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Submitted by
hora horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Singletrack of Death, Morzine France | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Solid feeling, no flex, smooth, relatively light for what it is capable of (in the right hands) | | Weaknesses: | The 5th coil: Rebound blew 8miles into my first ride. Bikeshop said I shouldnt have messed with the settings - What? I changed the rebound mid-ride to achieve a smoother rebound and it blew. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth ID, Specialist, Rocky Mountain; Vertex, Instinct, RM9, Giant AXTF890, Yeti ASX etc etc | | Bike Setup: | Rootbeer brown: Ti spring, Chris King wheels, Chris King headset, raceface chainset, Ultegra rear mech, carbon bars, Thomson front and back, Hayes hydros, | | Bottom Line: | Change the forks and you have a lightweight XC bike or a freeride machine. When looking to buy I came across an american bike mag with an article on the new Ellsworth moment (I was about to buy this frame) "The Ellsworth Moment in our opinion is up there with the Heckler as the all time all round great". I test rode a Heckler promptly and loved it.
I truely beleive that this bike can do anything- I want to buy a hardtail for XC riding but it doesn't make sense when I think rationally, the Heckler is there.
One down-point, after the Anodised Ellsworths......the Heckler paint does scratch very easily | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Buczyk
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | wherever the bike leaves the ground. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | United Cycle | | Strengths: | Pick one. | | Weaknesses: | hmmmm.... no. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis, rocky mountain, specialized, kona and norco all mountain rigs | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Sherman Firefly, D3.1 rims laced to Chris King hubs, Hope C2 8" front brake and rear 6" mini, XT cranks, Weyless Mag pedals/Time ATAC clipless, XTR drivetrain, Continental 2.3 Tubeless tires, Thompson post, EA70 bars/stem. | | Bottom Line: | This bike does it all. It flies off junk, it flies up junk and it can go on those most epic of rides. My Heckler weighs in at 32 pounds and it keeps pace with all my cross country buddies when i ride with them. If they beat me on a climb they know in the back of their mind that ill be tearing past them on the descent. Bike itself climbs like a goat too, I can run a pretty low pressure in my 5th coil to improve bump sensitivity, and with a little tinkering with that horribly complicated shock your ride is much more efficient in the rough stuff and keeps the power to the ground as well. I wouldnt think of getting another shock besides the 5th ele on here, its feel is amazing and the amount of adjustment compliments the Hecklers versatility. Ive been up Whistler a few times now and am doing the 24 hours of adrenaline on this bike, with the same setup both ways. I own both a full face and a XC helmet for this bike. I think that says it all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Claire
a Cross Country Rider
from Sitka, AK
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Annadale park, CA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 1300 (complete bike) | | Strengths: | Eats up anything. Great geometry for a small person. I could ride this bike all day. | | Weaknesses: | Fork too stiff for my 115lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale M60 rigid | | Bike Setup: | Chris King hubs, Mavic rims, Hayes disc brakes, Rock Shock Judy fork, Fox vanilla shock, Deore most everything else. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. Rugged enough for any trail, but flies uphill with no problem. I never would've believed that such a heavy bike could be so easy to pedal. My boyfried bought a Superlight at the same time I got this, and he's kicking himself now. I've upgraded a couple things since I got it (wheels, brakes) and there are a couple more that I plan to change in the future (shock, fork, headset), but I could happily live with this bike for the next 10 years. The new Heckler version doesn't even tempt me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World | | Strengths: | Tough bike. My first full suspension, and it has not let me down. It climbs just as good or better than my old hardtail and is a much more comfortable ride. A joy to ride. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | XT everything. Manitou Mars Super fork, fox vanilla rear shock. Mavic 517 rims. Avid rim brakes. | | Bottom Line: | A great frame if you are a person that rides both cross country but wants to be able to handle rough sections. A very enjoyable ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cat Stevens
a Cross Country Rider
from Latrobe
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Laurel Highlands | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr classified | | Strengths: | The Heckler can take anything and take it well... agile enough to flow through rock gardens and over log piles, but beefy enough take drops and pounding terrain. Great on technical climbs, but also enjoyable on long, smooth rides. If your looking for a top flite all around bike you will not regret purchasing a Heckler | | Weaknesses: | No replacable hanger - stripped threads last week - the bike is at the welder being re-tapped. | | Bike Setup: | Built up the frame myself - used a lot of Deore parts because a man should be able to peddle a few extra grams while saving a bunch of cash. XTR parts are for people with too much money - you've been had if convinced to trick out your bike in XTR comp.
Manitou dual crown and Fox Rear Shock | | Bottom Line: | My Heckler has been mashed, bashed, crashed, hurled, torqued, and still rides like a champ. If you like to ride XC, but hit a knarly technical run when the opportunity presents it self - the Heckler is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike willis
a Weekend Warrior
from sacramento, ca,usa
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$355.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | balanced. stiff. fun. | | Weaknesses: | i didn't buy one earlier. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '99 in green w/ fox r, 100mm z.1 x-fly, sun mammoths on hugi discs, avid mechs, northshore 175s | | Bottom Line: | i had no idea. the last full suspension bike i had was a '92 rob role proflex with a mag 21. i've been hardtailing it ever since. friday night i built her and saturday i took her to foresthill and YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA! climbing, both in and out of the saddle, was no prob. she just ate it up. things i useta have to pick lines through just disappeared. and going down, oh man. aside from missing the gate and having to climb back up the road to the car with no water and 100 degree heat, it was the funnest ride i've ever had. seriously. it was a God praising kinda day. if you have never ridden suspended, please do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Damn strong. Big, fat tubes. Nice welds+polished aluminum is an eye catcher. It caught mine! | | Weaknesses: | F*&# OFF! | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Judy XLC 100 dual crown, 2003 RC Vanilla w/400# spring, Avid MAG V brakes/levers, Rhynolites w/XT hubs and 2mm SS spokes, Kore bar/stem, C2 headset, Strongarm cranks, STX 7-speed (that's right!) r derailleur, Fire XC Pro 2.1 Tires, DK Iron-Cross peds. All at exactly 31 lbs! (I'm a little proud cause I built it myself.) | | Bottom Line: | I received the rear shock w/the frame. If you like to beat the living crap out of your bike, this frame kicks back just as hard. I'm up to a solid 4 foot drop without a problem. The weight is not an issue for me because it is pretty well-balanced. The design is ingeniusly simple. Very comfortable. Imagine what the 03' is like? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rocket
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, light, reliable, looks good, great handling | | Weaknesses: | can only afford one. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | the usual stuff + fox float RL and Manitou Black super airs. | | Bottom Line: | The Heckler is a fantastic bike that has withstood the test of time and my penchant for new and better things. I just keep updating the other bits around the frame and keep on riding. Love it. Would love another one to make one into a freeride rig and keep my current XC set up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge, Flatland, UK
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Glentress Black | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Off Camber, Dorset | | Strengths: | Climbs like a goat, goes down like a 2-bit wh0re
Doesn't weigh too much and is as hard as nails. | | Weaknesses: | Ugly bolts on the pivot axle.
Access to front-mech adjusters is a pain.
I did';t get one earlier! | | Similar Products Used: | Voodoo Bantu (now fully rigid singlespeed)
Scott Octane. | | Bike Setup: | med '00 black Heckler frame. Fox Vanilla shock, Z1 forks. Goldtec XC disc hubs on mavic f519 with Spesh Enduro Pro tyres. Middleburn splined RS8 cranks, FSA splined BB. XT mechs, Hope C2 brakes. Titec Beserker saddle, Race face post, Titec hell-bent bars. the list goes on... | | Bottom Line: | Bought the frame second-hand, unseen and unridden on reputation alone. Best desicion I ever made (but don't tell my wife) I spent 6 years gradually upgrading my old Voodoo, eventually I had to change the Frame. The Heckler suits my riding style to a tee. Capable of mammoth mountain climbs and bombing the descents. I have as much style as a brick, but this bike forgives me every time. The med is smaller than recomended for me (I'm 6'1") so it handles like a bmx, without being at all cramped. I love it to bits and would only replace it for a new-style Heckler with a 5th element shock.
The original Freeride bike. Everyone who actually rides mountains should get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock4 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$535.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | stiff, tracks well, simple design | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | giant nrs | | Bike Setup: | '00 heckler frame (large), fox float rc, sid 100, xt/raceface, xt/mavic, avid arch rival | | Bottom Line: | i just got this frame the other day, from ebay, and i love it. it climbs better than my hardtail, and has a smoother suspension than my jeep. i think the weight is fine (i'm coming from a 30lb hardtail). my large frame weighed in at 27.5lb. the best thing about it is, i don't have to look for a good line anymore; just have to keep pedaling. it made the roughest trail in town feel like the smoothest. i found myself looking for big rocks and roots to ride over. i definitely recommend getting one if you have the chance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Glasheen
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jesusita | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Good looking workhorse | | Weaknesses: | SWINGARM CRACKAGE, TWICE, SAME SPOT-swingarm weld just forward of the right dropout. | | Similar Products Used: | mostly hardtails, Kona Stab | | Bike Setup: | Z1 Bomber, Fox Vanilla R, Raceface & King everything | | Bottom Line: | I wrote a glowing review in May of '99. I still love the bike but I would be concerned about the swingarm weld cracking incidents. I've broken it for the second time in a year now. I have the polished version of the swingarm and I wonder if the polishing takes too much material away from that weld. I'm contacting Santacruz about the second break today, I hope that one year warranty applies to the replacement swingarm, it's only been on there for about ten months. I will by another santacruz if they stand by their product. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald McMurray
a Racer
from Monterey, CA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Sea Otter | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | LBC | | Strengths: | Stiff, strong, tracks a line | | Weaknesses: | Maybe a bit heavy to race stock. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Line, SC Superlight, Trek Fuel 100 etc | | Bike Setup: | Heckler with Fox RC w/ lockout (this is the way to go for XC), SID 100, SRAM 9.0 SL, Race Face cranks | | Bottom Line: | I went for the Heckler with the air shock because I was slightly heavier than the 200# limit that SC initally set on the Superlight. (it is now 225#). Of couse the bike is a bit heavier than the SL but it is also quite a bit stiffer. The bike tracks a line better than anything that I have ever ridden and I never feel that the frame is the limiting factor in technical sections or big jumps. I wrestle with the weight issue being a XC racer but the tradeoff is a good one given my Clydesdale Status, the bikes performance and durability. I am considering a move to the Foes XC but I will defintely be losing some plushness and travel for the XC specific design. I do have another freeride rig already so I guess I can still get my jollies. Bottom line is that this the best value on the market!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Dibley
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester, Hampshire, England
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Skid Marks, Mammoth Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Peter Hansford Cycles | | Strengths: | Smooth, rigid and strong. Relatively light and rides like a dream. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing, except the bridge on the seat stays. Why is there such little mud clearance. I have to get an upgrade to install a 2.25 tire. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR. Four bar linkage is more active but does not climb nearly as well and is not as stiff. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 MCR's, 9.0sl shifters, R mech, cassette and chain. XTR F mech, XT hollowtech cranks and BB. Mavic rims on sealed cartridge hubs attatched to Formula B4 discs. Syncros stem, Specialized bars, X-Lite post, Giro Nisene saddle. GEAX tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is by far the best bike i've had. My FSR Elite was very good, but does not compare to my Santa Cruz. It's 30.9lbs with a sturdy freeride setup, so it's light, but strong enough to do some dirt jumping. I have the last Heckler I could find in the UK. I didn't want a superlight because i was scared of breakage. It is fully pollished and looks great. A 20inch frame is large enough for me at six foot for XC, but has loads of standover height. It rides uphill as well as it does down. I'm gonna get another bike for jumping so I can buy a Superlight as my next bike. That's if I ever get fed up with my Heckler. I doubt that. It gets a 10 out of 5 in my eyes.
Weekend warriors apply here. Light downhillers apply here as should hardcore trail riders as myself. If you're a wieght freak then go for the superlight (u have to now anyway, 'cos they don't make the heckler anymore). If you have a rep for breaking bikes and enjoy riding more than you do looking at your bike and throwing money at it, get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miles
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Second hand | | Strengths: | Looks sleek (black main with white swingarm), the ride (makes me smile just thinking about riding it,other heckler owners will know what i mean), heaps of standover height even in 20in frame. | | Weaknesses: | Could do with a bit more travel, say 5 inches but you can't have everything :)
Not made anymore :( | | Similar Products Used: | Giant atx970 FS (cracked the chainstay after 3 years. nice ride but a world below the heckler) | | Bike Setup: | Heckler (duh!), Z1 MCR's, Avid brakes, titec bits with XT/STX RC grouppo mix, Azonic bars, big tires, SDG seat | | Bottom Line: | It rides like a dream, seems to pick my line for me and makes me smile every time i ride it. I wanted a Heckler for about 1 1/2 years and i finally saw a frame with some parts for a great price (Was a 20inch frame too, fits 6'3 me perfectly . Bought it and haven't regreted it. The thing rides uphill pretty well for ~30lbs, and when it comes to the downs oh man...
Being able to speed wheelie throught ANY rock garden, ditch or ugly chute is very cool. Singletrack manners are outstanding. Line choice is wherever you want to go. Launches jumps quite happily too. Never thought that a bike with 4 inches could feel SO smooth even from 5-6ft drops. I really can't imagine a better package. Overall everything i wanted in a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Good climber. Very stable on the downhills, it seems like it has more travel than it really does. Short wheelbase is excellent for technical stuff and jumping. | | Weaknesses: | Paint Chips, and I think I may be ovalizing the head tube. The bottom bracket seems to flex a lot. | | Bike Setup: | Setup mostly for freeride. Fox Vanilla RC, 5" Marzocchi Z1CR, Rhyno lites, 80mm stem, Easton DH bars. Mostly XT stuff. | | Bottom Line: | Santa Cruz stopped making them so this is pretty irrelevent but this bike is awesome. I abuse it regularly, as you can see here http://gallery.consumerreview.com/mtbr/gallery/files/nacnac.asp and it seems to be holding up well. If you want a plush ride get a Vanilla RC on the back. The single pivot rarely needs attention and never lets you down. Buy one if you can find it used and in good condition. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Helly
a Weekend Warrior
from Northumberland, England
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Peebles mast/ridge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$935.00 | | Strengths: | Versatility, build quality, simplicity with performance. | | Weaknesses: | Bearings and bushings dont quite last forever in the mud. Lack of replaceable hanger. | | Similar Products Used: | Marins, Proflex, FSR | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1, Hope pro, 521's | | Bottom Line: | In it's current heavy duty set-up the bike is well balanced and can be taken out on epic technical rides and will leave you with enough energy to throw it down a rock strewn descent at the end leaving your hardtail companions spitting dirt. It is not a downhill bike by todays standards but benefits from being a good climber and fairly nimble on the twisty stuff.
I love it and wouldn't consider anything else at present. If you ride in bad conditions the rear shock bushing will wear with time. Replace it quickly before the axle becomes damaged. As for the pivot bearings mine lasted for two years of muddy abuse whilst friends bikes were consistently failing. I have'nt managed to bend the rear hanger either but a replaceable one would give more piece of mind.
Top-tip. Rig up a seat QR using the original collar and an old brake booster spacer. Pass a QR lever through the spacer and thread it in. Great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Davies
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena, Calif.
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | They're all good | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$869.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Bikes of Arcadia (now Helens Bikes) | | Strengths: | Efficient climber (very little bob, except when you get out of the saddle and mash)
Stable downhiller
Solidly built
Low maintenance | | Weaknesses: | No replaceable hanger
Decals rub off | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Atom Bomb (upgrading to Z2 X-Fly), Vanilla Float RC w/lockout, Chris King headset, Icon stem, Easton Monkey Lite bars, EA70 post, Lola seat, Avid Arch Rivals, XT drive train, Time ATAC Carbons, Sun Rhyno Lite/WTB wheels, Panaracer Fire XCs | | Bottom Line: | I've been having a blast on my Heckler for over a year now, but I've really come to appreciate it more in the last few weeks since I started riding a hardtail again. I guess I'd started taking the Heckler's solid, predictable tracking for granted. Not any more!
The hardtail has the edge in climbing, but not by as much as you might think because the Heckler's suspension does such a good job of keeping the rear wheel firmly planted on the ground.
In short, the hardtail will (hopefully) make me a better rider, but the Heckler makes me think I already am a better rider.
As for value, I can't say a bad word there since I got a great deal from a shop that was in the process of changing hands. They upgraded the shock and built up the bike with my parts for less than the retail price of the frame.
Too bad SC stopped making them. Long live the Superlight!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Weekend Warrior
from scottsdale, az. usa
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | trail 100, south mountain, flagstaff | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | rage cycles | | Strengths: | strong,no maintance,looks good,fox vanilla r rocks | | Weaknesses: | none yet, but maybe no deraileur hanger | | Bike Setup: | syncros/517 wheelset,easton carbon riser, thompson s/p, raceface stem, and ti bb, chris king headset, xt drivetrain, z1 5" bomber, irc tires, | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks, fast, fun, and climbs better than you would exspect, and it only weighs 27#'s | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Guaje Cannyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | D.O.M.E. | | Strengths: | Stiff, strong and Plush. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips and no replacable deralier haner. (bent miine bad one the third ride...) | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | Profile carbon rise bar
Sram half pipe shifters
Z.1 Droop off
Fox vinila
Race face NSX cranks
Huggi hubs w/ rhino lite rims
Xt&Xtr for the rest | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks!
It weghts in at about 30 pounds so it is a tad on the hefty side but you could build it up around 25 or so for cross country use. It climbs as good as can be expected for a 30 pound bike, the only weekness of the single pivot is square edge bumbs tend to stop the peddls in the granny ring. Other than that it works great. Hardly any bob unless you really try to make it. And when you finaly get to the top and it's time to come back down just let it go and the suspension will eat up most anything in it's path. It took me a few runs to get used to not having to slow down and finess the bike as much as I used to have to. But once you get used to the bike and trust the suspension it is a blast on the trail.
If you want an x-c racer go for the super lite, but if you are after an all around trail bike that wont kill you on the climbs and rip on the decents then I would recomend the Heckler. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riccardo Stefani
a Weekend Warrior
from Mondovi'
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything puddly and steep | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Becchis, Cuneo-ITALY | | Strengths: | super-duper solid, easy to replace bearing (if ever needed...) cool looking in the s-m sizes (my opinion) | | Weaknesses: | let's see....so far...can't think of anything, maybe a little bobbing on hard climbs, easily fixed by adopting an RC rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, superlight, schwinn 4 banger, titus loco-moto | | Bike Setup: | float r, x-vert super, hayes disc brakes (awesome!)sram 9sl, mavic 317 rims, hugi disc hubs, thompson seat post, tioga tires. | | Bottom Line: | a real allaround performer, stable on tricky singletracks, easy to toss around hairpins, and a blast downhill!!
I suggest a froride handlebar to better extract the juice of such a frame.
good thing its being fazed-off, (superlight will be the only choice) it's about to become a collector's bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Watershed, Avalon, Whitetail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | SpeedGoat.com | | Strengths: | Well made, nice powder coated finish, Strong, High bottom bracket, Best 4” travel bike made. | | Weaknesses: | no longer being made | | Similar Products Used: | AEON ISIS, Titus Loco Motion, Intense Uzzi SL | | Bike Setup: | 5" Zokki Jr T, Hope Discs, XT, RF cranks, Velocity/hope wheels. | | Bottom Line: | I spent a long time testing all the above listed bikes as well as all the Specialized, GT, Cannondales, Kleins I could find. I decided on the Heckler because of feel. It was simple, plush, durable, and looked cool. I think it is worth a look if your shopping for a nice 4" travel bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Novato, CA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Downyveille - Butcher to 3rd Divide to 1 Divide | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Plush, Plush and more Plush. Super strong cause I ride hard and it takes it! | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR and Proflex 756. | | Bike Setup: | I have got mine set up with Hope Downhill O4 Disc Brakes, Majority Shimano XT Components, Bontrager Valiant Rims, Hope Bulb Hubs, and WTB Moto Raptor Tires 2.4 FreeRide. | | Bottom Line: | This bike ROCKS! To me its the best I have ever ridden. No design flaws! Most bikes flaw in these categories - Heavy, Improper design - example cannot ride cross country and steep downhill because seatpost cannot be lower completely because it would hit shock ***Specialized FSR***, Feels cheap (Proflex).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
canadian's kickas$
a Weekend Warrior
from British Columbia
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pulmonary | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Well built frame.(Supposedly invincible) Single pivot allows for easy maintenince. Stiff as heck. 3 year warrentee. Nice feel for hucking. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. But who cares. Screws holding pivot bolt in place fell out. That could kill you. Not plush enough. Doesn't obsorb big hits. Especially over 5 feet. 7" and up is harsh. Oh ya. I broke the frame. Who said that Santa Cruz's never break. Im lucky I noticed that the top tube was cracked before I did somthing big. It broke on the stress point. | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky. Stinky 5. Stinky Dee-Lux. RM6. Bullit. Joker.
and many others. They all felt nicer. Not all are stronger though. | | Bike Setup: | X-Vert R on front.(This broke as well) Roox Bar and Stem.(buy these) Ring guard. LX Drivetrain. Race Face Turbine Cranks(also broke) Mammoth and D521 rims wrapped with Jr. Gaz. and Kujo. Axiom Flat Bed Pedals(buy these)
| | Bottom Line: | This bike ride super nice if you build it up high end. With wicked components this bike is ausome. Just make sure its built up nicer than mine. And dont beat the sh*t out of it. It rides horrible after being frequently riden and jumped hard. If your an extreme rider buy a bike made for extreme riding. To heavy for XC riders. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua Atkinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Casper,WY USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Edge of the World | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | No chinsey thinwall tubes here! All the tubes are pretty beefy,but the entire frame really isn't that heavy. Good average weight for true trail riding. The Heckler controls like a laser on tight twisty singletrack and descends exceptionally well at high speeds. When it comes to climbing, the bike does quite well. I think weight is a bigger factor on the climbs than suspension movement is. My frame is built up with mostly XT components and heavy WTB tires, and comes in at 27-28 lbs. If I really wanted to, I'm sure I could get it down to 24 lbs. The rear suspension does have VERY MINOR pedal induced bob when climbing in the granny ring, but it actually seems to aid climbing more than hinder it. Last but not least, the finishing of the frame is very good. I usually don't like white for mtn.bikes, but the powdercoating on the Santa Cruize is so tough and smooth that I think it will look good for a long time. I've actually had golfball-sized rocks slam into the downtube without even leaving a trace of evidence! Welds are all clean and even and the gusseting work is nice. So far the design is holding up to it's claim: "simply advanced". Not much there to keep maintained, but works very effectively in all conditions - no creaks or skweaks. The cable routing, I believe, is very effective, and if done right has very little cable drag. | | Weaknesses: | Whew! After all that, I only have one weakness to mention about the Heckler frame. The rear triangle does seam a bit flexy, but only if I hold the saddle tight with one hand and flex the rear wheel from side to side with the other. I have never noticed any flex while actually riding the bike, however it is possible that heavier riders might notice some flex. I only wiegh 140 and could probably gain 20 more without noticing any frame flex at all. | | Similar Products Used: | GT-LTS, 1999 Giant DS-2: The LTS is the only one that could compare for ride quality, but they weigh more, are more complicated, don't come with sealed bearings, and they all creak. | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Manitou SX-R 80mm. up front(good balance),XT hubs, Mavic 517's, XTR shifters, Icon cranks, Avid brakes/XT levers, Race Face seat post, cheap and heavy seat, flat bars w/barends, and steel bead Velociraptor tires. | | Bottom Line: | You can't buy a better FS-frameset for the money, PERIOD. It's built to last and kick ass. This is the bike I love best, and I've had about 10 others which were all nice as well. The Santa Cruize company are cool people, and know what they're talking about. I think someone would be hard pressed to find a better all-out trail bike than the Heckler reguardless of price. It just can't get much better when you're nearing the point of "perfect mountain bike"! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Heronen
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very solid design that can tackel it all with ease. Handels well and inspires confidence when it gets nasty. The travel is plush and very progressive. it doesnt linger in one part of its travel, it uses it all all the time. The simple design makes it great when u get way out there. It is mantinance free unless you want to clean the dirt off.
Also the larger frames have the same stand over as the smaller ones due to and angled top tube, this makes it eaiser to finesse for us with long legs. | | Weaknesses: | I have been extremely happy with this bike and have no want for my "next bike" | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi zi qr20 fork
XT 8 sp derailers
xtr ti cassete
Race FAce cranks
magura J.Tomac brakes
Sram attack shifters
kore B52 stem
SDG ventura seat
Fire pro DH tires
Orbit extreme headset
riser bars | | Bottom Line: | This bike has held its value for as long as i have been aware of its existance. 950 It's a grat bike for those who want to go all over. You can set it up for cross country, beef it up fot DH or find a happy medium with a fun bike.
I have seen more and more of these on the trails sine i got mine and have never heard a bad oppinion. And Hey its made in the USA!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominic
a Cross-Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Anywhere... | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Plush Traction , Seal Bearings = Smooth Suspension Action , Strong Frame = NO FLEX. | | Weaknesses: |
Non-Replacable Derailer Hanger , Cable Routing. | | Similar Products Used: |
Cannondale Super V , GT LTS , K2/Proflex , Intense Uzzi SL. | | Bike Setup: |
XT/XTR , Marzoochi Z1 Bam , Thomson Elite, SDG, Azonic , Sun Rhyno Lites , Gore Ride-On , IRC Mythos XC , Fox Vanilla R with #350 Spring. | | Bottom Line: | The rear suspension is silky smooth and very plush. The Fox Vanilla R shok has a wide range of rebound adjustment to change the suspension action to suit the terrain. I'm running a 130mm travel Z1 upfront and it balances the rear nicely. There is absolutely no flex in the rear swingarm and the frame is very strong with gaussets in all the right places. Overall a really sweet ride~! Five flaming dead rats~! :c) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: August 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Climbs and decends well
Low maitenance | | Weaknesses: |
Brake lockout | | Similar Products Used: |
RM element
Norco VPS-2 | | Bike Setup: |
Z1 Dropoff
Magura and XT | | Bottom Line: | This bike has taken a lot of abuse in the last two years, as I ride the North Shore trails regularly. I recommend this bike to anyone who is not too worried about weight and who can't afford to spend 5K. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross-Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
flock trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
everything else | | Weaknesses: |
cheap decals
paint chips | | Similar Products Used: |
crack and fail, I mean cannondale Lefty
Jamis Dakar
sh@it, I mean schwin homegrowns... | | Bike Setup: |
99 black heckler
xtr/xt
hugi
vanilla R
bomber | | Bottom Line: | BEST FRAME PERIOD!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Glasheen
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Romero Canyon, SB, CA | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Tough, Plush, Perfect Geometry, Low maintenance, Great asceding and descending. | | Weaknesses: |
Easily Chipped paint. Noodle for rear V-Brake bent from compression. Can skip rear cogs when suspension is compressed deep into stroke. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant Sedona
Specialized M2 Stump
Specialized GC AIM
Cannondale Super V | | Bike Setup: |
FOX VANILLA R
MARZOCCI Z1 BAM
RACEFACE CRANKS
XTR DERAILERS
XT SHIFTERS/BRAKELVRS
AVID BRAKES
KING/MAVIC 217 WHEELS | | Bottom Line: | Bought back in April of '98, Love frame geometry and suspension activity. I rid XC and DH with some road riding thrown in for fun and this bike rules on all. Why? The geometry on my large is strikes the balance of stability and agility, with the bias towards agility. I use risers, a 135mm 5deg rise bar, and a Race Face XY post to get my position right. The shock is just adjustable between preload and rebound adjustablity to get it to where I like it, four clicks of the rebound damper knob and I switch from XC to DH. The Suspension is less active when standing, I don't like to mush my way up the steeps or blow all travel when blasting down the hairy stuff. Seated, the leverage changes and gives the booty just the right cushion. Two wheel slides are commonplace for me which I suspect is because the forgiving suspension allows me to push it to that level and not sweat it. I did replace the Z1s springs for harder aftermarket bits which killed the brake dive. I have since blown the Z1's seals and bushings but it still works adequately, I just can't bear to part with the bike for the week or two it would take to get em fixed. I get on my Stumpjumper once every three months or so and I cant ride it any more. The Heckler RULES in SOCAL, by the way I'm 6'4, 210lbs and a very aggressive rider who loves air. Try 5 verticle feet and 15 plus distance! Yeah, I air it out, it better be strong! Oh yeah, I can detect flex only deep into the stroke (set up soft) with the seatpost extended to XC length (I'm 6'4 remember) an inch lower and I can't feel any twist. I can blast through just about anything and stairs, both big dirt ones or paved ones are nothing, NOTHING! YEAH! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mac
a Downhiller
from Novato
Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Plush, Plush, & PLUSH! | | Weaknesses: |
None to attest! | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized FSR Extreme | | Bike Setup: |
99 Z1 Bam, Fox Twin Clicker, Hayes Hydrauic Disk Brakes Front & Rear, XT & LX Components | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden twice and this bike is AWESOME! My FSR was awesome also but not as rad as this bike. Lot to do with my reason has to be because now I can drop my seat all the way now for knarly drop offs. Also I got the right size bike which is another world of difference. Set up with Z1 Bam & Twin Clicker it's Super Plush and for climbing I can lock out the rear suspension. Polished frame with THE fender makes it look RAD!Super Cool bike! I ride hard and put them through the worst! This bike will rock for future rides also because I have reveiwed this bike before buying and my best friend rides one too. And knowing how hard we ride if his Heckler can last then I know its a GREAT bike! BY THE WAY the guys at Santa Cruz are way Cool! I bugged them for a wapping 3 days to get the bike polished and have all parts, frame and front shock ready; calling about 6 times the first day and THEY STILL WERE way cool to the last time we talke and met! They CARE! AWESOME BIKE! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Kilburn
a Cross-Country Rider
from okinawa japan
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
sawyer mtn loop, Maine | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
design,weight,price. | | Weaknesses: |
no replacable derailleur hanger | | Similar Products Used: |
lots of designs.gt,trek,giant | | Bike Setup: |
Z2 BAM, xt, xtr, easton monkey lite bar,syncros post, race face system stem, and lp cranks coming soon | | Bottom Line: | i am happy as a clam now that i can finally review this bike. it has taken me forever to get the thing together. it is a blast. the frame really feels like a hardtail while pedaling. i couldn't believe it. it soaks up everything. sometimes i ride wheelies over rocks and such just to see if i feel them. nope. if you ride in very muddy areas where the mud is particularly gritty i suggest placing a piece of ultra clear piece of tape over the top tube. after one very muddy ride here on okinawa i noticed that the mud between my legs scratched the hell out of the paint. i believe that would have happened to any frames paint though. santa cruz is definitly cool for a bike company. paid 800 for mine in black. it rules. i am proud of my ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Banana Seat
a weekend warrior
from Western USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I was totally un-impressed with the Heckler. Its suspension locks up on hard braking like in braking bumps, and you get rear brake jack-the rear rises up a bit, thought it climbed real slow too. I think the single pivot idea is for low cost manufacturing and not for high quality performance. As a medium trail rider it was not bad, but the harder it was pushed, the worse it rode. I did not have any problems with the pivot, but wonder how long til all the stress gets to it. I guess its expected performance when it copys the pivot point of a pogo-flex. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a weekend warrior
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: January 28, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have tried out both the Tazmon and the Heckler. The Heckler is a better ride than the Taz. The rear Fox Shock is nice but thinking of upgrading to the Fox Vanilla Float. I've seen this shock in action whereas you will have FULL lockout of the rear. Why buy a hardtail when you can have the best of both worlds. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Parton
a cross-country rider
from Aberystwyth University
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Hi, I have had my heckler for around nineteen months now and love as much as I did when I bought it. I bought it from a shop three hundred miles away and I would do it again too. That has to be the sign of a quality piece of kit. The bike is a mazing it can hold its own against most other cross country steeds even with four inches of travel front and rear. It climbs well and boy does it descend, It has saved my arse on more than one occasion I can tell you. After about a year I had some play in my bushings by the rear shock but a quick call and that was soon soughted. I am thoroughly pleased with my buy and buy another tomorrow for a colour change. Cheers Santacruz and all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a weekend warrior
from Japan
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am an American GI, living in Japan. Lack of English specking BSGs is a real pain! I bought a Heckler largely because of SC's rep as a builder of high reliability, low maintenace bikes. I have been hammering on my heckler for almost a year now and the bike is.....FLAWLESS! If you are thinking about a new bike...buy a heck! I have had other fullys in the past and the maintenance can be a pain in the @$$! I oil my chain on the Heck regularly and bust down and grease up the manitou every so often...that's about it!
The bike is a real treat to ride also. Oh and by the way..the polished frame looks like jewelry!
Santa Cruz also rules as a company....they are a lot of help both before and after the sale. My only worry is that they will get too big and become more like the big guys.
Keep trackin' Santa Cruz! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a cross-country rider
from San Mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my new Heckler Superlight for about a month now and all I can say is WOW It's 23 lbs. climbs very well and I have to say I have had no problems regarding break induced lockout or bobbing or loss of traction under power. This is a very sweet bike. I also have to say that Santa Cruz Bicycles has been extremely responsive to my needs and working with me. I have the Cane Creek AD10 on it now but when the new Fox air vanilla float RC is avaliable I will be getting that. For an all around bike I couldnt ask for more, and it actually has potential on the race course. I currently have a '98 SID on the bike... not enough travel so I will be purchasing a '99 SID long travel and I should have a perfect ride..... I would like to thank Paul and Hans @ Santa Crus for their help.
Larry G
reddog1@hooked.net | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marc loney
a cross-country rider
from SF
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the Heckler for 9 months now and I easily say that I love it as much now as the first ride. I just did a xc race that was 28 miles and had about 18 or pure downhill. The heckler was incredible on the rough stuff and great on the hills. The design is great for downhill and crosscounty and you would have to spend twice as much to get a slightly better bike. The only thing I have thought about changing is the rear shock, which is a Fox vanilla R. I hope I never have to buy another bike, but if I do it will be a santa cruz. Great job santa cruz!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Beizsley
a downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had a Heckler for 2 weeks now and I think that if it was made out of chromoly and had 5 or 6 inches of travel it would be the ultimate DH bike.I have got RST Hi 5's with 5 inches of travel if the Heckler had six on the back I think you would get more buisness as 4 inches of travel isn't considered downhill anymore .You probably won't listen to me but if you do I'll test it for you as long as I could keep the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from downhiller
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After 2 years on my Tazmon I wanted more travel for more serious downhill work. Since my Taz was bombproof under my 175 lbs. I decided to go for the only SantaCruz alternative, the Heckler (this was before the Super8)
Guess what? Blew up on my 2nd race. You see that bend above the shock? it touches the shock now. Doesn't work to well with those angles. Should have stuck with the Taz until I could get a Super8. Riding a Weasel now. That extra tube by the shock on the Weasel al'a Taz is very inportant. Just looking at the Heckler it looks weak. I know another racer that tore his head tube off, with a non-approved triple crown fork. My Taz with the same fork stayed true with countless getoffs. Using my Taz for XC work now. 24 lbs with basic parts, my freinds Heck weights 1/3 more with same parts. The lighter weight of the airshock easily over comes the extra weight of the reinforce tube. Sure they have the lighter Heck now, at what cost.(STRENGTH?)
Sorry SantaCruz; your Taz Rocks, the Heck Sucks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Rose
a weekend warrior
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is mainly a response to the comparison made by Jake from Aptos, CA, between the Heckler and his GT LTS-1. I've ridden several GT LTSs and agree that they offer a great active ride. However, for heavy-duty use, the GT does not handle abuse as well. I have several friends who have had problems with the LTS's flimsy linkage. One buddy of mine has broken a chainstay (while climbing)and absolutely destroyed the multiple pivots (Expecially around the bottom bracket). He swore he could feel the bike flexing underneath him on rough, fast downhills and had to clamp the saddle with his thighs. He's now switched back to his old Super-V. In all fairness, he's about 200 lbs and an aggresive former motorcrosser; the LTS may be a great bike for lighter, less aggresive types.The Heckler is bombproof-sturdy and the single ball-bearing pivot should outlast those tiny multi-pivots by years. The Heckler doesn't bob on climbs like a linkage or URT bike, either. You can actually stand up and crank without the sag or bobbing you find on other bikes like the LTS or the Trek Y-22 I used to have. The rear-end is super plush--I have not bottomed out over 3-4 foot dropoffs landing on the rear wheel. I do recommend the Fox Twin-Clicker upgrade.Plus, have you ever called Santa Cruz on the phone?A: (male voice answers phone) Santa Cruz.
Q: (me) I have a question about one of your bikes.
A: Go ahead.
Q: Well, it's about some specifications, don't you need to transfer me to some department?
A: Uh, no. Go ahead.Then the guy who answered the phone rattled off all the specs (seat tube diameter, etc.) from memory so that I could start collecting parts for my new frameset. Try getting that kind of service from whoever answers the phone at GT/Trek/Cannondale.Plus, the bike is one singltrackin' fool. Technical terrain, downhills, climbs (even without locking the suspension out)--it can do it all. If the rear brake stiffens the suspension on downhill, then let go of the brakes! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T.K.Baldy
a downhiller
from Calgary,Canada
Date Reviewed: July 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my Heckler for 1 1/2 years now. It started as 26.5 lb XC/FR bike.
Now, Having broken the 30 barrier into Vet. class, it is a 36lb DH rig. Then
greatest thing about this bike is that it has handled both admirably. As a XC bike, it climbs exceptionally while in the saddle, and reasonably well out of the saddle. At the same time, the Fox Vanilla R soaks up everything from small bumps to all but the biggest hits.This bike loves single track, but with a 2 1/2 travel fork on the front, gets only a little bit scary at speed. As a XC/FR bike, I'd have to give it 4 to 4 1/2 chilis.
Adding a DHO to the front end (I know it may void the warranty but who cares) changes the angles to wonderful, DH-style parallel 69.5 degree set-up. Although the rear end is limited to 4 and a little bit inches of travel, it matches up beautifully with the front end (note: I have modified the DHO internals by combining a Type 3 spring kit with the original Type 2 spring to get a Rock Shox that feels like a Bomber). Though it won't cut it for ultra-rough courses like Mt. Ste-Anne, it makes an almost perfect set up for the week-end warrior, Vet. Expert downhiller like myself. Again, 4 to 4.5 chilis. Kudos to the people at Santa Cruz. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ML
a cross-country rider
from SF, CA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my heckler for six months now and I still love it like the first ride. The design of the frame is great and it's very east to maintain and requires little work. If your considering buying a FS bike you would have to spend alot more $$$$$ to get a bike that was even a little better. Five stars and climbing | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Gibson
a downhiller
from Leeds, UK
Date Reviewed: May 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This frame's got enough travel for any Brit use.
I've ridden and raced mine and there's no probs with the smooth and plush travel at the rear. Match it with some good forks (Z1s) up front and it is nicely balanced.
It's difficult to bottom out big style with the standard Fox shock.
My mate's got one too and we get big respect off the other riders.
Any colours you could want, quite cheap for a frame of such handbuilt and reputable quality.
OK so the only set back I can see is the non replaceable drop outs, but hey, they're thick, and I haven't bent them yet (fingers crossed)
Wicked! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a cross-country rider
from Aptos, CA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have ridden a friends Heckler a few times. It is a great ride for the most part. However, we both agree the suspension really firms up during hard braking, a very common occurrence going down very long and steep single track. Its not a real serious deficit, but it does get a little bouncy and skittish in tight situations. My LTS-1 does not have this annoying trait. You can cruise through the same sections with a little more ease, comfort and speed. A plus for the Heckler is less chain-suck when it is wet and muddy. Plus you don't have to lube the pivots all the time. However, if given the opportunity, my friend would swap rides in an instance. No chance. I give the LTS 5 stars and the Heckler 4 - (minus 1 star for the braking issue). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MERV
a weekend warrior
from GURNEE,IL. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I HAVE HAD MY HECKLER FOR 1 WEEK.THIS BIKE KICKS-ASS!!!I PIMPED IT OUT WITH FULL SYNCROS PARTS EXCEPT THE HUBS. I WENT WITH KING HUBS AND SC90 FORK.THIS BIKE IS A GREAT SINGLE-TRACKER!!IT CLIMBS FASTER THAN A SCARED BILLGOAT.I AM 215 LBS. AND IT DOES NOT DEFLECT OFF EVERY ROCK AND ROOT YOU HAMMER OVER.I WOULD HAVE TO SAY ANYBODY WHO HAMMERED THIS BIKE WOULD LOVE THIS BIKE!!! I DO!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevan
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, Alberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hi Guys
I have just got my new heckler and I love it. But I have a problem with my new AD10 shock upgrade. I would like to email Santacruz as I read here that they are very helpful, but I dont have there address, and I cant find it at there web site. Can any body help with the email address?Here is a copy of my email to Cain Creek for your information.I have just received an AD10 as an upgrade for my Santa Cruze Heckler. I received it Friday and broke it Sunday. Can you help me?
Heres the story.
The shock arrived in a plastic bag with no instructions, books or set up information. The shop said that they had never had an AD10 in before so didn't know how to set it up for me. I fitted the shock and went for a ride. It was way to soft so the shop added 30Ibs to it for me( was 110lbs, now 140lbs. I am 165Lbs XC rider ). It felt much firmer so I decided to give it a try. The problem I had was with the damping adjustments, both compression and rebound, they didn't seem to have any effect. I was particularly interested in setting up the rebound damping as the bike was kicking me out of the saddle on the rebound. I adjusted the screw all the way in, and then tried all the way out. It didn't seem to have any effect. I bounced the bike whilst seated and standing over the saddle and leaning on it to view the shock movement. I think their was a small amount of damping action but it was bearly perceptible and I am not sure it was there at all. I didn't want to over tighten the screw for fear of damage, or loosen it incase it flew out like a bullet, but adjusting the screw fully in and out didn't change anything. I demonstrated it to the shop but they didn't really seem to know and we decided that I should just fiddle with the shock to get it set up. Well I did fiddle with it a bit to much and decided that I was being to gentle with the rebound screw and tightened it a bit more to see if it would effect the damping, IT BROKE OFF. The rest of the screw is still in the shock. I am very disappointed in myself for making the mistake and breaking the shock, especially as I had to wait 6 weeks for it to arrive. I am also disappointed in not having an owners manual for the shock to help me set it up. Perhaps it would have said to be cheerful with the screws and that they dont really do anything much. Any way I broke it and I would very much like to fix it. I have a few questions for you .
1. Have you had similar problems and how can I fix it?
2. Do you have any set up information?
3. Do you have any maintenance info I can have?
4. Do the damping adjustment screws do very much?
5. can you help me please?Here is some more info for you.
My name : Kevan Woodcock,
My email, Kevan.Woodcock@cgy.valmet.com
It might sound like the shop was not very helpful, and I guess they were not on this issue, but in general I have only the greatest amount of praise to say for Calgary Cycle.I eagerly await your response.Cheers GuysKevanPS, I shall also post this on the MTBR web to get feedback form other users.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent K. Osterstock
a weekend warrior
from Honolulu, HI
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am nearly 6' 4 and I weigh about 200 lbs. I ride rough terrain (lava fields) and steep trails. Over the last two years, I rode a ProFlex 856. On the 856, I replaced the brakes with Xt V's, blew out and replaced the rear (elastomer) suspension, and replaced the front forks with a triple clamp RST High 5. The V brakes and High 5s really improved the ProFlex. It negotiated tough cross-country reasonably well and survived occasionally hairy downhills. But, since I knew the rear-end would inevitably die again, I decided to replace the frame with a Heckler. The change has been awesome. At speed, my ProFlex would take a set stance into a corner. Once into my line, I was fully committed regardless of whatever obstacles lay in my way. Now, with the Heckler, I can adjust my turns at just about any point. And, the rear-end, well, all I can say is incredible. It never launches me inappropriately and it's so smooth it makes the High 5s seem overly stiff. This frame definitely deserves... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed b
a cross-country rider
from ma
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just really like this bike. The design is simple and it works, check out the stock fox shock before you decide on any upgrades. The company is great to deal with, and the welds and paint are very nice. Not much to go wrong. BB shell is smooth, no problem with installation. Swingarm comes stock polished, you have to pay extra for paint, usually it's the other way around, I didn't mind. Standard geometry is kind of small, check geometry for appropriate top tube length. 16 and 18 inch have the straight top tube, others have a bent design, not as asthetically pleasing. Price is reasonable, not much to complain about. Tazmon is not worth the extra cash, I owned one, and prefer the Heckler, simpler design, no air/oil shock to deal with, and cheaper also. Don't waste money on custom colors or transparent finishes,the standard colors are incredible. Also, you can find a better price from an internet dealer, than ordering a complete bike from SantaCruz directly. The frame, with coil shock, balances perfectly with a Bomber fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kev
a downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Yeah, this frame is top. I only got mine a couple of weeks ago, but it is really good. I used to have a Marin Quake, but I broke it, and this frame rides a lot better than it (I don't know why, cos the designs are very similar). Small bump performance is better, and it is bloody strong. I don't know what all the hype is about multi-link systems, cos I don't see how this could work much better.Make sure you get really good 4-inch-travel forks to match the rear. I use RockShox DHOs, but I have had to put speed springs in them cos they seemed crap in comparison. Only one complaint, cos of the rear cable stop, you can't run a Sachs DiRT rear mech. But that's nitpicking. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wes
a downhiller
from montezuma,colorado
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
WOW!!! definitely the best full ride i've EVER ridden(fisher,trek,crack'n'fail, san andeas,xcs,lts-2000,fsr,schwinn,klein)! Nothing could match its plush rear end, weight(my frame is 4.8 lbs.) or handling. It blew my mind! I sold my Cannondale super V active shortly after 1 ride! what an incredible climber! NO noticeable bobbing. I've been able to clear technical spots I'd never thought possible before on my heckler.
PUT A FOX VANILLA R (OR RX)ON THE BACK! IT RIDES SOOO MUCH BETTER THAN any rockshox coupe. You dont need any lockout on this bike! Throw it into corners at 30 mph-no problem; clean that tech.spot that your friends walk down!
I love my Heckler! No,I don't work for S.C. This bike is zero maintainence, light, very fast, climbs like crazy, loves technical stuff, is affordable, available, comes in cool colors, is made in the USA(and not by Trek), and is, in my eyes, the best handling bike, PERIOD. The bike changed my love life! Now my woman wants one!(She would'nt even get on a bike until she saw my yellow frame with race face bb,cranks,seatpost,hs,bars, and orange z1) Now I've even got her snow biking! THANK YOU,SANTA CRUZ! (I think I'll get a Santa cruz tattoo)
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noel Buckley
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, I've now owned my Heckler for almost five months and overall am really quite impressed with this bike. My previous mountain bikes were all hardtails, so getting used to a full suspension bike took a little while. After about a month of continuous riding, I started to feel quite compfortable on the Heckler, and after two months, riding a hardtail felt strange (although I still ride my road bike all the time).
The bike is not flawless however, but considering it's cost and it's well roundedness, it is nonetheless a pretty awsome bike. Some of my concerns are:
-The rear derailer hanger which I have bent 3 times is not replacable. I'm sure most poeple don't bend hangers that much, but up in BC it's reasonably common. I have bent the hanger back, each time wondering if it will break, but there's never been a problem. If it does break, Santa Cruz will sell a replacement rear swingarm for about $250 US. Their claim is that a non replacable hanger will handle far more abuse than a replacable one.
-The Rock Shox Couple Deluxe rear shock makes a funny chirping noise when under fast shock compression/decompression. Although I've never noticed a performance problem, my bike sounds like a bird on fast rocky trails.
-Rear lockout. OK, this is the most controversial aspect of this bike. Santa Cruz claims that they have not experienced this. Well, SOMETHING is going on. Since this is my first full suspension bike, maybe all dualies do this. Basically, sometimes when I am riding, the rear wheel will lock up (quite rarely), because for a fraction of a second I can't pedal. Has this ever caused me to crash? No. Perhaps the rear end is loosing contact with the ground as the shock compresses for a split second and my Maguras are grabbing a now freely spinning tire. I don't know, but something is happening.
-Ghost shifting. OK, this is nothing new to full suspension bikes, and the Heckler is probably one of the better bikes in this respect, but very rarely the bike DOES ghost shift. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
-Finally, the front derailer is a pain to setup, but once it's done, you don't have to deal with it again (apart from maybe replacing cables). Apparently, the 1998 Hecklers has addressed this somewhat.Ok, now that I've slagged the bike for a bit, here are some of it's positive features that I really like:-Stiff rear end. This bike is laterally stiff. Really stiff. Once you get used to the rear end wandering feeling (all dualies feel like this because the shock compresses through conrners), you can really crank this bike over and it tracks true and almost never miss-shifts (see above).
-Active suspension. OK, it might not be as active as a link bike such as a Ellsworth Truth or a Rocky Mountain Element, but it is pretty good. The slight loss in activeness is made up by the rear ends stiffness. The rear suspension is quite plush, far more so than my Rockshox DH forks up front. My RS Coupe Deluxe hasn't blown yet (fingers crossed). Learning to tune the suspension can make or break this aspect of any full suspension bike.
-Frame quality and durability. for about $900 US (or about $1300 CDN) you get a pretty awsomely built frame, nice paint job and either a RS Coupe Deluxe or a Fox shock (not sure which model). My frame has taken a real beating and looks suprisingly good. The only visible damage is an area just behind the rear top tube brazeon where my Magura line has worn through the paint. The line moves slightly as the rear end travels throughout it's movement range.
-Low standover height. This is really important if you ride technical terrain where you're always on and off the bike. Especially (like most full suspension bikes) since having some extra travel jacks the bike up higher.
-AT least one normal bottle cage placement. This is good if you run a light system or don't like camelbaks.
-Fairly neutral pivot placement. The rear swingarm pivot is roughly equal to the middle chainring (standard size rings). There is virtually no bob in the middle or big rings, and only a slight amount in the granny.
-servicibility. Apart from the front derailer, working on the bike is really no different that a hardtail.
So overall, even thought the bike does have a few minor problems (which bike doesn't?), the Heckler is overall an excellent bike. No, it's not the fastest cross country race machine around. It also doesn't have enough travel to compete with the serious downhill bikes (Santa Cruz now makes the Super 8, with about 7.5 of rear wheel travel). But, if you want a awsome allround bike, that takes a beating, won't give you any nasty suprises, handles like a dream, and is a real value, you can't really go wrong with the Heckler; it is deffinately the most fun bike I have ever owned - Period. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr. Feelgood
a cross-country rider
from South of Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: November 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike rules. I have had mine for 3 months now, ridden in all sorts of condions, and have never experienced brake or torque? (I think he means pedal) lockout. I understand how suspension works, and have it set up so that lockout doesn't happen. This isn't rocket science. If you are going down hill, you weight naturally goes forward, and when you hit the brakes that momentum is absorbed by the front shock much more than the rear. Maybe the suspension has a tendancy to lock out more in a bikeshop parking lot.Finally, I gather from his comments about Valley go home that this person is some sort of surf idiot. This even lessens his credibility. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian C
a cross-country rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Heckler is a true bargain! The welds are perfect and the finish is beautiful(Tranparent red/polished swingarm). I have it tricked out with Raceface/Kore/Kooka/XTR components and a Bomber Z2. The bike is not exactly light(about 27 pounds), but the ride quality makes up for it. The rear suspension is fairly active, but locks up a bit under heavy braking. I haven't experienced any major bobbing even when cranking out of the saddle. My frame is equipped with a Rockshox coupe deluxe, but I'd like to hear how well the Heckler performs with a different rear shock(such as the Cane Creek AD-10 on the Heckler SL). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Carroll
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Still love the Heckler, but this is actually a review for a Heckler hop-up.
I just put a Risse Genisis air/oil rear shock on a 97 Heckler frame...man
what a difference. For openers the Risse is at least 1/2 pound lighter than
the Rock Shock I've been using. That's great when I pick the bike up but I
don't think I've really noticed it while riding. The ride itself however is
much nicer.
It's difficult to describe accurately, but basically the rear end is a little
stiffer. The rear end seems to not work as well over little stuff, and on
really big hits isn't much better than the coil spring shock, but on 75% of
all the bumps, which are usually in the mid-range, this shock is 100% better
than the coil shock. No matter how I fiddled with the damping settings the
coil shock was just never able to get rid of it's coil feel. It was mushy
and tended to wallow a little.
The improvement in responsiveness is very noticable. Where the Heckler with
a coil shock was sluggish it has become snappy. Needless to say the climbing
performance is very significantly improved. The Heckler normally sprints well
and climbs well...at least that's what I used to think, with the Risse it really
climbs and sprints well.
The bottom line is that coil shocks are for weekend warrior riders who just want
to go out and have fun. An air/oil shock is for a more performance oriented
rider. If you ever do any racing, or like a responsive, performance oriented
bike you'll love this shock. Yes, you'll feel the little stuff, but it's more
than worth the tradeoff for the performance improvement. I won't be riding a
coil spring equiped bike again for a long time...I don't care what the kooks
at MBA say... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lil Baby Chris
a weekend warrior
from MD
Date Reviewed: August 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
DOnt believe the hype!!!! Anyone who says this bike isnt as good as link bikes should have their ball bag examined. This thing rocks....sweet ride, its a good combination between flat riding and the hairy scay bumpy stuff. First off check its price of around $890 for the custom frame with Rock Shox rear shock. Then throw in the fact you can get ultra sweet paint job for $40.....you got a great thing going already. The frame is welded together beautifully, looks strong as hell. The rear triangle is a monster deal that is laterally stiff as teenage boy looking at Penthouse for the first time. You could go with the Tazmon frame which is supposed to be more stiff, but then thats another 300 bucks. The big thing is on the Tazmon yer limited to the air shock...yuk!!! Anyways the ride is awesome, you can roll over anything you like and dont have to have a lot of skill to do so. It s\puts the fun back into mountain biking, by giving you a HUGE margin to screw up and still not crash. I am going places i would never go before.....check the city riding, its great!!! Going on and off curbs was never so much fun, not to mention my neck and back are sending me sweeet praise for going with a full suspension rig. Uphill ability???? It is so awesome i think it rivals the downhill performance.....dont believe people when they say it weighs too much or that the suspension action sucks power from you. Unless you are going up a perfectly smooth grade with no imperfections (oh that sounds like road biking ) the Heckler is the way to go. You can pick any line you want and you dont go flying around off the bumbs. Heck i'll strap a ten pound bag of feed to the bike and still beat those suckas with their ultralight rigid bikes. Anyways buy yourself one if you have been looking for one. This is a sweet deal...a rare find, a true deal in the world of rip offs and marketing scemes. This one rides better than: (these are the ones ive ridden so the list is limited) Marin Rift Zone, Trek Y-bikes, Pro-Flex series, Schwinn s-10, Giant FS, MOngoose, Specialized FS series.hope this helps .....email me with questions if you are serious about getting one.PS no i dont work for SantaCruz....but i wish i did!!! Does anyone know if they need some graphic designers/photographers/film makers????see ya
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GEO
a
from When the waves are flat, the mountain aren't, No
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
After demoing the Heckler and a GT LTS-1 back to back, for myself, with the tail conditions which I constantly endure, I must say, ACTIVE is the only way to go. On relatively flat terrain, bumpy or not, its a toss. However, when the trail gets kinda vert, for a few miles at a time, the bike with the link gets a big nod. The brake jack-ups the suspension rate big-time on the Heckler, same as my friends C-Dale. If you don't like suspension when braking, get a single pivot. I'd also have to say the multi-links gives alot more climbing traction. I didn't have a pogo problems with either bike. Don't get me wrong the Heckler's a sweet ride, but it not cutting edge. I suppose if you live somewhere where there are hills, not mountains, the Heckler would be alright; or, if you can't handle a little bit of extra maintenance it could be an excuse. But, for gods sake, don't waste your cash on an URT. If you must HURT, i mean URT, Klein makes the best. What to rate the Heckler? Its a nice bike but??? I mean I live near Santa Cruz, I ride the same terrain they do, I just don't agree with their suspension beliefs. The bikes built real nice probabley a 4.75, but the suspesions is old school. eanie, meainie, minie, moe..... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AS
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
My boyfriend has a Heckler and it is definitely sweeeeeet!!!!! I get a chance to ride it now and then when I can pull it away from him. I have to say that the HECKLER is the bike for me. I have a Gary Fisher Joshua right now but I will surely get a HECKLER as soon as I can. No doubt, the HECKLER is the bike to get if you want the best ride. No bumps are safe with the HECKLER around. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a cross-country rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a Heckler which I built up with Bomber Z1 forks and a selection of my personal favourite parts, mostly XT and XTR. I love it, the suspension matches up almost perfectly on the front and rear after a little time spent playing with the damping adjusters fornt and rear. The bike feels only a little more flexible than my previous hard-tail Specialized M2, but boy is it more stable and comfortable. The thing that blew me away was when I found out that I could ride the Heckler across the water bars on one of the local fast downhills at about 35 mph without even standing up. These things stick about 1.5 - 2 inches and I could just pedal right through them, both ends just flatten it right out, no kick, no bounce, amazing. It's not as if I usually aim to hit big square obstacles as I ride but if you have to then boy this bike will save your butt. I find that the biggest change required in my riding style is that when descending I can now dismiss some of the bumps and obstacles on the trail as too small to worry about and just look out for the real big stuff and getting the lines smooth. I have to be fair and say that I haven't had a proper off road trash on any of the other major full-sus frames, but the Heckler is awfully good, particularly for the money and taking into account the ease of maintainance etc.
On the down side, my bike weighs about 28.5 lbs (blame that on the Bombers but I'm not giving them back) and yes, the back brake does affect the suspension, but I can adapt to that and honestly the thing is just too much damn fun too be worrying about things like that. I ride for the fun of it and my Heckler is a lot of fun, so I give it a 5. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AC
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Heckler is my first full suspension bike and I am very impress with it so far.
I can't see myself getting back to a hardtail especially as I get older.
The only problem I have so far with the bike is ghost shifting when I am
standing up to hammer up hills. One unexpected attribute of the bike is that
many people (even non-bike people) find it very attractive. I get compliments
all the time and people stop me to ask questions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PC
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
One word that best describes this bike is SWEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've had my Heckler with Judy SL with White Bros catridge,XT rapidfire, kooka DH cranks and a pair of Crosslands for about 9 months now. Since I
got my RS super deluxe fixed(2 day turnaround) actually they sent me a new one,
I ride twice as much. The heckler just eats up ruts, rocks and just about everything that gets in it's way. If you are trying to decide which bike to buy,
GET THE HECKLER!!! You will be just as stoked as I am..(and no I dont work for Santa Cruz)
one last thing, this bike is SWEEEEEET!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Eubank
a racer
from Lynchburg VA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have grown a new respect for Full Suspension. I blew my RS Super Delux Rear Shock , RockShx sent me a new one over nite.... Cool HUH????I have finally learned How to Ride the Damned Thing... And I now Know Wow Full Suspension Really Works and Kicks butt.. I just Got back form the Massanutten Hoo!Haa! XC Race !! They also had WorldCUP DH that Weekend. The Bike Handled Excellently and Flew down the Rockiest DownHill I have Raced on this Year. I was fearing this Course. Not any More. You just Crank thru the Rosky stuff as fast as you can for a smoother Ride. Of 110 Xptrs Starting less Than 50 finished because the course was so Rough. I didn't find it so. Travel is Adaquate in Front (RS Judy XL), Brakes LX V's did good, Rear worked Awesome.... I got to Ride one of The Ventanna DH Bikes with a ZZYNX Fork the 7 inches of Rear Travel Rocked. The 6 inches Up Front is Awesome. Increased Travel makes such a Difference in being able to Handle Rough Terrain. Get the Most You can.. The Heckler Provides Pelnty in Rear ....I must also mention Climbing, The Climb was look and Rocky, I was able to stay on my bike longer than the Other Riders on Hard Tails, who were around me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Lombardi
a cross-country rider
from N. Chelmsford MA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding my Heckler for about two months now. So far so good. I love the bikes ability to absorb anything that stands in it's way. Mines pretty tricked out with all the toys and I've got it down to an honest 25.6 pounds which isn't bad but not as light as my previous bike (a 22pound hardtail) My freind bought an Amp B3 at the same time. His bike is much lighter than mine but, it is not as strong, he's already had some rear shock problems. The only down side to the bike is that their is some bobbing when pedling hard so a smooth caidence is requiered. I would highly recomend this bike to anybody looking for a super fun woods bike. I've raced mine but would have perfered a little lighter bike, althought it cleaned house on the technical down hills. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a cross-country rider
from Los Gatos, CA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a Heckler with the Santa Cruz XT build kit. I returned the bike one day latter. I had a 22. I got the newer one that has some of the reinforcement webbing removed to accommodate the lower mounting point of '97 XT front der. The bb area was too flexy for me. I really had to have the chain in the middle cog to not get chain rub under moderate pedaling force. The ’97 front der. is also quite narrow which didn’t help this. The SC rep assured me that the newer model was just as strong, but I didn't find this to be the case. I also found one more problem that would affect a bigger rider on a 22. I got the RockShox with 400lbs spring and when I turned the spring, the spring touched the bottom of the top tube and sliced a nice grove in it. There’s just not enough clearance here. I think this is a great bike for the money for a small to medium size rider. I would not recommend it for a larger rider. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a weekend warrior
from Los Gatos, CA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I almost purchased a Heckler after trying to simulate off-road conditions within city limits. However, after a real demo ride I changed my mind. The peddle and brake induced lock-out are too much of a compromise in the ease of maintenance vs. off-road capability war. The bike was exceptional under most circumstances. But, when things got really bumpy and steep (up or down) the suspension really tightenned up. It went from being plush and traction prone to merely taking the edge off the bumps. The Hecklers performance was better than the URT's I've demo'ed (e.g., TREK & KLEIN). However, my new bike is going to be a multi-link, fully active model. Either a GT LTS, Specialied FSR, or SUPERGO MAX LINK. The Heckler is a five chile ride for the most part. However, extreme angles end-up sliding one the hot little peppers off the scale. The suspension backs-off when you need it the most. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryun
a cross-country rider
from Provo, UTAH
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
When I first got the Heckler frame I wasn't too pleased. The tail seemed to wag especially under hard power and the vanilla R nor the Duluxe helped the harsh feel. So I replaced the shock with a custom stratos which helped the measured 3.6 travel but it wasent enough. I rewelded the frame and placed the shock tabs on the downtube and drilled into the swingarm to increase the travel to an honest 6 with the air shock clocking a 2:1 rising:falling rate. This works exceptionally well except the frame is still heavy and the wag is amplified. The fork is a Moto 120 and I still managed to keep the total weight at about 28 lbs for cross country riding. This may seem like overkill to some unless they've ridden where we ride. This bike sucks up ANYTHING!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a cross-country rider
from Wash DC
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Been riding my Heckler frame for about four months now, and as with most excellent products I like it more each time I ride it. I feel the frame design combines the best qualities of hardtails and full suspension. The pivot placement does stiffen the rear shock under pedaling, which to me transforms the bike from a great downhiller to a great crosscountry bike when you need it. There is no frame flex or bobbing which I've experienced with other full suspension. Workmanship is excellent; great welds and paint. The one main pivot is a catridge bearing which requires little or no maintenence. The only negative about the bike is the fact that it does stiffen the shock under braking. However, I reach the limits of my courage (or common sense) before I reach the limit of what this bike can do! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Johnson City, Tennessee
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
It's as good as it gets. I went from a Pro-Flex to this. The frame ended up costing me $800 shipped (and that included the custom trans red finish). The overall bike came just under 25 pounds including everything (with a 97 Judy XC). It rides great. There is instant accelleration for climbing up hills. Pogo action is non-existant. I can't see any reason to buy any other dual under $1,500 or any hardtail at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a cross-country rider
from Central ,CA>
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had a Heckler for about seven months and it just keeps on getting better.It is set up with a Bomber Z-2 and a rear Rock Shock ,with XT components.I have ridden alot of different bikes and while some bikes might be stronger in one area, the Heckler is a strong all around performer.As far as the review posted about the bike being springy with the rear Rock Shock you can dial the bike to rock hard to very supple. This bike flys downhill and is a great climber it just digs in. I love ridding this bike xc its extremely easy to adjust and maintenance free and strong what else do you want? A 22 pound one season bike . This bike gets a easy five peppers | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy
a cross-country rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I rode the Heckler at a local bike shop, and although I didn't go for
very long or ride on downhill dirt, I was very unimpressed with the frame.
The weight listed above most be incorrect, the XTR bike I rode weighed in excesss
of 30lbs. All of the other XTR bikes I have ridden weighed around 26-27 lbs.
The ride is very springy, not supple. The bike sort of pogo-ed when I weighted it.
If you weren't careful, you could lose contact with the ground when the
bike reacted to hits. I tried adjusting the rear shock, but it was just more of
the same. It might be a great bike for heavy people (over 200lbs.), but
I don't think it compares to the Klein Mantra or the Fisher Joshua's
(and Trek Y-bikes, which are essentially the same as the joshua with different materials)
I really couldn't recommend it as a $1500-2000 price point bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Carroll
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: March 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a followup review. I've now had my Heckler for about 3 months and I'm very happy
with it. I bought the frameset with the RS rear shock, and built it up with a Bomber Z2
and a mix of high-end parts. My only real problem from the previous review was that I
wasn't sure if the rear end was stiff or not, it was a strange feeling, not bad just weird.
I've determined that it's the bottom braket area that's flexing, not the rear end. It's
a little strange at first but in no way is it affecting the handling of the bike. Keep in
mind that I weight 200lbs and can flex any frame out there. The rear end feels stiffer
than my old LTS did (96 model).
The best thing about this bike is the handling. Santa Cruz seems to have found a perfect
balance between stable tracking and quick handling. I'm able to do things on this bike that
I never could have dreamed of doing on my old bike. Combine this with the stiff rear end
and stout Bomber up front and the bike can handle just about anything.
The suspension action of the rear end is great. It's not as plush as fully active designs
but the tradoff is better climbing performance. It feels much more responsive when climbing
than an active bike. For now I think Santa Cruz has found the perfect pivot location.
The overall value of the frame itself is outstanding. The build quality is better than my
LTS and the machine work on the rear triangle is outstanding.
Overall this bike is an outstanding setup for XC and I have no reservations about racing it.
Yes, with the Bomber it is heavy. Fortunately the Heckler, unlike the Tazmon, allows you
to change shocks, and you could easily swap the coil shock for a Fox or Cane Creek and put
on a lighter fork and you'd easily be able to get this sucker below 25lbs. With my size
however the weight isn't significant.
If you want a downhill machine this bike can't quite keep up with the LTS, but if you're
looking for a great XC bike this one is hard to beat. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Pedersen
a weekend warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my '97 Heckler as a frameset and built it up with a full '96 Shimano XT kit. I did this instead of buying a complete bike partly to avoid having to get the standard GripShift shifters which I dislike. I saved a few bucks too.The frame is very nice, with good welding... though the welds aren't filed smooth. But it only costs $899, and if you want these details, be prepared to spend another $1,000 or more. The Heckler has reinforcing gussets for strength, and elevated chainstays to prevent damage from the chain. This could save you lots of grief down the road. I got the regular red powder coating because it's a perfect match for the red on my Rock Shox '97 Judy DH fork, while the yellow seems to be a perfect match for the Judy SL.At about 6.5 lbs, this frame isn't particularly light. But it's lighter than many others, and can be set up for either cross country or downhill. Just choose the appropriate chainrings, handlebars, tires, and front shock and this bike can become just what you need! There isn't a lot of room for the front derailleur (it uses a top-pull, high-mount), but if you want a serious downhill racer, there is some room for larger chainrings (about .5 inch more in dia.). And if you use a low-mount, top-pull derailleur, you can get tons more room (though you'd have to get a strap-on cable stop for it because the welded-on stop is at the wrong angle for this). After lots of research, I decided that the rear suspension geometry of this bike was as close to perfect as I could expect. I have yet to feel any pedal-induced bobbing at any speed, and I've never felt brake forces affect the rear suspension either. And the design works equally well whether you're on or off the saddle (unlike the URT designs Trek, Klein and others sell). This is very important to me since I often slide back behind the saddle while descending at high speeds in order to transfer my weight onto the rear wheel for better braking and handling (as well as endo prevention!).I got mine with the optional Rock Shox Super Deluxe rear shock with adjustable rebound and compression damping, and adjustable spring pre-load. I highly recommend this! I use it to dial in the best ride for different trails and speeds. I experienced some wobbling at speeds above 30 mph at first, but this vanished after I experimented with the damping adjustments. Mine has a 300 lbs/inch spring, which I may replace with a 350 lbs/inch spring as I find it a little too easy to bottom out (I'm about 155 lbs). However, the bumpstop is very well designed and it's very difficult to tell when you actually do bottom out. The Judy DH is a pretty good match for the rear shock, but the DH's standard springs are a bit too stiff for me (see my review under Suspensions).I had a number of reasons to choose this bike over many others:I like the various Y frame bikes, but a couple of things annoy me about them. For one thing, the large spaces inside these frames amplify all noises from braking, bumps, rocks etc., which is distracting. Also, I prefer to use a trunk-mounted bike carrier instead of a roof rack (I know too many people who've hit things with their roof-mounted bikes). The Y frames don't work well with my carrier. Small reasons perhaps, but valid ones.Other bikes I considered either cost much more, or used obviously inferior suspension geometry or cheaper construction. The Santa Cruz Tazmon seemed better at first, until I realized that its design requires the use of an air shock instead of a coil spring shock. I talked with one Heckler owner who first rode a Tazmon for several months. He preferred the Heckler due to its better shock, and didn't notice any loss of stiffness with the Heckler's design.The Heckler is a great bike for people who truly enjoy all types of mountain biking. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Rockey
a downhiller
from barrie,canada
Date Reviewed: February 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Well made,well priced and very versatile. Enough travel for any trouble you can get into.I have a 6 inch A.C./Manitou on mine and it complements the frame nicely.I did not however like the stock dampening on the Fox Vanilla and had it lightened up.I have the bike set up strictly for downhill,running a single 46 tooth Kooka chainring locked in by a Bullet Bros. T2 roller gizmo driving an XTR 12-28 stack.Wheels are Mavic 121 Ceramics, hubs are Hope titanium,Missiles are the tire of choice.S.D.G. saddle,Syncros seatpost,Azonic bar and stem.Shifting is XTR/Grip shift X-Ray.Braking is by Magura in the rear,Critical Racing in the front. Bottom line is that this bike,set up like this ,is on par with any downhill rig in the world. An entire season of expert level racing,along with lots of other nutty fun rides(which included a 3-day gondola-fest at Mt.Ste.Anne,Quebec,the greatest downhill in Canada),failed to do the bike ,or the rider, any harm. It only rates four stars because due to the design of the rear suspension, there is some lockout while braking. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Boisvert
a racer
from Windham, Maine
Date Reviewed: February 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got a Heckler as my everything bike. It is my first full-suspension and all I can
say is I love it. I will use it for cross-country, downhill, and the everyday ride.
I have it with full XT, 97' Judy SL w/ long travel, and a few chi-chi parts. It only
weighs 25 pounds for me (16). But the ride is unbelievable, I can mash the pedals and
not get an ounce of pedal feedback. But the ride is amazingly plush and I can now see the
definite benefit of Full suspension. The first ride I took I was blown away. And there
is only one main pivot which makes maintenance a breeze. There is now no excuse for
hardtails to exist thanks to the Heckler. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nanci
a weekend warrior
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I thought I would update my previous review now that I have the correct size bike (14). I love it. I was worried that the extra weight (I'm used to riding a 21 lb hardtail bike would be a problem. No big deal it climbs great and with the microdrive and a 12-32 cogset I haven't left the middle chain ring on any climb yet.I do have to say that it only took me 2 rides to ditch the WTB tires in favor of Ritchey Alpha/Omegabyte tires, and the seat was quickly changed to something more comfortable for the female anatomy. It's a great bike to ride on any terrain and have a blast zipping by all my friends worried about which line they can safely take on their hardtails. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Velo Tech Sports
a racer
from Portland, Maine
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
If full suspension is what you are after; nothing compares to the Heckler.
Climbing, Descending, Cornering, Acceleration, etc.. its all there. Mine is raced every weekend X-contry; for 1997 it will set-up with a Rock Shok Super Deluxe rear shock (w/adjustable rebound and dampening) and on front will be a Marzocchi Z-1. Yahooooo 1997. Alias: The Flying Couch | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremiah Starkey
a racer
from California
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I am currently waiting for my Heckler to come in. This is one of the best all around bikes I have ever riddin. I recently sold my pro flex 856 to get the Heckler. The pro flex was a great bike for XC racing but it can't touch the performace of the Heckler on the DH. I race both XC and DH on the same bike so I needed an all around mtb. After 10-15 rides on the Heckler I was sold. The Heckler I have been test riding is equiped with the Rock Shox Super Deluxe wich performed very very well. I would recomend this bike to any mtber that wants to come down on the same bike they go up on. For an all around bike I give it 5 stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Carroll
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is an initial review based on only 2 rides since I've purchased the bike.
I'll post another one later as I get more familiar with the bike. For
comparison purposes I was previously riding a GT LTS-1 which I'll use for
contrast.
The construction of the bike is top notch, I got the metalic green finish with
the polished rear end. The only oversight I can see on the bike is that one
of the bottle mounts is too close to a cable route and might interfere. The
welds are super smooth and nice touches like the butted BB shell are very nice.
The frame feels a little lighter than my LTS was. I have the 20 version and
the sloping top tube is very nice.
The bike's handling is great. Initially I thought the rear end was super stiff
when I checked one out in a store, but after getting mine I can see a little
flex when pushing on it by hand, however out on the trail it really seems
very stiff and holds a line very well. The LTS was only really happy when the
bike was going faster than 15mph, while the Heckler is much better suited for
Austin singletrack speeds which are around 2mph - 15mph (yeah I know everyone
THINKS they go 30mph all the time on their singletrack, but it just ain't so).
During technical sections where speeds reach 0mph, the LTS just wasn't able to
maneuver, but the Heckler's handling in this situation is quicker allowing me
to 'body-english' my way out of stuff. Above 20mph the LTS was impeccable and
the Heckler requires more attention. If you ride fire roads the LTS is better,
if you ride singletrack the Heckler's handling is better suited.
The suspension action is very nice. The LTS's rear end did work better, but
the Heckler seems to be a good compromise. The Heckler feels much more solid
than the LTS when climbing and feels as if it's transfering power like a
hardtail. The trade-off is that without the power-robbing bob that the LTS had,
you also don't get the stellar traction. The LTS would bob under uneven
pedalling which would prevent the wheel from spinning and improve traction, this
made climbing a no-brainer. You really didn't need to pay attention to traction
at all, the bike would do it for you. The Heckler requires a little more
attention to maintain traction, but the payoff is a more responsive feel and
better apparent efficiency when climbing. The trade-off is worth it though, as
the feel of the Heckler really seems to be ideal for climbs whether technical
or smooth.
When things turn downhill the LTS does win. The Heckler is nice, but it's
setup for XC, while it's downhill performance is no slouch...it's not an
LTS. Get a 97 LTS with a 4 Bomber Z1 up front and you could rail downhill
over anything.
For most riding conditions the Heckler's rear end seems ideally suited. It's
pivot placement makes it feel responsive and gives it a good sprinting feel that
the LTS lacked. Surprisingly I felt no pedal feedback because of the higher
pivot location, this was my major problem with the old RTS, and I was concerned
that I would relive that on the Heckler but it's just not so. The suspension
feels very active with very little brake lockout, I'm impressed with it's
performance.
I love the Heckler. The LTS is a great bike and I still believe it has one of
the best rear suspension's in the business, but it's not ideal for XC, and the
Heckler really is. If the Heckler frame was $1300 I'd give it 5 starts, but for
only $900 it's a steal. I would recomend this bike to anyone.
I'll follow up this review in a few weeks after I've put some more time in on
the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Ford
a cross-country rider
from Redwood City, California
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The Santa Cruz seemed like a natural selection given my proximity to Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Mountains, but all emotion aside I made the mistake of taking one out for a Demo ride. It wasn't long before I high tailed it back to Santa Cruzs' office after a ride at Wilder Ranch. Having come off a bike with similar design characterisics but only 2 of rear travel, the Heckler was awesome. The rear of the bike was noticeably more rigid while descending through turns. Handled the single track with no hesitation and climbed quite nimbly. My concern as to whether the 4 of rear travel with make it climb sluggishly was all for not. The suspension was nice and active, adding great traction to the bikes climbing abilities. An Indy SL up front rounded out the suspension with the long travel option added giving 3 in the front. Using Santa Cruz's XT build kit with XTR v-brakes, the bike ways about 25.5. The only negative about the bike was the WTB primal raptor tires.
To sum up, the bike does it all well. The adjustable Fox Vanilla R coil works great and is more reliable than the Rock SHox super deluxe.
If you buy one prepare to go fast. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bud Merritt
a weekend warrior
from Hardwick, Ga., USA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
- Want a FS frame that looks like a $2,000 custom job for $900
- Want a FS frame that rides like a hardtail till you need the suspension?
- Want four inches of rear travel?
- Want beautiful fit and finish?
- Want rear suspension that will work like it was designed for a Bomber Z?
- Want to build a complete LX bike for $1800?
- Want to build a FS XT bike that weighs under 26 real pounds?
If so get the Heckler. I did and love it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nanci
a weekend warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
My boyfriend has been riding a 20 Heckler for the past 6 months and absolutely loves it. So he convinced me to buy a 16 version with all of the new upgrades for '97 (Indy SL fork, Fox Vanilla R rear shock, XT parts pick with XTR ti casette) The final weight is 25 lbs even. Not bad for a full suspension bike that rides really nicely and is around $2K. The only problem I'm having with the bike is my 16 has less stand over clearance than his 20 and I'm 5 shorter than he is. He thinks it's the long travel suspension. In any case Santa Cruz's measuring is a bit odd - the 16 bike has a 18 seat tube while the 18 bike has a 18.5 seat tube. In fact there is less than 1 difference in the top tube length of the two bike sizes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ady Short
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Having just built my Heckler up with a full XT groupset the only thing that I find
prohibitive is the all up weight of exactly 28lbs, I will try to alleviate this by
moving to some XTR parts and titanium seat post.
The suspension action is superb with a Rock Shox super deluxe rear I get easily 4
inches of travel with 1/2 inch set for sag, you can adjust the damping on the fly
with the knob easily accessable, the damping doesn't seem to work until quite a way
into the adjustment, which is definately useful to stop the rebound throwing you
over the bars, and hardly any set to work on stutter bumps. I've mated the rear with
a modified Judy up front giving 3 1/4 inches with the White Bros cart and springs
which makes the fork definately more supple and adjustable, only there's slightly
more flex fore and aft. With 3 up front and 4 at the back the bike seems well
balanced. The bike seems very active all the time I haven't noticed any stiffening
under braking and on an 18% gradient granny ring climb I noticed no biopacing or
shock lockout, better traction was evident on climbing due to the dig in sort of
effect. Sprinting out of the saddle did give some bobbing but not distractional and
the acceleration was very immediate due to the very stiff rear end less flex than my
23lb hard tail.
The only downers are the access to the front derailleur when installing due to the
swing arm, slight weight increase (but hey I need to lose some weight!!) and also when
in top gear going fast down hill the top run of the chain can rub on the bottom stay
(elevated stays) I've covered this with a Bullet Bros tensioner and chain stay protector.
In my view this bike is an ideal all rounder, ok for weekending cross country rides suitable
for racing Downhill but if you like messing about and getting air this bike isn't gonna break. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lee
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have just completed the build on the Heckler with Judy XC forks and
having tried several other full suspension bikes this one is an absolute bargain
at the price. It is stiff enough to have converted several friends with
hardtail frames, the only real penalty being the 2-3 lbs extra weight.
It makes other full suspension bikes seem overpriced and over hyped
If you want a bike for all purposes, try one! | | Overall Rating: |
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