Alright guys, let's dive deep into the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS. This bike has been making waves, and for a good reason. It’s a beast on the trails, combining Santa Cruz's renowned engineering with SRAM's top-notch technology. In this review, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from its design and components to its performance on various terrains. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just looking to upgrade, understanding what this bike offers is crucial. So, buckle up and let’s get started!

Overview of the Santa Cruz Megatower

The Santa Cruz Megatower is designed to conquer the gnarliest trails with confidence and speed. As an enduro-focused bike, it blurs the lines between a downhill rig and a trail bike, offering a unique blend of stability and agility. The Megatower is built around Santa Cruz’s VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension platform, delivering 160mm of rear travel. This suspension design is known for its excellent small-bump sensitivity and supportive mid-stroke, ensuring the bike remains composed on everything from chattery descents to big hits. The frame geometry is aggressive, featuring a slack head angle and a long reach, which enhances stability at high speeds. The bike's design encourages riders to push their limits, making it a favorite among aggressive trail riders and enduro racers. The Megatower's versatility also extends to its ability to handle climbs efficiently, thanks to its steep seat tube angle. This makes it a capable all-rounder, suitable for long days in the saddle where both ascending and descending prowess are required. Santa Cruz offers the Megatower in various build options, but the GX AXS model stands out for its blend of performance and value. It provides riders with the advantages of electronic shifting and high-quality components without breaking the bank. The frame is constructed from Santa Cruz’s carbon fiber, ensuring a lightweight yet durable platform. Internal cable routing keeps the bike looking clean and reduces cable clutter, while features like a threaded bottom bracket add to its reliability and ease of maintenance. With its robust construction and carefully chosen components, the Santa Cruz Megatower is built to withstand the rigors of aggressive trail riding.

Key Features of the 2023 GX AXS Model

The 2023 GX AXS model brings some serious heat to the trail. The star of the show is undoubtedly the SRAM GX AXS Eagle drivetrain. This wireless electronic system provides crisp, precise, and reliable shifting, no matter the conditions. Say goodbye to cable stretch and hello to consistent performance. The GX AXS derailleur is robust and designed to withstand the abuse of aggressive riding, while the intuitive paddle shifters make gear changes effortless. Beyond the drivetrain, the Megatower GX AXS boasts a high-performance suspension setup. A RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock controls the 160mm of travel, offering a plush and controlled feel. Up front, a RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork with 160mm of travel handles the bumps and keeps the front end tracking smoothly. Both the fork and shock are easily adjustable, allowing riders to fine-tune the suspension to their preferences and the terrain. The bike rolls on Race Face AR 30 rims, known for their durability and wide profile, which provides excellent tire support. These are paired with Industry Nine 1/1 hubs, offering reliable engagement and smooth rolling performance. Tire-wise, the Megatower GX AXS comes with a Maxxis Assegai up front and a Minion DHR II in the rear, a classic combination that provides excellent grip and control in a variety of conditions. Braking is handled by SRAM Code R brakes, delivering ample stopping power and modulation. The Code R levers are comfortable and easy to adjust, ensuring confident braking on steep descents. The bike also features a OneUp Components V2 Dropper Post, allowing riders to get the saddle out of the way on technical sections. With its smooth action and reliable performance, this dropper post is a valuable addition to the build. Overall, the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS is equipped with a well-rounded package of components that deliver performance, reliability, and value.

Components and Specifications

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what makes the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS tick. Starting with the frame, it's crafted from Santa Cruz's high-quality carbon fiber, balancing weight and durability. The frame features internal cable routing for a clean look and to protect the cables from the elements. A threaded bottom bracket adds to the bike's reliability and makes maintenance easier. The VPP suspension design provides 160mm of rear travel, offering a plush and controlled ride. The geometry is aggressive, with a slack head angle of around 64 degrees and a long reach, providing stability at high speeds. The seat tube angle is steep, promoting efficient climbing. The drivetrain is the highlight of this build, featuring SRAM's GX AXS Eagle wireless electronic system. This includes the GX AXS derailleur and shifter, offering precise and reliable shifting. The cassette is a SRAM Eagle XG-1275, providing a wide range of gears for tackling any terrain. Cranks are Descendant 32T. Suspension duties are handled by a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock and a RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork, both offering 160mm of travel. The fork and shock are easily adjustable, allowing riders to fine-tune the suspension to their preferences. Wheels are Race Face AR 30 rims laced to Industry Nine 1/1 hubs. This combination provides durability, a wide tire profile, and reliable engagement. Tires are a Maxxis Assegai 2.5" up front and a Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4" in the rear. These tires offer excellent grip and control in a variety of conditions. Braking is handled by SRAM Code R brakes, providing ample stopping power. The bike also features a OneUp Components V2 Dropper Post, allowing riders to get the saddle out of the way on technical sections. Other key components include a Burgtec Enduro stem and a Santa Cruz Bicycles Palmdale grips. The specifications of the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS make it a well-rounded and high-performing machine.

Riding Experience and Performance

Alright, so how does the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS actually perform on the trail? In a word, impressively. The bike's aggressive geometry and long travel suspension make it a descending machine. It feels stable and planted at high speeds, inspiring confidence on steep and technical terrain. The slack head angle and long wheelbase provide excellent stability, while the supportive suspension soaks up bumps and keeps the bike tracking smoothly. The VPP suspension design offers a plush and controlled feel, with excellent small-bump sensitivity and a supportive mid-stroke. This means the bike remains composed on everything from chattery descents to big hits. The SRAM GX AXS Eagle drivetrain provides crisp, precise, and reliable shifting, no matter the conditions. The wireless electronic system eliminates cable stretch and provides consistent performance. The wide range of gears makes it easy to tackle steep climbs, while the intuitive paddle shifters make gear changes effortless. While the Megatower is primarily a descending bike, it also climbs surprisingly well. The steep seat tube angle puts the rider in an efficient pedaling position, and the supportive suspension minimizes pedal bob. The bike feels balanced and composed on climbs, making it a capable all-rounder. The Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tires provide excellent grip and control in a variety of conditions. The wide profile of the Race Face AR 30 rims provides excellent tire support, allowing riders to run lower pressures for improved traction. The SRAM Code R brakes offer ample stopping power and modulation, inspiring confidence on steep descents. The OneUp Components V2 Dropper Post allows riders to get the saddle out of the way on technical sections, further enhancing confidence and control. Overall, the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS delivers an exceptional riding experience, combining descending prowess with surprising climbing ability.

Pros and Cons

Let's break down the pros and cons of the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS so you know exactly what you're getting into.

Pros:

• Excellent Descending Capability: The Megatower's aggressive geometry and long travel suspension make it a descending beast.
• Reliable Shifting Performance: The SRAM GX AXS Eagle drivetrain offers crisp, precise, and reliable shifting.
• High-Quality Suspension: The RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock and Lyrik Select+ fork provide a plush and controlled ride.
• Durable Wheelset: The Race Face AR 30 rims and Industry Nine 1/1 hubs offer durability and reliable engagement.
• Great Tire Combination: The Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II tires provide excellent grip and control.

Cons:

• Price: The Megatower GX AXS is an expensive bike, which may be a barrier for some riders.
• Weight: While the carbon frame helps keep the weight down, the Megatower is still a relatively heavy bike, which can be noticeable on long climbs.
• Complexity: The SRAM GX AXS Eagle drivetrain requires batteries and electronic components, which may be more complex to maintain than a traditional mechanical system.
• Potential Overkill: For riders who primarily ride mellow trails, the Megatower's long travel and aggressive geometry may be overkill.

Final Verdict

So, what’s the final word on the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS? This bike is an absolute ripper, designed for riders who love to push their limits on challenging terrain. The combination of Santa Cruz’s renowned engineering and SRAM’s innovative technology results in a machine that’s both capable and confidence-inspiring. If you're an aggressive trail rider or enduro racer looking for a bike that can handle anything you throw at it, the Megatower GX AXS is definitely worth considering. Yes, it comes with a hefty price tag, but the performance and reliability justify the investment. The SRAM GX AXS Eagle drivetrain provides flawless shifting, while the RockShox suspension soaks up bumps and keeps the bike tracking smoothly. The durable wheelset and grippy tires inspire confidence in any conditions. While the Megatower may be overkill for mellow trails, it truly shines on steep and technical terrain. Its aggressive geometry and long travel suspension make it a descending machine, while its surprisingly efficient climbing ability makes it a capable all-rounder. If you're looking for a bike that can handle everything from bike park laps to backcountry adventures, the 2023 Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS is a top contender. Just be prepared to shell out some serious cash and potentially deal with the complexities of electronic components. But trust me, the performance is worth it. Happy trails!