Santa Cruz Hightower 4 CC X0 AXS Complete Mountain Bike 2025

Mountain bikes are built for tackling rough terrain with frames made of durable materials like aluminum or carbon fiber, ensuring stability and maneuverability. They feature suspension to absorb impacts from rocks, roots, and drops, providing a smoother ride.

Trail bikes are the quintessential “mountain bikes.” If you’re heading into the woods expecting to do it all on two wheels – climbing, technical sections, AND fun descents – you’re looking for a trail bike.

Engineered to tackle the most challenging terrain with enhanced comfort and control. Unlike hardtail bikes, full suspension bikes feature both front and rear suspension systems that allow the wheels to move independently from the frame.

Carbon is a composite frame material. Unlike metals, carbon is composed of fibrous strands woven into a grid and bonded with epoxy. Carbon is favored by many for its lightness and stiffness but its complexity in fabrication makes it the most expensive option.

The Fox 36 is the undisputed all-mountain champion. Lighter, stronger, faster — the 36 continues to dominate the all-mountain category.

“Factory” says it all – feature-packed and designed to exceed the demands of Fox's Factory-level riders. What they sell is what they race. Factory Series products feature slippery smooth, ultra-durable Genuine Kashima Coat.

This fork also features the GRIP X2 damper for maximum adjustability: high- and low-speed compression adjustment, plus high- and low-speed rebound adjustment.

From aggressive trail to enduro, the advanced damping, fade free performance and class-leading durability of Float X makes it the versatile and lightweight choice for All-Mountain riders earning their descents.

Factory Series models feature a genuine Kashima Coat finish for the ultimate friction-free performance.

Shock Adjustments - Air Spring Pressure / Open/Firm Compression Lever / Low Speed Rebound / Low Speed Compression
 

Shift under load, over the roughest terrain, uphill, without changing your grip on the bar. Eagle AXS™ changes your level of control on the bike when you’re under pressure and pushing hard into the red. But more than that, it changes your relationship with the bike. No cable, housing or wires to manage opened up design and engineering possibilities with the Eagle AXS™ controller. Helping pioneer a completely new shifting experience with new ergonomic touchpoints that take just enough effort to press. Touchpoints that are totally customizable to your preferences, allowing you to choose which button does what through the AXS™ App.

Engineered as integrated and interdependent transmission components, the X0 Eagle T-Type derailleur mounts around the wheel axle itself, contacting the cassette directly with a first-of-its-kind Hangerless Interface. Beyond that, its Full Mount attachment method creates a far stronger connection that grips both sides of the frame. The new Transmission derailleurs feature the same intuitive pairing and set-up procedure as our Eagle AXS derailleurs. Featuring an overload clutch that boosts resiliency and a tucked-in profile that houses protection covers on the B-knuckle and outer link that are fully replaceable, or upgradeable to the XX skid plate.

X0 Eagle AXS Transmission Power Meter Crankset provides riders with accurate, live power data delivery housed in our most advanced aluminum crankset. The power meter technology is integrated through what we call “DUB-PWR” – a unique design that elegantly houses Quarq’s reliable and accurate power measurement inside the DUB crank spindle itself. Measuring left-side power to calculate total watts, it’s subtle, lightweight, compatible with any chainring setup, and boasts unbeatable battery life. It is also compatible with the Flight Attendant system, allowing for total connectivity between all AXS enabled components. No-compromise, no-fuss data delivery with robustness in mind.

FEATURES

• Innovative DUB-PWR design allows for lightweight, subtle Quarq power integration.
• Compatible with Flight Attendant
• Unique, groundbreaking design integrated with the lightest aluminum crankset on the market.
• +/- 3% accuracy
• Long battery life (400+hours)
• User replaceable AAA lithium battery
• Waterproof (IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
• 30-34T rings
• Can be run with chainring bash guards

The X0 Eagle Transmission (T-Type) Cassette is a major reason why Eagle Transmission offers the best-ever inboard and outboard shifting performance under load. Engineered as integrated and interdependent transmission components, the X0 Eagle Transmission Cassette and derailleur contact directly, ensuring perfect alignment on every bike. Beyond its unique and stunning Dark Polar finish and electroless nickel plating for incredible resistance to corrosion and wear, its full X-Sync design literally means the harder you pedal, the better it shifts. Its strength is further proven by its full approval for E-MTB use. It’s been built for a 55mm chainline for even more durability and precision thanks to milder chain angles throughout the full range, low to high. From its massive 520% gear range, the 52 tooth cog steps down with improved gear progression with 44 and 38 tooth cogs in the low end (compared to the Eagle drivetrain 10-52-tooth cassette). What else? It has a clearly marked Setup Cog, making install both simple and fool-proof.

FEATURES

• Full X-SYNC for best-ever inboard and outboard shifting performance under load
• Optimized gear steps on low end
• 55mm chainline compatibility for more moderate chain angle, longer wear and greater precision
• Setup Cog for fool-proof set up
• Features X-DOME with a lighter aluminum 12th gear
• Fully E-MTB approved

With Eagle Transmission being the first of its kind, fully integrated and interdependent system, the X0 Eagle Transmission (T-Type) Flattop Chain is so much more than just a chain. Its unique flat top design makes it the strongest change chain we have ever made. With equal importance, it upgrades the look of any super machine. These details matter. It features a Dark Polar finish specific to X0, has been plated with electroless nickel, and comes with a PVD coating for unbelievable resistance to corrosion and wear. Fully approved for E-MTB use with solid pins.

FEATURES

• Strongest SRAM chain ever
• Specifically engineered for Eagle Transmission
• Flattop profile, unbelievable shifting performance, game-changing aesthetics

SRAM Maven Silver features monstrous 18 and 19.5mm pistons driving 50% more power than Code. But best-in-class power means nothing unless you’re able to harness it. The Maven Silver lever body houses Swinglink, which translates rider input for progressive power throughout the lever pull, maintaining SRAM’s signature ride feel. And because of a stiff 4-bolt caliper that sheds an incredible amount of heat, that feel remains consistent, so the last corner feels like the first corner. Maven Silver features a bold black anodized finish with stainless hardware. And for unrivaled ease of customization, features tool-free Reach and Contact Point Adjust.

Known for its no-nonsense smooth cable actuation, short overall length, and easy serviceability, the OneUp Dropper is a solid choice for dependable and customizable performance.

With a tread design that deftly balances rolling speed with braking and cornering traction, it’s no wonder why the Minion DHF is one of the most imitated tires in mountain biking.​

• 3C MaxxGrip: The stickiest, slowest rebounding rubber Maxxis offers.
• EXO: A cut and abrasion-resistant material added to the sidewalls.

With side knobs borrowed from the legendary Minion DHF, but widened to provide more support, the DHR II corners like no other. The center tread features ramped leading edges to improve acceleration and sipes to create a smooth transition when leaning the bike. Paddle-like knobs on the center tread dig in under hard braking and help keep the bike under control.

• 3C MaxxTerra: A triple compound ideal for trail riding in all conditions - offers more traction than 3C MaxxSpeed, yet provides better treadwear and less rolling resistance than 3C MaxxGrip.
• EXO+: Durable 60 TPI casing, legendary EXO puncture protection in the sidewalls, and a small butyl insert around the bead to protect from pinch flats and help prevent rim damage.