a 29" front and 27.5" rear wheel. The Hightower 4's bigger rear wheel carries speed and momentum better over long, rough terrain, and it tends to reward a smoother, more efficient riding style.

The Bronson 5 trades some of that rollover speed for extra agility. Its smaller rear wheel makes it quicker to change direction and easier to throw around on tighter, more playful trails. If you prioritize covering ground efficiently on big days out, lean Hightower. If you want a bike that encourages a livelier, more expressive riding style, the Bronson 5 is worth a look. Check out the Bronson here: https://www.evo.com/collections/santa-cruz-bronson

What's the difference between the Hightower 4 and the Megatower?

The Megatower is built to take on bigger hits and rougher terrain, while the Hightower 4 is the lighter, more efficient choice for everyday riding.

The Megatower steps up to 165mm of rear travel and a 170mm fork, both paired with full 29" wheels. That extra travel and burlier build make it the better option for enduro racing, bike park days, and consistently rough, high-speed terrain. The tradeoff is added weight, which shows up on long climbs.

The Hightower 4 climbs noticeably better and feels more lively on mixed and mellower terrain, while still holding its own when things get steep and technical. If most of your rides involve real climbing before the descent, the Hightower is the better fit. If you're chasing maximum capability on the way down, the Megatower deserves a look. Check out the Megatower here: https://www.evo.com/collections/santa-cruz-megatower

What are the key differences between the Hightower 4 build kits?

All Hightower 4 builds share the same frame geometry and suspension design. The key differences as you move up the lineup are suspension performance, drivetrain durability, wireless shifting, and how much weight comes off the bike with lighter CC frames and Reserve carbon wheels.

The 70 build is the entry point, running a mechanical SRAM drivetrain alongside straightforward RockShox and Fox suspension on the Carbon C frame. The 90 steps up to more adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes, giving a noticeable bump in ride quality for a modest jump in spec.

The GX AXS build is the sweet spot for a lot of riders, adding SRAM's wireless Eagle Transmission and Fox Performance Elite suspension. From there, the X0 AXS build moves onto the lighter CC carbon frame with higher-spec SRAM drivetrains and brakes, with Reserve carbon wheels joining at the RSV level. The XTR RSV build sits alongside the top SRAM options with Shimano's wireless XTR Di2 drivetrain and a wireless dropper, also on Reserve wheels.