Mountain Bikes · Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Hightower C S
£4,107
More affordable Hightower with the same VPP platform and carbon main frame.
Santa Cruz C Carbon Frame, Suspension & Components
| Brand | Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| Frame material | C Carbon |
| Gears | SRAM GX Eagle 12-Speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Code R 4-Piston |
| Suspension | Fox 36 Performance 150mm / Fox Float X Performance 145mm |
| Wheel size | 29-inch |
| Weight | 14.9 kg |
Where to buy
No current retailer offers for the Santa Cruz Hightower C S. Retailer prices and stock are added as they are verified.
Our Verdict: Rated 4.6/5
Santa Cruz Hightower C S from Santa Cruz is a trail mountain bike built around a C Carbon frame. More affordable Hightower with the same VPP platform and carbon main frame. Key strengths are VPP suspension, c carbon frame and same geometry as the flagship.
Specification summary: Fox 36 Performance 150mm / Fox Float X Performance 145mm suspension, 29-inch wheels, SRAM GX Eagle 12-Speed, SRAM Code R 4-Piston brakes, weight 14.9 kg, price £4,107. At £4,107 it is about 21 percent below the typical bike price in the database, and at 14.9 kg it is in line with the typical bike weight in the database. Trail bikes balance climbing efficiency and descending capability, with moderate-slack geometry and travel that suits most terrain.
Carbon frames offer a favourable stiffness-to-weight balance and can be tuned for compliance, though impact damage can be costly to repair. The 29-inch wheels roll over obstacles efficiently and carry momentum on rough ground. The mechanical 12-speed drivetrain offers simple, serviceable shifting with a wide gear range. Four-piston brakes provide stronger, more consistent stopping power for long descents.
Verdict: Santa Cruz Hightower C S scores strongly in this database with a 4.6 rating. It suits riders wanting Santa Cruz handling for less. Main caveat: heavier than CC builds.
How We Rate
How we rate
Every rating on Gear Matrix is published alongside the information it is based on, so you can judge the score for yourself rather than take it on trust.
Gear Matrix ratings are editorial assessments built from published manufacturer specifications and comparative specification data. They are not presented as the result of physical product testing. Where an article is based on a first look, a launch announcement or a press release, the article says so.
Weight-to-power on e-MTBs
Where a weight-to-power ratio is shown it is calculated from two manufacturer-declared figures: the bike’s weight in kilograms and the motor’s declared output. Both inputs are required before any ratio is displayed. We never estimate a missing value, and we never infer a figure from a different model in the range.
The full breakdown of rating criteria is being prepared and will be published on this page.