The Santa Cruz Hightower C R 29 Mountain Bike features a lower-link mounted shock design, updated and adjustable geometry assembling some of the biggest design pleasers into one belter of a road-trip companion. The Hightower's VPP suspension has a lower-link-mounted shock that creates a nearly linear leverage curve, meaning it mops up bumps of all sizes and maintains progressivity. Its 145mm of rear travel is complemented by a 150mm front end that gives the Hightower just a bit more front and rear travel over the first-generation model. Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. The advanced composite chassis tracks well across all trail surfaces, holds a line, and is reactive to rider directions while isolating pedal-influenced inputs. The Hightower also has a bonus disc to heighten the experience: the flip chip. In the High setting, the BB height is a little higher for those tricky tech trails and/or when plus-sized tires are required. In the Low position the shock rate is more progressive, to provide additional bottom-out resistance. There is room for a water bottle inside the main frame and a threaded BB for convenience. It has a refined cable routing for better shifting performance, simpler installation, and no cable rub. On top of that, there is a tailgate shuttle guard, downtube protector, shock fender, and noise-canceling chainstay protector to keep things quiet.

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