Big XC, small enduro, or just one for all? Santa Cruz Hightower review

[@outofthedoghouse631]

Yes, please Frankenstein your high tower, add the cascade link and the 160 fork. Would love to hear your review. I’ve done it to my bike and I don’t know if it’s all mental, but I feel It climbs better and at the same time. The rear is more progressive.

[@kyleramer800]

Looking to do this to my Hightower down the line, starting with the fork travel change.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Definitely! I have a cascade link here already...

[@Felix-mr1vs]

@@JeffKendallWeed Nice! If I was you I'd ask Santa Cruz for a 5010 loaner. You need one for a short travel trail bike comparison video :D And I think it should suit you well, despite being a mullet.

[@baykkarl9541]

Planning to add cascade link how is it on DH/jumps?

[@outofthedoghouse631]

@@baykkarl9541 it rocks on the dh. Still jumps and lifts off pretty well. Haven’t experienced anything that’s limiting. No regrets.

[@bobj119]

Jeff is so frigging talented. His skill level can literally make any bike dance. I am so amazed how effortless he makes riding look. 😊

[@mmiisshhaa]

Dude, im thinking about getting the rocky mountain altitude tomorrow, and thats how i just found your channel. It is SO GOOD that you change the parts to what you want them to be. Most people wont be buying the bike with the same parts as a review. It makes NO SENSE to me for a reviewer to ride a bike that they dont like the parts on, which then diminishes their enjoyment. I LOVE that you change the parts. Anyways, i think im going to get the A70 coil, as i mainly ride whistler in summer, and north shore in winter. I like hoing fast, and that bike will hopefully be a good upgrade to my current 27.5 norco shore 2.

[@forestkan459]

Aside from the fantastic reviews, I have to say that I am really happy that the cats are being integrated into the videos more! It's been cool seeing them grow and then also seeing you love them more!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Forest! I now include bikes in my cat videos. When they were kittens they were a little nervous about being on camera, they've become more confident as well.

[@oregonxyz]

I want to see the cats ride in a basket on the bike

[@dmweyland]

yes we want to watch that review of cascade link with 160 fork!!!

[@stuartthomasson5027]

Do it! You will love it

[@Day030]

Awesome review. Please do another one ASAP with the 160 fork and cascade link. I'm really considering the Hightower as a do it all bike and wondering if it can be even more versatile by doing these relatively quick and cheap upgrades for these one a year trips to the Alps.

[@sgt.sender1]

Id love to see you overfork this thing jeff. I bought one last week and am loving it.

[@FighterInTheWind25]

Definitely interested in the long travel video!

[@GeorgeFrideric71]

JKW's reviews are still amongst the most valuable because he rides the bikes both as stock and with his own consistent specification, so that like is compared to like, and we don't just get the same comments about individual parts, rather than the bike as a whole--as with so many of the magazine reviews.

[@motoboy6666]

Your riding is the best on YT 👍

[@Hendricksb123]

I’m seriously glad you modify the build kit that comes with the bikes you test. For me personally, I am most interested in your opinion of the Hightower frame with your preferred parts. Thank you!!!

[@emusp]

Hightower V3 owner here, and I love it!

[@ShredTheDivide-yp9em]

I'm running 160mm fork with stock rear link/shock works great. I've got the Fox 36 and it adds a little small bump compliance without changing geo drastically.

[@davidrioux611]

I appreciate your comments on internal frame storage! 🤣

[@nathanjennings9786]

Pumped to see this review! I grabbed one of these last week with the nice discounts they are doing, should be arriving tomorrow

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Congrats Nathan! I think you're gonna dig it!

[@iduumb3062]

I've had a v2 Hightower since 2021 and it's just an incredible all around bike. I have never done any riding where I felt like it wasn't a great bike for the trail I was on. The only thing I've missed from the v3 is the in frame storage, but it's not a huge miss to not have it.

[@MattSmith-qt6ng]

Yes, 160 fork with cascade link video please

[@frohrers281]

Been waiting for this review for a while

[@gergelytoth6826]

Yes please, +1 for 160mm fork & cascade link test 🥳

[@holc123]

YES do a 160 fork - more travel and slacker. Put a Gripx2 and fox float shock on there. That's all I've ever run on mine. i'd love to hear your thoughts on the cascade link too, but seems like they aren't as popular as they use to be with previous versions of the HT.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Definitely planning to try some of that! Got some other stuff I'm working on as well, so stay tuned. Cheers Holc!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

FWIW, I already have a cascade link here... And a 36 GripX. And ofc the Tigon shock... seems a good match up!

[@junglejim36]

Great review, love my 23 Hightower

[@jlkmotox]

This was the bike on to top of my list, close second was specialized stumpy evo elite but once the bikepocolipse hit and the stevo went on crazy sale that ended up being the bike in my garage. There is a small amount of bike envy left but I couldn’t be happier with my stumpy evo

[@guystuff5594]

I'd love to see you do a video with the 160 fork! I picked up a "Jenson exclusive" Hightower build with a 160 Factory and full XT a few weeks ago. It's an awesome bike!

[@jasonmurphy2885]

Yes please test it with a 160 fork and a cascade link. I’m super curious how it would compare to the Ripmo V2S with those changes

[@bullseye0112]

Yes please Jeff put on the Cascade link with 160mm fork. I have the same Hightower with 160 fork but seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on the Cascade link to increase to 155 rear.

[@Engineers_Shred_Too]

I bought a HT C S last year and love it but felt it needed a few mods. Updated to an Era handlebar with 40 mm rise and replaced the front tire with an assegai. Next updates will likely be to extend fork to 160 mm and increase rotors from 180 to 200 to help with manky sections.

[@ABHORRANCE831]

Rad! I have Megatower I ride as an every day one bike trail bike, and it's a bit overkill, especially I don't ride that hard.

[@stuartthomasson5027]

Jeff yes a 160mm fork and cascade link is a game changer on the Hightower. The bike becomes so much more capable. What handlebars were you running that felt too stiff? Glad you moved that leaf…could have been bad 😂

[@crjmoto]

I have a 2023 model and so many components failed early on - I've had to pour a lot of $ into mine. My frame looks 10 years old too, but I do ride primarily techy rocky trails. A Santa Cruz rep did reach out to me and offer condolences and a discount on some replacement parts (I declined). I guess that was nice? It has been a good all-arounder though, once the bugs were worked out.

[@PhilGMonte]

Finally! Been waiting for this review!!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Phil- it's up!

[@PhilGMonte]

@@JeffKendallWeed a follow up video about the cascade link would be nice 😊

[@nathanmetz8791]

Came to this video to reassure my purchase. Only to realize that you used to hang out at my house in SLO. Missed a real opportunity to ride!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

??? I can't recall your name, but perhaps would remember IRL?! My SLO years were two decades ago.... hahahaha! Cheers man!

[@GregAspenson]

This guy is the Anthony Bourdain of mountain bike videos.

[@DireHertz]

Please do the Cascade Link and 160 forks! My Jeffsy is screaming for a new frame with more fluid storage capability.

[@Smino69]

Love my HT. Moved from a Cascade link upgraded Tall Boy.

[@AZMTB]

I had a V1 Hightower a few years ago and loved it. I have been wanting to try out the new one and seriously contemplating adding it to my garage. I have a V2 Megatower and an Orbea Wild, but have been feeling the itch for a 'do it all' trail non-e bike here in Phoenix.

[@holc123]

new HT should be coming soon. It will be like the new released Bronson they just announced yesterday.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Yo!!!! Switchblade is a good PHX area option. A little more purpose built than a Ripmo. But any of those three would do fine in PHX- especially with some tough casing 2.6 tires, max tire size warnings be damned.

[@kaibrittain17]

Funny timing. The new Hightower is going to be released in a week or two and it will be a 160mm fork 150 rear with Bronson Geo. I wonder if that's the perfect bike for you!

[@joshclark8657]

Already got one for all. 2013 Mission pro with all the best stuff on it.

[@azzy9532]

I'd love to see a long travel Hightower!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Stay tuned, I hope to build exactly that soon!

[@Guitariste-metalFr]

@@JeffKendallWeed I've added an Ohlins RFX36M2 160mm on it and it rely improve like hell the descent performance. The Reserve30HD with Hydra I9 et is a big plus as well. My only concern is that the suspension is not active that much, therefore I'm thinkink about upgrading it with an Ohlins TTX Air. So far it's very capable bike for "XC", trail, bike park, and try some nasty stuff !

[@SpencerBaum]

Hey Jeff, excited for the trend of new bikes like the new Bronson not including cable routing for mechanical drivetrains? I'm not!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

LOL that's so overblown... it's just a gimmick to get folks to talk about the new stuff! They make the standard carbon versions with cable routing, just not the super light weight version. Which makes sense- removing molded tunnels indeed makes it lighter. Sounds like this is true for both Specialized and Santa Cruz...

[@taylorbell4843]

There needs to be more conversation/media converge on this! And this is not cool!!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

It would make for some good clickbait content one day!

[@Justin-ny6un]

⁠​⁠@@JeffKendallWeedThey don’t sell the C version as frame only though. That’s the problem. Buying a complete £$5k build for the frame isn’t a solution, when the £2k of low end components are worth £800 as new take offs. Is it worth it for the 100g of weight saving they claim? They could get rid of the cavity called the glovebox. Which added how much weight? More like cost saving, reducing the labour costs for maximum margin for PON. Guess you can’t disagree with their choice, else they won’t be sending you bikes in the future for test. Shame their choice doesn’t give their customers one, except to not buy.

[@justinfournier1285]

@@Justin-ny6unAt the end of year sale, the R or S builds are cheaper than the frame only. Just buy that and sell everything as a take off, or put it on your old frame and sell it.

[@andrewcox7416]

5’8” is the absolute sweet spot for Santa Cruz Medium, I love my Nomad6

[@cnelson1106]

5'9" but splitting hairs here... Love my Bronson.

[@andrewcox7416]

@@cnelson1106 they really make awesome bikes, easy to maintain and quiet

[@SkiRidesMTB]

I will never accept Jeff's downtube storage slander, never.

[@big_sky_yota]

Would you consider reviewing the Forbidden Druid 29er v2 or the new Norco Sight 29er? Would love to see a video about how high pivot Bikes work with your riding style. I can’t find anything anywhere on if high pivot bikes manual well.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Working on this now! It’ll be a while till anything is up (no bikes have landed yet) but we are in discussions !

[@big_sky_yota]

@@JeffKendallWeed so stoked🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@lagwall]

If there was ever one bike I would ever consider for a trail bike besides my Bronson, it would be the Hightower. The Hightower LT was an awesome bike in it day 2 or 3 versions ago.

[@lagwall]

And I'm so jealous of the Bronson frame you have because of color and lunch box!!!

[@lagwall]

HELLS YES ON THE LONG TRAVEL HIGHTOWER REVIEW!!!

[@wesa5436]

Dude needs way more subs...

[@andrewbruenor9998]

Knolly Bikes also includes an aluminum cnc UDH hanger on all their frames! 😉

[@JamesRobertMTB]

Putting that thing to the test 💨

[@BoxCarBoy12]

Extra respect to Jeff for recognizing Nikola Jokic and the type of demeanor he’s famous for!

[@bikemad]

Jeff they introduced the Hightower LT before the Megatower

[@matthijsbreuer3515]

Would you rather choose this as your can do it all bike or the Ripley? Do you think the Ripley can manage the same terrain?

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Great Q! The Ripley is more nimble, more quick to turn, more active. The Hightower is a bit "more," almost between the Ripley and Ripmo. All depends on your own location and tastes.

[@frohrers281]

We need a Megatower and nomad review

[@nathancole8103]

Sick bike and informative review as always, Jeff. All rounders in this travel range have gotten so well sorted and versatile. When daydreaming about bikes I can’t afford, it’s usually this bike or a Ripmo. Happy trails!

[@GPMcGee]

Hi Jeff, you didn't get back to your point about hating the lunch box in the frame. Personally I'd never buy a bike without one now. I love it, best invention since the dropper post. I'd be interested to hear what you (or anyone) could not like about it.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

A. Heavy B. Expensive C. PITA to actually use… removing stuff from bike A, and putting it in bike B is just too much of a hassle.

[@CODE-BROWN]

Wish I could manual that well. I can manual for miles on a hardtail or 20" but I can't get more than 10 feet on my 5010.

[@MrSupermugen]

the cheeky comment for swapping onto XT. clever.

[@CWBmtb]

I'd like to see you test the gen 6 trek fuel EX alloy

[@matthewbenedetti490]

As a Shimano guy how do you feel about the new Bronson going wireless only at the CC level? As a 22 Hightower and Shimano user, I’m afraid future Hightower will follow suit.

[@svensvrgen6336]

Man that makes me nervous for some reason. Do you have experience with wireless Shimano components?

[@lukehampton2817]

Please add the cascade link and 160 fork but can you do the fork by itself first and tide it a while before making both changes? It would be nice to see how much difference the fork change alone makes before adding the cascade link.

[@henksalomons8010]

exact!

[@matth8924]

Santa Cruz makes some very well sorted (albeit not always well specced) bikes. Honestly just an awesome experience since I bought my bronson last year.

[@8o8ertmtb]

Do you think you'll ever have chance to review an Atherton bike winner what you'd think of the DW6 suspension.

[@danm5810]

Great review Jeff. I just bought one on sale although I think a new version is coming soon - maybe 160? How did you find the new code brakes ? I’m having mixed feelings - maybe I need more time on them.

[@justinfournier1285]

Mine came with Code Stealth Silver. The only difference between the silver and the ultimate is the cosmetic finish, carbon lever blades and the ti hardware. So I bought the carbon blade levers and ti hardware from Better Bolts so mine are all black which I prefer. Then I upgraded rotors to 200mm SRAM HS2 and MTX Red pads. I’m happy with them on a trail bike.

[@thomasfolan2716]

Long travel review 160/Cascade please

[@pernyberg2816]

You need to try a Kavenz in all flavors VHP 12/ 14/ 15/ 16/ 18👍👍👍👍

[@Dorsal_86]

Please review the Scott Ransom!!

[@ambushell5778]

Jeff I'd like to see you try Megatower. The current 2nd gen is quite a beast but still fairly approachable.

[@htonmusic]

still rocking my 2017 hightower with 150fork 140 rear haha

[@digswithdan]

Want one even more after watching this review!

[@lf46778]

Would you consider the cascade link for the Bronson? I'd watch that video (assuming it includes another spoon)

[@TnFruit]

I wonder why no one is trying the Cannondale Habit. It's very similar to this bike / price but with Reverb and XO.

[@ref498]

6:06 is the face customers have when they have to download an app to fix your bikes shifting.

[@AlienfromEarth]

I’m dying to know your thoughts on the Trek Fuel EX, it seems like it has to be your kind of bike

[@richhb14]

Does a 160/140ish bike make that much of a difference over the 150/140 bike?

[@Trainnotstrain]

Quick question, I see you like to ride in full length trousers and top... And that there's lots of sweat making your back literally wet. Why don't you switch to shorts and a T..Whats the benefit in going with a jumpsuit...

[@Happy_Biker]

Jeff, what bike in full 27.5 would you think most resembles the Hightower?

[@lusenator]

i've had a hightower v2 since 2019 and it's still the best bike I've ever had! It really came alive when I put the cascade link / 160 fork on and it.

[@duffyrides]

Really enjoyed this video. New owner of an ibis Ripley V5 (coming from a Megatower ). Wanted a Rad shorter travel trail hike that could also handle the miles like you say about the Hightower. Curious , have you been running these bikes with flats or clips ? I’m currently on flats as that suited my priorities for the enduro bike but curious if I’m selling the shorter travel Ripley short by not running clips and maximizing the efficiency.

[@andresknittel]

Hi. What do you think about your new Ripley V5? I'm between the Hightower and Ripley V5 and can't decide. I will use it for long rides on my local trails. I think of the Hightower as being more capable and the Ripley more efficient. Did you try or consider the Hightower before buying the Ripley? Thanks for your help!

[@midnightwolf7417]

Do the 160 and cascade link

[@david230505]

I'm 5'10 what size do you recommend?

[@waldchiller4695]

I still wonder why no one addresses the rattling of the glovebox on Santa Cruz bikes. I have one and it rattles like crazy when carrying a waterbottle. It can be fixed with some Velcro. But still it’s so obvious the moment you roll out of the parking lot. I wonder why no one talks about it in reviews. But on forums everyone agrees it’s rattling.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

That’s a bummer… neither of my glove boxes make any noise. But I’m definitely not a fan of the entire concept. Keep bikes light and less expensive.

[@billgeorge8415]

Franken-Tower please!!

[@terrybuccambuso7917]

So, this vs the new Ripmo?!

[@fjall1980]

Exactly my thoughts...

[@colinp446]

V3 Hightower rider here. Cascade link video? YES PLEASE!

[@hovsepbilazukyan8667]

Good afternoon, everyone. please, who knows how the color of this frame is colored. who would say what is the name of the given color?

[@OGMTB]

Love my 2018 Hightower. I have 5 bikes and it is by far the one I ride the most.

[@hansonwang2121]

I own a Hightower V3 and it’s the best bike over ever owned. I would love to see a cascade link review on the Hightower.

[@andyrogers747]

“Consequences be damned” - lmao 👏

[@romeo901]

is this the V2 or V3 ?

[@Super1Matt1]

This vs 5010?

[@waldchiller4695]

Loudest bike ever ?

[@johnfitzgerald1879]

Moonchild❤

[@docspuddin]

Sod the hightower get the cat on the page :)

[@Mtb9r]

Why is the in frame storage cancer?

[@DeanicussMT10]

That Bike has the Select + suspension not the ultimate 😐

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Does it? I just read the spec sheet from the Santa Cruz website... And then got focused on all the adjectives!

[@danm5810]

The GX AXS build I just bought in Aus comes with select+ so assume it’s the same there. My local suspension shop said they are the same as ultimate minus buttercup so still good. I’ve come of riding fox 36 factory for last few years and prefer the Lyrik.

[@gunshipanropace2gunshipand119]

The price of the whole bike plus the parts that have been changed are just outrageous in my opinion.Why? Thats too much money for the Average Rider(Like me)

[@kuhlbeans]

I’ve got a v3 and love it. Thinking about going for the long travel. Not sure yet. PS that maroon looks amazing.

[@boogiedownbronx73]

lol didnt get the clips of jokic and the olympics

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

That's the bike that everyone can ride 99% of the time, greeens...it's fine, blacks no problem, double blacks...hold on tight.

[@jeffrogers2180]

You don't put on Shimano brakes because they sponsor you, it's because SRAM brakes suck. 😂

[@matthewserna7475]

I agree with this review, bikes firmer than I expected and felt more like a 130 bike than a 150-160 bike. Very progressive and poppy. Definitely an all arounder that won't make easier trails boring or exhausting like some bigger bikes will

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thank you for the note Matt. And reading your comment. I’m so glad you took away from the video what I was hoping to communicate! Hightower is a great bike, and it’s very much an all arounder, not just a mega smasher. At the same time, it can handle a fair bit of chunk. Sorta between Ripley and Ripmo! Thanks.

[@motoboy6666]

Not the nicest colors this year 😢 Hopefully better next year

[@vrwgq3q]

SC has waay too many derivatives... many do, but wow really... Blur, Tallboy, Hightower, Mega, Heckler, 5010, Bronson, Nomad, V10 I get that you can have a line for 27.5 then one for 29, but really how different arethe kinematics of VPP across all these lines?

[@holc123]

it's more about travel lengths, geometry, and wheel combos.