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Grown upE-All-Mountain Santa Cruz Heckler on test

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 05.06.2022

Grown up: E-All-Mountain Santa Cruz Heckler on testPhoto: Max Schumann
Grown up: E-All-Mountain Santa Cruz Heckler on test
The update to the Santa Cruz Heckler is more than just minor cosmetics. The lively trail bike from 2020 has become a powerful all-mountain bike.

Just two years ago, Santa Cruz presented its very first e-MTB, the Heckler. With its small 27.5 mm wheels and battery capacity of just 500 watt hours, it was already an oddity at the start of 2020. However, the less popular dimensions also gave the bike very special characteristics. At 21 kilos, it was very light, and in terms of liveliness and handling, it ranked right at the top. The successor now has a Darfon battery with 726 watt hours and a 29er wheel at the front. At the rear, there is a choice of a 27.5 or a 29er. The geometry also follows the trend: a significantly slacker head angle, for example (64.5/64.8°, depending on the flip-chip position), as well as a slightly longer reach (475 mm in size L). Time for a first test.

Santa Cruz Heckler - promoted from E-Trailbike to E-All-MountainPhoto: Max Schumann Santa Cruz Heckler - promoted from E-Trailbike to E-All-Mountain

Let's start at the scales. The top model with MX wheel mix remains just under 22 kilos in size L. For a bike in this category and with 726 watt hours, this is a very good value. In our high-end comparison test (from p. 32), the Heckler would be the weight winner. However, at 12999 euros, the Bolide is also a whopping 4000 euros above the price limit of this test group. At 7999 euros, the entry-level Heckler would have fitted in very well. In this version, the frame comes in a heavier carbon construction (a good 300 grams), and the elegant carbon parts make way for cheaper components. In total, this should add a good one to one and a half kilos. However, the entry-level model also has the Heckler's biggest trump card on the plus side: the excellent rear suspension.

You can find out what the Santa Cruz Heckler is capable of on the trail in EMTB 1/2022, including all the technical data and grades. You can download the test as a PDF below the article. The test costs 0.99 euros.

Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in EMTB. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, namely tens of thousands of euros every year.

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Santa Cruz Heckler: The down tube houses a Darfon battery with 726 Wh. It can be easily removed with a 4-way Allen key. On our test bike, the battery did not sit completely rattle-free.Photo: Max Schumann Santa Cruz Heckler: The down tube houses a Darfon battery with 726 Wh. It can be easily removed with a 4-way Allen key. On our test bike, the battery did not sit completely rattle-free. Santa Cruz Heckler: The elaborate VPP rear suspension system works first-class. The new frame can also accommodate thick shocks, e.g. with steel springs or a voluminous Fox X2.Photo: Max Schumann Santa Cruz Heckler: The elaborate VPP rear suspension system works first-class. The new frame can also accommodate thick shocks, e.g. with steel springs or a voluminous Fox X2. Santa Cruz Heckler: The geometry can be minimally adjusted via a flip chip on the shock mount. However, the change in progression should be more significant. The slacker and lower setting (- 0.3 degrees head angle, - 4 mm bottom bracket) is accompanied by a more progressive characteristic curve. A grease nipple for the bearings is located at the bottom of the link (not in the picture).Photo: Max Schumann Santa Cruz Heckler: The geometry can be minimally adjusted via a flip chip on the shock mount. However, the change in progression should be more significant. The slacker and lower setting (- 0.3 degrees head angle, - 4 mm bottom bracket) is accompanied by a more progressive characteristic curve. A grease nipple for the bearings is located at the bottom of the link (not in the picture).

Technical data Santa Cruz Heckler CC X01 AXS MX RSV

  • Price: 12999 Euro
  • Weight: 22 kg
  • Size: L, without pedals
  • Wheel size: MX (29/27.5) or 29 inch
  • Suspension travel: 160 / 150 mm
  • Motor: Shimano EP8
  • Battery: Darfon, 726 Wh
  • Info: www.santacruzbicycles.com

Downloads:

Test Santa Cruz Heckler (pdf)

Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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