News Review

First ride review of the new Santa Cruz Heckler SL – One Heckler extra light, please!

2 weeks ago
by Peter Walker

Good things are worth waiting for, and Santa Cruz certainly took their sweet time before jumping aboard the light eMTB bullet train. Finally, they present the all-new Santa Cruz Heckler SL light eMTB, relying on the FAZUA Ride 60 motor and offering a trail bike character. Has the wait paid off? We put it to the test to find out.

2024 Santa Cruz Heckler SL 2024 | FAZUA Ride 60/430 Wh | 160/150 mm (f/r)
18.6 kg in size L | € 9,799 | Manufacturer’s website

With the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, the Californian brand now present their first light eMTB, relying on the 60 Nm FAZUA Ride 60 motor and an integrated, non-removable 430 Wh battery. The Heckler SL is exclusively available as a mixed wheel mullet setup, offering 160 and 150 mm travel front and rear, and tipping the scales at just 18.6 kg in size L. While it looks a lot like the analogue Bronson, the geometry and kinematics have been adapted. Of course, it stays true to Santa Cruz’s signature look with the low shock and VPP rear suspension.

For the whole review visit our sister-magazine E-Mountainbike.

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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker

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About the author

Peter Walker

As deputy editor-in-chief, Peter is as much a man of action as he is of words. This expert, screw-driver-flexing two wheeled-whizz has many envy-inducing characteristics, including a background in motocross, several EWS race plates to his name, and more than 150 recorded days at Whistler Bike Park. However complex the bike and however steep the trail, he’s probably already nailed it, twice. Oh, and he can do it all on skinny tyres too. When it comes to guiding consumers, Peter cut his teeth at Vancouver’s oldest bike shop and now puts pen to paper on the daily translating this know-how into our editorial plan. When not tearing up Stuttgart’s local trails while testing bikes, he loves nothing more than loading up his self-renovated VW T5 and hitting the road. The fact that he’s a trained paramedic gives his colleagues reassurance out on the trails. So far we haven’t had to call him by his alias ‘Sani Peter’, so here’s hoping he keeps it right side up for the rest of his time here!

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