# Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 (Trek) and Santa Cruz Hightower 70 (Santa Cruz) among mountain bikes. Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 is the cheaper of the two at $3799.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 | Santa Cruz Hightower 70 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $3799.99 | $5149 |
| Brand | Trek | Santa Cruz |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
| Frame material | Alpha NEXT Platinum Aluminum | Carbon C |
| Wheel size | 29" | 29" |
| Fork travel (mm) | 150 | 160 |
| Rear travel (mm) | 145 | 150 |
| Suspension type | ABP (Active Braking Pivot) | VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) |
| Drivetrain speeds | 12 | 12 |
| Groupset | SRAM Eagle 70 | SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type |
| Brake type | SRAM DB8, 4-piston hydraulic disc | SRAM DB8, 200mm Centerline rotors |
| Weight (lb) | 37.2 | — |

## Key differences

- Frame material: Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 Alpha NEXT Platinum Aluminum vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 Carbon C
- Fork travel (mm): Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 150 vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 160
- Rear travel (mm): Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 145 vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 150
- Suspension type: Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 ABP (Active Braking Pivot) vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 VPP (Virtual Pivot Point)
- Groupset: Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 SRAM Eagle 70 vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type
- Brake type: Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 SRAM DB8, 4-piston hydraulic disc vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 SRAM DB8, 200mm Centerline rotors

## Sources

- Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7: https://www.bikeexchange.com/en-US/products/trek_fuel_ex_8_gen_7_29_2026 (bikeexchange.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- Santa Cruz Hightower 70: https://www.wheatridgecyclery.com/product/santa-cruz-hightower-70-1238854-1.htm (wheatridgecyclery.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/mountain-bikes/trek-fuel-ex-8-gen-7-vs-santa-cruz-hightower-70/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 7 ($3799.99) vs Santa Cruz Hightower 70 ($5149) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/mountain-bikes/trek-fuel-ex-8-gen-7-vs-santa-cruz-hightower-70/
License: CC BY 4.0.