Biggest surprise: Aluminum frame right off the bat. SC kept that secret very well, didn't they?
Hightower V2
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Rev Bubba
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I agree 100% except that their cc frames are approaching $4,000 which is ludicrous. I’m not a fan of their completes either. Parts brand loyalty usually doesn’t result in the best build.
What kind of lead times have folks here had with their HT2 warranty replacements? I have been a promised a warranty replacement for my 2020 CC frame since July 2021 and SC says they still don't have any confirmation for delivery times and have no idea when it is coming. My frame is practically rideable despite the fault so its not the end of the world but I am nevertheless getting a bit anxious seeing that some retailers have HT2 frames in stock in EU area where I'm from but as warranty customer I am still left waiting.
That's a bummer. I was always under the assumption that brands kept a seperate stock of frames/replacement parts for warranties.
I got mine only days after the announcement, but I had an order in site unseen.
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Getting a HTv2 frame as a no-failt replacement for my HTLT. Put the order in a week ago with a 3-6 week estimated lead time. Located in the USA.
Lead-times will definitely vary..... My crash-replacement was handled late last year (October) smoothly and quick.
-I'm sure it doesn't hurt that my LBS is/was an OG dealer and only an hour away from Santa Cruz.
Aside from having a good relationship with SCB, their warranty dept./policy is regarded as one of the industry's best. Shout-out Willie!
-I'm sure it doesn't hurt that my LBS is/was an OG dealer and only an hour away from Santa Cruz.
Aside from having a good relationship with SCB, their warranty dept./policy is regarded as one of the industry's best. Shout-out Willie!
Are you running all stock? Can’t remember if you have CC link
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2,292 Posts
Cascade link w/ 55mm stroke shock for 160mm rear and 170mm Lyrik.
64 degree HA, 439mm rear center, and 36% progression.
Corners like a dream, awesome in the rough, and pedals great. Best handling bike I have had in a while which says a lot.
Transition Spire (coil w/ CC link), Transition Spur, '20 Enduro (w/ EXT coil), '22 SJ EVO (w/ CC link), '21 Epic EVO.......
The little bikes climb better on smoother trails and the Spire kills it in rough wide open stuff, but this thing is not that far off either and out corners them all! For sure climbs and descends better than the SJ EVO it replaced by a long shot.
64 degree HA, 439mm rear center, and 36% progression.
Corners like a dream, awesome in the rough, and pedals great. Best handling bike I have had in a while which says a lot.
Transition Spire (coil w/ CC link), Transition Spur, '20 Enduro (w/ EXT coil), '22 SJ EVO (w/ CC link), '21 Epic EVO.......
The little bikes climb better on smoother trails and the Spire kills it in rough wide open stuff, but this thing is not that far off either and out corners them all! For sure climbs and descends better than the SJ EVO it replaced by a long shot.
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47 Posts
What size are you riding? Do you have any front wheel wandering issues with the 170 front?
This is killin me! I've having a hell of a time trying to decide if I want to mod my Ripmo AF or sell it off for one of these options below. I'm looking for a bit more supple ride with more bottomless feel and ability to plow, without being a total boring DH sled. For the frame swaps below, I also have a credit card hack I can do to get $750 off of each option.Cascade link w/ 55mm stroke shock for 160mm rear and 170mm Lyrik.
64 degree HA, 439mm rear center, and 36% progression.
Corners like a dream, awesome in the rough, and pedals great. Best handling bike I have had in a while which says a lot.
Transition Spire (coil w/ CC link), Transition Spur, '20 Enduro (w/ EXT coil), '22 SJ EVO (w/ CC link), '21 Epic EVO.......
The little bikes climb better on smoother trails and the Spire kills it in rough wide open stuff, but this thing is not that far off either and out corners them all! For sure climbs and descends better than the SJ EVO it replaced by a long shot.
1. Keep the AF and put a JadeX coil on it. Easy, cheap, should help the bike plow better. Could also up fork to 170 with just an air shaft and/or put an angleset on it. Ripmo is alredy fairly slack but could get it in the Sentinel category.
2. Pick up a HT2 C frame I found brand new for $2400 plus tax w/o shock and put a $400-500 shock on it. Local shop can get me into a SD Ultimate or FloatX Factory for this price. Can put my Lyrik on it at 160 or 170. Can also put the Cascade Link on for another $300+. Have to pay for a frame wrap and all the drama to sell my old stuff off and swap over. Wish this frame was updated a bit more with full coil compatibility, slacker HTA, steeper STA, 175-180 reach on a large, etc.
3. Locate a V2 Sentinel complete or frame only and swap over. It'd be maybe $500-700 more than the above HT2 swap but be more capable "out of the box" and also Cascade link compatible for even more travel at 155-165mm travel if I ever wanted to get nuts. I doubt I'd run that much travel though. More than I need. I'd probably run a JadeX coil at 150mm and call it a day. Should be very supple at that. Availability isn't great but probably easier and cheaper than waiting for a Hightower v3, when it comes out.
4. Wait for new v3 Hightower. The specs will probably be exactly what I want. The availability and price will probably be horrible. They now list the 2022 CC frame at a whopping $3,949! Also have to go through the buy, sell and bike build process. Kinda thinking this is the least likely route I'd go. At this much cost, I'd just move to the dark side and sell out for a Kenevo SL.
I keep looking at this Hightower frame I found though, but it will be gone soon. It's a 2022 and that charcoal grey with blue logo. I have a strong preference for things that are holding me back though; coil compatibility, room for 200-210mm dropper (on large), room for 2.5 DHF rear tire, ability to run an angleset, etc....
Side note, the Bronson seems easy enough to find but without a demo, I doubt I'm willing to take a gamble on a mullet bike that might just be a fad like "plus" bikes were 2 or 3 years ago. Another think to point out, I plan on getting an ebike for sure within a few years but keeping one regular bike for my son and I to swap with. He still crashes often so an alloy bike is good for him. Not sure it'd keep my from carbon but I keep it in mind.
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What didn’t you like about the Evo ?Cascade link w/ 55mm stroke shock for 160mm rear and 170mm Lyrik.
64 degree HA, 439mm rear center, and 36% progression.
Corners like a dream, awesome in the rough, and pedals great. Best handling bike I have had in a while which says a lot.
Transition Spire (coil w/ CC link), Transition Spur, '20 Enduro (w/ EXT coil), '22 SJ EVO (w/ CC link), '21 Epic EVO.......
The little bikes climb better on smoother trails and the Spire kills it in rough wide open stuff, but this thing is not that far off either and out corners them all! For sure climbs and descends better than the SJ EVO it replaced by a long shot.
How was the suspension/ fit vs the HT ?
Thx
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25 Posts
This is quite the dilemma indeed but a fun one to have.
For starters, if you are hoping for a Hightower V3 to ride for this summer, it might be a stretch. My LBS said that a new Hightower is coming but actual stock may be in Sept-Oct. Without an actual confirmed larger shock tunnel (although the most logical) update, I would find it hard to commit to something sight unseen.
My own ride is a Hightower V2 (2021) and have ridden a friends Ripmo. I do find the HT to be more plush compared to a more poppy feel than the Ripmo. However, the HT is not coil compatible and if that is what you are looking for then maybe option 1. (upgrade to a JadeX coil) or option 3. V2 Sentinel might be the way to go. (A few vids on Youtube comparing Sentinel V2 to HT)
I did have an option 5 suggestion. Buy a V1 Megatower. It's not a total DH sled with a 160 fork. A new one is imminent and you might be able to pick up a used V1 if people are eager for the new one.
Good luck and have fun with the search.
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2,292 Posts
Size medium, no wandering issues when climbing yet (I assume that's what you are talking about).
I does have the older B1 airspring in the Lyrik, so travel is more like 165mm when on the ground under it's own weight.
I have a 45mm stem on now, I think it will be better with 40 or 35mm. Might have a negative effect on climbing though.
I didn't have any real issues with the SJ EVO (part from the shock eating clevis design), this bike just does everything a bit better. It climbs/pedals better, and for sure descends and corners better. It feels more active and sharp but stable and planted at the same time. Precise but not twitchy or nervous.
The fit is very similar with how I had the EVO setup, but I feel the current Santa Cruz suspension is superior to the FSR. I have had a few SC bikes over the years, but this is the first one with the "updated" V-10 style VPP setup . It is a vast improvement over the previous iteration. And this is just my 3rd real ride on it.....
Good logical feedback. And yes, first world problems for sure! I'd be stunned if the HT3 was not fully coil compatible. That'd be a huge blunder on their part if it wasn't and their bike would be a standout from their competition and not in a good way.
Which model Ripmo did you ride? The V2 and AF ride quite different (better) than the V1 and the DPX2 is the worst riding of the bunch with the other shocks being much better. Coil is the most plush of the bunch of course.
I think you're advice is great. I should probably just throw a coil on my AF to start. I have the bike at 32 lbs (sz large), which is very respectable for an alloy bike and similar to most other brands' carbon bikes. The coil may provide the extra bit of plushness I'm after without going too far. There's also the Cascade Link but for the Ripmo, it only bumps it to 151mm travel and the bike is already progressive enough in stock form.
I just stopped by the shop this afternoon and had them put my name down to call when they get a carbon Sentinel in, complete or frame only. They actually had two alloy completes in stock but those things are heavy, 1.5 lbs more than my Ripmo AF. I can run a coil on my AF and still be 1/2 lb lighter than the Sentinel with air shock.
Thanks for pointing out the Megatower as option 5. I sometimes forget about that bike. Geo isn't ideal but it's not bad. Could use a minor update, which I know is coming this year. I was able to demo the HT2 a few years ago but never rode the Megatower. I actually had the chance to get the Mega with a coil for $5k (CS build) new back when I got my Ripmo AF. I actually had a HT2 CS on order and then the Ripmo AF came out and had some improvements I wanted with a frame weight only about 0.85 lbs more than a C frame HT2 so I went for it. At the time, I kept reading that the Megatower rode harsh. I later found out that was mostly due to the shock tuning they spec'd those bikes with. It'd probably be pretty good for me and I have noticed demand seems lower for them so they're easier to find. Back when I got my AF, a guy asked my if I wanted to trade straight across for his Megatower. He couldn't find an AF in stock anywhere.
I could be reading this wrong, but some of your options seem to be taking a bike, then over-forking/slacking out or adding a Cascade link for more travel. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get a bigger bike from the start?
+1 for the Megatower idea. It seems to fit what you're looking for and people are already offloading them getting ready for the V2.
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It's coming tomorrow apparently.
They do. A Lyrik 170 air shaft is $43 so the cost is nothing. Ibis doesn't make a "bigger bike" so there's no option with them besides what I mentioned. My options are also limited by bike availability, which is why I'm considering at the Hightower that I have sourced against other similar options. Honestly, I wouldn't put the Cascade link on a Sentinel. It'd make it more travel than I'd need. Just looking for some more downhill capability with the added challenge of high costs and limited availability these days.
I also have some brand bias and get overwhelmed by having too many options so tend to stick with brands I know, like and have demo'd like Santa Cruz, Transition and Ibis. I've also demo'd some of the main Rocky Mountain and Specialized bikes but prefer the others mentioned.
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I rode a Ripmo carbon. It was in 2019 so not sure if that would be V1 or V2. It was new to him.
I definitely agree that if they don't make the V3 Hightower coil compatible, it would be huge oversight from SC. It was the biggest complaints I heard. I think it's a safe bet that this will be there.
I demoed the HT2 and MT back to back and was on the fence as to which I wanted to be honest. I had a V3 Nomad at the time with a Push coil (which was fantastic) as well as a V1 Hightower. Given I ride everything from flow trails to bike park made it tough to decide especially as I wanted to go to one bike. In the end it came down to supply as I was able to find a HT2 frame at a good price and wanted to build it with my own parts. I have a 160 fork on it which I feel makes it a more capable descender than the stock one I demoed.
I'm pretty loyal to my local bike store (shout out to Calgary Cycle) and they don't carry Transition but have heard great reviews on it.
The Megatower I demoed was quite plush. I didn't like the brakes and the fork wasn't setup quite the way I would have liked (it was demo after all) but it was super fun and if you are looking for the coil option, might be worth seeing if you can throw a leg over one. I know quite a few guys that really like theirs.
Side note, had it been released before I bought my HT2 frame, I would have bought a We Are One Arrival. That bike is sick and it was the ideal geometry and suspension setup I was looking for. Next one... 🙃
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