2018 Santa Cruz Hightower vs. Specialized 2019 CompAlloy Stumpjumper

[Drew555]

In the market for a good all round trail bike. My 2 top choices are the santa cruz hightower and the new stumpjumper comp alloy. the stumpjumper is around $3k while the hightower is $1k more. Anyone have any suggestions on which one they prefer? 

[keithbe]

I was in a similar dilemma last year..."boutique" vs traditional. It was impossible to get a good weekend long test run on the boutique bikes. The test ridden, non boutique, bike was the winner.

[Christofison]

If I had your dilemma, I would definitely choose the Hightower. If it was the Hightower vs the '19 Stumpy Comp Carbon, then I would I would be in a bit of a pickle.

 

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[PygaSchmyga]

Who is the agent for SC these day?  How good is their support/backup? 

 

You may want to answer these questions to try get some confidence that any warranty or similar issues can be sorted in a reasonable time.  It certainly affects my buying choices after some VERY painful lessons

[SwissVan]

I was in a similar dilemma last year..."boutique" vs traditional. It was impossible to get a good weekend long test run on the boutique bikes. The test ridden, non boutique, bike was the winner.

Boutique = SC?

 

2 weeks ago I went to my local SC dealer who also sells Specz, he had epics to test ride but no SC Blurs

 

He did say a Blur could be arranged for a one day test from the importer if they had stock.

 

They charge CHF 90 per day for test bikes

 

Edit: sorry op I know the above does not help your decision making process much

Edited May 15, 2018 by SwissVan

[stefmeister]

Although Specialized always gets the brunt for being overpriced or not value for money, it is Santa cruz that is overpriced.

If you can live with only a small water bottle, I'd give YT Jeffsy a shot. You'll get more bang for your buck. Lower end bikes skimp on the important parts (suspension and wheels) in favour of a [higher spec] rear derailleur.

 

 

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[splat]

I was in a similar dilemma last year..."boutique" vs traditional. It was impossible to get a good weekend long test run on the boutique bikes. The test ridden, non boutique, bike was the winner.

 

I wouldn't call Santa Cruz a boutique bike brand any more. Look at their range and volume of bike they have produced. They are pretty main stream by now.

Its a bit like calling Darling Brew or CBC craft beer...

 

That said - The choice between those 2 bikes. What a dilemma to have !

 

Looking thier pricing (Hightower R vs current Stumpy Comp Alloy) - there is a R30 000 difference, which is a lot more than $1000

[keithbe]

I wouldn't call Santa Cruz a boutique bike brand any more. Look at their range and volume of bike they have produced. They are pretty main stream by now.

Its a bit like calling Darling Brew or CBC craft beer...

 

That said - The choice between those 2 bikes. What a dilemma to have !

 

Looking thier pricing (Hightower R vs current Stumpy Comp Alloy) - there is a R30 000 difference, which is a lot more than $1000

 

In the SA context Santa Cruz is Boutique and doesn't compare to Trek, Spez, Scott etc. in terms of variety and post sale support.

[SwissVan]

I wouldn't call Santa Cruz a boutique bike brand any more.

 

 

Funny I thought Keith was calling Specz "Boutique“

My mistake ☔️

Edited May 15, 2018 by SwissVan

[Me rida my bicycle]

I would go with SC lifetime warranty on pivots as long as it has all its services. SC is just something else to ride once you've been out on 1 it will be the benchmark to which you will compare every other bike. I haven't owned the longer travel SC bikes only 2x tallboy 2x highball 1x Blur. And if you wonder why I have owned some of the bikes twice it's simple I sold them looking for something different /better couldn't find anything better so just bought again with different build kit.