[Ride Review] 2025 Santa Cruz Hightower 4

With this newest iteration of the classic Hightower, Santa Cruz has made numerous subtle changes to their 2025 model that further refine the design of this beloved bike. Meant to be a do-it-all style ride, the Santa Cruz Hightower is happy to pedal all day or hit some gnarly descents. The key updates this bike receives are a slightly longer reach, wheelbase and chainstays paired with a 160mm fork. The bike still pedals well thanks to a steepened seat tube angle and refined anti-squat from an updated VPP suspension layout.

I personally own the previous generation Hightower, have put hundreds of miles on that bike over the course of this riding season and it has become one of my favorite bikes I have ever owned. So needless to say, I was excited to throw a leg over this new Hightower and see if Santa Cruz improved on their design or if I lucked out in getting the previous model. 

The bike

The bike we tested, a 2025 Santa Cruz Hightower 4 featuring the X0 AXS Reserve group set, is the second highest-end build Santa Cruz offers. The bike comes with Sram X0 transmission drivetrain, Reserve carbon wheels, Fox factory suspension with their updated GripX2 damper and SRAM Maven brakes. With all this high-end new tech I was excited to get this bike out on trail and see if it lives up to the hype.  

Climbing 

The new Hightower impressed on the climbs. I was initially skeptical as at first glance it appears this version got the longer, slacker, and more travel treatment that has been the trend in recent years. However, I pleasantly found a composed and comfortable pedaling platform. The steeper seat tube angle allows for a very natural riding position and while the front end of this bike is more slack than the previous generation, I did not feel that this inhibited climbing performance. In addition, the new for GripX2 damper felt supple and smooth during technical ascents and it generated more than adequate traction. 

Descending

Overall this new Hightower had a much different feel descending than the old gen. The updated geo paired with longer travel front and rear made this bike feel more grounded. My personal Hightower is a poppy and playful descender and while this bike has similar characteristics it was much more planted through rough terrain. Overall it felt more at home once the trail got steep and rough. The bike feels much more ready to handle days at the bike park than the previous model. Having ridden my Hightower at Deer Valley and Park City, I was often left wanting a bigger bike. This new generation does inspire more confidence to handle terrain that I would have previously found the limit on with my personal bike.

The new Fox Grip X2 damper felt supple and supportive. I was able to fine tune it and find a setting that worked for me. The new SRAM Maven brakes felt super powerful even with 180mm rotors

Conclusion 

The new Santa Cruz Hightower is a versatile bike that will cater to a wide variety of riders. Built to handle both long days in the saddle and demanding downhills, the Hightower is an excellent one bike quiver. With updated geometry and more travel, this bike maintains the efficiency of the previous generation while providing a capable well-rounded platform that can handle just about anything.