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Santa Cruz Heckler - 3 year (quick) review

By Mr Oysterhead - Posted on 12 March 2013

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

I thought id write up a quick 3 year review of my beloved Heckler. I love XC trail riding but also love doing some silly things when out there. I also like to not have my bike in the shop every other week!

2010 Santa Cruz Heckler
Fox Float RLC 140mm
Fox RP23 Boost Valve XV (fitted with Fox volume reducer)
Mavic Crossmax ST's
Thomson 50mm stem
Shimano SLX brakes (2012)
Shimano XTR SPD's
Shimano XT 2x9 - Gamut bash guard
Shimano XT cassette 11-34
Shimano XT front derailleur
Sram PC991 chain
Sram X0 rear derailleur
Sram X9 shifters
Chris King NoThreadset
Easton Haven bars - 711mm (2013)
Rock Shock Reverb dropper - 125mm (2012)
WTB Silverado saddle
ODI Rogue lock-on grips
Shwalbe Nobby Nic 2.4 Tubeless - front
Shwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25 Tubeless - rear

Complete bike weight - 12.6kgs

After much issues with an 08 Specialized Stumpjumper (7 blown rear shocks, snapped swingarm, & I only weigh 75kgs) I decided to build up a hard hitting trail bike, capable of withstanding my Mr Plow nature (rather than Mr Finesse). I got on well with the Stumpy, pity the bike just couldn't take the abuse it was getting.

Enter the Heckler.
I have played with a few different components over the years but right now I consider the bike just right for me. A perfect compromise between weight & strength, climbing & decending

Im 5"10.5 and ordered the large. Im right in the middle of the medium & large sizes, decided to go the large mainly due to me doing more XC riding than gravity based runs. (I like earning my decent!) Although after three years on the bike I believe I could have also ridden the medium just fine.

===

Climbing:
The bike climbs as well if not better than the Stumpjumper, and the Stumpy had one of those fancy (& unreliable) Specialized brain shocks. Very minimal pedal bob when you spend a bit of time getting the shock right.

Descending:
This bike loves to go down. Even with what some people might call a 'steep' head angle, (69 degrees. The modern style trail bikes now run anywhere from 68-66! WTF) this bike simple eats up the descents. We don't have high speed, steep trails here in Perth so anything slacker than 68 degrees would simply be too slack for 90% of what's around here IMO.

Summary:
I freaking love my bike! My confidence sky rocketed once I was on this lill beasty.

What would I change?:
I'd love to fit this with the new Fox 34 Talas fork, but they dont make them with a 1/18 steerer tube. Sad face. 36 is alittle overkill for a rider of my capabilities, plus it would be too much of a weight penalty

===

The only issues ive run into over the years were the rear shock blowing through its travel quite easily (fixed with the volume reducer) & the Fox fork developing a creak (crown was eventually replaced by Fox, no issues since) Also I used to run Avid Juicy Ultimate stoppers, but one day for no apparent reason one of the reservoir clamps decided to snap.(But I consider that a blessing because the SLX brakes are far superior)
Other than those minor issues the bike has been flawless!

Mr O.

[Mod. moved to MTB gear[

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Go the Heckler :)

Submitted by VRC on Tue, 12/03/2013 - 19:38.

I too ride a 2010 SC Heckler & have been doing so for the last 2 1/2 yrs & reckon your on the ball with your review there.

I have had a couple of minor things happen with it but nothing major, gotta say it's been a pretty reliable bike o/a & i've never been to precious with it from the start, it just loves rock gardens & gnarly descents & like you say they climb pretty well as well...

I've just changed forks to Rock shox Rebas as appose to Talas & they're a good combo, for adjustments on the trail. I have full XTR drivetrain & American Classic wheelset which as kept the weight down reasonably well, for a no nonsense all rounder bike.

just out of interest have you tried a SC Nomad? I rode a mate of mines recently with a view to switching frames & it was a very simmilar feel to the Heckler, so ended up sticking with the old girl

Yep

Submitted by Mr Oysterhead on Wed, 13/03/2013 - 07:48.

Ive ridden an alloy Nomad, albeit briefly. Very similar for sure. This Nomad was set up for serious all mountain/downhill, Fox 36's, single chainring up front with guide, Mavic Deemax wheels. It's like a Heckler on supplements.

What I love about the Heckler is its simplicity & versatility. One pivot & two bushings to take care of. Piece of cake! And depending on how you decide to set it up it could be an neverfail xc racer or one serious all mountain machine. Or somewhere in the middle like mine.

I think though my next bike (as the Heckler needs a friend) will be a Santa Cruz Blur TRc. I think one of those would be the ultimate trail bike for Perths trails. But in saying this my Heckler will be a life long friend. I dont think I could ever sell her, we have been through quite a bit together now.

Are you my long lost twin?

Submitted by BT on Wed, 13/03/2013 - 10:37.

Same sentiments here, although I have the model before you ('04 frame). I bought the bike 2nd hand in '08 and it's still going strong and I'm the third owner. I'm 5"11 and on a medium frame, although I reckon it's a touch too small. Would love to try a large and see what the difference is.

I run a DHX-5 coil on mine and it's perfect. Obviously paying a weight penalty there but it's a great match handling-wise. These days I stick to the one 'all mountain' build on mine, but a year or two ago I was competing in 100k and 24hr races on it. I'd just swap to a lighter wheel set and put on a DT Swiss air shock.

Like you I'm dreaming of a TRc, but I just can't break my Heckler to justify buying one!

Submitted by Mr Oysterhead on Wed, 13/03/2013 - 10:47.

Im pretty sure ill break long before my Heckler does!

Ive always been interested to see how they ride with a coil shock. Ive heard great things about them on Hecklers.

What size stem are you running? I think I could have ridden a medium with a 70-80mm stem. This would give me the same reach as my large running a 50mm stem.

Mine's a 100m stem. I would

Submitted by BT on Wed, 13/03/2013 - 14:32.

Mine's a 100m stem. I would have preferred a slightly shorter one, but this one came up at the right price at the time.

Can't agree more

Submitted by donkerr on Fri, 15/03/2013 - 12:39.

I changed to a heckler in 2003 when I kept breaking GT I-drive frames, so wanted something a bit more burly for Sydney. I now ride an LTcBlur and Nomad - but I have to be brutally honest the heckler is probably my favourite of all time - it's a very large bike and the slack head angle makes it very easy for long long rides. And it smashes downhill trails. The real difference would be the weight from the heckler to the blur but unless you are racing it's probably not an issue. Don't feel compelled to change bikes.