Santa Cruz Megatower vs. Rocky Mountain Altitude - What's the Difference?

Megatude? Altitower? This mountain bike test is a head-to-head comparison between two enduro machines; the ‪@santacruzbicycles2841‬ Megatower and the ‪@rockymountainbicycles‬ Altitude. While they look similar and have some identical geometry, their on-trail performances prove they aren't clones.
See the full article and write-up on Vital MTB - www.vitalmtb.c...
#MTB #enduro #bike

[@rejftw]

This is by far the best bike comparison I've ever seen. Great job!

[@jaretmcarthur2350]

The detail in this is unreal. It's also great to see a ripper reviewing the bikes. More of these please!

[@NB-ski]

Part 2 of this review should be a head to head with a Nomad and the altitude setup Mx.

[@tacos17]

yes please

[@zombie981_]

lets add the Intense Primer in the fight

[@funky-phantom]

You all provide much much much better content than PB and that's what I appreciates about you.

[@justind5262]

It wicked they've got a big dude too. I'm so far away from PBS testers you can't really apply what they say when they talk about flex and stuff.

[@alexgordon8277]

Rocky Mountain always manages somehow to fail in durability department. I have owned a slayer and an altitude in past. Especially the Altitude with the plastic bushings, what a pain in the ass. Now on my second Santa Cruz, besides minor issues never has any problem with the bearings or hardware, they have really figured this out over the years. But they need to take the proportional chainstays more seriously.

[@robkar7999]

Haven't owned a Santa nor a Rocky my first thought was that the santa most likely is bombproof.

[@petedog9581]

Great breakdown. You look faster in video on the Altitude and like you are having more fun on the Mega. I have a 2023 Instinct C30 about 4 months ago. I have had no issues and the bike corners and carries speed way better than my Stumpjumper. The long wheel base makes it really stable but less playful. I ride it a neutral geo setting and it feels long. I would have to be shuttling to consider adding the 10mm to the chain stays with the flip chip.

[@finroddd]

these are two bikes that I am interested with. The comparison between them is even more valuable - so thanks a lot! One video served three purposes|!

[@ambushell5778]

great comparison. V2 Megatower with a coil shock is a beast and makes it unstoppable downhill, would be interesting to factor in shock choices.

[@JonnySimonetti]

Yea I actually really like the way it rides with the smaller air can, but I’d be interested in seeing how a Vivid Air / Coil would compare!

[@maxdoesstuffff]

This review is next level good job bro

[@spottba]

that's a fantastic review. Good shit

[@leegarrett3600]

Very good review. Thanks

[@RolandDrehtRaeder]

This issue with the main pivot becoming loose is really frustrating to hear about. I have an Altitude from 2022, and although it's a pleasure to ride, some details on the frame are not great at all.

[@mrvwbug4423]

I have the 2023 Altitude and have demoed the 2024 version. I like the 2023 better, it just makes for a better daily driver. The 2024 feels very long and the length never disappears, it's about the same wheelbase as a Transition Spire, but the Spire feels like a shorter bike once up to speed. Both generations of the Altitude are still the undisputed kings of off the top smoothness, even the Spire can't touch the Altitude for taming chunk. What I love about the Altitude is I can ride it all day in the bike park and never get arm pump.

[@NextLevelRiding]

awesome comparison

[@Ignitionmtb]

kinda wish Rocky just updated the previous gen, Fixing the Alignment and Giving those shock bearings the boot, Slightly longer with adjustable cups etc I Owned the 22 altitude for ages and when i demo'd the new one, i went with something else - It's lost its all round enduro feel, was good for local laps but then could hang out with the big boys at the park.

[@jackryan5725]

You could buy one of these, or for half the price you could get one of those sick 3rd gen 4runners

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

With all that said, you gotta demo one yourself...details are great but damn I just pedal up then ride it down. It's all subtle differences. DIdn't GT try this type of bottom bracket, the iDrive?

[@juanhidalgo7043]

I have both the Santa Cruz megatower and the yeti sb160. I will say the yeti sb160 takes the edge on climbing and downhill. The yeti is a true race machine! The yeti sb160 is my daily driver!

[@CristianBurr]

What about Crestline and intense?

[@alex_rogan]

Mega tower also lifetime frame warranty and bearings.

[@ts-rf7er]

How does the sb160 compare to these and who would you steer towards the yeti vs these options?

[@JonnySimonetti]

That’s a tough one. The SB160 and the Megatower have been my top two favorite bikes for a while. I think the SB160 sits somewhere between the Megatower and the Altitude, I had little to no complaints on that bike.

[@vlbz]

Guy rides so hard, in some of the clips, it looks like the bikes have rear wheel steering :))

[@WM84629]

Do you think the firmer suspension feel on the Mega, could be to do with it using AXS gears instead of manual? I’ve found on my own bikes the wireless AXS gear derailleur gives more tension on the chain effectively increasing anti-squat over cable actuated gears.

[@JonnySimonetti]

I dont think so, Ive ridden one with previous generation AXS, which had a notoriously looser clutch, and didn't notice much of a difference. I feel like the Shimano 12-speed clutches hold a fair amount of tension comparable to a Transmission derailleur.

[@joehoeper4648]

Santa Cruz has been killing it with their bike design. I own a Nomad and a Bullit and both have been flawless, easy to live with and are fun to ride in a variety of environments

[@Squidsonbikeswithhats3958]

Curious what the shock tunes were for each bike

[@TheBikeBuddha]

I like those trails 🤐

[@waldchiller4695]

Wow I love how they point out this issue on the Rocky Mountain. Again SC only brand that lasts.

[@ernst_42]

how did the zeb ultimate and selcet compare?

[@JonnySimonetti]

Not a huge difference really, the RockShox air spring is so good it’s hard to tell. I think I would notice the benefit of the Buttercups in the Ultimate over the course of a longer run or full day of riding.

[@westclifftooker]

Take them on jugs laps 😂

[@kemerypeck]

JUGGS

[@Poloturbo77]

Rocky since my 1995 Stratos. Santa Cruz?? Isn't that a skateboard company ;)

[@MancWithAMouth]

Basically get a RM. SANTA CRUZ are almost as bad as Cannondale for bike specs and you legit just pay for getting actual Customer service not the bike.

[@arabellamtb]

Have you actually owned/ridden a Santa Cruz?

[@MancWithAMouth]

@arabellamtb Yes. Was very over hyped and meh. For the price it felt alright but Specwise just lacking especially for what some are. There's also the silly Bearings thing that's just marketing for some mid tier bearings that take ages to get to you ,

[@arabellamtb]

@@MancWithAMouth out of interest, what do you ride now?

[@MancWithAMouth]

@@arabellamtb Depends on where / what. Commencal Meta AM29 ohlins edition , Specialised Kenevo , YT Izzo carbon , Yeti e160 ( Yeti is nice but got mostly as was on a can't pass up offer for a year old model, spec wasnt too astounding with brakes / DT and few other bits as a whole but is mostly for partner to use as she doesn't Ride as much as I do)