Santa Cruz Hightower: suspension setup & specs

Manufacturer data retrieved on 26 September 2026 · 9 builds · RRP €5,499 – €11,499 · Bike type: Full-suspension MTB

The Santa Cruz Hightower is an all-mountain bike with 160 mm of fork travel and 150 mm at the rear. Below you will find all 9 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.

Calculate the setup for your Santa Cruz Hightower →

All builds

Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29 / 29".

Build	Fork	Shock	Shock size	Rear travel	Weight	RRP	Calculator
70 2026	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float Rhythm	230x57.5	150 mm	15.7 kg	€5,499	Setup →
Deore 2027	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm (160 mm)	RockShox Deluxe Select+	230x57.5	150 mm	15.8 kg	€5,499	Setup →
R 2025	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float Rhythm	230x57.5	150 mm	15.6 kg	€5,499	Setup →
90 2026	FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Performance	230x57.5	150 mm	15.4 kg	€6,399	Setup →
S 2025	FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Performance	230x57.5	150 mm	15.2 kg	€6,399	Setup →
GX AXS 2026	FOX 36 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Performance Elite	230x57.5	150 mm	14.8 kg	€7,399	Setup →
X0 AXS 2025	Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Factory	230x57.5	150 mm	14.7 kg	€8,799	Setup →
X0 AXS RSV 2025	Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Factory	230x57.5	150 mm	14.6 kg	€9,999	Setup →
XX AXS RSV 2025	Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm (160 mm)	FOX Float X Factory	230x57.5	150 mm	14.4 kg	€11,499	Setup →

How it compares

160 mm at the fork almost exactly matches the 160 mm median of the 15 bikes in the “all-mountain bike” category in our database. The rear offers 150 mm, 10 mm less than the front. Within Santa Cruz’s mountain bikes, it sits between the Santa Cruz Tallboy and the Santa Cruz Megatower on travel. The frame is made of carbon.

Santa Cruz gives a weight of 14.4 kg for the XX AXS RSV 2025 build. Within the range, weight varies by 1.4 kg. At €5,499 for the 70 2026 build, pricing is typical for the category (median €5,500). The top build, XX AXS RSV 2025, costs €11,499. For suspension, Santa Cruz combines components from FOX and RockShox. The fork line-up ranges from the RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm to the Fox 36 Float Factory, Grip X2, 160mm.

Setup notes for this spec

Fork (RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
Rebound: on FOX and RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
Shock (FOX Float Rhythm): get on the bike in your normal riding position, step off carefully and read the O-ring. Always cycle the shock a few times after pumping.

Target SAG for the Santa Cruz Hightower

SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Santa Cruz take priority.

160 mm fork, 57.5 mm shock stroke (all builds)

Riding style	Fork SAG	Shock SAG
XC / touring	17 % = 27 mm	24 % = 13.8 mm on the shock shaft
Trail	20 % = 32 mm	28 % = 16.1 mm on the shock shaft
Enduro / rough	22 % = 35 mm	30 % = 17.2 mm on the shock shaft
Bike park	20 % = 32 mm	27 % = 15.5 mm on the shock shaft

How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.

Tyre pressure starting values

For 2.50″ wide tyres, tubeless with a trail casing. With an inner tube about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi) more, with an insert about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less. Stock tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO / Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+; Maxxis Minion DHF 29"x2.5"WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO / Maxxis Minion DHR II 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, 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 and shock

You will find a suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion (or on the shock) 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.

Note: all values without guarantee. Specification can vary by model year, frame size and market – if in doubt, the type plate, the manual and Santa Cruz’s information apply. Never exceed maximum pressures.