The Hightower is a mid-travel quiver-killer of a trail bike that sports 29-inch wheels and a balanced platform for descending and climbing. With new improvements significantly improving the Hightower's capability, we are confident this is one of our top bikes to choose from if we could only have one. Now featuring 150mm of VPP suspension and designed to be equipped with a 160mm fork, the Hightower sees a bump in travel and capability, now sitting alongside the Santa Cruz Bronson as the dedicated 29-inch wheel option in the aggressive trail/enduro category. For the fourth iteration of the Hightower, Santa Cruz pulled out all the stops, revamping its suspension system, modifying its geometry, and implementing new features to take our capability to new levels. The Hightower is now longer, and slacker, thanks to the new 64. 2-degree headtube angle in the high setting, and the longer size-specific chainstays balance our weight better by moving the weight bias to the bike's center for optimal stability. The relocated VPP pivots move the rear shock mount lower and more forward in the frame, reducing anti-squat characteristics for a plusher ride. The more active suspension throws down more traction, both climbing and descending, which leads to more efficiency all over the mountain. Carryover features on the Hightower 4 include a threaded bottom bracket, Glove box internal frame storage, chainstay and downtube protection, a geometry flip chip, and silent internal cable routing. The X0 Transmission build of the Santa Cruz Hightower 4 is loaded with quality components that excel all over the mountain. It is evident Santa Cruz didn't cut any corners equipping their builds, ensuring adequate tires with proper compounds and casings across all builds, and Fox's new damper technology and SRAM's new brakes on the middle to high-end builds for exceptional value. Santa Cruz's premium Carbon CC frame is at the heart of the build, sporting premium material makeup and made lighter thr...