Price Comparison
Description
We love riding an e-Bike for days filled with long climbs and descents, but the added weight and extra bulk associated with full-power e-Bikes make the bike less agile and fun to ride. Santa Cruz remedied this problem and gave the Heckler SL, the same old Heckler but with a significantly lighter weight and improved geometry. At the heart of the Hekcler SL is the Fauza60 drive unit that gives us 60Nm of torque, a 430Wh battery, and a range similar to full-power e-Bikes in a compact and quiet package. With a smaller, more compact motor and a smaller capacity battery, the Heckler SL saves around 10 pounds over full-power e-Bikes. This means we can have a bike that looks, feels, and handles like a conventional mountain bike but still reap the benefits that e-Bikes bring us. The Heckler SL still sports the same 150mm of VPP suspension in the rear, giving us optimal small bump sensitivity and all-out descending capability. Santa Cruz made the Heckler SL more capable with a slacker head tube angle of 64. 3 degrees to allow us to be more confident on steep terrain, and a steeper seat tube angle of 77. 5 degrees to position us more upright for better climbing efficiency. In addition, a longer reach and wheelbase give us more stability in steep terrain, and shorter chainstays and standover heights allow for a more nimble backend and the ability to mount longer stroke dropper posts. Unlike the original, the Heckler SL only comes in a mixed-wheel setup, giving us the best of both worlds by combining efficiency and agility into one bike. When we need a longer, lower, and slacker bike for more confidence in steeper terrain, we turn to the flip chip in the rear shock link to make the Heckler SL more capable when the trails get steeper and rougher. The integrated chainstay and downtube protectors keep our frame looking fresh, and a shock fender keeps mud spray from the back tire off our rear suspension. The XX Eagle Transmission Reserve build of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL is fitted with top-tier components, carbon wheels, and an electronic drivetrain for performance on the trails. First up, this build uses Santa Cruz's Carbon CC frame, which uses the best carbon fiber available to give us a stiff, lightweight, and durable frame. Next, SRAM's XX Eagle Transmission AXS 12-speed drivetrain gives us a huge gear range and a premium component spec to keep us cranking through those technical climbs, and the electronic shifting performs flawlessly even under load. A RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock has great small bump sensitivity to cushion our ride over any terrain. At the same time, the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 160mm fork, gives us top-tier performance up front. Reserve's 30HD carbon wheels paired with Industry Nine Hydra hubs take this build sky high, giving us a premium wheelset that increases stiffness and decreases bike weight. Lastly, premium Maxxis tires provide us with reliable traction and bite so we can focus on the trail ahead.*Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be of equal or better spec level. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.
