Santa Cruz's first-ever eMTB, the Heckler, was released in February this year as a 27.5", 150mm travel, all-mountain machine. Now, much like the V10 earlier in the year, a new MX version of the Heckler is available that has a 29" front wheel and 27.5" rear wheel.
Santa Cruz claims the new front wheel set up, "gives riders the confidence of a 29-inch wheel ... for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features." However the smaller rear wheel means that Santa Cruz can keep the 445mm chainstays from the regular model and therefore ensure the bike remains, "snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails".
Photos: Sven Martin / Santa Cruz
The frame remains the same on the MX version but the travel has now been shortened by 10mm in the rear and 20mm on the fork to 140mm all round. This was designed to neutralize the changes in geometry that adding a bigger wheel and longer fork axle to crown would create. The shorter travel setup means the BB on the MX Heckler has only risen by 2mm and the wheelbase has only grown by 2-3mm so, Santa Cruz claims, the bike retains the feeling of the regular version despite the wheel change.
There are still some geometry changes that come with the larger front wheel including a 0.9° slacker head angle at 64.6°, a seat tube angle that is around 1° slacker (depending on size) and 9mm shorter reaches. The geometry of the two models can be compared below:
Santa Cruz Heckler MX geometry
Santa Cruz Heckler geometry
The MX Heckler will be available in the same five spec levels as the standard Heckler and at the same price points starting with the base CCR model $6,999 up to the CC XX01 RSV model at $10,999.
EP8 Upgrade
All models of the Santa Cruz Heckler except the 'R' spec have now been upgraded with the Shimano EP8 motor. It's an upgrade we've seen across a number of e-MTBs since the motor was released as it offers 85Nm of torque (vs 70 on the old motor) and a max power output of 500 Watts. More than that, it's also in a lighter and more compact package, which means the Heckler sheds around 300 grams and gets greater ground clearance too.
More info can be found, here.
163 Comments
What is this, some sort of capitalism based economy?
How sweet would it be to have an updated version (without a battery) yellow with coil shocks obviously
Chop off the travel to accomodate smaller wheel? Slacken seat angle ever further. Pass.
The only thing I'd change about my Sight VLT is shorten the chainstays (458mm looong), but up super steep stuff the front end is PLANTED. Much more than the other eMTB I've spent a ton of time on, the YT Decoy (442mm). Cheers to SC on the blacked out motor too!
I hope you aren't climbing trails people are likely to be descending on, thats not fun for anyone :/
Maybe they should have used their V10/Megatower chainstay flip chips or put on a modular dropout to give the option to change CS length. That's what ill be looking for in my next bike.
Looks like these companies want to tell us something about their superiority.
Still it gives me great pleasure keeping up/over taking ebikers on my hardtail.
PS - Banter. I enjoy both types.
On a more reality tip, since you in VA, come up to NE to ride next season and drop me a line. I'll give you the MA and VT tour, or ride any area or park you'd like. Then I'll submit to your judgement as to whether I have an inkling of what that "soul" is all about. Oh, hey, did I mention I think E Bikes are f*cking rad and I hope to get me a Levo SL over the winter to add to my quiver?
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