@Semi-Sendy& Dax Murrell The Giga is a sweet rig , I looked into it as well as a lot of Enduro/ Super Enduro rigs , that’s a really good bike for the Price of $5500 US ,For the Factory spec build. But You’d still have to figure in $$ Carbon wheelset if your going that route . I don’t have an Opinion on How good or bad the Giga is on the techy climbs . In December I purchased a (2021) Santa Cruz Nomad CC XO1 Coil Build with a 2021 Fox Factory Float 38 Grip2 Fork Paired with Fox Factory Float DH X2 Coil shock. BTW, Not knowing yr Spending limitations will be tough to give you our suggestions. what I did was online research . Made myself a list of what amount of Travel I want , wheel&tire setup & sizes,Head Angle , “”For Me “” Those basic but important Specific numbers chopped down my research list tremendously! And what I ended up with . Pivot SwitchBlade,S-Works Enduro,Propain Spindrift,Canyon Torque Mullet,Nukeproof Mega Carbon.
Go Evil Offering V2. Evils are pretty much built for coil shocks! The delta suspension is miles better climbing platform than VPP and the rear end is sooooo playful but also so stiff and feels great! If you find yourself in metro Atlanta anytime soon I’d be more than happy to let you take it for a spin. It’s a medium though.
SC Bronson MX. I have just bought one and it is by far the funnest bike I’ve ever ridden. My last two bikes where big 29er enduro rigs, super fast but not very fun to ride as it’s just about speed with them. It your looking for a more fun fast bike that loves to jump and turn better then the Bronson should be your choice. Good luck with your decision.
I heavily considered this, but after my back to back 29 vs. mullet testing (previous video) I’ve decided that my primary preference is 29. The option for mullet on occasion though would be a bonus though! It’s a ton of fun on the right terrain.
I personally just picked up a new Evil Wreckoning with a Push Coil, absolutely love it so far and thus far it pedals pretty well for a long travel machine. It will not beat my 28lb Stumpy up a hill of course, but it still moves along pretty good. There are so many good options out there, you are not kidding, tough to go wrong with many of the choices. Be sure to check out the new Cannondale Jekyll, it is coil friendly and looks amazing and of course the Transition Spire and new Orbea Rallon are other great coil friendly options that deserve consideration.
Get the new Megatower! It’s the Hightower’s big bro lol. It’s coil shock compatible, has more travel and it’s Santa Cruz’s mini downhill bike really lol. If you loved the Hightower so much, then the Megatower will blow you away in my opinion. If I was going to sell my Hightower, I would get the new Megatower in a heartbeat!
Orbea Occam LT. Comes with a coil, Orbea myO system allows you to customize colors, and it’s a very solid value. I have last year’s Occam, and I love it.
@@frankapple4130 possibly- but he did say that his one complaint with the Hightower was that the VPP couldn’t handle a coil. The Occam LT comes stock with a coil. A 150/150 bike fits nicely in the gap between a DH and a XC.
I’ve used a set of offset bushings to center a DHX2 in the tunnel of my hightower frame. I’ve ran a 500# SLS spring, and currently run a 450-550# CC progressive spring with no rubbing at all after two seasons… I fully support the multi bike quiver, but for a quiver of one it’s been a great solution!
Gotta go with a RM Altitude build right. Ride 9 adjustability, adjustable chain stays, you can move the shock pivot point on the carbon frames and make it an Instict if u want. Seems like a good fit for u
Commencal Meta AM 29 ohlins edition, comes with a great drivetrain and brakes, and a coil shock, I have the team build and it has basically no pedal bob
Love my supreme. Commencal makes some stellar bikes at a great price point and spec. I saw a bunch of their team riding their new XC/DC design at Snowshoe and it looks really nice and clean too.
“Is able to handle bigger features with more poise and support.” Go with the new Norco Range. 29” wheels, 170/170 travel. Designed around using a coil shock. Has been called a pedalable downhill bike, monster truck, etc. High pivot, slacked out, nominated as a Pinkbike “Bike of the Year”. Lewis Buchanan raced Redbull Hardline on it. (No I’m not sponsored/work for Norco this is just a personal dream bike)
Honestly, if I didn’t own a DH bike this would be on order already! Love the design, the company and the spec. It’s just too overkill for the enduro racing here in the southeast.
I’d recommend an alloy GT Force. The 29er can be run as a mullet setup, it’s coil compatible, and it’s extremely burley. I have the expert build and while it’s a bit of a boat on climbs, it’s surprisingly nimble on the way back down, even with 150mm out back, 170 up front, and weighing in at around 35 lbs. It might not be as good as a Hightower for all around riding but I’ve made it work on more mellow trails and it definitely will eat up long technical descents and park laps. Plus it’s not that expensive for the spec. Only “bad” component is the NX derailleur, the roller bearing clutch is weak.
I wish I could but I can't even decide what new bike to buy, there's just so many choices and there is E bikes that can be another option 😕 my brain has been filled with info on bikes. And I can only buy direct to consumers .Your a smart rider and knowledgeable . I guess you probably have maybe 3 top choices for the bike you are replacing 🤔.
It can definitely be option overload these days. I’m lucky I’ve had a chance to ride a lot of the current options which helps, but even still there is so much to sort through.
I’m thinking about getting a GG The Smash. Highly customizable and coil compatible. I would love to see some better RU-vid reviews than what currently exist before I buy one!
Get a specialized enduro with an eleven six- I’ve got one and it is my favorite bike ever. Pedals great. And is super composed and stable on the chunkiest of descents!
Evil Offering v2 or Norco Range. Evil gets the nod from me, the delta kinematics fit a coil nicely. The rear is stiff, short stays to keep it playful and fun. Very stable downhill, feels bottomless, climbs like any weagle design.. you won’t be disappointed
Norco range or devicni spartan! Both very capable bikes that are well designed and take a ton of abuse. I've been on a range for years, and it pedals. Nowhere near as well as my Hightower I just got this year though... My Hightower is the sub for xc/all mountain and long days. The range handles big rides, but it can be a fair bit of work.
Great video. I'm in your shoes and live in the SE and don't do much bike park but hit a lot of the other trails you've had out on your channel. Because I am a one bike guy the Stumpy Evo is perfect in the same way your HighTower was. However, were I to add a bike like the Revel or the Spur or perhaps even Epic Evo I would immediately ditch the Stumpy for either an Enduro, Spire or potentially a Dreadnaught. Essentially a bike that pedals uphill reasonably well in order to bomb downhill as fast as you can go. A bike that can rip trails like Bennett Gap or Avery or some of the more intense Pisgah stuff. Then you got your Revel for the north georgia, Tennessee stuff, your downhill bike for park, and your true enduro bike for everything else. I had an Enduro before I got the Evo and wouldn't hesitate to go back to that bike. It was an awesome bike and was decent enough on the flats and climbs that you could even make an argument for using it as an all rounder but it absolutely blows the doors off of everything else I've ridden going down hill. Will also run a coil no problem. Had and EXT on it and it was stuck to the ground.
please take a hard look at the Transition line up. Fantastic bikes, great company culture, absolutely love my Patrol. Their new series Patrol has the mullet set up, or the Spire for the 29er will DO IT ALL.
(2021) Santa Cruz Nomad CC XO1💪Just got mine in December Its sick they Dialed the frame aBit ,seat angel is steeper for better climbing and also chainstays are size specific . I also went with Racfaces NEXT-R31 Carbon rims with race face Vault Hubs the set was $1500 US . make sure you do a vid on your new bike 🚲
I bought a Ripmo for the same reason you bought your Hightower. I needed one bike to do anything and everything. If I had a Revel Ranger for trail riding and a DH bike for park days, I'd definitely be looking at bikes that could pedal well enough but can handle the more hardcore trails. Transition Sentinel and Spire would be at the top of my list. I haven't ridden a Spire yet, but I loved the Sentinel. The geometry on that bike makes it so much fun to go fast and just plow through stuff. Pivot Firebirds are also incredibly fun, can handle anything you want to throw at them, and pedal way more efficiently than any 160+ mm travel bike should be able to.
My bike isn’t what you’re looking for, it’s a YT Jeffsy 27.5” which isn’t a great “all-rounder” but I love it. My choices for an all rounder would be an Ibis Ripley or the Pivot Firebird
I recommend the Canyon Strive with 170mm front and 150mm back. It comes with a flip chip that you control with the push of a button. Easy climbs and knarly descents all in one. The value for bike is insane, Shimano XTR brakes and drivetrain for 6750USD and only weighing 31.4 Lbs. Its coil shock ready aswell. 27.5 and 29er.
Trek slash every single time. I have had about 15 bikes in the last 5 years after my first slash which I sold because of injury and after figured I'd try something else just to be sure. Just got a Rail ebike and have a slash on order once again. You cannot beat it even though a megatower gets close
Rich in my personal opinion I think u should get a transition sentinel. It’s a little more slack then the Hightower, and It’s coil shock friendly. I’ve heard that u should stick to a 160mm fork, at least that what some guy told me.
specialized stump jumper EVO carbon because it is a light bike great for an enduro race with its longer 160 mm travel i think but it is still a trail bike so it is great for bike days in the saddle and with it geo that you can change it can fit your needs. this is also another bike that won the pinkbike feld test so it is a outstanding bike.
sb165 setup as a mullet with a 170mm fork, definitely fits the bill. Designed with a coil shock in mind, decent weight, can pedal really well, playful but down to business. Currently running this setup and loving it. Ohlins ttx22m coil & formula selva r (coil)
What you did with the Revel is what I’ve done with the Tallboy. I ride that bike so much more than I originally expected. Good luck on the new one. So many options out there.
ive had my 2015 santa cruz 5010 c for about 5 years now haha, still love it but i definitely want one of the newer lower link santa cruzs they look so sick
Im pretty close to getting the new Cannondale Jekyll. The other one on the list is the Rocky Altitude but is unavailable at the moment due to current 'situation''
Knolly warden 168, the 4 way suspension is incredible, the bikes ability to climb is surprisingly good for a bike that runs 170m of travel in the front, I’ve ridden the warden since it was released and this bike has been through hell, I’ve had other amazing bikes, but this one is something else(it can also run an double crown fork if you want)
Got 2 friends with nukeproof. Giga and mega. Awesome bikes. Not 100% sure about coil on them, can’t see why not, but they are proper sweet. I still love my Hightower, it reminds me not to go too stupid which is a good thing 😆
@@SemiSendy I find myself in a similar predicament. I currently own an sb130 LR that I love and a YT tues for park duty,. The idea of building a spur as daily and getting a super enduro for trips is becoming more and more appealing. I believe the sb150 and the rallon are the true quiver killers given how well they seem to climb and descend, but if I’m going to diversify the styles, a DC bike, a brutal enduro bike (norco range, spire) and a DH bike look like the winning combo to me.
You're in a tough spot since you already have you choice bracketed above and below with the ranger and supreme. Assuming you still want to pedal your new bike on longer days, I think that would exclude Spec Enduro, Norco Range and similar. Given that I'm in the same market that you are I can only throw out that I'm currently looking at a Transition Spire, Devinci Spartan (both are coil compatible) and maybe a Nukeproof Giga/Mega. The last two are really hard to get a leg over where I'm at so I'm leaning towards a store bought bike but that may not be a concern for you. Super interested to hear what you end up on!
I still have yet to ride a Mondraker. I was going to demo one before I bought the high tower but I never could make the opportunity lineup. Hope to get on one sometime!
Go with the transition sentinel is a twenty Niner ,at 150 mm of your travel with 160 mm fork, It will munch up the Rocky dissents like you want and still pedals relatively efficiently . if you want more travel go to the bigger brother the spire which is 170 mm front and rear and has the same capabilities with more squish . I’m currently riding the spire and I have a test rode the Sentinel and they both are amazing bikes and I highly recommend them to anybody who is in the market for a hard charging Enduro bike .
I highly recommend the Pivot firebird it’s great with techs terrain and rides comfortably and fast. it’s great for racing and if you want can get you out of your comfort zone to do bigger and badder terrain. it is on the steeper side for price but it’s definitely worth it 10 out of 10 would recommend
I have a v1 Hightower LT CC and recently bought a Ripley to handle the light trails and climbs, so I'm looking to upgrade the HT. My riding buddy bought a new Firebird recently, loves it, and I live a few miles from the Pivot HQ so I want to demo one, but I am leaning towards a Megatower unless the Firebird wows the hell out of me.
So you replaced one bike that did everything well with 2 bikes that are better at their disciplines than the Hightower? More bikes sounds like the best plan to me. lol. Happy 2022. Keep getting after it! Go for the Orbea Rallon with the coil shock.
That would be super ideal! I’ve had a chance at smaller festivals to demo a range of bikes which was super helpful. I’ve also been lucky enough to get lots of random opportunities to hop on different bikes over the last couple years since starting this channel Which I’m really grateful for. And yeah, that We Are One, Man oh man is it a beautiful bike and that pink bike review was very encouraging. I picked up a pair of strifes for my downhill bike this year and love them.
I'm looking at getting a Ripmo. Thought about a hightower, but the no coil option was a bummer. Specialized Stumpy Evo was an option, but I had a Specialized Stumpjumper back in 2012 and want to try a different brand. A new Pivot with 170mm of travel, and Enduro or Megatower would be sick if you want more "poise" on features.
Just as an FYI before you commit to the ripmo, you should know the leverage curve is quite linear (not progressive) on that bike, meaning it's not very coil friendly. It's essentially designed to be run with an air shock, even though a coil may fit. If you do end up getting it and want to fit a coil, it'd probably highly benefit from a coil with good bottom out control (i.e. push or ext which are pricy).
I am interested in going with the 11-6 on the next build, but still the Ripmo curve is really too linear for what I’m currently looking for. Awesome bike, but it’s not the best fit for me right now. The firebird and mega are definitely contenders!
@@mikegehard6402 Yes they give the option for a coil, but it's not suited for one unless your riding literally involves no big compressions (jumps/drops) and even then I probably still won't go that route as it won't be as responsive with a coil. If you notice the Ibis enduro team doesn't run coil at all either so that's telling. If you're curious about the subject I'd suggest researching further on progressive vs linear leverage curves and how that works with a coil shock. In short though, a coil on the Ripmo will tend to blow through travel and not offer enough support for boosting, pumping, or bottom out support for landings. I will add however, you can run a cascade link to increase the progression on the Ripmo v2 to remedy that. Unfortunately, yoke designed rear shocks don't play well for the longevity of coil shocks so even then you can expect the coil shock's life to be shortened in comparison to if it were to be mounted to a non-yoke designed frame. Again, you can research all this, good luck and hope this was helpful.
I have a revel rascal and rail to fill my needs. Personal I’d stick with Revel or go Santa Cruz for their warranties. If you’re happy on the 29er supreme DH, I’d do megatower. It pedals well but gives you the opposite of the ranger.
@@SemiSendy you might even enjoy a long legged Commencal. It’s hard to beat the feel of aluminum on chunky trails. I use to have a kona process and enduro style trails were more comfortable on it than any carbon bike I’ve been on.
How about trying out the Dartmoor Thunderbird? It is designed around coil shocks (it comes with one by default), and it has a good price point (90,000 php/1,760 usd for the alloy frame with a coil shock). It also has many options. There is a superenduro version, a freeride version, and there is a choice between alloy, and carbon frames...
@@SemiSendy they're gaining traction here in the Philippines due to its price point. You can assemble a pretty capable enduro bike for around 2000 USD. I'm personally going for their cheaper Blackbird frame. It's pretty damn good for the money. Around 1300 USD for the frame with a shock. Also that name might ring a bell for European viewers as Dartmoor is based in Poland...
StumpjumperEvo or Pivot Firebird, unlesss an Ebike is in consideration. Then a Specialized Kenevo. An ebike at Bakers or Kanuga is glorious. I love the idea of a mid travel aggressive geo especially since you already have a DH bike. By the way, I can loan you a Specialized Levo if you want to it for a spin at Kanuga or Waldens Ridge. Please no more Ibis or Yeti. Lol.
No e-bike just yet, but I agree they are a ton of fun. Stumpy Evo and Firebird have been on the short list for a while! Just might have to take you up on that levo ride. I was dreaming of some e-wattage while busting my lungs at Vee Hollow yesterday.
Transition Spire Carbon or the We Are One Arrival…or the Norco Range, but you’ll never ride the DH bike again. Btw, winter windrock pilgrimage coming soon!!!
Do not pick the Orbea Occam, that would be the opposite of what you're looking for. I came off a 2020 Occam to my HTv2 and found the HT to be better at everything other than road and gravel climbing. In my experience the Hightower is a lot more capable descending. Hold out for the new Santa Cruz Megatower that should be coming in 2022? Or the current MT with a CC link?
My absolute quiver killer for the north shore as been my nicolai g16. The g1 would probably be better choice. It pedals even better then the g16 and lets you pick all modern wheel sizes, it may be to much for you. It’s tuned for coil shocks is is an extremely supportive suspension platform in both settings.
I own and love the Ripmo, but I feel like that puts him with the same sort of "do everything" bike like the Hightower. Those bikes fall in the middle of the spectrum. I'd get something more burly that could also pedal well if I had a Revel Ranger to ride for lighter duty days and a DH bike for the park.
The Ripmo is a really sweet bike, however it’s a lot like the Hightower. Coil fit/clearance is nice, but I’m looking for something with a more progressive leverage curve.
Are you going to be picking up the hightower v3? I have the v2 and love it, but same as you wanted the coil option. The v3 is coil compatible now so I might be upgrading once more.
Sadly the V3 still isn't compatible with coil, or even the X2. I'd love to review it, but for my personal bike choice I'm looking for something with more flexibility and options.
@@SemiSendy I wonder if I just got bad info. My local shop said the v3 was coil compatible so I was just going off that. Guess I better read about bikes some more today lol
Sad to see you part ways with your party machine, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Have you considered Megatower and Tallboy for your other riding spectrum?
The mega has definitely been on the shortlist. I almost pulled the trigger on one last spring. I’d like to go with a brand I haven’t been on previously this go around if possible though.
@@bikechiatristvery true! I am excited for the next gen mega though. Sounds like we may be seeing that between now and their typical summer release period.
i’d recommend the hightower, the hightower is my current bike and I demoed the firebird(now have that in order); surprisingly as good as if not better at climbing than the hightower, and really fun to ride on the descents. The one thing is that it’s more of a finesse bike, where you’re using your skill to go fast rather than the bike. In addition the suspension isn’t as supple at slower speeds compared to bikes like the enduro, but pivot essentially made it so the bike has a race set up so when going fast it feels extremely good, much better than most. The bike is also super easy to maneuver and super fun on jumps/sketchy tech gaps. Hope this helps 👍
Have you thought about doing a raffle to sell the bike? Great wY for someone who can only afford so much in a bike, but need more bike for their riding style.
