MY26 Hightower C MatteBlack
MY26 Hightower C GlossBrickRed
MY25 Hightower CC XX AXS RSV MatteDeepPurple
MY25 Hightower CC XX AXS RSV GlossDayGreen

Hightower 4 MY26

2025 - Present

THE DEFINITIVE MOUNTAIN BIKE

Big on wheels, short on fuss, this is the pinnacle of go-anywhere-anytime bikes. A balance of travel, wheel size and attitude makes this a true MTB for modern mountain biking. Whether that includes the rarefied air of the alpine or just local trailheads, built and burly trails or sublime natural singletrack, the Hightower is an all-terrain thriller.

Carbon C/CC
Front (MM) 160
Rear (MM) 150
Wheel Size 29
Shop Spare Parts

Model Specs

Bottom Bracket Shell Threaded 73mm
Rear Brake Mount 180mm PM
Chainguide_standard ISCG05
Shock Length 230mm
Fork Axle to Crown 571mm
Fork Offset 44mm
Front Derailleur Mount None
Headset Integrated (IS41/52)
Max Chainring Size 36t
Max Rotor Size 220mm
Max Tire Clearance 2.5"
Rear Spacing 148mm
Rear Travel 150mm
Recommended Sag 30%
Seat Clamp Diameter 36.4mm
Translation missing: en.products.product.specs.seat_post_diameter 31.6mm
Shock Mounting Hardware Lower 30x8
Shock Mounting Hardware Upper 40x10
Shock Stroke 57.5mm
Suspension System VPP
UDH Compatible Yes
Water Bottle Mounts 1

Build Kits

Select a Build Kit

Frame Carbon C 29" 150mm Travel VPPâ„¢
Travel 150mm
Material Carbon C
Wheel Size 29"
Weight 34.71lbs / 15.74kg
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB
Brakes SRAM DB8
Cassette SRAM XS 1270 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd
Chainguide N/A
Crankset SRAM 70 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Fork RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm
Front Hub SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 32h
Front Rim Reserve 30|TR AL
Front Rotor SRAM Centerline, 200mm
Front Tire Maxxis Minion DHF 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Grips / Bar Tape Santa Cruz Bicycles House Grips
Handlebars Burgtec Alloy Bar S: 35x760mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 30mm Rise -or- e13 TRS Base Bar
Headset Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset
Rear Derailleur SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Rear Hub SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, HG, 6-Bolt, 32h
Rear Rim Reserve 30|TR AL
Rear Rotor SRAM Centerline, 200mm
Shock FOX Float Rhythm, 230x57.5
Rear Tire Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Right Shifter SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Saddle SDG Bel-Air V3, Steel
Seatpost SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6 S: 125mm, M: 150, L: 170mm, XL/XXL: 200mm
Stem OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm -or- e13 TRS Base Stem All Sizes: 40mm
Valves Reserve Fillmore Valves
Frame Carbon C 29" 150mm Travel VPPâ„¢
Travel 150mm
Material Carbon C
Wheel Size 29"
Weight 34.06lbs / 15.45kg
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB
Brakes SRAM Maven Base
Cassette SRAM XS 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd
Chainguide N/A
Crankset SRAM 90 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Fork FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm
Front Hub DT Swiss 370, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 28h
Front Rim Reserve 30|TR AL
Front Rotor SRAM HS2 200mm
Front Tire Maxxis Minion DHF 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Grips / Bar Tape Santa Cruz Bicycles House Grips
Handlebars OneUp Aluminum Bar S: 35x760mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 35mm Rise
Headset Cane Creek 50 IS Integrated Headset
Rear Derailleur SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Rear Hub DT Swiss 370, 12x148, XD, 6-Bolt, 36t, 28h
Rear Rim Reserve 30|TR AL
Rear Rotor SRAM HS2 180mm
Shock FOX Float X Performance, 230x57.5
Rear Tire Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Right Shifter SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Saddle SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy
Seatpost OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 S: 150mm, M: 180m, L/XL: 210mm, XXL: 240mm
Stem OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm
Valves Reserve Fillmore Valves
Frame Carbon CC 29" 150mm Travel VPPâ„¢
Travel 150mm
Material Carbon C
Wheel Size 29"
Weight 32.64lbs / 14.8kg
Battery Charger SRAM eTap Powerpack 1 Battery
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB
Brakes SRAM Maven Bronze
Cassette SRAM GX 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd
Chainguide N/A
Crankset SRAM GX Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Fork FOX 36 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2, 160mm
Front Hub DT Swiss 370, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 28h
Front Rim RaceFace ARC 30 -or- Reserve 30|SL AL 6069
Front Rotor SRAM HS2 200mm -or- SRAM HS2 180mm
Front Tire Maxxis Minion DHF 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Grips / Bar Tape Santa Cruz Bicycles House Grips
Handlebars Santa Cruz Carbon Bar S: 35x800mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 35mm Rise
Headset Cane Creek 50 IS Integrated Headset
Rear Derailleur SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type, 12spd
Rear Hub DT Swiss 370, 12x148, XD, 6-Bolt, 36t, 28h
Rear Rim RaceFace ARC 30 -or- Reserve 30|SL AL 6069
Rear Rotor SRAM HS2 180mm
Shock FOX Float X Performance Elite, 230x57.5
Rear Tire Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Right Shifter SRAM AXS Pod Controller
Saddle SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy Atmos
Seatpost OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 S: 150mm, M: 180m, L/XL: 210mm, XXL: 240mm
Stem OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm
Valves Reserve Fillmore Valves
Frame Carbon CC 29" 150mm Travel VPPâ„¢
Travel 150mm
Material Carbon CC
Wheel Size 29"
Weight 31.95lbs / 14.49kg
Battery Shimano Battery DN320
Battery Charger Shimano Charger DN100
Bottom Bracket Shimano XTR Threaded
Brakes Shimano XTR 9220
Cassette Shimano XTR 9200, 10-51t
Chain Shimano XTR 9100, 12spd
Chainguide N/A
Crankset Shimano XTR M9220, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Fork FOX 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm
Front Hub Industry Nine Hydra 2, 15x110, 6-Bolt 28h
Front Rim Reserve 30|HD Carbon
Front Rotor Shimano MT905, 203mm
Front Tire Maxxis Minion DHF 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Grips / Bar Tape Santa Cruz Bicycles House Grips
Handlebars Santa Cruz Carbon Bar S: 35x800mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 35mm Rise
Headset Chris King DropSet 3 Integrated Headset
Rear Derailleur Shimano XTR Di2 M9250, SGS, 12spd
Rear Hub Industry Nine Hydra 2, 12x148, MicroSpline, 6-Bolt 28h
Rear Rim Reserve 30|HD Carbon
Rear Rotor Shimano MT905, 180mm
Shock FOX Float X Factory, 230x57.5
Rear Tire Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Right Shifter Shimano XTR M9250 Shift Switch
Saddle WTB Silverado Medium Fusion, Stainless
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS S: 150mm, M: 175mm, L/XL: 200, XXL: 225mm
Stem Industry Nine A35 All Sizes: 40mm
Valves Reserve Fillmore Valves
Frame Carbon CC 29" 150mm Travel VPPâ„¢
Travel 150mm
Material Carbon C
Wheel Size 29"
Shock FOX Float X Performance Elite, 230x57.5

Geometry

All units are in millimeters or degrees.
s m l xl xxl
Reach (Hi/Lo) 435/432 460/457 480/477 500/497 525/522
Stack (Hi/Lo) 623/625 632/634 641/643 659/661 668/670
Head Tube Angle (Hi/Lo) 64.2°/63.9° 64.2°/63.9° 64.2°/63.9° 64.2°/63.9° 64.2°/63.9°
Head Tube Length (Hi/Lo) 110 120 130 150 160
Rear Center (Hi/Lo) 434 436 439 442 445
Front Center (Hi/Lo) 771 800 825 853 883
BB Height (Hi/Lo) 344/341 344/341 344/341 344/341 344/341
BB Drop Front (Hi/Lo) 29/32 29/32 29/32 29/32 29/32
BB Drop Rear (Hi/Lo) 29/32 29/32 29/32 29/32 29/32
Wheelbase (Hi/Lo) 1206 1237 1264 1296 1328
Top Tube Length (Hi/Lo) 572 595 614 636 662
Seat Tube Length (Hi/Lo) 380 405 430 460 500
Seat Tube Angle (Hi/Lo) 77.6°/77.3° 77.9°/77.6° 78.2°/77.9° 78.3°/78° 78.4/°78.1°
Standover Height (Hi/Lo) 721 723 725 727 731

Size Guide

Small
154cm 5'1" - 165cm 5'5" Reach: 435mm
Medium
165cm 5'5" - 175cm 5'9" Reach: 460mm
Large
175cm 5'9" - 185cm 6'1" Reach: 480mm
X-Large
185cm 6'1" - 193cm 6'4" Reach: 500mm
XX-Large
193cm 6'4" - 200cm 6'7" Reach: 525mm

Transmission Setup

Frame Size Flip Chip Setup Key Setup Cog 30T 32T 34T
S High B 7 116 116 118
M High B 7 116 116 118
L High B 7 116 116 118
XL High B 7 116 118 118
XXL High B 7 116 118 118
S Low B 7 116 116 118
M Low B 7 116 116 118
L Low B 7 116 118 118
XL Low B 7 116 118 118
XXL Low B 7 118 118 120

Exploded Diagrams

Upper Link
label part_number quantity name blurb
A 29-27474 1 Upper Link
B 11-12681 2 6900-2RS Bearing
C 26-15533 2 M10x3 Washer Apply grease to inner surface
D 26-11612 2 Bearing Dust Shield Apply grease to inner surface
E 11-12218 2 6902-2RS Max Bearing
Exploded Diagram of Hightower
Lower Link
label part_number quantity name blurb torque
A 29-27473 1 Lower Link
B 11-17708 4 6902-1ZR Bearing
C 26-11612 4 Bearing Dust Shield Apply grease to inner surface
D 26-19126 1 15x28 Bearing spacer
E 26-17013 1 15x40.25 Bearing Spacer
F 26-12678 1 M6 Grease Fitting 9 Nm
G 26-15532 1 M5x5 Set Screw Apply Loctite 242 to threads, titghten until flush 0.5 Nm
Exploded Diagram of Hightower
Glovebox
label part_number quantity name torque blurb
A 26-22843 1 Glovebox lid
B 26-25333 1 Glovebox bezel
C 26-23284 4 M3x8 BHCS 0.5 Nm Apply Loctite 242 to threads
D 30-23225 2 Glovebox nut
Exploded Diagram of Hightower
Rear Axle, Chainstay Protector, Derailleur Hanger, and Fender
label part_number quantity name blurb torque
A 08-22209 1 Rear axle 12x173.7 Apply grease to shaft and threads
B 23-23491 1 SCB UDH Interchangeable with Sram UDH
C 26-23492 1 SCB UDH screw Reverse thread 20 Nm
D 30-27472 1 Chainstay Protector
E 26-15939 1 M3x12 BHCS Apply Loctite 242 to threads 0.1 Nm
F 30-21453 1 Seatstay Protector
G 30-23094 1 Lower Link Fender
H 26-18382 2 M4x12 BHCS Apply grease to treads 0.65 Nm
Exploded Diagram of Hightower
Upper Link and Lower Link Hardware
label part_number quantity torque name blurb
A 26-20122 2 16 Nm M10x23 Screw Apply Loctite 242 to threads only, apply grease to shaft only
B 08-22343 1 20 Nm Pivot Axle M15x91 Apply Loctite 242 to threads only, apply grease to shaft only
C 26-15633 3 M6 Tapered Washer Apply grease to surface
D 26-11817 3 M6 Washer
E 26-15947 3 9 Nm M6x20 SHCS Apply Loctite 242 to threads
F 08-16291 1 20 Nm Pivot axle M15x68.5 Apply Loctite 242 to threads only, apply grease to shaft only
G 08-16292 1 20 Nm Pivot axle M15x80.5 Apply Loctite 242 to threads only, apply grease to shaft only
H 26-15946 1 5.6 Nm M5x20 SHCS Apply Loctite 242 to threads
I 26-12652 1 M5 Washer
J 26-27530 1 M5 Tapered Washer Apply grease to surface
K 08-27508 1 13.6Nm Shock Mount Axle M10x63 Apply Loctite 242 to threads only, apply grease to shaft only
L 26-22461 1 20 Nm M8x45 Shock Bolt Apply Loctite 242 to threads
M 26-21452 1 M8x2 Flip Chip NDS Apply grease to surface
N 26-21451 1 M8x2 Flip Chip DS Apply grease to surface
Exploded Diagram of Hightower
Headtube Badge, Downtube Protector and Shuttle Guard
label part_number quantity name blurb torque
A 20-27756 1 Head Tube Badge Clean frame surface, center on headtube
B 30-23750 1 Shuttle Guard Mount
C 30-22560 1 Shuttle Guard
D 26-21249 2 M4x8 BHCS Apply grease to threads 0.65 Nm
E 30-27471 1 Downtube Protector
F 26-18382 2 M4x12 BHCS Apply grease to treads 0.65 Nm
G 34-20201 1 36.4 Seat Collar
Exploded Diagram of Hightower

Manuals & Files

If you're looking for more information about your bike check our the Santa Cruz Bicycles Owner's Manual.

FAQs

The Hightower is optimized for a 32t chainring. 30t and 34t will also fit.

The frame is UDH-compatible, but comes with our own machined aluminum hanger. You can replace it with another Santa Cruz hanger or a SRAM UDH.

CC frames use the very best materials and production processes available. Our C Carbon frames have the same features but the trade off for a little less $ is a little more weight. Both versions are made in our own factory, are just as strong and stiff as one another, and have a lifetime warranty. The CC frames are specifically designed for wireless drivetrains, while the C frames are compatible with both wireless or cabled drivetrains.

The Hightower comes with two bags - a tube purse and a tool wallet. You should be able to fit a superlight tube, a small pump, tire lever, and misc odds and ends in these two bags.

Check out our Dropper Post Calculator here, where you can calculate which specific post will fit for your frame size and saddle height.

The Hightower Carbon C frame is compatible with all 1x MTB drivetrains, and includes full "tube-in-tube" routing for cable-actuated derailleurs. Our top end Hightower Carbon CC frame is wireless drivetrain only, saving weight and eliminating unused cable ports. All models are compatible with cable-actuated dropper posts.

The Hightower is designed around modern 55mm chainline cranks/drivetrains.

The Hightower has a 180mm rear brake post mount, so this is the smallest compatible rotor. Maximum rotor size is 223mm