The Californians from Santa Cruz are known for their downhill mountain bikes. The American bikes have a large fan base, particularly among trail, enduro and downhill bikers. Since 2020, the brand has also had e-bikes in its range, which also focus on riding fun and trail performance. To the racy E-Enduro Bullit and the powerful trail all-rounder Heckler is now joined by the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, the brand's first light e-MTB. The manufacturer's weight specifications give us hope. After all, the mid-range GX AXS model with a more affordable (and therefore heavier) carbon frame should weigh 18.5 kilos. If that's true, the top model should stay under 18 kilos. Not bad for a Fazua bike with a strong downhill capability and robust equipment.
Like all other current trail mountain bikes from Santa Cruz, the new Heckler SL also relies on the iconic VPP suspension with low-mounted damper. The suspension strut is articulated via two separate rockers. This kinematics with a virtual pivot point, which does not rotate around a fixed axis (VPP stands for Virtual Pivot Point), allows the designers to customise the suspension characteristics via the spring travel. The design also results in a low centre of gravity. Another advantage: the elongated Fazua motor blends in particularly unobtrusively with the Santa Cruz Heckler SL. This is because the positioning of the shock means that the down tube is pulled far forwards in front of the bottom bracket on all VPP models from the Californians.
The facts about the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
- Motor: Fazua Ride 60, max. 60 Nm and 450 watts
- Battery: 430 Wh, permanently integrated in the down tube
- Full carbon frame in two quality classes: C and CC
- 160 / 150 mm suspension travel
- Mullet wheels: 29 / 27.5 "
- Five equipment variants between 7499 and 12,999 euros
- Weight: 18.5 kilos according to the manufacturer for the GX AXS model with C-carbon frame
- Lifetime warranty on frame, bearings and carbon rims
The electric drive in the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
For the engine, Santa Cruz has opted for the Bavarian manufacturer Fazua - in other words, a product from Porsche EP. The Ride 60 is one of the most powerful lightweight e-MTB motors. It combines a low weight of two kilos and a pleasant background noise with a relatively high level of power. The Bavarians claim 60 Newton metres and up to 450 watts. The battery delivers 430 watt hours. This is also slightly more than the competition from TQ (360 Wh) and Specialized (320 Wh), for example. This means that the Santa Cruz Heckler SL is not an absolute minimalist. Friends of classic e-MTBs could also be happy with this concept. However, the battery is permanently installed in the down tube and cannot simply be removed for charging, storage or transport. The reasons: a slim look and low weight.
Chassis and geometry of the Heckler SL
As the name suggests, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL is the lightweight brother of the Heckler. This is noticeable in the chassis and geometry. The suspension travel is identical with 160 millimetres at the fork and 150 millimetres at the rear. In terms of wheel size, there is only a mix of 29er front wheel and smaller 27.5er rear wheel (Mullet) to choose from. There is also a full 29 version of the "fat" Heckler. This option is not available on the Heckler SL light bike, which prioritises agile handling over climbing characteristics. The option to adjust the geometry using a flip chip in the shock mount is identical. The effects of the low and high positions can be seen in the manufacturer's geometry table.
Top: The Santa Cruz Heckler SL is available in 5 frame sizes from S to XXL. With a reach of 435 to 525, there is a wide range of sizes available. The head angle is slack at 64 and 64.3 degrees respectively, the chainstays are short at 443 millimetres - although not extremely short. Commendable: The two sizes XL and XXL have adapted rear triangles with longer stays. This should ensure balanced handling across the sizes.
Models, equipment and prices
As usual with Santa Cruz, the Heckler SL Two frame variants. While the three cheaper versions with the C-frame are made of somewhat simpler carbon fibres, the two top models have the lighter frame made of CC carbon. The Fazua Ride 60 drive unit and 430 battery are identical for all variants. In terms of price - and this is also usual for the Americans - there is nothing to be gained in the entry-level price segment. Starting at 7499 euros. The top model costs a sporty 12999 euros. All models are available in the colours Gloss Magenta or Matte Silver. The tyres are also identical across all variants. Santa Cruz relies on Maxxis Minion DHF Exo tyres at the front and DHR II Exo+ at the rear.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL R - 7499 Euro
The entry-level model also has a full carbon frame - albeit in the cheaper C version. A special feature of this model is the suspension, as it relies on a mixture of the two component giants Fox and Rockshox. The Float Performance shock comes without a reservoir and is the only Fox product in the entire Heckler SL line-up. The more expensive equipment variants rely purely on Rockshox suspension. A Lyrik Select is also fitted to the R model. The gears are shifted with Sram's affordable NX Eagle, the DB8 brakes are also from Sram.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL S - 8499 Euro
The S model gets an update to the suspension. The Super Deluxe shock has a reservoir and comes from the Select+ range. This also applies to the Lyrik fork. The Sram GX gears and the Code R brakes have also been upgraded.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL GX AXS - 9799 Euro
For an extra 1300 euros, you primarily get a plus for the gearing. A Sram GX AXS transmission comes in the robust direct mount version and works wirelessly. Robust aluminium spare rims are also installed and, on top of that, this model comes with carbon handlebars from Santa Cruz. The suspension also consists of Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ and Lyrik Select+. Brakes: Sram Code Bronze Stealth with the thick HS2 brake discs.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL X0 AXS RSV - 11,499 euros
The X0 model costs well into five figures. And there are decisive updates in return. First and foremost, the high-quality and lighter CC frame and top suspension from Rockshox's Ultimate series with Super Deluxe and Lyrik. On top of this, spare carbon rims are fitted around the high-quality Industry Nine hubs. Brakes: Sram Code Silver Stealth with the thick HS2 brake discs.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV - 12,999 euros
The updates for the high-end model are more of a cosmetic nature. The Sram XX drivetrain is unbeatable in terms of quality, as are the Reverb AXS wireless seatpost and the Code Ultimate Stealth brakes from Sram with the thick HS2 brake discs.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
