Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022. If you're an enduro or gravity rider searching for a bike that can handle almost anything you throw at it, this might just be your dream machine. We’ll explore everything from its geometry and suspension to its components and overall performance. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the Santa Cruz Megatower

Before we zoom in on the CS kit, let’s get a bird’s-eye view of the Megatower itself. The Santa Cruz Megatower is designed as a long-travel enduro bike, built to tackle the gnarliest trails and demanding descents. It's known for its robust build, progressive geometry, and the legendary VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension system. This bike is aimed at riders who prioritize downhill performance but still need a rig that can climb efficiently enough to get them back to the top for another run.

One of the key aspects of the Megatower is its versatility. Santa Cruz has engineered it to be adaptable to different riding styles and terrains. The adjustable geometry allows riders to fine-tune the bike's handling characteristics, making it suitable for everything from bike park laps to backcountry adventures. The VPP suspension provides a supple and supportive feel, ensuring excellent traction and control in rough conditions. This makes the Megatower a favorite among aggressive riders who demand a bike that can keep up with their ambitions.

Santa Cruz offers the Megatower in a range of build kits to cater to different budgets and performance requirements. The CS kit we’re focusing on today strikes a balance between performance and value, providing a solid set of components that deliver reliable performance without breaking the bank. This makes it an attractive option for riders who want a high-performance enduro bike without the premium price tag of the top-tier models. The frame itself is constructed from Santa Cruz's Carbon C, offering a great blend of stiffness, durability, and weight savings. This ensures that the Megatower can withstand the rigors of aggressive riding while remaining relatively lightweight for climbing. The CS kit includes components such as a RockShox fork and shock, SRAM drivetrain, and dependable brakes, all chosen to provide a balanced and capable ride.

Key Features of the CS Kit

The Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022 is all about maximizing performance without hitting the absolute highest price point. So, what exactly makes this kit stand out? Let's break down the essential components:

• Frame: Santa Cruz Carbon C frame – strong, light, and built to last.
• Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+ – offering 160mm of plush travel.
• Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ – providing excellent damping and control.
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle – reliable and wide-ranging 12-speed shifting.
• Brakes: SRAM Code R – powerful stopping power for steep descents.
• Wheels: Race Face AR Offset 30 – durable and dependable.

Each of these components has been carefully selected to provide a balanced and capable ride. The Carbon C frame provides a stiff and responsive platform for aggressive riding, while the RockShox suspension ensures a smooth and controlled ride over rough terrain. The SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain offers a wide range of gears for tackling steep climbs and fast descents, and the SRAM Code R brakes provide reliable stopping power in all conditions. The Race Face AR Offset 30 wheels are a durable and dependable choice, capable of withstanding the rigors of aggressive trail riding.

Geometry and Sizing

Geometry is crucial for any mountain bike, and the Megatower doesn't disappoint. The bike features a modern, progressive geometry that's designed for stability at high speeds and confident handling in technical terrain. Key measurements include a slack head tube angle, a steep seat tube angle, and a long reach. These numbers translate to a bike that feels planted and stable on descents, yet still climbs efficiently.

The slack head tube angle (around 64 degrees) provides excellent stability at high speeds and helps to absorb impacts from rough terrain. The steep seat tube angle (around 76 degrees) positions the rider over the pedals for efficient climbing. The long reach provides plenty of room to move around on the bike and helps to maintain balance in technical sections. Santa Cruz also offers adjustable geometry via a flip chip in the lower link of the suspension. This allows riders to fine-tune the bike's handling characteristics to suit their riding style and terrain. In the high setting, the bike has a slightly steeper head tube angle and a higher bottom bracket, making it more nimble and responsive on tighter trails. In the low setting, the bike has a slacker head tube angle and a lower bottom bracket, providing increased stability at high speeds.

When it comes to sizing, Santa Cruz offers the Megatower in a range of sizes to accommodate riders of all heights. It's essential to choose the correct size to ensure optimal comfort and control. A properly sized bike will allow you to maintain a balanced position, making it easier to handle technical terrain and reducing fatigue on long rides. Santa Cruz provides detailed sizing charts on their website, but it's always a good idea to visit a local bike shop and try out a few different sizes to find the perfect fit. The staff at the bike shop can also help you adjust the bike's components to suit your preferences, such as stem length, handlebar width, and saddle height. This will ensure that you get the most out of your Megatower and enjoy every ride.

Suspension Performance

The Megatower utilizes Santa Cruz’s renowned VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension system. The VPP system is known for its efficiency and sensitivity, providing excellent small-bump compliance and a supportive mid-stroke. The CS kit pairs this with RockShox suspension components, offering a balanced and controlled ride feel. The 160mm of travel front and rear soaks up everything from small chatter to big hits with ease.

The VPP suspension system works by using two short links to connect the front and rear triangles of the bike. As the suspension compresses, these links rotate, causing the rear wheel to move along a specific path. This path is carefully designed to optimize pedaling efficiency, bump absorption, and overall suspension performance. One of the key benefits of the VPP system is its ability to isolate pedaling forces from suspension movement. This means that the suspension remains active and responsive, even when you're pedaling hard uphill. This is especially important on an enduro bike like the Megatower, where you need to be able to climb efficiently to reach the top of the descent.

The RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock are well-matched to the Megatower's suspension system. The Lyrik Select+ fork features a Charger 2.1 damper, which provides excellent control and adjustability. The Super Deluxe Select+ shock offers a wide range of adjustments, allowing you to fine-tune the suspension to suit your riding style and terrain. Together, these components provide a smooth and controlled ride over a wide range of conditions. Whether you're tackling steep, rocky descents or flowing singletrack, the Megatower's suspension will keep you feeling confident and in control.

Component Highlights

Let's dive deeper into some of the standout components on the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022:

• SRAM GX Eagle Drivetrain: The SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain provides a wide gear range, making it easy to tackle steep climbs and fast descents. The shifting is crisp and reliable, ensuring smooth transitions between gears.
• SRAM Code R Brakes: The SRAM Code R brakes deliver powerful stopping power, giving you the confidence to tackle steep and technical terrain. The brakes are easy to modulate, allowing you to maintain control in all conditions.
• Race Face AR Offset 30 Wheels: The Race Face AR Offset 30 wheels are durable and dependable, capable of withstanding the rigors of aggressive trail riding. The wide rims provide excellent tire support, improving traction and handling.
• RockShox Lyrik Select+ Fork: This fork provides excellent damping and control, ensuring a smooth and controlled ride over rough terrain. The fork is easy to adjust, allowing you to fine-tune the suspension to suit your riding style.
• RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ Shock: The shock offers a wide range of adjustments, allowing you to fine-tune the suspension to suit your riding style and terrain. The shock provides excellent small-bump compliance and a supportive mid-stroke.

Each of these components has been carefully selected to provide a balanced and capable ride. The SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain offers a wide range of gears for tackling steep climbs and fast descents, while the SRAM Code R brakes provide reliable stopping power in all conditions. The Race Face AR Offset 30 wheels are a durable and dependable choice, capable of withstanding the rigors of aggressive trail riding. The RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock work together to provide a smooth and controlled ride over a wide range of conditions.

Riding Experience

Alright, let's talk about what it's actually like to ride the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022. In short, it's a blast! This bike excels on technical trails, offering a stable and confidence-inspiring ride. The slack head angle and long wheelbase keep you planted at high speeds, while the responsive suspension soaks up bumps and chatter with ease.

Climbing on the Megatower is surprisingly efficient for a long-travel enduro bike. The steep seat tube angle puts you in a comfortable position for pedaling, and the VPP suspension minimizes pedal bob. While it's not as sprightly as a dedicated cross-country bike, the Megatower can still handle long climbs without feeling overly sluggish. However, where the Megatower truly shines is on the descents. This bike is built to shred, and it feels right at home on steep, technical trails. The slack head angle and long wheelbase provide excellent stability at high speeds, while the responsive suspension soaks up bumps and chatter with ease. The SRAM Code R brakes provide plenty of stopping power, giving you the confidence to tackle even the most challenging terrain.

The Megatower is also surprisingly playful for a long-travel bike. The balanced geometry and responsive suspension make it easy to flick around on the trail, and the bike feels lively and engaging. Whether you're hitting jumps, railing berms, or navigating technical sections, the Megatower is always up for the challenge. Overall, the riding experience on the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022 is exceptional. This bike is a true do-it-all machine that can handle everything from long climbs to steep descents. If you're looking for a versatile and capable enduro bike, the Megatower is definitely worth considering.

Pros and Cons

To keep it real, here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022:

Pros:

• Excellent downhill performance
• Efficient climber for a long-travel bike
• Durable and reliable components
• Adjustable geometry
• Confidence-inspiring handling

Cons:

• Pricey (although the CS kit offers good value)
• Not as nimble as shorter-travel bikes

Final Verdict

So, what's the final word on the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022? If you're an aggressive rider looking for a versatile and capable enduro bike, this is an excellent choice. It climbs efficiently enough for long days in the saddle, but truly shines on the descents. The components are reliable and the frame is built to last. While it's not the cheapest bike on the market, the CS kit offers a great balance of performance and value. If you prioritize downhill performance and want a bike that can handle anything you throw at it, the Megatower CS Kit 2022 is definitely worth considering.

Whether you're tackling steep, rocky descents or flowing singletrack, the Megatower will keep you feeling confident and in control. The adjustable geometry allows you to fine-tune the bike's handling characteristics to suit your riding style and terrain, and the durable components ensure that you can ride hard without worrying about mechanical issues. If you're looking for a bike that can handle it all, the Santa Cruz Megatower CS Kit 2022 is a top contender.