![]() ![]() The product range of the new Hightower 3 includes four C-grade carbon models, two CC-grade carbon models and a frame kit. Tuning tip: bigger rotors | tires with thicker casings to protect the carbon rims Other builds and availability of the 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower 3 The cockpit consists of a 42 mm Burgtec stem combined with an 800 mm wide in-house carbon handlebar. Therefore, however, maintaining or doing any work on the dropper is a bit more of a chore. Thanks to the hydraulic mechanism, it requires very little force to actuate and the pressure point feels pleasantly defined. In size L, the bike comes specced with a 175 mm RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post which can be inserted all the way into the frame, offering maximum freedom of movement. The added weight is insignificant given the advantages regarding modulation and reliability thanks to the optimised heat dissipation. We would recommend upgrading to a bigger 200 mm rotor at least at the front, but preferably also at the rear. These don’t do justice to the bike’s potential and overheat very quickly on steep descents. However, Santa Cruz pair the brakes with small 180 mm rotors front and rear. The SRAM CODE RS brakes feature tool-free lever reach adjustment and SwingLink technology to reduce the force required for braking, resulting in less arm pump. What you won’t be able to read from the model name is the components specced for the dropper post, brakes and cockpit. The Reserve carbon rims are unmistakable. The in-house Fillmore valves don’t rely on your standard, removable valve core, so they’re less prone to clogging up when topping up with sealant. The MaxxGrip rubber compound provides lots of grip up front, even on wet roots and rocks. We highly recommend upgrading to the more robust EXO+ or Doubledown casing to be able to run lower tire pressures and avoid damaging the rims. Unfortunately, higher tire pressures come at the expense of grip and damping. However, both tires have to make do with the thin EXO casing, requiring you to run high tire pressures to protect the expensive carbon rims. The rims are shod with 2.4″ MAXXIS Minion DHR II tires, with the front tire sensibly featuring the softest MaxxGrip rubber compound. These come fitted with Reserve Fillmore valves as standard, which proved to be very useful in our long-term review. RSV describes the in-house Reserve carbon wheels with their distinct reinforcing around the nipples. ![]() The GX AXS stands for the SRAM groupset, consisting of a wireless GX AXS 12-speed drivetrain and robust aluminium cranks. The cryptic GX AXS RSV model name hints at the components of this build. One of the innovations includes a small cut-out in the frame, making it a lot easier to check the sag reading on the shock. … with the 145 mm travel at the rear, which gets managed by a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock. The 150 mm travel FOX 36 Performance Elite fork pairs well… That way, setting up the shock is a lot less fiddly – great! The small cut-out in the frame for the sag indicator on the RockShox shock is very useful. In addition, the shock also has a lockout lever for the climbs. Its adjustment options are rather limited: air pressure and rebound, that’s it. At the rear, you get a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock. Up front, you get a FOX 36 Performance Elite fork offering 150 mm travel without the gold Kashima coating, though with the same extensive adjustment options and performance as the more expensive Factory model. By now, the brand’s preferred combination of suspension components could almost be considered a tradition and they’re not about to break it here. Santa Cruz rely predominantly on SRAM and FOX components for the € 9,199 GX AXS RSV build, paired with a host of in-house solutions. The components of the 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower 3 C GX AXS RSV on test It promises the same stiffness at a lower weight and fewer carbon layers. The latter doesn’t stand for cross-country it’s just the designation used for their high-end carbon fibre. As usual, Santa Cruz also offer the Hightower in two different carbon grades: C and CC. That way the shock stays clean and the rear end remains quiet. ![]()
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