r/Santacruzbikes

Wondering if this bike is worth getting at $550 in Canadian currency and if there’s anything I should be looking out for.

Tomorrow I’m looking at a 2024 Santa Cruz Hightower V3 CC XO AXS with aluminum reserve wheels. Color is gloss ocean blue. Barely ridden and looks to be in great shape from pics. I’ve agreed to purchase the bike for $5000 usd pending me going to look at. Can’t help but feel uneasy paying this much although I guess it is reasonable? Idk I guess I’m just wanting to get your thoughts on how things look and if I’m making a mistake?

For reference my previous buy was a 2017 Rockhopper Pro new that I’ve rode the wheels off in the last 8 years. I’ve wanted a Santa Cruz for a while now and it has been a goal for me. Am I right to feel the price is high? Retail in 2024 was $8000 but updated retail price is listed as $5600 on the Santa Cruz website.

Representation of the bike as new:

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/products/hightower-x-0-axs-2024

EDIT: Thanks for confirming what I was feeling. I knew that the warranty is not transferable and knew the price was too close to marked down msrp new, although, they are not available anymore which made this bike more compelling.

I’m going to pass on this Hightower but if anyone has a line on a similar spec in XL, I’d love to check it out. Otherwise, I’ll keep looking.

Edit 2: Took you guys up on your advice and picked up a 2026 Hightower 4 90 today in matte black. Spent more but got a solid bike with warranty out of it. Am happy.

First ride on my new 2024 Highball!

Coming from a Surly Ghost Grappler (which I love) I enjoyed the 4kg less on the way up and the suspension fork on the way down! :-D

I need to replace this bolt for my older (2013 maybe?) highball. Anyone know where I can find one without spending $75 on a whole new dropout kit?