Hightower has the versatility to deal with whatever appears on the horizon. Running either proven 29" wheels or the new monster-truck 27.5”+ standard, Hightower seamlessly adapts to the trails and style you ride, no matter where you are in the world.
So the big question, 27.5+ or 29?
29 If straight line speed, rallying through rock gardens and sprinting out of turns is your bag, then 29” wheels are the big ticket. Upgrade to carbon rims and you have a precision instrument on your hands.
27.5+ ?When conditions get loose and the traction just ain’t there, you’ll want to reach for bigger tires. 27.5+ elevates Hightower to a whole different level, enabling you to rise above the pow, rail the soft spots and carry momentum where standard tires bog down.
No matter what size you run, geometry remains optimized thanks to a neat little “High/Low” setting on the upper link that flips to adjust bottom bracket height*. Hightower’s 67° head angle, longer reach and trim chain stays combine to create an altogether different class of dreadnought in any configuration. Meanwhile, 150mm of seat dropper, a water bottle mount, and internal routing reflect an armada of killer details.
135mm of VPP® travel is reinforced by a 148 rear axle spacing and the kind of Nomad-style linkage arrangement and swingarm design we reserve for the heaviest hitters in our model line up. The resulting package leaves Hightower standing head and shoulders above anything else out there.
This CC-level carbon frame is every bit as stiff and strong as our C-level frame, but weighs about 230 grams less, due to the use of some lighter, stronger, and more expensive carbon fiber. Using this material in key places allowed us to use less material overall, which is what shaves off half a pound from the frame.
*Please note: 140mm fork comes standard on the 29” kits, and is exchanged for a 150mm version on the 27+ builds to keep the 67° head angle consistent.
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Features
135mm (5.3") VPP™ suspension
148mm Rear Axle Spacing
15mm thru-axle fork
Bottle cage mount within front triangle fits piggyback shocks
Double sealed pivots for long bearing life
Integrated Headset (IS41; IS52)
Internal carbon tubes ensure precise and hassle-free routing of derailleur and seat post cables
ISCG-05 tabs for chainguide compatibility
Threaded Bottom Bracket
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Specifications
Frame Material: Carbon CC Fork: RockShox Pike 29 RCT3 150 Shock: RockShox Monarch RT3 Rear Dérailleur: SRAM XX1 Eagle Shifters: SRAM XX1 Eagle Chainring Size: 30 Tooth Crankset: SRAM XX1 Eagle Bottom Bracket: Included w/ crankset Cassette: SRAM XG1295; 10-50t Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle Powerlock Brakes: SRAM Guide Ultimate Brake Rotors: Avid Centerline; 180mm Headset: Cane Creek 110 Series, Integrated Bars: Santa Cruz Carbon Flat Bar 780mm, 31.8mm Clamp Stem: Easton Haven Aluminum 31.8mm Clamp Grips: Santa Cruz Palmdale Lock-on Front Hub: Industry Nine Torch 110x15 Torque Cap Rear Hub: Industry Nine Torch; 148x12mm Rims: ENVE Rims Spokes: DT Swiss Competition DB Front Tire: Maxxis Rekon EXO 3C 27.5x2.8 Tubeless Ready Rear Tire: Maxxis Rekon EXO 27.5x2.8 Tubes: Stans Sealant Seat Post: RockShox Reverb Stealth 150mm Travel (M-L), 170mm (XL) Saddle: WTB Silverado SLT
