2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT Build

Over the years I’ve picked up a closet full of old parts. I did an inventory during the stay-at-home era and found out I have everything to build up a new bike!

After a short amount of searching on the web,I found a nice, used Hightower LT at a decent price. This was the ideal frame for my build as every spec on this bike matched the parts I already own! A 31.6mm seat post, 73mm threaded bottom bracket, 29″ wheel size, boost width.

I was familiar with the Hightower as I spent a full day riding one out in Sedona.It was a nice ride and really enjoyed going fast in the chunky stuff. I remember instantly feeling at ease on the bikes

Introducing…the 2018 Hightower build!

It’s like Christmas, the 2018 new/used frame looks nice!

The color is not quite orange tennis ball but more greenish slime

Specifications from the Santa Cruz Bike archives

Model Version 1

Production: 2016-2019
Suspension/Pivot System: VPP – Virtual Pivot Point
Material: Carbon Fiber
Rear Wheel Travel: 150mm
Size Range: S , M , L, XL , XXL
Compatible Forks: 150mm – 170mm
Headtube/Headset: Tapered – Integrated Headset. 1-1/8″ Upper bearing and 1.5″ Lower bearing. S.H.I.S. IS 41/28.6 IS 52/40
Seat Post: 31.6mm – Minimum Insertion 100mm
BB Shell Width: 73mm – Threaded – ISO
Chainline Spec: 50mm
Recommended Max Tire Size: 2.4 – may vary by tire and rim model
Brakes: Disc Brake – ISO
Max Brake Rotor Size: 203mm
Rear Hub: 148x12mm Through Axle
Seatpost Clamp: 36.4mm
SHOCK SPECS
Rear Shock Eye-to-Eye: 200mm
Stroke: 57mm
Mounting Bushing Width Front: 22mm
Mounting Bushing Width Rear: 22mm
Mounting Bolt Diameter Front: 8mm
Mounting Bolt Diameter Rear: 8mm

Frame Geometry

	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Reach	398mm	423mm	443mm	468mm	498mm
Stack	609mm	614mm	618mm	628mm	646mm
Head Tube Angle	66.4°	66.4°	66.4°	66.4°	66.4°
Seat Tube Length	390mm	420mm	450mm	490mm	510mm
Front Center	706mm	733mm	755mm	784mm	822mm
BB Height	338mm	338mm	338mm	338mm	338mm
BB Drop	32mm	32mm	32mm	32mm	32mm
Wheelbase	1146mm	1173mm	1195mm	1223mm	1261mm
Chainstay Length	438mm	438mm	438mm	438mm	438mm
Head Tube Length	90mm	95mm	100mm	110mm	130mm
Top Tube Length	577mm	605mm	626mm	653mm	692mm
Seat Tube Angle	73.7°	73.7°	73.7°	73.7°	73.7°
Standover Height	710mm	710mm	713mm	720mm	727mm

Starting the build I found out I was missing an important piece, the headset! Santa Cruz uses an integrated headset, which means it has the cups built into the frame so you only need bearings. Quick search and found a Cane Creek 40 on ebay, new, for a good price!

Building up the Hightower LT with integrated headset.

Bike Check!

Frame is 2018 Hightower LT 150mm rear in Medium

2019 DVO Diamond 160mm – 51mm offset

Fox DPS rear shock

cane creek 40 headest

Raceface AR35 wheelset 29″

DT Swiss 240 Hubs

Maxxis Rekon 2.35 rear/ DHF front 2.25

SRAM RSC brakes

Centerline 180/180 rotors

XT 11 speed Shifter

XT 11 speed Derailleur

SRAM XG-1180 Cassette X1 10-42

XT 11 speed Chain ring

11 speed Chain

XT 11 speed 170mm cranks

XT 68/73 threaded bottom bracket

raceface ride 35mm/50mm

Enve M7 35mm 40mm rise carbon bars

G2 grips

WTB Silverado Chromo Saddle

Crankbrothers Highline 125mm 31.9 dia. dropper post

Crankbrothers dropper remote

hi pedals

I’m still waiting for the new headset to arrive, things are a little slow due to the Corona virus, so I just sample fit in the fork to get the rest of the components installed.

The build is coming together!

Just for fun let’s see what it weighs..not bad for a longer travel bike, its the carbon CC frame so that helps a bit.

I wasn’t a fan of the color in photos but its sort of growing on me. I will see how it rides once the weather clears and I get the headset on it! Coming soon, first ride review!! I can’t wait!

I am installing a DVO Diamond fork on this and it came with a FOX DSP. For reference here are the air up settings for each.