2023 Santa Cruz Megatower V2 | Long-Term Review

We built up a Santa Cruz Megatower for a long-term review to see if it really stands up to its reputation as a hard charging enduro bike with exceptional climbing capabilities. To put it to the test, we put it through high-elevation training rides, enduro race days, and bike park laps. Follow along to see the final verdict!

Gearheads Kendall and Chris talk through the nitty-gritty details regarding tech specs and build options. Of course, they discuss the bike’s riding characteristics at length as well. What do you think about the V2 Sant Cruz Megatower? Let us know in the comments!

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Chapter Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro
0:31 – Model Specs
1:34 – Custom Build Specs
5:11 – Suspension & Tire Settings
7:53 – Climbing
8:50 – Descending
9:53 – Improvements
10:36 – Who's It For?
11:35 – Weigh-In
12:20 – Outro

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[AZMTB]

my v2! My v1 was great, but this one just does everything a little bit better. Most noticeable in the turns, I think.

[brucehamilton]

That's just the review I was looking for. All the info needed. Thx

[ABHORRANCE]

Megatower V2 vs Hightower v4 would be cool! Great long term. I've had my Megatower V2 for 2.5 years now. My riding style is more All Mountain than Enduro but I still have a good time with it.

[kanger]

Got this exact bike. Excited to test it out at Whistler next season.

[SnakeC]

Santa Cruz must come definitively with the 2.0 version of the glove box. When washing, it simply leaks, also because it is not well sealed and does not touch, it causes small vibrations. The construction in which the lid is attached also looks very cheap and weakly "plastic"...

[dkone]

Great review guys! Happy to watch more of these from you. Cheers

[bruceleeordietrying]

What a helpful review! Many thanks from Sweden <3
I'm 182cm (6ft I think?) and can't decide if I should order a L or M. Riding mostly easier/medium difficulty stuff at my local resort.

[koolkeith]

Megatower vs. Nomad review would be great. Thanks!

[mtbhussler]

6'4" on an XL and I think it's too small for me. Wish I got the XXL in retrospect.
3 items warrantied so far, downtube protection broke 1st ride, race face rims delaced themselves 1st ride, and reverb lasted about a month. Wheels and dropper replaced already so I can keep on riding. Parts been in for warranty for 2 months now.
Can't get a replacement down tube protector at present.

[juanhidalgo]

Yea, the long term reviews are great! Any comments on the suspension serviceability? I do would like to ride a megatower! If I had to change the built, I would go with ENVE M735 Chris’s king wheels, full ENVE bar/stem, full shimano XTR drive train, keep to fox shock and and fork. Add Chris king headset and BB.

[Bonky-wonky]

I have an x2 on my nomad, very composed and ‘deep’ feeling shock compared to the superdeluxe that came with the frame. It does require quite a few tokens to be punchier, adding hsc/lsc also works but makes the bike feel a bit ‘dead’. I have a feeling the new Vivid will have almost the same levels of control but can be made livelier, sram told me the volume could be reduced to the sd’s, which certainly isn’t the case with the x2.

[surfin]

also 6'4'', which pants are the long tan backcountry? need to pick up a pair.

[siddhantmishra]

great review guys, could you confirm if there is enough clearance to run a 2.6 inch tire in the rear ? thanks

[djjmann]

Had a V2, lazy bike for single track. A total gravity bike, very good at that. Just not a bike if you have to pedal through tech. Lots of better options. Built a new 5010 MX as well, great in turns, but not as lively as i hoped, and also climbed a bit sluggish. I think i would have gotten a long better with a v6 nomad. Would plow just as well on downs and also have turn in of 5010.

[stepan.furman]

I have this frame and I have no clue how you can move a glove box even 1 mm. for me it's a rocksolud glovebox door, you can for sure move it making enough effort but not even close to what was shown in this video. You should contact SC, maybe this is a warranty case... I also like this bike a lot, I had Megatower V1 and it's quite big improvement in comparison to the old one.

[SidiNic]

I am 1.84cm so right at the end of the Large frame size. The reach is 10mm shorter than current bike but the XL frame is 10mm larger in reach. What would you suggest buying from size? I ride mostly enduro, normal to steep things and jumps

[EK-xkzt]

A bit on the heavy side for a carbon enduro. Transition Spire weighs significantly less with a bigger brake rotor up front, more travel in the back, and more aggressive geometry. But hey, Megatower has the glove box 🤣

[Davidskates]

When you say "do it all bike" would you say you can enjoy mellower single track on this? I;m in New England and there are not really any " enduro" style trails, its more XC heavy. We do have a few bike parks but most trail systems are uppy downy type of riding. Would you say this bike would still be fun for that stuff?

[DM-hwcr]

Looks like he could go up a frame size.

[Claro]

Santa Cruz made in china?
Santa Barbara?