I put a 160mm Lyrik Ultimate on my Santa Cruz Hightower

My first ever vlog attempt was cut short by snowy trail conditions. Look forward to lots of ride impressions and hot takes in the future. I promise they will be more exciting.

[@lucacadianalbert]

Snow go away!!! Or better yet, time for a trip to California 🙂

[@clc1117]

I put a 170 lyric on my v2 Hightower. I dropped my stack by 30mm to get it where it felt comfortable and to prevent the wandering on climbs. I did this by swapping for a ti flat bar and dropping an additional 10mm in spacers. It feels incredible now! Awesome for chunky trail riding (I live in Chico, CA) and I’ve even taken it bikepacking. It’s an excellent all rounder. I really like the slack geo and longer front end. I suppose I could’ve gone with a megatower, but the smaller rear end provides a better pedaling platform and I wanted an aluminum frame.

[@georgenorco]

Great analysis - keep up the vids! I’m interested to hear your follow up and ride review

[@charleswinston2495]

Dexter - any further thoughts on this ? I'm doing a self-build Hightower V3 with a 160mm Fox 36 fork for pretty much the same reasons as you - I want a trail bike with some enduro ability. I already have an old MY18 Merida 140mm shock / 150mm fork trail bike and want something a bit different. I'm half way through the build - buying components month by month - but would be interested top hear how you got on once the snow cleared.

[@timclayton6674]

Thanks for the video. Current v2 owner with 160mm Lyrik Ultimate (previous gen) and Cascade Link (in theory stretches the travel to 155mm - have super deluxe ultimate at 55mm stroke with MegNeg). v3 frame on the way, planning to swap over parts and (probably) buy the Cascade v3 link. Is the Cascade link in your plans? I preferred the v2 with the link (gave it a “big bike” feels - maybe more enduro than trail), only downside was lower BB and more pedal strikes (with large platform flats at least, less/no issues with something like a mallet e - granted I’m on 170mm cranks and would prefer 165 or less). Thanks.

[@csalinas-sf6jg]

I’m interested in what the outcome feel of the bike mod will be. How much of a difference will that extra travel do to the dynamics of the bike? Thank for the video

[@1111stunna1111]

I got the Hightower v3 I change the fork to a 160, the only thing I notice was the front was just a little be lighter on really steep hills, (there is only one big one at my local trail and is really steep), other than that the bike felt just as quick on the turns and just as planted downhill, I think he is over analyzing the bike, am perfectly happy the way my bike rides, if you want to try it will cost like 50 on parts to make your existing fork 160.

[@siuuep7456]

@@1111stunna1111 I am the same opinion. Have the same bike, added a 160 fork, lowered the bars about 1cm - feels super good, no huge different uphill or on flat grounds and downhill I got a little extra stiffness, totally worth for me.

[@neiljeffries6497]

Hi there you say u are on a medium,can u tell me how tall u are,and how are u finding the 160 fork. Does it suit the bike. Cheers

[@ondrejjanoska660]

I guess the snow is gone by now and there is no update 😊

[@MiciahChamberlain]

And your sisters name is DD!

[@chipaway]

hi. how tall are you?

[@lsa20k]

Follow up please 👍