2022 Santa Cruz Hightower 2
Everything you love compiled into one.
Everything you've ever loved on a bike comes on the Hightower. A lower-link mounted shock design, updated geometry, more maneuverability. A nearly linear leverage curve, more front and rear travel, and a slacker head tube angle. The list goes on. There's balanced stiffness and saved weight in all the right places, all thanks to the advanced carbon frame.
The BB height is higher for especially tricky trails or when you're using plus size tires. The low position shock rate is more progressive too, so you have more bottom-out resistance. Wherever you are and whatever you want to tackle, this Santa Cruz is always ready.
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Available Colors
2022 Santa Cruz Hightower 2 in Matte Melon
2022 Santa Cruz Hightower 2 in Gloss Carbon
| Kit | D | R | S | R | S | XT | X01 | X01 AXS RSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3549USD | $3999USD | $4899USD | $4949USD | $5949USD | $6949USD | $8049USD | $9849USD |
| Weight | 15.92kg / 35.1lbs | 15.48kg / 34.13lbs | 15.49kg / 34.15lbs | 14.53kg / 32.03lbs | 14.54kg / 32.04lbs | 14.53kg / 32.02lbs | 13.7kg / 30.2lbs | 13.75kg / 30.31lbs |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Carbon C | Carbon C | Carbon C | Carbon CC | Carbon CC |
| Fork | RockShox 35 Gold RL, 150mm, 29" | RockShox Yari RC, 150mm, 29" | FOX 36 Float Performance, 150mm, 29" | RockShox Yari RC, 150mm, 29" | FOX 36 Float Performance, 150mm, 29" | FOX 36 Float Performance Elite, 150mm, 29" | FOX 36 Float Factory, 150mm, 29" | FOX 36 Float Factory, 150mm, 29" |
| Shock | FOX Float Performance DPS | FOX Float Performance DPS | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ | FOX Float Performance DPS | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd | Shimano XT M8100, 12spd | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd | SRAM X01 Eagle AXS, 12spd |
| Shifters | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd | Shimano XT M8100, 12spd | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX AXS Controller |
| Crankset | SRAM X1 Eagle DUB, 30t | SRAM Descendant Eagle DUB 30t | SRAM GX Eagle 148 DUB, 30t | SRAM Descendant Eagle DUB 30t | SRAM GX Eagle 148 DUB, 30t | Shimano XT M8120 30t | SRAM X1 Eagle DUB, 30t | SRAM X1 Eagle DUB, 30t |
| Cassette | SRAM PG1210, 12spd, 11-50t | SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t | SRAM XG1275 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t | SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t | SRAM XG1275 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t | Shimano XT M8100, 12spd, 10-51t | SRAM XG1295 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t | SRAM XG1295 Eagle, 12spd, 10-50t |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd | Shimano XT, 12spd | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12spd |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB 68/73mm | SRAM DUB 68/73mm | SRAM DUB 68/73mm | SRAM DUB 68/73mm | SRAM DUB 68/73mm | Shimano XT 68/73mm | SRAM DUB 68/73mm | SRAM DUB 68/73mm |
| Brakes | SRAM Guide T | SRAM G2 R | SRAM Code R | SRAM G2 R | SRAM Code R | Shimano XT 8120 | SRAM Code RSC | SRAM Code RSC |
| Brake Rotors | Avid Centerline 180mm | Avid Centerline 180mm | Avid Centerline 180mm | Avid Centerline 180mm | Avid Centerline 180mm | Shimano XT RT86, Ice Tech, 180mm | Avid Centerline 180mm | Avid Centerline 180mm |
| Headset | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated |
| Bars | RaceFace Aeffect R | RaceFace Aeffect R | Burgtec Alloy Bar, 800mm, 30mm Rise | RaceFace Aeffect R | Burgtec Alloy Bar, 800mm, 30mm Rise | Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar, 800mm, 35mm Rise | Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar, 800mm, 35mm Rise | Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar, 800mm, 35mm Rise |
| Stem | RaceFace Ride | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42.5mm |
| Grips | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar | Santa Cruz House Grips or Burgtec Bartender Pro Grip Minnaar |
| Front Hub | SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h | SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h | DT Swiss 370, 15x110, 6 bolt, 28h or E13 SL, 15x110, 6 bolt, 28h | SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h | DT Swiss 370, 15x110, 6 bolt, 28h or E13 SL, 15x110, 6 bolt, 28h | Industry Nine 1/1, 110x15, 6 Bolt, 28h | Industry Nine 1/1, 110x15, 6 Bolt, 28h | Industry Nine 1/1, 110x15, 6 Bolt, 28h |
| Rear Hub | SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h | SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h | DT Swiss 370, 12x148, XD, 28h or E13 SL, 12x148, XD, 28h | SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h | DT Swiss 370, 12x148, XD, 28h or E13 SL, 12x148, XD, 28h | Industry Nine 1/1, 148x12, Microspline, 6 Bolt, 28h | Industry Nine 1/1, 148x12, XD, 6 Bolt, 28h | Industry Nine 1/1, 148x12, XD, 6 Bolt, 28h |
| Rims | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29" | RaceFace AR Offset 30 29" Rims | RaceFace AR Offset 30 29" Rims | RaceFace AR Offset 30 29" | RaceFace AR Offset 30 29" | RaceFace ARC Offset 30 29" Rims | RaceFace ARC Offset 30 29" | Reserve 30 29" Carbon |
| Rim Options | Reserve 30 Carbon Rim | |||||||
| Spokes | Sapim Race | Sapim Race | Sapim Race | Sapim Race | Sapim Race | Sapim Race | Sapim Race | Sapim D-light |
| Front Tire | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO, TR |
| Rear Tire | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra | Maxxis Minion DHR 29"x2.4", 3C, EXO, MaxxTerra |
| Tubes | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant | Stan's Sealant |
| Seat Post | SDG Tellis | SDG Tellis | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6 or Race Face Aeffect | SDG Tellis | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6 or Race Face Aeffect | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6 or OneUp Dropper V2 | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6 or OneUp Dropper V2 | RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6 or OneUp Dropper V2 |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Comp Saddle or WTB | WTB Silverado Race Saddle or WTB Volt | WTB Silverado Pro Saddle or WTB Volt | WTB Silverado Race Saddle or WTB Volt | WTB Silverado Pro Saddle or WTB Volt | WTB Silverado Medium Cromoly SL Fusion Saddle or WTB Volt | WTB Silverado Team Saddle or WTB Volt | WTB Silverado Team Saddle or WTB Volt |
Highlighted Features of the 2022 Santa Cruz Hightower 2
FOX Float Performance DPS
VPP Suspension
Different Frame Materials
Internal Cable Routing
High
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 428mm | 453mm | 473mm | 493mm | 518mm |
| Stack | 601mm | 610mm | 619mm | 637mm | 660mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° |
| Seat Tube Length | 380mm | 405mm | 430mm | 460mm | 500mm |
| Front Center | 745mm | 774mm | 798mm | 827mm | 862mm |
| BB Height | 344mm | 344mm | 344mm | 344mm | 344mm |
| BB Drop | 29mm | 29mm | 29mm | 29mm | 29mm |
| Wheelbase | 1178mm | 1207mm | 1231mm | 1260mm | 1301mm |
| Rear Center | 433mm | 433mm | 433mm | 433mm | 439mm |
| Head Tube Length | 90mm | 100mm | 110mm | 130mm | 155mm |
| Top Tube Length | 566mm | 594mm | 618mm | 645mm | 679mm |
| Seat Tube Angle | 77.1° | 77.0° | 76.8° | 76.6° | 76.3° |
| Standover Height | 704mm | 718mm | 717mm | 718mm | 709mm |
Low
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 425mm | 450mm | 470mm | 490mm | 515mm | |
| Stack | 603mm | 612mm | 621mm | 639mm | 662mm | |
| Head Tube Angle | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.2° | 65.2° | |
| Seat Tube Length | 380mm | 405mm | 430mm | 460mm | 500mm | |
| Front Center | 745mm | 774mm | 798mm | 827mm | 862mm | |
| BB Height | 340mm | 340mm | 340mm | 340mm | 340mm | |
| BB Drop | 33mm | 33mm | 33mm | 33mm | 33mm | |
| Wheelbase | 1179mm | 1208mm | 1232mm | 1261mm | 1296mm | |
| Rear Center | 434mm | 434mm | 434mm | 434mm | 440mm | |
| Head Tube Length | 90mm | 100mm | 110mm | 130mm | 155mm | |
| Top Tube Length | 567mm | 596mm | 619mm | 646mm | 680mm | |
| Seat Tube Angle | 76.7° | 76.6° | 76.5° | 76.3° | 76.0° | |
| Standover Height | 699mm | 713mm | 713mm | 713mm | 704mm |
Frequently Asked Questions
2022 Santa Cruz Hightower 2
41mm upper and 52mm lower headset cups. The SHIS name is IS 41/28.6 IS 52/40.
The geometry is based on a 150mm fork with a 42 or 44mm offset. You shouldn't have less travel than that because the BB would get too low. You can have 160mm if that's your preference.
There's a flip chip on the link where the shock mounts. Remove the lower shock bolt and flip the chip to the setting you want.
You can fit most shocks with some exceptions. Santa Cruz recommends Rockshox Super Deluxe, Deluxe, Fox DPX2, and Fox Float DPS. Fox Float X2, Cane Creek DB Air, and all coil shocks are not compatible.
It varies by the make and model of the tire. The max size is generally 29x2.4". Some 2.5" tires work, but not all.
You should try both, but start in low. If you're hitting the pedals too much, switch to high.
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