Submitted by
hora horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2004
Strengths: Solid feeling, no flex, smooth, relatively light for what it is capable of (in the right hands)
Weaknesses: The 5th coil: Rebound blew 8miles into my first ride. Bikeshop said I shouldnt have messed with the settings - What? I changed the rebound mid-ride to achieve a smoother rebound and it blew.
Bottom Line:
Change the forks and you have a lightweight XC bike or a freeride machine. When looking to buy I came across an american bike mag with an article on the new Ellsworth moment (I was about to buy this frame) "The Ellsworth Moment in our opinion is up there with the Heckler as the all time all round great". I test rode a Heckler promptly and loved it.
I truely beleive that this bike can do anything- I want to buy a hardtail for XC riding but it doesn't make sense when I think rationally, the Heckler is there.
One down-point, after the Anodised Ellsworths......the Heckler paint does scratch very easily
Bike Setup: Rootbeer brown: Ti spring, Chris King wheels, Chris King headset, raceface chainset, Ultegra rear mech, carbon bars, Thomson front and back, Hayes hydros,
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Submitted by
Nathan Buczyk
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004
Strengths: Pick one.
Weaknesses: hmmmm.... no.
Bottom Line:
This bike does it all. It flies off junk, it flies up junk and it can go on those most epic of rides. My Heckler weighs in at 32 pounds and it keeps pace with all my cross country buddies when i ride with them. If they beat me on a climb they know in the back of their mind that ill be tearing past them on the descent. Bike itself climbs like a goat too, I can run a pretty low pressure in my 5th coil to improve bump sensitivity, and with a little tinkering with that horribly complicated shock your ride is much more efficient in the rough stuff and keeps the power to the ground as well. I wouldnt think of getting another shock besides the 5th ele on here, its feel is amazing and the amount of adjustment compliments the Hecklers versatility. Ive been up Whistler a few times now and am doing the 24 hours of adrenaline on this bike, with the same setup both ways. I own both a full face and a XC helmet for this bike. I think that says it all.
Favorite Trail: wherever the bike leaves the ground.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: United Cycle
Similar Products Used: Jamis, rocky mountain, specialized, kona and norco all mountain rigs
Bike Setup: 2003 Sherman Firefly, D3.1 rims laced to Chris King hubs, Hope C2 8" front brake and rear 6" mini, XT cranks, Weyless Mag pedals/Time ATAC clipless, XTR drivetrain, Continental 2.3 Tubeless tires, Thompson post, EA70 bars/stem.
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Submitted by
Claire
a Cross Country Rider
from Sitka, AK
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004
Strengths: Eats up anything. Great geometry for a small person. I could ride this bike all day.
Weaknesses: Fork too stiff for my 115lbs.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. Rugged enough for any trail, but flies uphill with no problem. I never would've believed that such a heavy bike could be so easy to pedal. My boyfried bought a Superlight at the same time I got this, and he's kicking himself now. I've upgraded a couple things since I got it (wheels, brakes) and there are a couple more that I plan to change in the future (shock, fork, headset), but I could happily live with this bike for the next 10 years. The new Heckler version doesn't even tempt me.
Bike Setup: Chris King hubs, Mavic rims, Hayes disc brakes, Rock Shock Judy fork, Fox vanilla shock, Deore most everything else.
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Submitted by
Dale Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Strengths: Tough bike. My first full suspension, and it has not let me down. It climbs just as good or better than my old hardtail and is a much more comfortable ride. A joy to ride.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
A great frame if you are a person that rides both cross country but wants to be able to handle rough sections. A very enjoyable ride.
Bike Setup: XT everything. Manitou Mars Super fork, fox vanilla rear shock. Mavic 517 rims. Avid rim brakes.
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Submitted by
Cat Stevens
a Cross Country Rider
from Latrobe
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003
Strengths: The Heckler can take anything and take it well... agile enough to flow through rock gardens and over log piles, but beefy enough take drops and pounding terrain. Great on technical climbs, but also enjoyable on long, smooth rides. If your looking for a top flite all around bike you will not regret purchasing a Heckler
Weaknesses: No replacable hanger - stripped threads last week - the bike is at the welder being re-tapped.
Bottom Line:
My Heckler has been mashed, bashed, crashed, hurled, torqued, and still rides like a champ. If you like to ride XC, but hit a knarly technical run when the opportunity presents it self - the Heckler is for you.
Bike Setup: Built up the frame myself - used a lot of Deore parts because a man should be able to peddle a few extra grams while saving a bunch of cash. XTR parts are for people with too much money - you've been had if convinced to trick out your bike in XTR comp. Manitou dual crown and Fox Rear Shock
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Submitted by
mike willis
a Weekend Warrior
from sacramento, ca,usa
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Strengths: balanced. stiff. fun.
Weaknesses: i didn't buy one earlier.
Bottom Line:
i had no idea. the last full suspension bike i had was a '92 rob role proflex with a mag 21. i've been hardtailing it ever since. friday night i built her and saturday i took her to foresthill and YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA! climbing, both in and out of the saddle, was no prob. she just ate it up. things i useta have to pick lines through just disappeared. and going down, oh man. aside from missing the gate and having to climb back up the road to the car with no water and 100 degree heat, it was the funnest ride i've ever had. seriously. it was a God praising kinda day. if you have never ridden suspended, please do.
Strengths: Damn strong. Big, fat tubes. Nice welds+polished aluminum is an eye catcher. It caught mine!
Weaknesses: F*&# OFF!
Bottom Line:
I received the rear shock w/the frame. If you like to beat the living crap out of your bike, this frame kicks back just as hard. I'm up to a solid 4 foot drop without a problem. The weight is not an issue for me because it is pretty well-balanced. The design is ingeniusly simple. Very comfortable. Imagine what the 03' is like?
Bike Setup: 1999 Judy XLC 100 dual crown, 2003 RC Vanilla w/400# spring, Avid MAG V brakes/levers, Rhynolites w/XT hubs and 2mm SS spokes, Kore bar/stem, C2 headset, Strongarm cranks, STX 7-speed (that's right!) r derailleur, Fire XC Pro 2.1 Tires, DK Iron-Cross peds. All at exactly 31 lbs! (I'm a little proud cause I built it myself.)
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Submitted by
Rocket
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002
Strengths: Strong, light, reliable, looks good, great handling
Weaknesses: can only afford one.
Bottom Line:
The Heckler is a fantastic bike that has withstood the test of time and my penchant for new and better things. I just keep updating the other bits around the frame and keep on riding. Love it. Would love another one to make one into a freeride rig and keep my current XC set up.
Bike Setup: the usual stuff + fox float RL and Manitou Black super airs.
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Submitted by
Paul Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge, Flatland, UK
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Strengths: Climbs like a goat, goes down like a 2-bit wh0re Doesn't weigh too much and is as hard as nails.
Weaknesses: Ugly bolts on the pivot axle. Access to front-mech adjusters is a pain. I did';t get one earlier!
Bottom Line:
Bought the frame second-hand, unseen and unridden on reputation alone. Best desicion I ever made (but don't tell my wife) I spent 6 years gradually upgrading my old Voodoo, eventually I had to change the Frame. The Heckler suits my riding style to a tee. Capable of mammoth mountain climbs and bombing the descents. I have as much style as a brick, but this bike forgives me every time. The med is smaller than recomended for me (I'm 6'1") so it handles like a bmx, without being at all cramped. I love it to bits and would only replace it for a new-style Heckler with a 5th element shock. The original Freeride bike. Everyone who actually rides mountains should get one.
Similar Products Used: Voodoo Bantu (now fully rigid singlespeed) Scott Octane.
Bike Setup: med '00 black Heckler frame. Fox Vanilla shock, Z1 forks. Goldtec XC disc hubs on mavic f519 with Spesh Enduro Pro tyres. Middleburn splined RS8 cranks, FSA splined BB. XT mechs, Hope C2 brakes. Titec Beserker saddle, Race face post, Titec hell-bent bars. the list goes on...
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Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2002
Strengths: stiff, tracks well, simple design
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
i just got this frame the other day, from ebay, and i love it. it climbs better than my hardtail, and has a smoother suspension than my jeep. i think the weight is fine (i'm coming from a 30lb hardtail). my large frame weighed in at 27.5lb. the best thing about it is, i don't have to look for a good line anymore; just have to keep pedaling. it made the roughest trail in town feel like the smoothest. i found myself looking for big rocks and roots to ride over. i definitely recommend getting one if you have the chance.
Bike Setup: '00 heckler frame (large), fox float rc, sid 100, xt/raceface, xt/mavic, avid arch rival
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Submitted by
Dave Glasheen
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002
Strengths: Good looking workhorse
Weaknesses: SWINGARM CRACKAGE, TWICE, SAME SPOT-swingarm weld just forward of the right dropout.
Bottom Line:
I wrote a glowing review in May of '99. I still love the bike but I would be concerned about the swingarm weld cracking incidents. I've broken it for the second time in a year now. I have the polished version of the swingarm and I wonder if the polishing takes too much material away from that weld. I'm contacting Santacruz about the second break today, I hope that one year warranty applies to the replacement swingarm, it's only been on there for about ten months. I will by another santacruz if they stand by their product.
I went for the Heckler with the air shock because I was slightly heavier than the 200# limit that SC initally set on the Superlight. (it is now 225#). Of couse the bike is a bit heavier than the SL but it is also quite a bit stiffer. The bike tracks a line better than anything that I have ever ridden and I never feel that the frame is the limiting factor in technical sections or big jumps. I wrestle with the weight issue being a XC racer but the tradeoff is a good one given my Clydesdale Status, the bikes performance and durability. I am considering a move to the Foes XC but I will defintely be losing some plushness and travel for the XC specific design. I do have another freeride rig already so I guess I can still get my jollies. Bottom line is that this the best value on the market!
Bike Setup: Heckler with Fox RC w/ lockout (this is the way to go for XC), SID 100, SRAM 9.0 SL, Race Face cranks
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Submitted by
Tom Dibley
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester, Hampshire, England
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001
Strengths: Smooth, rigid and strong. Relatively light and rides like a dream.
Weaknesses: Nothing, except the bridge on the seat stays. Why is there such little mud clearance. I have to get an upgrade to install a 2.25 tire.
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best bike i've had. My FSR Elite was very good, but does not compare to my Santa Cruz. It's 30.9lbs with a sturdy freeride setup, so it's light, but strong enough to do some dirt jumping. I have the last Heckler I could find in the UK. I didn't want a superlight because i was scared of breakage. It is fully pollished and looks great. A 20inch frame is large enough for me at six foot for XC, but has loads of standover height. It rides uphill as well as it does down. I'm gonna get another bike for jumping so I can buy a Superlight as my next bike. That's if I ever get fed up with my Heckler. I doubt that. It gets a 10 out of 5 in my eyes. Weekend warriors apply here. Light downhillers apply here as should hardcore trail riders as myself. If you're a wieght freak then go for the superlight (u have to now anyway, 'cos they don't make the heckler anymore). If you have a rep for breaking bikes and enjoy riding more than you do looking at your bike and throwing money at it, get it.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR. Four bar linkage is more active but does not climb nearly as well and is not as stiff.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z1 MCR's, 9.0sl shifters, R mech, cassette and chain. XTR F mech, XT hollowtech cranks and BB. Mavic rims on sealed cartridge hubs attatched to Formula B4 discs. Syncros stem, Specialized bars, X-Lite post, Giro Nisene saddle. GEAX tires.
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Submitted by
Miles
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001
Strengths: Looks sleek (black main with white swingarm), the ride (makes me smile just thinking about riding it,other heckler owners will know what i mean), heaps of standover height even in 20in frame.
Weaknesses: Could do with a bit more travel, say 5 inches but you can't have everything :) Not made anymore :(
Bottom Line:
It rides like a dream, seems to pick my line for me and makes me smile every time i ride it. I wanted a Heckler for about 1 1/2 years and i finally saw a frame with some parts for a great price (Was a 20inch frame too, fits 6'3 me perfectly . Bought it and haven't regreted it. The thing rides uphill pretty well for ~30lbs, and when it comes to the downs oh man... Being able to speed wheelie throught ANY rock garden, ditch or ugly chute is very cool. Singletrack manners are outstanding. Line choice is wherever you want to go. Launches jumps quite happily too. Never thought that a bike with 4 inches could feel SO smooth even from 5-6ft drops. I really can't imagine a better package. Overall everything i wanted in a bike.
Similar Products Used: Giant atx970 FS (cracked the chainstay after 3 years. nice ride but a world below the heckler)
Bike Setup: Heckler (duh!), Z1 MCR's, Avid brakes, titec bits with XT/STX RC grouppo mix, Azonic bars, big tires, SDG seat
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Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2001
Strengths: Good climber. Very stable on the downhills, it seems like it has more travel than it really does. Short wheelbase is excellent for technical stuff and jumping.
Weaknesses: Paint Chips, and I think I may be ovalizing the head tube. The bottom bracket seems to flex a lot.
Bottom Line:
Santa Cruz stopped making them so this is pretty irrelevent but this bike is awesome. I abuse it regularly, as you can see here http://gallery.consumerreview.com/mtbr/gallery/files/nacnac.asp and it seems to be holding up well. If you want a plush ride get a Vanilla RC on the back. The single pivot rarely needs attention and never lets you down. Buy one if you can find it used and in good condition.
