Santa Cruz Hightower

After moving to Zurich, I unexpectedly found out that the city is ideally located for mountain biking. While I still was recovering from my broken collarbone, I went for a bike ride one evening with my city bike to Üetliberg and came across the Antenna Trail. I decided to ride it down, as it was getting dark, on a hardtail and rigid forks, and, again, with a half-functioning shoulder. That evening I decided to get back into mountain biking. I got a steel hardtail: an NS Bikes Eccentric. I had a lot of adventures on it. In the spring of 2017, I tried a Santa Cruz Bronson and a Hightower at the bike test day organized by Bikehub. The Bronson had 27.5" wheels and was closer to what I was used to, but I decided to go for the Hightower and its 29" wheels.

July 2017
July 2017
January 2018
January 2018
March 2018
March 2018
PartBrand / ModelDetails
FrameSanta Cruz Hightower
StemRace Face Turbine Basic
  • Reach: 35mm
  • Rise: ?
BarsRace Face Ride
  • 35x760mm
  • Lo-Rise
Front hubNovatec D541
  • Torque Cap
  • Holes: 32
  • 15x110mm
Rear hubNovatec D542
  • Holes: 32
  • 12x148mm
ForkRockShox Pike RC
  • Travel: 140mm
  • 3 position compression (open/pedal/firm)
ShockRockShox Monarch RT
  • Travel: 135mm?
  • 2 position compression (open/pedal)
Front rimRace Face AR 27
  • Holes: 32
  • Diameter: 29"
Rear rimRace Face AR 27
  • Holes: 32
  • Diameter: 29"
SpokesDT Swiss Champion
DerailleurSRAM GX11 speed
ShiftersSRAM GX11 speed
BrakesSRAM Guide R
RotorsAvid Centerline180mm (F/R)
CranksetRace Face Aeffect AL
  • Teeth: 30
  • Length: 175mm
CassetteSRAM XG115010-42t
ChainSome Shimano 11 speed
GripsSanta Cruz Palmdale
HeadsetCane Creek 40 IS
SeatpostRockshox Reverb Stealth31.6x170mm
SaddleWTB Volt Race
Front TireMaxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO TR29x2.3"
Rear TireMaxxis Minion DHR2 TR29x2.3"
August 2018
August 2018
January 2019
January 2019

I’m still not comfortable riding a carbon frame, always afraid I’m going to break it.

Hit on the chainstays on my first ride 🙈
Hit on the chainstays on my first ride 🙈