Bought this bike in 1996. In 1998, the original Indy SL shock was replaced with a Marzocchi Atom Bomb. Upgraded to V-brakes at the same time. Everything else is stock. Only maintenance has been replacing the chain, chainring and cassette.
Zero maintenance on pivot. Even the original stock wheelset has held up (LX/Weinmann red/radially laced)!
Everything on this bike has held up remarkably well considering the conditions I've ridden it in and the absolute neglect I've shown it. The only way it's shown its age is that the rear has developed some lateral flex and the bottom bracket is creaking.
It's not the plushest design around, nor the most active under braking. But its design has withstood the test of time. If you want a low-maintenance, reliable and balanced ride, look no farther.
Bike Setup: LX-XT, Fox coil-over rear shock, Marzocchi Atom Bomb
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Submitted by
Craig Alan Grau
a Cross Country Rider
from toostoned AZ
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002
Strengths: Climbs like an escalator. Takes big hits nice. Very comfy in fast descents.
Weaknesses: That rear tire clearance might suck in sticky mud.
Bottom Line:
Super deal on a extra clean bike from the classifieds. This one's nice with yellow FT/black RT, if you're looking to get into an FS bike, skip the mainstream TREKS and other gimmicks and shop smart. I take some pretty rough hits, and this rig has really saved my As* while feeling like butter afterwards. Super maneuverable, and goes up like an F16. Great jumper as well. Wonder how the new ones are...
Similar Products Used: owned some nice ones, but nothing like this.
Bike Setup: 99 Heckler (large) - 6'1", 185 lb., bomber Z2, fox coil, lotsa skillz...
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Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001
Strengths: Simplicity, cool looks, balance, climbs well
Weaknesses: Wheelbase is a bit short for high speed descending. Hard to clean gunk out of front derailleur area.
Bottom Line:
As I said above, I looked for this bike on e-bay for a long time...I didn't want the Superlight because of the weight limit warning and the fact that I couldn't get the color combination I wanted. It's only 1.4 lbs heavier anyway. After riding and racing hard, the pivots have held up (while I've broken or worn out just about every other part, but that's normal) The wheelbase is a bit shorter than I'm used to. I've got a medium frame, which fits me well, but I probably would have gotten a large had I ridden and compared both. Having said that, I love the way it climbs and descends (except for high speed fire-road style, see above) and it seems to be well balanced front-to-rear. The design has become a classic (10 years in production) and I suspect that I'll have the frame for many years. I'll give it a 4 for value (but I bought mine used) and a 4 overall.
Bike Setup: I found my 1998 Heckler on ebay, barely used off-road, with all sorts of goodies (full XT except Race Face cranks & BB, Syncros post, King headset) after about a year of looking. Black with polished rear triangle, RS Super Deluxe (which I've blown) and a Judy XC long travel up front (which I haven't, but the bushings are now pretty worn). After six months of racing and riding, it's got a few scratches etc., but hey, that's racin' as the NASCAR boys say.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Sarasota, FL
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2001
Strengths: Low maintenance, great for just about any trail conditions.
Weaknesses: Not the plushest on sick downhill rides.
Bottom Line:
Anybody who was looking for a good price to value fs ride should've have bought one before they started making the gay Superlight version. Buy the Bullit instead, because any bike that has a recommended weight limit (like the Superlite) should be steered clear of. It's mountain biking and the frame is going to get some serious abuse if you live to ride. The old school Heckler frame was solid enough for some serious abuse and mine is still going strong after 3 years.
Bike Setup: Total custom build, Fox Twin Clicker, Z-1, Hope hubs, Velocity rims, Azonic DH Bar, Race Face Cranks, etc.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Colonia, NJ
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2001
Strengths: I LOVE THIS BIKE! After researching for two or three months, I found the best for your money, all-around bike. I use it for XC as well as DH at ski resorts. Value for your money. This bikes climbs and descends so sweetly.
Weaknesses: front derailleur screws are difficult to reach non replaceable derailleur hanger
Bottom Line:
The only maintenance that I've performed is overall cleaning and replacing the cables. I admit that I may be neglecting maintaing the Fox Vanilla shock but it seems to be working fine after over two years. When I scrunge up enough cash for a DH bike, you can bet that it'll be a Super 8. Santa Cruz rocks! You should buy this if you are strapped for cash but have enough to get what you pay for. Second thought, you get WAAAAY more than you pay for with this bike. Buy this if you're looking for a phenomenal all-around bike that's comfy even if you've had a spinal fusion like me.
Strengths: Because I can only afford one bike. I love hearing, "So, your Heckler climbs pritty good, hun? Jumped in the XC race at Mammoth in 00 to mix it up with the bar-end, weight winnie crowd and finished 24 out of 60. Loved riding the stuff others were walking. It's solid and Santa Cruz is a company that stands behind their products. Even if the city only offers candy-ass trails. Chicks dig it.
Weaknesses: Limited to four inches in the rear, but who cares?
Bottom Line:
It all started with one Heckler in our group, now there's 7 or 8. I'm not gona lug a bullet up any climb and I don't have a chauffeur (most of the time). The horse is made for the Sierra not the beach.
Similar Products Used: My first full spank though I've jumped on rode some other sp horses.
Bike Setup: Answer X-Vert up front, Fox Binally with lock-out in back. Race Face, LX, XT, XTR a real yard sale.
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Submitted by
Jo Toner
a Downhiller
from York, England
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000
Strengths: good all rounder, i do mostly downhill and particully dual and it is a very good performer for dual as it is light and you can throw it about quite easily. As for downhill, it has a very stable ride downhills and is good for technical sections.
Weaknesses: None really. I have the 1998 heckler with the rock shox super deluxe rear shock and when i bought it off my mate i seemed to be bottoming the shock out. Since then i have put a 300lb spring in and it works a treat.
Bottom Line:
A really good buy, i needed a good dual bike for next year and i think i have got one. I bought the frame for £300 and built it up with all the stuff i had previously on my hardtail. It runs really nice and it will also be good for downhill in the coming season. A brilliant bike.
Similar Products Used: Jamis short travel bikes Specialized FSR
Bike Setup: the ultimate heckler, MRP (real) Slalom, goldtec downhill hubs, on D521 CD's, Hope disc's front and rear, XT rear mech and cranks, DMR V8 pedals, Tioga tyres and seat, azonic stem and yeti hardcore grips.
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Submitted by
Morf
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2000
Strengths: Simple, sturdy design with lots of features. This bike climbs great but you can still huck off pretty good drops. Looks cool (mine has a polished aluminum rear triangle).
This bike is plenty stiff laterally and I do not experience any significant bobbing. I handles wonderfully in technical sections up or down.
Weaknesses: Mine was equipped with a Judy XC. I busted the crown after just a couple of months and I only weigh 150 and I'm really old. The greatest weakness in my Heckler, however, appears to be the appendages that connect my intent with the pedals and bars.
Bottom Line:
What a great bike for the typical cross country rider! For the price, there are a few comparable bikes like the Sugar. But this is a Santa Cruz, which means your yuppie friends won't recognize the name.
I note that mine is actually a 1997 frame. But the design has not changed.
Similar Products Used: Trek Y, Fisher Sugar and lots of other stuff by the big names. Every time, I am delighted to get back on my Heckler.
Bike Setup: XT, Hugi 240s (cool)and some other stuff that works.
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Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000
Strengths: Strong, good geometry, can do anything if set up right.
Weaknesses: Little weak on the uphill.
Bottom Line:
With these shocks, stem, and bars (they're risers), the bike is not set up to go up, so right now it sucks at that. I might lower the shocks for this purpose. However, it does go down hills exceptionaly well. There is quite a bit of pogo in the rear shock when pounding up a hill, and that's annoying. I like the simple design of the swing-arm; it seems pretty stiff. This bike is great for someone who wants to be able to do it all, but is best for going down, depending on how it's set up. It's worht the $2000 new, but is best for $600 used. 4 turds for value cause it's expensive new, 5 turds for overall cause it kicks ass!
Bike Setup: Heckler frame(duh), full XT down to the bottom bracket and headset, Judy XL, Fox Vanilla X, Rhyno Lite rear rim, Mavic 138 front(gonna buy a Rhyno Lite for the front, too), Bontrager Crowbar, Syncros stem, no-name seatpost(used to be Bontrager, but it got bent) WTB seat.
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Submitted by
Blair
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000
Strengths: Climbing, Simple no maintenance pivot, bomb proof design.Stiff and no chain slapping. Great all-around bike. Do everything kinda ride. Danny (nose first)L. from calgary took forever to break his!
Weaknesses: Some brake jack under downhill braking (as apposed to uphill braking!) and a some ghost shifting when really rough. Not much rear tire clearance for DH tires.
Bottom Line:
I've been waiting to put this review in until I've had a good test period. Now I'm ready. I have tried to set this bike up to do everything. I put XC tires on it and go XC'ing and put the big meats on and go DH'ing. With the tall 5" travel fork the steering isn't too swift due to the slack head angle. This fork's not for everyone anyway. Not exactly a race setup either. But with the tall front end it goes through the nasty stuff very well. Sit back and hang on. Also due to the tall fork and riser bars you've gotta crouch to climb. A fine trade-off for me. Mine is not light. with DH tires it weighs 32 pounds. But the bike has crashed hard (repeatedly) and their is no damage except some scratches. You don't feel the weight while riding it though. If you peddle this up a hill and then switch to a Stinky De-lux you will see the diference. If you can only have one bike this is the one. Set it up for your tastes and off you go. I would buy this bike again in a second. O wait, Maybe a superlight with a sid 100 and buy a Bullit frame and swap my parts. Ahhh the never ending cycle (no pun intended)
Similar Products Used: First full-suspension owned but have tried a few others. Enough tried to know what works for me.
Bike Setup: 99 frame, Z1 QR20, XT drivetrain, RaceFace headset/stem, Easton CT2 DH Riser, Thompson Layback post, Giro Saddle, Tioga Factory DH 2.3 front, Kujo DH rear, Rhyno-lites front and rear.
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Submitted by
Matt Peters
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas TX USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000
Strengths: Simplicity, Price, Looks, Company behind it, All around capability, Ride, Ride, Ride. Price is what you pay and value is what you receive. In the case of the Heckler you get way more value for your money than any other bike in any class. This bike will almost double the amount of time you can spend in the saddle if your coming off of a hardtail.
Weaknesses: Yeah, Yeah, the replaceable der. hanger is a replaceable swing-arm. I'm sure everyone is sick of reading this one. My question is what is S.C's response to this perceived problem?
Bottom Line:
The best bike I have ever ridden hands down. Have not had it long so I can't address the longevity of the thing. But, I bought a Heckler over a Superlight because I am confident this will be a minimum of a 10 year bike. I bought a Bontrager Race over the Race-lite 5 years ago for the same reason.
I must address the review from Aptos, your favorite trail is fall creek? It is not open to bikes. You just told the world that you are an _____! And you based your opinion about the Heckler on a old used one. If I bought a ferrari that never had the oil changed and it broke down does that mean that all ferrari's suck? These are not intended to be insults or attacks but rather observations based on fact.
Bike Setup: Fox float R (no need for a lock-out, everyone that I know that has one used it three or four times and stopped), 2001 Judy SL, King wheelset (so fine), Race face Cranks, Avid brakes and levers, LX pod shifters, Easton EA 70 post, Titec stem, Azonic riser bar, 535 pedals, XT der., Bezerker Saddle (embroidered), un 52 bb, ahead head set and lx cassette. The last three items will be replaced as soon as possible.
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Submitted by
Mark Spruell
a Weekend Warrior
from Farmington, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000
Strengths: Everything. Handles like a dream, somehow managing to be both stiff and plush as necessary. Well built and low maintenence.
Weaknesses: Negates the need for some riding skills -- you're going to have to find harder trails.
Bottom Line:
This is my third year with this bike and I'm still as happy with it as the day I got it. It does everything well -- climbs like a mountain goat, descends like Franz Klammer, sturdy as an old oak desk. It works best as an all around trail/singletrack bike, but could be outfitted for all but the most stringent single-use riders (ie downhill or slalom), but then I don't figure them to be reading this anyway.
Looking at other reviews it seems as though everyone loves their own bike, no matter what brand, making it hard for any one to stand out. Santa Cruz has really done a great job with this bike, though -- it seems to pull out benefits where other bikes find compromises. No wonder they haven't had to change the design in years. What other manufacturer can say that about their full suspension bike?
Bike Setup: Fox Vanilla R, Pace EVO2,Race Face post and stem,azonic bars,XT shifts and Mechs,Middleburn Cranks,Hope Bulbs, open2 pros,521CDs Azonic pedals, S5 headset.
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Submitted by
David G
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2000
Strengths: Suspension action rules, With firm springs in my Z1BAM the balance is perfect. This thing cruises up & down, especially down. Takes huge jumps in stride, lots of standover clearance and manouverablility is so close to hardtail, when its not, bomb down the middle. Reacts to body english very well, this coming from a 220lb rider, I'm not gentle either. I roost all, often including downhillers in all their gear, handling over mush.
Weaknesses: Bobs a bit in climbs but I like the feel of the suspension holding the ground, standing or seated. Smooth pedal stroke steadies things, that your crank up the preload.
Bottom Line:
This bike rules, I think I'm just in need of some new bearings, or maybe just a repack. I'm thinking about switching to a cane creek AD10 to dump some weight, but then maybe I'm just a parts junkie. I love the feel of the coil and the rebound adjustments are enough for me. With the laid back post and 135mm stem w/risers, my 220lb 6'4 frame is happy and comfy. I've tried and been pleased with a great number of tires, however I find the best overall balance comes from the ones I'm using now, low rolling resistance has made up for any suspension power loss, I'm kicking a.. on the flats and the downhills have always been mine, I just use more body english now. DH rear can overpower the rigitity of the rear a little but I still have good success at Big Bear. Looks great in black with polished rear & stem. I put in @50 miles a week and the only ones who take a beating are my bro's. I love it. I would only consider an Intense Uzzi SL over it, although I've come to appreciate the simplicity of the design, nothing goes wrong, no squeeks or stickyness, just smooth and reactive. No parts breakage here, just a new headset, blownforkseals, and a new bottom bracket now and again (220lbs can be hard on drivetrain & forks).
Similar Products Used: 96 Stumpjumper M2, Giant Sedona, Specialized FSR, San Andreas, GT Zaskar
Bike Setup: Z1BAM, RaceFace LP, RS disc front, XT V rear, Race Face XY post, Shimano clipless (535 & 636), XTR rear derailer, LX front, XT rapidfire combo, Specialized body geometry seat, 517, 217 chris king 32 spoke F&R, Easton riser & Kore 135 stem. Large frame, Fox Vanilla R. Switch from DH tires (missle & Kujo) to IRC notos & Panaracer Mach SK combo.
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Submitted by
Nick Ulrich
a Racer
from California,U.S.
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000
Strengths: Everything is great on the bike because I got it custom made from Santa Cruz. I got bomber front suspension, fox float RC, and a super x kit put it on it because they messed up the order at first.
Weaknesses: NO weaknesses
Bottom Line:
This bike is great all around. Get rid of the Judy Shocks and get Bombers you'll enjoy the bike more my friends. For the money you pay for it you get a lot for your money
