Unveiling the New Santa Cruz Hightower 3: A Refinement of a Cult Classic

The latest iteration of the highly acclaimed Santa Cruz Hightower, the Hightower 3, has finally arrived. As expected, this refined version builds upon the success of its predecessors, offering subtle tweaks to geometry and suspension, along with practical improvements to the frame design. In essence, the Hightower 3 is an all-rounder trail bike that has been fine-tuned to be even more capable and user-friendly.

One of the most notable updates to the Hightower frame is the inclusion of Santa Cruz's innovative Glovebox storage system, which provides ample space for spares, tools, and other essentials. This feature was first introduced on the Megatower earlier this year and has proven to be a game-changer in terms of practicality and convenience.

The Hightower 3 features a refined lower-link shock tunnel design that allows the shock to be tucked away more efficiently than ever before. The door to the Glovebox is, as expected from Santa Cruz, beautifully crafted with CNC'd latch components and exudes sturdiness. Another clever detail that's new to this iteration is the shock window, which provides an additional level of accessibility to the suspension.

With its 145mm of rear travel and 150mm of front fork travel, the Hightower 3 is an ideal setup for trail enthusiasts who crave a bike that can handle various terrain types. This configuration allows riders to tackle technical sections with ease while still maintaining a comfortable pace on smoother trails. In essence, the Hightower 3 is the big-wheeled equivalent of the mixed-wheel Bronson.

The bike's components are equally impressive, featuring top-notch parts such as the RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost, Burgtec RideWide Alloy Bar handlebars, and Maxxis Minion DHR II tires. The Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset, SRAM DUB 68/73mm Threaded BB bottom bracket, and FOX 36 Float Performance fork ensure a smooth and stable ride.

In conclusion, the Santa Cruz Hightower 3 is an exceptional all-terrain bike that has been refined to perfection. Its versatility, durability, and practicality make it an ideal choice for riders who crave a do-it-all model that can handle various trail types with ease. Whether you're looking for a bike that can tackle extreme terrain or simply want something extremely good, the Hightower 3 is the perfect elevator ride.