Tallboy vs Hightower?

[El Chupacabra]

Wouldn't a Hightower be a stiffer frame than a Tallboy (lateral stiffness/less flexy)?

Just a thought. I have zero ride time on either, just assuming a longer travel bike that's meant to be burlier would be a stiffer frame than a shorter/lighter bike.

[supermodel159]

Hightower is my vote.

[Tech Tonics]

Thanks for the excellent long shock descriptions!

I pulled the trigger on the TB.

I’m a xc dork who likes smashing chunder. I think it’ll be perfect.

[Tech Tonics]

Has anyone successfully long shocked a TB?

The suggested shock is
190mm i2i
45mm stroke

So would a long shock be a 190x50?

Anyone have a 190x45 or 190x50 shock for sale?

[panchosdad]

Has anyone successfully long shocked a TB?

The suggested shock is
190mm i2i
45mm stroke

So would a long shock be a 190x50?

Anyone have a 190x45 or 190x50 shock for sale?

Don't factory specc'd shock come with a tune specific to that bike? A random longer stroke shock might come with a tune inappropriate for that bike.

Not an expert, so I could be off base here.

[Tech Tonics]

Possibly, but with supply chain issues and my warranty claim somewhat tenuous, if they say a shock isn’t included, I’m gonna go with it.

[robnow]

Wouldn't a Hightower be a stiffer frame than a Tallboy (lateral stiffness/less flexy)?

Just a thought. I have zero ride time on either, just assuming a longer travel bike that's meant to be burlier would be a stiffer frame than a shorter/lighter bike.

Almost identical frame layups between the Hightower2 and Tallboy4, negligible weight differences between the two and only half a degree head angle difference. If a person were on an XL (or even some who prefer a longer Large) then the Tallboy would offer the opportunity to lengthen the chainstay if one wanted.

We have way more than enough TBs, HTs, MTs in our crew (fuck are we a SC-centric city), if you have some shuttle/park access then the Hightower would be a nice choice but everyone I know that owns the TB4 is super stoked on it and punches high. If you want a bit more of a direct feel to the bike, more snappy and responsive, less sluggish (due to the shorter rear travel) then TB.

[grskier]

So, the recommendations are either a Hightower or a Tallboy that is built up just like a Hightower..

[robnow]

And yes, peeps are long shocking or Cascading the Tallboy.

[Tech Tonics]

So, the recommendations are either a Hightower or a Tallboy that is built up just like a Hightower..

That sums it up nicely.

Not sure I’m sold on long shocking. I may want to keep it tight and snappy and not stress about tire rub

[Dantheman]

Not sure I’m sold on long shocking. I may want to keep it tight and snappy and not stress about tire rub

You can check for potential tire rub by airing down the stock shock and seeing how much clearance you have to spare. The long-shocking is reversible so it's not a big commitment, mostly. Some shocks require a full tear-down to remove the spacer, but it's an easy DIY job on others. If it's the former you have Diaz right there.

[sethschmautz]

Not sure I’m sold on long shocking. I may want to keep it tight and snappy and not stress about tire rub

I wasn't either. In my case, the shock was only available in the longer stroke. I bought the shock and Manitou sent me a spacer that would reduce the travel. But as DTM pointed out, I deflated the shock and identified that the tire doesn't come in contact with the tube on my frame (It might under a hard compression where all kinds of flexing is going on, though). I put a zip tie at the full compression location (55mm), and have been watching the O-ring in relation to that zip tie over the past year. After all of the riding I've done I'm still a few mms away from full bottom out so I probably won't put the spacer in at all. For the first 51mm of my travel it acts just like the regular HT. It's just the remaining stroke where you get a little extra. I would think that would be the case for the TB4 also.

[joetron]

Has anyone successfully long shocked a TB?

The suggested shock is
190mm i2i
45mm stroke

So would a long shock be a 190x50?

Anyone have a 190x45 or 190x50 shock for sale?

I might have something 190x50at the shop. I’ll check.


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[Andeh]

Adding to what Seth said, there are a couple little details to be aware of regarding sag. If you set it at sag based on the original travel (i.e. 30% of 45mm = 13.5mm), it will feel just like the original bike, but simply be able to keep traveling a little bit longer on big hits. Geometry unsagged and sagged will remain the same. If you set sag based on the new stroke length (say, if you can clear a 50mm stroke, then 30% * 50 = 15mm), it will sit a little bit deeper, be a little bit slacker, and be a little bit more plush off the top. But you'll still have a bit more travel.

Alternatively, you could get a Cascade link, get a bit more travel and a bit more progression, and use the original more common shock size.

[One (+) Sentence]

If you think you want to long shock a TB4, I think you want a Hightower.

I had a TB4 last summer and a V2 Hightower this summer and they’re both great bikes. The TB4 was a little faster on my typical 18 mile XC loop, but the Hightower is more comfortable and I feel a little less tired afterwards.

[Tech Tonics]

I might have something 190x50at the shop. I’ll check.


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Funny, I’m working in NM, but was gonna hit you up when I get back Friday.

[ticketchecker]

Get the TB4 frame, build it up with what you got for parts and ride the fucker. It’ll be awesome and next thing you know we’ll be skiing


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[Tech Tonics]

Get the TB4 frame, build it up with what you got for parts and ride the fucker. It’ll be awesome and next thing you know we’ll be skiing


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That’s the plan, but the shock won’t carry-over

[jhyatt]

I've been riding aTb4 with pike ultimate for a year and love it and my riding style sounds similar to yours. Thought I would want more travel but I'm happy. I got what was available really.
Both great bikes.

I think 2nd Ave sports rents high towers but sounds like you already decided.

Post about the long shock situation. Cascade link also looks interesting. Following.

[XtrPickels]

Granted I'm a bit late to this party, but I typically think about choices like this as "What tires do I want to run".

Dissector / Rekon (Exo) = Stock Tallboy
DHF / Aggressor (EXO / EXO+)= Modded Tallboy
Anything DoubleDown = Hightower

[grskier]

Granted I'm a bit late to this party, but I typically think about choices like this as "What tires do I want to run".

Dissector / Rekon (Exo) = Stock Tallboy
DHF / Aggressor (EXO / EXO+)= Modded Tallboy
Anything DoubleDown = Hightower

That's a great way to think about it.

There was a bike on the side of the road the other day the boys found... DD assegai on the front exo rekon on the back... all the steeeeeers.

[Tech Tonics]

I think I’m currently dissector/aggressor combo.

How dumb am I?

[smmokan]

So many Maxxis fanbois around here.

[XtrPickels]

So many Maxxis fanbois around here.

Gotta teach to the lowest common denominator...

[XtrPickels]

I think I’m currently dissector/aggressor combo.

How dumb am I?

Not nearly as dumb as the obviously unrideable combo posted above you.