Santa Cruz Hightower 3: Just Hit Play

Refined, not redefined, is the tagline for the Hightower 3. It’s the kind of bike you can take anywhere and be pretty comfortable riding. Santa Cruz says it’s their “Greatest hits compiled into one bike.” So is it their best work yet? Stick around to find out.

0:00 Intro
0:34 What's New?
2:46 Hightower Review - Uphill
5:23 Hightower Review - Downhill
9:23 Comparisons
11:52 Who is it For?

[adamplavecz]

I love it that you took the trouble of finding out what the morse code meant. Always appreciate details like that both on the product itself and in a narrative about it. Way to go!

[certainperfectratio]

I'm really impressed by your comments on how it climbs. In my opinion, Santa Cruz bikes have always had an intangible fun factor but with some sacrifice on sheer pedaling efficiency and climbing performance (eg, compared with Yeti). If they have the climbing dialed now, then it sounds like they made the perfect mountain bike.

[Spindatt]

Lol I appreciate the one liner at the end, definitely something I would say in a review as well; minus knowing anything technical at all

[SemiSendy]

For 3 years the Hightower related FB groups, PB and MTBR forums have been full of HT owners frustrated with the limited shock fitment. I'm honestly surprised they chose to stay that course.

Otherwise, love the colors, glovebox and sag window.

[VredesbyrdNoir]

I'd love to hear how this compares to a recent Pivot Switchblade as that was often reviewed as the livelier all-mountain bike!

[wwaytobe]

I have a Ripmo V2 and love it! I'm sure the HT is great but i'm all Ripmo all day!

[ABHORRANCE]

Great review! With its geometry updates on paper and review, the Hightower v3 is probably perfect for me (my daily rides include a lot of climbing, single track pedaling, with a final descent similar to your demo trails in this video). However, after demoing the HT2 twice AND the Megatower 2, I hands down preferred the Megatower2 so much, that I bought one!! What I liked better wasn't just the plush, yet very responsive and supportive extra travel, but was the updated geometry, especially pointed downhill. I just feel so centered, stable, and confident on the MT2, where I could even appreciate it at my modest riding style. First rides out on the Megatower (coming from a Tallboy), I was riding down sections I would get off and hike. I don't feel disadvantaged on technical climbs, or by any suspension wallow with the MT2. The downside is that I am over-biked with an unnecessary weight penalty (super burly frame, heavier Fox 38 over Fox 36, etc), so while it climbs great for a big enduro bike, I'd still like a little lighter speed for multi-mile uphill grinds. Honestly, had I waited, I would have at least been able to demo the updated HT3 vs MT2 for a more direct comparison. Who knows, I may have stuck with the Megatower 2, or maybe I would have snatched up the lighter do-it-all Hightower v3. Note: my wife demoed the Hightower 3 and her experience was similar to my Megatower 2 experience, so she might have to upgrade from her Stumpy.

[steveromeo]

Loved your review! Just got my Hightower this week and love it! Thanks for the great video.

[tonybasoni]

Hi Conner, Great review as always. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer so many people's questions. I really respect and appreciate that.



Also, I picked up a Mondraker Raze and wow is that an awesome bike. Good luck finding an extra-large to test though. Thanks again. 👊

[arcadialive]

I loved how my last gen 2 HT handled. But I had terrible sag on mine unless I used too much pressure. Then it sacrificed travel and I still got peddle slaps on rocky terrain even in elevated mode, some turned painful. There wasn’t enough clearance for my tastes. Spoke to shops and they said it wasn’t a bad shock, it just had low clearance when landing off a jump. I sold it, and now I’m on a stumpy evo. And no peddle slaps on the same trails. I hope this newer HT model fixes those issues.

[DigsDirtDigsMusic]

Great review! I've been riding a Ripmo AF since March and I've loved it so far. Thanks for throwing in a brief comparison at the end!

[ChrisHill-vens]

Great review as always. Any plans to do a comparison with the updated Tallboy? I'm trying to decide between the two.

[flipphone]

Hey man great content ! I recently came to Moab with my Megatower V1 and that bike loved the rocks and grip :) Santacruz are worth the money and the warranty - great company

[micheandmikey]

I was going to say, looks like you're in my backyard Connor! LOL Come to Bellingham with your next trial. Cheers!!

[sgt.sender]

Just ordered a XO AXS HT3 through my local shop for $6200 CAD + tax. It was hard to say no to that deal. Hella excited.

[katsaras]

Hey Conor! Is there a chance to see a comparison video between Transition's Spire and Propain's Spindrift?

[jaquta]

Just took my maiden ride on this bike, totally agree. My tallboy is like a sports car, compare to hightower which is like a Humvee.

[ondrejjanoska]

Still can not decide between Hightower and Megatower … pedalling up the hill a lot and riding difficult terrain (hiking trails in alps) but also bikepark few weekends a year.
I am scared that Megatower is too heavy.
I am scared that Hightower is not enough for bikepark laps.

[arzosahsothy]

I was on those trails today! Its lovely up there.

[ErichVonCartmann]

Excellent 12 minute Commercial you made here Santa Cruz !