Cane Creek DBIL Review - Santa Cruz Hightower v2 fit & Performance

*******UPDATE: Please read comments section. About 2-3 months after this video was released some frame rub started occurring. You can see a quick shot of what that ended up looking like on the Cascade Link review that was more recently posted on this channel which is also linked on the end screen for this video*********

I've been getting lots of questions about the Cane Creek Double Barrel Coil IL, so I figured it was a great time to write up a long term review. I started recording this a month ago, so I'm now 3 months into riding on this set up, and it just continues to put a smile on my face. For full fit information on the Santa Cruz HTv2 along with my weight and spring selection, please see the model and parts list at the bottom of this description. I'm not sponsored by Cane Creek, and this is a completely impartial review.

This is the official first content on this new channel, which will include some reviews but mostly focused on riding and showcasing different trail systems alongside my awesome group of friends and the amazing people we meet along the way. I will also be covering some fun enduro racing here in the Southeastern United States, including the Coldwater Enduro, Fire Mountain Enduro and the mega Pisgah Enduro.

Double Barrel Specs:

DBCOIL-IL - 210/52.5 - Factory Base Tune (item number: BAD2372)

Shock Hardware Front Bushing - 20.0mm x 8mm (item number: HWAO)

Shock Hardware Rear Bushing - 30.0mm x 8mm (item number: HWCO)

Rider Weight - 175lbs - Sag set to 28%

VALT Coil - 2.25" x 450lb - non-progressive/classic VALT

Factory Base tune plus 1.5 + turn increase for low speed compression

Cheers, and I hope to see you on the trail!

[finnisgay]

Now this is just to good to be your first video. I love the cane creek suspension and I have the same shock as you at the rear. Keep up the great work.

[jirirada]

Cool, i use Helm and IL shox on my Reign now, and i want this setup on my next bike .. its fine to see that Hightower, my choise for a next bike work well with coil shox

[tanpen]

Incredibly well done review and great camera work.

[joshuabell]

Clicked this video because I am coil-curious and also looking at SC bikes. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that you were in the Chattanooga area (where I live). That added even more relevance to your review, so thanks! You got a new subscriber, and I've already shared with a friend.

[illgazillion]

Wholly crap. This is a setup almost exactly what I was looking in to. Thank you for the video.

[northshoreboy]

Thaś good video with some real content. Good luck with this channel and racing season too:-)!

[petermccann]

I'm sorry to say that after 15+ years of running CCBD coil shocks, I'm done with them. Once upon a time they partnered with ohilins and made a reliable, great performing shock. My last CC coil failed within ~ 25 hours, leaking oil at the shaft. When new, the spring was rubbing the plastic sleeve on the shock body, and the LSC adjuster had to be run full out (at CCs' instruction). I let that, and the rubbing noise go, but waited until the 12 month warranty period was out before contacting them, so I was told that despite all the problems, and that they had "fixed" the seal head problem, I'd have to spend ~$250 to get the shock serviced, and there was no indication that it wouldn't fail again. Since the protective sleeve was nearly worn through on one side (I bought a CC Valt spring with the shock), I thought the side load may have contributed to the leaking oil, but they said that the sleeve has to wear all the way through to metal for it to be abnormal/warranty. Now I have a $500 paperweight, since I'm not throwing $250 in good money after bad, on a squeaking, rubbing, leaking shock. Are there any other twin tube/4 circuit coils out there? Ohlins? The CCDB coil I put on my '02 Bullit is still going strong...but they don't make that shock any more.

[mtbeliever]

Just bought this exact shock for my Yeti SB130. Got the progressive 450-550 spring. Hope it’s buttery.

[shawnkushmer]

I have one on my 2017 Hightower with the progressive spring. It’s so fantastic.

[LucasMillerMTB]

I own a tallboy and i am going to put one of these on it. Its funny how santa cruz says no they wont work, but ive seen forms filled with people putting this exact shock on their tallboys so yeah.

[niccolo_defendi]

would you recommend coil for other santa Cruz bikes like the Bronson? great vid btw

[LucasMillerMTB]

Hey there (i already left a previous comment), finally hot my hands on the shock, but i was curious about your lockout performance over time. When i lock out my fox 34 it is rock solid, but when i lock out the coil it has minimum difference apart from the slow rebound. I may have a dead shock, but i didnt know if this was normal, thanks!

[eerike]

Sorry if have missed this info on your channel.
What is you frame size and Height?

[alessandrovinci]

So is there a chance for me to have a coil on my hightower 2021 ❤🎉

[mileselze]

Santa Cruz website said the high tower doesn't fit a coil shock, or is that just the aluminum that it doesn't fit on?

[InformatrIIcks]

I'm concerned about clearance on my setup. Could you give spring OD on both compressed and uncompressed position ?

[tobionassis]

Is it a Hightower V2 CC frame or a C frame? CaneCreek told me that a CC frame has less clearance for the spring - that´s why.

[BradBuege]

Thanks for posting this video, I have the same bike (Hightower C "S" build in Large) and have been thinking about ways to improve it in the chunk just a bit too. That being said I do think the super deluxe select plus that came with the bike is actually a really nice shock and feels great on this bike and rips pretty well. Two questions for you, if you don't mind:

1. I notice you didn't get the progressive spring - any issues bottoming out, have you tried it with a progressive spring since?
2. Have you tried to fit any other coil shock besides the db inline? For example I am wondering if a Fox DHX2 with an SLS spring or MRP progressive spring would fit.

Many thanks.

[rouvenbeck]

Hey, one more question. Did you use the cascade link right now. You wrote that you ordered one, i guess.

[dviii]

Have you tried this setup with the CC progressive spring? I contacted CC and they did not recommend it because of reports of rubbing.