2025 Santa Cruz Hightower 4 C GX AXS

The 2025 Santa Cruz Hightower 4 C GX AXS is a mountain bike ready to handle whatever the trail throws at you. Whether you’re climbing steep hills, cruising fast flow trails, or picking your way down technical descents, this bike offers the balance and control you want without compromise.

Suspension

Let’s start with the suspension. A FOX Float X Performance Elite rear shock smooths out rough terrain with 230x57.5mm travel. You can dial in compression and rebound to match your ride, so it feels just right no matter where you take it. Up front, a Fox 36 Float Performance Elite fork provides 160mm of travel. This fork doesn’t just soak up hits. Its Grip X2 damper lets you fine-tune the feel for climbing or ripping downhill. FOX FLOAT X is engineered to meet the demands of aggressive Trail riders. It delivers sophisticated damping and fade-free performance on the roughest terrain. It's designed for outstanding durability while remaining impressively lightweight. The Performance Elite series has the same high end features and tunability as the top-of-the-line Factory series, without Fox's Kashima Coat.

Drivetrain and Shifting

Shifting gears on the Hightower is wireless and precise thanks to the SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12-speed drivetrain. The robust derailleur and the easy-to-use AXS Pod shifter mean quick, clean shifts even when the trail gets steep and rough. A 10-52T cassette gives you a huge gear range for both grinding up hills and bombing down fast sections, and the Flattop chain keeps things running smooth and strong.

Crankset and Bottom Bracket

Power delivery comes from the SRAM GX Eagle DUB crankset with a 32T chainring. Its light but tough design transfers your effort efficiently. The SRAM DUB 73mm bottom bracket supports smooth pedaling and overall stability during aggressive riding.

Tires and Wheels

Grip is key out there. The front uses a Maxxis Minion DHF 29” x 2.5” tire known for cornering traction, while the rear Maxxis Minion DHR II (29” x 2.4”) holds the line under braking with a MaxxTerra compound that balances grip and rolling speed. These tires sit on wheels built around DT Swiss 370 hubs, paired with either Reserve 30 SL AL 6069 or Raceface ARC 30 rims. Tough yet nimble is how these wheels roll.

Brakes

You'll also find a set of SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth brakes with four-piston calipers. They deliver consistent, controllable braking so you can ride with confidence on descents that demand precision.

Handlebar and Stem

Up front, a Santa Cruz 35 Carbon handlebar measures 800mm wide to give you plenty of control and vibration damping. Pair that with a 42mm stem from either OneUp or Burgtec Enduro, and you get a cockpit tuned for steady handling on demanding terrain.

Saddle and Dropper Post

Sitting on top is an SDG Bel-Air V3 saddle. Comfortable and lightweight, it has durable Lux-Alloy Atmos rails and a shape that supports long rides without hassle. The OneUp dropper post lets you adjust saddle height in a flash, with travel options ranging from 120mm on small frames up to 210mm on the biggest sizes. Changing the height on the fly means better control when the trail pitches downhill or technical climbing points appear.

Geometry

The geometry of the Hightower has been carefully updated. A well-balanced head tube angle and steep seat tube angle combine with a low bottom bracket to keep things stable yet responsive. The mixed 29" wheels provide quick handling up front with solid traction and stability in the rear.

Design and Build

Everything about this bike feels thoughtfully engineered, from the frame’s sturdy construction to the carefully chosen components. It looks just as good as it rides, with bold styling and clean lines.

Summary

If you want an all-mountain bike that steps up without complications, here it is. The Santa Cruz Hightower 4 GX AXS meets the demands of varied terrain head on and gives you the tools to explore your limits.