Sick trail! Hmmm... my cuz in Bondurant has been trying to get me to come visit. Is there a lot more good single track in the Tetons? Seemed like a lot of green/blue... was afraid it was a lot of fire road stuff.
I bet this thing's an animal! I ride a 5010 because they're so poppy and playful but gonna have a demo on one of these as a 'big bike' for racing and weekends away. Look like it's gonna tick a lot of boxes!Camera on this vid is awesome btw
Thanks man! You know what is crazy is just how efficient this bike really is compared to the 5010. Put another way, if I owned both, I think my 5010 would *really* be collecting dust. Thanks for checking it out!
Jeff Brines yeah man, that's the thing! I LOVE my 5010! I bought it because it rides like a bmx but I think my next bike will have 29inch wheels...... unsure whether to go even less travel (tallboy) so I have a better mile muncher or go the other way (Hightower LT) for the races and more lairy stuff. Only time I've ever questioned my bike choice is when racing so bigger travels getting the edge atm! I'm getting the 'must haves' watching this haha
Jeff Brines I recently demo’d this bike in Santa Cruz and I currently own a 5010 and have the exact same impression. Great edit btw, and love the pass trail system. My bro & aunt live in Wilson. Can’t visit enough, next time I may be sporting the LT. ;-)
On questions like these, I almost certainly prefer the HT LT. However, the steeper and gnarlier it gets I will quickly change my tone and wish for the Nomad G4.
Have currently a nomad III, and was planning to buy the hightower as an addition for the less agressive but faster rides. could you recommend it ? Was it with the reserve wheels ? Are they worth it ?
The Reserve Wheels, thus far, are as good as any wheelset I've ever tested. More time is needed, but its a noteworthy upgrade if you have the coin. I'd'd say when compared to the Nomad 3, its somewhat similar. It is a more efficient ride, but if it were me I might look for more separation between my two bikes. Oh, and just so I'm clear, when compared to the Nomad IV, its a very different ride, those two steeds would compliment each other well.
Aern't you scare of the dog cutting you off at 20mph? hehe Great video. Really nice jumps ;) What do you think of the LT as a 29er??? I have a bronson and thinking of giving this one a try, but is a expensive decisión hehhehe
Tucker and I have a really cool relationship. We read each other on the trail in non-verbal (and sometimes verbal ways) that are really hard to explain. Do this with most dog? No. But Tucker isn't most dogs!
Awesome videos Jeff! How would you rate this for Enduro racing? I have the 2017 Giant Reign 2 but looking for something more pedal friendly but still amazing going down hill. I live in Eastern PA.
Zach, This could be an excellent choice for you. Owning a Reign at one point myself, I can attest to it being a very good bike. This will feel more sprightly and be a bit more efficient. Question you have to answer is if you like the larger wheel. Personally, I am bias to them as I'm a taller rider. Other bikes to consider include Yeti's 4.5c, and 5.5c, YT's Jeffsy, Specialized Stumpy, Trek Fuel/Slash, and Transititions Smuggler.
HI Jeff, I am currently riding a stumpy 29 but was looking for something that would ride better on the downs, I have been looking at the HTLT, Transition sentinel,and the E29, can't make my mind up. Where I live there is not an option to demo the bikes, I also currently have a demo 8 that I will mostly likely sell not using it enough , I do make trips to whistler and to the bike parks in Europe, so need a bike that can take a beating at these destinations a few times a year . Thanks!
The HTLT rides like a slightly longer travel version of the Stumpy 29 (having spent some time on it). Its certainly better when it comes to dealing with the rough stuff, but its not night and day. More like a subtle increase in travel. As I tell people, the HTLT is the most efficient 150mm 29er out there, its also the worst at feeling "active". Sentinel would be on a short list for me, but I haven't thrown a leg over one. Considering how much I liked my smuggler, I'd look hard at one. If you are considering the enduro, look at the Slash 29 too - you can find my first look in a different video. That bike would certainly leave your Demo 8 collecting dust. Overall if you want the absolute most capable 29er out there, Slash is hard to beat.
I have. Very different bikes through and through! If you want something more downhill oriented go Firebird. Its a far more gravity oriented steed. The LT is skewed more toward "everything" with emphasis on efficiency. In the end they are so different that if you have the means, a quick demo will reveal what is for you!
Funny you should ask. I have a Slash in the garage right now as well. *completely* different bikes. The Slash is far more a gravity steed. Though you can absolutely take it on longer rides, it begs to be ridden hard and is a bit cumbersome on mellow descents. The HTLT is more of a do-everything bike despite also having 150mm of travel and semi-similar angles. Devil is in the details. Where do you live?
Jeff Brines I live in Albuquerque, NM Lots of jagged rocks on our trails. I currently have the V3 Bronson and a new Tallboy with mid-fat tires. Looking to try something different than SC. Was looking at the Evil Wrek also but decided to get a Slash. So the Slash is on order. Killer trail your on in this vid.
Einat Naim great question. Can't go wrong either way. Very similar bikes, though I feel the yeti is perhaps a better performing bike when descending whereas the LT may be a slightly better bike on the ups. Need a bit more time however....
Jeff Brines thanks for this question...and answer! I was going to ask the same as I first came across Jeff when he made the Yeti vid and know he really digs that bike. Looking forward to more compare/contrast between the two.
Len, I've had limited time on the 160mm setup with excellent results. Personally, I'm a fan. I will update this in due time, but I'm 1/2 shocked SC didn't spec the bike like this... Thanks for the question! J
Jeff Brines Yeah, Thanks for the good answer ;D I was wondering as well why they put a 150mm fork in. Iago, Mark and Loose are using a 160mm Fork in the EWS
Hi there.... Loving the vids especially with the trail dog (think you need to pick up speed Tucker leaving you in his dust) I am about to purchase a couple of new bikes soon (test rode a 5010, hightower, T130, tallboy and Fuel EX) loved all the Santacruz's so have eventally come to a desision that i am getting a Tallboy for all over and long rides and was going for the Nomad V4 but as i loved the Hightower was maybe thing Hightower LT.... Which do you think would compliment the Tallboy better the Nomad or the Hightower LT
David, Can you give me more information as to your riding style? Where do you live? Do you like to ride chairlifts ever? Do you race? What is your background? Thanks! Jeff
Jeff Brines I live in England not too many chair lifts but do like ride downhill more into speed than big air but do like the rocky rooty narly stuff.... places I'll be visiting mainly will be hamsterly forest, Fort William and bike park wales
David Andrews let me spend a bit more time playing with the suspension of the LT. At this point I feel the nomad is a better fit for you but take this with a (big) grain of salt as I need more time tweaking the LT's suspension. (Plus, it'd be crazy of me to suggest something with high confidence without seeing your ride or hearing more about what you are looking for...)
