5 Lessons After a Year on the Santa Cruz Megatower 2

After a year with my 2024 XL Megatower 2, here are 5 things I’ve learned. 

For context, my last bike was a ’22 Evil Wreckoning size Large GX build, and I’ve been riding my wife’s ’24 SC Hightower size Large S build recently. Both 29ers, both GX builds. Most riding was done on Burnaby Mountain (next to my house), and in the Tri-City/North Shore/Squamish areas.

Top 5 things I’ve learned:

Long Wheelbases are Stable at Speed! With a 1298mm wheelbase (and plenty of travel), it feels very comfortable at high speeds (think Manhandler). Downside though, it’s a little cumbersome on the tight switchbacks of Mossom Creek. My old Wreckoning had the same travel but a 1250mm wheelbase for comparison. It was much more turnable but twitchy at speeds.

It is NOT Snappy. Compared to the ’24 Hightower, the MT is a slug! It’s got great traction, but there’s no “zip” as my wife says. Climbing IMBY or even North Road Trail is a great comparison, the MT takes extra Watts to get up a few sections.

165/170mm Travel Bikes can PLOW! I’m a racer and usually look for speed over style. This thing has gotten me out of trouble a few times. More travel = more speed, but more travel can mean less fun. Again, compared to my wife’s HT, the MT just smashes through and over stuff.

In-Frame Storage is OK, I guess. It’s more cumbersome to use than I expected, and it rattles a little. I only keep emergency supplies and sometimes a lightweight packable jacket in there, not something I need to reach for multiple times per ride.

Easy to get along with. Sizing up to an XL was a little scary, but it’s such a friendly-feeling bike that it just fits. Stack, reach, rear center… all make sense for a long, fast bike that’s still easy to turn.

What else? Message/comment if you want to know anything else about the Megatower 2 or any of the other bikes I’ve mentioned.