Santa Cruz Megatower

The Megatower’s big wheels, long travel, and tough carbon fiber chassis deliver the high-speed security traits of a downhill bike in a single crown package. It's all paired with a relatively-steep seat tube angle and size-specific geo that for effiient pedaling, making it the perfect choice for rugged terrain outside the bike park. When the trails get consequential, this is the bike you need.

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BIKING TYPE

Enduro

WHEEL SIZE

29"

TRAVEL

170mm Front / 165mm Rear

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Carbon C & CC Frames

A minimal weight gain of approximately 250 - 280 grams (0.6 lbs) for the C frame over the CC due to the different grade of carbon used. Whether you're riding a carbon CC or C frame, you get exactly the same legendary strength and stiffness because Santa Cruz uses exactly the same manufacturing facility and techniques.

Lower-Link Mounted VPP® Suspension

VPP is based on the patented principle of having two short links rotating in opposite directions. This system provides huge design flexibility, allowing Santa Cruz to manipulate shock rates to the intended purpose and character of each model; from short travel endurance bikes to World Championship winning DH machines. This redesign mounts the shock lower on the bike, making for an even better ride quality.

The Glovebox

Seal whatever you want to carry on your ride inside your downtube. Secure and easy to access, the Glovebox™ comes with a dedicated Tool Wallet and Tube Purse to help organize your stuff. Simply cavernous!

Megatower 2 Build Kits

Build	90	GX AXS	X0 AXS	X0 AXS RSV
Frame	Carbon C	Carbon C	Carbon CC	Carbon CC
Fork	FOX 38 Float Performance, Grip	FOX 38 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2	FOX 38 Float Factory Elite, Grip X2	FOX 38 Float Factory Elite, Grip X2
Shock	FOX Float X Performance	FOX Float X Performance Elite	FOX Float X2 Factory	FOX Float X2 Factory
Drivetrain	SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type	SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type	SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type	SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type
Brakes	SRAM Maven Base	SRAM Maven Bronze	SRAM Maven Silver	SRAM Maven Silver
Rims	Reserve 30 TR AL (F) / Reserve 30 HD AL (R)	RaceFace ARC 30 or Reserve 30 SL AL (F) / Reserve 30 HD AL (R)	RaceFace ARC 30 or Reserve 30 SL AL (F) / Reserve 30 HD AL (R)	Reserve 30 HD Carbon
Cost	$	$$	$$$	$$$$
	Shop	Shop	Shop	Shop

Megatower 2 FAQs

Who is the Santa Cruz Megatower for?

The Megatower 2 is built for riders who want to go as fast and as hard as possible on the way down without completely dreading the pedal back up.

With full 29" wheels front and rear, 165mm of rear travel, and a 170mm fork, this is Santa Cruz's biggest, most gravity-focused bike short of an actual downhill rig. It's the natural choice for enduro racers, bike park regulars, and anyone whose rides are mostly about carrying speed through rough, technical terrain.

Alex from our evo team reviewed the Megatower V2 and came away calling it "controlled chaos, blazing fast and overly capable." Check out his take here: https://www.evo.com/blogs/reviews/santa-cruz-megatower-bike

What's new with the Santa Cruz Megatower 2? How is it different from the Megatower 1?

The Megatower 2 feels calmer and more planted at speed than the original Megatower, without losing any of what made that bike great in the first place.

Santa Cruz stretched the geometry with a longer reach and a slacker head tube angle, 1.2° slacker than the V1 in the low setting, and paired it with a longer-stroke shock that adds 5mm of rear travel for a total of 165mm. In practice, the bike tracks straighter and stays composed when things get rough and fast, where the previous version could feel a touch twitchier.

Santa Cruz also lowered and straightened the leverage curve, so the suspension ramps up more smoothly through its travel instead of spiking harshly near bottom-out. Size-specific chainstays offer more consistent handling across sizes, and every Megatower 2 includes Glovebox in-frame storage.

What's the difference between the Santa Cruz Megatower and the Nomad?

The biggest difference comes down to wheel size and how that changes the way each bike wants to be ridden.

Both bikes are close on paper. The Megatower 2 runs 165mm of rear travel with a 170mm fork, while the Nomad runs 170mm of travel front and rear. But the Megatower V2 sticks to full 29" wheels, while the Nomad uses a mixed setup with a 27.5" rear wheel. That bigger rear wheel gives the Megatower 2 more stability and roll-over speed on rough, straight terrain.

The Nomad's smaller rear wheel makes it quicker to change direction and easier to throw around on tighter, more technical trails. If most of your riding is about carrying maximum speed through rough terrain, lean Megatower 2. If you want a similarly capable bike that's a little more playful and eager to change lines, the Nomad is worth a look.

Check out the Nomad here: https://www.evo.com/collections/santa-cruz-nomad

What's the difference between the Santa Cruz Megatower and the Hightower?

The Hightower is the lighter, more efficient all-rounder, while the Megatower 2 is built specifically to go fast and hit hard on the way down.

The Hightower runs 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, both on full 29" wheels, making it a versatile trail bike that's equally happy on mellow rides and bigger days out. The Megatower 2 adds 15mm more rear travel along with a longer reach and a slacker head tube angle, which makes it noticeably more stable and composed at speed on rough, steep terrain, at some cost to the Hightower's playfulness and climbing snap.

If most of your rides are about covering ground efficiently with occasional bursts of aggressive riding, the Hightower is the better fit. If your riding leans toward enduro racing, bike park laps, or consistently rowdy descents, the Megatower 2 is the more capable tool for the job.

Check out the Hightower here: https://www.evo.com/collections/santa-cruz-hightower

What are the key differences between the Santa Cruz Megatower build kits?

All Megatower 2 builds share the same frame geometry and suspension design. The key differences as you move up the lineup are suspension performance, wheel weight, frame material, and wireless shifting on the higher-end builds.

The Megatower 70 is the entry point, built around a durable Carbon C frame with a cable-actuated SRAM Transmission drivetrain, a Fox Float X shock, and Reserve aluminum rims. The Megatower 90 steps up with upgraded hubs, headset, and dropper post alongside SRAM Maven brakes, giving it a noticeably more refined feel for a modest jump up the lineup.

The GX AXS build introduces SRAM's wireless Transmission shifting, a real upgrade in shift quality and consistency over rough terrain. The X0 AXS moves to the lighter Carbon CC frame with a higher-spec wireless drivetrain and suspension, making it the sweet spot for many riders. At the top, the X0 AXS RSV adds Reserve carbon wheels, shaving rotating weight for a snappier, more responsive feel on the trail.