Santa Cruz Bicycles is a mountain bicycle manufacturer located in Santa Cruz, California. They manufacture mountain, cross-country, downhill, freeride, and BMX bicycles. In 2016 they introduced the Hightower model, an update to the original Hightower which was released in 2013. The Hightower has been a popular model for Santa Cruz due to its combination of 29er wheels and 150mm of suspension travel.
The new Hightower has been updated with a longer and lower geometry, as well as a boost in rear travel to 160mm. This makes it an even more capable bike on the trails. Santa Cruz is known for making some of the best mountain bikes on the market, and the Hightower is no exception. The Santa Cruz Hightower is a great option if you’re looking for a versatile and capable mountain bike. It’s a bit more expensive than the 5010, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for a bike that can do it all.
The Hightower has 29″ wheels and 120mm of suspension, making it great for both climbing and descending. It’s also a bit more comfortable to ride, thanks to its taller stack height and longer wheelbase. If you’re looking for a do-it-all mountain bike, the Santa Cruz Hightower is a great option. Santa Cruz Bicycles is a manufacturer of high-end mountain bikes based in Santa Cruz, California. The company was founded in 1993 by Rob Roskopp and Rich Novak.
Santa Cruz has been a pioneer in the mountain bike industry, helping to popularize the sport of mountain biking and innovating new designs and technologies that have shaped the modern mountain bike. The Santa Cruz 5010 is a trail bike that was introduced in 2013. The 5010 is an update to the popular Santa Cruz Blur TR, which was first introduced in 2002. The 5010 features updated geometry and suspension design, making it a more capable bike on technical trails.
The 5010 has been a popular model for Santa Cruz, with many riders praising its versatility and ability to handle a variety of terrain. The 5010 is a great option if you’re looking for a light and nimble bike. It’s not as capable as the Hightower when it comes to descending, but it’s a lot lighter and more maneuverable. This makes it a great choice for cross-country riding and climbing.
The 5010 also has shorter chainstays, which makes it easier to maneuver around tight corners. If you’re looking for a light and fast bike that’s great for climbing, the Santa Cruz 5010 is a great option.
Santa Cruz Hightower overview
Santa Cruz Hightower is a cross-country and enduro mountain bike that was first released in 2016. It’s built to handle anything you might encounter on the trail, from chunky rock gardens to high-speed descents. The Hightower has won multiple awards and is a favorite among riders who want a versatile bike that can do it all.
The Hightower is available in both carbon and aluminum versions and can be equipped with either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. It has 130mm of front suspension and 120mm of rear suspension, making it a great choice for both cross-country and trail riding. The Hightower is also compatible with a dropper post, so you can lower your saddle out of the way for descents.
If you’re looking for a mountain bike that can do it all, the Santa Cruz Hightower should be at the top of your list. It’s a versatile bike that’s built to handle anything you might encounter on the trail. Whether you’re looking to race cross-country or just have fun on the trails, the Hightower is a great choice.
Santa Cruz 5010 Overview
The Santa Cruz 5010 is a versatile and capable mountain bike that can handle a variety of terrain. It features 130mm of rear suspension travel and 140mm of front suspension travel, making it ideal for tackling technical trails. The 5010 also has a low bottom bracket height and a slack head angle, making it confident and stable when descending.
The bike is equipped with an SRAM 1×11 drivetrain, which provides plenty of gears for climbing, and powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes that can handle any terrain. The 5010 is a great choice for riders who want a versatile and capable mountain bike that can handle a variety of terrain.
When it comes to mountain biking, few brands are as well-regarded as Santa Cruz. The California-based company has been making some of the best mountain bikes on the market for years, and its Hightower and 5010 models are two of their most popular options.
It really depends on what you’re looking for in a mountain bike. Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences between the Santa Cruz Hightower and 5010:
Frame
The Santa Cruz Hightower has a carbon fiber frame, while the 5010 has an aluminum frame. This is one of the main differences between the two bikes. The carbon fiber frame makes the Hightower lighter and stiffer, while the aluminum frame makes the 5010 more affordable.
Wheel size
The Hightower has 29-inch wheels, while the 5010 has 27.5-inch wheels. The smaller wheels on the 5010 make it more agile and easier to maneuver, while the larger wheels on the Hightower provide more stability and traction.
Fork
The Hightower has a RockShox Pike fork, while the 5010 has a Fox 34 fork. Both forks are high-performance and offer great suspension, but the Pike is generally considered to be slightly better.
Wheels
The Hightower has 29-inch wheels, while the 5010 has 27.5-inch wheels. The larger wheels on the Hightower make it faster and smoother over rough terrain, while the smaller wheels on the 5010 make it more nimble and easier to maneuver.
Category
The Hightower is a trail bike, while the 5010 is an all-mountain bike. This means that the Hightower is designed for riding on relatively smooth trails, while the 5010 is designed for riding on more challenging terrain.
Brake type
The Hightower has hydraulic disc brakes, while the 5010 has mechanical disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are more powerful and require less maintenance compared to mechanical disc brakes.
Groupset
The Hightower has an SRAM groupset, while the 5010 has a Shimano groupset. Both groupsets are high-quality, but SRAM is often considered to be slightly better.
Drivetrain
The Hightower has a 1×11 drivetrain, while the 5010 has a 2×10 drivetrain. A 1×11 drivetrain is simpler and lighter, but a 2×10 drivetrain provides more gears for climbing.
These are just a few of the key differences between the Santa Cruz Hightower and 5010. Ultimately, the best bike for you is the one that best suits your needs and riding style. So, be sure to do your research and test-ride both bikes before making your final decision.
Conclusion
Santa Cruz Bicycles’ reputation as a pioneer in the mountain bike industry is upheld by its standout models, the Hightower and 5010. The Hightower, introduced in 2016, excels with its 29er wheels and enhanced suspension travel, offering a versatile and capable ride for varied terrains. Its recent updates make it even more adept at handling trails.
Contrastingly, the 5010, with 27.5-inch wheels, emphasizes agility and affordability. Its nimble design, aluminum frame, and updated geometry make it an excellent choice for cross-country riding and climbing.
Santa Cruz Bicycles continues to impress with high-quality, performance-driven options. Whether you prioritize stability and versatility (Hightower) or agility and cost-effectiveness (5010), both models reflect Santa Cruz’s commitment to providing top-tier mountain bikes tailored to diverse riding preferences. Your choice between the two ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferred riding style.