2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT Carbon CC XX1 Reserve
(discontinued)

AvgAverage User Rating
Vital Rating:
Discontinued
Where To Buy
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
$6,700.00
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Long Term Tested: 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT
If versatility is what you're after, this longer travel version of the popular Hightower is worth a good look.
Rating:
Vital Review
s1600 Santa Cruz Hightower LT Review 169078

Big wheels keep on turning, or at least that’s how the saying goes. Wagon-wheeled bikes have come into the limelight this year, and for good reason. When paired with capable suspension and well-thought-out geometry, they offer rock crushing roll-over and traction smaller-wheeled bikes simply can’t provide.

We’ve spent the better part of three months on the new Santa Cruz Hightower LT sussing out the finer details of the bike. Who is it for? How did it hold up? Where did it perform best? We set out to answer all of these questions and more. From downhill bike worthy gravity laps to high alpine adventures, cross-country races, and enduro events, we put the bike through its paces in a number of configurations and riding environments.

Santa Cruz Hightower LT Highlights

  • Made for enduro racing and aggressive trail riding
  • 150mm (5.9-inches) of front and rear wheel travel
  • VPP suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels only (no 27.5+)
  • Available in CC and C carbon
  • Double sealed bearings
  • Non-adjustable geometry (prior Hightower had two settings)
  • Tapered headtube
  • Internal cable routing
  • Water bottle mount
  • Threaded bottom bracket with ISCG05 tabs
  • Boost 148mm spacing with 12mm through axle
  • Lifetime warranty on frame and bearings
  • Colors: Gloss Wicklow Green, Gloss Slate and Grey
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Bike Weight: 28.3 to 29.3-pounds (12.8 to 13.3kg)
  • Frame/Shock Weight: 5.9-pounds (2.68 kg)
  • Available with Santa Cruz Reserve carbon rim upgrade (CC bikes only)
  • Available in seven builds from $3,949 to $9,299 USD

Before we continue, we encourage you to look at our First Look feature, below, as it gives a good comparison to the original Hightower as well as some of our early findings. Also, for clarity’s sake, as we indicated in our prior piece, we will call the Hightower LT the "LT" and the shorter travel Hightower the "Hightower."





In summary, the LT was the result of the Santa Cruz Enduro World Series team asking for a longer travel 29-inch bike. Some links were made, then a different rear triangle followed with a whole bunch of internet speculation. With obvious demand in the marketplace, Santa Cruz launched the 150mm 29-inch only LT in early July 2017 to the collective "exhale" of the internet. For better or for worse, the longer travel aggressive 29-inch bike is quickly becoming the one-bike-quiver for many – the proverbial Swiss army knife on account of how many things it can do and do well.

If chasing the absolute best bump-eating performance is your thing, a coil is a worthwhile look, but it comes at a significant weight penalty and is a bit tricky to tune for the leverage curve. To add, it further mutes or deadens the rear end.

In the end, the bike never delivered the bump eating prowess found on the Nomad, which is perhaps an unfair comparison being the new Nomad has 20mm more travel and an entirely different shock configuration. Still, the new Nomad showed us what Santa Cruz is capable of in a pedal-friendly package, and no tuning or damper selection left us with the "shorter travel wagon-wheeled Nomad" we secretly hoped for.

After riding the bike in hulk mode for the better part of a month, we decided to swap back to the bike’s stock build. Though the bike lost a marginal amount of top end, it was more pleasurable to ride outside of uber-rough, brake bump laden race situations. Alas, it turns out Santa Cruz knows what they are doing when it comes to spec'ing a bike. The only thing we didn't really find drawbacks to was the 160mm fork (though 150mm gives a more sporty ride). Otherwise, the rest of our monkeying around came at some expense – be it weight, cost, or both.

Back in stock trim the bike proved incredibly efficient and versatile, more-so than any other 130mm travel and up 29er this tester has ridden. As a result, this left him grabbing the LT more times than not. To maximize suspension performance with the DPX2, we found that by maxing out the volume spacers, running over 30% sag, and running the rebound bit faster than we are accustomed to helped liven things up significantly. The only downside was a bit of a skittish feel when shock temps rose.

Build Kit

After countless miles and a quarter million vertical feet of descending, a component check is in order.

To start, the SRAM XX1 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain worked awesome, only functioning poorly when the b-tension screw wasn’t perfectly to spec or when we knocked the derailleur out of alignment on some unknown trail debris. Our only gripe with respect to the drivetrain was the small-ish 30-tooth chainring. Considering Eagle's wide range and the bike's go fast intention, we’d suggest a 32 or 34-tooth ring.

The SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes were in line for the bike’s intended use, though the pad material may have been responsible for the audible squeal that developed after about a month of use. Swapping pads to the sintered version remedied this. For those that have experience the sticky piston problem, it does appear SRAM has remedied this. We found ourselves in steep terrain often and did our best to recreate all known Guide problems through temperature fluctuations and extended use. After hundreds of hours in the saddle, there were zero problems with any SRAM part on the bike.

A 170mm travel RockShox Reverb Stealth was an excellent touch in the XL size. Kudos to Santa Cruz for this often overlooked but beneficial upgrade. Also, unlike Reverbs of yesteryear, the seatpost functioned as it did on day one throughout the entire test, never missing a beat.  

All control parts were top rung, though we did swap for a 31.8mm diameter bar and stem setup merely for hand forgiveness. The stiffness of the 35mm diameter Santa Cruz components was a bit much for the tester’s hands, though we don’t expect most to find this as a negative. As noted above, we also went to a 60mm stem. This is obviously personal taste and will vary depending on bike size.

Finally, the new Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon wheels were a standout product. Though we did knock them out of true, they kept turning day after day despite our best efforts at ruining them. Based on experience, most other rims would have blown up at some point considering line selection, pace, pressure, and terrain. To add, the wheelset was stiff without deflecting – the result of a well-thought-out rim design paired with good spoke gauge and hole count. We’ve been on too many carbon wheelsets that overly penalized being off line when paired with a stiff frame, and these had just enough give to be forgiving in these situations. 

I Own The Original Hightower, Should I Upgrade? 

Short answer: No. We put this in our First Look feature and stand by it. The original Hightower is a good bike and the changes to the LT are more modest than the spec sheet might suggest. Again, we’d suggest running a longer fork on your Hightower and some meatier tires if you want to increase its descending prowess without breaking the bank. 

Does this mean the LT isn’t worth it? Not so fast there either. Anyone buying a Santa Cruz Hightower who is certain they will go with 29-inch wheels (remember, the LT is 29-inch only) would be silly to not go with the LT. The bike is just as light and just as efficient as its shorter travel little brother, so why not?

Long Term Durability

The suspension concerns we noted in our First Look persisted. Namely, the replacement FOX 36 FIT 4 fork, though a stellar performer, continued to intermittently and audibly top out. This didn’t really affect the bike’s performance when it came to tracking terrain, but was a bit annoying when we went to loft the front end or manual through something.

Second, the replacement FOX DPX2 air shock had an audible squeak when it got hot. Though it became almost silent over time, especially after an air can service, it was still a bit annoying. Overall, the performance of the DPX2 was good but not great, feeling like a slightly more controlled Float X. We sometimes felt as though it lost some consistency on sustained 3,000+ foot descents.

Finally, the bike did develop an annoying creak. We’d routinely clean it, but nothing seemed to remedy the problem. It would come back within two hours of tearing the entire rear end apart.

What's The Bottom Line?

So who is the Santa Cruz Hightower LT for? This is the million dollar question and perhaps the most important part of this review. If you are looking for the absolute best bump eating ability paired with wagon wheels, perhaps you’d be better served looking elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are looking for a longer travel 29er that delivers efficiency, good chassis design, and balanced geometry, the LT deserves your attention.

The Hightower LT’s strength lies in its ability to do everything with little compromise in any one spot. A 150mm bike that rides like it has less travel may sound like a bad thing, but for 95% of riders this will leave them smiling mile after mile and rarely make them wish they had a different bike. This is a bike we'd willingly do a 50+ mile ride on then turn around and race an enduro event the next week. The bike’s real strength is its versatility, and that isn’t something to be scoffed at for most riders, especially in this era of hyper-specialized mountain bikes. 

Visit www.santacruzbicycles.com for more details.

Vital MTB Long Term Rating


  • Climbing: 5 stars - Spectacular

  • Descending: 3.5 stars - Very Good

  • Fun Factor: 4 stars - Excellent

  • Value: 3 stars - Good

  • Overall Impression: 4 stars - Excellent


About The Reviewer

Jeff Brines - Age: 32 // Years Riding MTB: 18 // Height: 6'2" (1.88m) // Weight: 200-pounds (90.7kg)

Jeff didn't go on a real date until he was nearly 20 years old, largely as a result of his borderline unhealthy obsession with bicycles. Although his infatuation with two wheels may have lead to stuttering and sweatiness around the opposite sex, it did provide for an ideal environment to quickly progress through the ranks of both gravity and cross-country racing. These days, Jeff races enduro at the pro level, rides upward of 150 days a year while logging over 325k of human powered ascending/descending on his bike. Bred as a racer, Jeff is more likely to look for the fastest way through a section as opposed to the most playful. He lives in the shadow of the Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming.

Photos by Jeff Brines, Lynsey Dyer, Sven Martin and Jay Goodrich

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Super Size Me: The 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT
Speculate no more! The LT version of the Hightower takes aim at long-travel 29ers with an extra 15mm of travel and an almost entirely new frame.
s1600 hightowerA1920 39033

Longer travel 29-inch wheeled bikes seem all the rage these days. Santa Cruz has thrown their proverbial hat in the ring with their updated Hightower model dubbed the "Hightower LT." A bike developed specifically by Santa Cruz's Enduro World Series team, the new big-wheeled bike features a bump in travel, a small tweak to the frame geometry, and more capable suspension.

Santa Cruz Hightower LT Highlights

  • Made for enduro racing and aggressive trail riding
  • 150mm (5.9-inches) of front and rear wheel travel
  • VPP suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels only (no 27.5+)
  • Available in CC and C carbon
  • Double sealed bearings
  • Non-adjustable geometry (original Hightower has two settings)
  • Tapered headtube
  • Internal cable routing
  • Water bottle mount
  • Threaded bottom bracket with ISCG05 tabs
  • Boost 148mm spacing with 12mm through axle
  • Lifetime warranty on frame and bearings
  • Colors: Gloss Wicklow Green, Gloss Slate and Grey
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Weight: 28.25 to 29.3-pounds (12.81 to 13.29kg) / Frame/shock-only: 5.9-pounds (2.68 kg)
  • Available with Santa Cruz Reserve carbon rim upgrade (CC bikes only)
  • Available in seven builds from $3,949 to $9,299 USD

For clarity in this review, we will be referring to the new Hightower LT as the "LT" and the non-LT as the "Hightower." Santa Cruz will continue to make the Hightower as it fills a slightly different niche, and remains as Santa Cruz's only 27.5+ compatible bike.





The LT represents the evolution of the Santa Cruz trail bike lineup. Aesthetically, even the most seasoned bike nerd may miss the subtle differences between the Hightower and LT variants. Is it an entirely new bike? Well, almost. To gain the extra 15mm of rear travel over the standard Hightower, the only shared frame component between the two frames is the front triangle. The links, 200x57mm (7.875x2.25-inch) non-Metric shock size, and rear end are all new on the LT. For those wondering, Santa Cruz will not be offering "hop up" kits for your existing Hightower. When considering how many parts are required, it's more economical to simply purchase a new frame.

Putting a longer travel fork on the Hightower will yield a very similar feeling and riding bike to the LT. The new rig is a revision, not a revolutionarily new bike...

On the other hand, if you are buying a new bike and don't care about plus-sized tires, we have a hard time finding any reason to not suggest the LT over the Hightower, especially considering how efficient both bikes are and our propensity toward more gravity-friendly builds. Again, we will update this in due time.

What's The Bottom Line?

Though not a radical departure from the original Hightower, the Hightower LT is a solid performing longer travel 29-inch bike. While you aren't going to confuse this bike for your downhill rig, it is one of the most versatile long travel 29-inch steeds one could throw a leg over. If Metric compatibility is no big thing and you dig the feel of Santa Cruz's VPP suspension, give this wagon wheeler a hard look. We'll be updating these findings with a longer term test in the coming months, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, visit www.santacruzbicycles.com for more details and to read the development story.

Vital MTB First Ride Rating


  • Climbing: 4.5 stars - Outstanding

  • Descending: 3.5 stars - Very Good

  • Fun Factor: 3.5 stars - Very Good

  • Value: 3 stars - Good

  • Overall Impression: 3.5 stars - Very Good


About The Reviewer

Jeff Brines - Age: 32 // Years Riding MTB: 18 // Height: 6'2" (1.88m) // Weight: 200-pounds (90.7kg)

Jeff didn't go on a real date until he was nearly 20 years old, largely as a result of his borderline unhealthy obsession with bicycles. Although his infatuation with two wheels may have lead to stuttering and sweatiness around the opposite sex, it did provide for an ideal environment to quickly progress through the ranks of both gravity and cross-country racing. These days, Jeff races enduro at the pro level, rides upward of 150 days a year while logging over 325k of human powered ascending/descending on his bike. Bred as a racer, Jeff is more likely to look for the fastest way through a section as opposed to the most playful. He lives in the shadow of the Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming.

Photos by Jeff Brines, Jay Goodrich, and Sven Martin

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Specifications

Product
Santa Cruz Hightower LT Carbon CC XX1 Reserve
Model Year
2018
Riding Type
Enduro / All-Mountain
Rider
Unisex
Sizes and Geometry
S
M
L
XL
XXL
Wheel Size
29"
Frame Material
Carbon Fiber
Frame Material Details
Carbon CC with internal cable routing, molded rubber swingarm protection, and downtube protector
Rear Travel
150mm
Rear Shock
FOX Float Factory DPX Kashima
Fork
FOX 36 F150 Factory Kashima
Fork Travel
150mm
Head Tube Diameter
Tapered
Headset
Cane Creek 110 IS integrated
Handlebar
Santa Cruz AM Carbon, 35mm x 800mm
Stem
Race Face Turbine R, 50mm
Grips
Santa Cruz Palmdale (black)
Brakes
SRAM Guide Ultimate with Avid Centerline 180mm rotors
Brake Levers
SRAM Guide Ultimate
Drivetrain
1x
Shifters
SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed
Front Derailleur
N/A
Rear Derailleur
SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed
ISCG Tabs
ISCG 05
Chainguide
N/A
Cranks
SRAM XX1 Eagle: 170mm (S), 175mm (M-XXL)
Chainrings
30 tooth
Bottom Bracket
73mm threaded
Pedals
N/A
Chain
SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed
Cassette
SRAM XG1295 Eagle, 10-50 tooth
Rims
Santa Cruz Reserve 30 Carbon, 28 hole
Hubs
Industry Nine Torch Classic, 15x110mm, 28 hole front / 12x148mm, 28 hole, XD rear
Spokes
DT Competition Race
Tires
Maxxis Minion DHR 3C EXO TR, 29"x2.4"
Saddle
WTB Silverado SLT
Seatpost
RockShox Reverb Stealth: 125mm (S), 150mm (M-L), 170mm (XL-XXL)
Seatpost Diameter
31.6mm
Seatpost Clamp
Standard single bolt
Rear Dropout / Hub Dimensions
12mm x 148mm
Max. Tire Size
29x2.5"
Bottle Cage Mounts
Yes
Colors
Gloss wicklow green, gloss slate and grey
Warranty
Lifetime frame and bearings
Weight
28 lb 3.9 oz (12,810 g)
Miscellaneous
VPP suspension
1X drivetrain specific design
Price includes Santa Cruz’s Reserve carbon rim upgrade
Price
$9,299.00
What do you think?
Where To Buy
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
$6,700.00
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
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