2025 Santa Cruz Hightower 4 C R

The 2025 Santa Cruz Hightower 4 C R is built for trail riders who want a bike that handles a wide range of terrainwith ease. Climbing steep sections or bombing down technical descents, this bike feels stable and controlled. It's ready to keep up with whatever the trail throws at you.

Suspension

The heart of the suspension is a FOX Float X Performance shock (230x57.5mm) that smooths out rough patches while keeping you firmly planted. You can tweak the compression and rebound to dial in exactly how the bike reacts to hits and bumps. 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 series is the more affordable series of the FLOAT X lineup and focuses on durability, consistency and comfort with simplified adjustments for ease of use.

Up front, the 160mm travel RockShox Lyrik Base fork uses the DebonAir spring system for a plush but responsive feel. This means it holds the line through rock gardens or loose, tricky corners without hesitation.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed. It’s smooth and reliable, even when you’re grinding uphill or snapping into another gear on the fly. The wide 11-50t range on the PG1230 cassette means you won’t run out of climbing gears. The DUB bottom bracket and Descendant Eagle crankset work together to make your pedaling more efficient and powerful.

Wheels and Tires

Rolling on 29-inch wheels wrapped in Maxxis Minion tires (DHF 2.5” front, DHR II 2.4” rear) gives you excellent grip when things get steep or loose. Those tires use MaxxGrip and MaxxTerra compounds for a durable ride that holds on through corners and braking zones. The wheels pair Reserve 30|TR AL or Raceface AR30 rims with SRAM MTH hubs for a combo of strength, quick engagement, and durability.

Brakes

You'll also find a set of four-piston SRAM DB8 Stealth brakes, which offer powerful, controlled braking. Modulation is on point, letting you feather your speed through technical sections without locking up the wheels. This keeps you confident and in control.

Cockpit

On the cockpit side, the Burgtec Alloy handlebar blends strength and comfort. A 42mm OneUp or Burgtec Enduro stem offers precise handling. Together, these make the front end feel responsive and stable without adding unnecessary weight.

Saddle and Dropper Post

For the saddle, you’ll find either a Fizik Monte or SDG Bel-Air V3 option, both shaped for support and built tough with steel rails. The SDG Tellis dropper post, available in several lengths depending on frame size, lets you quickly adjust saddle height mid-ride. This feature is handy when you’re switching between seated climbs and aggressive descents.

Geometry

Geometry serves up a mix that balances agility with stability. A slack head angle helps you descend with confidence, while a steeper seat tube angle positions you well for efficient climbing. The 29-inch wheels front and rear smooth out high-speed runs and technical sections alike.

In short, the Hightower 4 C R is a bike designed to roll strong on demanding trails and adapt to the ride you want that day. Reliable components, balanced geometry, and solid suspension all come together here.