First Ride: 2022 Santa Cruz Megatower - Build It Bigger

Apr 18, 2022 at 18:49
by Matt Beer  



How did Santa Cruz improve on their flagship, long-travel Megatower that already had the strongest muscles in their pack? Bit by bit, they added refinements to the already accomplished enduro race bike. That meant tweaking the kinematics, modifying angles, and cutting a hole in the downtube for in-frame storage. And no, that wasn't done with Mike Levy's DIY kit.

From a distance, the paint might be the only hint this is a 2022 frame because the silhouette continues with a lower-link driven shock, but the new Megatower has an even more pronounced, brutish character.
Megatower 2 Details

• Wheel size: 29"
• Travel: 165 mm, 170 mm fork
• Carbon frame (size large, low setting)
• 63.5º head angle
• 77.5º seat tube angle
• 441mm chainstays
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Weight: 15.05 kg / 33.18 lb
• Price: $5,649 - $13,999 USD
santacruzbicycles.com

To achieve this, Megatower 2 now touts a 170 mm fork and 165 mm of rear wheel travel, not to mention the geometry stretches towards downhill bike territory with a head angle overlapping the V10 at 63.5º in the slacker setting. Those suspension numbers are up from 160 at both ends of the first gen and the frame now uses a longer stroke shock to lower the leverage ratio.

Further refinements see the removal of the chainstay adjustment in favor of size-specific rear triangles, mimicking the balancing act that the shorter travel Bronson also underwent last year. That's not all, though; tall riders will be enthused to see the seat tube angles increased as they lengthen to keep wheelies to a minimum at full seat post extension, and there are still five frame sizes.

Blowing the top off of non-eMTB retail prices, the carbon-only Megatower comes in eleven build kits, topping out at an eye-watering $13,999 USD for the RockShox Flight Attendant equipped bike. Four of those models are essentially the same, but give the customer the option of a coil or air rear shock. On the upper level builds, you'll find the higher grade "CC" carbon constructed frames, more expensive carbon fiber components, and less cables due to electronically controlled gizmos. If you're looking for something less bank account draining, the base model starts at $5,649 with alloy components and the standard "C" frame, but includes the Glovebox feature.

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Frame Details

Without a doubt, the most eye-catching feature on the Megatower 2 is the compartment under the water bottle cage. This is Santa Cruz's first take on the Glovebox system and they have done their homework here. A spring-loaded machined aluminum latch keeps things securely fastened and silent. Inside you'll find two neoprene sleeves to cancel out any undesired noise that could be caused by rattling accessories. Towards the bottom of the large GloveBox door, you'll find a small rubber pad to further aid vibration damping. For example, I was able to just squeeze a OneUp 100cc pump wrapped in the tool roll, head first, down into the storage area. With room to spare in the upper section of the downtube, I stuffed a spare tube in there as well.

From the inside view of the frame, the full guided cable routing has become standard on Santa Cruz models, just like the latest round of chain slap protection, a tiny shock fender that covers the bearing eyelet on the lower end of the shock. That alleviates any stiction through the suspension action that could be caused by the constant articulation of the shock mount on the lower link. There's also grease ports to quickly freshen up the bearings, which are replaceable at no cost for the original owner. Santa Cruz's warranty covers both the bearings, Reserve carbon rims, and all their frame against manufacturer's defects for its lifetime under the original owner.

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By increasing the shock stroke to 62.5 mm, Santa Cruz was able to lower the leverage ratio and increase the rear wheel travel by 5mm, all while keeping the leverage curve approximately the same shape. One minor tweak that they did make was a deviation to the progression at the end of the stroke. The curve is straighter towards the end of the travel and it's now possible to run a shock with a 65mm stroke, which will bump the travel up to 170mm.

The increase to more travel with a lower leverage wasn't a huge surprise, since I often saw riders alter the shock stroke or add an aftermarket link to the first generation frame. What did catch me off guard was not the disappearance of the chainstay length adjustment, but the lack of a chip to correct the geometry for a 27.5" rear wheel. The Megatower 2 is a dedicated full 29er.

A few other specifications that align the Megatower with its hunger for the gnarliest trails are a 200mm post brake mount and full chain guide; that includes a skid plate mounted to burly ISCG tabs. A threaded BB and universal derailleur hanger round out the list of frame features.


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Geometry

The first gen Megatower hadn't quite figured out its place in the lineup amongst the 27.5" Nomad freeride rig or the trail savvy Hightower. Up until that point, Santa Cruz reserved big wheels for shorter travel bikes, excluding the V10. In round two though, they weren't afraid to go aggro with the latest Megatower.

In the low setting, the fork is raked out to a DH-worthy 63.5-degrees, and the seat tube is also plenty steep to make it capable of climbing too, resting at 77.5-degrees.

Although there is no longer any rear center adjustment, the front to rear balance is well thought out and changes with each size. The size large sits at a 472 mm reach and is paired with a 441 mm chainstay. To achieve this tailored fit with a steeper seat angle as the sizes grow in length, the front triangle molds use different lower pivot locations, allowing Santa Cruz to kill two birds with one stone.

There's a flip-chip on the lower link too, but it barely tweaks the angles or BB height; 3 mm and 0.3-degrees is less than a gnat's whisker in terms of change on paper. There is a subtle difference between the two on the trail when you're looking for it and the suspension kinematics remain very close as well.

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Santa Cruz Megatower 2 C R - $5,649 USD
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Santa Cruz Megatower 2 CC XO1 AXS RSV - $11,199 USD


Models & Pricing

The model structure has worked well throughout the Santa Cruz line for some time with nomenclature that determines the frame finish, build kit, wheel option, and finally the shock description. It seems like a lot to break down amongst the 11 different price points, but basically you have five parts kits.

All of the build kits use SRAM drivetrainsThe entry level R and S kits are used on the C frames. As you move up the ladder to CC frames, wireless shifting is introduced with GX AXS, XO1, XO1 AXS kits, there are options to choose a coil or and shock and then the ability to add carbon wheels (excluding the XO1). Finally, there is the XX1 AXS groupset on the top dollar $13,999 Flight Attendant Megatower, completed with Reserve 30|HD wheels.



Matt Beer - Squamish - Santa Cruz Megatower


Ride Impressions

Expectations were high for the revamp of such a sought after bike, especially in my part of the world where notoriously demanding trails are ridden on a daily basis. I jumped on the bike without knowing any of the geometry or travel numbers, but knew that they were for serious downhill capabilities. No longer is it on the lower cusp of an enduro bike - the Megatower 2 lies firmly in big rig territory.

Right off of the bat, I felt secure with the front axle way out in front of my hands giving me a sense of a shrunken downhill bike. You feel a touch closer to the ground than a pure downhill bike because of the shorter fork. The stance is aggressive and rewards a choice of steep and fast tracks. Even in tight switchbacks, though, I got on well with the front to rear weight distribution as the reach honed in close to my preferred number of 470 mm, or there about. 472 in the slack setting is slightly shorter than most size large frames these days, many of which sit at 480 mm.

With the supple Float X2 shock the bike had gobs of traction in the rain soaked roots and rocks of the Cypress trails. Like other Santa Cruz bikes I've ridden, namely the Bronson I reviewed last summer, the sag number rides a fine line between ground-hugging and too much feedback
. Sitting on the softer side around 32% sag promotes a gentler ride for ultimate traction under slower speeds on techy terrain, but you need to pair that with an equal fork. My sweet spot on the fork was 102 PSI, so 210 PSI balanced out the ride to land on 30% sag in the rear shock. Going up in pressure required a lot more effort to hang on through roots and chattery pieces of trail.

Is it just a bigger Bronson? Certainly not. The stance that the Megatower empowers is wildly more aggressive, less twitchy, but will take more effort to move about than the Bronson for obvious reasons; more travel, a longer wheelbase, and that larger rear wheel. Mind you, the chainstays and BB drop are very similar. That larger wheelbase, slack head angle, and large wheel behind you give you a more centered feeling. And is it still "poppy"? That's more of a setup choice dependent on sag percentage and rebound control.

Matt Beer - Squamish - Santa Cruz Megatower

Does it still pedal with a slack head angle? Yes, quite well in fact. I'd chalk that up to the steeper seat tube angle, lighter casing tires, and one of the most important things; anti-squat. That number and the geometry has a more telling role for me than the overall weight. When you stand on the pedals, even without the climb switch, the BB doesn't fall and your center of gravity doesn't pitch front to back. That seated position is very comfortable and keeps plenty of weight on the front wheel to manage the slacker head angle while climbing.

Most of the equipment is standard for high-end builds, but there were a couple of things to point out. The bike is built with a chainguide and skid plate from the factory. Your chain will appreciate it and stay on in the roughest bike park laps. Although I can get along with the EXO+ plus casing tires in the winter when you need more suppleness in the cold, slow conditions, I would like to see the bike spec'd with burlier Double Down casings. I ended up adding an insert to the rear wheel for some peace of mind as I became willing to push the bike harder.

I wouldn't say it's a ground hugging bike by any means, however it does sit lower and slacker than most and that requires more strength and skill to move the bike around when you don't have the added boost from trail features. Finding a bike that can strike a balance between plowing through rough trails and dancing along groomed surfaces is no easy feat. Santa Cruz have made some impressive gains with the Megatower 2. It will bode well for those seeking out a long-travel, go anywhere bike, if you're onboard the full 29er train that is.

Stay tuned for a full breakdown on the Megatower 2 later in the spring as it will be going toe to toe with other enduro bikes in an upcoming Pinkbike Field Test.






Author Info:
mattbeer avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2001
356 articles

379 Comments
  • 476 8
 Coming to a red or blue trail near you soon.
  • 35 2
 Mainly in Sheffield
  • 12 1
 Careful now
  • 52 0
 @wellbastardfast: Don't you mean "Surrey Hills"...
  • 63 0
 Oh c'mon @fartymarty be fair. There is that one root on Yogurt pots which can be quite jarring.
  • 16 2
 I feel offended lol (though I don't have the money/will to own a SC) ^^. Is it bad to ride on red and blue trails ? :-0
  • 77 8
 So true. Went to a lift-assisted trail center nearby yesterday. Didn't know the trails so I hooked up with a bunch of fully Fox-kitted out dudes on gold-stanchioned Santas and Yetis, they said they knew the trails well. After a couple of meters of following them I had to stop and give them 5 minutes so I didn't have to drag the brakes all the way down. And I consider myself to be a pretty slow guy. Hopeless.
  • 6 0
 @wellbastardfast: to be fair have only ever seen 2 santa cruz bikes in sheffild the peak district however is littered with em
  • 406 1
 im waiting for orange to include frame storage, bet it has a drawer and a handle and everything
  • 17 37
flag justanotherusername (Apr 19, 2022 at 3:26) (Below Threshold)
 @Compositepro: haha, you bitch.
  • 12 7
 @Compositepro:

#commentgold
  • 65 1
 @Compositepro: To access your Orange frame storage, fill in this form in triplicate and collect the key from Mrs. Pickwick in accounting.
  • 32 11
 @kopaczus: they may be 2 times slower, but they earn 10 times more, that's life. We can go to discussion about capitalism and philosophy of life from here, but why bother, let SC make bikes for the rich, let us ride whatever we can afford and find it a good value. SC is rather targeted towards people who just buy "the best" they can get and find any kind of search for value quite tiresome.
  • 30 0
 @lkubica: ppl seem reluctant to admit that owning(buying) a mtb becomes more and more like owning/buying a porsche and less like gettin' a hot-hatch(like it used to be).
  • 17 1
 @lkubica: on the positive, you have more choices to buy a nice secondhand one when people want to move on or get a new colour !
  • 10 1
 I was fully expecting to be downvoted into the depths of the comments section.
  • 17 2
 @lkubica: I mean sure, it's great for us plebeans that the dentists and lawyers buy the expensive kit so we can buy it off them once inevitably they sell it as there's a new version out a year later. Mountain biking has become a fashionable pastime and I think we can agree that we all benefit due to more trails and better access to them. Those guys seemed to be enjoying themselves as well, which in the end is all that matters. I was just disappointed with how all that $$$ did not translate to going fast. Should have seen that coming.
  • 1 0
 @kopaczus: Was that in the Beskidy?
  • 7 0
 @kopaczus: I was surprised the last time I was in Szczyrk- holy smokes at the number of Santa Cruz and Yeti frames in one place. Not hating on anyone, it was just surprising to see. And they were all better riders than me.
  • 12 8
 @kopaczus: "Best" is definitely subjective...I owned 3(maybe 4...cracked a couple) Santa Cruz bikes...top carbon blah blahs. No matter what shocks/forks I installed I could never get the bike to ever feel more than....a bike. They didn't excite me...so, I sold them for much less. My "best" and their best may be different, but maybe the sort of point being made by people picking on the owners of many of these bikes is they spend money on top level without even knowing what or why they're buying. Which to me is the sadder part. Or kind of like the 20y/o at the local trails that don't have a lot of elevation..lots of pinch climbs and tech stuff...and he's on the $10,000 ebike. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder "why"?
  • 3 0
 @sonuvagun: Srebrna Góra. I forgot how mellow those trails are, haven't been there for ages. Very surprised to see guys on DH bikes.
  • 1 0
 @kopaczus: I didn't even know about that place. But was it dry-ish?
  • 2 0
 @sonuvagun: Nah, not dry but not wet either. Excellent conditions, nice sticky dirt.
  • 3 1
 @kopaczus: Better to look the part instead of ride the part
  • 2 0
 @kopaczus: well then, my ass is out of excuses...
  • 4 1
 @Aksel31: no its just abt buying a 10000 dollar bike and then not riding it to its potential
  • 3 0
 @justanotherusername: mate im out of comments for the year now tho
  • 45 2
 All the boring piss taking of dentists…. The people I see on the best bikes are normal guys with them on massive finance. Everyone I know that I would consider wealthy (I do know a few) are the tightest gits ever and would be on (are on) a Vitus.
  • 9 0
 @ilovedust: Yep, millionaire next door. Most high net worth individuals live very un flashy lifestyles.
  • 28 4
 @ilovedust: it’s almost like people get wealthy by being frugal and investing their savings rather than buying $10000 bikes that only do things marginally better than $4000 direct to consumer bikes from Canyon, Vitus, Fezzari, etc.
  • 1 0
 @wellbastardfast: try riding in Santa Cruz
  • 2 2
 @bigtim: you know the one.

But on a serious note there are trails in Surrey that do warrant one.
  • 24 10
 @ilovedust: It is getting boring and predictable, like my complaints about rear derailleurs.

You are correct about the people who ride expensive bikes, it's typically people who take the sport very seriously and are decent riders. When I go to a more beginner riding area near me I typically see people on old 26" bikes and hardtails. When I go to the steep DH expert riding area I see NONE of those cheap bikes. But I guess pretending that beginners ride expensive bikes makes people feel more real?
  • 2 1
 Thanks for making me laugh....I needed that @fatduke
  • 56 3
 @kopaczus: Who cares? You don't have to be an F1 driver to own and appreciate a Ferarri. Get over your jealousy. There are probably 8-year-old kids out there somewhere that are better than you are... does that mean you don't deserve your bike? Biking is about having fun, being outside, and getting some exercise. Owning, building, and customizing bikes is part of the hobby. You think it's okay for you to disrespect people based on the bike they own and their riding abilities? Shame shame.
  • 4 0
 Indeeeed. Think I'll grab one - I like the extra travel for my aging knobbly bits. Might even run it with entirely too much sag. Ya know, for extra plushness. And then I'll likely complain that those junk F38s are just t0o hArSh no matter what I do!
  • 9 13
flag kopaczus (Apr 19, 2022 at 12:57) (Below Threshold)
 @poundsand: jealousy? That's a weird take on the subject there, bud. It's not like I can't afford a more expensive bike, it's that I don't want to. I don't care about other people's perception of me based on my equipment choices and I'm not good enough to be a podium threat while racing so I'm hitting diminishing returns quickly. If those guys can justify the costs or they need the kashima bits for some reason, that's awesome and I'm not hating at all. I was just disappointed with their performance, is all.
  • 9 1
 @lkubica: if you are going to keep a bike for over 5 years then the free bearings and lifetime warranty is really good. Also, SC bikes hold their value pretty well. Im on my 4th SC! I must be one of these rich guys they are talking about!
  • 1 0
 @kopaczus: I pretty much think like this to the point where I’m trying the whole budget bike ( within the realms of its at least capable) so far im 2.5k in and having fun
  • 114 4
 Read too many of these comments this morning and waited to respond that after many years of reading the bro-disdain of people who are:

1. older than them
2. more affluent than them
3. like to buy nice bikes with the money they likely worked hard for
4. ride those bikes on trails that are fun for them

...that I am mystified at the hate. What should these people do? Not get old? Spend their money on a trophy wife? Clog up the double blacks and ruin your Strava time? The only thing I can conclude is that it comes from some deep sense of inadequacy and fear. Fear that you'll get old. Fear that you'll always be a failure and not be able to have nice things. Believe me, I worked and waited a long time to have my first brand new bike. Having something that isn't new and wasn't expensive is fine, but doesn't make you cool in and of itself. Grow up and do your own ride.
  • 6 29
flag VelkePivo (Apr 19, 2022 at 16:45) (Below Threshold)
 @codypup: for crying out loud. no one was "hating." That's a cheap rhetorical ploy for the feeble minded. Get off your high horse.
  • 3 21
flag VelkePivo (Apr 19, 2022 at 16:52) (Below Threshold)
 @codypup: dilettantes are distasteful wherever found and people have been poking fun at them since time immemorial. It's you who should grow up or at least grow a thicker skin
  • 8 4
 @lkubica: Not me. I work in an office, have lots of Yetis, am old but dress like I’m going to the EWS to earn a paycheck…and I’m fast AF! Not all “rich” guys are slow. Not here they’re not (SoCal).
  • 25 3
 @drjonnywonderboy: I’m on my 6th Santa Cruz and wouldn’t buy anything else. Have had two frames replaced, one broken alloy Blur LT and one broken carbon CC 5010. Now I have a Bronson CC v3 and a Hightower CC v2. Love them both. The Bronson is up for sale on pinkbike ( so I can make room for another new Santa Cruz). Why??? Because I freaking love mountain bikes and want to ride all the time.
Oh and I’m not a dentist, though I know a few, but they don’t mountain bike.
I know many riders far better than me on cheaper bikes and guess what. I also know many riders better than me on even more expensive bikes.
Who gives a flying f*ck how expensive or cheap a bike anyone else rides? I started on a 2nd hand Walmart bike. 30 years later, I’m on a Dream machine and wouldn’t have it any other way.
  • 9 2
 @codypup: you hit the nail on the head. Props
  • 1 0
 What differences do you feel between the hightower and new Bronson? @scamp123:
  • 3 1
 @DoubleCrownAddict: You sure you're not overestimating the abilities of people on expensive bikes and expert trails? I see tons of kitted out noobs on 10k bikes from my vantage point.
  • 1 1
 @pb-kg: I doubt I’m overestimating them anymore than other people who shall remain unarmed overestimate the abilities of noobs on Walmart bikes. See what I did there?
  • 1 0
 @pb-kg: another perspective: I see fellow riders too. Because of my background (BMX?) and motivation, most of them don't pass me, I pass them. Many nice bikes on the trail, therefore I pass many nice bikes. It has nothing to do with whatever may be going on with their purchasing decisions.
  • 4 0
 @flaflow: a background in bmx is half the struggle mate you need to be an engineer too
  • 5 0
 @Compositepro: I'm a shit engineer and was shit on a bmx too, am I doing this right?
  • 4 1
 I do see disproportionate number of newer riders on SC bikes in my region, and many trucks with fresh shuttle pads permanently attached as if they are vanity plates.

Just making an observation. I'm an old guy with no dependent, not wealthy but have enough disposable income to afford a top-of-the-line SC bike if I wanted to (I don't). So not jealous or hating, though I am irritated and salty because I have hard time getting parts I want for my new bike...
  • 1 0
 @eugenux: This has always been the case here in South Orange County California.
  • 7 0
 @kopaczus: I'm a diesel technician by trade and I can afford these bikes..These aren't Bugattis or Audi's there expensive pedal bikes..If middle class fellow makes this hobby a priority in life - then these really aren't that expensive..
  • 2 0
 @rickybobby18: yep..That's how it's done..Investing..In my case I had enough gains from cryptocurrency investment that I bought a Yeti sb130 just cuz I wanted it..It creates stoke and ambition to ride more.. Nothing wrong with that..
  • 2 0
 @poundsand: u nailed it! I see these kids that are better than me everywhere now a days..That's fine, I'm old ..If u want the so called dentist bike and have the means ,then get it I say...Life is short.
  • 1 0
 @codypup: you might be reading too much into things
  • 1 0
 I mean when do you se Ferrari owners on the race track?
  • 1 0
 @bohns1: you hit the nail on the head, I drive a 7 year old Honda Civic Si, but ride a q year old top of the l8ne Hightower and a 2 year old top of the line Bronson. I have my priorities and other people have theirs.
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: non my friend have you thought about the clergy
  • 284 6
 For 5,6k dollars you get a ZebR and and Sram NX. Holy shit, that is ridiculous
  • 26 85
flag endorium (Apr 19, 2022 at 1:33) (Below Threshold)
 Not thing unusual nowadays. Trek, specialised etc all the same if not more.
  • 103 12
 @endorium: Trek and Spesh are much better value components-wise
  • 29 38
flag endorium (Apr 19, 2022 at 2:17) (Below Threshold)
 @redrook: they really aren't. I am looking to buy a new bike and been comparing specs. Trek especially recently have got crazy expensive. They raised their prices recently.
  • 62 14
 @redrook: I got the 2020 Enduro comp,compared to the same spec Megatower, wheels in the Mega were junk,rear shock was the lower tier one,with no reservoir and the bike was a liitle more expensive than the S.Enduro. The groupset was identical,brakes were too.
SC is one of the worst value for buck bike brands in the market,even compared with S and Trek
  • 29 0
 @homerjm: Try to do same with 2022 Enduro
  • 19 2
 $6,300 here in the states gets you a fox factory, gx axs with x1 carbon crank and xmc1500 canyon spectral. Probably pre-price hikes but still a significantly better value than the still worse spec’d SC at $9,300. Lots of gloves for 3k, could make me not care about the glove box.
  • 3 0
 @q232: The Enduro is 5700€ in S web in Spain, SC had nothing official yet to compare sadly,you must check with the dealer...It is true my bike was almost 1000 bucks cheaper,but the SC bike was the same.
But since June 2020 till now,just only with 10-15% inflation and many other things had change, you cannot compare any more with new bikes.
I bet they are not very far away,maybe SC had better value now than years ago,but still on top of the worst bike/buck ratio.
  • 16 0
 You have to pay for all the ones they give away
  • 14 3
 So freaking expensive.

What's the point of all that $carbon$ when it weighs the same as a high quality steel bike like Coitic or Starling
  • 15 0
 @endorium: every single bike brand has raised prices lately. Trek is no different than any other brand on that note
  • 5 1
 @usedbikestuff: but with 6300 canyon spectral you only get a canyon spectral frame instead of cruz.
  • 4 1
 @bikefuturist: Is that supposed to be an advantage? There are only so many factories PON use to make carbon frames so they could be build next to the focus ones for all we know
  • 9 0
 Over the last 2 years, what hasn't seen a dramatic price increase?
  • 7 1
 @bman33: agreed. Just people were singling out Santa cruz. People look at prices now and compare to 1-2 years ago. Its all changed a lot
  • 4 3
 @lumpy873: Frame only price for CC is $4250 USD, that's insane!!! An Evil Wreckoning frame is $500 cheaper, as are most other frames of that capability.... Gonna be interesting to see how many of these overpriced and underridden bikes pop up at bike parks and on mellow trails.
  • 3 3
 @BigLips93: At least we'll see plenty posed artfully on mountain tops from SC's "influencer" network on social media.
  • 3 4
 Zoceli bikes makes custom steel frames. They've done a few VPP bikes. You could probably hire them to make you one and copy exactly the geo and kinematics of this thing for less $, and even in steel it would weigh the same.

instagram.com/zoceli_bikes?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y
  • 13 1
 fezzari.com/products/lasal

DVO and NX for less than the frame-only Megatower price
  • 14 2
 The price is straight up ridiculous. Can anyone find an X01 Spec bike with non-carbon wheels for $9200? I think this might be the worst value I've ever seen, post Covid price increases included.

- A current Megatower owner
  • 2 1
 @rickybobby18: thats an insane value given the current climate for this travel bracket. IDK why its easy to find good value 150mm travel bikes, but not 170mm.
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: It's not hard to find a good value 170mm bike if you can buy from Germany, or even the UK with the NP Giga.
  • 2 0
 @chakaping: Can't find in the USA, and GBP to USD its still over $1000 more than the Fezzari
  • 5 0
 @lumpy873: My salary!!!!
  • 3 6
 @endorium: Trek Fuel EX with SLX/XT build for $4300 is very good value these days, and far superior to the NX build on the cheapest megatower.

www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-9-7/p/35050
  • 2 0
 @OCSunDevil: I concur..
  • 3 1
 @chakaping: Now you know why they cost so much. SC customers are paying for all those shots on social
  • 8 2
 @skyroach: Fuel ex isnt in the same league as a megatower. Hardly a fair comparison. Plus the whole shimano versus sram drivetrain is personnel choice.
  • 13 0
 @skyroach: The fuel EX and Megatower are hardly competing in the same sales market. A sensible comparison would be the Slash which costs significantly more than a Fuel EX of similar spec. Luckily you are not obligated to buy either of them, or any bike for that matter, so the price is irrelevant at the end of the day.
  • 3 8
flag calispeedboi (Apr 19, 2022 at 10:13) (Below Threshold)
 Suspension compression ratio is still crappy, should be 2.5 or lower not 2.64
The reach is a little short.
The fact you have to spend 9k usd to get Fox suspension is a joke.
4/10 quite disappointing
  • 5 0
 @BigLips93: and if you look at the weights for the full builds, the price looks even worse. You could buy a $2k Stumpy Evo or Aluminum Transition Spire and get within 1/2lb. Yes you're choosing either a little less travel or no storage box... but for over $2k I can get pretty creative with where I stash things.
  • 22 1
 @basic-ti-hardtail: From your time in prison?
  • 6 0
 @endorium: ok sure the bikes are different, but nobody is going to agree that SRAM NX is even remotely on par with SLX/XT. Deore 12-speed (which I have on my bike) has been far more reliable than my buddy's NX drivetrain. anecdotal, i know but i've heard much the same regarding these lower end SRAM components from many others here and elsewhere.
  • 2 0
 @rickybobby18: That bike is a great value. I just wish that they would carry the DVO suspension up to the higher build options.
  • 2 0
 @skyroach: Again, its much easier to find "value" in 150mm travel bikes than 170mm travel. I would guess because of economies of scale? Far fewer long travel bikes are sold nowadays.
  • 3 0
 @thisc*nt: Transition spire GX build, with a better rear shock (ultimate vs.select on the megatower) for $6k.

specialized enduro comp has GX, same fork/shock as the megatower, for only $5300.

Two comparable bikes, both better value for the money.
  • 2 2
 @NWBasser: Fezzari does do Custom. You can always ask them to build your bike differently.
  • 3 0
 @Spencermon: That's pretty cool. If I were in the market for a new bike, the La Sal would be near the top of my list.
  • 2 1
 @hamncheez: hardest I've lol'd at a PB comment
  • 1 1
 @endorium: Nonsense. Trek's prices are what they've been all year. SC are charging nearly £4K for a Hightower with alu frame and RS 35s, when you can get a Slash 8 for £300 less (or even less if you shop around) with Lyriks.
Everyone here is always looking to buy a new bike, so don't think you've got some fresh info lol
Trek is great value for money. Find me a non-direct sales bike which comes close to the value of a Slash 8.
  • 4 1
 @endorium: They really are. SC are crap value for money, other than their lifetime frame warranty. Lovely bikes, but too much for the components.
  • 1 2
 @Jackaboo: all due respect, but comparing the aluminum Slash 8 to any of the carbon Megatower builds isn't really a fair comparison. But, even the 9.8 is a decent value
  • 2 0
 @lumpy873: I'm not since they would be completely different prices. I'm comparing it to the alu Hightower D build which costs more than the Slash 8, yet is more poorly specc'd. It's the closest match since all the Megas are carbon.
  • 5 0
 @endorium: Trek Slash 9.7 is $4830 (£3715) with a Fox 36, Float X, mostly SLX drivetrain, Deore 4-pot brakes. The Megatower R build is $5649 (£4345) with mostly SRAM NX, G2RE brakes, Zeb and Super Deluxe Select. One can argue which drivetrain overall is a better value, but I'd reckon the Trek is higher quality with Bontrager, Fox, and Shimano parts and is 15% cheaper.
  • 3 1
 @basic-ti-hardtail: You should always choose TR over SC... especially if the price is better.
  • 4 3
 @skyroach: I never suggested there aren't bikes that provide a better perceived value. Not everyone buys a bike solely on the total value of all the bits bolted to it.

Things like after sales support, past experiences with brands, image and even aesthetics, to name just a few, will affect the perceived value of a product to any given indivual.

I chose my last bike purchase based mainly on what I had available around me to test ride. While there were a few that I considered, including the Spire and Enduro you mentioned. I could only get a test ride on a couple as suppliers don't really do demos here, so I handed my money over on a sure thing rather than a gamble.

Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. Stop whinging and just buy the bike that makes you happy. This is the great thing about having options
  • 12 3
 But don't worry because Santa Cruz have teamed up with Elliot Jackson to break down barriers that stop people from getting into cycling.
  • 3 0
 @thisc*nt: I can appreciate much of what you said. Only thing I would object to is that I'm "whining" by pointing out a fair criticism of the Megatower pricing compared to other brands. I'm not currently in the market for a new bike, but maybe it would be worth paying an $800 premium over the Spire, or $1500 premium over the enduro if it's that much better of a bike to get a decent build. Not really sure though, since as you mentioned, it's hard to demo a bike these days.
  • 2 1
 For this amount of money (although mid last year), I got a Meta AM 29, XTR/Garbaruk drivetrain, Hope V4 brakes, Hope hubs on DT EX511s, a ZEB ultimate with MRP ramp control, CC Kitsuma Air, Enduro BB, OneUp pedals, Chromag other crap, and gold ti bolts all around. It weighs 1.5lbs more than the lightest one here and the same as some of the builds. No carbon, don't care, its bulletproof and better in literally every single component except no dropper... this is ridiculous. Hell, the Ohlins/XT model with Dominion A4s and EX511s is $5500 right now. This is a stupid bike that I want to like so much, but its laughable.
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: I'm in the market for a 150mm travel bike. Plz tell me about the value bikes I should consider
  • 4 0
 @hamncheez: ok, maybe not THAT creative … I was thinking ‘fanny pack’ …not those same two words in reverse order. Best laugh I’ve had today, thank you sir.
  • 1 0
 @dwbaillar: Marin, specialized status, specialized stumpjumper Evo aluminum, or my personal choice were I in the market, the Cotic Jeht
  • 1 0
 @CM999: They've been at it for years mate Wink
  • 1 0
 @SvenNorske: maybe in the us. £4600 in the UK. So more than the megatower over here.
  • 1 0
 @CM999: afaik Skybox Composites co ltd only does cruz, focus is done elsewhere.
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: I've ridden both and I'd take the Stumpy Evo over the Status.
  • 139 3
 Santa Cruz make the bike less progressive towards the end of its travel.....Cascade Components start to warm the CNC up....
  • 10 1
 Can't wait for the release article popping up on the front page
  • 22 1
 Just what I need on top of a $4250 frame!
  • 11 0
 What do you think the CC stands for in the model name?
  • 26 0
 @jkella: I always assumed it stood for Credit Card, and that the ‘debt’ is silent.
  • 119 7
 Is it poppy? "Weeelll, that depends on the setup and rebound characteristic...." Simple no would suffice, thank you.
  • 77 3
 I never understood that characteristic. Everything is poppy if you have enough pressure and volume spacers and sacrifice 50mm of travel.
  • 12 3
 @SickEdit: yes, true. Bikes cannot be "playful" or "poppy." People can, riders can, but bikes just sit there without anyone on them.

I can make bmx bike look heavy and slow, just as some can throw a 250 pound motorcycle around. It's bullshit!
  • 86 1
 Let's talk about pricing for a second. I decided to price out (everything at FULL retail) the entire build kit for the Megatower X01 AXS Reserve ($11,199.00). If you were to get your hands on a frame only, without a rear shock, you could buy the entire build kit for $6,707.39.

That means that Santa Cruz is effectively charging you $4,500.00 for just the frame WITHOUT a rear shock. Then they are charging you full MSRP on every component to build the frame.

This madness will stop when people stop paying for these ridiculous builds from bike manufacturers.
  • 12 0
 Thats cool you did that. Was actually doing the same in my head as that bike spec didn't add up.
  • 2 13
flag FuzzyL FL (Apr 19, 2022 at 13:27) (Below Threshold)
 If they actually have bikes with this build currently in stock they probably paid full retail price for some of those components themselves in the current market…
  • 5 0
 Good work mate
  • 18 1
 @FuzzyL: Doesn't change the fact that $4,500 for a frame w/o shock, or $5,199 for frame with shock is still crazy expensive.

Guerilla Gravity (for example) hand manufactures their carbon frames in Colorado, and you can buy a full Gnarvana with premium kit for $6k. As compared to other big brands, Specialized has one of the best-reviewed enduro bikes on the market, and you can purchase their S-Work Enduro frameset with Fox X2 for $2,900. Hell, you can buy a better spec'd S-Works Enduro full build for $10,500 MSRP.

Santa Cruz is out to lunch. They've clearly taken the "sell way less bikes at rip-off margins" approach to make their profitability targets. They'll keep doing so until people stop purchasing these absurdly priced bikes.
  • 4 0
 @KJP1230: just a note- the standard enduro frame (performance X2) is 2900 but the sworks is 3400 (with factory X2 and I think a carbon link instead of alloy). Still pretty good when a new wreckoning frame is 3750 with a super deluxe coil or an SB150 turq frame with factory X2 is 4700. If you buy last years enduro frame with the dpx2, it’s only 2500!
  • 3 0
 @twonsarelli: Fair. I was googling and taking lower prices. You can actually get the enduro frame with the Fox X2 Performance straight from Specialized for $2900.
  • 1 0
 Are you sure you did the math right?
  • 3 0
 I bought a sc nomad alu frame in 2019 for $1800 and fit a lyrik ultimate, xt, hope hubs, mt7 magura, xfusion manic etc. all for a princely sum of $2k. the same will cost me over around $8k now. The last 2 years have been madness.
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: they sell the frame with a shock . Your choice 4250. All the frame prices went up this year yeti, pivot, ibis all hella exspensive
  • 2 0
 @chrisrut: In that case, you could buy the frame and then all of the components to build it from scratch for $10,957 - which is a couple hundred bucks cheaper than buying the complete build from Santa Cruz.

Gone are the days when one could expect a marginal discount on parts by purchasing a complete bike - instead you pay full, aftermarket MSRP on every component on the bike when purchasing complete. That is really unfortunate.
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so we get paid more than most of the world so these bikes aren't that big of a deal. I would much rather pay 2500$ for it but, like everyone else says nobody is making you buy it!I could see living in a lesser economy buying a mtb like this would pose as a financial issue.plus they probably pay their employees more than any other bike company being in Santa Cruz. That also effects bike prices
  • 3 1
 @chrisrut: Yea, you're misunderstanding my point. I am also fortunate to be a professional with a high paying job, and I am familiar with bay area income as I lived there for 2+ years earlier in my career. This is not a matter of whether or not a significant number of "top 1%" earners can easily afford these bikes. Of course they can.

The point I am making is that companies like Santa Cruz, Specialized, etc. USED to provide a degree of discounting when you purchased a fully built bike (as compared to buying a frame and paying MSRP for all of the components). Now, not only is there zero discounting for purchasing full build kits, there is actually a marginal premium above the actual market value for all the parts on the bike AND the frames themselves have seemingly increased in price by 40-100% over the past 8ish years.

Case in point, my current ride is a 2021 Specialized Enduro that I was able to build from the frame up. I managed to spec it with the equivalent of S-Works (full Fox Factory suspension, Sram AXS derailleur, etc.) minus carbon rims (I opted for Industry-9 instead) and the AXS dropper post. After reasonable discounting with my local shop, I was out the door for around $7k - on a bike that Specialized would sell to me for $9.5k (I am subtracting price to account for the carbon rims and AXS dropper). That is crazy. It's insane to me that my shop can somehow afford to give me 20% off all parts for buying a bike with them, but enormous companies like Specialized and Santa Cruz provide zero discounting on full builds.

Let's say you want to build a blinging Santa Cruz. You'd be wise to buy the frame, then buy a COMPLETE bike from companies like GG, Commencal, etc. and swap the parts. You'd probably spend a little less and you'd have an entire frame + shock on your hands to sell.
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: you can get discounts on full builds . You just have to wait. But by then the bike size you want might be gone. Right now as we speak Santa Cruz mtbs from last year are on sale! Check out the top of the line nomad at a discount cc x01 nomad normally 9050$ on sale for 7250 at mikes bike which is owned by the company that bought Santa Cruz. But 1 reason like I said I think these bikes are so expensive is they pay their employees well and they live in Santa Cruz which is a very expensive place to live. But the way taxes are and how exspensive everything is it's pretty much a wash to try and build a bike cheaper than just buying one how you want. By the time you source all the parts and assemble. You could of been riding a bike with a warranty and depending on the shop lifetime tune ups or some free tune ups. I just bought all the parts to build a bike and now I'm looking for a frame. If I go carbon frame it's gonna be in the ballpark of 8500$things will never be how they used to everything changes so buy what you can afford (or what you think is a good value)and have fun
  • 57 1
 @mattbeer "Does it still pedal with a slack head angle? Yes, quite well in fact. I'd chalk that up to the steeper head angle,"

You might want to go back and do some editing.
  • 11 0
 I figure that was meant to be seat angle.
  • 8 1
 I might just be me but I am now over the 63’ head angle and going up again. They peddle like crap on the slow techy ups which frankly, is a lot of UK riding.
  • 5 1
 Saw that one too, but I can give Matt a pass for the quality of his reviews.
  • 15 0
 Steep STA is the penicillin of the 21st century.
  • 5 0
 @ilovedust: 64.5 is where it's at.
  • 7 0
 @commental Thanks for the catch. No spell checker will pick that up Big Grin
  • 3 4
 @mattbeer: except for a human one...
  • 2 0
 @mattbeer: Haha, no worries, I must admit it made me chuckle.
  • 4 0
 @coffeepoop42069: I dare say, a typo in a NewYorker-AHEM... Pinkbike article! How unseemly!
  • 56 2
 Megatower 1 owners all on an out of date bike now, shame for them!
  • 48 0
 You know all those Megatower 1 owners already have their Megatower 2 order in
  • 7 0
 Yes but with a lifetime warranty Wink
  • 17 14
 they have been on an out of date bike for quite some time now.....
  • 5 1
 @v7fmp: arf arf Big Grin
  • 18 4
 Well, as a MT1 owner, I don't really see anything here that makes me want to drop a ton of $$$ to upgrade for minimal gains. As a 51 year old fart, my current bike is already far more capable than I am. I kinda like the "glove box" feature, but not for how much I'd have to spend to get it.
  • 5 0
 I know a few guys in the squamish/sea to sky area that use these bikes as all-rounder. Almost "xc" type daily drivers.

I think a big part of what makes that possible is the relatively "steep" head angle on the V1. I'm better the latest model is a little less versatile in that regard.

Makes sense for this to be the Enduro/race bike and the Hightower be beefed up to fill that role, though.
  • 51 0
 $14000 for the full Gucci Megatower build but the Last Tarvo from 4 days ago costs $4500 less, weighs less than 30 pounds, and is hecho en Allemagne. What gives, SC?
  • 41 3
 So why did they update this again?

Very similar geo to the V1, but heavier, with less CS adjustability, less progressive shock curve

However, it does have a box to store stuff, which is the most prominent feature in all the marketing…
  • 12 22
flag chakaping FL (Apr 19, 2022 at 3:04) (Below Threshold)
 They've got the geometry a lot better, to be fair - but it's still a narrow miss.
No mullet chip. Chainstays a touch too short for intended use (and not adjustable). Seat tubes slightly too high.
  • 4 19
flag thenotoriousmic (Apr 19, 2022 at 4:18) (Below Threshold)
 Nobody bought it. They bring new bikes out when the previous model stops selling and nobody bought the mega tower which is why you have a new nearly identical model to the one they released only two years ago.
  • 11 2
 @chakaping: are you for real? st too high? chainstay too short?
  • 12 14
 @NicolaZesty314: Chainstay should be 445 or 450mm on the large IMO.
  • 3 0
 Cascade should make a set of links to get the V1 rear end on the v2 and add progression. Best of both worlds
  • 2 4
 @chakaping: : I would say that no chainstay adjustment is a good thing because you have to realize that even though it’s cool you can move your effective chainstay length back and fourth 10mm that also changes the rear travel. When you put the rear axle backwards 10mm that moves the whole wheel backwards and gives the axle path more room to work with before bottom out. I personally think that chainstay adjustments on production bikes do not offer the exact benefits that people realize. Having a geo adjust flip chip is imo probably the best adjustment as it only changes bottom bracket to make the bike slacker and smaller. I would also think that moving your rear axle backwards with the adjustable chain stay also changes your rear axle path quite a bit too. You have to realize it’s more than just moving the axle back 10mm
  • 2 0
 @G-Minion: The shorter position should only be there for show really though.
  • 35 2
 People demanded something new and fresh, then SC brings us this fresh new color for 2022!
  • 17 0
 Trek seems to be the only big brand where color design (gold flakes and stuff) matches the price.
  • 10 0
 @SickEdit: Its so sad that Rocky has dropped the ball on paint schemes in recent years.
  • 5 1
 @Ttimer: I couldn’t agree more. I’m glad I bought my red/black Slayer in 2020. Everything after that looks like ass.
  • 6 1
 @Ttimer: yet my customers love the new paint jobs. Paint scheme is extremely relative, not to mention unless you see them in person you really can’t judge it by pictures
  • 18 1
 Lifetime warranty, lifetime bearing replacement. Very little room for geo improvements at this point. SC is giving you a frame you could own for 5+ years. You want fresh paint, get it painted. This isn’t a pro SC comment. It seems like the curve is getting flatter and you could keep frames like this for a really long time.
  • 8 1
 And the unsold ones will get stripped and repainted and called 2023 next year!
  • 10 1
 @txcx166: I ride with guys that will shred a 7 year old bike harder than many on new geo bikes. It's all about the skills and lack of fear.
  • 1 0
 @REZEN: true
  • 3 0
 @txcx166: That's an interesting thought. It does seem like MTB frames are reaching a point of diminishing returns in terms of innovation that alters/improves your riding experience. If you can... you should build your bike around a frame that fits you and your style, then just replace/upgrade components over the years. Until they change standards on you. In my experience, you can build a bike much cheaper than you can buy a complete bike.
  • 1 2
 @Baller7756: on what planet are custom builds cheaper? Sure if you get some parts from the clearance bin but even those are harder to find these days. I build most of my bikes and hardly does the tab come out lower. In the days you could buy real unboxed drivetrains online from overseas it was better but certainly not recently. If you are talking cloned carbon frames and/or PB buy-sell then yes but name brands from a shop I beg to differ.
  • 1 0
 @pink505: they’re cheaper if you already have some parts. That’s not a fair comparison, but if you’ve been riding for a while you likely have some. I would add to my original comment and include a nice set of carbon wheels with a lifetime warranty. Yes all this stuff is expensive, but with the warranty you can ride it hard for a really long time and you don’t have to buy it all at once. Spread over 2-3 years, most people can save enough to end up with a really nice bike that isn’t going to be way behind the times. MTB is no more money than golf, or $100 bar tab every weekend or whatever else you want to throw out there. It feels like it it with a 14k bike, but that’s not the only way.
  • 2 0
 @SickEdit: Giant do some great colours on their bikes. Mine has metal flake in it. Looks mega in the sun
  • 1 0
 @txcx166:. So you are saying upgrading your current bike is cheaper or buying a new frame is cheaper then a complete build. On that you are correct but spreading a 10k build over 3 years is still a 10k build it is just spread over a few more visa bills!
  • 1 0
 @pink505: Just do the math on any on of these MG2 bikes. Add up all the components and frame... even at retail price, you will come out lower. But of course, yes I am saying that you should be resourceful and shop around and find bargains on parts and bits for your build.

I have built my last 4 bikes, and each time time saved thousands over new equivalent complete bikes. Usually the higher end your bike/build the greater the savings over retail complete.
  • 24 1
 $6,800 for a GX build with MoR suspension is crazy talk, save $800 and get a Spire with pretty much better everything…thanks for the snack holder tho!
  • 3 1
 Save $800 and get a Fezzari La Sal peak, still a carbon frame, full GX, Code RSCs, RS ultimate suspension, and Carbon rims laced a to 1/1s, and not a reverb dropper.
  • 21 0
 The details box up front is lacking some details. 33.18lbs for a $5600 bike? Or 33.18lbs for a $14k bike?

Went over to Santa Cruz's site and its 33.18lbs for the $11,199 bike.

Here's the list of details for everyone though:
R/Carbon C 34.32lbs $5649
S/Carbon C 33.97lbs $6799
GX AXS / Carbon C 34.11lbs $8499
GX AXS Coil / Carbon C 35.94lbs $8499
GX AXS RSV / Carbon C 33.79lbs $9799
GX AXS RSV Coil / Carbon C 35.94lbs $9799
X01 / Carbon CC 33.07lbs $9299
X01 AXS RSV / Carbon CC 33.18lbs $11,199
X01 AXS RSV / Carbon CC 35.04 $11,199


And key words for people using ctrl+f
Weight, weighs, kg, lbs, grams, stones, #whyisstonesathingstill, gigatonne
  • 1 1
 Frame weight(s)?
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: Didn't see any frame weights on the website. And they only gave pricing for the CC frame at $4249. Which, in my thinking was spendy, but I don't normally buy brand new frame only so I could be off.
  • 2 0
 @hbar314: the previous version frame only was like 3600.
  • 2 0
 @Austink: C or CC?
  • 1 0
 @hbar314: When I bought mine back in 2019, the CC was the only frame-only option.
  • 4 0
 This is with EXO+ tyres so will easily be 1lb extra for tyres that actually suit the bike
  • 16 0
 Its refreshing to see people finally directing their disdain at the whole "influencer" group. Rewarding narcissists is the worst part of social media.
  • 18 1
 Gotta spend $8500 before you get decent suspension for this bike. Nuts.
  • 13 0
 Have owned 4 Santacruz in the last 15 years, and although I like the brand (that's why I come back to it), I think prices are over the top!
In 2 of the bikes, had to change shock, reshim, and fit a different link to have the feeling I was looking for.

The "tuned bikes", are still in the shed, but the other 2, I didn't bother and just sold then, and never came back to SC - sorry!
  • 7 1
 @gonpalco
I'm the same. Many SC bikes. Love their company but them and a few others getting a bit pricey. And it isn't pricey like "I can't afford it." More like pricey "not worth that amount to me." That's why I starting trying some other brands like Nukeproof, Transition (alloy), and Fezzari. And the cool thing is I found out I love 4 bar suspension design much better than VPP. The market sorts these things out. I was a bit disappointed to see chain reaction cycles starting to charge premium prices for NP bikes. But you look at a Fezzari, excellent quality, carbon frames the same price as other's alloy frames. I think we'll see premium companies lose some sales to brands that aren't skyrocketing their prices.
  • 2 0
 @foggnm: Completly!

I like how VPP pedal.
I like how FSR works on the rough stuff and braking.
I like how single pivot pedal on easy trails.

Also always liked the feeling and assurance that Specialized has/had.
  • 1 0
 @gonpalco: Yep. But now I'd say 4 bar designs have caught up in the pedaling department. I pretty much smashed all my uphill and downhill PRs on my 130mm Nukeproof that were set on my Megatower and Yeti SB150. That was all the proof I needed.
  • 2 0
 @foggnm: has nothing to do with the less travel! Lol
  • 13 0
 Gonna be interesting to see what happens to the Hightower
  • 29 0
 I was wondering the same. The only certainty is that it'll be a lot more expensive Big Grin
  • 5 2
 And have a twat box err
swat box @korev:
  • 1 3
 They will probably decide to make the hig tower just alloy only and the cheap version of the well over priced megatower. Then I'll make a yt video comparison on highpricedtower vs megapricedtower!
  • 2 0
 I've been thinking this over myself lately, that if the next HT follows recent evolutions of SC models, won't it literally be a 29er "Bronson"??

A touch more travel, a bit more wheelbase, a bit steeper STA, a touch more slack, slightly longer shock stroke, new lower link/front triangle for revised kinematics and chain stay lengths change with size, pretty much brings you to a 150/160 29er with around 64.5-65 hta and a 475mm reach in a size large with a high 43x mm rear center.

It's just too close in spec to the Bronson with the main feature difference being a 29er ass end. Seems like it's become too much a redundancy in their lineup unless they were to kill something off next time around?
  • 15 3
 370 hubs for 6800.00 build? a burly 7k bike with shit hubs still rides like shit after a month
  • 15 0
 New 370s are like the previous 350, so solid hobs. Still bad value considering the price tag of the bike..
  • 6 2
 Like nolimit said. All DT Swiss hubs are star ratchet now. All DT Swiss hubs matter now.
  • 14 6
 I dig it! yeah, they're not cheap, and yeah, most will be ridden on trails where the most air under the tires comes from loading/undloading the bike, but seems to be a big bruiser that will absolutely rip and compete with big single crown bikes like the spire and spindrift and there's nothing wrong with that.
  • 11 0
 The real question is how many kilos can be smuggled across the boarder in the downtube the XXL???
  • 10 0
 Santa Cruz is certainly trying to make the likes of Yeti and Ibis look like bargains. Terrible component specs for the price and the top dollar builds are still tanks...
  • 2 1
 Soon these tube entrances will be for adding bateries with those wheights...
  • 3 0
 @PauRexs: I am shocked they aren't already
  • 4 0
 Ibis has great value these days compared to SC. Yeti, on the other hand....
  • 4 0
 I take that back... $6700 (plus tax) for an SLX Ripmo? Damn.
  • 6 0
 @stevemokan: Yeti builds aren’t cheap, but they’re ready to race out the door.

What sucks about SC is their “mid-level” builds come with a lot of crap parts at the same price.
  • 16 8
 It’s a typical new Santa Cruz. Very expensive, brings nothing new to the table and is just copying the rest of the industry trends. PON shareholders will be laughing all the way to the bank over how they get away with it
  • 11 0
 Give the people what they want. Alloy frames with better spec components.
  • 9 0
 That's why I got away from SC a few years ago and went with Knolly and now Transition. Transition seems to be the best bang for the buck,
  • 7 0
 Granted, I am no Matt Beer, but does 102 PSI in a Fox 38 sound extremely stiff for a rider weighing 160 lbs?!

I weigh about 185 lbs without gear, and running 92-93 PSI in my Fox 38 makes it feel reasonably harsh over small and medium rocky sections. Then again, I may have an issue because I have not been impressed with my Fox 38 at all.
  • 5 0
 Try 87 psi and you will love that fork.
  • 6 0
 In the last 3-5 years nothing really changed on bikes.
My YT from 4 years ago for 5000€ will still work for another 4 years perfectly.... and then I gonna buy a 4 year old one again.
It’s so nice, we came to a level, where all bikes from most brands are great and the times where price only matters will soon come again due to competition. Anyone who buys an expensive brand is free to do so of course. Not me.
Most cheap bikes these days could be ridden on a worldcup, if someone has the skills.
That was very different in the 90s, when I started, cash mattered.
  • 9 2
 With droppers of 210mm being the new norm, I find the seat tube lengths too long. I could not go for an xxl for instance, unless I mount a 185mm dropper or possibly shorter. Weird.
  • 4 1
 Really? Looking at the geo I'd probably go for a medium, but I could size up twice and fit the XL with my 210 oneup and still have a few mm to play with.
  • 11 1
 Maybe not great for the two sizes up crowd.
  • 2 0
 Are you sure the rear tire wouldn't hit the lowered saddle then?
  • 1 1
 I have SC Megatower in XXL and run a 213mm dropper without any problems.
  • 2 0
 I don't think they're too bad. I might end up trying one of these and at 6 foot 2 I'd look at the XL, which has a 460mm seat tube. If I contrast that to other bikes I'm going to look at (Evil Wreckoning, Yeti SB150m, poss the GT) they all seem to have a seat tube of around 495mm in the XL
  • 1 3
 You can shorten the seat tube....
  • 4 0
 People get obsessed with seat tube lengths when what really matter is insertion depth. Doesn't matter how short you seat tube is if you have 70mm of post sticking out because the insertion depth is tiny. Also when did everyone's legs shrink, 175cm tall and I used to ride a 170mm Oneup post slammed in a 460mm seat tube on a large with no issues.
  • 2 0
 @spicysparkes: this! The Last Tarvo is a good example, the Spec Enduro, Treks like the Slash or most Giant/Livs are pretty bad at this
  • 10 0
 I just bought a KTM Duke R for less… like for real, not a sassy comment.
  • 9 2
 Gonna be happy Greenland and Goldstone with 29 only rear option... Now they 'll tell us is their favourite bike ever on social networks...
  • 4 3
 Cannot fathom why they didn't take this opportunity to charge $1k more for the mullet version. From the company that dragged ass on 29er wheels no less!
  • 2 0
 @gravitybass: just wait……guessing they’ll milk the 10k bike market with one in a year or 2. Even though they already have the Bronson.
  • 4 0
 ohhh wait! they already did! haha www.instagram.com/p/Cchqy5IsdSB
  • 7 2
 First gen Megaplower was already a battleship of a bike-fast but not as fun as some other bikes. This redesign just takes that concept further.

Would I want one as a daily driver? No. If I “seriously” raced enduros this would be the bike I’d want for dropping into steep, technical, consequential I don’t know at race speed.

That said, if any privateers are going to be able to afford these, Santa Cruz needs to do something about their pricing. They are the worst value of any bike on the market these days.
  • 5 0
 Looks like in the US at least there is not a frame option. Too bad, that was always one of the better ways to build a SC but especially now as I don't love the component spec choices on any of the bikes. I find it ridiculous that on a 12k bike (X01 Reserve) you "only" get the I9 1/1 hubs and have this nebulous thing of either a Reverb or One Up post.

It's a cool bike but pricing is currently alienating me. Not just a SC thing I know but there's a point for everyone where opportunity cost theory makes new bikes a hard pass.

I'll keep my '21 Stumpy Evo and take a couple riding vacations me thinks.
  • 1 0
 My bad on no frame only. $4249USD for a fame.
  • 9 0
 Colors eh
  • 8 0
 I like the navy blue, the other colour scheme reminds me of the pavement after a drunk Saturday night...
  • 5 1
 As said by many... those prices... woof.

More modern Enduro geo.. yay. People have been doing this with the cascade link and I typically see v1s built around a 170 fork (slackening it out a bit).

I don't get the hate on some of this, or the call outs on ONE measurement, it's how they all interact, so, taking those things out of context doesn't mean too much.
  • 8 1
 The $12,000 CC Carbon coil build is over a pound heavier than my coiled aluminum Kavenz with no carbon parts lol.
  • 12 5
 SC makes overbuilt shitty quality carbon frames so the fat guys don't kill them on warranties. They know their customers.
  • 4 0
 So last year's enduro bike, now is all-mountain, last year's all-mountain, now a trail bike, last year's trail bike, now a xc bike, etc...The industry isn't industry without change! Pure madness and nonsense, especially with the prices. The 3 thing analogy, pick 2 doesn't even apply anymore. This bike isn't cheap, but not light either. My MTv1 is looking as good as ever.
  • 6 0
 "Without a doubt, the most eye-catching feature on the Megatower 2 is the compartment under the water bottle cage."
  • 3 3
 My first thought too, ohh so you guys are most impressed with the twat box. Got it
  • 3 0
 Haha definitely got me too
  • 1 0
 How long until Levy wants a compartment under every water bottle mount?
How long until a compartment count less than three gets a bullet in the "cons" list?
  • 7 3
 It’s unfortunate it’s only $13999 US for the top model. That’s barely going to impress my radiology friends at all. Looks like the S-Works Turbo Levo SL is still my best bet.
  • 7 1
 $5,649 hardcore enduro bike with sram g2 brakes and nx eagle, I’ll pass lol. At least put some codes on it!
  • 9 2
 Why buy a motorcycle when you can buy a bicycle for only thousands more
  • 6 0
 Oh the days when a top of the line X01 build with carbon wheels/350 costs you $8500
  • 6 2
 Hillarious: you build a carbon frame, drop the weights by buying hi-end parts..... and then you add a trunk which you fill with garbage you probably don't need to erase all the weight benefit again
  • 5 1
 I'm on a Stumpy EVO and moving garbage from your hip/pack to the downtube and riding totally packless is nice. There is no weight benefit, just moving it to a more comfortable location.
  • 3 0
 Just looked at Transtion's website to confirm:

Yes, you can buy a top of the range Carbon Spire XO1 AND Spur XO1 for less than cost of the range topping model of the Megatower 2.

I've owned 3 Santa Cruz bikes over the years. 5010 V2, TB V3, and TB V4 - they're very good bikes and their warranty department is second to none. Having said all this, I doubt I'll ever own one again... at least not without an industry deal (and even then I'd probably just buy a frame and build it up)
  • 3 1
 Regardless of the specs and price it would be nice if bike manufacturers and suppliers could simply deliver said bikes to the local bike shops so that consumers could actually go out and purchase bikes. Not sure about anyone else's experience but buying a new bike just seems like it's near impossible. Nothing available anywhere and no time frame for delivery.
  • 2 0
 I like what they are doing, frame storage looks sweet and the blue color seems to have a similar finish to the oxblood bikes which looks awesome. I still find value in the quality of their frames but it’s getting rough with the build kits creeping up.
  • 5 0
 The build kit pricing was always horrible though. However, building from the frame up used to be a decent deal with SC before covid hit. I built a current-gen Tallboy CC with full XT, dt240 hubs and Pike ultimate for about the same what a mid-range C-build would cost.

It's been a solid performer (after swapping out the shitty roller bearings on the shock) and I've been quite happy with it. Wouldn't mind trying to the frame to an MT as I've never owned a big bike, but their frame pricing has gone thru the roof. 4250$ (so 4300€ at least) for one, oof!

Still, looks nice. I really appreciate the geometry SC has gone for, pretty much exactly my sweet spot atleast. Not super-long, but with a really slack HT.
  • 3 0
 @mattbeer I'm confused. Looking at the kinematic graph, it appears the newer model is MORE progressive, and the older model is the one that levelled out. The newer model is an even straigher, having a more constant slope.
  • 2 0
 @bikedrd We'll get into more details in the Field Test, but it's more predictable towards the end of the stroke.
  • 9 0
 @bikedrd You are right. The new model is more progressive assuming that graph is right. Based off the graph, new one is about 29% whereas old is about 25%. Coupled with a longer shock stroke this is should be a lot better. 57.5 was a little on the short side for what the bike is. @mattbeer, there's some stuff here that could use some clarification. The graph does not match the description of the leverage curve.
  • 2 0
 @CascadeComponents: I've corrected the article. I must have been getting googly-eyed after being behind the keyboard for too long.
  • 3 0
 @mattbeer FYI - Looks like the Megatower comes spec'd with Double Down casings in the coil versions. Interesting choice by Santa Cruz engineers to save the burlier tires only for a certain model type.
  • 3 0
 People are here acting shocked that Santa Cruz’s builds are stupidly overpriced. Have you not seen how overpriced their builds have been over the last 20 years? It’s nothing new.
  • 7 1
 $14,000…. Getting in to brand new superbike territory.
  • 8 0
 I could buy myself a nice dirtbike and a nice MTB for the price of one of these.
  • 4 1
 Why so many people saying this? Mountain bikes have cost the sane as motorcycles for a very long time already. Like, are guys new here?

The other brands will follow suit on the pricing before long. Inflation is real. And it's not like if it was $8500 you'd be buying extras for your friends
  • 2 0
 @tigen: People have been complaining that mtb's cost the same as motorcycles since at least the time they started costing the same as motrorcycles. They cost more than motorcycles now and they don't last even a fraction of the amount of time and barely hold their resale value.
  • 4 0
 I am one of the few that rarely ever uses my swat box ? Looked like a great feature , but reality is I travel really light on my rides .
  • 1 0
 I usually only use it on serious missions on trails like TWE for example. Although I don't use it as often as I thought I would, I am glad to have it when I need it.
  • 4 0
 Finding the 6-bar polygon prototype at sea otter more interesting than this bourgeoisie totem.
m.pinkbike.com/news/polygons-new-6-bar-enduro-bike-sea-otter-2022.html
  • 4 0
 Like that is not also for the bourgeoisie? This whole sport is elite as f*ck. The basic concept of spending hours and hours riding and wrenching and reading this site is already bourgeoisie before you start buying gear and $100+ tires and $300 helmets and vacations etc.
  • 1 0
 @tigen: Hey, watch it pal! Don't call me names. You've simply described a sweet middle-class lifestyle. I'm in on it.
  • 3 0
 This geometry trend is setting up the peeps who fall for it to buy another bike when the "industry" walks this trend back. All in the name of change to maintain revenue streams.
  • 2 0
 Instead of stealing the SWAT box and price of the SWorks from specialized how about take the adjustable geometry of the Stumpy Evo and the option of an alloy frame. Everyone is out her trying to be yeti and it sucks.
  • 9 4
 Looks like a Specialtensenukecruz
  • 6 0
 Megalonger, megaslacker
  • 6 0
 They should improve the name... Pitty they killed the iconic Nomad which it is in essence and spirit and brought this sh*t name...
  • 7 3
 $7400 CAD for NX & Zeb Charger R? My fellow Filipinos will buy 10 of them.
  • 2 1
 Hahahahaha
  • 5 0
 With those prices, the Dentist's might be awayed away from Yetis!
  • 5 0
 I’d be sad paying 8900cad and getting coder brakes.
  • 2 0
 I don’t think I could afford anything but a direct to consumer bike like YT or Canyon after the pandemic price jumps. $5700 Canadian gets you GX and Performance Elite suspension on the Jeffsy. $8600 will get you a Trek with the same-ish spec. How can I pay more for SC?
  • 4 1
 I kinda wonder what’s with the slacker and slacker head angle? Recreating Peter Fonda‘s ride in Easy Rider?
No wonder most bike parks look like autobahns…
  • 2 0
 Looks decent, except for the price tag. Immediately and automatically terminates all desire of owning one. They might be good, but they are, with 100% certainty, not "the base model costs 6k"-good.
  • 6 2
 At last, a santa cruz with a reasonable actual seat angle.
  • 1 0
 Where does it show any 'actual' seat angle number? The 77 is 'effective'
  • 1 0
 @Linc:
It doesn’t. But you look at the mega tower compared to the old one side by side and you’ll notice a big difference.

It could be steeper still, mind, I still would be unlikely to buy one.
  • 3 1
 Can companies please start showing geo measurements in diagrams! How are these calculated?! Are they actual measurements or effective?
  • 6 0
 I can tell you that is absolutely not the ‘actual’ seat angle number.
  • 4 4
 The V1 Mega climbs very well for a 170-160mm bike . I would hope this climbs as well with a steep seat tube . One thing about the V1 was the adjustable chain stay Long for all out hauling short for playful . as the chain stay on the XL is now almost set in the long 443mm I fear that the more playful side will be removed in favor of just smashing ..or megaploughing .

But still ..that Greggs tube for Uk owners Wink
  • 13 13
 Someone tell me how this is better than my now 3 year old Transition Sentinel V2 with a cascade link. It has 165mm rear, 170 fork, 63.3 HA and 77 SA. I also paid about half of what this bike is selling for. I keep looking at all the new bikes and find them unappealing as the Sentinel just takes the cake.
  • 29 4
 That's not really our job, to be fair.
  • 3 0
 The V2 sentinel is a great frame, I love transition I think they are the top leader right now in the industry for offering almost boutique brand quality for a awesome price. Just built my V2 sentinel frame up a handful of months ago. Cant believe that it’s 3 years already! I barely managed to get my hands on my frame too. Loving it so far too. Super high quality, and the 4 bar is all you need.
  • 2 0
 So I guess the question would be can you still buy your same v2 new for way less than this? Or an enduro or a nuke..(Obviously you shouldn't sell)
Like a homeowner with 'rate lock'....
  • 1 0
 @jrocksdh: The MSRP for the Carbon Transition Sentinel is 3,399, which is obviously a very good margin cheaper than that price tag of 4,249. I believe that the frameset was always that same price, and even if it wasn't 3400 basically for a very high quality frame with excellent support is still a very fair deal nowadays for that price. Gen 1 Mega frameset I recall was only 3600, I don't get what that extra $649 dollars was for... huge price jack.
  • 1 1
 WELL....this is if you want to compare the 2 bikes.

1. Your V2 Sentinel DIDNT COME WITH A 38, it came with a 36 . IT ALSO CAME WITH A 160, not 170 . so to match the v2 MT you have to buy a new fork to make them the same. add that to the price you paid... (i don't say it NEEDS a 38 or 170..im saying if you compare the 2 bikes then you should consider this)

for example - this is why no-one buys used 2021 altitudes as they came with a 36 and new come with 38 - why by 2021 for 5500 and add 1100 to upgrade to a 38 when you can buy 2022 WITH a 38 for same price and ride a new bike !

2. Once you added 10mm to for travel (to match bikes) you have now slackened the ST angle so now you are sub 77...76.5 ish. not the same as 78.

3. MT frame looks way burlier. look at downtube on this thing.

4. same ol' 4bar vs vpp.... ( of course whatever anyone has is the best Smile but its not the same)

5. Add bearing sets (free on SC bikes not on transition) and Cast link and price gap (which isn't that big ) keeps shrinking ... (remember you bought bike pre covid).

6. if your bike was as good as a burly 170/170 bike they wouldn't bring out the spire....clearly not as burly built frame.

you're welcome,
  • 2 0
 @malobalo:

1) Yes your right my V2 sentinel didn't come with a 38 because it was a frameset. I built it with most of my own parts from my previous bike, I already had a 38 to put on it. But there's a reason why they spec a 36 on it which Ill talk about below

2) Yes, the extra 10mm of front travel does slacken the ST angle out from the stock angle but barely even so, plus, having a super steep STA is not the only factor as to why the Sentinel climbs great. Hint hint maybe anti squat/ suspension performance also plays a huge role. Just because it has a steeper STA than the Sentinel doesn't make it a better climber.

3) If you understood design a little bit you would understand that the downtube has to be large to reasonably accommodate whatever sock or stuff that they had in mind that you would put in it. Also keep in mind with tubes and carbon specifically, with a larger diameter tube you can go thinner on the actual wall of the carbon, so even though it appears bigger, I doubt that the Megatower frame is really that much burlier than the Sentinel. You should see the tubes on my Sentinel compared to my specialized enduro 2020.

4) One of the reasons why I choose not to run Santa Cruz is because of that, with the VPP design on all the Santa Cruz's it makes their rear wheel path the shape of an S, not really optimal.

5) I agree that the lifetime bearing sets is very nice but rarely have I ever had to change my bearings out, maintain your pivots and keep them clean and maybe you won't need that. Never had to replace a single bearing on my Enduro 2020 for the almost 2 years I had it. Also I didn't buy my frame pre-covid lol, I built mine up earlier this year, and tax was as expensive as ever where I bought it.

6) Even if the Mega frame isn't as burly as my Sentinel your also forgetting that these two bike are in two separate categories. I'm not sure where you missed it but largely the Sentinel has been acclaimed to be a great all around "all mountain bike". Hence why it has a 36 and only 150 in the rear. But even then with a few changes it can be a enduro weapon like I have it now. I don't get where that's fair comparing a 150 rear travel bike to a bike that previously had 160 and then bumped to 165, and is supposed to be a "big bike". My bike was designed with a totally different style of riding in mind. Although With the 62.5mm stroke shock on the Sentinel I would say it's one of the highest specs stroke shock for the travel. Even though it only has 150mm in the rear the use of a longer end stroke shock really changes how the rear end "feels" like it has a certain amount of travel. I needed more out of my sentinel but I loved the geo and the design of the frame so when I paired the 170 38 to the front It made it a perfect machine for what I'm doing.
And there was a specific reason why I didn't choose the spire, but I'm 99% sure both frames are similar just the Spire is a bit heavier and passes a downhill rating/ can have a dual crown and the rocker link is lengthen in according to the seat stay to provide 20mm more travel. I didn't like the sizing on the Spire so that is why I went with the sentinel. or else I would have definitely opted for 170mm available out of the rear, but coming off a 2020 specialized enduro, I don't even noticed the loss of travel from 170 to 150, even when the enduros's rear end OVER delivers to 176mm. The sentinel actually has a longer stroke shock than the enduro 60mm vs 62.5mm.

7) I don't get what any of your points are here, I wasn't arguing how my bike was the best, I was mainly talking about price. One last note is that Santa Cruz's geometry hasn't been on the bar In my option for a handful of years. You talk about the STA but santa cruz's seat tube angles have probably been some of the most off the back ever, especially for taller riders. Transition with their SBG I think was a foundation of a new era of geo for other companies to follow behind/ drive the industry forward. In 2018 the V1 sentinel had better angles already than the V1 megatower when it came out. But hey anyways, that's just my opinion.
  • 4 1
 I see the EWS crew have published their advert for the bike. Another load of free ones customers have to fund
  • 2 0
 You are grossly overestimating the cost of producing each unit. This is why the lifetime warranty thing works. Most of the cost is in design, testing, tooling etc
  • 4 1
 Just here to listen to people whine and complain about bike prices. That being said, much needed updates here to the Mega.
  • 2 0
 Price tags are craziness. Unless you get some buddy deal. I think the last good deal was the Sentinel GX a couple years ago.
  • 7 3
 14k for top build? ew. Santa Cruz needs to f*ck off.
  • 3 3
 sounds like you gotta annex some meteorites or comets or something...resources
  • 4 4
 This is the beginning of bike geo swinging too far into the long, low and slack trend. How the hell are you supposed to weight the front end of an XL bike with a stack of 650 something and a HTA of 63? Surely the fork offset can’t compensate enough. I would be on an XL and I’d need to slam my bars to get balanced on descents without any front wheel wash. This bike is the epitome of redundant.
  • 1 0
 Yep, I already feel that way a bit about my XL Hightower. My exact complaint is that sometimes I struggle to properly weight the front wheel and when I correct it in those scenerios my overall weight is definitely too far forward. You can't talk like that around here though. Sometimes on a clear day, if I squint and look really hard, I can still see my front wheel in front of me.
  • 1 0
 @warmerdamj: haha I can tell. I have my form down so it’s not that I can’t weight the front and I have been riding slacker bikes since 2018 with the YT Capra 29 at a 65 HTA. From there I’ve been a bike whore and have owned a Transition Patrol (64 HTA), Giant Reign (65 HTA), YT Izzo Blaze (65.5) and currently a YT Jeffsy (was 66 but went to 65 with an angleset). I absolutely needed to drop spacers after the angleset to weight the front properly and provide more space to move around. What provoked me to try this was that my Large 2022 Rocky Mountain Blizzard fat bike with a 66 HTA has a 617mm stack, very low. But, surprisingly I felt so balanced and confident in anything steep. Moving this over to my Jeffsy with 35mm rise bars has helped immensely. The Jeffsy has a stack of 636mm on an XL and since the angleset I’ve gone down in stack to 633mm and dropped 5mm of spacers so roughly 628mm. Again, how can a 653mm stack on the XL Megatower 2 be manageable?
  • 1 2
 there are plenty of people who bought and rode an XL evil wreckoning.... it has 495 reach and 658 stack. NOT ONE COMPLAINT regarding weighing front end.

New Giga 290 xl has 495 and 648 . no-one said a word.

....but I get it , finding negative stuff to say about bikes you can't afford and never even ridden ...thats cool.

XL wreckoning/yeti/meta all have 435 CS length.... the mega got killed for it , wreckoning was "playful and great" yeti was not...

Rocky mountain altitude has worst build value and noone bitch about the price at their launch....

so you see - it depends on what brand it is .

the "fancy" boutique bikes that everyone wants but can't get are being smashed and others are being let go. (even by people who never even rode the bikes)
its like kindergarten you see - you shove a girl that you deep inside like very much... you say ferrari drivers have small dicks.... you know ...

just look down at hightower reply you got ..xl .hightower stack is 637... not high at all and OMG he's in trouble. lol

and reply after ... guy has a fat bike , he got a large (475 reach) and the jeffsy he got was xl (490 reach) ... he just forgot to add those measurements to the comparison... oops.

to sum it all. don't trash talk bikes just cuz you can't afford to buy them - its getting OLD!
  • 1 0
 @malobalo: We obviously can afford the bikes, we own them and are talking about them. What kind of bikes can you afford between your two part time jobs at the Evil and Nukeproof Customer Complaint Departments?
  • 1 1
 For the SC haters out there: these bikes rip as hard as you are willing to/capable of, they are easy to work on/upgrade/repair, and the warranty is unmatched. It was not easy to get to a place where I can afford one not just for me, but for others in my family as well, but it was worth it. If I can do it, why can't most others?

The majority of people I've met on expensive bikes send it hard. They recognize how a high quality bike can support progression and athletic expression, which is fun. It is fun to ride mountain bikes to your maximum capacity and then some.
  • 4 0
 "Accomplished enduro race bike" with zero EWS wins...
  • 2 2
 santa cruz bike @ 10000 ... PB commenters : SC are shit bikes.
santa cruz lower prices to 2000 ... PB commenters at store having fist fights ,pulling each other hair waiting outside with their posse to steal another dudes bike and posting online how THEY own THE BEST bike EVER !!!!!

pls PB children - go get a job and stop the H8 already !!!
  • 12 8
 COLORS WTF´?
  • 10 3
 never been their thing
  • 18 1
 Every bike Santa Cruz releases. Y'all are so basic. If it's not black with white or grey lettering y'all are like 'wtf were the designers on when they picked these colors?'
  • 2 6
flag sr-34 (Apr 19, 2022 at 7:02) (Below Threshold)
 @jeremy3220: nothing wrong in creative color schemes, but guess what it's not for everybody. so why not do it like Speci for example? They always have something common/stealthy and something which is out of the norm. But SC always have everythin in stupidly wild colours ... the 2020 MT was the only bike in grey/black if i reckon correctly
  • 10 2
 @sr-34: You guys thinking blue with green lettering is "stupidly wild" is exactly my point.
  • 7 1
 I’m down with these colours. They certainly have worse combinations in their range.
  • 2 0
 forgot to say how tall it is, saying the size of the bike without saying how tall it is is a sin...
  • 5 2
 This comment section is as sour as YouTube.
  • 3 0
 GX shifter and shitty X1 crank for that money?
  • 4 2
 Nah, with that pricing model - i’ll get a budget bike from a brand called yeti next.
  • 1 0
 Every frame company should make a frame compartment. Just makes sense. Not only for storage, but for ease of maintenance when running cables or replacing cables.
  • 7 8
 I'll never own a SC of any type, not because of the cost, but because they are effectively the Audi and Rangerovers of the MTB world. The status and Ego aspect the owners display is MegaCringe. On a side note this bike just looks so far behind the times......really scratching my head to see how this can be described as a revamped bike!!
  • 7 2
 it's not like Audis and Range Rovers suck though.
  • 3 2
 @owl-X:
Debatable.
  • 3 0
 oh cool now i have a place to put my porridge
  • 3 0
 Only 140 years of Outside+, why wouldn't we all get one.
  • 3 0
 good bike!!!
  • 2 0
 Don’t hate the player - hate the game!!!
  • 5 2
 Insta-dontist whip yo
  • 4 3
 good on SC for fixing the end stroke harshness! sounds like it could be the bike we all hoped the first one should've been.
  • 2 0
 so... how many baguettes can i store in the frame now?
  • 4 2
 11k for a mountain bike is absurd.
  • 2 0
 You get an Uno ebike for 10K...
  • 4 2
 Cascade and 170 fork on the Bronson, MX MT
  • 3 0
 So where's Mahoney?
  • 1 0
 @mattbeer how did this feel with the rockshox coil if you tried it in that configuration?
  • 1 0
 @ashmtb85 I only had the opportunity to ride the build in the title photo.
  • 1 0
 I so want to get this to replace my Hightower but then I wont have any excuses when skipping gnarly features.
  • 2 0
 Not shipping till Nov? Well then there really is not a release is there?
  • 1 0
 Couldn't be bothered to dry the bike off before taking a photo?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Intense Tracer 279 Expert.....:p
  • 1 0
 Honestly I’m very surprised they kept this under wraps for so long
  • 4 2
 Tallboy color..why?
  • 4 7
 33lbs that's insane..I payed 3800 for a 22 trek slash 8 put some carbon hoops on it 32 lbs ..who is paying or who can even afford these prices.im amazed when I see kids riding around on 10'000 dollar bikes..much less ebikes which at this price might as well
  • 1 0
 this link puts me in CAD, nice 1
  • 1 0
 Comparing to Bronson? How about against the Nomad? That's a better fit.
  • 2 0
 Against enduro..
  • 1 0
 Beautiful bike! Now I want it lol
  • 2 0
 Ok… next.
  • 1 0
 so when are we going to start making fun of SC for being dentist bikes?
  • 1 0
 How long do I have to wait before I can buy one, frame-only?
  • 1 1
 When do we get the new blur colors?
  • 4 0
 The Blur was re-released like a year ago... You'll be waiting at least another year.
  • 1 0
 Light green color seen at the UCI XC races and a few others.
  • 2 0
 @Nellus: Could be, though doesn't Santa Cruz re-release colors every year, even if they didn't a new model?
  • 2 0
 @Blurforlife3: That is correct. Especially the re release part, my 2019 Blur is nearly the same color as the new Blur. People mistake it all the time since I have a SID Ultimate on it. Nice to see another Blur fanatic!
  • 1 1
 Finally. I like it. But very expencive.
  • 3 4
 I always see Santa Cruz like the Ford Escort joke.
  • 2 0
 What's the joke? Now I'm curiousBig Grin
  • 1 2
 Hinestly didmt seem like the revoewer loved the rear suspension.
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