STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
£9,699 | Just how mega is the new Megatower?
SPEC
Frame ‘CC’ carbon fibre, 165mm travel
Fork Fox 38 Factory, 170mm travel
Shock Fox Float X2 Factory
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle AXS with GX Eagle AXS shifter (1×12)
Wheelset Reserve 30 carbon rims on Industry Nine 1/1 hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29×2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29×2.4in WT (r) tyres
Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors
Bar/stem Santa Cruz 35 Carbon, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm
Seatpost/saddle RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado SL Fusion
Weight 15.05kg (33.2lb), claimed, small size without pedals
The Megatower CC X01 AXS RSV is Santa Cruz’s all-singing, alldancing enduro bike, with tons of travel and 29in wheels. It’s one of the highest-spec bikes out there, and one of the most expensive, too. So, do the latest updates – including new geometry, suspension kinematics, chassis improvements and frame features – justify the price?
THE FRAME
It may have a remarkably similar silhouette to the previous model, but the Megatower has received a significant makeover for 2022. It now has 165mm of rear-wheel travel (which you can increase to 170mm with a longer-stroke shock), delivered via Santa Cruz’s twin-link Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension platform.
The ‘CC’ frame tested here is said to have the same strength and stiffness as the cheaper ‘C’ version, but for a lighter weight. Size-specific layups mean lighter riders now get a more compliant chassis and heavier riders a stiffer one, and the chainstay length varies on each frame size as well.
The suspension kinematics have been refined, too, and the bike comes with a longer-stroke (62.5mm) rear shock. This reduces the leverage ratio, allowing the shock to provide more damping support for aggressive riding. The Fox Float X2 Factory shock has also been fully custom-valved for the Megatower, with no off-the-shelf tuning settings available.
You get internal frame storage, courtesy of Santa Cruz’s new down tube ‘Glovebox’, which comes with a tool wallet and ‘tube purse’, to keep tools and spares in easy reach and rattle-free. Other features include space for a water bottle, a threaded bottom bracket (BB) shell, channelled internal cable routing, Boost hub spacing, clearance for 2.5in tyres, a mud flap over the shock, plus plenty of frame protection to keep the bike quiet and reduce impact damage.
The updated geometry puts the Megatower in line with other modernday enduro bikes. Its flip-chip gives it two geo charts. In the ‘high’ setting, the reach ranges from 430mm to 520mm across the five frame sizes, while the chainstays grow from 436mm to 447mm. The head angle is 63.8 degrees and effective seat tube angle ranges from 77.2 to 77.8 degrees. In the ‘low’ setting, the head and seat tube angles are slackened by 0.3 degrees and the reach shortens by 3mm, while the chainstays grow 1mm.
THE KIT
For nearly 10 grand, we’d expect no less than the killer kit that adorns this Megatower. It boasts a SRAM X01 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain with a 12-speed, 10-50t cassette, 30t chainring and X1 carbon cranks. SRAM Code RSC brakes with 200mm rotors are similarly high-spec, as is the Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 fork. Reserve carbon rims (Santa Cruz’s wheel brand) are laced to Industry Nine 1/1 hubs and shod with triple-compound Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tyres.
THE RIDE
For an enduro bike, the Megatower is a good climber. It pedals well for its travel and doesn’t waste energy on the ascents. However, it still has a little sensitivity, to help smooth out chunkier terrain. We kept the shock in the ‘open’ setting on uphill sections, and the Santa Cruz never bobbed excessively nor sank too far into its travel under seated pedalling. The steep effective seat tube angle and long effective top tube length put you in a comfortable and balanced position for efficient climbing.
On the downhills, the Megatower is very easy to ride. From the first run, we felt at home and able to hit a pace at the top of our comfort zone. Fox’s custom tune on the Float X2 shock is superb, and it’s clear Santa Cruz have spent plenty of time dialling it in. The rear end sits into its travel nicely and keeps the tyre firmly pressed into the dirt. There’s a ton of grip on tap through the corners, adding to the confidence this bike delivers, yet it still offers sufficient support, letting you push into compressions and turns without feeling like the Megatower is stealing any momentum.
Small trail chatter is taken care of impressively, so we didn’t notice any feedback or vibrations coming through our hands and feet. This is helped by how well the suspension deals with bigger hits, too – there’s good progression to the travel, which feels plush but not soft. It takes the sting out of the bumps, meaning you don’t have to. Manoeuvring the bike through turns and kinks in the trail is a breeze, and the well-thought-out geometry keeps your weight wellbalanced between the wheels.
Under braking, the Santa Cruz feels active enough and never harsh over bumps. The slack 63.5-degree head angle provides enough stability when speeds increase and we never struggled to weight the front tyre when the trails pointed downwards more steeply. The Megatower’s moderate reach and chainstay length, paired with its slack head angle, make a great combination, blending stability with agility.
Both frame compliance and chainstay length are now size-specific 
The Fox 38 Factory fork and wide 2.5in Assegai tyre make for a plush, grippy front end
HIGHS
Big wheels keep forward momentum while smart geometry keeps the bike agile and fun – There’s a ton of traction in turns – The custom tuning on the Fox shock is impressive
LOWS
It’s not cheap to get this level of performance
VERDICT
The Megatower is heaps of fun and its composure and grip make you feel confident from your very first turn