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Submitted by
Craig Pre
a Weekend Warrior
from Sparwood, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Fernie Mountain (all of them) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1499.00 | | Purchased At: | Straightline bikes F | | Strengths: | Good price, can ride anything. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 03Heckler, 05Turner 6pack | | Bike Setup: | Switching to sram drive train, Z1 freeride with eta from 05, new elixir brakes | | Bottom Line: | I had an 03 and loved it but I thought it was time to change it up. So I bought a Turner 6 pack that I loved but I always missed the snappy single pivot heckler so last season I built a cheap hardtail and sold the six pack and saved for a new heckler at the begining of this season. The heckler is the true do it all bike, its snappy, fast and does not steal energy like 4bar or vpp design. For the money I don't think it could get better than this. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RustyUK
a Weekend Warrior
from North of England
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Glentress | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | unbelievably plush, planted feel | | Weaknesses: | price! | | Similar Products Used: | Orange 5, Spesh Enduro, Mongoose Teocali | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Pikes, Fox RP23, XT build, Maxxis High Rollers | | Bottom Line: | Took out a hckler recently at a demo day at my local trail centre, somewhere I ride A LOT. All I can say is that this was without doubt, the most complete ride I have ever experienced. Bike climbs well, handles descents like a dream and gave me more confidence in a couple of hours, than my regular ride, which I have had for the last two years. Saving as we speak........................ | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
catnash
a Weekend Warrior
from Carmarthen
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Brechfa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes Chelte | | Strengths: | Performance, simplicity, geo, handling, maintenece a breeze. | | Weaknesses: | It's cheaper in the States. | | Similar Products Used: | Enduro SL, S-works Enduro 04/06, Gemini, 575 04. | | Bike Setup: | Anno silver small. 09 Talas 36RC2, PushedRP23. XT, Thomson Masterpiece P and X4Stem. Carbon Bar. DT5.1, Scwalbe etc etc. | | Bottom Line: | After a year it just get's better. Started with the 32 Talas but had to succumb to a big fork, that Talas really complements the frame and is light and very strong and plush. I've had the RP23 Pushed and the bike was great before and now its even better. Been through a British summer and the mud room is second to none, no clogging there. I cant notice any flex at all in the rear swing arm and I've had a few strong bikes too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ghostryderflyby
a Cross Country Rider
from Nampa ID, USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The Face and Deer Point @ Shafer Butte | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | George's Cycles | | Strengths: | 140mm of front and 150mm of rear travel, coupled with terrific stability and control. Upright cockpit positioning reduces neck/arm fatigue. Rock solid quality component package. Reinforced frame to handle the big drops and abuse. 2 year warranty and 1 year of free service from George's. | | Weaknesses: | Juicy 3's are finicky on adjustment and like to make a bit of noise if not perfectly adjusted. | | Similar Products Used: | Univega DS 950 & Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc. | | Bike Setup: | Deore AM Complete Package. Rock Shox Recon 351, Fox Float R, Shimano Deore LX front/XT rear, Avid Juicy 3's, TruVativ stem and bars, Kenda Nevegal rubber stuck on Mavic XM 321 rims laced to Shimano M525 LX hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Infinitely rideable and is an absolute blast to ride. Handles all the bumps and twists with aplomb and instills great rider confidence. I find myself riding much harder and aggressively than on any previous bike I've owned, and feel much more confident doing so. The suspension travel is very well controlled, with no rebound, and offers a terrific ride. I find myself far less fatigued on the long bumpy downhills, as I don't have to use my legs and arms to absorb the shock like on previous bikes. You can run right over a large rock, tree root or a parking curb on this thing and barely notice, and landing from a good drop yields no rebound and steady control. Very nimble and easy to dive into hairpin turns as well. I now look for trails I used to avoid and enjoy every minute of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cps
a Weekend Warrior
from Castelldefels, Spain
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with long steep climbs, loads of Singletrack and Fast Downhills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Woodside Biks Shop | | Strengths: | Perfect Geometry for my size (XL fame for 6,2' biker), strong, beautifully built, aggressive looks | | Weaknesses: | Bit on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Prophet | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz R AM built (RockShox Revelation 426, Fox Float R, Avid Juice 5-ers, Sram X7 shifters, Sram X9 RD, Shimano SLX FD, Shimano XT hubs, Truvativ Lowriser handlebar, Truvativ seatpost, MTB seat, Kenda Navegal 26 x 2,35 | | Bottom Line: | This is my first encounter with full suspension bikes so maybe this review is somewhat biassed. The first serious ride was done in the UCSC/Wilder Ranch in the South Bay area, and I guess the bike was made for this trail. The ride was exactly the way I would expect it to be: uphill was a breeze, the singletrack was like driving on a freeway, the technical climbs were easy to do, the downhill very fast and responsive. The rear suspension not even once bottomed out (even though I am 210 lbs). Before I was not a jumper, with this bike I made my first 3 feet drops and it felt like a speedbump. Very recomendable bike for someone looking into a sturdy do it all bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mycisco
a Weekend Warrior
from Novato, California, USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Toads Wild Ride, Boggs, Annadel | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist.org | | Strengths: | Very fast climber. I owned a GT I-drive before, and the heckler blows it away. Solid on the descent. Holds a line well and inspires confidence on jumps. Looks very impressive - makes people want one just by looking at it. | | Weaknesses: | fragile decals, maybe a little heavy (but isn't that what makes the frame stronger, more alloy?) | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive, Specialized, Giant | | Bike Setup: | Sunline stem, Fox Talas 32R, Fox DHX 5.0 air, LX/XT derailers, Juicy 5s, mavic wheelset, Chris King headset, raceface evolve xc crank, WTB velicorapter 2.1s, raceface carbon bars, SRAM PC971 chain, thompson elite post, WTB seat | | Bottom Line: | The Heckler is a great all-mountain bomber. I thought it would slow me down on the climbs compared to my I-Drive, but I shaved over 4 minutes off my Annadel climb and I feel like I can climb even faster. I was pretty maxed out on my I-drive so it has to be the bike - Amazing!!! Downhill this bike really cranks. I can take it over rough spots with ease, jump confidently, and go plenty faster than I could on other bikes. The Fox suspension has been flawless, and smoothes out the rough spots to keep your speed up. Also, this bike just looks right. People see it and really want one (keep it locked up tight!) This bike took my game to the next level. 5 chilis!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
speleo
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, England
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | North West Mountain | | Strengths: | Excellent climber, competent decender, can be built as reasonable weight and very tough XC machine. | | Weaknesses: | Big calves may catch swingarm. Had a couple of main pivot pinch bolts fail in 6 months of regular use. | | Similar Products Used: | Enduro, Mount Vision, Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Pike Air, RP23, XT, 819's | | Bottom Line: | Had an 04 Enduro and was basically looking for a replacement. Heckler climbs even better and descending is a little more lively and fun, probabaly not quite as quick as slightly less stable (higher BB?). Blown away by how good a single pivot can be. If your looking for one bike that is ideally suited to UK riding and can do a week in the Alps, then this should be very high on your list. RP23 is amazing on regular riding but you can blow your way thu the travel quite easily and pinch on bigger suff. Smaller air can would probably be a better idea to make it ramp up a little more, but not tried it. Built it as tough all moutain and got it to 30ibs (XL). Only problems have been 2 pinch bolt heads have snapped off on main pivot. Suspect this is a design issue so I would recommend replacing them with top quality, longer M6 bolts threaded full length. If the heads snap off you can then wind them out from the back with mole grips, otherwise its a nightmare getting the remnants out. Overall, really impressed, amazingly refined do it all single pivot design. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cchandle
a Downhiller
from la selva beach CA United states
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | UCSC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Not a huge weight issue. Can take downhill while still alowing you to ride up hills. Depending on how you set it up, the Heckler can be either a XC bike or a Downhill bike. | | Weaknesses: | A little too heavy for a weight stickler. | | Similar Products Used: | Dont know | | Bike Setup: | Fox 36 Van, 5th element coil shok, juicy 7's, sram xo rear deraillur, shimano xtr front | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike, get it if you want to do stuff that is more on the downhill side of the all mountain category. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
je1028
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas, U.S.
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Barton Creek Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat Bicycles | | Strengths: | Climbing, Cornering, Suspension Travel, low maintenance single pivot suspension design, tough looking bike | | Weaknesses: | Poor paint and decals are not on par with previous Specialized Stumpjumper FSR. I expected more from a top of the line bike manufacturer. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Elite | | Bottom Line: | I read every review on this site about the Heckler before I purchased it 3 months ago. This bike rocks and is the most capable I have ever ridden. I run the Fox Talas 36 R fork and its great for adjusting from 160mm travel down to 130/100mm for climbing. The Heckler handles five ft. drops and laughs. This bike climbs well and descends even better. I was worried about weight and pedal bob coming from my Stumpjumper FSR but It has not been an issue. The Heckler kills the Stumpy. I ride on very rocky terrain and this bike opens the trail in ways I thought were impossible. The Fox rp23 is a great choice for All- Mountain rididng with its propedal function and easy setup. It took a couple of rides to dial it in but once its set up you can forget about it. This bike makes me smile everytime I ride it and it's worth every penny. That is the bottom line. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DK
a Weekend Warrior
from Bloomington, IL USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | From a friend | | Strengths: | Burly frame for a trailbike.
Efficient pedaling for a single pivot.
Easy to maintain.
Fun, fun, fun! | | Weaknesses: | Not carried by any local shops. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT
Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla fork, XT wheelset, brakes, cranks and drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I've had the Heckler built up with beefy, bomb proof components and also ultra light, race components. It is a super fun ride regardless of which way you go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
arfur
a Weekend Warrior
from northumberland, uk
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | cairngorms, scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | simple frame design; strong; extremely versatile. | | Weaknesses: | can't reach back to use the bottle-opener while riding! | | Similar Products Used: | kona dawg; santa cruz superlight; turner 5spot | | Bike Setup: | medium '06 frame, fox rl 125 forks, raceface cranks, hayes brakes, shimano gears, mavic xm117 wheels, panaracer cinders, easton kit. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this frame new and cheap off ebay, it's the sweet liquid blue colour and 18" (i'm 6ft - perfect fit for me with a 90mm stem). Built the bike up in a lightweight (30lbs) allmountain style using a selection of parts from old bikes and new stuff too and, it works!
For a simple, single pivot frame it handles everything with ease and seems to push me into riding harder, longer and faster.
For almost two years now, this heckler has been riden on all sorts of terrain - from fast flat singletrack, trail centre action, to overnight mountain epics and i can honestly say it has not caused me a single problem: no creaks, no cracks, no loose bearings, not even any dents or serious scratches.
I normally swap my bikes after a couple of years, but i can't really think of a good enough excuse to part with this one, the bottom line is - it's a fun, good-looking, reliable, do-it-all frame. Then again, the new '08 heckler looks damn fine! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jhmtb
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Guadalasca/Sullivan Cyn. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Westlake Cyclery | | Strengths: | Built to last, Perfect balance of lightweight and bulletproof durability. Climbs and corners like a XC Racer and bombs the Downhill like it was built for it. Incredibly all around balanced bike! | | Weaknesses: | only thing I could think of is Rear derailleur hanger loosened up twice in 4 years, not really a weekness. | | Similar Products Used: | Enduro, 5.Spot, Maverick, Trek | | Bike Setup: | Maverick Duc, XTR Crank, XO Shifters & der, Avid Juicy 7 brakes, 5th element air & DHX Coil, carbon bars, 517 rims, Kenda Nevegal
| | Bottom Line: | This bike has been bullet proof! Every bike I have owned I have broken the frame & fork. I have raced this bike in a downhill event and XC event in the same day. Depending on the shock, fork and tires you use it can be set up to be a low 26.3 pounds for XC or heavier for trail riding & DH. It climbs & handles like my Fuel 100 did, but yet descends amazingly smooth and stable like a DH bike, the bike just corners like it is on rails at all speeds! It is incredibly forgiving & stable under any circumstances. This bike could be used by just a weekend warrior that likes to cruise on the local trails or the hard-core trail rider that will go for a few DH events during the season just to get the blood going! I did not think it was possible after 28 years of riding, but I believe this may be the best bike ever produced for high durability, low maintenance & with excellent performance & feel during all riding situations! My Heckler is over four years old and performs as good as the day I bought it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
yo
a Downhiller
from Aptos
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anything at UCSC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | yo | | Strengths: | Great climber, fairly good jumper | | Weaknesses: | I find that with a smaller front shock IE 120, it can climb like a beast, and jump good | | Similar Products Used: | Nomad | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Black, 5th element rear, xt | | Bottom Line: | IT is a great bike overall. It started to squeek and it turned ou being the derailer hanger... 4 chillis for that | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hassan
a Cross Country Rider
from malaysia
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | kemensah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4800.00 | | Purchased At: | ksh,ttdi | | Strengths: | built quality,single pivot teccnology,various built up options. | | Weaknesses: | none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | merida am 800,jamis parker 1,norco six two | | Bike Setup: | rp23,fox vanilla 32,xt brakes,xtr groupset,kcnc seatpost,mcmahone headset,sunline v-one stem & riser bars,odi grips,wtb pure v sddle,syncos ds 23 with novotec hubs & wtb moto raptor 2.4 tyres,wellgo pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Decided on the heckler after detailed research.others considered were superlight ,turner & yeti. never regretted on the decision.very good performace as an allrounder though mine is built up as a x-country.glad that i chose the rp23 instead of the dhx air.a very good climber & superb downhiller. i could ride faster overall !by the way im 54 & have just started riding for 6 months.should have started much earlier ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Forest of Dean, UK.
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed y Brenin, N Wales. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisur Lakes, Cheltenham. | | Strengths: | Great all round bike, for the rider that wants to do a bit of everything! 08 frame looks fantastic. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Orange Patriot XCEL, Cannondale Prophet. | | Bike Setup: | 08 XL Frame with Fox RP23.
Fox Talas 36 R.
Hope Pro 2 on DT Swiss EX 5.1 rims.
Hope Mono M4 brakes.
Hope headset.
Thompson stem and seat post.
XT components.
30.5lbs without pedals!! | | Bottom Line: | Only had this bike for a few months, but am really pleased with its performance. I built it relitively strong, but even so it came in at sub 31lbs. Being just over 6ft 2" tall, I was on the border line of a large and XL frame. I chose the XL, and run it with a 90mm stem, which works great.
I initially built the bike with Pike's, but changed to the Fox 36's which is what I had on my Patriot.The 160mm fork gives the bike a more all mountain feel, and relaxes the head angle by about 3/4 degree.
I would class myself as an "all mountain" rider who likes to do a bit of everything, from long XC type rides to messing about on jumps, drops etc, and this bike is perfect. The single pivot and Fox RP23 works an absolute treat on the climbs.
For the rider that wants a good all rounder, that looks great, definately try out the new SC Heckler.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Forest of Dean, UK.
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed y Brenin, N Wales. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisur Lakes, Cheltenham. | | Strengths: | Great all round bike, for the rider that wants to do a bit of everything! 08 frame looks fantastic. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Orange Patriot XCEL, Cannondale Prophet. | | Bike Setup: | 08 XL Frame with Fox RP23.
Fox Talas 36 R.
Hope Pro 2 on DT Swiss EX 5.1 rims.
Hope Mono M4 brakes.
Hope headset.
Thompson stem and seat post.
XT components.
30.5lbs without pedals!! | | Bottom Line: | Only had this bike for a few months, but am really pleased with its performance. I built it relitively strong, but even so it came in at sub 31lbs. Being just over 6ft 2" tall, I was on the border line of a large and XL frame. I chose the XL, and run it with a 90mm stem, which works great.
I initially built the bike with Pike's, but changed to the Fox 36's which is what I had on my Patriot.The 160mm fork gives the bike a more all mountain feel, and relaxes the head angle by about 3/4 degree.
I would class myself as an "all mountain" rider who likes to do a bit of everything, from long XC type rides to messing about on jumps, drops etc, and this bike is perfect. The single pivot and Fox RP23 works an absolute treat on the climbs.
For the rider that wants a good all rounder that looks great, definately try out the new SC Heckler.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie Clark
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Primo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Garage | | Strengths: | For the 08 frame: well built, bomber frame, and is lighter and stiffer than my previous 02 Heckler | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Heckler, Slayer, intense 66, tranisition covert, yeti 575 | | Bike Setup: | Marz 55eta, Fox rp23, all 08 XT drivetrain and brakes, Easton Havoc wheels with 2.35 minions f/r, Easton monkey light bars, Thomson stem and seatpost.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2432527643_73220cc43a_o.jpg | | Bottom Line: | This bike loves to go fast downhill and take to the air. It climbs with less effort and accelerates faster than my last 02 Heckler- this may be somewhat due to lighter wheels and bike. Complete bike weighs 31.3 pounds which is quite good for a bomb proof 160mmF/150mmR suspension bike. The wheelbase is 1" longer and bb is about 3/4" inch higher than my 02 Heckler, which changes the handling a little. The longer wheelbase could be shortened and steering sharpened slightly with a 140mm fork (my Marz 55eta is 160mm), but I'm happy with it's current handling. Using the eta feature on the fork to shorten travel length is key for good climbing ability. If you're thinking about this bike and will be climbing a lot, get a fork that has an on-the-fly travel reduction feature.
For 07/08, Santa Cruz really improved upon the last version of Heckler with newer hydro-formed tubes (lighter and stiffer), and an improved main pivot with better bearings=longer life span and stiffer.
Regarding the previous posters that had problems. I think they are an extremely small minority. I put 5.5 solid seasons of extremely hard riding (xc, dirt jumping, and hard downhilling) on my last Heckler and the frame never complained once. On top of regular maintenance, I also overhualed my bike twice a year and only replaced the main pivot bearings 2 times in those 5.5 years. I don't know anyone who can make the same claim about ease and cost of maintenance for their frames! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie Clark
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Primo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Garage | | Strengths: | For the 08 frame: well built, bomber frame, and is lighter and stiffer than my previous 02 Heckler | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Heckler, Slayer, intense 66, tranisition covert, yeti 575 | | Bike Setup: | Marz 55eta, Fox rp23, all 08 XT drivetrain and brakes, Easton Havoc wheels with 2.35 minions f/r, Easton monkey light bars, Thomson stem and seatpost.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2432527643_73220cc43a_o.jpg | | Bottom Line: | This bike loves to go fast downhill and take to the air. It climbs with less effort and accelerates faster than my last 02 Heckler- this may be somewhat due to lighter wheels and bike. Complete bike weighs 31.3 pounds which is quite good for a bomb proof 160mmF/150mmR suspension bike. The wheelbase is 1" longer and bb is about 3/4" inch higher than my 02 Heckler, which changes the handling a little. The longer wheelbase could be shortened and steering sharpened slightly with a 140mm fork (my Marz 55eta is 160mm), but I'm happy with it's current handling. Using the eta feature on the fork to shorten travel length is key for good climbing ability. If you're thinking about this bike and will be climbing a lot, get a fork that has an on-the-fly travel reduction feature.
For 07/08, Santa Cruz really improved upon the last version of Heckler with newer hydro-formed tubes (lighter and stiffer), and an improved main pivot with better bearings=longer life span and stiffer.
Regarding the previous posters that had problems. I think they are an extremely small minority. I put 5.5 solid seasons of extremely hard riding (xc, dirt jumping, and hard downhilling) on my last Heckler and the frame never complained once. On top of regular maintenance, I also overhualed my bike twice a year and only replaced the main pivot bearings 2 times in those 5.5 years. I don't know anyone who can make the same claim about ease and cost of maintenance for their frames! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie Clark
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Primo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Garage | | Strengths: | For the 08 frame: well built, bomber frame, and is lighter and stiffer than my previous 02 Heckler | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Heckler, Slayer, intense 66, tranisition covert, yeti 575 | | Bike Setup: | Marz 55eta, Fox rp23, all 08 XT drivetrain and brakes, Easton Havoc wheels with 2.35 minions f/r, Easton monkey light bars, Thomson stem and seatpost.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2432527643_73220cc43a_o.jpg | | Bottom Line: | This bike loves to go fast downhill and take to the air. It climbs with less effort and accelerates faster than my last 02 Heckler- this may be somewhat due to lighter wheels and bike. Complete bike weighs 31.3 pounds which is quite good for a bomb proof 160mmF/150mmR suspension bike. The wheelbase is 1" longer and bb is about 3/4" inch higher than my 02 Heckler, which changes the handling a little. The longer wheelbase could be shortened and steering sharpened slightly with a 140mm fork (my Marz 55eta is 160mm), but I'm happy with it's current handling. Using the eta feature on the fork to shorten travel length is key for good climbing ability. If you're thinking about this bike and will be climbing a lot, get a fork that has an on-the-fly travel reduction feature.
For 07/08, Santa Cruz really improved upon the last version of Heckler with newer hydro-formed tubes (lighter and stiffer), and an improved main pivot with better bearings=longer life span and stiffer.
Regarding the previous posters that had problems. I think they are an extremely small minority. I put 5.5 solid seasons of extremely hard riding (xc, dirt jumping, and hard downhilling) on my last Heckler and the frame never complained once. On top of regular maintenance, I also overhualed my bike twice a year and only replaced the main pivot bearings 2 times in those 5.5 years. I don't know anyone who can make the same claim about ease and cost of maintenance for their frames! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RiderInOC
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange, CA.
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Strengths: | Well balanced. Good climber. Smooth transitions. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 03 Santa Cruz Heckler, GT I-drive, Mongoose | | Bike Setup: | Pike 454 forks, Fox DHX 5.0 coil, XT drivetrain, Mavic 819's with Hope Pro II hubs, Thomson seat post/stem. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a beast. It's light enough to knock out a fast and fun cross country ride and beefy enough to take jumps and downhills. The bike responds well in all conditions. From climbing up long steep hills to bombing downhills, the set up and geometry of this bike is solid. Once dialed in, the bike performs like a champ. I would recommend test riding and/or purchasing a Heckler. Good stuff! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from Provo
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Perfect mix of lightweight and bombproof durability. Climbs like a mountain goat, floats down the descents and corners like it's riding on rails. I love the simplicity of the single pivot. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | 07 Kona Dawg Dee-lux, 08 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro, 08 Gary Fisher HiFi pro 29, 06 Specialized Epic, | | Bike Setup: | 08 XT components including new brakes (very sweet). 32 TALAS/RP23. Thompson/Raceface cockpit. Easton Havoc wheelset. Chris King Headset. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Nothing I have ridden has come so close to really living up to the "All Mountain" name. The geometry is perfect for all day epics that include very technical sections and steep chutes. I was riding an 07 Kona Dawg that I loved, but the difference is huge as far as capability goes. I have mine built up pretty light (29 lbs for a large), but it still eats up descents like they're nothing. Colorado Cyclist did an exceptional job on the build and their customer service is top notch, they built it to my specs and had it shipped to me in less than a week. All this and it was the cheapest full XT, serious all mountain bike I could find! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from North Van
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great all round bike which can be built light or heavy depending on it's use... | | Weaknesses: | The bloody rear pivot mount | | Similar Products Used: | Norco, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi FR ETA, 5th coil-over, XT/XTR, etc. | | Bottom Line: | After having bought the frame in 2004, replacing the rear triangle in 2006, the rear shock pivot holes have ovalized
AGAIN!!! This is after I bought a torque wrench and kept everything torqued right to spec. I refuse to purchase another rear triangle. I also find it interesting that the latest itteration has a totally different way of attaching the rear pivot point. I'm going to find a new frame, transfer the parts, then beat the frame flat with a sledgehammer!
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