# Santa Cruz Hightower 70 vs Cannondale Habit 3: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Santa Cruz Hightower 70 (Santa Cruz) and Cannondale Habit 3 (Cannondale) among mountain bikes. Cannondale Habit 3 is the cheaper of the two at $3325.

## Side by side

| Spec | Santa Cruz Hightower 70 | Cannondale Habit 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $5149 | $3325 |
| Brand | Santa Cruz | Cannondale |
| Released | 2026 | 2023 |
| Frame material | Carbon C | SmartForm C1 Alloy |
| Wheel size | 29" | 29" (27.5" for size XS) |
| Fork travel (mm) | 160 | 140 |
| Rear travel (mm) | 150 | 130 |
| Suspension type | VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) | Proportional Response |
| Drivetrain speeds | 12 | 12 |
| Groupset | SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type | SRAM NX Eagle |
| Brake type | SRAM DB8, 200mm Centerline rotors | SRAM G2 R hydraulic disc, 180/180mm rotors |
| Weight (lb) | — | — |

## Key differences

- Frame material: Santa Cruz Hightower 70 Carbon C vs Cannondale Habit 3 SmartForm C1 Alloy
- Wheel size: Santa Cruz Hightower 70 29" vs Cannondale Habit 3 29" (27.5" for size XS)
- Fork travel (mm): Santa Cruz Hightower 70 160 vs Cannondale Habit 3 140
- Rear travel (mm): Santa Cruz Hightower 70 150 vs Cannondale Habit 3 130
- Suspension type: Santa Cruz Hightower 70 VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) vs Cannondale Habit 3 Proportional Response
- Groupset: Santa Cruz Hightower 70 SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type vs Cannondale Habit 3 SRAM NX Eagle
- Brake type: Santa Cruz Hightower 70 SRAM DB8, 200mm Centerline rotors vs Cannondale Habit 3 SRAM G2 R hydraulic disc, 180/180mm rotors

## Sources

- Santa Cruz Hightower 70: https://www.wheatridgecyclery.com/product/santa-cruz-hightower-70-1238854-1.htm (wheatridgecyclery.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- Cannondale Habit 3: https://www.bikeexchange.com/en-US/products/cannondale_habit_3_29_2023 (bikeexchange.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/mountain-bikes/santa-cruz-hightower-70-vs-cannondale-habit-3/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Santa Cruz Hightower 70 ($5149) vs Cannondale Habit 3 ($3325) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/mountain-bikes/santa-cruz-hightower-70-vs-cannondale-habit-3/
License: CC BY 4.0.