Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower C Eagle 90 Mountain Bike

Power through climbs and descents with the Hightower C 29 90 Mountain Bike and Float X suspension

What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:

"I’ve been riding the Hightower C 29 90 and it nails that middle ground between trail and enduro. The FOX Float X shock makes it super planted on descents but doesn’t feel sluggish when I’m grinding up techy climbs. The new SRAM T-Type drivetrain is rock solid, and the Glovebox is honestly one of the most underrated features out there."

We turn to the Hightower C 29 90 when we want just one bike to do it all. This latest generation builds on Santa Cruz’s legacy of versatile VPP™ trail bikes with a bump in travel and refined geometry that make it feel even more capable across aggressive singletrack, rocky descents, and high-mileage days.

At the heart of this build is the FOX Float X Performance rear shock paired with a FOX 36 Float fork—offering 150mm and 160mm of suspension that balances plushness with mid-stroke support. The C carbon frame brings stiffness and trail feedback while integrating modern touches like a threaded bottom bracket, internal routing, and the downtube Glovebox for ride-day essentials. SRAM’s 90-series T-Type drivetrain ensures crisp, under-load shifting, and the Reserve 30|TR AL wheels roll fast and take a beating. Whether we’re riding flow trails or pushing into enduro terrain, the Hightower is the one we reach for.

Heads up — We do our best to keep bike specs and images current, but occasional component changes can happen without warning—and sometimes the photos might not show the exact build you’ll receive. If you want to double-check the details, our Gearheads are always here to help.

Details

• Versatile carbon trail bike with 150mm rear and 160mm front travel
• FOX Float X and FOX 36 suspension combo balances plush feel and support
• 29-inch wheels with Maxxis EXO and EXO+ tires offer confidence in chunky terrain
• C Carbon frame with internal routing and Glovebox storage for ride-day essentials
• SRAM T-Type 12-speed drivetrain provides durable, in-ride shifting performance
• Reserve 30|TR AL wheels with DT Swiss hubs handle tech with strength and precision
• SRAM Maven Base brakes with HS2 rotors deliver reliable stopping power
• Dropper post and modern geometry built for long climbs and steep descents
• Item #SNZK1PY

Tech Specs

Frame Material

Carbon C

Suspension

VPP™

Rear Shock

FOX Float X Performance

Rear Travel

150mm

Fork

FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip

Front Travel

160mm

Headset

Cane Creek 50 IS

Shifters

SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type (12-speed)

Rear Derailleur

SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type (12-speed)

ISCG Tabs

ISCG-05

Crankset

SRAM 90 Eagle DUB T-Type

Chainring Sizes

32t

Bottom Bracket

SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide

Cassette

SRAM XS 1275 Eagle T-Type

Cassette Range

10–52t

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop (12-speed)

Brakeset

SRAM Maven Base

Brake Type

hydraulic disc

Rotors

SRAM HS2 (200mm/180mm)

Handlebar

OneUp Aluminum

Grips

Santa Cruz Bicycles House Grips

Stem

OneUp Enduro

Stem Length

42mm

Saddle

SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy

Seatpost

OneUp Dropper

Wheelset

Reserve 30

Hubs

DT Swiss 370

Front Axle

15 x 110mm Boost

Rear Axle

12 x 148mm Boost

Tire Clearance

2.5in

Tires

[rear] Maxxis Minion DHR II, DHF, 3C MaxxTerra/MaxxGrip EXO/EXO+

Tire Size

[front] 29 x 2.5in, [rear] 29 x 2.4in

Pedals

not included

Activity

trail, enduro

Manufacturer Warranty

[frame, handlebar, bottle cage] limited lifetime, [paint, finishes, decals] limited 3 year, [Reserve Carbon Wheel] limited lifetime