[First Look] The Santa Cruz MegaTower

We recently stopped by Santa Cruz bikes for a quick preview of their new big wheeled brawler, dubbed the “MegaTower”. On first glance, it looks like it is simply a 29″ version of the Nomad, with the brand’s new layout for their VPP suspension, which brings the shock lower down in the frame and leaves room for a full size water bottle. But upon closer inspection, you start to notice it’s got more going on than that…

Here it is in all its glory…At the moment, the bike will be available in the above color as well as a matte black which has a greenish tinge to it. However, I also heard mutterings of a special colorway which will be available in a short run of 100 bikes.

The Santa Cruz factory was is full swing with a dozen employees focused on one thing: assembling MegaTowers…

Details

29″ wheels
160mm front and rear travel
Available in C and CC construction
Lifetime warranty on frame
S,M,L,XL,XXL
76º seat angle
10mm chainstay length adjustment via flip chip
3.5mm BB adjustment / .3º head angle adjustment
VPP suspension w/ leverage curve designed to work with air or coil shocks
Not front derailleur compatible
160-180mm fork compatibility
73mm threaded bottom bracket; ISCG05
Max tire size: 29×2.5″ (29×2.6″ in long chainstay setting)
Max Chainring Size: 36t
Boost spacing
180mm post mount rear brake
Single waterbottle mount on downtube
Metric shock spacing – 230×57.5mm

As mentioned, the MegaTower takes on the Nomad’s interpretation of VPP, regarding frame construction. Many will be fitted with the new RockShox Super Deluxe “Ultimate”, which is placed through an opening where the seat tube meets the bottom bracket area.

The shock shaft is covered by a mini fender, and the lower shock mount features a very usable flip chip which offers a subtle 3.5mm of BB drop and .3º of head angle variance.

Speaking of flip chips, the Megatower has one in the chainstay offering 10mm of variance in length. We definitely applaud this decision. Riding the bike park or tight, twisty trails? Go short chainstay. Racing or riding all out high speed gnar? Go long…

Going the way of the Specialized Stumpjumper, the Megatower features a ribbed upper surface on its chainstay protector in an attempt to dampen noise.

The downtube features a discrete, bolt on shuttle guard to protect from damage via tailgates.

Last, but not least, like most Santa Cruz bikes these days, the MegaTower has internal, sleeved cable and hose routings both front and rear.

Geometry

I didn’t get a chance to ride the bike, but I did hop on it for a second and the way I’d describe it is that you feel very “in it”. Typically I don’t get along with long travel 29″ bikes, so I felt surprised by this. The BB is low and the seat angle is quite steep, which should make the climbs manageable. The reach is quite long and the head angle is on the slack side, but the front end doesn’t feel too far away, thanks in part to the short offset fork. All in all, I didn’t feel like I was trying to mount a horse. We’ll be reaching out for a long term review in the near future to follow up…