Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV – In our 2024 light eMTB comparison test

Santa Cruz’s mild eMTB, the Heckler SL, leaves little or no to be desired, not less than on paper. With 160/150 mm of journey, mullet wheel setup and top-tier spec, it needs to be prepared for all conditions. However how does the Heckler SL fare towards the most popular bikes of the season in our 2024 mild eMTB comparability check?

Alongside the Heckler and Bullit full-power eMTBs, the Californian producer additionally gives a lightweight help eMTB, the Heckler SL. As a veteran of the mountain bike trade, Santa Cruz couldn’t miss our 2024 mild eMTB group check. With its FAZUA Trip 60 motor and 430 Wh battery, the little sibling of Santa Cruz’s full-fat eMTBs has already proved what it’s able to in our huge 2024 eMTB comparability check.

The Heckler SL takes on the competitors with Santa Cruz’s trademark VPP rear suspension, a flip chip within the rear shock mount and a mullet wheel setup, producing 160/150 mm of journey entrance/rear. It’s out there in 5 sizes, S to XXL, providing an appropriate choice for riders between 1.55 and a pair of m tall. Our XX AXS RSV spec variant retails at € 12,999, which makes it the second costliest bike in all the check subject, tipping the scales at 19.58 kg in dimension L.

Click on right here for an outline of this comparability check: One of the best mild eMTB of 2024 – 9 of probably the most thrilling bikes in direct comparability

Countless excessive finish – What units the Santa Cruz Heckler SL aside from the competitors?

Our check bike depends on Santa Cruz’s top-tier CC carbon body in a sublime “Matt Silver” end. The lighter CC fashions depend on a bigger proportion of upper energy fibres, the place the C fashions use decrease energy fibres. Consequently, the CC model is stiffer but additionally lighter than the C model. The down tube has the acquainted hockey stick form typical of FAZUA-equipped bikes, and it completely fits Santa Cruz’s basic look, making it simpler for the design workforce to combine the motor into the body. Consequently, the FAZUA Trip 60 Motor is seamlessly built-in into the underside bracket space and barely seen at first look. Because the title suggests, The motor delivers 60 Nm of torque and 350 watts of peak energy, which will be pushed to 450 watts for just a few seconds utilizing the Enhance operate. The motor attracts its energy from a 430 Wh FAZUA battery, which is completely built-in into the down tube, proper above the motor, and will be charged by way of a charging port within the backside bracket space. The motor system is paired with a Ring Management distant on the handlebars, which sadly gives a relatively poor person expertise. That is primarily because of the plastic buttons, which frankly really feel fairly low cost, and cease working correctly with little encouragement. TQ are clearly forward with their TQ–HPR50 distant. The FAZUA LED hub built-in into the highest tube reveals fundamental using information similar to the present assist mode and battery cost standing in numerous colors. Beneath the LED hub hides a USB-C charging port.

Shifting is taken care of by an digital SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, which depends on a direct-mount rear derailleur, and in addition permits shifting below load. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, whereas a small fender on the swingarm protects the shock from muck and grime. Our Heckler SL check bike rolls on Santa Cruz’s in-house Reverse 30 carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, with a Minion DHF tyre within the comfortable MaxxGrip rubber compound and puncture-prone EXO casing on the entrance, whereas a Minion DHR II brings up the rear within the tougher MaxxTerra rubber compound and sturdy Doubledown casing. The manufacturing bike has the identical tire combo, albeit with the thinner EXO+ casing on the rear, which sits proper in between EXO and Doubledown by way of puncture safety. Heavy riders particularly ought to improve to the EXO+ casing on the entrance and Doubledown on the rear to guard the carbon rims.

Rockshox provide the suspension, consisting of a top-tier Lyrik Final fork and matching Tremendous Deluxe Final shock. Each supply numerous adjustment choices and ship an amazing efficiency on the path. A cut-out within the seat tube makes it simple to learn the shock sag. A flip chip within the decrease shock mount permits you to change between a excessive and low setting – we rode the Heckler SL primarily within the latter. SRAM CODE Final Stealth brakes with 200 mm rotors entrance and rear present dependable, highly effective deceleration. The brake traces run near the handlebars and disappear into the body by means of standard cable ports on the body – nice information for all house mechanics! Nonetheless, whereas the cable routing appears to be like tidy, the hoses rattle loudly towards the handlebars on the path. RockShox additionally provide the 170 mm, wi-fi Reverb AXS dropper publish, which leaves the Santa Cruz Heckler SL virtually fully wi-fi, apart from the LED hub’s information cable, making certain a super-clean cockpit. That stated, the dropper is simply too quick for a path bike in dimension, proscribing freedom of motion on the path.

Tuning Tip: To guard the carbon wheels, heavier and aggressive riders ought to improve to an EXO+ casing on the entrance and Doubledown on the rear.

Enjoyable combine – The Santa Cruz Heckler SL on the path

Driving uphill, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL locations you in an upright, comfy pedalling place. Santa Cruz’s confirmed VPP rear suspension generates loads of traction, with minimal pedal bob. For those who handle to succeed in the climb change, which sits far down within the body, the rear suspension works much more effectively. The FAZUA Trip 60 motor gives good assist, with the short-term Enhance mode encouraging you to race your using buddies to the path head. Nonetheless, the FAZUA Trip 60 motor isn’t fairly as highly effective as different motors on this check, just like the Shimano EP801 motor of the Cannondale Monterra or MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K. However, the FAZUA is extra highly effective than the TQ-HPR50 motor of the SCOTT Voltage or the Specialised 1.2 SL Customized Rx Path Tuned drive of the Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo SL. We cowl every of those motor programs in much more element in our huge motor comparability check, if you wish to know extra. By way of reliability, the FAZUA motor system has typically struggled with issues up to now. Though the newest software program replace has resolved many of those issues, we can’t advocate the system with out reservation.

When gravity takes over, the Heckler SL integrates you properly between its wheels. The burden is evenly distributed between the entrance and rear, whereas the excessive entrance finish conjures up tons of confidence. On the tough, rocky part at the start of our check observe, the Heckler SL was instantly subjected to its first endurance check. Overwhelmed? In no way! Right here, the Santa Cruz Heckler impresses with nice composure, gobbling up even greater hits with out reaching its limits. When the going will get steep, the excessive entrance finish conjures up confidence and prevents you from flying over the bars. Nonetheless, the Heckler doesn’t fairly match the composure of the MERIDA eONE-Sixty 10K. On flowing trails, the relatively agency suspension makes it simple to generate velocity by pumping by means of rollers and berms. Right here the Heckler SL reveals its playful facet, making it simple to trip round obstacles if you happen to don’t really feel like ploughing by means of them. General, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL invitations you to play with the path and to pop off roots and pure kickers, whereas rewarding your efforts with a giant grin in your face. Nonetheless, on this regard, the Santa Cruz doesn’t fairly match Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo SL, which is much more nimble. All in all, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL strikes a wonderful stability between composure and agility, whereas delivering tons of enjoyable within the course of.

Tuning. tip: To guard the carbon wheels, heavier and aggressive riders ought to improve to an EXO+ casing on the entrance and Doubledown on the rear.

Who ought to take a more in-depth have a look at the Santa Cruz Heckler SL?

As a superb all-rounder, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL appeals to a variety of riders, whether or not you’re a beginner or seasoned path veteran. For those who’re on the lookout for a playful e-mountainbike for enjoyable path escapades, the Heckler SL is a good companion. With the best payload in all the check subject (136 kg), the Santa Cruz Heckler SL can be a horny choice for heavy riders.

Our conclusions in regards to the Santa Cruz Heckler SL

With its top-tier spec, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL appears to be like spectacular on paper, with real-world efficiency to match! The Californian path bruiser strikes a wonderful stability between composure and agility, whereas slapping a large grin in your face within the course of. Uphill, the Heckler SL impresses with comparatively highly effective help, although it could actually’t fairly sustain with the most effective climbers on this check. The one blemish is the eye-watering price ticket, which is likely to be a deal breaker for many mere mortals.

Tops

• Enjoyable issue!
• Good mixture of composure and agility
• Highest max. payload in all the check subject

Flops

• Excessive value
• Flimsy tires
• problematic FAZUA motor system

For extra data, go to santacruzbicycles.com

---

The check subject

Click on right here for an outline of this comparability check: One of the best mild eMTB of 2024 – 9 of probably the most thrilling bikes in direct comparability.

All bikes in check: Cannondale Moterra SL1 | GIANT Trance X Superior E+ Elite 0 V2 | Mondraker Dune RR | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Orbea Rise | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned | Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo SL | YT DECOY SN

---

Did you take pleasure in this text? If that’s the case, we’d be stoked if you happen to resolve to assist us with a month-to-month contribution. By turning into a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you’ll assist safe a sustainable future for high-quality biking journalism. Click on right here to study extra.

Phrases: Benedikt Schmidt Images: Peter Walker, Mike Starvation