Breaking News: Santa Cruz Announces New Hightower 27.5+/29er

Santa Cruz has just announced an all-new mountain bike in their lineup: the Hightower 27.5+/29er. This new rig is available stock in both wheel size configurations and can be switched between the two without making any negative geometry compromises. The Hightower steps into the noticeable gap that was left by the discontinuation of the Tallboy LT 29er back in July.

All versions of the bike feature 135mm of proven VPP rear suspension, but the amount of suspension up front changes depending on the wheel size: 140mm for the 29er, 150mm for the 27.5+. Also, in order to accommodate the slight shift, the Hightower has two bolting positions for the rear shock: the low position, for the 29er, and the high position, for the 27.5+.

In order to accommodate the plus-size wheels, all of the hub spacings for both models are Boost-compatible: 148mm rear, 110mm front. Both versions of the bike are available in both the lower cost C carbon and the lighter, higher cost CC version.

If you buy one version of the bike and then are interested in switching to the other wheel size, you’re on your own as far as purchasing components: Santa Cruz isn’t offering and doesn’t plan to offer wheel/fork conversion kits. Also do note: if you’re planning to swap wheels but you don’t want to change the fork, Santa Cruz advises that compromising and going with a 150mm fork with 29er wheels is a much better option than using the 140mm fork with 27.5+ wheels–in fact, they strongly discourage the latter configuration.

Below are the various stock build kits that Santa Cruz is offering for the Hightower. If you’re interested in going frame-only, you can pick up a Hightower CC carbon frameset with RockShox Monarch RT3 shock for $2,899. As with their other bikes, the lower-cost C carbon frame isn’t available as a frame-only option.

27.5+ Models

With the 150mm fork installed and the geometry chip in the high position, the Hightower 27.5+ provides a 66.8-degree head tube angle and a 74.1-degree seat tube angle.

Build kit info and pricing, from Santa Cruz:

Hightower CC XX1 – $7,799

Santa Cruz CC Frameset, 135mm VPP Travel
SRAM XX1 Drivetrain / Race Face Next SL Crankset
RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air 150 Fork
RockShox Monarch RT3 Shock
Easton ARC 40/Industry Nine Hubs (110f/148r)
Maxxis Rekon 3C (f)/ Ikon (r) 27.5 x2.8 EXO TR
Weight: 27.18lbs

Hightower CC X01 – $6,499

Santa Cruz CC Frameset, 135mm VPP Travel
SRAM X01 Drivetrain / Race Face Turbine Crankset
RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air 150 Fork
RockShox Monarch RT3 Shock
Easton ARC 40/DT 350s Hubs (110f/148r)
Maxxis Rekon 3C (f)/ Ikon (r) 27.5 x2.8 EXO TR
Weight: 27.96lbs

Hightower C S – $4,599

Santa Cruz C Frameset, 135mm VPP Travel
SRAM GX1 Drivetrain / Race Face Aeffect Crankset
RockShox Pike RC Solo Air 150 Fork
RockShox Monarch RT Shock
Easton AR 40/SRAM MTH Hubs (110f/148r) 10
Maxxis Rekon 3C (f)/ Ikon (r) 27.5 x2.8 EXO TR
Weight: 29.67lbs

29er Models

With a 140mm fork installed and the shock set to the low setting, the 29er model provides a 67-degree head tube angle and a 74.3-degree seat tube angle.

Build kit info and pricing, from Santa Cruz:

Hightower CC XX1 – $7,799