Santa Cruz Heckler SL

The Santa Cruz Heckler SL in downhill: smooth running, fun and very active

Downhill riding releases endorphins. And the Santa Cruz Heckler SL releases a whole lot of them. But let's start at the beginning: The rear suspension conjures up an unexpectedly large amount of travel from its 150 mm (especially with the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock). Combined with the 160 mm of travel up front, the downhill handling delivers pure bliss.

The suspension reacts sensitively and responsively, no matter what you throw at the bike. Berms, root sections, or even rough high-speed passages: the Heckler SL descends with incredible stability. And as you'd expect from other Santa Cruz Bicycles, the VPP rear suspension is nicely poppy.

Overall, the torque curve is nicely progressive, which suits the bike's playful character very well. The Heckler SL's performance is particularly evident on small kickers.

Limitless uphill performance: The Fazua Ride 60 motor

What we also really liked: The Fazua Ride 60 motor is a perfect match for the climbing prowess of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL. Anyone worried that the Fazua drive system might lack power compared to its full-power competitors from Bosch, Brose, or Shimano can rest assured. The bike accelerates consistently without overdoing it.

The 60 in the Fazua name refers to the torque, which – surprise – is 60 Nm. During our test ride, we climbed all the inclines without any problems. The low weight of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL C or CC (under 19 kg, depending on size and model) makes the bike extremely efficient.

One more thing about the drivetrain: The Santa Cruz Heckler is available not only with the electronic SRAM GX Eagle, but also with mechanical SRAM GX Eagle AXS, SRAM X01 Eagle AXS, SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS and with mechanical SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain.

Why the Santa Cruz Heckler SL will be your new (favorite) e-bike

Many manufacturers have jumped on the light e-MTB bandwagon, but hardly any brand brings the concept as close to perfection as Santa Cruz. One of the best light e-mountain bikes of recent years: Maximize your time on the trail and ride your favorite sections more often in less time.

The Santa Cruz Heckler SL is optimized for fast, flowy, and hard-hitting trail riding at its finest. The motor impresses with the new FAZUA RIDE 60 drive unit. 150 mm of VPP travel at the rear and 160 mm at the front meet a progressive geometry that loves the descents.

The MX wheels, the very light overall weight of approximately 19 kg (for an e-bike), and the robust components allow for plenty of playful airtime. The integrated display provides you with all the important information while you're on the go.

Top: The carbon frame is lightweight, feels very robust, and is of absolutely high-quality workmanship. The battery is nicely integrated into the frame. The power can be easily adjusted by tapping the ring dial on the frame.

Trail machine for almost all situations: The optimal balance of power and control

Let's put it this way: Santa Cruz has placed the Heckler SL at the top of the current lightweight e-MTB market. It boasts an agile, nimble ride, a sensitive VPP suspension system, and the Fazua Ride 60 motor, a very light yet powerful drive system. Thanks to its downhill-oriented design, the Heckler SL is also in its element on fast descents.

• Suspension travel: 150mm front, 150mm rear
• Engine: FAZUA RIDE 60
• Battery: 430 Wh
• Wheel size: MX
• Gears: SRAM GX Eagle, SRAM XX Eagle AXS T-Type and more.
• Frame sizes: S to XXL
• Geometry: Light and agile, ideal for flowing trails and fast descents
• Intended use: Trail, All-Mountain, lighter enduro

The Santa Cruz e-bike for trail surfers and (light) enduro fans

First things first: The Santa Cruz Heckler SL is not a hardcore, "I'm riding on the edge" enduro bike. Rather, the Americans have created an incredibly versatile e-MTB with the Heckler SL. The acclaimed VPP rear suspension harmonizes perfectly with the Fazua Ride 60 drive system and positions the Heckler SL as the ideal "make everything possible" mountain bike.

The best part: Despite the electric drive, it's miles away from the cumbersome full-power versions from other manufacturers. The lightweight construction (relative to the Fazua motor and battery) makes the Heckler SL impressively agile and responsive for an e-MTB. The RockShox suspension – including the Super Deluxe Ultimate shock – earns it excellent reviews in various bike magazines.

Santa Cruz Bicycles with lifetime warranty (frame)

Whether it's the Santa Cruz Heckler SL or any other bike from Santa Cruz Bicycles: the Californians build products to last. And they give every original buyer a lifetime warranty on the frame. Whether it's the C-Carbon or CC-Carbon version:

The Heckler SL is designed for maximum durability. Additionally, the frame comes with robust, size-adapted protectors on the downtube.

Very nice: Santa Cruz has given the Heckler SL a very discreet controller with an integrated display. This makes it barely recognizable as a Santa Cruz light e-bike.

Santa Cruz Heckler SL: Next-generation e-MTB

Lightweight, quiet, and incredibly versatile: The Heckler SL completely redefines the e-bike experience. Santa Cruz's approach is as ingenious as it is simple: to build a mountain bike that assists you while feeling completely natural and direct.

The Heckler SL bridges the gap between heavy and bulky full-power e-mountain bikes and conventional MTBs without a motor.

Despite its compact dimensions, the new Fazua Ride 60 motor delivers more than enough power in virtually any situation. And if things get extremely steep, the boost mode conjures up extra torque for a few seconds.

Experience the quality and durability for which Santa Cruz is known.

Santa Cruz's carbon fiber expertise enjoys a legendary reputation. The American company builds frames designed for exceptional durability and maximum stress. Best of all: Santa Cruz is one of the very few manufacturers to use size-specific geometry .

This means that both the chainstay length and the seat tube angle are specifically adjusted to the respective frame size. This results in an even better and more harmonious geometry.