Big wheels, big brakes, more travel: the new Santa Cruz Hightower needs no fanfare. One look at it and you’ll get the idea. This redesigned model sees the shock moved to the downtube, the addition of a dreamworthy 150mm fork up front, and a 65° head angle. Tell your local trails to get ready to see some new KOM’s, because this bike is rearing to go! evo bike tester Nic Sears put the new Hightower through its paces in Whistler, giving you a complete breakdown of Santa Cruz's overhaul of their fabled trail 29er.
Completely new to the Juliana lineup, the Maverick is not looking to be bikesplained. Sister to the Hightower, with 140mm of lower-link VPP rear suspension complemented by a 150mm fork up front, this 29er is a surgical trail tool. The carbon frame has room for a water bottle, but handlebar tassles and excuses are definitely not on the agenda. With big wheels and no-nonsense layout, the Maverick exemplifies the “best bike for the ride” ethos of the Juliana brand. Learn more about Juliana with our interview of GM Elayna Caldwell, below.