Santa Cruz Highball: suspension setup & specs
The Santa Cruz Highball is a cross-country hardtail with 100 mm of fork travel. Here you will find all 4 current builds with fork, plus matching SAG and tyre pressure starting values.
Calculate the setup for your Santa Cruz Highball →
All builds
Fork, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R 2025 | RockShox Sid SL Base, 100mm, w/ 2-Position Remote (100 mm) | 11.3 kg | €3,799 | Setup → |
| S 2025 | RockShox Sid SL Select+, 3-Position, 100mm, w/Remote (100 mm) | 10.7 kg | €4,499 | Setup → |
| GX AXS 2025 | RockShox Sid SL Select+, 3-Position, 100mm, w/Remote (100 mm) | 10.5 kg | €5,299 | Setup → |
| X0 AXS RSV 2025 | RockShox SID SL Ultimate, 3-Position, 100mm, w/ Remote (100 mm) | 10.2 kg | €9,699 | Setup → |
How it compares
100 mm at the fork almost exactly matches the 100 mm median of the 46 bikes in the “cross-country hardtail” category in our database. Among Santa Cruz’s mountain bikes, the Santa Cruz Highball has the shortest fork travel. The frame is made of carbon.
10.2 kg for the X0 AXS RSV 2025 build puts the Santa Cruz Highball mid-pack on weight (median: 10.0 kg). Within the range, weight varies by 1.1 kg. With a starting price of €3,799 (R 2025), the Santa Cruz Highball is above the category median (€1,450). The top build, X0 AXS RSV 2025, costs €9,699. Every build uses a RockShox fork. The fork line-up ranges from the RockShox Sid SL Base, 100mm, w/ 2-Position Remote to the RockShox SID SL Ultimate, 3-Position, 100mm, w/ Remote.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (RockShox Sid SL Base, 100mm, w/ 2-Position Remote): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
- Rebound: turn the red RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Hardtail: without rear suspension, rear tyre pressure largely decides comfort and traction – it is worth testing in 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) steps.
Target SAG for the Santa Cruz Highball
Instead of percentages, this table gives SAG directly in millimetres, measurable with the O-ring on the stanchion. Change the pressure step by step until you reach the value; if Santa Cruz gives its own target SAG, use that.
100 mm fork (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 17 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 20 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 22 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 20 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
Basis: 2.35″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing. If you run tubes, add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi); with an insert, about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less is enough. Stock tyres: Maxxis Rekon Race 29"x2.35", EXO / Maxxis Rekon Race 29"x2.35", EXO.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork
You will find a suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion or in the suspension manufacturers’ setup charts. Our calculator gives you a starting value including rebound for your weight and riding style. What matters afterwards is the measured SAG from the table above.