Greater range, more progressive suspension options and a ride more like their lower link VPP bikes sees the new Santa Cruz Heckler offer a different experience.
While it may still have the 150mm travel of the Bronson, with MX or 29″ wheel options and a shift towards the lower link style VPP, the new Heckler might well be more like a eHightower than an eBronson.
Action photos by Dave Mackison.
The new Santa Cruz Bronson’s biggest change is in its range. Shimano EP8 motors now handle the output, but the 720Wh battery offers range that few other ebikes can. The lower link gains a flip chip, with the lower of the two options giving a more progressive suspension curve, designed to handle more aggressive riding better.
That massive battery is also not fixed in place, and can be removed with a single 4mm allen key, should you feel the need to either charge it outwith the bike, or carry a spare battery for even more range. The Heckler will now take coil shocks and have space for a water bottle inside the frame.
Santa Cruz have also taken the option to update the geometry. The outgoing Heckler was MX only, but there are now both MX and 29″ options available. Reach grows across the size and wheel offerings, head angles slacken and seat tubes steepen.
Five complete bikes are available, with the lower four with the Carbon C frame and the range-topping XO1 AXS Reserve being the only Carbon CC model available. Prices start at £6,999.00 for the Carbon C R and climb to £11,699.00 for the Carbon CC XO1 AXS Reserve.
Geometry
The Heckler MX comes in sizes Small to XXLarge, with the 29″ model dropping the Small.
Set in the low setting, the medium Heckler MX has a reach of 452mm with a seat tube length of 405mm. Head tube angle is 64.5, with a seat tube angle of 76.6. Chainstays are 446mm with a wheelbase of 1227mm.
The Medium Heckler 29″ set to low has identical reach, seat tube and angles, but with a longer chainstay of 462mm and a wheelbase of 1242mm.
Santa Cruz Heckler models
Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon C R
Key features:
- Rockshox Lyrik Select 160mm fork
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select shock
- SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drive
- Shimano EP8 motor
- Shimano 720Wh battery
- SRAM G2 RE brakes
- WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims on SRAM MTH hubs
- SDG Tellis dropper
- £6,999.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon C S
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Performance 160mm fork
- RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drive
- Shimano EP8 motor
- Shimano 720Wh battery
- Race Face ARC HD 30 rims on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- SRAM Code R brakes
- SDG Tellis dropper
- £7,999.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon C XT
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Performance Elite 160mm fork
- RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock
- Shimano XT 12-speed drive
- Shimano EP8 motor
- Shimano 720Wh battery
- Race Face ARC HD 30 rims on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- Shimano XT 4-piston brakes
- Fox Transfer Performance Elite dropper
- £8,999.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon C GX AXS
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Performance Elite 160mm fork
- RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock
- SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12-speed drive
- Shimano EP8 motor
- Shimano 720Wh battery
- Race Face ARC HD 30 rims on i9 1/1 hubs
- SRAM Code R brakes
- Fox Transfer Performance Elite dropper
- £9,999.00 RRP
Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon CC XO1 AXS RSV
Key features:
- Fox 36 Float Factory 160mm fork
- RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock
- SRAM XO1 Eagle AXS 12-speed drive
- Shimano EP8 motor
- Shimano 720Wh battery
- Reserve 30 29” Carbon (F), Reserve DH 27.5” Carbon (R) on i9 1/1 hubs
- SRAM Code RSC brakes
- Fox Transfer Performance Elite dropper
- £11,699.00 RRP
