New Santa Cruz Hightower 2023 unveiled – refined not redefined

Santa Cruz present a re-engineered Hightower, which does not come up with drastic changes but many new tweaks. A storage compartment in the down tube, slightly adjusted geometry and frame features are just some of them. We have all the innovations, equipment variants, prices and availability for you.

The first Santa Cruz Hightower was already presented at the beginning of 2016 and has since been a permanent member of the Santa Cruz lineup. It settles with 145 mm travel between the big brother Megatower (165 mm) and the smaller Tallboy (120 mm). Now the bike gets a barely visible update with lovely improvements in details for 2023.

Innovations and changes of the Santa Cruz Hightower 2023

The biggest and most noticeable change to the bike is certainly the new storage compartment in the down tube. The flap in the down tube, called Glovebox, was already used in its big brother, the Santa Cruz Megatower, where we could already test it. It can be opened by a special locking system.

This requires applying some force with your fingers, but the lid closes very tightly, so there is no movement or noise, even with a full bottle in the cage. Included in the compartment are two pockets where you can stow a tube, tools, snacks and what have you. One of the bags also has a waterproof compartment for cash or items you wouldn’t want to get soaked. With the bottle on the bike, you can thus confidently do without your hip pack on your after-work lap with nothing dangling off your frame. Clean! In addition, there’s a small cutout above the bottom bracket, which lets you see the sag indicator on the RockShox shock and simplifies the setup.

Even though the rest of the changes is less visible, but should be noticeable while riding. For example, a slightly adjusted geometry should provide less anti-squat at the start of travel and more progression toward the end of travel for increased sag protection.

Equipment variants of the Santa Cruz Hightower 2023

The new Hightower comes in a wide range of eight equipment variants based on three different frames. The choice is two aluminum models, four carbon models with the simple C carbon layup and 2 carbon models with the higher quality CC carbon layup. The latter uses less carbon fibers – but of higher quality – to achieve a lower weight with the same stiffness. The two aluminum models and the cheapest carbon R build rely on a combination of RockShox 35 and Lyrik fork respectively with FOX Float DPS shock. The five more expensive models turn this combination around and come with a FOX fork in conjunction with a RockShox shock. Those who value FOX’s bling Kashima coating on the fork must reach for one of the two bikes with a CC frame. The two top models Santa Cruz Hightower CC X01 and Hightower CC X0 AXS RSV can be yours for € 8,999 and € 10,999 respectively.

Geometry of the new Santa Cruz Hightower 2023

Probably the most important and noticeable change in geometry are the chainstays that grow with the bike, gaining 3 mm per size. This should provide a balanced ride in the five sizes from S to XXL – amazing! So, very small and very large bikers are all catered for, unlike with many other manufacturers, where the edge sizes are often unbalanced. In addition, the steering angle is half a degree flatter and the seat angle minimally steeper. The stroke of the dropper post varies depending on the size between 125 and a whopping 200 mm.

Size	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat tube	380 mm	405 mm	430 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Top tube	572 mm	600 mm	627 mm	648 mm	675 mm
Head tube	100 mm	115 mm	125 mm	145 mm	160 mm
Head angle	64,5°	64,5°	64,5°	64,5°	64,5°
Seat angle	76,7°	76,7°	76,4°	76,6°	76,7°
Chainstay	432 mm	435 mm	438 mm	441 mm	444 mm
BB Drop	34 mm	34 mm	34 mm	34 mm	34 mm
Wheelbase	1183 mm	1218 mm	1245 mm	1276 mm	1311 mm
Reach	427 mm	452 mm	472 mm	492 mm	517 mm
Stack	613 mm	627 mm	636 mm	654 mm	668 mm

Availability, colors and life cycle of the Santa Cruz Hightower 2023

The new Santa Cruz Hightower 2023 will be available in Europe in most trim levels as early as the end of July. It will be available in two colors, Translucent Purple and Matte Emerald. The former is an eye-catching purple with neon green logo and the latter is a matte green with orange logo. Santa Cruz also offer a lifetime warranty and free replacement bearings on all of their bikes as well as spare carbon rims (RSV builds). This guarantees long and carefree trail fun.

The new Santa Cruz Hightower 2023 comes with some sensible changes and minor geometry adjustments – with largely the same appearance. The only way to distinguish it from the previous model at first glance is only the colour. Whether the devil in fact is – as so often happens – in the details we’ll see once it give it a proper chase on the trail. We are excited to ride the new Hightower soon and will report back to you!

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Santa Cruz