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Santa Cruz
Heckler R Disc
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Submitted by
old school
a Downhiller
from nanaimo canada
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | any thing at whistler | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | amc parksville | | Strengths: | tough as nails | | Weaknesses: | nonw | | Similar Products Used: | haro | | Bike Setup: | marz 66 rc2x 721 mavics hadley front dt swiss back 2,5 maxis 3c's | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike when they first changed to the new style I have had this bike in moab twice hooks up on the rocks and you can launch on flat landings.Some say single pivot is out dated but this thing has taken a beating and after 6 years of thrashing it's still going strong. Gone thru dj3 and manitou flick fork and frame is still in great shape. I like it and will never part with it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lex Cumber
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol england
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Depends on my mood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Versatility, this bike is a fantatstic allrounder, with few weaknesses. I bought the very last of the 'old' models in early 2007 and it has improved my riding and just plain made me go faster. I rode the TransScotland Race on it...blast my local trails...and am currently gettinga little 'Jumpy' on it. If you are a big bloke (I'm 6,3 and 14stone ish) and you are looking for no nonsense, no faff great handling, strength and simplicity then this has to be an option. | | Weaknesses: | Low bottom bracket (you learn to compensate...but it can freak you at high speeds) Needs to be worked hard up steep climbs in terms of body english and weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Loads, Marin, fisher, Spesh, Giant, Rocky Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Fox Talas 130mm, Avid Codes, 90mm Hope Stem, EA70 bars, XT and LX transmission, Hope 2 hubs on DT Swiss 5.1 rims, Conti Verts | | Bottom Line: | A genuinely great classic full sus bike with a pedigree you just cannot match. It's fast, huge fun and requires very little maintenance. I my opinion the PERFECT all round Long Travel Hardcore XC machine | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lex cumber
a Downhiller
from Bristol England
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | So many ....so many | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Looks great (in Gangrene), tough, tracks straight as a lazer. Decents like a lunatic, rips singletrack to shreds. Involving ride, really an all round ride. 100km epic OK, Freeride...OK, Down hill...at a push, just one bike to rule them all baby. | | Weaknesses: | Low bottom bracket. I clunk my ankle on the beefy chainstays. Struggles on the really steep pitch climbs. Punishes Laziness | | Similar Products Used: | Marins, Fishers, On-One | | Bike Setup: | Fox Talas R, Fox Float R, Big Earl wheels, easton finishing kit, Avid Juicy Stoppers (180 rotors) | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic, I've only had it for 6 months but this really could be a bike for life. This bike just gets better the harder you ride it. Rear Sus just does it's job, and with the exception of the steepest up's it climbs well.
It's improved my riding, friends who used to smoke me now can't keep up. Ha say no more. This is the last of the 'Old' models, if the new one is better then buy it. But not sure how they can improve this absolute 'classic'. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Bagalso
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor*Cal
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Demo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay.. | | Strengths: | Single pivot, simple design, solid frame, fits me right.... | | Weaknesses: | none here.. | | Bike Setup: | my bike is set up for trail riding.. Manitou Nixon plat..in the front. Fox DHX coil on the rear.. | | Bottom Line: | I have used plenty of newer design suspensions and always seems to run into squeeking pivot problems.. (multi pivots design).. then this bike came along.. not an xc race frame but can be built for just about any set up you need.. I should've gotten one of these a while back.. Bike performs suprisinglly well uphill. and of course the descends are awsome, I've been clearing technical sections like I was on rails, eats up bumps and rocks... I feel like I'm cheating when I ride this thing.. Anyways, I dont mind the little weight going up(not that big of deal) as long as it tops it with a huge smile descending.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from Deerfield, NH USA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | S. NH - Pawtuckaway/Bear Brook/FOMBA | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Exeter, NH | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Decent suspension design, fantastic on the fast technical downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Weight - built up 33lbs, suspension design is now outdated but still functions fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Trance 1 and 2, Giant Anthem, Giant NRS, Kona Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | XT component package with brake lever shifters and Shimano hydraulic brakes, Fox Talas RL fork, 5th Element coil over, Weirwolf 2.3 tires, carbon fiber handlebars, | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike, I whine about the weight & climbing setup a little bit early season but for an all around bike the Heckler was a good purchase for me 2 years ago. Most people could do fine with a Blur which is also a solid bike and much lighter,...or even save a few dollars by getting a Giant Trance or a Reign which performance wise will outperform most Hecklers any day. Overall I like the Heckler a lot for the tough northeast wet, technical riding that I do most often.The fact is if I was buying a bike today, I think their are better values out there on much better performing suspension platforms like VPP or Maestro. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark nichols
a Weekend Warrior
from aberdeen,scotland
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | fungle | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | bothy bikes | | Strengths: | superb high speed handling on very rough terrainn, the abiility to make you just want to go fast at every oppurtunity | | Weaknesses: | going up hill after years of hardtailing is just no fun at all | | Bike Setup: | Pike 140mm U turn, saint cranks, v8 pedals, big earl wheel set, easton carbon high riser bars lx shifters | | Bottom Line: | After wanting a full suss bike and demoing iron horse, kona and many others the heckler is just plain fun, plain fast and just ope you can hold on to the bars tight enough as the beast propels itself down any scary run you aim it at. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | on this bike, something with drops | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Peak | | Strengths: | Strong, beautiful workmanship, just nice
| | Weaknesses: | Decals and paintjob | | Bike Setup: | Medium frame, Maverick DUC, 5th coil, XT, Juicy 7 w 8" rotors, Holzfeller, Thompson post, DEAN Ti bar, Mavic ex729 wheels, Maxxis Hans tires, Mallet M, Chris King HS. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was the dream build. Built with great, higher end components and coming in hundreds less than some other monufacturers. And it is the ultimate in versatility. I've abused it with more than trail riding and it has handled everything. My 200+ body has taken this thing through quite a bit. The beautiful gunmetal grey is now discontinued but besides an ano, it's the only color I really loved. The build weighs in at close to 35lbs so this is not a weight weenie bike.
My riding group has mostly gone over to lighter XC bikes. So with them, I've been riding my DEAN the last several months. Last week, I took out the Heckler again and realized how much I missed her. A bit slower on the climbs but I was flying down hills. It was easier on my body and more stable through all the tech sections of our trail. Nice tradeoff for the weight penalty.
I am using a straight Ti bar which catches a lot of flack from my friends. But with the high riding stance of my Mav fork, it balances out. For freeriding, I'd go back to a riser but this setup puts me closer to the XC world. I've seen this bike built up XC, freeride, all mountain, and even downhill. This bike defines VERSATILITY. Again, mine is set up all mountain/trail but I never could resist some reasonable (4-5 ft) drops. This bike will handle anything I can and probably a lot more. Five inch rear travel may seem little by today's standards, but most of the "dream-big posers" never will come close to using all of it. On many trails, my 2.5" travel DEAN is more than enough.
This bike is not the best climber, but it does an admirable job as long as you get the shock tuned right. And in the end, What goes up, must bome down. And will you have fun on the way down... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any technical singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Frame strength. Single pivot=low maintanance. Tall BB height. Trans Blue looks perty. | | Weaknesses: | Only one--decals. I'd rather pay an extra couple hundred for decals under a clear coat, or lazer etching. I'm anal. | | Similar Products Used: | Titus Loco-Moto, Rocky Mountain Element TO, Santa Cruz Bullit, Ellsworth ID, Specialized FSR, and a bunch of hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | 195 lb rider, '03 Size large, 5th Element Coil, 321/King wheelset, '04 Marz Z1 FR SL, Thomson, Easton, WTB cockpit, RaceFace North Shore DH crankset, '03 XT/Sram Rocket shifting, Look 4x4 pedals for a total weight of 30 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this: If you want the best all-around trail bike, and have no intentions of racing it XC, this is the bike! I have screwed around with buying lighter bikes, but the ride and durability just are not there. The 5th Element Coil is a perfect match for this frame. A seal blew on mine within a few weeks of riding, but since it's quick repair, it has worked flawlessly. It takes a while to dial it in, but once you get it right, it is heanenly. NO BOB--NONE! This bike instills confidence like no other. There is an immediate difference in the rider's ability and desire to tackle the more technical terrain/obsticals that were previously scary. It turns an average rider into a good rider, seemingly correcting rider error. I started out with a Fox Vanilla RLC, but changed to the Z1 FR SL (air) last month. I like this combo better than the Fox. It is stiffer, and the ECC is a MAJOR asset when you have to climb. The fox developed an audible knock and lateral bushing play which uis only repairable by replacing the lowers--not a great design. Back to the heckler...If you are considering one...BUY it. You will not be dissapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Hanyzewski
a
from IL
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Joe's Ridge: Fruita, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1070.00 | | Purchased At: | Johnny Sprockets: Chicago, IL | | Strengths: | Bombproof & Reliable | | Weaknesses: | None Whatsoever | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Joker(Nice Bike) & Trek 8000(My First Love) | | Bike Setup: | 03 Heckler, Fox AVA Float R, Psylo SL, XT Group, Avid Mech. Discs (I ditched the Hayes Hydraulics... way too many headaches!) | | Bottom Line: | Admittedly, I’m breaking the “one review per product” clause here, but I have good reason… I assure you. I originally reviewed this frame (favorably) on 2/15/03. I rode it until 4/15/03, changed the fork, and resubmitted another stellar review. I have since taken this bike to Colorado, Utah, Michigan and Wisconsin. I have ridden badly in all venues, and subjected this poor frame to numerous acts of senseless violence and inept riding. Over the long haul this bike looks and rides as new… albeit the numerous scratches and dings it sustained as I bounced away. We’ve (many good reviews posted) established that this frame is a killer… it’s true. However, this review is really about the top-notch technical staff at Santa Cruz; that returns e-mails in a timely fashion (Thank You Scott), and graciously answers anal-retentive questions about torque ratings and pivot maintenance. If you’re undecided about purchasing a bike from Santa Cruz perhaps the online support will steer you in the right direction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jayson Hanelius
a Weekend Warrior
from Avon, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Nepaug, Soapstone, Nassahegan | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1626.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Super strong construction. Everything is heavy duty on this bike, no sway, no jitters, just eats up New England trails. Geometry is very comfortable while allowing me to still be quite aggressive. | | Weaknesses: | Have not found any yet and I've been out on all kinds of rides from x-country, climbs, downhills, roots and rocks, you name it... | | Similar Products Used: | Used to ride a GT i drive... while a great bike for the money I spent on it, its no way near the same league as the Heckler. Got a sweet deal on Ebay though!! | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Sherman, 5th Element, Hayes disc, XT components, 2.5 WTB Weirwolfs, eggbeaters(the BEST-get these) | | Bottom Line: | Being a clydesdale (225-230 lbs) I looked around and collected alot of opinions on a bike. Looked at Ventana, Titus, Ellsworth, Kona, Specialized, Giant among the top choices... decided on the Santa Cruz... best decision I made... this bike is the bomb... it soaks up everything my fat butt drops on it and never even groans. I've ridden 3 times a week for 6 months now and don't have one bad thing to say about the bike. This bike has given me the confidence to try things I wouldn't even consider on the GT... There is very little bob considering what I'm giving the bike and it is stable on both uphills and downhills. I'm riding faster and harder and starting to make my buddies on other bikes a bit jealous. I would most definitely buy this bike again!! This bike is a must have for anyone over 200 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darius
a Weekend Warrior
from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Willy Wacker | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | E-Bay | | Strengths: | Wicked smooth pedaler, easy climber, rock solid, plush. | | Weaknesses: | Chain stays a wee bit long | | Similar Products Used: | Joker | | Bike Setup: | Z1 FR/QR20, 5th Element coil, Avid mechs, Thomson and Race Face, XT. | | Bottom Line: | Replaced a busted Joker frame. Got the Heckler and shock new on E-Bay for $900. Built it up at home. This bike is a better climber than the Joker, at about the same weight - 33lbs. Even with the longish and heavy 2003 Z1 fork. 5th Element coil is not hype, it really provides a stable pedaling platform. I don't mind the long climbs at all on this bike. Cockpit is prety short on the large frame (I am 6 ft tall) but I like that for the climbs, and I can slide back as needed on the decents. Very fun all around heavy duty XC bike with enough tail end rigidity for big people - feels very stable on the off camber stuff. I ca keep up with most of my friends on lighter oure XC rigs, except when the going gets really steep. This is a bike to keep for a lifetime. I can not comment yet on the durablity of the main pivot but for $60 you can buy a kit with all the replacement parts for a complete overhaul. Good thing to keep on the shelf just in case. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Strong frame with well thought out geometery. Very stable in any situation, especially when I drop the seat down. Easy to maintain, though it seldom needs it. | | Weaknesses: | Long wait, but it was over the winter months so who cares. | | Bike Setup: | Progressive 5th element, Fox Vanilla RCL, Race Face NorthShore, E-13 dual chain guide, XT drive train, Avid mechanicals | | Bottom Line: | I just started biking again this past spring and wanted a go-anywhere do-anything ride. That's just what I got. I've used for XC out at Moab, downhilling at Big Sky, and "dirt jumping" at the local park (obviously not designed for this, but it can do it-sort of). The only damage I've managed was knocking the rear wheel out of round tailwhipping a tree and that's remarkable given some of the wipeouts I've managed. The nice thing is this frame can be set up cross country or light freeride depending on the build - and it will perform either role well. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockville, MD USA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in Lahoma | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | assembled | | Strengths: | strength to weight ratio, geometry of cockpit, climbing with the 5th Element shock | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Heckler, SRAM XO shifters, SRAM XO rear derail, Shimano XT front Derail., 2003 Manitou Sherman Firely, Chris King Nothread headset, Thompson stem, carbon bars, SRAM disc brakes, F219 rims, K-Mart kick stand and bell. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing ride, climbing, and handling. Very easy to throw around and up hills after battling my 2001 Stinky Dee-Lux for a year. Able to easily surmount logs, and other obstacles and descend hills like a champ. A great all around bike. Mine weighs in at a comfortable 30 lbs. You can't go wrong with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin gray
a Weekend Warrior
from hollywood,fla.
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | oleta,amelia,q.w.,pisgah n.f. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Purchased At: | cal to fla! | | Strengths: | strong,stiff,great geometry,smooth riding. this bike can handle more than i can. it has made me abetter, faster, more confident rider. | | Weaknesses: | the wait,wait,wait,wait(i ended up calling every dealer from here to california, constantly checking inventory untill i found the frame i wanted and paid for shipping. the frame is worth the wait but it's an extremely aggrevating ordeal dealing with santa cruz's shipping dept. i think they use a ouiji board or some crap like that. they're definitley better at building frames than shipping!stickers are coming off and the powdercoat is a little soft but other than that its flawless. | | Similar Products Used: | giant a/c;s c blur;c'dale super-v;gt i-drive. | | Bike Setup: | lg black p/c frame;all xt drivetrain;5th element coil;thomson stem and post; wtb lazer; crossmax xl's; hayes mag plus; hutchinson mosquito/scorpion fr and python rr; easton monkeylite carbon; shim 646 pedals; fox vanilla 125 rlc | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks! im 47 & 215 lbs.its firm pedalling on the climbs. it soaks up everything my big a$$ has thrown at it. no bobbing whether im spinnin miles on the road or climbing single track in pisgah national forest. my buddy rode mine once and his will be finished being built by garret at bicycle and fitness in miami this week! the shock is pretty easy to setup. start at the guidelines and tweek in moderation.i ended up pretty much stock with a little more sag to cush it up a little. awsome riding bike! the only upgrade i might consider is a floating brake setup but rear sus/brake locking is very minor. awsome. definitly abig bang for the bucks. simple. clean. effective. good tire/mud clearance. you cant lose!its a great big-guys all around fun bike. xc, epic, urban, i even race in the clydesdale class sometimes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
blake
a Downhiller
from Los angeles
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail N. Idaho&Beacon hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | 5 inches of travel that works great in all the situations I've put the bike into. Frame seems very stout but light for what it can handle. Simple, refined design. inspires confidence. | | Weaknesses: | very impressed and cannot list any weaknesses | | Similar Products Used: | Turner XCE | | Bike Setup: | heckler with coil-over 5th element, Marz Z1 freeride, E13 Dual Ring Security, X9 shifters and deraileur, Truvativ XC cranks, RaceFace BB, Weyless stem, Easton EA bars | | Bottom Line: | I weigh nearly 220lbs without camelback and like to ride rough terrain and consider myself abusive as a rider. I am very impressed with the heckler frame and 5th El. shock combo. With the ETA on my fork and the platform valving of the shock I can climb really steep trails and keep traction with hardly any bob. The geometry feels very comfortable any was easy to get used to. On the descents it is stable and can handle rough rocky trails like it was designed for that purpose alone. I haven't noticed any flex and it hasn't begun creaking at all. one day I can go for a long, rough xc ride and the following day spend time at the local trails. The only changes I make are the pedals to flats and dropping the saddle. As well as it pedals up hills I wonder if I should have gotten the bullit as my do it all trail bike. There other positive things to say which I'm sure I missed that the other owners below have.
To sum it up: I'm heavy, I've dropped 4ft to flat(that was due to,too much speed and missing the transition on a landing), prefer rough technical descending, but require a bike that can climb. It's my "trail/xc" bike and it does everything I ask of it. If this is the type of rider you are this may be the bike you are looking for. I'm very impressed with my heckler. And a big thanks to Scott Turner at Santa Cruz for always answering my questions. Great product and great service! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a
from Cheltenham, UK
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lecky Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$590.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Very strong bike that doesn't weigh too much and loves going down as much as up | | Weaknesses: | Chain stays are very flared and if you have big feet and use SPD's then your heal will rub the chainstay - but a minor niggle | | Similar Products Used: | Klein, Spec FSR, S-Works | | Bike Setup: | Hope Mini's, 5th Element Coil on rear, XT, Zochi MX Comp (105mm) on the front | | Bottom Line: | This bike replaced my dear old specialised FSR which I had thrashed to death. I saved up for months for the frame and was nearly put off by the review in UK magazine (MBR) which was poor due to the use of 5th element air on the test bike. I am so glad that I ignored the article as this bike rocks. It is really not much heavier than the Superlight that my friend used to think was the best, but the 5 inches of travel from the coil shock is just bottomless and I am riding stuff that I never before dared to touch and at speeds that mean I have to wait for my mates! I have no regrets about this bike - if you want an amazing go-anywhere bike and can afford it, just do it!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jj
a Weekend Warrior
from ca
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | everything so far | | Weaknesses: | not free | | Similar Products Used: | kona coiler, c'dale, s'ized | | Bike Setup: | heck 5th ele, d321, 8"hayes f/r, rf north shore, evil guide, intense/ wtb tires, fox van 125rlc blah blah blah | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is that i love this bike. it fits perfectly, is plenty plush, rails corners, takes staircase after staircase and asks for more. i hadn't tried too many other fs's before getting this one but one test ride is all it took and so far i'm stoked. would definately reccomend for anyone looking for something more than plain xc but not willing to get a 45 pound dh rig to haul around. when i start dropping 15-20 footers maybe i'll get the v10.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Donovan
a
from Oak Harbor, WA. USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything that flows well | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr.com | | Strengths: | Simplicity, looks, price. | | Weaknesses: | None worth mentioning...I like my bikes to look ridden, so less than perfect paint is not a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | 97 pro flex beast (LOL). specialized fsr (99 model,the good ones). Intense uzzi slx | | Bike Setup: | 5th coil, vanilla RL, full xt, Hayes hfx-9, Hopey dampener. | | Bottom Line: | Had I had another 1000.00 or so dollars laying around I would not have bought this bike. I would have bought a Turner or something like that....But I really didn't have the 2200.00 for this one.
That being said. I could not be happier with this bike, it climbs unlike any other I've owned, it shreds trails with the best of them....
Downhills? Well it's not my Karpiel....Dut it does pretty darn good....Like the Karp, it likes to be ridden with the binders off...Let go of the brakes and the rear end comes to life.
I would recomend this bike for anyone on a reasonable budget...Pound for pound it's as good or better than anything in it's price range...And just as good or better than bikes with frames that cost as much or more than my whole bike.
Make sure you give proper break-in time for the shock it is awfully stiff at first.
This bike has renewed my desire to just go out and pedal the trails....I can't get enough.
I would also like to thank MTBR.com for providing this sight. I have bought 3 bikes from here with no troubles, and countless little parts... all for a great savings. I also like the trail, and product reviews. All very helpfull. Thank you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Vic Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shack (frame only) | | Strengths: | Built like a tank but reasonable weight, perfect geometry for agressive trail riding & "light" downhill (ie. for me), teriffic climber, unbelievable rear tyre hook up w/ 5th Element coil, control on fast and/or technical decents. | | Weaknesses: | None yet (rider only). The 5th Element coil SPV loses around 15-20psi over a week - is that normal? | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 800 - similar only in that it's a full bouncer. | | Bike Setup: | Med frame, 5th Element coil (steel spring), Vanilla 125RLC fork, Chris King hubs, Mavic 819 UST rims, Specialised Enduro Pro 2.2 tubeless tires, Shimano BR-M555 hydraulic disk brakes (faultless), Thompson Elite seatpost & stem (5'9" w/ 100mm stem is OK - 110mm may be better), Easton Monkey Lite carbon riser bar, Race Face grips, WTB Rocket V seat, LX cranks, Time Z-Pedals, XT/XTR F/R derallieurs, XT shifters, XT cluster/chain, Avid Flak Jacket cables. Some of the lower spec. bits were off the Cannondale. All up weight 30lbs. Everything that could be black is black - even my wife went ga ga when she saw it. So far haven't touched the recommended setup for the 5th Element but run the lower end of the SPV pressure range (110psi for 170 lb rider). | | Bottom Line: | Although I've only owned one full bouncer previously, this thing climbs incredibly well - it feels lighter than 30lbs, no bob at all in the saddle, and the ability of the 5th Element shock to keep the rear tyre on the ground is simply amazing. The Vanilla fork seems more flexible when steering through tricky rock gardens than the Cannondale Lefty DLR I had, but it's a way better performer as a suspension unit. So far this feels like the perfect bike for agressive trail riding - blasting through rock gardens is a joy. I wanted a bike that would last forever & handle anything within my riding ability - and got it plus a lot more. It's freakin' marvellous. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Theran
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs,CO
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | PIPELINE/JACKS/CHUTES/PALMER PARK | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | BoutiqueBikes.com | | Strengths: | The frame is stout as hell, the 5th coil kicks a$$! Truly a bike made for whatever! | | Weaknesses: | None worth griping over, like others who complain of paint. Who cares it is gonna get scratched and come off! Water bottle mounting, what the hell is that if you have to mount a water bottle on this bike you got the wrong bike! Maybee a light kit battery I could see complaing about, but a freakin water bottle! | | Similar Products Used: | None really this is my first F/S bike. I was a hardtail hold out! | | Bike Setup: | L gunmetal grey and black frame,5th coil,all XT driveline minus cranks which are Truvativ Stylo Teams,Race Face Evolve FR bb,Avid Speed Dial 7 levers hooked up to Avid 185 mechs,Easton Carbon low rise bar with Yeti lock on grips, King headset, FOX Vanilla 125RLC, Thompson post with WTB Rocket V race saddle, Atom Lab DHR's laced to King disc's all black with Intense system 4 rubber | | Bottom Line: | It took me awhile to get this rig because I was deployed to Iraq but i finally got it! I took it on its maiden voyage yesterday at Palmer Park. Man oh Man was I impressed. I have the shock almost dialed in I think but even with out it totally dialed in, it tracks the trail like a blue tick hound looking for a convict!!! No bob that I could tell, the couple drops I did attempt, it ate it for breakfast! I have been wanting this bike since they brought it back out. I have thought about this damn bike for over a yr. And the funny thing is I never test road it once! I read what everyone here had to say and some other places and people and I knew I was getting the right bike. I debated with myself back and forth between the Heckler and the Bullit, which I am sure a ton of people do. But For my style and skill lever now I could have not made a better choice. I highly reccomend this bike to you hardtail holdouts considering F/S or you hardcore trailriders like myself that want a bike that will rip the trail to shreds. I will post more as I get some more saddle time, but they say 1st impressions are the lasting ones. And this bike blew me away on it's 1st impression!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Culpepper
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ga
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Power Lines | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes | | Strengths: | Progressive 5th Element shock "real strong", the whole frame | | Weaknesses: | The decal is coming off.Put clear coat on it as soon as you get it. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit comp | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1FR, Mavic 321, Intense DH tires, Easton monkey bar, Truvativ, Shimano XT, Azonic love seat | | Bottom Line: | If your 14 and doing 14 foot drops "like me", or if ur the size of a 14 year old, or if you are just lookin for a good all around bike this is it.I would Recomend a dual crown fork for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Cross Country Rider
from Glastonbury, CT
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Vernon Cycle | | Strengths: | Suspension quality, simplicity, solid handling, component package, tire clearance, reliability, value. | | Weaknesses: | Paint, shock bushing, limited sizing. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing similar really, but a variety of lighter FS cross country bikes, including Ellsworth Truth, Specialized S-Works FSR. | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element coil, Santa Cruz Super X (not freeride package) with Fox Vanilla 125mm fork, Conti Vertical 2.3 tires, ODI lock on grips, Cane Creek S-Pro headset. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a FS XC bike on the burlier side for the more technical rides we all seem to be doing, and the Heckler really does the job for me. At 56 and having had 2 back surgeries, I'm not about to start hucking big drops, but it handles the rock gardens, twisty singletrack, and short steep hills that prevail around here with ease. The 5th Element is a must despite adding about a pound over the air shock options, providing solid pedaling and great traction. Don't kid yourself and pretend it will go up smooth climbs as well as a lighter XC bike, but it seems to find traction on the steepest, roughest grades and will climb anything as long as you have the legs. The Fox fork is equally capable and reeks of quality construction. Handling is perfectly balanced, on the stable side for the downhills without giving up anything in the twisties. I noticed some complaints about tire clearance in the other reviews, but I picked this bike over a Blur partly because it would fit my favorite 2.3 Contis with ease and the Blur couldn't, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Hope brakes are faultless as usual. The SC super X kit is a great combination of reliable, reasonably light parts. The LX drivetrain stuff is holding up well. Particular kudos to the very comfortable Titec Gove saddle and the Easton carbon bar and seatpost. The only problem I ran into was the headset crapping out after one season due to inadequate sealing, replaced by the Cane Creek.
I could rant about the weight at 29lbs. and change with relatively light components, but that's the price of a stiff strong frame and 5 inches of coil sprung travel. My only real gripes are that the black paint seems soft and dulls easily (seems to be a problem for everyone, get yours anodized or polished); and the rear shock bushing develops play. It was remedied by cranking down extra hard on the bolt, but I'll be looking into a better solution. It would also be nice if Santa Cruz offered at least one additional size, as at 5'9" I seem to on the cusp between a medium and large. I went with the large because I'm more used to the stretched out position, but a stunt oriented rider of the same size would probably be better off with the medium and its 22.5" top tube.
All in all, I think the Heckler is a great bike at a fair price given the quality parts and US- built frame. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M b
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin Ca.
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Solid frame and frame geometry | | Weaknesses: | Lots of chain slap w/o a lizard skin but I'm really being picky here because it's been so good. | | Bike Setup: | Set it up w/ an abjustable fork | | Bottom Line: | I'm told this bike can be built to 27 pounds. I don't see how. I built mine w/ heavy WTB dual rims and 2.5 tires and a talas fork and 5th ele. It's 36.25 pounds but suprisingly pedals w/ solid effeciency. I'm 5'8.5" and a medium w/ a 110mm stem fits perfect. The geometry is so good that asending and decending is easy and makes you a better rider. I took my 30 lb c.c. bike up a 5 mile 2000' climb and then this bike the next day and there was only a 3 min. difference. I notice that I use more glutes on the c.c bike and more quads on this bike. Credit the Santa Cruz engineers for this. If you are looking for a bike to do almost everything, this is it. I've enjoyed mine. Best if you set it up w/ an adjustable travel fork though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trailslayer
a Downhiller
from Rohnert Park
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Water Tower | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Santa Rosa Cyclery | | Strengths: | Built like a tank.Very little rear end frame flex. Stable steering geometry, just a damn solid trail bike.You can stand and climb with little to no bob . | | Weaknesses: | Nothing yet. This bike will let you push yourself, so make sure your running some big tires, and youve got enough brake juice i ran my WTBmutanoraptor2.4s thinking it would be enough traction, but no way- I flew off the trail with these and broke both ulna and radius bones in arm off at the tip-ouch.Just now after 2 months my arm is better and I can ride this sick bike some more. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about evrything- seriously. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi z1 freeride 130mm. MRP minime.Xt 9sp rear Chris King disc hubs, King headset, velocity cliffhanger rims Hayes 8"/6" | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding trails fast and hard for 20 years,and finally found my dream trail rig. No its not light, and yess you can peddle it up hills. Mines built for super aggressive technical trail riding, and nothing else. It's not a huckster really, and its no xc full suspension, its a solid, dependable, predictable, stable trail slaying weapon.I've got just under $4000 in mine, but you can build it up much cheaper. I can no longer afford to keep my single speed a full suspension and a xc bike so I said f-it, sold them all and put together a serious trail rig. This bike has given me a new burst of stoke into riding again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodside
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | 5th element shock, super stiff, great jumper | | Weaknesses: | none for the type of riding I do | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Tazer | | Bike Setup: | DJ1, Hope mini,profile cranks,azonic shorty stem & bars,atomlab wheelset,King headset,Thompson post,Maxis Bling Bling tires | | Bottom Line: | I set this bike up as a dirt jumper/slalom bike. It works extremely well on rythm sections big gaps you name it. I do some urban as well & the Heckler handles everything well. I had nothing but problems with my Tazer & have not broken anything on my Heckler. I love this thing & it gives so much confidence on the larger gaps while still maintaining it's speed through long rythm sections. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
r-kelly
a Weekend Warrior
from laguna niguel
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Strengths: | Climbs really well, stable and fast going down. Looks f$$king sweet. | | Weaknesses: | It not light | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro/Turner 5 spot | | Bike Setup: | 5th element coil. Marzocchi Z1 FR SL. CHris King/Sram/XT Cranks Mavic F519 wheels | | Bottom Line: | After riding a full suspension Stumpjumper FSR-XC for the last 4 years i knew i would love the descending capabilities of this bike. It lives up to my expectations and I won't go on and on about that.
What did surprise me was how well it climbs. Wow! On all my regular trails I am still pushing the same gears that I would on my 26 pound 3" travel XC bike. The 5th element works great. NO BOB. Under hard climbing, the rear feels feels stiff and then a bump comes along and it sucks it up so you dont loose your momentum. My buddy wanted to ride it so we switched bikes. We climbed up a steep paved road. Even though he was standing up pedaling, the rear shock appeared completely locked out.
The only negative is the weight. However, It is not supposed to be light. Mine weighs 31 pounds. Not that it feels heavy on the trail...Its just tougher to lift it into the back of my truck :(. The frame is beefy and strong. I will never know exactly how strong. I have not detected any flex in the rear end but I have never been a full-on-gnarly-downhill-charger.
I wanted a bike with more travel for medium sized jumps and more stability on the steep runs that are prevalant here in Southern California. For its purpose I cant imagine any bike beating mine. Some other bikes like the 5 Spot might be just as good (almost got one of these) but it comes down to personal preference. If you like the look of the Heckler go for it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andre Palma
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Peak3, pappy, sta.rosa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | friendly bike shop | | Strengths: | sweet single pivot, good cockpit size, beefy swing arm, good weight | | Weaknesses: | peeling stickers, paint is so-so, swing arm a tad tight for wide tires and rims (2.25 and up, 5th element shock, expensive for the thrid world | | Similar Products Used: | balfa 2step, SC bullit, enduro, da bomb cherry bomb, giants, jamis', too many 4.5 to 6 inch bikes. | | Bike Setup: | zoke mx comp 100, sram 9.0 drive train, raceface prodigy DH cranks, chris king, thomson, blackspire pedals, avid mechs, Alex DX32 rims, Nokian Gazzaloddi duals 2.3 and WTB Motorators 2.2, titec berzerkr saddle, answer taperlight handlebars, FOX vanilla RC with 650lb spring (yeah baybeh!!!) | | Bottom Line: | i must admit that i was skeptical about getting a second hand 03 heckler minus the 5th element, but those things just don't last over here in the tropics.
have always been a santa cruz "heckler" myself... they just have too much exposure in the media and i really just dismissed the excellent reviews as hype and spin... i could NOT have been more wrong. the frame handles descending very well, probably due to the slightly smaller size that the guys at santa cruz spec for riders... very sweet in tight corners. climbs very well with a well tuned Vanilla, bob IS present by negligible. jumped it a lot when i got it and my newbie crashes and rough landings have left the rear swing arm scratched and dinged but nothing fatal or damaging.
i rate it as versatile as a hardtail. i have found the one bike to do it all on: epics, baby jumps, shuttle and grocery runs!!! i have vowed not to buy another frame until i break this truly bullet proof machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Orinda, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demo, Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Reed's, San Jose | | Strengths: | Solid construction, simple maintenance. Great ride, climbs lighter than weight. This bike is a big imptrovement over the old Heckler, the 5th and the true 5" travel come in to play on the ruts, rocks and rough stuff. I run the Braake Therapy floating caliper with my 8" XT discs and this provides a noticealbe improvement in suspension action when dragging the brakes in a turn or on the steeps... no rear stifffening/jack so the bike keeps the travel smooth, you have to try it with and without to feel the increased security it offers at speed in the rough... I recommend it but just be ready to put out some $$$ for the floater! | | Weaknesses: | I'm Gettin' older... wish it was lighter. One thing I noticed in these reviews were a few folks talking about "flexy" frame... I know the SC guys and my son works for a shop as mechanic so when I too had the problem we checked into it and seems some had a shock bushing problem and had to have the top mount of swingarm remilled/countersunk to eliminate htis loosening. Go see your shop or Santa Cruz, fix it and it doesn't reappear... too bad these guys ratings don't show it and they didn't know their was a remedy so they could resolution and go back to enjoy their riding. | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 SC Heckler, 2003 Specialized Enduro. | | Bike Setup: | X-large frame, 5th Element, 2003 Marzocci Z-1 FR(updated to 2004 air cap), XT 8" discs, SRAM Rocket shifters, XT cranks, derailuers. King front, Hadley DH rear hubs. Michelin 2.5 Hot S tires. | | Bottom Line: | Set it up right, go ride have a blast!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl Patterson
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | new light | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Strengths: | frame, color, single pivot design, vanilla fork, rear shock,
workmanship (welds and pivots) spartanlike elegance | | Weaknesses: | not truly responsive in tight technical singletrack | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher sugar | | Bike Setup: | vanilla rlc fork, xt drive train, hayes brakes, bontrager disc wheels, raceface cranks and seatpost, titec stem and bar, fox foat rl ava rear shock, king headset, setup to take the punishment on a large man having lots of fun | | Bottom Line: | This bike is as good a trail bike as I know of. single pivot allows you to get out of the saddle for aggressive climbing with no discebale bobbing. very surefooted going downhill and it will scream past other single track bikes with 4 inches of travel. You can jump it off 5-7 foot drops onto flat ground even if you weigh 220 and not bottom the 5 inch suspension out. It may be 32lbs lbs with 2.4 tires on it, but it does not ride that heavy. not a quick turning bike but very sure footed in the corners once you know the limitations. I am an east coast rider and I wanted something I would not break. I believe I have found it.
Buy it if you want to have fun on the a trail full of roots and rocks, and jumps. It is a great bike for those who ride trails with moderate to intense obstacles. Don't buy it you are too concerned with weight.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tba | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike company | | Strengths: | Solid ride. Very stable. Soaks up the gnarly junk, but climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | i'm afraid of it gettin' ganked | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Large heckler, hayes 8 inch disc, xt rapid fire shifters, marzocchi z1 fr '04, 5th element w/ 450 spring, mavic 521 wheelset, thomsan seatpost,monkey bar blah, blah... | | Bottom Line: | Been dreamin of this ride for a few years now. Finally got it after raising the funds. Amazing ride, confidence is huge and looking foward to riding all the time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tba | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike company | | Strengths: | Solid ride. Very stable. Soaks up the gnarly junk, but climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | i'm afraid of it gettin' ganked | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Large heckler, hayes 8 inch disc, xt rapid fire shifters, marzocchi z1 fr '04, 5th element w/ 450 spring, mavic 521 wheelset, thomsan seatpost,monkey bar blah, blah... | | Bottom Line: | Been dreamin of this ride for a few years now. Finally got it after raising the funds. Amazing ride, confidence is huge and looking foward to riding all the time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike phelps
a Cross Country Rider
from new york
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Strengths: | SOLID RIDE,BEEFY FRAME, LOOKS SEXY, CLIMBS BETTER THAN MY RACE BIKE, MAKES YOU A BETTER RIDER. | | Weaknesses: | NONE SO FAR | | Similar Products Used: | TREK LIQUID 30 AND 55, CANNONDALE JEKYL, SPECIALIZED STUMP JUMPER, CANNONDALE SCAPEL | | Bike Setup: | HAYES DISC, XT SHIFTERS, LX CRANK/BB , EASTON BARS AND SEATPOST, INTENSE 2.35 DH TIRES, MAVIC 717 RIMS, FOX TALUS FORK, 5TH ELEMENT COIL OVER. GUN METAL GRAY | | Bottom Line: | AFTER GETTING USED TO THIS BIKE IT IS HARD TO RIDE ANYTHING ELSE. YOU GET USED TO THE SOLID FEELING OF THIS BIKE AND IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE CHEATING. IT FEELS LIKE A TANK IN TECHNICAL SECTIONS. I RIDE WITH HEAVY DUTY DH TIRES SO MY BIKE IS OVER 30LBS, BUT IT CLIMBS GREAT. NOT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE MY OLD TINNY RACE BIKE. 3-4 FOOT DROPS FEEL LIKE YOUR LANDING ON A CLOUD, THE FIFTH ELEMENT COIL OVER SHOCK SOKES IT ALL UP. IT WAS HARD TO DROP THE CHEDDER ON THIS BIKE BUT AFTER RIDING THE HELL OUT OF IT,BUT I DONT REGRET IT FOR A SECOND. I AM MOSTLY A TRAIL RIDER AND HAVE FOUND MY DREAM BIKE. IT GIVES ME ROOM TO GROW INTO THOSE 10 FOOT DROPS BUT ALSO LETS ME KNOCK OFF THOSE 3000 FT CLIMBS. GREAT ALL ROUND BIKE THAT I HIGHLY RECOMEND. $2750 IS ALOT OF CASH TO SPEND ON A BIKE, BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Weekend Warrior
from oak harbor, WA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in north Van | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ISLAND CYCLERY | | Strengths: | this bike climb very well you just forget that your climbing with a full suspension bike until the down hill. the 5th element is great and truly makes the bike capable of doing dang neer anything. | | Weaknesses: | The only complaint that I have had with this bike in the few months that I owned it is the long wait, but well worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | kona lava dome and two kona muni mula. | | Bike Setup: | qr 20 z1 with hayse disks mounted on a sun single wide rim up front and mavic 521 rim in the back, XTR rapid rise set up except for a race face north shore crank and XT front derailer. | | Bottom Line: | I absolutly love this bike, well worth the wait. this bike ride as well as it looks. Anybody looking for a great all around freeride bike I don't get any better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from New York,,,USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Sprain Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Peak Mountain Bikes | | Strengths: | Climbs like a scaled ape,mountain goat,cat on fire etc etc.Airy cockpit;Descends on rails;Jeep like handling, Solid Frame. No bob. Lite for the strength. No problem with paint so far (I waxed it first...)Well balanced,accurated steering,plush and true in technical sections. | | Weaknesses: | None so far (except air reservoir on 5th coil over seems to lose 40lbs air each ride or in 2-3 non riding days - but this is a Progressive problem. I'll send it in for service in February ;-).
Better have another bike while waiting for this one
Why did the other poster like it so much and give it 2 turds? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialize M2 Hardtail; 02 Team Scalpel; Nothing really. | | Bike Setup: | Medium Red Heckler w/5th Element Coil
Fork Z1 Freeride QR20
Easton MonkeyLite Riser Bar
ODI Lock-on Grips with Bonz Bar Endz
Thomson Stem and Seat Post
Inbred "The Gimp" Seat
Hayes Hydrolics with Hope Gothic Rotors and Bonz two finger break levers -both recommended(Cool)
Bonz Cranks (chrome and red)- recommended
BlackSpire Chainrings 22/24/42 with BS bashguard
XTR Cassette\Front and Rear Deraileur
Red Hayes Hubs (20mm front)w/Mavic 3.1 UST rims
Conti Verticle Pro UST 2.3
Salsa Skewers and Seatpost Quick Release
| | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price(though it wasn't cheap); climbs as well or better than the team Scalpel with 2.5 inches more travel. Descends 10 times better. Makes you a better rider. I ride it all over - Trail bike, Agressive XC, threw on slicks and rode a Century. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mar
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Beach
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Whiting Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Solid frame, precision steering, beefy tires | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 400, Giant NRS2, 2002 GT I-drive 3.0 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 Freeride fork, 5th element, XT drivetrain, WTB Weirwolf tires | | Bottom Line: | Santa Cruz, "there's no substitute". Got my hands finally on one (2003 Heckler, trans gold) and took it out for the first time today and what a difference a SC makes. I rode my giant NRS 2 on the same trail and fell thrice but did not fall at all with the Heckler. It tore through rock beds and anything else I threw at it. The bike rides very solidly that I felt less hesistant and more confident in attacking the trail. Everything MBA said about the Heckler is true and more; Just point the bike and go. And it climbs well without any noticeable bobbing. The bike is plain AWESOME!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Longboard1998
a Weekend Warrior
from So Cal
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stout Frame, simple effective design, will take abuse if thrown at it | | Weaknesses: | The paint finish is the only thing I can come up with so far. But who cares after the first dirt nap. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth ID, Schwinn 4 Banger | | Bike Setup: | King, Thomson, XTR, Avids, Panaracer FR 2.4, 521's, 5th Element, Marz DJ1 etc. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was purchased after the frame cracked in two places on my 4 Banger.
I was looking for something a burlier than the Ellsworth. I like the fact that the Heckler has more rake than the Ellsworth. It certainly has that solid feeling.
You can't go wrong with this bike
Everything the Ells is, and save 3k | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob - an aging boomer
a Cross Country Rider
from fort collins colorado usa
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest - Salt Lake City | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bicycle Experts Tucson AZ | | Strengths: | Balance, Weld Quality,Simple Design, Finish | | Weaknesses: | none except that oh so long wait for delivery | | Similar Products Used: | Lot's of parking lot demo's on Cannondales, Kleins, Treks and the like. | | Bike Setup: | XTR Drivetrain, Hayes Hydraulics, Vanilla RLC, 5th Element Coil, Sun SUV, WBC Mutanoraptors | | Bottom Line: | I'm a 53 year old survivor of the 60's who rediscovered the joy of riding a bicycle about 10 years back. Started with a Specialized Hardrock(somebody stole it in Salt Lake City), moved to a Trek 900 Hardtail(rode it into a 10' hole and broke my jaw in Las Vegas),then a Fisher X-Caliber(a bike that I still truly love to ride), and now the Heckler. I've wanted a full suspension rig for a few years but could'nt decide which way to go.Michael at Arizona Bike Experts steered me towards Santa Cruz, saying that they were a great bunch of people building some great bikes. I chose the Heckler over the Blur because the design just looked so clean and simple to me. Also the Blur was still in the "testing phase" at the time. Little did I know that Santa Cruz was under a seige of orders and would take almost 5 months to deliver my frame.It was worth the wait. When I picked it up in Tucson I was blown away. I felt like I was 10 years old walking out of the shop with my first bike ever. I ride with the memory of a late evening visit to the Las Vegas Trauma Center and having my mouth wired shut for 8 weeks, so I'm no downhill maniac. But I do like to have fun.And fun is what the Heckler provides. As long as you're willing to hang on, it will roll over most anything. Go too slow over the rough stuff and it will deposit you on your keister! Keep the speed up brother! I don't notice any bobbing going up hill in any gear. I read the fork and shock manuals, did a few easy adjustments and have'nt touched it since. A few other reviewers have mentioned powdercoating problems. The finish on my Heckler is flaw free(white) and so far has'nt shown any signs of defects. If you want a hell for stout, goodlooking ride that will take you up, down, and across, and that will draw comments from other riders, look into a Heckler. If you're near Tucson or just passing through, do yourself a favor and stop in at ABE and talk to Michael and the gang.These guys are bikers for sure. I learned a lot about patience waiting for this bike, and maybe that's a good thing. Maybe that's a better experience than walking into the "Big Store" and buying one off the rack. I'm not going to subtract a chili just because I had to wait a while.This bike is a Made in America great value. I'm looking forward to a long relationship. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cherni
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel\USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | "Red Camel" | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay - as new | | Strengths: | You buy this bike by the way it looks. Period. Its sooo sexy
Having Another thing in life that does not need academic analysis – the others are sex fun and, well maybe God… - this bike is a work of art!!
Those who designed it had fun while doing so – and we all **can** ride it.
Durability, durability and durability – you can buy this bike – and upgrade the components for years – consider it as an investment ( in FUN)
Climes on anything… you have bo#@s to!
Lately it started singing
heavy – gives confides while flying or hovering down single tracks
| | Weaknesses: | heavy
Stickers are crap – better if they hadn't put them – there all messy now
A bit flex at the rear – nothing I'd change for weight addition
Poor shock swing - arm pivot setup – specially because it cost money to fix. Maybe poor S.C. policy…
| | Similar Products Used: | XC bikes.. 80mm's - they look all the same up from where i'm sitting :-) | | Bike Setup: | Fox floatAVA, Mar. Z1 FR, Avid mechs, WTB 2.4,. Shim 646, Sun Rahino.. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is beautiful. Here is a tip though :
best to get a fork that can shrink to less than a 100 mm –it'll really make a difference on this bike while going on long uphill trails. I had 110-130mm fork on this bike. Setting the fork on 110mm - the bike was UNcomfortable to climb. Now my fork will shrink to 30mm – lowering the handlebar like that, while going uphill, allows you MUCH better pedaling efficiency, compensating for bikes weight.
I do various riding, long epic all day trail riding and tech stuff - 3-5 footers on s.tracks. This bike does all better than my prev XC bike.
I ride the Fox Float AVA RL. Its nice ( especially the lockout ) but I can sense that it is keeping the frame form fulfilling it full potential. Its especially noticeable on technical climbs and jumping of drops. – get a spring shock!!
No bob.
Simple but smart design.
Beautiful work - welding, painting (at least the "trans metallic" double coating is) etc.
This is a beautiful intelligent bike that does do it all !! I get a sense of pleasure riding this bike I hadn’t had with other models.
Get it and enjoy it!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 50yr trail/Chiva Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bicycle Experts | | Strengths: | 99% of the bike | | Weaknesses: | The Dang bolt at the swingarm attaching the 5th Element keeps coming loose, trying Locktite! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll, Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1FR SL, 5th Element, WTB 2.5 Weirwolfs, XT all around, Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is an awsome bike. What can I say that others have not already said? It rides great, I have yet to bottom it out (I bottomed out the Jekyll on 4 foot drops), and tracks like a missle! The bike has little in any bob (thanks 5th) and climbs great. The long travel forks make climbing a little more dificult but the ECC forks take care of that, now I can also climb the steep, STEEP hills. Maybe a bit heavy for the longer rides upwards of 30 miles, but otherwise a wise investment for the agressive XC riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Ojeda
a Downhiller
from Sedona AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere with freeridin' | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Sedona Bike & Bean | | Strengths: | This is the sweetest bike and I recomend it to anyone who love to trail ride!! | | Weaknesses: | Well I ordered it in December got it in April and by the time I got it it was a little small but not to bad. When I ordered it it was to big now it is to small. Did I mention For Sale? | | Similar Products Used: | Superlight, Bullit, and Gemini. | | Bike Setup: | Psylo tullio, Bombshell rims Hadley/XT hubs Red nipples, WTB seat, shimons 519's, XTR shifters front derailer and cassete, Rasefance rings, Maxxis tires, AVID's with red housing, Red KING headset and some sweet valve caps!!!(red) | | Bottom Line: | Drop's awesome fork was costomed tuned and now is awsome strong bike that is the best for anyone who loves riding. It can drop and climb all day! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
philip rowlands
a Weekend Warrior
from blackwood, south wales
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | coed y brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | stif | | Strengths: | everything (covered in an earlier review on MTBR) | | Weaknesses: | none after almost 1 year | | Similar Products Used: | secialized fsr | | Bike Setup: | wtb rocket v saddle , xt group, avid mecahnical disk brakes
fox vanilla 125 rlc easton stem and seatpost , x317rims on hope xc hubs | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this bike for just under a year now so far it's been hiper reliable - haven't had to touch the main pivot - (not like my old spesh fsr which needed much and regular attention) the trans gold paint job is holding up well - decals on the swing arm are almost worn away but on a bike this good who cares ! It still rides as well as the day I first rode it - I've now set the fifth element up a little moe on the softer side to improve small bump sensitivity when flying downhill...
ps - thought the heckler review in MBR sucked - couldn't make up my mind if were they reviewing the heckler or the fifth element air ...!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose
a Weekend Warrior
from Venezuela
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | every with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | bike retail friend | | Strengths: | Go downhill like a bullet, go uphill like a goat, very stiff and is fantastic when you leave your friends sooooooo behind you... | | Weaknesses: | huh?? weaknesses?... god... please | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Cannondale Scalpel 2000, Cannondale F1000 | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float 100RLC Fork, Shimano 959 pedals, Avid Mechanical Disk Brakes | | Bottom Line: | After I had used a different hardtails and softails I finded
the Superlight though was too XC to my riding style and body shape (200 lbs) I thought about heckler so I really didn't waste my choice... believe me...
Is the best bike that I had tried, stiff, reliable, confident, incredible feeling when go downhill... recommendable for everybody who are looking for a bike that do everything very well... fun bike without technical issues, excelent used market price, no problems with postsale service, excelent web page with a lot of information about the bike, tables, sizes, colors, tech section...
In general sense Santa Cruz has become a bike cult thing... thing... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Weekend Warrior
from Alsip
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | www.richardsbicycles.com | | Strengths: | The fifth element rear shocks allow for big hits. Hayes disc brakes gives me great stopping capability when needed the most. XT components are excellent, they are the best I've had on any bike. | | Weaknesses: | Pyslo SL front shock was a little too soft, needs firm kit. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension bike. Nothing to compare to except a hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | I made an excellent choice with purchasing the Santa Cruz Heckler. The bike is more then I had ever expected. The bike has been able to handle everything that I've thrown at it and then some. Richards bicycles definately made my purchase easy and their continued help with ajustments and hop ups has been greatly appreciated. I strongly recomend the Heckler and Ricards bicyles for all your bicycle needs and services. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rkn
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The "Man Trail " In Idaho | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Amazingly agressive trail bike! Single pivot with 5th pedals like no other! | | Weaknesses: | Paint and decals don't hold up as well as other brands...but then again its paint and decals... | | Similar Products Used: | Big Hit DH, GF Sugar, Yeti ASX, Santa Cruz Blur, KX 250 | | Bike Setup: | Sherman Firefly, 5th coil, Mavic x3.1 UST laced to Chris King Iso hubs, Kenda Kenetics 2.2 tires, 03 XTR Crankset, XTR R/F D's, Easton Carbon bar, post, thomson stem, Hayes Mag Plus discs, King headset, XT shifters | | Bottom Line: | I am amazed with how well this bike performs as a true do all bike. I had a sugar and a big hit and I wanted something exactly in the middle and this is it!! It handles the rock gardens and the steep stuff with ease, 3-5 footers are second nature to this bike, and it is begging to be jumped and ridden hard! Yet it doesn't kill you on the climb to the top. It pedals great...My sugar was the best climber FS i've ridden, but even with double the travel, the heckler feels just as good. My set up is 30lbs on the nose but I hardly notice the extra weight. Believe the hype on this bike! If your wife will only let you have one bike...this is the one to get! Go with the sherman up front...perfect match for the 5th coil and the frame!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lee Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francicsco, Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all dirt trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Vision Cyclery | | Strengths: | Polished frame rocks only way to go. Stiff frame is a plus. | | Weaknesses: | By the time I got this frame I put 600 miles on my klien that should have been on my Heckler. That pissed me off royally. SC gave me a lot of BS about arival on my frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Klien adept race, xt, xtr, mavic tubless | | Bike Setup: | Polished Heckler,5th element, Mantiou Sherman, Sun Singletrack w/dt swiss spokes w/Hadley race hubs, 8" Hayes HDF90 ti parts w/carbon levers, Raceface turbine forged cranks, Shimano M 324 spd, Thompson post & stem, Easton monkey lite riser bars,Chris King HS, Maxxis 2.5 High roller slow razzay Front downhiller, Maxxis Mobster 2.35 40a, WTB lazer V saddle, XTR drive train and shifters | | Bottom Line: | This bike really takes a thrashing without any shop visits to the hospital except for the ocasional tune up and true to the hoops. Outstanding jumping ability. I can just jump out of the sky with this bike and land it on a dime. This bike can downhill with some of the best but not a true downhiller. It is really stiff in the high speed turns and hits burms with ease. Great all around bike. I use this bike for all my XC riding now even though my Klien is 9 pounds less. Love this bike!!! Buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terrible T
a
from SCV, CA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | mt pinos, towsley,viper | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Strengths: | Quick and agile, durable, 5th element | | Weaknesses: | none yet...let me thrash on it a bit more and i'll be back
| | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky, giant ac1 and 2 | | Bike Setup: | Z150, deemax, hayes 8", easton, truvativ, race face | | Bottom Line: | I've extremely pleased with my purchase of this frame, I chose to build it up myself. I almost went with a bullit but this bike has handled everything I ride with ease. yeah if you're a dumb ass and try to jump a 25 footer you might have a problem especially if you weight in 200+ lbs. that is a no brainer...but if you want a bike that can handle jumps, slice like a knife thru the switchbacks and still pedal the uphill...its a great value!
The 5th element is the way to go...its easy to set up too...it took me all of about 15 minutes. Try READING. anyone who complains about it probably takes the bike to the shop to change their flats too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyoshi71
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ninham | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Mt. Sinai | | Strengths: | Great geometry for a freerider. Strong. Less expensive than others in peer group. | | Weaknesses: | Rear dropout has a minor problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight (awesome) | | Bike Setup: | Mavic 317. Thomson stem & Post. Sherman Firefly. Full XT. Avid Mechanicals. Maxxis Mobsters. | | Bottom Line: | YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH SANTA CRUZ! As for others on this review page who complain about stickers...GO HOME! This sport is not for you. And dont post, as a weakness, that the 5th element is hard to adjust! Read the instruction manual! Sometimes in life, you cant just look at pictures!
As for the rear dropout that I had mentioned, it had a creeking problem that was/is created by a poorly machined tolerance between the dropout and the frame. Additionally, the tolerance between the holes in the dropout and the bolts that hold it on is sloppy. Problem was easily fixed by using Loc-tight on the bolt (which always loosen up) and a torque wrench. Dont get me wrong, this is a minor problem and should have NO impact on a purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic lanzarone
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The dam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Vision Cyclery | | Strengths: | Build quailty inspires confident riding | | Weaknesses: | The Heckler can make you attempt the stuff you left alone for a reason | | Similar Products Used: | None that can be considered an "all trail weapon" | | Bike Setup: | 5th,Marz z1FR,thompson stem, post, easton risers, XT, mallet Cs, Hayes. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an investment in enjoyment. Each blast on this light weight rocket reduces my age by spades. It is the perfect bike for someone who wants every advantage when pushing hard on rough and unpredictable terrain. Plussh, fast and tough. The best seriously fast, seriously aggressive XC bike availble.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Downhiller
from North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Waaay too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | www.steedcycles.com | | Strengths: | Good weight to strength ratio. Can be set up as a heavy freerider or as a light weight trail bike. Pedals great going up and suspension works much better going down. | | Weaknesses: | Coming from a SC V10, the rear shock (5th coil) feels absolutly dead when riding up. I guess that's not a bad thing, but it had me worried the first ride up. Has the single pivot feel. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing really. My last 4 bikes included a V10, an FSR XC Pro, three Balfa BB7's, a DJ hardtail, and 2 road bikes! | | Bike Setup: | Medium gun metal grey Heckler with 5th coil over, Mavic Dee-Max wheels, Psylo Race Tulio, Hayes Mags, Thomson-Chris King-XT parts | | Bottom Line: | Even though the 5th feels dead when riding up, as soon as you stand up and ride the gnarl, it feels somewhat plush. Doesn't bob one iota though. I'll probably get a 5th Air asap for the longer trips.
I bought this bike to replace my 45lb. DH bike, my 25lb. XC bike, and my DJ/slalom bike. It's the best combo of the three I could find for the price. I can do all these things in one day on the Heckler!!! I can ride the tight North Shore trails easier than a DH bike, and the uphill techy stuff is way easier than the XC bike, and the bike just wants to jump.
I have it set up with high end parts, including the new 28 spoke Dee-Max wheels with 2.2 Michelin comp 24 DH rubber. Really light weight DH/FR wheel but very strong for the intended use of this bike. Total weight is 34lbs.
I wouldn't reccommend doing sizable drops on this bike. I've done 2 footers and bottomed it with the proper shock settings. But that's the falling rate of the single pivot for you. However you can easily ride the steeps, the logs, the ladders, XC, and fast rocky stuff and you'll be smillin'.
You have to spend $$$ to get the weight down IF you want a strong bike. My bike would retail for $5500 (CDN). I got all my stuff at cost or better and I still spend about $3900. I could have put some Cross-Max wheels and carbon parts to keep it closer to 30lbs.
I would reccommend getting a set of Dee-Max wheels, a good fork, and light weight parts if you want a DO-EVERYTHING bike. I wouldn't reccommend setting it up with really light wheels or a cross country fork because you will push the limits more than what these parts could handle.
Worth your while to buy a Heckler, but you could possibly be dissappointed with an inappropriate build. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mel Forgues
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Powderface, Moose. | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bowcycle | | Strengths: | Overbuilt frame, 5th element shock, easy pedaling, hardly any pedal induced bob. | | Weaknesses: | pricy, weight 30lbs, 5th is hard to bunny hop! | | Similar Products Used: | specialized enduro pro, jekyls, jamis dakar xlt, rocky etsx 70 & Slayer, trek liquids everything else? | | Bike Setup: | Mainly R-disc stock setup. | | Bottom Line: | For a serious trail bike the heckler is by far the easiest pedaling bike and most comfortable ride I have tested to date. This bike will do anything..it is a nice climber despite the weight and the 5th almost eliminates any bob and downhills are deadly. Suspension is plush and the heckler takes drops that would disable most other all mountain makes on the market. The heckler can be built up for freeriding types or built lighter for x country. The bottom line is that this bike does both better than any other bike out there at this time. I found it harder to bunny hop the fifth than other shocks but this could be overcome with more time on the bike. Cross country weight weenies will not be interested in this bike but would be surprised by how easy it pedals uphill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Brookbank Tr. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Single Track | | Strengths: | 5th element progressive, solid frame and rugged look,replacable dropout,trans powdercoat paint job. | | Weaknesses: | SC could have done a better job routing the cables. Easy to avoid if you cut up some custom pieces of the clear swing arm chain protector. A bit heavy (33Lbs)if you don't spec out the lighter wheelset and tires. Seven month waiting period for delivery. I hate to bash the staff @ Santa Cruz but they were not very responsive when asked the when the bike would be delieverd. Standard answer "2 more weeks", which turned into "2 more weeks". | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M-80,Santa Cruz Tazmon | | Bike Setup: | Z-1 Marzzochi Free Ride (Sweet),XT front and rear deraileur,Intense 2.5 tires,Mavic 321 Wheelset,Avid Manual disc brakes,Easton Monkey Lite bar,Titec stem, Easton seatpost,Onyz disc hubs,Trans Red powdercoat. | | Bottom Line: | I ride an averge of 3 times a week about 45 miles a week.No bob whatsoever w/5th element progressive, this shock in combination with the Z-1 has saved my butt from the emergency room many times already. My lack of skill has been superseded by the quality of the aboved mentioned equipment.Have been able to bang off rock gardens and jumps with ease. The tougher the terrain the better you appreciate the suspension. As one of those anal people who logs each ride, the Heckler has improved my performance on local trails by decreasing my downhill times. Although I have to say the uphills have increased minimally, but I more than pick up the time on the downhill. I plan on decreasing the bikes weight with the upgradeable wheelset and hubs.Then without a doubt I'll have the best bike I've ever ridden in this class. The mountains of Northern Arizona are full of rocks and steep downhills,so if you have similar country there is no other bike to consider.And thanks again to the guys at Single Track in Flagstaff Arizona (Vance,Matt,Andy).
Happy Trails!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rolfe
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | KGB | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight, reasonably priced frame, replaceable dropout, looks really cool and pedals good. | | Weaknesses: | Lateral flex, reasonably priced frame, replaceable dropout isn't so good after all, poor pivot design. | | Similar Products Used: | foes fxr, Idrive, foes fly, kona stinky | | Bike Setup: | large Heckler with Fox AVA, fox vanilla 125, king, thompson, raceface, hayes, etc. | | Bottom Line: | This is a well designed frame, as it is. It pedals great, feels like a hardtail that mellows out the landings in comparison to my Foes Fly. It is also quite flexy as well.
I really notice the frame flex whenever I rail a turn, and it doesn't make me feel very confident, especially when the rear end would flex enough to make the brake pade rub hard on the disc.
During my second ride, the rear end felt so mushy, so unstable, I had trouble with balance. I checked over the pivot, and it had loosened, and the rear wheel still had so much lateral flex. I realized that the rear dropout bolts had also loosened, which holds the rear derailleur and axel, so the back wheel was about to fall off! Locktite was the solution there.
I recently rode a Foes FXR, and it is sooo much stiffer, and pedals as good as the Heckler. (Mind, I am a heavy rider at 190 lbs, so the flex may not be an issue if you weigh 150.)
The pivot placement is well thought out, it is as refined as it gets, but the craftmanship of the pivot need much refinement, as I need to tighten it before each ride.
I bought this as my lightweight trailbike, something for the cross country all day epic rides and jump sections.
After riding an FXR, I am giving my Heckler frame to a friend who is lighter than me and getting the Foes FXR, it suits a heavier rider who likes precision.
I once discussed the flex issue with another rider who was riding the Heckler as well, and he said it is flexy, but predictable. I agreed, but I like a stout bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amir
a Weekend Warrior
from Shah Alam, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kiara | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs in TTDI | | Strengths: | 5th element, strong frame (for my kind of riding anyway), frame is not too heavy at 7 lbs, versatile: can be set up for xc, trail riding or light freeride. | | Weaknesses: | None. The peeling decals and marred paint add character to a superb bike. | | Similar Products Used: | only xc oriented full sus, none compares to the Heckler | | Bike Setup: | 5th element, Marz DJ1 qr20, 03 xtr drivetrain and xtr discs, F519, hutchinson octopus, thomson and chris king | | Bottom Line: | I've had the bike for almost 10 months now and it's the best (read most fun) mountain bike I've ridden so far. It gets ridden the most. The 5th element is great in cancelling out bob and in giving traction on the climbs. I initially had to experiment with the setting but I think now I've got it dialled in nicely for my kind of riding. The bike is a versatile do it all animal and you can dress it up for the purpose you intend to ride it. In its trailbike/xc guise, with narrower tyres, xc hoops and vanilla fork, it will ride and climb with the best xc bikes out there. In its bad boy guise, set up with a beefier fork, wider rims and tyres and the bike will take quite a fair bit of abuse. The beefy frame is confidence inspiring, the bump soaking facility is exceptional and it makes me a better descender than I deserve to be. I have to be a much better bike handler to realize the bike's full potential. I won't move on to the Bullit until I have exceeded what the Heckler can handle (and it can handle quite a bit). The bottom line is the Heckler is one fun bike to ride. It is not a heavy bike ranging from 27 to 30 lbs depending on what you hang on the bike. If you aren't racing, go out and get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Zabolotny
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockwall, TX
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcipin Rim, Slickrock, Captain Jacks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Colrado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Frame design, weight, travel, looks.... | | Weaknesses: | Adjusting the 5th Element. | | Bike Setup: | Trans Blu large, Marzoochi Z-1 FR QR20, 5th Element,SRAM X.O, Easton Monkey Lite carbon LO/carbon seatpost, XT front derailer/crank, hubs, WTB Mutanoraptor, WTB Rocket V, Mavic X3.1 UST DISC rim,king OTHD headseet,Hays Hyd disc. | | Bottom Line: | I’ve had my heckler for about three weeks now. So far I love it. The frame is great. The Z1 FR QR20 is awesome, easy to adjust and rides like a dream. The 5th element on the other hand is a b$$ch to adjust. I still have not dialed it in properly. It almost feels like I’m riding a hard tail. I feel like I have the right amount of sag, but the ride is still harsh. I weight 200lbs and have the spring almost all the way out and run about 115 of air in the shock. Hopefully I can solve the mystery soon. I’ll update this review when I get the 5th element figured out. 5 chilis for the frame, 3 for the 5th element (for now). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Maine
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The Bog | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Online used frame | | Strengths: | Whew, where do I begin ... read the reviews | | Weaknesses: | Low bottom bracket? | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive, Turner XCE | | Bike Setup: | Pyslo SL (soon to be Z1 FR), -Wierwolfs, ODI XT front and rear, Avid cable discs, Raceface ISIS, 5th Element and WTB speed V. | | Bottom Line: | Confession time. I got hooked on mountain biking two years ago. Bought the screamin deal I-Drive for $750 when the "bankruptcy" proceedings erupted. Did the upgrades to the I-Drive and then started looking for the "cult bikes". Bought the XCE in Feb of 2003 and LOVED it. When the snow melted I got to ride the rocks and roots and the Romic and XCE rocked. See my review of Romic and Turner. Then the freakin Heckler reviews appeared in the mags .. I hadda have one. Found a used 2003 frame in MBReview classified. Built it up and didn't ride the XCE for 3 weeks after. I have a Z1 FR coming to replace the Pyslo. I still REALLY enjoy both bikes. The Heckler really does climb as well as the XCE but it "inspires" more aggressive high speed riding. The Heck rides like a Jeep, the Turner like a dune buggy. A little more technique required for the Turner, body position etc. The Heckster more forgiving of ham handed riding. I'm 56 and on downhills this Heckler makes me stay off the brakes just to see what it will do if we go faster. The built Large bike is 31 pounds, this is not "heavy", I can drink two pounds of beer and not even notice it. I rode the Heckster on a charity event and dropped a road weenie on his carbon fiber wonder at the top of a long grade .. never looked back. This bike does it all, if you don't race XC, buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
s r
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Simon's Cycles | | Strengths: | -strong frame
-accelerates perfectly
-5th element
-perfect blend of climbing ability and downhill excellence
-looks sweet
-geometry is set up great for a all around trail bike
-frame is built tough and should withstand a lot of abuse
-price is decent for what you get and in comparison to other similar bikes
-color is looks nice (Trans Blue) | | Weaknesses: | -5th element can take a while to set up(but that can be fun)
-somewhat difficult to adjust the front derailleur due to its location
-can make you think your better than you really are | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, GT I-drive, various Kona FS | | Bike Setup: | Heckler with the 5th Element coil, TALAS RLC, Mavic Crossmax XL, Avid mech discs with Ultimate levers, Sram XO, Truvative Stylo team, Easton carbon bar, Easton EA 70 stem, Time ATAC Z, Nokian NBX, etc | | Bottom Line: | If I could have but one bike this is what I would take. It handles everything I give it, it climbs better than any thing i've ridden, no bob, it soaks up every vibration and bump with ease. The Heckler works flawlessly and looks great too. I have no complaints and am 100% satisfied that I made the right choice in buying this bike over any other. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from west hartford, ct
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | cutting edge | | Strengths: | strong frame, super smooth ride, not too heavy | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Giant warp (1st f/s), Fisher Sgugar + klien hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Thomson stem, easton post, answer pt bars, odi lock-ons,
hussefeller (how the hell is that spelled?) cranks & bb, going to get the new egg beaters platforms, hugi hubs/319 rims, Conti vert pro ft, survival pro rr, avis disks/levers, xt rear -deore ft & shifters, fsa headset, hard seat.
| | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, my fisher was set up for XC - cost me a fortune but is not as capable as the Heckler for downhill and abusive riding - i started going to MtSnow, loved it, but had a hard time w/the fisher, this thing is perfect for all around riding, much heavier than the sugar but soooo smooth and stable, it has me clearing sections and flying over sections that were either a walk or death on the fisher it is a great compromise for an all around trail rider like me. Anyone want a totally sweet Sugar + (no punn - check the adds it's for sale now)!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Nemtusak
a Weekend Warrior
from Newbury Park
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Butcher Ranch/3rd Divde/Upper First | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1195.00 | | Purchased At: | JB Mountainbikes.com | | Strengths: | Stout,Well designed,attention to detail,simple suspesion design tuned to peak performance,excellent handling | | Weaknesses: | would be nicer to have brake cable routed lower on the swingarm and up the downtube(this is just nit picking) | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive,GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | 5TH Element coil,Marzocchi Z1 fr,Daves wheels,Race Face cranks,bb,stem and seatpost,959 pedals,King headset,monkey lite carbon dh bar,IRC Trailbear tires,xtr gears and derailuers all the good stuff | | Bottom Line: | Ive been riding it like a madman for 2 months now.I just got back from Tahoe/Downieville and this bike rocks.The 5th Element coil is a must on this bike and if you take the time and set it up it works great.I took it down Mr. Toads in Tahoe and Butcher Ranch/3rd Divide/Upper First Divde,and Big Boulder in Downieville(my new favorite place).It is a stout bike not a DH rig but a trailbike.It handles great,especialy at speed.The Marzocchi w/5 inches complements the rear suspension perfect and makes drops and chutes a lot less scary as my old GT.Also the guys at Yuba Expeditions in Downieville rent Hecklers and I talked to the mechanics for a while asking about how the bikes hold up.No problem he told me,he said if the shock is bad it will leak right away and the Downievill area is a great place to smash the hell out of stuff and he said the Hecklers have been going great.It is not the lightest bike but not heavy either,mine weighs in at 30 lbs and I think I am going to get a lot of miles out of it.2 Thumbs up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a
from Hailey, ID
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Imperial Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Up hill climbing, Descending, Sturdy frame, Fifth Air, Comfort | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | My first fully suspended bike | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla 125 RLC, 5th Air, Thompson Stem, Easton post and handlebars, WTB Lazerdisc Lite wheels, Intense 2.25 tires, Avid mech Disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Because I have never owned a full suspension bike, I really have nothing to compare it to. I ride mostly singletrack with occasional steep technical rocky sections and I don't do big drops (not yet anyway). Here are my observations:
I first noticed that my back and neck were no longer sore during and after a ride.
I am beating my hardtail friends ( by a big margin) on the downhills yet I don't feel like I am going any faster than I normally do. The bike feels very smooth and in control.
I can climb steep rocky sections that I have never climbed before on my hardtail.
I'm guessing my bike weighs around 30 lbs. but have not noticed the extra weight when climbing.
The 5th Air is simple to set up and I have not experienced any bobbing when climbing.
I have had no mechanical failures/problems of any kind.
I have ridden this bike approximately 25 times and each time I love this bike more and more. It is exactly what I wanted in a bike; it does everything exceptionally well and does not beat me up in the process. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Farrell
a
from Green Bay, WI
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Plush feel, good downhill, does not suffer much uphill | | Weaknesses: | paint, pivots need frequent checks | | Similar Products Used: | c-dale gemini, turner xce, sc blur, specialized fsr | | Bike Setup: | zocchi z1 fr sl, avid mechs, xt drivetrain, thompson post and stem, rhino lites, wtb mutanoraptors | | Bottom Line: | Good bike, does what it is advertised for. This bike is clearly not designed for 30 ft drops to parking lots. If you do that on this bike and it breaks, you are stupid.
This is a great all around trail bike that you can ride all day with minimal riding position related aches. I weigh over 200 lbs and love this bike. 5th element a little hard to dial in and I have heard of it losing oil, but it is a progressive part, not santa cruz. Well worth it once it is dialed in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from NH
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2350.00 | | Purchased At: | WHEEL POWER | | Strengths: | Great all around trail bike. Pedals efficiently, takes the hits. An enjoyable rig for a variety of conditions. | | Weaknesses: | 5th element could be tough (intimidating) to set up if going it alone. | | Similar Products Used: | RM ETS-50 | | Bike Setup: | large frame, 5th element coil/air shock, Fox Vanilla RLC 125 fork, Avis discs, Thompson post and stem, Monket lite bars, Odi lock on grips, Mavic 3.1 w/xt disc hubs built by the shop, Continental vertical pro's, Titec Ithys saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I've enjoyed this bike immensely. The shop helped set up the 5th element and I've had no issues. Just check the air pressure. I've got it set up for very little pedal feedback. It definitely helps on the climbs. I may lose a bit of small bump absoerption, but not enough that I notice it. Once the threshold is passed you've got full travel at work. The geometry of the bike is great for a variety of riding. I've got a 90mm stem which is by far shorter than I've ridden on other bikes. I was a bit apprehensive at first but now I wouldn't give it up. I've got a way to go before I've really tested this bikes overall capabilities. It does inspire confidence on the roots, rocks, and descents. Oh yeah, the paint has been fine. Hats off to Santa Cruz and the crew at Wheel Power. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Kirkland, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mr Toads (Tahoe), Hidden Dragon (Bellingham), Clown Shoes (Whistler), Plunge Pool & Zig Zag (Marin) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Montlake Bike, Kirkland | | Strengths: | Nice looking bike. For what that's worth. | | Weaknesses: | The single pivot design only works well because of the Progressive 5th Element shock, put a lesser shock on the bike and it bobs with any pedal input. Paint is very weak. None stop problem's with the linkage/pivots. Constant play in the rear triangle after the first ride. It took the bike store and Santa Cruz SIX (6) months to figure out what was wrong. I only was able to ride the bike for 2 months due to all the issues. Santa Cruz sold some bikes with a undersized mounting bracket on the front triangle. These have to be swaped out because failure can occur. The bottom braket is too low constantly hitting pedals on rocks, roots and small bumps. I have two other friends with Heckler both have experience similar problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky, Rocky Mountain Slayer (Tested) | | Bike Setup: | Progressive 5th, Z1 OR20, Thompson Elite Seatpost, Hayes Mag Disk brakes, Mavic 321, White Industries Hubs, XT FD, XTR RD, Easton Handle Bar, ODI Lock-on's. | | Bottom Line: | If you ride smooth trails like China Camp (Marin) or Nisene Mark (Santa Cruz) this bike work for you. That if you want a 5 inch 37lb XC bike. But the single pivot design will still probably break down in a short amount of time. I bought a KONA STINKY made some up grades and haven't looked back. The KONA rides alot lighter on the trail than it feels in the parking lot of yor local bike store. It's also built to withstand the North Shore, Whistler and Bellingham trails. The KONA has a better geometry and ride's great on steep hills, log, ladders, drops and climbs great if you stay seated. Once Progressive fit the KONA STINKY 03 I'll be sure to get one. So don't buy a Heckler. Buy a KONA or a Progressive 5th Element. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Weekend Warrior
from OR
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything steep | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | paul's bikes | | Strengths: | quality build, stout frame, fairly light, sweet geometry, confidence inspiring, gaurenteed to put a smile on your face. | | Weaknesses: | mine had defective bearings but santa cruz warrenteed them and had them to me in three days. i took the bike in on a monday and was riding again by the next weekend. | | Similar Products Used: | test rode several full suspension bikes but none that compare. | | Bike Setup: | fox talus fork, 5th Air shock, race face stem crank etc., king headset wheelset, xt drivetrain, avid discs so on and so forth | | Bottom Line: | this is an incredibly versitale bike. i have a race face dues stem, king/317 wheels, and intense cc2.25 tires for cross country and trail riding(total weight for the bike is 28lbs), i then go to a diablos stem, xt/219 wheels, and nokian gazz 2.6 tires for the fun urban/ freeriding (more like 36lbs). it handles both duties extremely well. (i am light at about 145 so the air shocks work well for me. if i was any heavier i would go with the vanilla and progressive coil.) the change in wheels and stem create a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde kind of thing. it is amazing the differences these changes make. cross country trails way more comfortable, the ski runs were tons of fun too. and that is the greatest thing about this bike- this bike will not hold you back from whatever you want to do. if you enjoy all the various forms of mountain biking from dirtjumping to sweet rolling single track to light freeriding downhilling this bike can handle it with ease. just change the components to suit your needs and you are good to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Diamond
a Weekend Warrior
from Wheeling, IL
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | RICHARDSBICYCLES.COM | | Strengths: | Good design. I like the paint job. Shock works great. I like the extra travel. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher sugar 3, Schwinn Paramount | | Bike Setup: | Excellent. Psylo race 03 fork w/ lockout button. Spinergy pro wheel set. XT pods, deraulers, XTR 03 cranks, Easton bar / stem / post. This bike rocks!!! | | Bottom Line: | I am very satisfied with the heckler. I'm very happy that I bought, and wehre I bought it from. Richardsbicycles.com really helped me through the buying process. I am very happy with their service. Anytime I need minor adjustments, they do it on the spot. Great place to buy a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark gabbard
a Weekend Warrior
from sf, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Vision SF | | Strengths: | 5th element shock, solid, stable, great geometry, do-it-all ability | | Weaknesses: | Paint job really sucks ... looks fine with dirt! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Ellsworth ID, Redline Mono-Cog | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element, Fox RLC, Hayes Hydros, XT all over, XTR Rear, Sun Single Tracks, Thompson post/stem, Easton Riser, WTB seat/tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great all-around machine. It will climb like goat and reward you handsomely going back down. I'm still trying to get the 5th element dialed for different terrain, but when you get it right - you know it. SWEET! It makes the Fox RLC seem a bit bouncy. I built it out to be a bit heavy and may be swapping out the rims for next season. Otherwise, smiles, smiles, smiles. Great value and the best bike you can buy if you can only have one ... BUY THIS BIKE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
johnny
a
from charlottesville va
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ohill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | santa cruz | | Strengths: | not much at this point | | Weaknesses: | santa cruz told me it would take 6 weeks to get then 6 months later it came in. the guys at santa cruz were jerks to me when i would call asking for it. It had a defective swing arm. right above the pivot the swing arm would hit the down tube and make a really bad noise and it scratched the paint. when i was packing it up to get it fixed i relized my new 5th element was leaking oil all over the place after hours of setting it up. santa cruz fixed the swing arm but they didn't have any shocks to replace mine so now i have to send it to progressive to get it fixed. I must just have really bad luck. | | Similar Products Used: | rocky mountain rm6 santa cruz superlight cantacruz bullet | | Bottom Line: | i just had bad luck with this one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ashraf Aziz
a Cross Country Rider
from Penang,Malaysia
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all Penang has to offer !!! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | somewhere in the USA.. | | Strengths: | Kick ass stiff frame..but surprisingly light. Cool workmanship.The 5th Element shock.Hmmm...its a Santa Cruz. | | Weaknesses: | The paintjob..yuck! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT, Giant AC1, Haro Extreme | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element,02 Psylo,Race Face Next LP,SRAM X.0,Hayes Hydraulics,Crossmax with Kenda Kharisma tyres,Jagwire cables,Easton M/lite riser and EA70 stem,C.King,Thomson post and Selle Bassano saddle. | | Bottom Line: | First time riding it gave me a whole new perspective of mountainbiking.??why? The ever so sweet 5th Element shock compliments well with the ultra hulk new frame.I tested it almost in all condition I can find..muddy, torrential rain, sand, loose rocks..etc etc and it never fails me.The bike also climbs well...youll be surprise! It worth the every cent! Thx to the guys at Santa Cruz for the dedication (except for the awfull paintjob and decals!)..oh,well...its only color...right? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DeepBlue6
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange, Ca.
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Chino Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheeler Dealer | | Strengths: | Plush ride. Good climber, better downhiller. Glides over all types of terrain. | | Weaknesses: | Getting the Progressive 5th Element dialed in. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Gemini 1000, Giant AC2 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1FRQR, Progressive 5th Element, Shimano XT throughout, Hayes 8" hydraulic disc brakes, | | Bottom Line: | This bike was well worth the wait. I waited 4-months for the frame and then built up the bike. 2-days later, I was hitting the trail and digging every minute of the ride. Once I dialed in the Progressive 5th Element, the bike responded even better. This bike is living up to every expectation I had. I've read every review out there and well, seeing is believing. I'm stoked to have gone with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julie
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico, California
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | North Rim Adventure Sports | | Strengths: | Excellent build quality, stiff frame. Super plush. I feel like I'm riding on a cloud. Climbs way better than my old hard tail ( bob, shmob, those hard tail people need to let go of the past), sails down rough terrain. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit, Gary Fisher Sugar 3+, Santa Cruz Juliana, Klein Palamino, Specialized Enduro Pro & Comp | | Bike Setup: | Deore LX throughout, Marzoochi Bomber MX-Pro fork, Fox Float R rear shock, Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | I waited forever (two and a half months)for this bike, and it was worth the wait. The shop I bought it from was kind enough to loan me a Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ while I waited, and I rode the piss out of it. But now that I have the Heckler, the Sugar seems outmoded and amateur. I am flying down hills faster than I ever have, and I am able to manuever over roots and rocks with ease. I can even almost keep up with my husband, but not for lack of a better bike! I got the Fox Float rear shock and I haven't used up all of its travel, even though I've bombed down steep fire roads at warp speed over lots of big rocks. I decided not to go with the 5th element even though it was supposed to be great because I never would have used up all that travel. I see that I am the only female to review this bike, and I want to say to any other women out there not to be fooled into the Juliana. The geometry of the small Heckler frame is just fine for a girl (I'm only 5'3", 115#) and the Heckler's beefy swing-arm will take way more punishment than the Juliana and features replaceble dropout & hanger, and bearing caps. Beyond all of the yackety smack of what the bike's set up is, this thing is the most fun I've ever experienced on a bicycle. I smile as I ride every time, and that says it all. Watch out, boys! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
VERGA EMILIO
a Weekend Warrior
from Bregnano (CO) ITALY
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Buco del piompo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | ciclisnoopy | | Strengths: | fast DH & light,beautiful, | | Weaknesses: | light stikers,warranty limited, | | Similar Products Used: | jekill 1000 , | | Bike Setup: | 5 element,fox 125 rlc,diabolus 70,formula b4 racing f/r,front XT,rear XTR,ecc......... | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great, I can go a lot of faster in turns and make the jump in the DH .
Il peso è contenuto 14 Kg. posso pedalare senza fare eccessiva fatica durante la salita.The 5 element with the best set up is an incredible weapone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | jbmountainbikes.com | | Strengths: | Geometry, shock, climbing ability. Amazing bike. | | Weaknesses: | I wish it had better paint, but I really don't care. The shock is very complex. I'm pretty sure I don't have it adjusted right, but it really doesn't seem to matter much. | | Similar Products Used: | I almost went with a 2001 Norco Shore (best geometry year apparently). The Norco definately has better hucking ability. I just ended up liking the Heckler better. I used to ride an RM6. | | Bike Setup: | Boxxer fork, Doublewides, I think the bike weighs 38lbs. I'm putting on some lighter wheels but them I'm leaving it alone. | | Bottom Line: | Pretty freakin amazing bike. I read every word I could find about the new Heckler before I bought and I have to say it's all true. I used to ride an RM6 which decended like a dream, but the climbing ability was pretty bad - not a pedaler at all. So I searched and read and ended up with the perfect bike I think. This shock is soooo plush yet it firms up perfectly on a climb. I can say it climbs almost as well as a hardtail - it makes no sense to me. Hammering over roots you feel nothing. I regularly huck 5-foot drops and it soaks them up fine. Bigger ones I bottom out a bit, but like I said, I swear I don't have the shock set up right. I only weigh about 140lbs, so I didn't need a big huck machine. I wanted to ride15 mile rides, but still jump stuff. Ultimately, if you want a ride that will do just about everything in the freeride realm with the ability to ride long fast single track, this is it. If you want to ride out to the jumps, huck giant stuff all day long, and ride back to the car, get a Bullit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicky Boy
a
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | brail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | reeds | | Strengths: | Strong, balanced, best priced high-end FR frame around, sweet looking polished finish. | | Weaknesses: | The wait (not the weight). The 5 months was worth it though once I got it, besides that nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | superlight, enduro pro. | | Bike Setup: | 5th El, Sherman Firefly, Hayes hydros, King headset, XT, Thomson, Atacs, Mavic F219, monkey lites. | | Bottom Line: | This bike absolutely rips. Feels like a cross country uphill and a motorcycle downhill. The 5th element allows me to fly through sections where I had to sketch through before; tight, rutty, bouldery, fast areas. The Heckler handles extremely well for a bike with so much travel, really light and nimble for such a bomb. I was looking for a bike that can do a little of everything, and ended up getting a bike that does a lot of everything instead. Get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
REX ADERONI
a Weekend Warrior
from FOUNTAIN HALL PA USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Strengths: | AMERICAN MADE, DETAIL IN WELDS, GEOMETRY, OVERALL LOOK AND STYLE . EXCELLENT CLIMBER BUT BETTER DECENDER WORKS MUCH BETTER DIRTY. | | Weaknesses: | THE WAIT- NO ROOM FOR BOTTLE BATTERY WITH 5TH ELEMENT BUT WELL WORTH TRADE OFF. | | Similar Products Used: | INTENSE-TREK-CANNONDALE-GIANT-IRON HORSE- GT. NOT ONE COMPARES TO RIDE AND QUALITY | | Bike Setup: | 03 HECKLER TRANS RED MED 5TH ELEMENT WITH FOX VANILLA 125RL XT- XTR DISC- RACEFACE- KING- MAVIC 3.1-THOMPSON-CONTINENTAL VERT | | Bottom Line: | WELL WORTH PLACING ORDER AND WAITING IT OUT.HONESTLY A CONFIDENCE BUILDER WILL NOW ATTEMPT DROPS AND DECENTS I ONCE WOULD RATHER WALK OR CALL MEDAVAC FOR ASSISTANCE FORBEWARNED!! UNLIKE ANY OTHER BIKE THE HECKLER HAS STRANGE WAY OF LOOKING AT WAYS DOWN NOW. GOOD STABLE PLATFORM CLIMBER WOULD PUT IT UP AGAINST ANY MANUFACTURE. WEIGHT RESPECTABLE FOR FREERIDE MODEL. NO FLEX OR ANY ISSUES AS OF YET AND I PUT A BEATING ON IT.SAVED ME FEW TIMES FROM SERIOUS INJURY .GET OUT GET IT DIRTY WORTH EVERY HARD EARNED DOLLAR . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | Soaks up all the bumps, climbs and descends great, precision handling. | | Weaknesses: | No weakenesses . . . trying to find one was almost impossible. | | Similar Products Used: | SC Blur, Santa Cruz Superlight, titus Racer X, Kona Bear | | Bike Setup: | Black Heckler size large, Shimano X drive train, Carbon bars, Carbon seatpost, Titec seat, Progressive 5th element coil rear shock, Fox TALAS RL fork, Chris King headset, Thomspon stem. | | Bottom Line: | This bike provides an amazing ride. The progressive 5th element is great. It soaks up all the bumps, rock gardens and rocky sections. You really have to mash on the pedals to experience bob.
I have ridden this bike on various types of terrain and it has handled everything better than I expected. I am extremely impressed at how well it climbed and how well it handles twisty singletrack, and the downhills. Bottom bracket clearance is very sufficient. the bike geometry provides for a balanced ride. The bike also has a very solid feel and it is very responsive. Overall, This is a great epic trail bike that is alot of fun to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roberto Handal
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Monogas | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenalina Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I took out this bike for a ride and the bike is incredible. I have never gone so fast and hard down the trail. After setting the 5th element up the bike was so plush but still climbed like a goat. The heckler flys through tight single track and through all conditions | | Weaknesses: | Havent found any yet | | Similar Products Used: | The Id and Truth Heclker is better | | Bike Setup: | From factory from Santa Cruz LX and Xt comps with the hayes brakes and Fox RLC 125 | | Bottom Line: | I recommend this bike to all rideres who love tho go fast and fly through the mountains | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Bad ass frame, 5th elements soaks up everything, awesome component pacakage, Vanilla 125 RLC, the carbon fiber parts, reasonable weight for trail bike. | | Weaknesses: | NONE so far | | Similar Products Used: | none really, im convinced there is no bike out there liek the Heckler | | Bike Setup: | stock Super-X Disc kit | | Bottom Line: | A nasty ride, worth the 19 week wait....It amazes me everytime I hit the trail. One thing I have to say is that the 5th Element kicks ass...except it seems to be the most complex shock on earth to adjust, other than that it rules...The Super-X package is an awesome mix of XT/LX parts thrown together with some nice Easton Carbon Fiber parts. I couldnt have asked for a better ride. One critical note does not have to do with the bike, it has to do with Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz misled me twice in thinking that my bike was shipped twice before it actually was....im guessing this was just bad luck on my part. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quetsch roland
a Downhiller
from Bertrange, Luxembourg
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Schifflange | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | www.ddd-racing.com | | Strengths: | Stifness; Strengt; the ability to make you feel good and fast; beautifull bike | | Weaknesses: | the paint is not that good but it is just paint. The 5th element wasn't fixed correctely to the frame so that I got problems to fix it correctely after 2/3 (and not more )rides because the holes on the swingarm where not round any more. That shoundn't happen on a bike from that pricerange | | Similar Products Used: | 24 dude; switch; rm 6; fx 1; specialised enduro | | Bike Setup: | 5th; Z1FR; SuN single track; XT/LX components; Tioga tires; XT disc; FSA and Azonic components | | Bottom Line: | Go for that bike.
It is really fast on the DH, really good on the Uphill, unbelivebal on the Singltrack, really good controlebal on Drops(3m), excellent on medium distance rides (~30km, a graet fun on the street for manuel, weely, bunnyhop etc, and good on dirtjumps.
Trans Gold looks best and if you get one with a correct fixed 5th you will never want to ride another bike anymore.
It's a bike that will be strong enough for 90% of all the bikers around. If you want more travel go for a Bullit but you will lose the do it all factor.
Have a nice ride | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed
a Cross Country Rider
from ronkonkoma,Ny,usa
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | rocky point | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Frame stiffness, yet very plush.... | | Weaknesses: | front end a little tall, I'm not used to a 4" travel fork, having mostly ridden 3" forks | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz superlight,specialized enduro,cannondale super-v | | Bike Setup: | 2003 heckler with 5th element, marzocchi marathon sl, sram xo, 2003 xtr cranks, crossmax sl discs,r/f dues stem, thom. seat post,xtr discs with xt levers, hutch tires w stan no tubes stuff, 26 and change pounds | | Bottom Line: | I still haven't gotten used to adjusting the 5th, someday I will.bike is extremely smooth over the ruff stuff, I am riding over stuff that my 9.8 hardtail would almost throw me off of.the extra 4 pounds is almost not noticealbe at all on the trail. I would reccomend this bike to ANYBODY......................... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kai Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Menlo Park
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Velotech | | Strengths: | Perfectly neutral handling, eats up rough terrain and drops, doesn't bob even when you stand and hammer, looks clean and mean. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really as far as I'm concerned. | | Bike Setup: | Larger frame, Z1 FR, Raceface DH headset, Truvative DH bottom bracket, Raceface NS crankset, E13 DRS chainguide, Raceface Deus stem, Titec DH bars, ODI lockon w/ Ruffian grips, Titec Berserker DH seat, Thompson seatpost, Mavic 36 spoke 521's with XT disk hubs, XT 6" hydros front and rear, Wierwolf front (2.5) and Maxxis Mofo (2.35) rear tires, Shimano 545 pedals, XT front and rear deraillers. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. I weigh a solid 200 pounds and this bike does it all for me. Admittedly it climbs a little slower than my (retired) Klein hardtail but as long as you keep em spinning it climbs just fine. Technical trails, steeps, singletrack, urban, this bike just feels perfect. The 5th element shock is amazing, it feels bottomless when you need it to be and solid when you are cranking. When corners are loose both wheels break free at the same time.
Went for a 5 hour ride over in Santa Cruz last Sunday and couldn't have asked for a better bike to truck around on.
Thanks Santa Cruz. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LEE
a
from WALES UK
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | climbs really good better than a hardtail off road | | Weaknesses: | It takes to long to arrive once you have ordered it | | Similar Products Used: | none so far | | Bike Setup: | sherman firefly M4 hope front/ hope mini on rear,full XT build kit, easton finishing kit | | Bottom Line: | Reviewed this bike earlier this year after I demo'd it. Now I have got one its the dogs bo**ocks. It climbs really smooth on road and off road where a hardtail will slip it just digs in and grips over any terrain, rocky dowmhill decents, it rides as if you are sat in an armchair. This bike looks the dogs bo**ocks, and it is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Another Bike Shop, Santa Cruz, CA | | Strengths: | Solid, strong, precise, and stable. Goes over anything I want to ride. Good looking too! | | Weaknesses: | Shifter cables do rub on the paint. The stock Hutchinson Python tires that came with it, 26 X 2, aren't up to the bikes capabilities. The handlebar is too wide. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Joshua X0, Fisher Sugar2, Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Basic Deore with Avid Mechanical Brakes. Fox Floar RL and Marzocchi ZR1 FR. I couldn't have afforded the more expensive components. I will be upgrading the tires first. | | Bottom Line: | This is the most I've ever spent on a bike. And so far, it's been worth it. The bike is becoming more fun each ride. It has been taking me some time to get used to the 'tall in the saddle' feeling. And it has much different handling than the Sugar 2 I've been riding 3 years. Not bad, just different. However, it only took my second ride before I was going over rocks and roots that I used to 'snake' around on the short travel Sugar2. Five inches front and rear, not bad at all! After 3 months I still have a big grin while I'm riding it.
It doesn't climb quite as good as my old Sugar2, but it's not bad, and I'm finally getting used to using the front fork ECC and that helps. At least on steep fire road ascents. There's little noticeable bob if you're spinning.
Technical trails and downhills are much more fun with the Heckler. Just pick a line and let the bike go.. It'll eat it up.
So..If you want a light cross country race bike or a mean downhill rig look elsewhere. But if you want a bike that does some of both, and that you can ride all day and have a great time, then give the Heckler a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikos Lynch
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder's Enchanted Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | CycleSport | | Strengths: | 5" travel, no bob, cross country (I did 24 hours of Adrenaline on it) or freeride, sturdy, and well engineered. | | Weaknesses: | "Freeride" kit is a rip off. I coulda just gone basic Deore DX and saved $500, and gotten many of the same parts. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 Heckler, Trek 900. | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element shock (RULES), Freeride kite w/ Northshore RaceFace cranks, Fox Vanilla 125, Intense 2.35 DH tires, 8" Hayes rotors. | | Bottom Line: | I have waited since reciving the bike last year to give a review. I had to allow my collarbone to heal before I could really test it. I did an endurance race with a 5 person team, and found my times coming in slower than my teammates. I did make as many laps as them and the 5" travel took up any jarring bumps along the way.
Lately I have really enjoyed riding technical singletrack, which is really where this bike shines. It will beat hardtails on level, bumpy singletrack, and stomp them on downhill. I will actually beat a lot of guys uphill on bumpy sections. I stopped locking out the fork on uphills, because I forget to unlock it on downhill, but the blowout on the fork works great.
Don't blow your money on the "Freeride" downhill components unless you want a tank. Mine weighs 34#. Maybe upgrade to the RaceFace cranks/BB, but even then I wouldn't want the 170 cranks.
The frame rocks, just pick your components carefully. Santa Cruz back up their products very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.J. Dore
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, Nc
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in pisgah, bennet gap | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1175.00 | | Purchased At: | speedgoat | | Strengths: | This bike handles great. Climbs better then my nrs does which is alot considering it is a single pivot. I am actually faster on the local loops then on my nrs. 5th element is a little confusing to setup but once you do youll no why. i ride hard core east coast single track and this bike loves it, eats up roots, rocks and lets me do drops i couldnt think of on my nrs. Had no problems with 5 th element and do not how i would know if the o ring or seal blow anyone who know what sound it would make let me know. o ya buy this bike | | Weaknesses: | kelvar wires eat the paint up | | Similar Products Used: | nrs but nothing compares | | Bike Setup: | psylo, xt derailurs and shifters, fsa bar, thomoson seatpost, mavic wheels, irc trailbears tires, metalic blue with polished swingarm | | Bottom Line: | awesome bike buy it and youll be a better rider with a kick ass bike cant lower its overall for paint because hell youll scratch sooner or later anyways | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
erik lindquist
a Cross Country Rider
from Corte Madera
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Plush, with no bob.(i should say very little) Handles like a dream. Light in weight condsidering it has all that travel. Climbs great. Decends awesome! | | Weaknesses: | I cant find any yet | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth id, Intense. | | Bike Setup: | It's baciscally the xt set up that comes from santa cruz. The only thing i might up grade is the lx crank set. | | Bottom Line: | I waited 7 months for this thing!!!!! But it was well worth the wait. I've been riding a hard tail for 9 years, so switching to somthing with 5 in of travel was a SUPRISE!! This bike weighed 29lbs with pedals on it. It actually climbs better than my hard tail especailly on shetchy sections with roots, rocks etc... I've only have 4 rides on it. The 5th element and fox fork are an amazing combo!!!! I'm finding myself flying down hill(literally). Santa Cruz has did it again. BY far the best bike for the $$$$$ It's a great all around bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Weekend Warrior
from L.A.
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | San Fernando | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Helen's Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Climbs great, desends great, precise steering, its a solid bike. | | Weaknesses: | After reading all the bad reviews on the 5th Element, I am expecting the shock to break everytime I ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | XL 03' Heckler with 5th Element, Z1fr QR20, SC Freeride Kit, Chris King headset, Thompson stem, 8" roters, XT shifters and Irc trailbear tires | | Bottom Line: | I am extremly happy with this bike, it is true that this bike climbs like nobodys buisiness. I learned real quick that you have to "stay ahead of the bike" on the downhills because I have a broken collar bone to prove it ! This thing is so smooth and handles so well (compared to my old fuel) that you just don't relize how fast you are really going until its too late!! HA. I chose the FR kit and the QR20 because I weight 235 lbs and SC has a good deal on the FR kit. Yeah, it's a little on portly side, but so what, so am I! To me the weight is not even a issue. Even at 235 lbs the bike feels very solid and rigid. This is the perfect bike for me, I do mostly Socal hard trail riding w/ lots of climbing and desending. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from San Fransisco, Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Flameout, Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4100.00 | | Purchased At: | Vision Cyclery | | Strengths: | Extra stiff,great looking polished frame,5th element,great geometry with set up. | | Weaknesses: | It took 5 months to deliver. None so far except for the 5th element blew a seal at 50 miles. | | Similar Products Used: | Klien adept comp. Full XTR with XT cranks. Mavic tubless, Black forks comp,Thompson stem/post, Easton carbon bars. | | Bike Setup: | 5th element,Sherman Breakout forks,Race Face turbine forged cranks,Sun Singletrack rims laced around Hadley hubs,Thompson stem/post,Easton carbon bars,Hayes HD 8" disc with carbon levers,Chris King headset,Yeti hardcore grips,Maxxis Mobsters 2.35, XTR shifters and derailleurs,Salsa skewers,WTB laver V saddle | | Bottom Line: | This bike blazzzzes trails like you would not believe.This thing stays on line and turns on a dime.It's buttery smooth and takes big hits with no kick backs. This bike will make you a better rider for sure. Stiff enough to beat the crap out of this bad ride and not bring it the shop for a tune up every ride. Small bumps are like riding on pavement.Still rides up hill fairly easy for 34 pounds thanks to the 5th element.To sweat to tell you every thing. Get your order in now it may be months to get this frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fast Freddy
a Weekend Warrior
from Springfield, OH
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | www.speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Very Stable, simple pivot design, balnaced. | | Weaknesses: | Weight - nothing else yet.... | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS1, Cannondale Super V1000, Schwinn Homegrown Factory Suspension, etc. | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element, Z1-FR/SL, XT/XTR, Hayes Disc's, King/x3.1 w/ 2.3 Scorpoins, Thomson post/stem, King hset, ATACs, Easton bar, etc | | Bottom Line: | This bike increased my confidence level, it's so stable feeling. It glides down hill with no problems. I've ran 4 different tires on it so far and any of them hook up - the suspension works great for climbing. It is a little heavy - 31 lbs and I really don't have anything heavy on it. BUt it's weight isn't felt while riding (except slightly on climbs).
I'm still as happy as the day I bought it everytime I ride it. I've never had so many pictures of myself with a grin on my face - except on this bike! Got the Trans red front with a polished swing arm - looks great! No issues with Trans Red so far.
I ordered the frameset right before Thanksgiving and had it before the end of January. 9 weeks with atleast three major Holidays inlcuded. Not bad there at all - I expected worse.
3 words to describe it:
Smooth, Inspiring, Balanced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CamStar
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | Montlake Cycle | | Strengths: | Unbelievably stable at speed or slow. Adjustable-travel fork adjusts geometry for climbing or very tight trails. Polished finished (frame & swingarm) are beautiful. Can be set up as a trail bike or freerider. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than a cross-country bike. I've heard the paints are marginal, so I got polished. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing like this | | Bike Setup: | High quality, light spec for weight, but not ridiculous. Romic shock with ti spring, Psylo SL | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding cross-country bikes for 12 years and wanted something bigger that I could drop 3 - 5 feet but still had tight geometry for the twisty NW singletrack. I weigh 180 and ride aggressive singletrack with some stunts and drops.
I put money down on this bike in January and got it in late April. Montlake had one already on order and I got that one, which was supposed to be a 10-day wait but it took 4 months! It was extra tough when my buddy got a Truth in a week. Santa Cruz fixed a recall problem and supply "should" get easier. Montlake kicked major ass dealing with the whole situation and getting me hooked up. Talk to Josh.
This Hecker has been on all the tight stuff and wide-open trails and is incredibly well balanced. With a 5" bike, fit is even more important than a shorter travel, because your weight pitches more. Work with your LBS to get the right stem.
The inexpensive frame/bike makes big upgrades much more affordable than comparable bikes. I've got X.0 and XTR components o'plenty and the finished price was well under $4,000. I even got a "back-up" 5th out of the deal.
The frame is super-burly and sexy. The tubes are giant and stiff and connected by choice CNC bits. There is a little side-to-side flex when you rock the rear tire back and forth, but it's undetectable when riding. I got the Romic shock for the bike over the 5th because 1) everything I read indicated it was a better shock for my riding; 2) I didn't want to become "an accomplished shock tuner"; 3) The standard shock is a half pound lighter + another half pound with ti spring; and 4)it doesn't have a piggyback, so bottle cage no problem. Having ridden it, it bunnyhops very well, which is a necessity with all the log-obstacles around here.
The ride is amazingly refined. My last full-suspension rig was a ProFlex 857, identical pivot point, but shock technology has dramatically improved performance. The Romic is plussshhhh but does not bob at all. If I lock out the fork, stand up and hammer the pedals, the suspension does not move. It's really amazing. I'm running 2.3 tires with room to spare.
It's not a light bike. The only heavy part on the bike is my Time pedals and it weighs 29 pounds (the fork and shock are coils, but light ones). I'd say I don't feel it on the trail, but if it was lighter, I'm sure I'd notice.
This is a really great bike. it gives you incredible confidence in sketchy situations but still turns quickly. I bought the right bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Wood
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skiddaw Circuit | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Extreme Sports | | Strengths: | Simple, reliable and beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | Trans Red paint job is the dogs but boy does it fade. | | Similar Products Used: | None - rigid Pace | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element; Fox Fork; Hope Discs, Headset and Hubs; Race Face Crank; Easton stem, seatpost & bars; XTR shifters & mechs. | | Bottom Line: | This is a sweet, grin inducing bike - an excellent all round cross country steed for those who like it gnarly and/or are a tad on the heavy side.
The geometry is sorted and despite its weight (c 29lbs), it climbs well with the rear wheel tucking in and maintaining traction on rocky climbs. The 5th Element keeps bob to a minimum.
The Heckler descends like a dream; the steering is precise and the suspension buttery smooth.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Beaver Falls
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ninham | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Factory Direct Baby | | Strengths: | The Bike makes me look really good when I am driving around with it on the roof of my car. It makes me feel even better when the rain stops and I get to ride it. It is the sickest piece of machinery that I have ever owned and doesn't have a weakness. | | Weaknesses: | Paint job can fade faster than the looks of a 20 year old hooker. | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS 1 & 1000, Specialized Sworks FSR, C-Dale Super v 1000, My buddy John Holmes Superlight!!!!! | | Bike Setup: | 5th element, Shermann Firefly, Hayes Brakes & hubs, Thompson stem & post, Chris King, XTR everything else & sime big old 2.4 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Climbs better than a suspect with a stolen TV runnin up hill from the cops. I can't say that I have a single complaint about this bike. It's so good lookin that I cruz up and down the turnpike with it on the roof of my car so I can pick up chicks. If it ever stops raining I will get to ride more than the twelve times i have since i got the damn thing.
The bike is a tadd bit on the heavy side which I thought would make it tough to move around, but the geometry is so good that it handles better than an asian prostitute. Cornering and climbing are not an issue with this bike since if found that it excells in both of these areas thus far. Handles great with mid size drop offs(4-5 foot).
Really digs in during climbs. Makes what I used to find were moderately complicated climbs now seem effortless. Descending is even more fun. It can handle some pretty heavy stuff with the 5" & 5th El. rear end. Shock setup is very simple and I found easy to fine tune but check air pressure on every ride.
It has brought my riding to another level. Those p---y cross country riders have nothing on me now. The price tag is moderate for the amount of product that you are getting and it is available in ROOT BEER!!!!
Don't let your friends ride it after you get one because they tend to try to do drop offs and the crash on your brand new bike, and than get up and proceed to do it again.
Right Eddie. But than they go out and order their own. This bike is great for the Freeriders and lost-country guys
BUY THIS BIKE!!!!!! IT'S SICK!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Moser
a Weekend Warrior
from Northridge,CA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim - Moab Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World - Reseda CA | | Strengths: | Great all around bike. Climbs equal to or better than my Cannondale Raven. Decends with the best of bikes.
Balanced, confidence building handling. Light for intended use. | | Weaknesses: | Pivot and rear derailer hanger bolts tend to become loose.
Loctite a must. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT-1, Specialized Enduro, and Turner. | | Bike Setup: | Psylo Race. XT/XTR drivetrain. Easton Bars, seatpost, and tem. Chris King headset. XT disc and hubs. Mavic 317 rims. WTB tires with Stan Notubes system. | | Bottom Line: | Worth every penny and then some. Best all around bike I,ve ridden to date.
I would reccomend this bike to anyone that wants to keep up wth the "Cross Country Weight Counters" on the climbs and leave them in the dust on the downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA-King County
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ACFL Trail System | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1025.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle center | | Strengths: | Lives up to the literature put out by Santa Cruz-fantastic XC trail bike or freeride machine. 5th Element-climbs well and handles well on desents. Great bike for a slow rider like me-very stable. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket could be a tad higher. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC Air, Uzzi SL/SLX and the mongrel ID from Ellsworth | | Bike Setup: | Z-1 FR, 5th Element, RaceFace, CrossMax, Hayes, Thompson/Easton stem, bars and seatpost. Time Z pedals and Intense System 4 Tires | | Bottom Line: | My Heckler does everything that Ellsworth claimed the Id would do only ten times better at less than half the price-the Id was a mutant/freakazoid bike. My SLX was fantastic/an awesome bike-it smoked the Id going up and coming down-it was just too much bike (for me).
The Heckler does exactly what I wanted my last five bikes to do-it rides like the wind. Finding a point of ballance on the Heckler and staying there is easy-no matter what the trail is doing.
The 5th Element and the Z-1 are the perfect set up-they work great together. I would keep the Z-1 if I was younger and had more wind for the climbs.
I'm changing out my Z-1 FR for a Fox Vanilla 125-I'm hoping the 1.5lb difference between the Z-1 and the Fox will help me climb better-next I'll have to shave a few pounds off the rider.
I plan to change the 5th Element's coil to Titainum-that's supposed to shave 1/2 lb. When I get the Ti spring and the Fox Vanilla mounted, the Heckler will be down to 29lbs. At 57 years and 220lbs, I need all the help I can get on the climbs.
I have a dark blue frame with a polished swing arm-the color is awesome and the paint is holding up well.
If you want a good looking well ballanced trail bike-buy the Heckler-it rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee williams
a Cross Country Rider
from Wrexham n.wales U.K.
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed y Brennin | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | solid frame climbs really good also 5 ellement shock | | Weaknesses: | Not anough time to find out | | Bike Setup: | 5th ellement shock shermen fire flys hope m4 XT all round
317 weels hope hubs | | Bottom Line: | The short time i rode this bike i found it climbs like hard tail,where ever you point it goes,you can ride it where you wan't with out triying to pick a smooth line.on loose single track climbs,it just seems to dig in and climb better than a hardtail, i was so impressed i had to buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jekyl
a Weekend Warrior
from knoxville tn
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Haw Ridge & Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 1230 | | Strengths: | rides like a hardtail descends like a dual suspension bike | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | C'dale Jekyll | | Bike Setup: | Psylo front shock 5th element rear (a must) shimano xt group | | Bottom Line: | bought frame and xfered my stuff from my Jekyll over. had to find a shop in NJ on the internet to get one w/o having to wait 6-8weeks. After 5 rides rear shock started to leak oil but sent it to Progressive Monday and had it back Friday. Only had to pay shipping one way.
This bike is the best bike i have ever ridden. the only proof that the shock is working is the occassional hiss and the way my back feels at the end of 20miles. I never used to stand up on the climbs on my Jekyll but now i can climb in a bigger gear. I can actually climb hills i couldn't on the Jekyll. Read the manuel that comes with the 5th element to see how it works and set it up accordingly. I am a 240lb man and i break things on a regular basis. I broke a Raven and a Jekyll in under a year but i can tell this bike won't break. Even with the 5th element on it i got her tricked down to 31lb. I can race it XC or just bang around on it. I just got back from Haw Ridge which is the most abusive singletrack east of the Miss. and i feel great. If you buy one spend the extra 125.00 and add the extra pound to the bike to get the 5th Element. I used to laugh when people said a bike climbs like a hardtail and descends like a downhill bike. This one does and i am laughing all the way home. To Santa Cruz and Progressive all i can say is i thank you and my back thanks you. Keep up the good work. This bike gets 5 stars only because they won't let me give it more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | The Peak | | Strengths: | Strong Stiff, Efficient Peddler, yet Plush | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Stinky | | Bike Setup: | Avids, XT and LX, Z-1 FR | | Bottom Line: | I wiegh 240lb and ride at least twice a weak on various single track / light DH. It climbs great with no bob (or minimal) yet it soaks up small to large bumbs nicely. The frame is very stiff and it handles great. This has turned into a great trail bike for me. I had to get the 450lb spring as the 350, 375/400 were too soft. If you wiegh over 215 go with the 450lb spring. I read the other reviews about the rear end flex and have not experienced anything like that, it is very stiff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Downhiller
from Oaktown, CA usa
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 800.00 | | Strengths: | Seemingly strong frame, lighter weight that my Foes, quick steering, cool gussets up front. | | Weaknesses: | Pivots come loose often, the replaceable dropout bolts loosen without locktite, causing the rear end to be super flexy, and throw off your balance. The frame is a bit flexy, it could use a swinglink. | | Similar Products Used: | Foes Fly | | Bike Setup: | fox 5" fork on front, 6" hayes, etc. | | Bottom Line: | OK, but I think the frame should retail for $600. Good geometery, and handling. More of a heavy duty trailbike than a freeride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyoshi
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ninham | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Awesome Geometry, Welding, Responsiveness, Customer Service. | | Weaknesses: | Paint Finish **(Depending on Color!!)** | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight '02 | | Bike Setup: | '02 Superlight, XT, Mavic 317, Avid Mechanical, Thomson stem & post, Easton EA70 bars, Rock Shox Sid, Specialized Team Control-Team Master Tires. | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks ass! The geometry is slightly different than my superlight due to an easier head tube angle and longer top tube. On jumps and drop-offs, it feels as if it launches you on a better angle which is more forgiving and gives the rider less chance for errors. On the flats, it feels like the bike "squats, digs in and goes" which makes a bike that may be slightly heavier feel very manageable on cross country rides. Totally enjoyable! Definitely order with the Fifth Element Shock.
As for the paint, and being that three of my friends have them in different colors, I have noticed that "some" colors hold up very well and other just fall apart. If you order solid colors like black, forget about maintaining the finish. After one ride, your cables will rub right down to the aluminum. "Trans" colors are more durable. But it's only paint right? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1070.00 | | Strengths: | See Below | | Weaknesses: | Durability Of Finish | | Similar Products Used: | Several | | Bike Setup: | 03 Heckler/03 Psylo SL/Hayes Hydraulic/XT | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from my February submission:
(I ditched the 2002 Duke SL for the 2003 Psylo SL)
I’ve now owned this bike for four months, and had the opportunity to do a variety of rides: singletrack, urban silliness, and all day spins. The more time I spend on this bike, the more I realize I made the right choice! Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. Unless you’re loaded, that’s really all that matters.
Having read the other posted reviews I agree with a few random comments. The Heckler is so dialed that I too feel like I’m “cheating” on the rough stuff. I’m pushing myself much harder than I used to because I actually have control on sections that used to toss me. I also agree that the rear end flexes somewhat, and I have to tighten up the pivot bolts once in a while, but I’m having too much fun to care! When I only have an hour to ride, I seek out flights of stairs and loading docks. On occasion I’ve ridden up the stairs… because I can. It looks (and probably sounds) stupid, but it’s strangely satisfying! I think my arms will break before this frame does. When longer periods of time present themselves we hit the trails. The back ends bobs a little on long, seated climbs… but I could give a rat’s ass because I can go all day with less fatigue. Needless to say The Heckler rails going down. Furthermore, slow, technical, sections are also very manageable.
I weigh 175lbs (read: stout) and I’m still tweaking the Fox AVA. As other reviews have noted there’s a fine line between small bump absorption and bottoming-out on my ride. However, in all honesty, my anal retentive complaints about the suspension performance are petty in the grand scheme of things. As a package deal I’ve never ridden a better bike… it’s a multi-purpose trail monster after all.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Denver Spoke | | Strengths: | Strong
Simple
Beautiful
5th Element | | Weaknesses: | No in-frame bottle cage with 5th element
Not so light with 5th element | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Razor Back Team
Jamis Dakar Pro | | Bike Setup: | 5th Element
Z1 Freeride
Hope Mini
XT/XTR Drive | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Yes I have only ridden it for about 3 months but in that time I have been amazed at how well this bike works. Coming from a XC bike with 3" of travel I was surprized at how efficent this bike is even with 5" of travel. It actually feels more efficent than my old K2 Razorback race bike.
After having a couple of 4 bar and strut linkage bikes I decided on a single pivot for simlicity. I was tired of loose pivots and replacing bushings every 6 months. I knew that I would be giving up some ride quality but after researching the 5th element I decided the benefits of a single pivot with the 5th would outweight those of a linkage design. The Heckler frame is beautiful. The tubes are beefy but light, the welds are clean and the paint job is sweet. (Trans Blue). The rear frame pivot is stiff and strong. Also the replaceble dropout is killer looking and seems like a good idea. Only drawback is that with the 5th element you can not fit in a WB cage inside the frame.
The 5th element shock is amazing. It allows the bike to soak up bumps of all sizes with ease but never feels overly bouncy or inefficient. It has a solid, in control feeling to it. On smooth trails I can not notice any bobbing or unnecessary suspension movement at all. In fact I often find myself purposely hitting bumps just to make sure it is working. Even on my old 3" strut design I could feel some bobbing but not with the 5th. It almost feels like riding on a hardtail except you also don't feel any bumps. Set up is a little tricky but once you get the idea of what is going on you can really dial it in to feel exactly how you like it.
The ride on this thing is truly amazing. I have it set up with a Zoke Z1 FR which matches the rear end very nicely. The wheelbase is a little longer than most XC bikes so you feel very stable at speed but you do give up a little of the technical precision at slower speeds. Climbing is okay but with such a long fork it is hard to keep the front wheel planted on the steep stuff. The Z1 is nice since it has ECC which lowers the front end, this helps keep the front wheel tracking as long as you don't need the suspension while climbing. The rear end stays planted on steep climbs and you can really notice it digging in as well as the lack of any unnecessary movement from the 5th element. Even when standing up there is not a lot of bobbing but seated climbing still works best and if you keep up your speed you can just float over almost anything.
Downhill and single track is where this bike excels. The wheels stay on the ground whether on stutter bumps or huge rocks. The ride is very smooth and confidence inspiring. It is true what people say about getting used to the dead feel of the 5th but once you realize what an improvement it is over any other shock you will love that feeling. Instead of saying it feels dead I would descibe it as controlled. It only moves when it needs to.
I used to ride fast because I liked to ride on the edge and push myself to try new things. Now I can ride faster but I actually feel totally in control. It almost feels like cheating since I can ride so much faster without really trying. Also I can tell that I use my brakes a lot less since I do not feel as much forearm fatigue after a long downhill run.
The price is right on. I was always trying to find a good deal and my bikes were always marginally good but never what I really wanted. Finally I just decided to spend the money and get the best frame I could and then build it up exactly how I wanted. This bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
If you are looking for a beautiful, well built, but efficent trail bike that can handle some seriously nasty terrain (as well as some freeriding) you owe it to yourself to check this bike out. It will make you a better rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Brail Trial | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Santa Cruz Factory | | Strengths: | Very durable/reliable | | Weaknesses: | A little bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1, All XT/Raceface, Hayes Discs | | Bottom Line: | I got this frame as a warrenty replacement from, santa cruz when my old heckler broke, as a result I am in a position to appreciate the increased durability of the 03 heckler. The bike is a little heavy and if you buy it retail, it is kind of expensive, but overall it is well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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