Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower Carbon 27.5+ S Complete Mountain Bike 2017

The 2017 Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon 27. 5 S Complete Mountain Bike inherits the same long, low geometry and unique flip chip shock mount found in its more expensive Carbon CC sibling to bring rowdy versatility at a less shocking price point. Boost axles bump up the stiffness, which means it climbs like a trail bike and blasts through all manner of terrain like an all mountain shredder. That flip chip adds the versatility to be converted to run as a 29er with minimal impact to the geometry, but the combination of Boost axles, SRAM componentry, plush yet grippy 2. 8in tires, aggressively stubby chainstays, a long reach, and a decidedly slack head tube is a stellar combination that you may never be tempted to change.As with the ability to swap wheel sizes, the Hightower's mid range, 5. 3in travel belies its true nature. Though its travel and wheel clearance may initially inspire comparisons with the more moderate 5010 or the Tallboy LT, Santa Cruz instead encourages us to think of it as the Bronson's taller brother. Yep, that Bronson. The 27. 5 Hightower's 66. 8 degree head tube angle, generous tire clearance, and reworked Virtual Pivot Point suspension all mean that it's capable of cleaning lines that would make the steep angled Tallboy stop in its tracks.Santa Cruz is so intent on proving the Hightower's outsized merit over rock gardens that it bypassed the Bronson and went straight to the 6. 5in Nomad for suspension inspiration. Besides the obvious big hit benefits, one result of this is that the link stays out of the way, which may be why the Hightower can accommodate a piggyback shock and a bottle cage yet one more indication that the Hightower isn't just for XC hardpack or enduro shuttle loops. The Hightower's two triangles are joined by the latest generation of VPP suspension. SC refers to it in house as VPP3, but it's essentially the same VPP we know and love with the Nomad inspired updates mentioned above. A repositioned lower link now shelters ab...