Details of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL

by 29

Deets: C & CC carbon frame, MX wheels, Fazua Ride 60,18.5kg weight, 430 Wh battery, 65 Nm, 150mm VPP, 64.3° head angle, 77+° seat angle.

Yes, we’ve asked to have a go on one.

Santa Cruz press release:

Introducing the Santa Cruz Heckler SL

Fast, light or powerful – choose all three

You didn’t think we’d put all that work into making the city slicking, gravel ripping, Skitch (you know, that bike that is not on sale in the UK…) without experiencing how the pint sized-yet-powerful Fazua Ride60 drive unit works on an eMTB, did ya?

C & CC carbon frame | MX wheels | Fazua Ride 60

The lightest, most powerful, longest range e-bike in its class

A sneaky ebike that’s lightweight, powerful and has surprising range. All the on-trail traits of a Santa Cruz combined with the Fazua mid-power compact drive unit. 150mm of legendary VPP™ suspension, mixed-wheels, and progressive geometry makes the Heckler SL a natural handling trail bike.

Just with the added power of an e-bike.

41lbs (18.5kg) weight | 430 Wh battery | 65 Nm

Dont worry, I know you are most likely asking yourself, “what the hell is the Heckler SL?” Fear not, we have drafted in ya old pal Garen to help explain just how good this bike is. Hit Garen’s face below to start the video.

UK Pricing

  • HECKLER SL C • R – RRP £6,699
  • HECKLER SL C • S – RRP £7,599
  • HECKLER SL C • GX AXS – RRP £8,799
  • HECKLER SL CC • XO AXS RSV – RRP £10,299
  • HECKLER SL CC • XX AXS RSV – RRP £11,999

santacruzbicycles.com


Home Forums Details of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL

Viewing 29 posts - 1 through 29 (of 29 total)
  • Details of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
  • robertajobb
    Full Member

    41 lbs = ‘superlight’ (the SL bit).

    Wow.  The world really has gone mad.

    3
    SirHC
    Full Member

    youvegottobekidding

    – Firstly, this gets brought up time and time again, there is no way there is £12k in that Heckler SL (or any bike at that price)

    – No range extender, puts it well behind Spesh and Orbea

    – Fazua has questionable reliability (Pivot’s were arriving with dead Fazua’s!!), at 12k, these things should be bulletproof.

    – At these astronomical prices I’d be expecting a 5 day turnaround to get the bike working again

    intheborders
    Free Member

    <p style=”box-sizing: border-box; –tw-translate-x: 0; –tw-translate-y: 0; –tw-rotate: 0; –tw-skew-x: 0; –tw-skew-y: 0; –tw-scale-x: 1; –tw-scale-y: 1; –tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; –tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; –tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; –tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); –tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; line-height: 1.5rem; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, ‘Helvetica Neue’, Arial, ‘Noto Sans’, sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ‘Segoe UI’, ‘Apple Color Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Symbol’, ‘Noto Color Emoji’;”>41 lbs = ‘superlight’ (the SL bit).</p>
    <p style=”box-sizing: border-box; –tw-translate-x: 0; –tw-translate-y: 0; –tw-rotate: 0; –tw-skew-x: 0; –tw-skew-y: 0; –tw-scale-x: 1; –tw-scale-y: 1; –tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; –tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; –tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; –tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); –tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; line-height: 1.5rem; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, ‘Helvetica Neue’, Arial, ‘Noto Sans’, sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ‘Segoe UI’, ‘Apple Color Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Symbol’, ‘Noto Color Emoji’;”>Wow.  The world really has gone mad.</p>
    Now go and pick up a full-fat eBike – you may need help 🙂

    1
    razorrazoo
    Full Member

    inthebordersFree Member
    <p style=”box-sizing: border-box; –tw-translate-x: 0; –tw-translate-y: 0; –tw-rotate: 0; –tw-skew-x: 0; –tw-skew-y: 0; –tw-scale-x: 1; –tw-scale-y: 1; –tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; –tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; –tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; –tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); –tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; line-height: 1.5rem; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, ‘Helvetica Neue’, Arial, ‘Noto Sans’, sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ‘Segoe UI’, ‘Apple Color Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Symbol’, ‘Noto Color Emoji’;”>41 lbs = ‘superlight’ (the SL bit).</p>
    <p style=”box-sizing: border-box; –tw-translate-x: 0; –tw-translate-y: 0; –tw-rotate: 0; –tw-skew-x: 0; –tw-skew-y: 0; –tw-scale-x: 1; –tw-scale-y: 1; –tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; –tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; –tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; –tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); –tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; –tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; line-height: 1.5rem; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, ‘Helvetica Neue’, Arial, ‘Noto Sans’, sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ‘Segoe UI’, ‘Apple Color Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Emoji’, ‘Segoe UI Symbol’, ‘Noto Color Emoji’;”>Wow.  The world really has gone mad.</p>
    Now go and pick up a full-fat eBike – you may need help 🙂

    I need help translating that gobbledegook.

    3
    sharkattack
    Full Member

    That purple one will match my Lambo so my order is in.

    1
    Blackflag
    Free Member

    As expected the usual “SC / How much?” comments…

    I’d love one. I’d expect the bike to ride brilliantly like SCs usually do and the SC warranty and support is excellent.

    But i can’t even afford a crap ebike so i’ll certainly not be buying one.

     

     

    2
    earl_brutus
    Free Member

    Reassuringly expensive! but its still a motor – cycle and not for me, for now I prefer my climbs to be executed organically.

    1
    DaveyBoyWonder
    Free Member

    Theres an actual proper review on pinkbike. Sounds like initially it ticks a load of boxes for someone like me who kinda likes the idea of an e-bike but not the gargantuan weight etc. Unfortunately it sounds like range etc is massively flawed with the less power. 2 hour rides, 20 miles depending on rider weight and terrain etc.

    simon_g
    Full Member

    I like it (bar price, obvs). Have a heavy ebike with 60Nm and 500Wh, I know it’s dependent on the riding you do but it’s been fine for me so far, same goes for the guys on Orbea Rises. There’s a wide range of offerings with different compromises and that’s fine. Want 90+Nm and 900+Wh? It’s not the bike for you, but that’s OK.

    zerocool
    Full Member

    @sirHC – am I allowed to ride that KTM at BPW, FOD or any other trail centres?

    I think a lot of people miss to point of the top end £12k+ bikes like this or S-Works, etc. they’re not for 99% of the people, they’re just there to have a fancy expensive bike because everyone else does and to be a showpiece. Yes, some will buy them, but that’s not really the point in them, it’s so that the have a high end super expensive bike on sale.  I doubt they’ll actually make many.

    It’s why car and motorbike companies release super silly things like the Evo 8 FQ400 (400 made for £47,000 each) the Ducati equivalent. They sell a few, stick some in showrooms, etc

    SirHC
    Full Member

    @zerocool

    I don’t think you understood my point, even at £6699 (which equally buys you a decent motorbike). I fail to see how they end up with these numbers, for a mass produced bike with dubious quality. There are some serious margins in there and with the current climate of bikes with hefty discounts, it seems a bit far fetched that they will sell many.

    Spesh clearly have an oversupply issue and they’ve shown what the bikes can actual be sold for and profit will still be made.lolattheprice

    1

    – No range extender, puts it well behind Spesh and Orbea

    This bit always makes me laugh though – people go and buy a light(er) ebike with a smaller battery and immediately whack an extra battery on it because the one that comes with it isn’t big enough.

    Yeah, yeah, I get it may still be lighter than some FF’s, but still find it amusing

    chrismac
    Full Member

    Firstly, this gets brought up time and time again, there is no way there is £12k in that Heckler SL (or any bike at that price)

    Of course not. This is about what they think they can get away with charging after funding the warranty claims

     

    Im disappointed there is no ride review first impressions and just a copy past press release. Presumably SC Uk didn’t lend one pre release

    1
    argee
    Full Member

    Reassuringly expensive! but its still a motor – cycle and not for me, for now I prefer my climbs to be executed organically.

    So without any bike?

    3
    mtbfix
    Full Member

    Spesh clearly have an oversupply issue and they’ve shown what the bikes can actual be sold for and profit will still be made.

    There’s not profit being made on a lot of bikes being cleared out at the moment. Simply a supply chain that recognises that 22 and 23 model year bikes aren’t going to get easier to sell as the time passes by and storage of a depreciating asset is not money well spent. Better to make a tiny margin or an acceptable loss than a bigger loss plus costs in a few months.

    kelvin
    Full Member

    Presumably SC Uk didn’t lend one pre release

    There might not be any in the UK at all yet.

    1
    HoratioHufnagel
    Free Member

    I’m not sure it’s actually ebike part of this thats making it expensive because the non-ebikes are also crazy prices, e.g, the MegaTower ranges from 5 – 10.5k.

    1
    zerocool
    Full Member

    @SirHC – if they sell for that price then it obviously is the right price.  It’s too expensive for me, all e-bikes are (apart from a few cheaper ones but they have Shimano motors so I’m not touching them).  Do I wan5 them cheaper? Hells yeah, but whenever I ride I see loads of Santa Cruz bikes with riders from all ages and (I assume from appearances) incomes.

    And while Specialized make lovely bikes many people don’t think of the brand as being as fancy as Santa Cruz and the like, and this is most likely solely because they also make very cheap budget bikes as well as really fancy (and eye watering expensive) mountain and road bikes.  In the 00s Kona made some good performing bikes (Stab and Stinky were great at wha5 the were made for) but in the UK it took years to ditch the ‘it’s a Halfords bike’ image.

    Yes I think they cost more than I can personally justify but then so is a moto.  I really never thought the cost comparison between motos and MTBs ever made much sense, apart from having 2 wheels and being roughly the same shape they’re completely different in terms of how they’re made (I expect KTM, Honda, Etc manufacture pretty much the entire bike in huge mind boggling numbers and shares components across their range of models which brings overall costs down thanks to economy of scale, whereas the likes of Santa Cruz probably make thousands of a model at most and then have to put components on it that others make).  We also want everything to be lighter but still strong and (hopefully) reliable whereas motos for the general public don’t need this to such an extent as people rarely hike-a-bike with their moto or have to lift it over fences/on the roof of a car, nor do they want to pop the wheels off to squeeze it into the back of their Audi or Tesla

    And again, where do I ride all these (mass produced which greatly reduces the costs) £7k motos? Can I go fora spin on it around Haldon, BPW, FOD, Puddletown or Offroad in Tignes or Morzine?

    as I said, I’d love for bikes to get cheaper so I can have shiny new toys, but the fact of the matter is everything is more expensive now, most mid-range stuff works well enough for everyone (Deore, NX, 105, entry level suspension) and people will charge what they can get.  Have you seen the price of Heinz Baked Beans and Sausages in the last 12 months!!!

    rockhopper70
    Full Member

    It does look lovely, but the spec for the entry level looks a bit lacking.

    Talking pricing, I swung a leg over a ’22 Kenevo SL at the weekend in a Spesh Concept store, that was £3,875, 50% off the RRP of £7,500.  Now that did seem to be a heck of a bike for that money, and perhaps more resembles what eBikes really should be pitched at.

    PinkBike appear to be underwhelmed by it, suggesting the ring controller for modes is poorly executed, and the motor they had a bit whiney.  These bits are across the range, and the essence of the bike, so they really should be A1 if they are coming on the £12K version.

    sweaman2
    Free Member

    NSMB is a little more glowing in their first look although they are always pretty favorable to Santa Cruz.  Even then they describe an issue requiring tech support on both bikes which isn’t exactly encouraging…

    julians
    Free Member

    Looks great, iexpect it’ll be on sale heavily discounted in 6 months.

    And that motor is earning quite a reputation for unreliability, ignoring that though it does seem to be the best of the light motors.

    stevedoc
    Free Member

    @rockhopper    asking for a friend but which concept store was that in sir 🙂

    Rockhopper
    Free Member

    not me i’m afraid, you missed the 70 off the end 🙂

    1
    zerocool
    Full Member

    It would be nice if it’s battery was easily removable like the Transition Relay so you could use it as a normal bike as well.

    stevedoc
    Free Member

    You Rockhoppers all look like these days

    rockhopper70
    Full Member

    @stevedoc Harrogate. In store only.

    doomanic
    Full Member

    @stevedoc apparently they will do mail order but you have to call them to get the discount.

    stevedoc
    Free Member

    Thanks I will have a look 😉

    rockhopperbike
    Full Member

    how many rockhoppers!

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