V2 Transition Sentinel Review vs. V2 Santa Cruz Hightower

[@ewsbtg273]

WE NEED REVIEWS/COMPARISONS TO BE FAIR LIKE THIS ONE!!! Great job!

[@DrJMTB]

👊🏼 I definitely have nothing to gain from being biased. I pay for my stuff just like anyone else... that goes for the Hightower in this video and and also paying full price for demoing that Sentinel.

[@jacksonvepraskas4909]

Just got a 2021 Carbon S Hightower. Love your videos. Keep working hard and cranking out great content. Your work will pay off one day 😃

[@DrJMTB]

Congrats on the new Hightower, you’ll love it 👊🏼. And thank you, I appreciate the kind feedback!

[@DrJMTB]

Sorry for the spotty audio and lack of on-bike video! I still hope that the info can be useful for anyone looking for info on which trail rig is for them! THANKS FOR WATCHING!

[@DrJMTB]

@JF 🤛🏼

[@StraightLine_MTB]

Great comparison. Looking at the V2 Sentinel for our next bike.

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks! I definitely don't think you can go wrong with it. I ended up going Megatower, but the V2 Sentinel was a close second for the current setup.

[@nicholasamos800]

Another great video! Thanks for cranking out these informative and well made vids for the MTB community. I got my 2020 HT last October and your video tutorials helped me to install a new air shaft and go up to 160mm. Got about 200 miles with that new travel so far. On your recommendation, I also bought the cascade components rocker link... i love it! Installed it last week and got in 3 rides so far. Best upgrade yet. Lastly, I was torn between buying a HT or Sentinal late last year and pulled the trigger on a HT. I’m stoked on my choice and glad I came across your channel, as it seems like all my bike dilemmas have been similar to yours. Thank you and Cheers... may you have many epic bike adventures in the future!

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks for the positivity and feedback! Glad you're liking your Cascade link! I love tinkering with bikes to try to squeak out extra performance, and its been really rewarding to work through a few of those issues (though frustrating at times).

[@jamisonkhalil6752]

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[@dariorussell3262]

@Jamison Khalil instablaster :)

[@jamisonkhalil6752]

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[@jamisonkhalil6752]

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[@Antweak83]

Wow! Very good job covering everything in this comparison.

[@oggoblin295]

Nice comparison. Just wanted to say thank you for the video about the new debonair air spring swap. Your video helped me to upgrade the air spring and swap my rct3 to a new fork. 👍Thanks man.

[@DrJMTB]

I appreciate your kind words and glad you got the new spring in!

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

Good job in this video. I can see in the video the sentinel is much slacker, but... The sentinel is a 4 bar linkage and my experience with those is they are great down hill but the climbing is super bobby (lockout a must). I've heard the transition sentinel feels a little dull and I'm impressed by your take on it. The sentinel is probably 80% downhill and 20-25% climbing. I personally between those two, I would go with a Ripmo, more capability than the Sentinel, climbs so much better, almost 150mm of travel and able to run a 200mm dropper. I also heard the sentinel has rattling in that cable when on chunky terrain. I like the silence the Santa Cruz bike have. With all that, I need to get on a sentinel ride to confirm what I've been told.

[@27Nets]

As a Santa Cruz owner, having tried a little bit of everything, Sentinel included, I agree with you that the Ripmo is the underrated unsung queen of this category 👊🏻

[@Esteb858]

Transition might charge you for their pivot bearing rebuild kit but they also use high quality Enduromax bearing vs Santa Cruz which just use cheap Chinese bearings that don’t last long which is why they are free. I’d rather pay for high quality bearings that last long than get free bearings that you’ll have to replace often. BTW your cascade link also comes with Enduromax bearings

[@DrJMTB]

I have ridden my Hightower for over a year, and just replaced the bearings last month in the upper link, and they hardly needed replacing (there was one that had seen it's better day, but it was not loose or making noise). Bearings that last over a year for someone (me) who rides in wet conditions frequently and washes their bike often are good enough for me. Plus, it takes like 5 minutes to change them. Enduromax are supposed to be good and I'm sure you don't have to change the Sentinel bearings often either.

[@EricK-jb2uz]

Thank you - sharp rundown. Appreciated.

[@DrJMTB]

👊🏼👊🏼

[@LEGENDofBEANY]

Nice dude! How tall are you, maybe ask?

[@LEGENDofBEANY]

NVM I kept listening lol

[@johnnnewmex]

I didn't find the cascade link did anything magical on my megatower. Perhaps because my terrain is very natural, loose, and chunky. But there's so much you can do now with air shocks to tune them. Good riding Dr J.

[@DrJMTB]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKGnknmZaadnjKc. Mine has been a game changer. And thanks!

[@NB-ski]

I’d love to see an update to this comparison with HT3. Nice update to the HT3 geo, especially with a 160mm fork (64*).

[@DrJMTB]

Just got to spend a brief amount of time on the V3 Hightower. It's legit. Definitely an improvement over V2, and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it as a 1-bike quiver.

[@NB-ski]

Have you got on the new Megatower? What’s the case to jump to the new Megatower vs new Hightower? I also have a Honzo ST as much other bike. I don’t ride much bike park but spend all my time on blacks/double blacks in the west.

[@DrJMTB]

@@NB-ski Yes I have spent even more time on the new Megatower. If you’re just wanting something to mostly ride downhill, I would go mega. It is a noticeably burlier bike, but also noticeably more capable.

[@NB-ski]

How is the handling and pedaling? Where I live and what I ride there is a lot of uphills. Some tight spots but a more downhill oriented bike would be fun. Having ridden the new HT is can definitely ride all those trails I ride. I even got PRs on all those trails. Just wonder if it’s not a big penalty or trade off for the handling and climbing. climbs and descents are generally 2500-3000 ft and I like to link them up for bigger days.

[@MAEBikr]

Thanks -this is excellent!

[@lj1177]

I'd like to know how the version 1 Sentinel with the Cascade component link compares with your HT with Cascade Comp. Link, and with the v2 Sentinel.

[@DrJMTB]

It’s been a few years since I’ve ridden the V1 Sentinel, but I thought it was a phenomenal bike then. Cascade claim that their link makes the V1 have the progression and ride quality of a V2. If that’s the case, I’d say you’d be looking at a real contender. They nailed it with the V2 Hightower link, and I’m assuming they did with the V1 Sentinel link.

[@ashevillescarborough]

I’m about to prob do exactly that w my v1 sentinel

[@DrJMTB]

@@ashevillescarborough I bet you won't regret it if it helps half as much on there as it does on the HT.

[@ashevillescarborough]

Dr. J MTB let me know when your back down in PNF If you want to ride with another mountain biking PT!

[@DrJMTB]

Doug Scarborough that’d be awesome! We try to make it down there once every few months.

[@lazylearner967]

Good Comparison!

[@garlonforge]

Really enjoying your videos. I have a feeling this channel is going places!

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks! And I hope I'm going to more mountain bike places! 👊🏼👊🏼

[@tmorbo3335]

Hightower all the way dude!!

[@DrJMTB]

Still having a blast on mine!

[@trevino73]

Just stumbled upon your awesome videos and just became a subscriber. It was a no brainer. lol Have a question. I am currently looking at getting a bike. I am on the fence as to buying a Hightower, Yeti sb150 or Evil the Wreckoning. Any experiences with Evil bikes and how does it compare to the other bikes I mentioned? Thank you in advance

[@DrJMTB]

Hey, thanks for the sub! Unfortunately, I've never ridden an Evil bikes. I have slung a leg over a few Yetis. I think anyone would agree that your'e not going to go wrong with any of the above. I do personally steer clear as much as possible of proprietary designs as I understand the Evil bikes rear suspension to have. It certainly doesn't mean its a bad bike as I've heard a multitude of great things about them, but it wouldn't be for me. Yeti bikes do have the Switch Infinity system for their rear suspension which is reported to be fuss-free and great performing. Santa Cruz rear suspension maintenance is pretty much just replace your linkage bearings and service your rear shock once per year and you should be good to go.

[@LEGENDofBEANY]

I’m 5’11 - 178 lbs just picked up a sentinel in a Large. Feels big dude lol

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

Nice review

[@mtbRider_X]

Hi, Are you using Meg Neg with Cascade link in HT V2? If using both how much you need put more preasure for the shock compering to stock set up?

[@DrJMTB]

I think I ended up with around 50 more PSI than the stock setup with both upgrades (its been several months and I've moved on to a Megatower). The MegNeg requires more air to fill the bigger negative chamber, and the Cascade link has more torque against the shock in the initial part of the travel so it takes quite a bit more.

[@slick-riq]

Great comparison! How tall are you for reference? I’m 5’7”, from their sizing chart that looks like just at the very very very end of of small, and we’ll into medium territory. Thx!

[@faddbygucci]

Hi there, you mentioned about making the head tube steeper, can you share the component that able to do that? Thanks

[@benasquith26]

Have a look at works components, or just search for “angled headset cups” to find others

[@salothereal]

Hey, i like your videos :) can you make a one about the reserve wheels?

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks! And I'll see what I can do 👊🏼.

[@eaacbcs]

I'm about to buy a Hightower 2021. But what does V2 (version 2) mean?

[@ashevillescarborough]

“Send it all” all the way! But the Hightower is dope as well..decisions decisions

[@DrJMTB]

I hear you!

[@austinpierce6053]

Why should I get one of these over the 2021 Stumpjumper EVO?

[@DrJMTB]

Great question! At this point, I'd say go for which one you can actually get at this point. All 3 bikes are super hard to find. All 3 bikes are legit in their own way. I'd also base my decision about which you could most easily get back-end support with if you have any issues. The Specialized has the most adjustability with the 2 degree headset adjust. The Sentinel can accept an angled headset. The Hightower's HT angle can only be slackened slightly via a longer fork and slightly again with the Cascade link. All 3 are aimed at general trail duty.

[@Gdownification]

Kind of in the same boat, that’s actually a very helpful point. I have a large Stumpy Evo on order, but I’m not definitely committed since they’re so over-ordered. It’ll be March to maybe July of next year before it gets here... The shop I’m dealing with has a large carbon Bronson in stock that is really nice and really tempting, and I’m leaning towards just buying that.

[@peanutbutter2182]

Nice review. I am 187cm height, middle of L and Xl , could you recommend one ?

[@DrJMTB]

If you come in right in the middle of their recommended size, you'll really have to decide what your goals are. If your most going downhill, I'd size up. If you prefer a more poppy, playful bike and are putting in lots of trail miles with it, I'd go with the smaller size.

[@stevecabrera6718]

Sweet video and fyi the sentinal has tubes in tubes. (Cable routing)

[@DrJMTB]

Thank you! And the head mechanic at what is likely the largest and busiest Transition dealer in the eastern US told me that the Sentinel didn't have a specific guide tube for the dropper cable specifically, stating that that cable was a bit harder to route as a result on the Sentinel. That's the info I was going by, but it is possible that we'd need to check that with Transition. Wouldn't be a deal breaker for me either way. I don't however love the look of the externally routed rear brake cable on the Sentinel, but many will like it for ease of maintenance.

[@stevecabrera6718]

@@DrJMTB ahhhh okay you may be correct there. I've only ever swapped my shifting cable. Haha and yea im actually a fan of that personaly selling and swapping brakes has never been easier. Haha. But yes ots all preference

[@madsgrand]

Have you thought about trying the Cane creek DB coil for the Hightower. Would love to hear how it works with the cascade link. Apperantly it should fit

[@DrJMTB]

I'd certainly give one a try if someone let me try one, but I'm happy enough with the current setup (especially after recently having my RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate warrantied/rebuilt, stay tuned for a video on that) that I don't think I would spring the $ for it right now. Let me know if you try one!

[@madsgrand]

@@DrJMTB Sure makes sense. Not a super cheap option either. I have just got my Hightower put together haven't even been to the woods yet so a little to early to start putting money into that kind of upgrades. But I just love to hear about future options if the standard setup just doesn't cut or if things down the road starts to get a bit stale. Anyway keep up the good work

[@ethaneggert]

I would have compared it to the mega tower but this is fine

[@MiciahChamberlain]

Your just transitioning with your transition

[@shamrock4840]

The Sentinel fits you better but you chose the SCHT ; that’s counterintuitive. Bike Fit trumps all. I’d bet if you rode the Sentinel for a year you’d be an even better rider than you obviously already are.

[@DrJMTB]

Yeah I’m like 3 bikes removed from this video…

[@DrJMTB]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXKndWafp5mnpJY

[@DrJMTB]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5TVn4yZmMeIjaM

[@DrJMTB]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6jblWSGj76YlZo

[@shamrock4840]

@@DrJMTB what’s your daily driver these days ?

[@Mxgtumgoten]

your mic is overstearing

[@ur2slob724]

Santa Cruz bikes are just next level good with the best customer service in the business

[@DrJMTB]

I've definitely had good communication with them for sure and mine is holding up beautifully. I'll also say the guys at Transition are very friendly and responsive as well, but I've never actually owned a Transition long-term.

[@ur2slob724]

Dr. J MTB transition do lifetime warranty on frame and bearing? Like Santa cruz

[@DrJMTB]

Gsxr b frame yes, bearings no.

[@eatnpooter1634]

Exposed cables 😑... no offense but isn’t that a thing of the past ... SC HT all day ! Cool video though 🤙🏻🇺🇸💯🥜

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks! I see your point, but if you’ve ever been able to change a rear brake on an internally routed setup, you could appreciate the ease of maintenance on the external routing.