Santa Cruz Hightower V4 Review: You can drive anything with this!

Santa Cruz Hightower V4: What's new

A refresh or truly major changes? That's the question we asked ourselves, too. Even if it doesn't look like much on paper, the Californians didn't just change the suspension travel with the fourth generation of their bestseller. The frame was completely redesigned for improved anti-squat performance , and the geometry was fine-tuned.

The seat angle has also been steepened, which should further improve uphill capabilities . In addition, the Americans promise minimized pedal kickback. With 150 mm of travel (compared to 145 mm for the predecessor), the shock not only offers slightly more travel, but it's also positioned further forward in the frame.

A nice side effect: This (Santa is using only Fox shocks on the Hightower for the first time) makes it finally more accessible. Which means for you: The days when you needed the dexterity of a master thief to set it up are finally over.

The most visible innovation? The seat tube "splits" (as already seen on the Santa Cruz).
Bronson) towards the downtube to form an inverted Y. This allows the
Finally, reading the SAG values ​​on the shock absorber is much easier. Thanks, Santa.

First impressions of the Santa Cruz Hightower V4: Looks familiar

Never change a running system: The brand remains true to its tradition with the new Hightower. The Americans have followed the familiar design and the popular, high-performance VPP system . They've done so consistently that even experts can't immediately identify the model at first glance. The result: a timeless look with typical Santa Cruz style .

The frame is – as one would expect from Santa Cruz – absolutely high quality.
The bike is expertly crafted. Clear, harmonious, and meticulously designed lines are a feast for the eyes. The carbon frame exudes an almost enduro-like aura. The premium character is definitely there. "Nothing rattles here," as a well-known automotive executive might say.

Santa Cruz Hightower or Santa Cruz Bronson?

Before we get to our test impressions, let's address one of the most frequently asked questions in our shop: Bronson or Hightower? Good question, since both Santa Cruz models look more similar at first glance than the Olsen twins and promise similar performance.

However, there are noticeable differences. The Santa Cruz Bronson uses a mullet setup (27.5" rear wheel), which makes it even more agile and nimble downhill. The Santa Cruz Hightower, on the other hand, sticks with 29" wheels front and rear. This gives it greater stability downhill and better climbing ability.

What is the remaining difference between the Santa Cruz Bronson and the
Hightower?

Despite identical head angles of 63.9° (Hi) and 64.2° (Lo), the bikes have distinct characters on the trail. The Bronson is the more "wild" one. The Hightower behaves somewhat more "seriously"—even though Santa Cruz positions it as an all-mountain all-star.

Perhaps this will help you: Touring is cool, but you love airtime and especially downhill shenanigans? Then check out the Bronson in our review . It could become your new best buddy.

Fun fact: The first Hightower (2016) had 135 mm of travel and a steering angle of 67°, which is almost XC-oriented by today's standards.

Key features at a glance:

• Suspension travel 160 / 150 mm
• Steering angle: 64.2° / 63.9° (Hi/Lo)
• Seat angle: 77.9° / 77.6° (Hi/Lo) in size M
• Frame sizes: S–XXL (154 cm to 200 cm height)
• Reach: from 435 mm (size S) to 525 mm (size XXL)

Fox suspension front and rear

In terms of components, the Americans have really delivered with the Hightower X0 AXS: A FOX 36 Float Factory fork with 160 mm of travel and the FOX Float X Factory shock ensure a consistent and extensively adjustable suspension system. The mix of RockShox and FOX parts, familiar from the Santa Cruz Hightower V3, is (except for the base model) a thing of the past.

The brakes

The SRAM Maven Silver Stealth brakes with SRAM HS2 rotors front and rear (more on that below) responded sharply and were very controllable. The only drawback: Santa Cruz only installs 180 mm rotors as standard. Don't get me wrong, the medium-sized rotor also delivered surprisingly good performance for a long time – but those who like to push the limits downhill or weigh more than 80 kilograms are better off with the 200 mm SRAM brake rotor.

The drive

Our test bike was equipped with the new SRAM X0 Eagle DUB T-Type crankset and the SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Type 12-speed rear derailleur . The result? Lightning-fast and precise shifting.

The tires

The Maxxis Minion DHF 29" with 3C MaxxGrip and EXO casing is designed to smooth out the track at the front. The Maxxis Minion DHR II with 3C MaxxTerra in EXO+ at the rear provides puncture protection and grip during slides.

The cockpit & Co.

The already familiar OneUp dropper post seatpost , an 800mm Santa Cruz 35 carbon handlebar and a OneUp stem with 42mm (on some models also a Burgtec Enduro stem with 42mm) are fitted at the front and rear respectively.

The wheels

Definitely a highlight: the Reserve 30|HD carbon wheels front and rear and the Industry Nine 1/1 hubs give the bike a responsiveness not known from aluminum wheels.

Uphill performance & climbing characteristics

No downhill without a prior uphill: The riding position on the new model is slightly more sporty than on its predecessor. You sit further forward, but still very comfortably. Thanks to the revised seat angle, the Hightower is more efficient, especially on steep climbs , and generates noticeably more grip at the front.

On very rooty trail sections, the shock absorber actively engages. We liked this because – unlike with some other bikes – you don't immediately use up all of the suspension travel. On the contrary: the Hightower offers sufficient comfort without ever bottoming out. So, in everyday riding, reaching for the lockout lever isn't really necessary.

Even if it doesn't quite reach the level of the Santa Cruz Tallboy : On the uphill, the new model shows that the redesign is far more than just cosmetic – and is also a solid partner when riding against gravity.

Good to know: Compared to the previously mentioned Santa Cruz Bronson, the Hightower climbs significantly easier.

Downhill performance

What makes the new version different? First of all, the 160 mm of travel and the slightly higher front end ensure that you sit firmly, integrated, and high on the bike. Don't get me wrong: you immediately feel comfortable on the bike, but it's different from the lower, more integrated Bronson.

From the very first meter of depth, it delights with a direct and very precise feel.
Handling – especially with the Reserve carbon wheels. When the terrain gets steeper, the slightly front-biased riding position ensures you always have sufficient traction and control at the front wheel. The 160mm fork provides additional confidence and allows for longer bursts of power, particularly on very rooty or rocky sections.

In our test, we were able to keep up with other enduro bikes with more suspension travel for a considerable amount of time with the new Hightower. However, anyone looking for an all-swallowing "flat iron" will be disappointed. The new Santa Cruz Hightower is more like a sports car than an SUV. The rear end is rather firm. The suspension travel isn't used up at the first pebble – on the contrary: the Hightower uses it efficiently and maintains reserves for a long time.

Fast riders can carry a lot of speed out of berms and corners here. The bike generally offers plenty of support , which we really appreciate. But it's also clear that you can't just blindly go for it when the trail becomes more enduro-oriented. Instead, more careful line selection is required.

Stiff frame. Lots of feedback. Awesome brakes.

The stiff frame, combined with the firmer suspension, ensures you're informed about the terrain within nanoseconds. The Hightower emphasizes teamwork. You receive feedback and find the right line. It's also great fun on moderate trails in the bike park. But for those who prefer a more playful ride, the Santa Cruz Bronson or the Santa Cruz Megatower enduro bike are ideal companions.

We were also extremely impressed by the SRAM Maven disc brakes . Plenty of power and definitely designed for wild rides. Even long alpine descents shouldn't be a problem (though 200mm rotors are recommended for that).

And what about its suitability for touring? There's nothing to complain about there. The Hightower performs very well even on long day trips. Perhaps not quite as fast as the Tallboy, but it has more reserves for downhill riding.