*My 65 yr old dad bought this and he assembled it by himself. He absolutely loves **Latest.Bike** . He did however order a bigger seat.*

Hi, great review. I just thought I’d say I watched this video a while back and it was one that helped me make the decision to get a Hightower. All I can say is WOW. I chose this over a megatower and couldn’t be any happier, I ride a lot of trails in the Lake District in the UK and it feels rite at home.

Just received mine, same build plus carbon wheels and bars, after waiting 2 months and my impression of the bike matches your review exactly. The 2020 Hightower is a real game changer.

Great review! So difficult to find people talking about bike like you do. So, now I am going to buy a second hand Hightower. Cheers from France

Great review. I think this will be my next bike, next month! Thank you for the easy to understand impressions.

The only review that has negative comments and that makes this the best review online about this bike. Thanks for this. 👍

Great review! I demo’d a Hightower after watching your review and liked it so much that I ended up buying that demo bike. Spot on about the grips and saddle though. Those are both getting swapped out ASAP.

We have a closeout company and we just inquire Demo 2020 Santa Cruz Hightower CC X01. Road the bike and was amaze how the bike were so comfortable and doing so many small thing even up hill.

Excellent review, very informative. I had my eye on a custom Ripmo build but ended up ordering an XXL HT2. The lifetime warranty on the frame, bearings and carbon wheelset as well as the XXL sizing were the deciding factors. I hope you do decide on a supplemental review and take the bike over some even more difficult terrain. It really does look like a fun bike for the bulk of most trail riding scenarios; IMO you captured that perfectly.

I just ordered one yesterday! Now to wait for a while...

Very detailed review! This bike on my shortlist and I’m very close to pulling the trigger, it seems to check all the boxes I’m looking for.

Just stumbled across the channel and I could argue he is putting out some of the best reviews on youtube.

This is a detailed and thorough review. Great content! Really enjoyed watching.

Bought one at the end of August and I'm loving it. It took me awhile to get used to it on some tight, twisty trails around home but I'm getting the hang of it now. It just needed to be handled more aggressively than my 2010 Specialized Epic 26er. (which is still a great bike, by the way)

Solid review as usual. I agree, at that price point it should come with good grips. I also think they should make their build kits around suspension. They should all come with a Super deluxe ultimate and then you would upgrade drive train, brakes, wheels... through the build kits. That blue 👌, I think the bike looks absolutely awesome. I like that rear mud guard, it shows that they care about details. I would like to demo that bike . 👊🏻

I think it's been the best lower link climbing bike because it's the lightest with the steepest HTA. The rear link/shock tune may be slightly different than the other lower link bikes but I think it's mostly a geometry difference. I could be wrong. 🤷‍♂️ I'm stoked though, my Bronson just arrived! 🤘

I've really been on the fence about this bike, going back and forth between this bike and the nukeproof mega. I think your review tipped the scales to this one.

Excellent review thank you for that. Pls review Trek Full Stach 29+ & comparison to SB150 or real enduro bike. Tanks

I factory demoed one and liked it. Been excited and waiting for this bike to come out. One thing I did not like was how active the steering felt. It felt over active and a little squirely to me. I guess I prefer a more predictable handling bike. The Megatower was definitely predictable to me. Did you notice that? The guy at Santa Cruz bikes knew what I meant and said he cured his bike by switching to a 40mm stem.

I'd love one of these, it just hits that sweet spot

Your reviews are excellent! Good combination of tech and riding impressions. Thinking seriously about either the HT2 or the Tallboy 4. Do you think you'll have a review of that pretty soon?

Excellent review of the HT2, thank you! I have been on the HT1 for past 3.5 years, now with 150 fork, bigger reservoir shock and has been great for me here in the PacNW as well. I did demo the HT2 last month and was quite pleased with the descending capabilities on my usual AM trails and climbed as well as my HT1 even though new HT2 was about 2 lbs heavier. Could feel it when picking up the bikes, but never really noticed on climbs and the bit extra weight added to the planted, stable, but somehow still playful feel of bike, even though plusher in the rough and much longer. I plan to order one soon! Thanks again for great video and review

Waiting for the tallboy. That's the best bike for my local trails

Great review, well done.

After watching, now i decided to get this fuckn sick bike,,!!!. thanks for the great review..

Nice review

How do you like it compared to the transition sentinel? You’re doing the best reviews on youtube at the moment so thanks for the videos!

Any plans to review the Esker Rowl? I'm really torn between Esker Rowl, Hightower and Forbidden Druid.

How does it compare with the SB150? Great review thanks

1. Great reviews. Really enjoying your channel 2. Can you tell me some of the trails your riding here? I've ridden Benson mtn trails and love them but jone of these.

Great Review. What is up with SC and Rock Shox? They seem to be in bed with each other. I think the new HT would be truly a great one bike, but SC is turning me off with their build kits. Even the HT frame only option does not have a Fox X2 option, actually come to think of it, SC never had an X2 option for any of their bikes ever. In 2020, it's seems even the forks now are all RS. I am just not a big fan of RS shocks or forks. I have tried that Rock Shox Super Deluxe on the lower link Bronson, Nomad, and Megatower, and found it to be too difficult to tune; and could never get it to my liking. I either had to set it up plush where it felt great through the chunk, but here bottomed easy and climbed horribly or set it harder so it could climb better but I got bounced around more in the chunk. I am sure that new HT would be great with the X2! The X2 did wonders for both my old N3 and my current BronsonV3. I would loved have tried a X2 on my Rentals for the Mega and Nomad4. The Ripmo is the better option than the new HT for this reason. The Ripmo comes with the X2 and is the same price the HT is with Super Deluxe. It would be nice if these frames had a no shock option, because it sucks having to pay another $600 on a shock for a brand new frame just to get the shock we want.

solid review. Just watched this and your bronson review - do you feel like the suspension performed that much different on the HT? I am tempted by the 27.5 but it seems like people are more impressed by the 2020 HT

hey buddy - nice review, like your honest opinion on bikes - quick question, how would you say the HT climbs compared to your sb150 or a sb130 you've demoed?

Nice review. I am toying with getting a new ride for my 50th next year. I currently ride a Gen 1 5010, and am looking at the new High Tower and new 5010. Leaning toward the High Tower. You and I are about the same height and build so I have to ask you why the XL over the L? I would love to be able to test ride stuff but not sure if that will ever happen with COVID.

Nice man! Btw, what gloves were you wearing during this review? I really dig them

Nice review! Curious how this would compare to the new niner rip 9 rdo. I’ve heard they also climb extremely well.

Awesome review. How would you compare this to the Forbidden Druid? Both are very capable I'm sure, But which one was more playful and If you could only have one bike which would be your choice?

great review - really interested in your thoughts on how this compares to the RM instinct BC as Vancouver Island/Squamish type quiver of 1 bike? thanks!

I am 6' 1" with a 33 inseam. I would think that I would need an XL but I looked at the charts and they recommend the Large. Aren't you about the same measurements and didn't you say that you think the XL would be better? Have you had a chance to ride an XL now? If so, would you go with the XL?

Hey thanks for the video, so you got the HT to replace your sb150. So did SB150 just not work as a trail bike at all or was it just that prospect of not racing? For a bigger stronger rider...

Hey, nice videos. I ride a 2018 trek slash. The seat tube is slakcker but apart from that the geo very similar to the new HT. Do you think I’d notice much of a difference between these bikes? Slash is 150/160 tho. I want more of a do it all trail bike that I can take to the park.

great review, just kinda odd that you keep getting a size too small in the santa cruzes

Nice review! How would you compare it with Fuel ex 9.8 29er 140mm front?

Descending is the HT far behind your 150?

Great Review. How did you get that coloured Graphic / font?

Thanks, another great review!Hightower vs Ripmo??

Hey, thanks for good review, much appreciated. Maybe u can say a thing about what size to pick up when one is on the edge of two sizes, im just right in between xl and xxl, the bike will be a allaround workhorse, from bombing hills to cross country long trips, any sugestions appreciated !!! :)

How does it climb compared to the previous version for tight steep New England trails

Hi , thanks for the review ! Ripmo or Hightower2 , what has the best downhill performance ? Thanks

Good review and very nice bike! Why the color of your test bike is not the same as the Santa Cruz website?

11:29 You say "nice steep headtube angle at 65.2 degrees." Do you mean steep or slack? Great reviews though. I'm torn between the Hightower and Tallboy. The bike shop suggests the Hightower due to the downhill rock gardens so prevalent here.

How much?

Comparison with the Hightower LT specifically?

Would you recommend the 2019 tall boy A R or Hightower LT for a first full suspension bike? They are both going for $2899

Do you have an opinion of how the 2020 feels/ compares with the 2019 LT version?

Have you ridden the Ibis Ripmo AF? If so how would you compare the two?

What's your favorite bike in the 150mm range?

Could you compare it to the forbidden Druid? Thx

How does this compare to the YT Jeffsy 29 Pro Race?

why is the santa cruz logo orange and not yellow?

I'm right between a Lg and Xl, why were you so convinced a Xl was going to be better? I have demo'd a Xl nomad and thought it was too long for me. Good climber, but too long for jumping.

bronson or HT for descending? its the 10G question im trying to figure out

Nice! I messaged you on Instagram about the Hightower on Saturday. I went and bought one (this same build) that same day. Great review and can’t wait to get my bike! Great work!

This or the sb130?

BCBR capable? in your opinion? Thanks in advance!

How does this compare to the Evil Offering or the SB130?

How do you get it in that color? Online it's got the ugly tan letters.

Is there a big difference as far as climbing category with Tallboy or sb130? Tnx

How would u compare this to the forbidden druid?

is that a custom paint job?

Your price comparison towards the end was really off, A rocky mountain Instinct C50 is only 5500$. The C70 is only 6800, no clue where you are getting 7200 from.

This or the evil offering?

Demoed one today... think I’m going to pull the trigger. 😬

I still haven't decided on which to get, Bronson or Hightower, but whichever bike is next it will have a quite hub. I cannot stand that fishing rod sound on a bike. I like to ride trails which is to say I like to enjoy the ride but the sights and sounds of nature. The noise coming from the hub is like nails on a chalk board to me. I wish this bike came in a 27.5 plus size and I wish there were more color options. Santa Cruz doesn't seem to have much imagination in the color department. That is also an issue, everyone that buys one is more like to have the same colored bike. They could at least give different colored decals than the the ones they have available. What makes the decisionon selecting my next bike so difficult is some say the High Tower is a better climber and better on the trails and other say the Bronson is. At least with the Bronson it has more tire options ( width) than the High Tower. You can turn plus tires or normal 27.5 tires. I guess I just have to do more research. I don't have a shop that has demos. So I want to make sure I pick the right bike this time and not make another mistake like I did with the Scott Spark 960. This experience has made me not like 29ers. The bike is not very fun to ride at all and is very sluggish in tight turns. Their warranty sucks, only 5 years. Their hub isn't like most other bikes which make finding the right hub tricky. Thanks for the video and sharing your thoughts on this bike.

👍👍👍

I agree the grips are horrible

How does the hightower compare to the bronson for do it all bike in your experience? Struggling with the choice, not sure about 29'' wheels and the slight increase in weight i have never rode a 29er. What do you think the pros n cons of each are when compared? Thanks for any input you have.

can you review the new tallboy

LT IS BETTER...RS NOT GOOD

Very detailed review! This bike on my shortlist and I’m very close to pulling the trigger, it seems to check all the boxes I’m looking for.