10 Things I LOVE/HATE about my Santacruz Hightower LT
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- Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
- All my thoughts after 2 months with my Hightower LT. It's some bike!
If you like my channel and fancy helping support it, feel free to drop a wee donation my way which will go towards making more content:
paypal.me/bencathro
MANY THANKS! :)
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My sponsors: Santacruz, Continental Tyres, Flotec Suspension, Royal Racing, 7 Protection, Muc Off, Nukeproof Horizon, Stans Notubes, KS Suspension, Mudhugger.
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My mountain bike coaching company: Sick Skills
WEBSITE: www.SickSkills.co.uk
FACEBOOK: / sickskillsmtb
INSTAGRAM: / sickskillsmtb
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Ben Cathro
FACEBOOK: / bencathro
INSTAGRAM: / ben_cathro
UA-cam: / bencathro
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Ben's Bikes:
DOWNHILL
Santacruz V10 with custom build
Fox 40 Float forks with X2 shock
Sram Guide brakes
Shimano Saint drivetrain
Hope Pro 4 hubs on Stans Flow mkIII rims
Continental Der Kaiser Black Chilli Tyres at 28 and 25 psi.
ENDURO
Santacruz Hightower LT CC XXL - goo.gl/meo3ho
Fox 36 forks with DPX2 shock - goo.gl/d1vnhA, goo.gl/sEfdPv
Continental Der Kaiser and Der Baron Projekt Black Chilli Tyres - goo.gl/oGURI3, goo.gl/tJZ1QL
MudHugger Race - goo.gl/6mvWQd
Stans Notubes Flow S1 - goo.gl/ry6NGG
KS Integra 175mm Dropper - goo.gl/dUFnYb
Nukeproof Horizon Bars - goo.gl/6XMqMM
Nukeproof Horizon Pedals - goo.gl/3ePL4E
Nukeproof Neutron Stem - goo.gl/Qu3iuv
Nukeproof Horizon Saddle - goo.gl/6PpPbv
OneUp Components Bash Guide - goo.gl/xJai9o
Shimano SLX Drivetrain - goo.gl/3bCeNo
Sram Guide RE Brakes - amzn.to/2jYDvvw
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Hey everyone, realised I made a mistake. I said it cost “ME” £5000 odd pounds but I meant to say it would cost “YOU” that much to buy the exact same build. I got this bike for closer to £1000 thanks to my generous sponsors.
Everything else is factual and correct... I hope.
Cheers 🍻
where did you get the orange frame stickers from? is there a website?
Made them.
Most get them from Slik Graphics
Hey Ben, sounds a mis-speaking on 5:56... as basing on frame, u got a MY18 mounting radial bearings. Accordingly 2017 and prev was adopting angular bearings: goo.gl/8dg5nG right?
I came to the conclusion that my MY18 Bronson was equipped with angular bearings instead of radial ones, got a replace from SC ;)
The actual bearings are free. The fitting isn't.
The best and most real mtb youtuber out there. It's always so entertaining
Harris Matthews Agee Iv only just started watching his videos and they are great always entertaining!
Nice work Ben. The climbing 'overdramatisation' was both hilarious and demonstrated perfectly why steep seat angles are better, for tall guys in particular. Very well done.
UA-cam'rs THIS is how you do a review!!! ! And Thank you for saying you don't understand the term "mid stroke support!!!!" I'm so tired of over used catch phases! My first time to your channel just subbed! Well done!
Much appreciated! Can’t stand the biased reviews and opinions out there. I figure no one will trust what you say unless your honest. 🤘
I find mid stroke support to be one of the more important things when I look for a bike :). It's basically that you have a leverage curve that that transitions from a high leverage ratio (easy to compress ) in the beginning of the stroke to a lower leverage ratio (harder to compress) in the mid part of the stroke. This makes the bike poppy and responsive when pumping, which I find nice. SC VPP bikes usually have an opposite leverage curve shape, which means they usually run better with a little more sag (so that you use the ramping part of the leverage curve more) and are a good match for a coil shock. The Hightower LT has slightly less of the dramatic increase in leverage ratio when going from initial to mid stroke, and about the same amount of ramping from mid to end stroke as the old HT :)
Ben Cathro ☝️
Me and my 9 year old son are very new to mountain biking and came across your videos last week. We’ve been watching them whenever we can and have to say they are awesome. Keep doing what yer doing big man and this channel will be huge 👍
quick and simple explanation of a quite nice bike. Well done Ben!.
Really the best review of the HTLT. I recently got the 2019 and what a bike. Amazing.
What a solid review! So much better than many out there. By the way, I just got my 2019 Hightower LT. Can't wait to ride it 😊
Love how you wrote the numbers on your hand haha. Something I’d do. Great video by the way !
Love the balanced review. Subscribed.
awesome review Ben, keep it up
Love the editing and truthfulness in this video. Also 6'7! Jesus man you could be on a XXL
It is an XXL.
Thanks Ben...awesome recap
Thanks great vid again! Like it that you put the negatives out there we face as taller riders!! I am searching for a suitable bike here in Oz but there are simply NO demos available. The search continues.
Good hunting 👍
Hey man just love your video and the points you bring up, and the way that you presented it, and all the excellent video editing! You just earned my sub!
And believe me you do make some very intelligent, important and insightful observations about this beautiful bicycle!
awesome review, I am planning to buy one at the end of this summer and I was a bit worry about the ergonomics due to the fact that I am as tall as you, 2m or 6.7. This video build my confidence and I am sure this will be the final choice. Thanx for this review!
Hey Ben I’d love to see a video of winter riding tips. Tips on riding snow and mud would be excellent for us folks who don’t have a ton of experience in those conditions.
Haha, it would be a quick vid. “There’s less grip so doing everything exactly the same but a little slower” 😂. I joke, there’s def a few little things you can do, will add it to the vid list.
Hey Ben,
I really have enjoyed your channel as of late, because I just came across it recently Currently my son is a BMX racer here in the states, but is eyeing either starting to race DH or XC. We have gleaned some. great information from your channel, so thanks and great work. Love the colors on your new bike!!! My son’s 2018 bike has a similar color scheme. We built up a Pro XXL C-YAA frame, that is orange with black and white graphics. Then we put on black semi-gloss components. Looks great too.
Love this Clip! I am finding that I ride better with bikes with Longer Chain Stays. The Bike is more stable and easier to climb, and it is easier to weight the front tire on the downs and flats with a longer chain stay, thereby having more control of the bike. Also, exactly like you pointed out, with the shorter chain stays, and longer front triangle, the seat tube even needs to be steeper to get that front end down! I am thinking 76 degrees minimum.
Hey Ben, thanks for this video, and the build video.
This helped me decide that I wanted the Hightower LT as well.
Had mine built up this summer.
What might be nice for you to do; a follow up video on how the bike performs.
This guy is the guy Martin of mountain bikes and I fricken love him. You have big future keep it up!!
Now if that doesn't build up a perceivable level of excitement for race days I don't know what will ;) Can't wait for the season to start. Excellent Ben. Si.
The best review of SC HT lt so far. It is so concrete. No marketing shit but honest and just.
No point being biased, I’d just be copying everyone else then 😂.
Nice video Ben!!
Brilliant video Ben, get yourself down to the lakes sometime.....
Great review mate.
Absolutely LOVE your videos :)
8:01 - 8:20 holy moly that was steezy!
Cheers dude, gave it maximum tweakers.
Subbed! Glad I found your channel as i'm 6'5 and wondering what bike I should get (once I save up). Great review ✌
Hey Ben ! It looks like Santa Cruz listened to you !! I was re watching this review yesterday , and the next day SC officially released the Megatower 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥🔥 🔥🔥 🔥🔥 🔥🔥 🔥🔥 🔥
Nice video, well done!
Looks like your hand is recovered...sweet!
Some of those shots hurt it a bit but it’s nearly all good.
thanks for this one mate, actually made me laugh, legend
As someone that is 6'7" (2m) as well. You sold me on this bike. I want one now.
It’s a prime machine.
At 6'6" too I think this might be next
Good info; thanks. Test rode one today. Gonna git wun.
I own a regular ht with the flip chip. I run it on high... meaning steeper ht and my weight is over the front . Cool that you noticed that somewhat light front end because of geometry.
I ran my Hightower with a 55mm stroke shock and flip chip on high with 160mm forks. Tuned to the moon.
Refreshingly honest review from a sponsored rider. Have you tried any of the new long geometry bikes? It'd be very interesting to see a face-off with your SC and something longer at both ends.
that you can wheelie and manual with that much steeze at your size gives me hope. all around riding steeze actually. though i'll never come close, it's a target to aspire to.
This was great!
This was a really good video.
Another huge plus of Santa Cruz: they have never and will never install a press fit bottom bracket on a mountain bike.
Preach 👌🙏
Got three bikes with these brackets and I’ve been very impressed with them !compared to previous designs , so I must be very lucky🤔🤔
Another huge plus of santa cruz man! they have to put those on by hand, and it likely costs the consumer an extra $2,000 so kewl santa cruz! so kewl!
He has his tidy Santa Cruz and am still here back in 2014 on my nukeproof... still love my bike more than my mum tho ❤️
As long as it rips!
I feel your pain with the seat tube angle. I'm only 5'11" but even a large, by the time my seat height is correct, is putting me too far back behind the bottom bracket.
UK's Phil Kmetz . Lovin your stuff Ben
I'm on the sidelines healing up a shoulder rebuild 🚳, catching up on MTB vids,... particularly the 'slice of 🥧.....great stuff!
I'm 6'5" and can't seem to get comfortable out past 565-570mm
Reach. Love low and slack(65degrees)but not the super long. Hoping to pick your brain a bit about the matter. Not alot of basketball sized high-skilled shredders out there to gain insight from. What say you Big Ben?
Keep up the great vids and race coverage 👍
Hi Cathro,
there is a difference between actual and virtual STA. The problem is, when you have a lot of rear travel, you have to have room for the wheel when shock compresses. Thats probably why POLE has only 140mm and very long chainstay to achieve steep seat angle. Also new 29" Capra looks promising (not only) in this area. Keep goin' boy.
But the wheel will usually touch near the top of the seat tube so wouldn’t a steeper one give the rear wheel more room?
You could put offset bushings in your shock to slacken it😊
Love the bike
Yo! All this talk about long bikes with steep seat angles and long rear ends that you're doing makes me want to tell you to talk to Pole Bicycles in Finland! You'd get on really well with their geometry
Norco does exactly what you mean, with the rear center and front center growing together. The range 29er may be your kind of bike
v informative , great looking bike ^5
#Santacruz needs to hire you for rnd to get them mint. Good video Ben
Hear that #Santacruz? The people have spoken. 😂
Ben, you nailed the issues for tall guys. To short of stays, seat angle needs to be 73+. I'm currently building a hardtail (me 6'6", 40" from top of center pedal to top of seat, long legs) so seat angle for me is 75 with front sag, I'm in US inches so I'm looking at 17.875" stays for 29 plus 3" tires. I also like longer cranks, 190mm. But being a HT, the BB will be 2" or 51mm lower of axle. Since this is a prototype, it'll be a steel frame. Very exciting project for me. Keep up the reporting, now that I can follow a fellow giant who has skills on a bike( me not so much, just an ol' mtb'er from the late 1980's playing in the dirt).
Nice! what materials welding style are you using?
fillet braze, I've fabricated for years. If the bike performs well, I'll order Ti tubes and have a local tig artist to weld it up. But, one item at a time.
Yari 150, 66* HT angle 6" long, 26+/- TT preliminary mock up.
Back in 1990 I built my bike 74* seat tube, 16.685" stays, 71* HT, 26" TT, BB was 12.5". and I rode on the original Doug Bradbury Manitou's and Bulls Eye Cranks.... 203mm's. That was pretty bold back in the day geometry wise.
Seat tube angle is definitely one I've noticed on mine and I had to slam the seat forward too. You've got way more clearance on that bottle than I have with mine though! What cage is that?
Haven't had problems with mud clogging the rear yet however the linkage does collect a ridiculous amount of mud though.
Coming from an alu Enduro 650b to this, and I've just been blown away by how good it is. The grip is just ridiculous and the smoothness and composure through rough sections is unbelievable. I struggled on with my old Enduro for a couple of years but it blew my confidence massively. Already on this bike I'm getting the confidence back. Cant wait to get some serious miles on it.
It’s a dirt cheap topeak one. Cost about £3 off chain reaction.
Sounds like you need to catch up with Pole haha.
Everything you described about the HT LT is why I can't see myself buying a Santa Cruz any time soon, even though I really like them as a company :(
The size increases have also helped us small people too. I can ride a small frame rather than a medium of old making it nicer to move about. Down side is getting a bike for a kid. Lewis put grew his transition ripcord and pretty much all new bikes in small or even some extra small are too big.
True, seems like kid specific bikes are becoming more prevalent which is probably down to this.
Ben Cathro and more wallet busting too.
6 foot 7!!!! You should be riding a 36er haha
Hi Ben, loving the vids! Keep up the good work. Was wondering if you are racing downhill again this year and potentially trying for world cups again and if so what rig will you be running? Cheers
Racing Dh and Enduro but just at regional level. Going to be reporting at WC's.
U should put black grips on and orange fox forks
For the water bottle cage, a side insert cage might work better since there's not a lot of room. My buddy uses a Lezyne flow cage for that reason, and I'm sure there are other brands that do the same thing.
Theo Nichols
I have Zefal Wiiz bottle cage. It's reversible, has large holes at screws (can adjust the position in the frame), doesn't break in cold, holds tight the bottle and it's cheap (5 gbp), sadly it's not looking so cool, but who cares.
www.zefal.com/en/bottle-cages-thermoplastic/67-wiiz.html
It certainly is a sweet looking vessel....cracking vid as always 👌🏻
It is a shame they cost so much...I’ll stick to my Canyon
No harm in that, they make sweet bikes.
Nice video! I like that it’s balanced with likes and dislikes/nit picks. Next time maybe mention what size you are riding as well as specs related to what you are discussing so us nerds don’t have to go look them up. 🤓 You did this with reach, but not swingarm length (438mm) or seat tube angle (73.7°). ✌🏼
That was a great review Ben. I am 6'6" and have been on a XXL Tallboy LTc for 4 years. Love the bike. I agree with you about not shortening the chainstays too much, but my biggest worry is about steepening seattube angles TOO MUCH. I built a chromag rootdown last summer and like it but the seattube is steep and it put my knees too far forward of my size 15 feet. it really sapped some power and made my knees ache. Do you feel the hightower lt is a large leap ahead of the tallboy lt? I went from a heckler to the TBLT and the change was tremendous.
thanks
tim
wow, best review I've ever seen, and have seen a lot. you should be a TV presenter.
Considering getting the HT 2019 clay, do you know if any of your mild dislikes have been addressed on the 2019 model? Thanks in advance
almost 2 years later and you were incredibly right about your dislikes
Thanks Ben! I'm looking into getting this bike. Very helpful especially the dislikes (everyone has plenty of likes for them...)
Ben - what are your thoughts on the DPX2? Better or worse for this application that the Float X2 you had on the OG Hightower?
Keep the content coming!
The seat angle is an issue on my Tallboy as well. I am always hunched forward and down on a steep climb, also at 6'7" so I completely understand the issue there. I would also agree on the longer rear end, I think a flip chip would do the trick.
The 5010 is 100 times better than the HT
Yup, I know they've been thinking about it but we'll see if it ever gets implemented.
Ben Cathro I took a lead from you and changed my bars to a 38mm rise, you were right they feel amazing! I’m nowhere near the rider you are, but I feel a lot more balanced with the higher rise. Keep up the good work, really love the channel! Role model for shredding!
Good choice 👌. I prefer going higher rise with the bars vs stem spacers, less flex.
Ben Cathro I have 3 10mm spacers under my stem, now I am wondering if maybe that’s too many.🤔
Hey Ben, a lot of the guys on MTBR think that the LT was just to fill a gap and that they will be coming out with a completely new 29er beast. For me, I just shelled out 6k for mine XXL so that would really suck. I love my bike and think it rides great, but there's no doubt the steep SA and short rear definitely hurt us bigger guys. I climb a lot so I don't want to shift my knees too far forward by slamming the seat on the rails. I guess I'm rambling, but I'm hoping I can learn to compensate and make this bike last me a while...can't afford to want to buy one next year...
darn...he didn't see this...
Slack not steep seat tube angle, right?
thanks!
I’m 188cm-ish (6’2”) and just ordered a large. Hopefully I can get the seat high enough to be comfortable climbing. I’m super skinny and like having a smaller frame under me although I roll on a Capra XL at the moment.
The only reason that i see to have a longer chainstay is the size of your bike. I bought my nomad 2020 because of the short chainstay. Much more agile at the rear than my previous bike that i had. In turns it felt like a truck with the long chainstay. With the short chainstay the bike is turning more over the rear axle, which is more fun to ride.
Hey Ben thank you for a perfect review. i'm definitely getting one. But i kind of like the Santa Cruz V10. Any recommendations please ?
Thank you for mentioning the rear end is too short. I couldn’t agree more! Short rear ends make cornering harder 😂
Yes this needs to change! As a tall guy on a Wreckoning I have this issue too.
#RealTalk 😂👍
Thanks Ben. Still trying to decide between this and an Intense Primer or Carbine. I am 6'7" as well and finding bikes to demo is a challenge, so I rely on reviews like this.
If you are after something really long look at Bird, they do a 150 29er with 522mm Reach on the XL
Spend the extra and get a pole bike, at your height its just worth it.
Demoing is the only way to do it unfortunately. Words and opinions mean squat till you can sling a leg over. It is a rad bike though 😉😂
Where do you live? Intense has a pretty big demo fleet. Just ask your local dealer or give intense a shout on social media. I currently have a Carbine and I couldn’t love it more!
Pablo Gonzalez down in Texas. Local shop has a large I can throw a leg over, but not a demo bike.
Yt Capra is looking pretty good too.
I love your humour :-)
Ben can you review the new hightower and new megatower as well and do your comparison of each and compared to your previous hightowers
Thanks for the great write up. Have you spent any time on the Nomad? I’m drawn to both bikes, and the Hightower lt is probably a better fit for my area, but the nomad is so good looking. Also, I’m coming from a 26” enduro so jumping to a 29” makes me more nervous than a 27.5.
Def try and get a shot on a 29’r to see if you like the riding characteristics. They feel more stable and a little slower to react which suits people that like to flow rather than pop and flick and ping about.
6’7. Dude that’s way out of the engineers mind. I’m 6’2. Most engineers probably don’t even think about riders above 6’4. Your a rare breed man.
Hey I was curious what you thought about Cane Creek anglesets. Heard you mention previously using angled headsets and wanted to ask what your experience with them was as I am looking into them. I've heard about a lot of creaking issues with the cane creek set...
Nice review! I believe that 2 of your mildly dislikes have more to do with your size than the geometry of the bike (Weight distribution, and slack seat angle). One awesome bike man!
Hi Ben,loved the clip,especially your personal style,the Hightower has been recommended to me, i too am 6 feet 7 inches,would you say a xxl or an xl.I am coming from a RIP 9 XL.Thanks
Steve
Cool review cheers, any chance you can try a Nomad 4 so we can have a back to back?
Great video. Thanks. Sounds like you will be getting the Megatower based on this.
should have waited for the new Megatower for that flip-chip that you want ;)
dem photo shop skillz
No photoshop in here. Ms paint mate.
You should get a cheap end enduro bike like vitus sommet. Send it and review it.
Love your reviews... Have you had a chance to ride/appraise the new 2020 Hightower redesign? If so, I’d love your thoughts. I’m currently debating on buying a used 2018 or getting 2020.
I’m not getting one this year. I’m on a megatower and an unnamed bike to be launched 😉
Hi Ben, I was considering the Bronson before this but always fancied 29er. I presume this is good going uphills?
New to the channel but loved your review, LT is my dream bike but I wouldn’t pay 5k for a car and can’t justify it for a bike. I ride a specialised Camber 29er but I’m looking to upgrade soon. Because you’re so tall do you also have big feet? I’m size 13 and I find SPD’s don’t support my feet very well. Do you have the same issue?
Ben, nearly the same size as you. what chainstay length roundabouts do you think is more appropriate for your style of aggressive down the hill riding on the big xl bikes?
I’d need to test things to be sure but I would be thinking around the 450mm mark to start things off.
With your size and preferences... Sounds like a Pole Evo link could be a good fit ;)
BUT.. if you're sponsored by SC... Then 🤘🤘🤘 haha
I have a friend who rode them and kept braking them. Size wise they look good and performance is there as well but durability is important.
Ben Cathro - ah shucks... What a shame... We'll see how (Ryan) the Loam Ranger's Pole holds up....
Which one? Machine or evo? The guy that broke them was a big fast dude like myself. I think we're at the top end of frame stress inducers. 😂
Ben Cathro - he's got the Evo... Just built it up
Cool, will keep an eye out for some vids. They are supposed to ride mint 👌
How you like the 7 protection helmets? To they breathe well? Always keeping it real man!
It’s always cold here so can’t really test breathability that well 😂. Never had an issue with overheating anyway.
What about the progression of this frame? I'm a heavy rider (95kg) and love big drops and jumps. Does this bike handle those? I suppose even though you are taller than me, your not as heavy.
Hi Ben, nice vid. Can you tell me which drink bottle and bottle cage you attached to the hightower LT, please.
guys... I might get a normal higtower soon and was wondering if anone has replaced the 200x51 shock with A 200x57 shock to get nearer to the Lt's travel
obviously clearence might be an issue but im more worried about the frame getting damaged
can't decide on the 29er tires or 27.5. You say you prefer DH and you like 29ers? How tall are you? I'm 6ft, currently leaning hard towards 29ers. Wish the LBS around here did demos.
Ben, I am 6'6". What size did you get? I am waffling between the Xl and XXL
What did you use for the frame guard there? The orange?
I'd love to know your opinion on this compared to the new 2019 bronson, they both seem like the do it all bike for people who like downhill as much as up. But how do you choose between the 2.