I assumed it was a Skoda from the grill??!!

Excellent! Glad to be of service…

No worries – I would hate to think of someone going through the same pain as me! :D

I've got the New Honda CRV as a company vehicle and it has the 2.2 diesel engine and I actually got some money paid back through the green scheme in work as the emissions were so good!

I nearly got the accord estate – but wanted just a bit more space for the bikes!!

Go for the Honda!

Certainly did sound like the cranks, and did exactly what you are doing! Wasted sooooo much time! After the cranks & BB I moved to the seat post & seat post clamp and even the main frame bearings & Shock bushes….how annoying? But I suppose it forced me to give the frame a complete service.

Even doing up the mech hanger didn't sort it…I had to use the rubber washer before it finally shut up! But it really did wind me up on every ride until I suss'd it out.

Ah! Mine was a 2006 Heckler, couldn't solve the creak with grease etc (which isn't the best idea anyway, not for the mech hanger anyway!) – so a little tip that worked for me…..

I took the mech hanger off, got an old inner tube and cut a 'sort of washer' to the shape of the mech hanger where it meets the frame, put the mech hanger back on with the 'rubber washer' between the hanger and the frame & done it up tight…..

Bob's your uncle…no creak!

Might help??

Just switched to the SRAM PG990 and had the XT before – the difference…… None! But the alloy spider is a must as 'oldfart' pointed out.

I know you're probably right on the BB thing, but just checking you're absolutely sure it's the BB/Crank???

I spent ages putting on, taking off, putting on, taking off…..I think you're getting the picture…..the cranks and BB on my old SC Heckler and the creak turned out to be the rear mech hanger and the creak was travelling up the frame!

stumpy01 – Member

Looks very nice. Quite a balanced looking bike, if that makes sense?

I like matt black frames – stealthy!

Makes perfect sense – thanks buddy!

gator – Member

Very nice

Cheers mate.

Nice bike.

Who cares if it has a collet or pinch bolts!

Mine rides better with an in-line post and 70mm stem, but I suppose that's a personal thing.

Cheers – yeah a personal thing for sure, I had my older one set up this way and got on with it very well, hoping for the same from this one! Thanks for the comments though bud.

angryratio – Premier Member

That looks rather lovely.. sort of a stealth tart build. nice.

Thanks buddy, know what you mean…

gregsticle – Member

I usually dislike black bikes and Santa Cruz, but that has totally flipped my opinion – lovely bike, really nice!

Black….I would agreed normally and have always gone for white, but this one came up at a good price – so I thought what the hell! (and I pleased with the outcome!) If you haven't tried a SC before then I would give them ago, I fell in love with my first Heckler and since have had a VP Free & a V10 and now back to Heckler again! Can't seem to get on with anything else quite as well?

Just to clear up – it is a 2009 frame new in 2010….I would prefer to have gusset…looks far weaker without it!!

mamadirt – Member

Very very nice . Hope you're able to ride soon.

Thanks buddy – so do I!

Carlos – Member

Realy nice build you got there. Doesn't look like you've used 2nd hand parts at all. Watch the brake hose rubbing on the frame and head tube though, got a few marks already on mine because of that but its nowt heli tape won't cure.

Are you sure its a 2010 frame though? as it still has the pinch bolts on the pivot I thought the new ones (2010)were all collet style fittings like on the BLT??

Thanks mate – only the brakes and shifters are new, got lucky when buying! :D The important parts of the frame are heli-taped (new matt type of heli-tape due to the frame being anodised :wink:

And yes it is a 2010 frame – as per the Santa Cruz site, here's a pic of the pivot….(unless of course they have one that is not on general release yet? But I haven't looked into it that much, could well be another on the way?)

oxnop – Member

Looks lovely- the red bits look nice (most important part)

will this be a 'do it all' bike?

Red bits…. :-)

Yeah, it will be a do it all – I am taking it to California in September for a 'Single Track Heaven' road trip….but hope to get out on it first and see what its like…depends on the foot! Not sure if I am going to be able to give up all the jumps & drop offs?? :?

More pricks than a pin cushion – Member

Like the brake levers then?

good point – couldn't see what I was posting – have deleted a couple now!

Hi mate your Heckler is near identical to mine…I love it!

But please do your self a favour and get rid of the Low Compression/Rebound RP23 – it just does not work on a single-pivot like the Heckler. The Heckler performs sooo much better with a Coil Shock, failing that send it to TFTuned to get re-valved and it will be an improvement!

Mmmm…not sure – I had one on my last 2006 Heckler and got on with it very well? Was going to try it first and see what happens – if I don't like it I am thinking about going for the TF Push tune on it?? But not having done this before, I am not sure what the difference will be?

I've just bought one of these and it seems to be excellent in terms of size & protection (with wheels too!) – haven't used it yet though as I have bought it for the same reason as you….summer trip!
Chain Reaction Bike Bag

Some great suggestions people – thanks very much! I Will keep reading to see what pops up!

The syncros AM saddle is really comfy, one of the best i've tried.

Bizarre! That's what is on there now! I have tried it yet (broken foot), but thought I'd get something better? Mmmmm….interesting?

Mmmmm….charge spoon gets a load of votes! I had an SDG ages ago and loved that, but just one person come up with that one? I had considered the WTB Rocket V……keep em coming, the more replies the better cross section I'll get! Cheers for the replies so far.

I'm pushing 40 but seem to have become much faster and more risk taking as I've got older. I often get airbourne and I like a nice drop off!

^^^^^^……Mmmm…..hardtail? Not sure about that?

I am pushing 40 too and I also like a bit of risk (although just come to blows doing that and foot has now been in plaster for 14 weeks :( ) & it sounds like you take part in the type of mountain bike activities to me in roughly the same area (South) – I have just bought a New Santa Cruz Heckler….

All Mountain Bike is the way to go IMO. 5/6" rear travel with something like a Fox RP23 rear shock and 140mm (ish) up front, maybe something like 'Pikes' which are adjustable from 95mm to 140mm?

Although, I suppose it just comes down to personal preference??!!

37 – Regional Sales Manager & owner of online MTB parts shop.

The one thing I forgot – mines a large! I'm 6'. I have attached a link to the geometry of the bike….they recommend a lge for 5'10" to 6' 2" & then XL 6' 2" to 6' 6"

Heckler Geometry

Just like 'scruff' in the second post on here, I had a 2006 Heckler & absolutely loved it! But……I think I went through my mid life crisis (at 37yrs!) and decided I would take up downhill/freeride, so sold my Heckler & bought a Santa Cruz VP Free – REGRETTED! One smashed foot and 14 weeks in plaster later……my new heckler…..!! :D

I'm soooooooooo happy to have the Heckler back in my life!!

No worries buddy.

Easton were the only ones I know that did Flat 685mm – they tend to be be shorter now though buddy – Usually 585mm – but if you can pick up a set of 2007/ 2008 Easton Flats, they were 685mm around that year….but again, most of that age would probably have been cut. Don't forget, because they are flat, they seem wider anyway….

Regards
Leon

Hi buddy,

This might help?

Brake Pad info

Regards
Leon

Repack Rider: You have been a great help and I will keep your details as we will take you up on that ride when we're in town! Sounds awesome. I am sure we will find an RV park somewhere near??

Rivett: Yeah buddy….we are going to do the Flume Trail, it looks great! Unfortunately I just don't think we're going to have enough time to get as far south as Santa Barbara?? We'll have to see how it goes??

Cheers everyone! If anyone else has any suggestions, keep em coming!

That sounds like just the ticket buddy! The "good american beer" that is! Oh yeah, and the single track – that would be superb! Anywhere in that area to Pitch an RV for the night?? Cheers. Leon

BINGO! I was just testing!! :roll:

ti_pin_man: Again some great info cheers buddy, I will send Chris and email and see what happens – thanks very much mate!! We intended to ride Mr Toads, so great to hear that is a good choice & Repack Rider has offered Marin County – which is MINT! Regards. Leon

Haha, nice one….didn't even notice (nor did anyone else who replied!) :oops: – make that 2010!!

Robbo – Thanks again for all the info – it looks like I could spend months there! Shame I've got to work eh!!??

Repack Rider – I am going to be going your way on day 1/2 of the trip….we were planning to go to China State Park, but if you have something better to show us in your area, a detour ain't going to matter!! We will be in an RV, is there plenty of places to park it up??

triple_s – thanks buddy, it looks awesome!

Mate (lardman), that is amazing info – I really appreciate you taking the time to send the info…..WHAT A PIC! I am getting really excited and I have a whole 9 months to wait! I'll send you some pics when I get back :D

Mossimus – why would that be??

lardman – great info thanks! I have read about Downieville & we had planned that one in – so that sounds sweeeeeeeeet! IDEAL! Sounds like you have ridden there quite a lot, do you by any chance know what its like getting RV parking overnight in the California area – are they easy to come by as you go the trails or do you have to prebook?? Any info would be greatly appreciated!! Cheers buddy…..

Yeah, flying to San Francisco, but then going clockwise around California – We have planned in both Lake Tahoe & Downieville – I will look up Oakridge & Bend? Not considered them! Cheers buddy.