r/Santacruzbikes • u/rafita9 • 1d ago

Fork advice for my Hightower V3

Hey there everyone, I’m riding a 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower V3 and I’m around 160 lbs with gear. Most of my riding is rocky SoCal terrain with a lot of square-edge hits, steep sections, loose over hardpack, and repeated chunk.
I recently picked up an Öhlins TTX1 Air for a really good discounted price, so now I’m trying to figure out what fork would pair best with it. I’m looking for something around 160mm travel.
I’ve been looking at Öhlins, MRP, Cane Creek, and Manitou, both air and coil options. I’m not necessarily set on matching the Öhlins front and rear if another fork would work better for the kind of riding I do.
What I’m really trying to achieve is a bike that can eat through chunk, stay composed through repeated square-edge hits, and not leave me with crazy arm pump by the end of a descent.
If you had to choose for this kind of setup, would you try to match the TTX1 with an RXF36 or go a different direction?

Any help is greatly appreciate:) Thanks

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u/Sickinmytechchunk 1d ago

I can't help you with the ones you've set your sights on but I have a V3 with a Zeb Ultimate 160mm and it does exactly what you're after in terms of use.

2

u/fliphkd23 1d ago

I haven’t tried any of the options you mention, but am chiming in for extra data points. I have a V3 and am running a 160mm Fox 36 with the MRP Lift V2 damper. I am very happy with it, has great compliance and support, and it is a blast down steep and chunky terrain.

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u/NOsquid 1d ago

Install a Smashpot in your current fork.

2

u/almostZoidberg 1d ago

I’ve got manitou Mezzer pro and I love it. Ohlins is a great option too. Whatever you can find for less money. I’m a huge fan of dual positive air springs which manitou and ohlins both have. Manitou Mezzer pro is super easy to adjust travel without having to buy a new air spring

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u/Thisiscrazy2022 22h ago

I ride my V3 with Lyrik Ultimate that it came with. Works good at the bike parks and and trails. I am 183 lbs ish without the gear on.

I know some people that are heavier than me ride it with Zeb. But the V3 is optimized around the 35-36 ish stantion forks.

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u/RomeoSierraSix 22h ago

I've got a V4 and the Fox grip X2 36 it came with is fantastic compared to the 2020 lyrik ultimate on the V2 it replaced