![]() ![]() The Hightower was an instant success that earned stellar reviews and strong sales. It used a 140mm fork for 29ers and a 150mm fork for 27.5+ versions. A flip-chip in the rocker arm allowed riders to adjust the geometry for 29” or 27.5+ tires. But unlike the old Tallboy, the Hightower was longer and slacker, and it functioned more like a big-wheeled version of the Bronson than a hopped-up XC bike. The new Hightower featured Santa Cruz’s proven Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension platform and 135mm of travel (the same as the Tallboy LT). My personal 29er Hightower CC saw a lot of use. 29er mountain bikes were on the cusp of widespread acceptance, and the new, wider, plus tire size (27.5+) was dominating industry headlines. The Hightower finally arrived in 2016, a transitional period in mountain biking. When it was discontinued, riders eagerly awaited a successor. One of the frame’s nicest features is the SWAT box storage system in the downtube, which stores spare tubes, tools, food, or other small items in a covered compartment built into the frame.Ĭheck out our Stumpjumper buyer's guide to learn more about how the Stumpjumper has evolved through the years.īefore the Hightower, Santa Cruz offered the beloved Tallboy LT, a long-travel version of the Tallboy 29er XC bike. The entry-level Stumpjumper Alloy uses an aluminum rear triangle, so it continues to use the more traditional FSR system.Īlloy frames are available for entry-level builds and carbon frames for Comp, Pro, and S-Works builds. Travel has been reduced to 140mm front and 130mm rear, and it rolls on 29" wheels. The geometry is much longer and slacker, and it's switched from an FSR suspension system to a linkage-driven single pivot design with carbon flex-stays. Then for 2021, the Stumpjumper underwent a major redesign. It uses a 150mm fork and came in a 27.5” version with 150mm of rear travel and a 29” version with 140mm. A carbon arm extends around the right side of the rear shock adding support and lateral stiffness for better tracking through rough terrain. The previous generation Stumpjumper (2019-2020) introduced the Stumpjumper's signature asymmetric carbon frame. Today, the original Stumpjumper is historically significant enough to be on display in the Smithsonian. The bike was an immediate success and played a huge role in mountain biking’s booming popularity through the '80s and '90s. This reduced labor and manufacturing costs. Neenan drew up plans for the original Stumpjumper and went with Sinyard to Japan to source a producer.įor mass-production, the frame was TiG welded instead of fillet-brazed (a technique used for many custom frames of the time). The design was based on an early Tom Ritchey bike Sinyard owned, as well as a custom Lighthouse Cycles Chaparral designed by Tim Neenan. ![]() Specialized founder, Mike Sinyard envisioned the Stumpjumper as a mass-produced bike that could emulate the geometry and performance of custom mountain bikes. He even raced the Leadville Trail 100 on it! Our own Spencer Powlison still rides his 1983 Stumpjumper Sport. In the early days of mountain biking, riders had the option of klunker style bikes (ballon-tire cruisers modified for off-road use) or custom, purpose-built machines that had to be ordered through smaller builders. Specialized first introduced it in 1981 and it is widely considered to be the first mass-production mountain bike. The Stumpjumper (or “Stumpy”) is a classic bike with nearly 40 years of history. We will also look at their popularity with our shop riders and a few alternatives too. Instead, this comparison aims to compare their history, geometry, suspension, and performance to help you decide. So if you’re interested in a Stumpjumper or Hightower, how do you know which is right for you? We can't definitively answer whether one bike is “better” than the other (sorry). If you’re looking for the most versatile mid-travel trail bike, these are the top two to consider. ![]() Riders are often seeking a “quiver killer” mountain bike that slays downhills, crushes uphills, and will feel fun to ride on any terrain. In this category, the Specialized Stumpjumper and Santa Cruz Hightower are the benchmarks. ![]()
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