Santa Cruz Bicycles

Hightower CC XTR Di2 Reserve Mountain Bike

What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:

“VPP kinematics keep anti-squat in the sweet zone for punchy climbs while staying active off the top. The 36 Factory on Grip X2 pairs perfectly with a Float X for mid-stroke support and bottom-out control. XTR Di2 indexing is spot-on at race pace, XTR stoppers with 203/180 rotors stay consistent, and the 30|HD/Hydra wheelset holds a line when you’re braking late into rough corners.”

The Hightower XTR RSV is a modern 29er trail benchmark built around Santa Cruz’s Carbon CC chassis and VPP suspension. With 150mm of rear travel and a FOX 36 Float Factory at 160mm, the platform blends efficient pedaling and big-hit stability. VPP’s leverage curve delivers traction early in the stroke, firm mid-stroke support for berms and compressions, and controlled ramp at the end to resist harsh bottom-outs. The long-and-balanced wheelbase, 44mm fork offset, and 29-inch wheels contribute to straight-line calm without dulling direction changes in technical sections.

Shimano’s XTR Di2 M9250 system provides precise, repeatable shifts across a 10–51t cassette, driven by an XTR M9220 crank with a 32t ring and anchored by a threaded XTR bottom bracket. Braking is handled by XTR four-pistons with MT905 203/180mm rotors for powerful, fade-resistant control on extended descents. The chassis is finished with a Chris King DropSet 3 headset and ISCG-05 tabs for chain guide setups, plus UDH compatibility to keep hanger sourcing simple when travel or mishaps happen.

Wheel and tire pairing is tuned for aggressive terrain. Reserve 30|HD rims on Industry Nine Hydra 2 hubs (Micro Spline rear) deliver fast engagement and lateral precision, wrapped in a Minion DHF 29×2.5 3C MaxxGrip EXO up front and a Minion DHR II 29×2.4 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ out back. The RockShox Reverb AXS dropper scales from 150 to 225mm by size, and Santa Cruz’s carbon handlebar with an Industry Nine A35 40mm stem keeps steering direct. Practical touches include a threaded 73mm bottom bracket, 180mm PM rear mount with room up to 220mm rotors, max chainring 36t, 2.5" tire clearance, and one in-frame bottle mount. At approximately 31.95lb, this build is light enough for big vertical and stout enough to push through blown-out lines day after day.

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.