Santa Cruz Launch the Hightower V4

Alongside the Bronson, the Hightower has always been the other ‘do it all’ bike in the Santa Cruz range.  First launched in 2016 as a 135mm, 29’ wheeled trail bike, it was fast up, down and across the hill and could hold its own almost anywhere. Since then it’s seen several revisions over the years, growing in travel and switching suspension platform to the lower link VPP layout along the way but always kept a lively all around nature.

With the previous Hightower sharing a front triangle with the Bronson, as soon as the Bronson V5 launched last month we knew a new Hightower couldn’t be too far behind. The updated Bronson impressed Neil immensely when we tested it, finding it an incredibly easy to set up and confidence inspiring bike, so seeing the Hightower follow suit is an exciting prospect.

Just as we’d expected, the Hightower V4 does closely follow the Bronson V5, but in addition, it also sees a significant bump up in travel, with the new bike now based around a 160mm fork, with 150mm of rear wheel travel. Add to that the lengthened geometry and the new Hightower seems quite a different animal to the previous bike, now looking like it can pushed much harder downhill, almost like a mini Megatower.

Zooming in on the detail of the geometry changes, the new bike follows many, but not all of the adjustments made to the Bronson. Compared to the previous Hightower, the head angle slackens out by half a degree to 63.9’ in the low setting, with the reach figures growing by around 5 mm per size. Headtube lengths have also increased across the range to give a more ‘in the bike’ feel. Unlike the new Bronson however, where chainstay lengths were noticeably increased to adjust for the reward weight balance MX bikes can exhibit, the new Hightower V4 keeps a similar set of numbers to the previous version. Growing only a tiny amount per size, the Hightower now actually sports a slightly shorter back end than the Bronson.

Those various geometry changes might each seem relatively small but in combination they increase the wheelbase of the bike by almost 20mm per size, which is almost a full size bigger relative to the Hightower V3. As with the Bronson 5, that’s going to create a more stable, settled bike with calmer manners at speed, turning it into a mini-enduro bike when the going gets tough. Another hint to the increased capability lies in the fact the frameset is now also coil shock compatible. 

Adopting the new ‘birds nest’ VPP frame layout, the Hightower V4 should see all the same benefits we found in the new suspension design when riding the Bronson V5 last month. With reduced anti squat and progression compared to previous VPP bikes, we found the new iteration to have better climbing traction, and noticeably less kickback when pedalling and descending through rough terrain. The best version of VPP we’ve ridden, with a near perfect balance of support and suppleness it’s exciting to see it making its way onto more bikes. 

There are two colours of Hightower V4 to choose from, either the striking Teal of Gloss Day Green or the more subdued Matte Deep Purple. Six full bike options are available, with three options on C frames making use of SRAM NX, GX and GX AXS build kits, while CC builds are all based round Fox Factory and SRAM T-Type AXS setups. If full bikes aren’t your thing, then frame only options are also possible. 

Mark Scott has just finished building up his personal bike, so he’ll be getting his first laps in very soon for some ride impressions and shop stock shouldn’t be too far behind.

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