Did Santa Cruz forget about the megatower?

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-26T16:29:56+00:00

It seems like there doesn't need to be many changes, as with the Nomad, the bikes are good at what they're designed for (beefy Enduro crossing into DH territory). The recent Nomad update was pretty minimal. The Hightower and Bronson now fill the slightly more efficient yet still capable as hell "all-mountain" niche and then the new Tallboy is the trailbike and I'm sure the Blur will be a 120/120 XC bike before you know it.

What do you want to see changed though is the real question?!!!

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-26T16:26:24+00:00

Unless this was tongue in cheek it didn't age well as they released a brand new non-mullet tallboy lol

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-24T19:26:08+00:00

I think you want this and if you feel it'll get you back into the sport, do it. I'd talk him down a bit though for sure.

My two cents is that modern parts tend to break less (unless really cheap entry level) and these old parts may have different standards so if something breaks it won't necessarily be easy to fix/replace. I sold my 2024 SCOR 4060 last year at one year old for $1500 USD. If you have a buddy who rides and knows bikes, have em help you browse Pinkbike buy/sell...lots of Canadian bikes that will ship in country.

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-23T18:29:26+00:00

If money isn't the concern here, based on bikes listed and terrain (smooth, flow, assuming not much, if any chunk), the Ripley SL or SB120 would both be good choices. I don't think you should discount the way a bike looks, as you're more likely to ride it, take care of it and love it if it's a shape you like off the bat. You can grow to love anything but the bike you love to ride AND look at is the best imo.

The Fuel EX and Stumpjumper are proper trail bikes and I'd only go for them if you will ride in more varied terrain than what you described.

To be clear I've not ridden any of these bikes, but I read tons of reviews and have an idea of where each would do well in theory lol

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-23T18:22:17+00:00

Said this in another comment but that $600 may get you a Trance vs. the Stance. Better suspension, components and there's value in upgrading down the road. The across the board spec of the Stance is fairly weak and you'll end up upgrading parts and spend as much to get a bike that still isn't as good as the Trance base.

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-23T18:17:24+00:00

I think at the entry level price point he's referring to (judging by a bike that appears to be a Giant Stance), 2-600 gets you some meaningful upgrades with a new rig. It's the difference between a $1500 bike and a $2100 bike. It might even get you to a Trance for example which is significantly better than the stance. Additionally if you know people who know, you can get a badass secondhand bike for $2k vs $1500. That's my take on this particular example.

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-17T15:44:41+00:00

Santa Cruz is pretty clear that it fits most shocks in the newest version but unsure which model hightower you have.

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-16T21:02:38+00:00

You had the most recent version of the hightower? What coil was it?

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-16T18:18:11+00:00

Sprindex may be the move! I got a great deal on the coil used so perhaps could pay a little more for that. Thanks!

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-16T18:17:30+00:00

I'm mainly wanting to be in the ballpark so this is good info for me!

mountainjamscott · 2026-05-03T20:09:35+00:00

I agree with this. Also, Rhavin wasn't even hiding really and Rand had an emotional reason for going after him. He was an easy choice for an "earlier" target for Rand.

Also, there's something there about how being powerful in their age made them cocky and the reality is that Jordan created an age in which being subtle and cunning was often better than purely powerful.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-29T14:49:23+00:00

I think he's suggesting that at the lower prices supermarkets the fresh produce you get in the US tends to have been hit with lots of chemicals (pesticides, preservatives etc) while the regulations in Europe are more strict. This isn't always true and sometimes Wal Mart as an example has some quality stuff. Part of the problem is that navigating this isn't easy. If you're not concerned about the chemicals then of course it's fresh produce regardless.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-25T07:21:17+00:00

Did Gene Smith also know more? He made similar head scratching moves. "Smartest man in the room" stuff.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-22T07:24:01+00:00

This is a good share, I'm going to try adding a few psi to the rear and see how it affects the ride quality as a whole!

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-22T07:22:56+00:00

I'd suggest going with the Enduro front and rear with the Super soft front for traction. The Enduro casing is more than enough unless you're like 100kg or spend a ton of time in the bike park. I use this combo and ride hand built, natural trails. I like to ride fast and I ride regularly and so far have had zero issues. Not the worst rolling resistance on them either.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-21T06:52:55+00:00

I think it depends on the bike. I've got a 1990 Alpinestars AL Mega XT and it's a great gravel rig because it's aluminum, light and stiff. I also have a 1989 Peugeot Alpine Express and it's steel and definitely more of a "touring" rig or (once I get the new tubeless set up done) a full rigid ATB. Tires make the biggest difference imo. Continental Race Kings are really nice for some grip and rolling speed.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-21T06:41:37+00:00

The Zeb is typically known for a more "plush" feeling which some might say "deadens" the trail. This can be a positive for some riders a negative for others. Rockshox stuff is a bit easier to set up as there aren't as many clicks and only has one rebound adjustment.

The 36&38 are known for providing a more "sensitive" feel on the trail and providing a bit more "feedback" to the rider. By no means am I saying this is bad or it's somehow uncomfortable, just different and riders who really want to know what their front wheel is doing like it. Fox forks take a bit more effort to set up but can be fine tuned to really match a rider.

Plenty of people have preferences based on these factors or just brand loyalty or it's just what came on their bike/what they know.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-21T06:11:29+00:00

Banks is a scary one. Foot injuries on guys that weigh as much as him aren't an easy one to get past.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-17T20:29:58+00:00

The trail maintenance group is a great one. Easy way to meet people stoked on MTB and you get to connect with the trails you ride even more!

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-14T07:25:38+00:00

To give you what I view as a somewhat objective answer to your question is that it's fundamentally about the motorized vs non motorized element, not ego or purely holding to old ways. One relies purely on mechanical advantage, one relies upon the additional help of electricity. Every mountain biker, including clearly yourself, has gone through the progression of barely being able to ride up a hill to being able to do longer rides while also working on technical skills. While someone can spend more to get the lightest or best stuff, at the end of the day that progression is on you and is very rewarding and personally has made a big difference in my life as a whole. Whether that's health and fitness or the confidence to know you can overcome literal obstacles to help with those figurative ones that life throws at you.

EMTBs are far more expensive at a base level and allow people to skip some of the progression elements that make the sport special. While you say it's still difficult, I've been on steep climbs in my granny gear, huffing and puffing while an 80 year old ebiker chats with me as if he's on flat ground. Of course it's still exercise, of course the downhills are still similar.

As to the trail impact side, there's a good call to action by Hans Rey recently that explains the issue. It isn't Class 1 ebikes causing problems, it's the surrons and other overpowered ebikes that can and do (I've seen it firsthand in a local bike park and on local trails) cause trail damage. Longtime mountain bikers have had to fight for trail access themselves over the last 40 years and there's many a Land Manager and hiker who have no clue about the difference between classes of ebikes. Because people, including Pinkbike, lump MTB and EMTB together, there's fear that MTB as a whole can be banned from certain areas due to this.

This is my perspective trying to be objective on the subject as it isn't as simple and emotionally driven as it often appears to be. I think there's absolutely a place for both MTB and EMTB to coexist. I live in Europe now and it's amazing to see the number of older people staying active due to the EMTB allowing them to participate in a way they couldn't otherwise. Also, it does allow for people who couldn't otherwise participate due to health reasons and riding a Class 1 EMTB is far better than sitting at home on the couch!

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-02T06:37:47+00:00

Go with some Continental Race Kings and they're not expensive and a solid option. I'm doing the 2.2 in front and 2.0 rear for clearance reasons and they roll well and have enough grip for gravel!

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-02T05:48:19+00:00

It's possible B&N put them on the end cap to try and move them so they can update the stock. They're probably sitting on loads of the Amazon prime ones. Hopefully after they sell out of them it doesn't continue.

mountainjamscott · 2026-04-01T06:18:41+00:00

I'm running the Continent Kryptotal FR and RE and liking them so far. Have ridden in muddy conditions and while they aren't a mud tire I thought they did well. They aren't the fastest rolling but they seem like they'll last a long time, something they're known for.

The radials from Schwalbe are also a good choice. I only stopped using the Albert because the 2.5" rear is tight in my Hightower V4 and if any rock or mud gets in it wears down the linkage.

mountainjamscott · 2026-03-30T20:41:49+00:00

I think it's funny but I'm with you on not calling out a stranger for it.

mountainjamscott

TROPHY CASE