Following in the footsteps of the Heckler and Bullit, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL is the newest electric mountain bike to join the lineup. It’s a pretty big deal too, as the Heckler SL represents the first lightweight e-MTB to emerge from the Californian brand. Santa Cruz may be a little late to the party, but it’s certainly come out swinging. Featuring a tidy carbon frame, compact Fazua drive system and an impressive claimed weight of just 18.5kg, the Heckler SL is ready to take on the likes of the Specialized Levo SL, Trek Fuel EXe and Orbea Rise.
An overview of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
The Santa Cruz Heckler SL is a lightweight e-MTB that’s designed for all-round trail riding. It’s built around a full carbon frame that’s offered in both C and CC variants, and it features a mullet setup with a 29in front wheel and a 27.5in rear wheel.
As with the standard Heckler and the latest Bronson, the Heckler SL utilises the VPP suspension design to deliver 150mm of rear travel. Up front is a 160mm travel fork.
A slim 430Wh battery hides within the downtube, and that fuels a Fazua Ride 60 motor that delivers up to 60Nm of torque. A neat display is integrated into the top tube, with coloured LEDs highlighting the battery status and chosen assist mode. You change modes via the discreet Ring Controller next to the left-hand grip, which also gives you access to walk assist and the nifty Boost function.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL geometry & sizing
Geometry on the Santa Cruz Heckler SL seems some slight differences to the full-powered Heckler.
The head angle is a bit slacker 64°, the seat angle is a little steeper at 77°, and the reach gets marginally longer. Santa Cruz has also given the Heckler SL size-specific rear centre lengths, which vary from 443-451mm across the five frame sizes.
As with all of the latest full suspension bikes from Santa Cruz, you’ll find a two-position flip chip in the lower shock mount that gives you access to HI/LO geometry settings. This adjustment also affects the rear suspension kinematic, with the LO setting providing a more progressive leverage rate.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL price & specs
There will be five models available in the Santa Cruz Heckler SL lineup for 2024. Prices will start at $10,999 AUD for the Heckler SL C R, and will top out at $19,499 AUD for the range-topping Heckler SL CC XX AXS RSV.
Cheaper models will come with the C carbon frame, while the higher-spec bikes get the lighter CC carbon frame. Regardless of price, all bikes are equipped with the same Fazua Ride 60 motor and 430Wh battery.
We’re looking forward to swinging a leg over the new Heckler SL in the near future, and we’re eager to see how it compares to the best e-MTBs on the market. In the meantime, read on for the specs and prices of the full lineup.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL CC XX AXS RSV
- Frame | CC Carbon, VPP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
- Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, 210x55mm
- Motor | Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
- Battery | Fazua Integrated 430Wh
- Wheels | Industry Nine Hydra Hubs & Reserve 30|HD Carbon Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
- Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Grip EXO 29×2.5in Front & Minion DHR 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 27.5×2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/Praxis eTor AL Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Code Ultimate 4-Piston w/200mm HS2 Rotors
- Handlebar | Santa Cruz e35 Carbon, 800mm Width
- Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm Length
- Seatpost | RockShox Reverb AXS
- RRP | $19,499 AUD
Santa Cruz Heckler SL CC X0 AXS RSV
- Frame | CC Carbon, VPP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
- Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, 210x55mm
- Motor | Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
- Battery | Fazua Integrated 430Wh
- Wheels | Industry Nine 1/1 Hubs & Reserve 30|HD Carbon Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
- Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Grip EXO 29×2.5in Front & Minion DHR 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 27.5×2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/Praxis eTor AL Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Code Silver 4-Piston w/200mm HS2 Rotors
- Handlebar | Santa Cruz e35 Carbon, 800mm Width
- Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm Length
- Seatpost | OneUp V2 Dropper
- RRP | $17,499 AUD
Santa Cruz Heckler SL C GX AXS
- Frame | C Carbon, VPP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select+, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
- Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 210x55mm
- Motor | Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
- Battery | Fazua Integrated 430Wh
- Wheels | DT Swiss 370 Hubs & Reserve 30|SL Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
- Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Grip EXO 29×2.5in Front & Minion DHR 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 27.5×2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/Praxis eTor AL Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Code Bronze 4-Piston w/200mm HS2 Rotors
- Handlebar | Santa Cruz e35 Carbon, 800mm Width
- Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm Length
- Seatpost | OneUp V2 Dropper
- RRP | $14,499 AUD
Santa Cruz Heckler SL C S
- Frame | C Carbon, VPP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select+, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
- Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 210x55mm
- Motor | Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
- Battery | Fazua Integrated 430Wh
- Wheels | DT Swiss 370 Hubs & Race Face AR Offset Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
- Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Grip EXO 29×2.5in Front & Minion DHR 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 27.5×2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 w/Praxis eTor AL Crankset & 10-50T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Code R 4-Piston w/200mm Centerline Rotors
- Handlebar | Burgtec Alloy, 800mm Width
- Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm Length
- Seatpost | OneUp V2 Dropper
- RRP | $12,999 AUD
Santa Cruz Heckler SL C R
- Frame | C Carbon, VPP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox Lyrik Base, Rush RC Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
- Shock | Fox Float Performance Series, 210x55mm
- Motor | Fazua Ride 60, 60Nm
- Battery | Fazua Integrated 430Wh
- Wheels | SRAM MTH Hubs & WTB ST i30 Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
- Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Grip EXO 29×2.5in Front & Minion DHR 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 27.5×2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 w/Praxis eTor AL Crankset & 11-50T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM DB8 4-Piston w/200mm Centerline Rotors
- Handlebar | e*13 TRS Base, 800mm Width
- Stem | e*13 Base, 42mm Length
- Seatpost | SDG Tellis Dropper
- RRP | $10,999 AUD
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