FIRST RIDES
SANTA CRUZ MEGATOWER CC X01 AXS RSV
£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 (1x12)
Wheelset Reserve 30 carbon rims on Industry Nine 1/1 hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29x2.4in 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, all-dancing 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
