Santa Cruz Megatower CC Frame
The Megatower CC is a best-in-class enduro frameset thanks to Santa Cruz’s high-modulus CC carbon layup and a proven VPP suspension platform that deliver a balanced blend of stiffness, traction and mid-stroke support for fast descents. Compared with the lighter, more race‑focused Yeti and Specialized options it feels more forgiving and durable on rough courses, while often offering better long-term value and resale versus extremely light T‑series builds and the more adjustable but slightly heavier American frames.
Plush descents
VPP traction
Plush descents
VPP traction
Review Summary
"Owners praise its confident, plush descents and efficient pedaling for long enduro stages; the CC carbon layup and build quality are frequently commended, though it carries a premium price."
Slack confidence
CC carbon layup delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio for aggressive trail and stage racing
Slack confidence
CC carbon layup delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio for aggressive trail and stage racing
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Megatower CC is a best-in-class enduro frameset thanks to Santa Cruz’s high-modulus CC carbon layup and a proven VPP suspension platform that deliver a balanced blend of stiffness, traction and mid-stroke support for fast descents. Compared with the lighter, more race‑focused Yeti and Specialized options it feels more forgiving and durable on rough courses, while often offering better long-term value and resale versus extremely light T‑series builds and the more adjustable but slightly heavier American frames.
Plush descents
VPP traction
Slack confidence
CC carbon layup delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio for aggressive trail and stage racing
About 160mm rear travel with Santa Cruz VPP kinematics tuned for balanced traction and pop
Plush descents
VPP traction
Slack confidence
CC carbon layup delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio for aggressive trail and stage racing
About 160mm rear travel with Santa Cruz VPP kinematics tuned for balanced traction and pop
$5,300-6,200 USD
Yeti SB160 T-Series Frame
Yeti’s SB160 T‑Series is the market leader for riders who want a top-tier race frame: an ultra-refined T‑series carbon layup combined with Yeti’s active suspension delivers exceptional pedaling efficiency and precise handling at a lower weight than many competitors. It commands a premium price but repays that cost with race-winning responsiveness and a lighter package than the Santa Cruz and Norco options, making it the go-to choice when marginal grams and on-track performance matter most.
Lively pop
T-Series stiffness
Lively pop
T-Series stiffness
Review Summary
"Riders appreciate the SB160's active, balanced chassis and nimble high-speed handling with excellent traction; some users note the high cost and limited customization availability."
Agile cornering
T‑Series high-modulus carbon construction focused on reducing weight while keeping strength
Agile cornering
T‑Series high-modulus carbon construction focused on reducing weight while keeping strength
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Yeti’s SB160 T‑Series is the market leader for riders who want a top-tier race frame: an ultra-refined T‑series carbon layup combined with Yeti’s active suspension delivers exceptional pedaling efficiency and precise handling at a lower weight than many competitors. It commands a premium price but repays that cost with race-winning responsiveness and a lighter package than the Santa Cruz and Norco options, making it the go-to choice when marginal grams and on-track performance matter most.
Lively pop
T-Series stiffness
Agile cornering
T‑Series high-modulus carbon construction focused on reducing weight while keeping strength
160mm of rear travel with suspension tuned for high-speed technical descents and precise handling
Lively pop
T-Series stiffness
Agile cornering
T‑Series high-modulus carbon construction focused on reducing weight while keeping strength
160mm of rear travel with suspension tuned for high-speed technical descents and precise handling
$6,000-7,500 USD
Specialized Enduro S-Works Frame
The Enduro S‑Works is engineered for outright speed and stiffness, with an S‑Works carbon construction and race-optimized geometry that push lap times on technical courses. Compared to the more plush Megatower and the tunable Rocky Mountain, the Specialized leans harder toward firmness and on‑trail precision, which benefits racers seeking maximum power transfer at the expense of a slightly harsher ride and typically higher MSRP.
Race-ready
DW-Link polish
Race-ready
DW-Link polish
Review Summary
"Users report exceptional descending stability, stiffness, and confidence at speed with S-Works construction praised for durability; a few say it can feel heavier than some race-focused frames."
Lightweight burly
S-Works FACT carbon for maximum stiffness and strength optimized for race demands
Lightweight burly
S-Works FACT carbon for maximum stiffness and strength optimized for race demands
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Enduro S‑Works is engineered for outright speed and stiffness, with an S‑Works carbon construction and race-optimized geometry that push lap times on technical courses. Compared to the more plush Megatower and the tunable Rocky Mountain, the Specialized leans harder toward firmness and on‑trail precision, which benefits racers seeking maximum power transfer at the expense of a slightly harsher ride and typically higher MSRP.
Race-ready
DW-Link polish
Lightweight burly
S-Works FACT carbon for maximum stiffness and strength optimized for race demands
Long-travel rear platform (~170mm) designed for steep, rough terrain and big hits
Race-ready
DW-Link polish
Lightweight burly
S-Works FACT carbon for maximum stiffness and strength optimized for race demands
Long-travel rear platform (~170mm) designed for steep, rough terrain and big hits
$5,000-6,500 USD
Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Frame
The Altitude Carbon 90 stands out for its practical adjustability and value-oriented finishing: a high-performance carbon layup with an easy-to-tune geometry system lets riders dial the chassis for steep or fast tracks without the premium price of some rivals. Technically versatile and generally more affordable than the top-tier Yeti or Specialized S‑Works, it trades a few grams of weight for broad setup range and durability, making it a smart choice for racers who prioritize tunability on variable courses.
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Review Summary
"Owners like the Altitude Carbon 90 for its adjustable geometry and excellent balance between pedaling efficiency and downhill capability; a number of reviewers mention that dialing in the suspension takes patience."
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Altitude Carbon 90 stands out for its practical adjustability and value-oriented finishing: a high-performance carbon layup with an easy-to-tune geometry system lets riders dial the chassis for steep or fast tracks without the premium price of some rivals. Technically versatile and generally more affordable than the top-tier Yeti or Specialized S‑Works, it trades a few grams of weight for broad setup range and durability, making it a smart choice for racers who prioritize tunability on variable courses.
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Long-travel enduro chassis (around 160–170mm) with user-friendly geometry adjustment options
Ride-9 tweakable
Efficient pedaling
Composed high-speed
High-modulus carbon frame tuned for a balance of compliance and stiffness on varied terrain
Long-travel enduro chassis (around 160–170mm) with user-friendly geometry adjustment options
$4,000-5,000 USD
Norco Range C Frame
Norco’s Range C is built as an aggressive enduro platform with a long-travel carbon chassis and slack, confidence-inspiring geometry designed to blast rough descents while remaining competitively priced. It typically undercuts the highest-end T‑Series and S‑Works frames financially while delivering more aggressive downhill capability than the Altitude, although it can be heavier than the lightest racers’ picks and rewards riders who favor stability over marginal weight savings.
Burly descent
Stable landings
Burly descent
Stable landings
Review Summary
"Reviewers value the Range C for strong downhill performance and good value relative to its capability, though some report more frequent linkage maintenance and a slightly heavier feel than certain competitors."
Playful flickability
Durable carbon construction designed for big-hit stability without excessive weight penalty
Playful flickability
Durable carbon construction designed for big-hit stability without excessive weight penalty
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Norco’s Range C is built as an aggressive enduro platform with a long-travel carbon chassis and slack, confidence-inspiring geometry designed to blast rough descents while remaining competitively priced. It typically undercuts the highest-end T‑Series and S‑Works frames financially while delivering more aggressive downhill capability than the Altitude, although it can be heavier than the lightest racers’ picks and rewards riders who favor stability over marginal weight savings.
Burly descent
Stable landings
Playful flickability
Durable carbon construction designed for big-hit stability without excessive weight penalty
Around 170mm of rear travel and aggressive geometry tailored for enduro racing
Burly descent
Stable landings
Playful flickability
Durable carbon construction designed for big-hit stability without excessive weight penalty
Around 170mm of rear travel and aggressive geometry tailored for enduro racing
$3,500-4,500 USD