The Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C 2026 continues to define the modern trail bike category, blending all-terrain capability with refined geometry and class-leading suspension performance. Designed for riders who want one bike to do it all, the latest Hightower delivers confidence on technical descents while remaining efficient and responsive on climbs. It’s a true do-it-all platform that thrives across varied trail conditions.
For 2026, the Hightower retains its proven 29er setup paired with 160mm front and 150mm rear travel, driven by Santa Cruz’s renowned VPP™ suspension system. The result is a bike that feels planted and composed when the trail gets rough, yet remains lively and efficient when putting power down. Whether you're charging downhill sections or spinning up long climbs, the Hightower maintains exceptional balance and control.
The Carbon C frame is engineered with real-world riding in mind. Practical features include clearance for a water bottle, integrated in-frame storage for tools and essentials, and clean internal cable routing for a quiet, premium ride feel. It’s built for long days in the saddle, where reliability and usability matter just as much as outright performance.
Positioned perfectly within the Santa Cruz lineup, the Hightower strikes a balance between the aggressive, long-travel Megatower and the lighter, more XC-focused Tallboy. It offers more stability and confidence than the Tallboy on demanding terrain, while remaining more agile and versatile than the Megatower. For riders seeking a capable trail bike that excels everywhere, the Hightower sits firmly in the sweet spot.
The Carbon C construction delivers the same geometry, stiffness, and ride quality as Santa Cruz’s premium CC frames, using a slightly different carbon layup to provide outstanding durability and value. Backed by Santa Cruz’s lifetime frame warranty and lifetime linkage bearing replacement, the Hightower Carbon C 2026 is built for years of dependable performance on any trail.
SIZING -
- S - 5'2"+
- M - 5'5"+
- L - 5'9"+
- XL - 6'1"+
- XXL - 6'3"+
Specifications
-
Discipline Trail/Bikepark
-
Material Carbon C
-
Front Travel 160mm
-
Rear Travel 150mm
-
Wheel Size MX
-
Warranty Lifetime (frame)
Fork - RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm
Shock - FOX Float Rhythm, 230x57.5
Rear Derailleur - SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Shifter - SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Crankset - SRAM 70 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Cassette - SRAM XS 1270 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain - SRAM 70 Eagle, 12spd
Brakes - SRAM DB8
Rotors - SRAM Centerline 200mm
Handlebars - Burgtec Alloy Bar S: 35x760mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 30mm Rise -or- e13 TRS Base Bar
Stem - OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm -or- e13 TRS Base Stem All Sizes: 40mm
Grips - Santa Cruz House Grips
Headset - FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB or Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated
Seatpost - SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6
Saddle - SDG Bel-Air V3, Steel
Front Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHF 29”x2.5”WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Rear Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHR II 29”x2.4”, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Front Hub - SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h
Rear Hub - SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h
Rims - Reserve 30|TR AL
-
Discipline Trail/Bikepark
-
Material Carbon C
-
Front Travel 160mm
-
Rear Travel 150mm
-
Wheel Size MX
-
Warranty Lifetime (frame)
Fork - FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm
Shock - FOX Float X Performance, 230x57.5
Rear Derailleur - SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Shifter - SRAM 90 Eagle, 12spd
Crankset - SRAM 90 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Cassette - SRAM XS 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain - SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd
Brakes - SRAM Maven Base
Rotors - SRAM HS2 200mm/180mm
Handlebars - OneUp Aluminum Bar S: 35x760mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 35mm Rise
Stem - OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm
Grips - Santa Cruz House Grips
Headset - FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB or Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated
Seatpost - OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 S: 150mm, M: 180m, L/XL: 210mm, XXL: 240mm
Saddle - SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy
Front Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHF 29”x2.5”WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Rear Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHR II 29”x2.4”, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Front Hub - SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h
Rear Hub - SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h
Rims - Reserve 30|TR AL
Hightower Carbon C 2026
Order within [time] for delivery by [date]
90 Day Returns
The Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C 2026 continues to define the modern trail bike category, blending all-terrain capability with refined geometry and class-leading suspension performance. Designed for riders who want one bike to do it all, the latest Hightower delivers confidence on technical descents while remaining efficient and responsive on climbs. It’s a true do-it-all platform that thrives across varied trail conditions.
For 2026, the Hightower retains its proven 29er setup paired with 160mm front and 150mm rear travel, driven by Santa Cruz’s renowned VPP™ suspension system. The result is a bike that feels planted and composed when the trail gets rough, yet remains lively and efficient when putting power down. Whether you're charging downhill sections or spinning up long climbs, the Hightower maintains exceptional balance and control.
The Carbon C frame is engineered with real-world riding in mind. Practical features include clearance for a water bottle, integrated in-frame storage for tools and essentials, and clean internal cable routing for a quiet, premium ride feel. It’s built for long days in the saddle, where reliability and usability matter just as much as outright performance.
Positioned perfectly within the Santa Cruz lineup, the Hightower strikes a balance between the aggressive, long-travel Megatower and the lighter, more XC-focused Tallboy. It offers more stability and confidence than the Tallboy on demanding terrain, while remaining more agile and versatile than the Megatower. For riders seeking a capable trail bike that excels everywhere, the Hightower sits firmly in the sweet spot.
The Carbon C construction delivers the same geometry, stiffness, and ride quality as Santa Cruz’s premium CC frames, using a slightly different carbon layup to provide outstanding durability and value. Backed by Santa Cruz’s lifetime frame warranty and lifetime linkage bearing replacement, the Hightower Carbon C 2026 is built for years of dependable performance on any trail.
SIZING -
- S - 5'2"+
- M - 5'5"+
- L - 5'9"+
- XL - 6'1"+
- XXL - 6'3"+
Specifications
-
Discipline Trail/Bikepark
-
Material Carbon C
-
Front Travel 160mm
-
Rear Travel 150mm
-
Wheel Size MX
-
Warranty Lifetime (frame)
Fork - RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm
Shock - FOX Float Rhythm, 230x57.5
Rear Derailleur - SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Shifter - SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Crankset - SRAM 70 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Cassette - SRAM XS 1270 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain - SRAM 70 Eagle, 12spd
Brakes - SRAM DB8
Rotors - SRAM Centerline 200mm
Handlebars - Burgtec Alloy Bar S: 35x760mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 30mm Rise -or- e13 TRS Base Bar
Stem - OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm -or- e13 TRS Base Stem All Sizes: 40mm
Grips - Santa Cruz House Grips
Headset - FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB or Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated
Seatpost - SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6
Saddle - SDG Bel-Air V3, Steel
Front Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHF 29”x2.5”WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Rear Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHR II 29”x2.4”, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Front Hub - SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h
Rear Hub - SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h
Rims - Reserve 30|TR AL
-
Discipline Trail/Bikepark
-
Material Carbon C
-
Front Travel 160mm
-
Rear Travel 150mm
-
Wheel Size MX
-
Warranty Lifetime (frame)
Fork - FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm
Shock - FOX Float X Performance, 230x57.5
Rear Derailleur - SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd
Shifter - SRAM 90 Eagle, 12spd
Crankset - SRAM 90 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t All Sizes: 170mm
Cassette - SRAM XS 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t
Chain - SRAM GX Eagle, 12spd
Brakes - SRAM Maven Base
Rotors - SRAM HS2 200mm/180mm
Handlebars - OneUp Aluminum Bar S: 35x760mm, 20mm Rise, M/L/XL/XXL: 35x800mm, 35mm Rise
Stem - OneUp Enduro Stem All Sizes: 42mm
Grips - Santa Cruz House Grips
Headset - FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB or Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated
Seatpost - OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 S: 150mm, M: 180m, L/XL: 210mm, XXL: 240mm
Saddle - SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy
Front Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHF 29”x2.5”WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO
Rear Tyre - Maxxis Minion DHR II 29”x2.4”, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+
Front Hub - SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h
Rear Hub - SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h
Rims - Reserve 30|TR AL