Danny MacAskill just doesn't stop talking about ebikes. He's infatuated with them. In fact, the only time he's not chewing someone's ear off about how good they are is when he's riding them. And when he's riding an ebike he rides and rides and rides. Which is partly why we've made the newest Heckler able to go further, higher, faster and be funner.
The latest generation of the Heckler has a larger interchangeable battery (720wh up from 504wh), which allows riders to expand their own trail map - accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and cramming more into less time.
The new Heckler has both mixed or dual 29-inch wheel size options. Wheel size isn't the only option for riders. There's a full size range of both from medium to XXL, with the small size frame having dual 27.5 wheels. Two levels of carbon (Santa Cruz's own C and CC blends) open up the range of options for build kits.
The thing that sets our ebikes apart from the pack is the on-trail manners of the bike. We sweat the carbon layup and frame design so it's tough enough to handle the sheer quantity of riding ebikes allow. There's no corners cut in the componentry so your only concern is not getting lost rather than being stuck with a mechanical. The geometry has been honed from a lot of testing and feedback in order to make the ride fun whether going up or down. And finally, the legendary VPP suspension has been tuned precisely for ebike use. 150mm rear travel (with 160mm travel fork up front) seems to be the sweet spot for a bike intended to tame big trails on big days, with slightly less anti-squat to give it glue-like traction on the climbs you'll be testing yourself on.
R-Kit 29" Build Specs
Weight: 22.35kg / 49.27lbs
Material: Carbon C
Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select, 160mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select
Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
Shifters: SRAM NX Eagle Single Click, 12spd
Crankset: Shimano EM600 Crank Arms 165mm
Cassette: SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t
Chain: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
Brakes: SRAM G2 RE
Brake Rotors: Avid Centerline 200mm
Headset: Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset
Bars: E13 TRS Base
Stem: e13 TRS Base
Grips: Santa Cruz House Grips
Front Hub: SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h
Rear Hub: SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h
Rims: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29"
Chainguide: E13 E-Spec+ AL
Battery: 720Wh Integrated, removable
Drive Unit: Shimano Drive Unit DU-EP800
Display: Shimano Display Unit SC-E7000
Charger: Smart-Plus 4A Charger
Spokes: Sapim Race
Front Tire: Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", 3C, MaxxGRIP, EXO+, TR
Please Note: Price, Weight and Parts Spec information is subject to change.
Design Details
Interchangeable 720wh battery The battery is fully removable/replaceable which means carrying a spare for ultra range or charging the battery away from the bike is possible.
The bigger battery gives riders more range to go further and the confidence to do so.
Longer Range: The Heckler's 720wh interchangeable battery allows riders to expand their own trail map - accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and cramming more into less time.
720wh Battery: The bigger battery gives riders more range to go further or have less anxiety doing so. But the bigger the battery the greater the weight, and there's a point where the advantage of more range is overcome by the negative handling characteristics. That's why after a lot of testing of different battery sizes we feel 720wh is the sweet spot for big rides on real trails. Making the battery removable (using a 4mm hex key) makes it easy to drop a new one in or change off the bike (at an AirBnB, motel or apartment).
29 & MX Wheel Options: The full 29: version feels more calm at speed and efficient across varied terrain. The mixed wheel version (29: up front and 27.5" in the rear) blends traction with quicker steering. Offering both means every rider can find a bike that matches their riding style.
150mm VPP Suspension: One of the best suspension systems ever to grace a mountain bike. It's versatility means it gobbles up the rough stuff but is also really efficient. The two stout links creatae a very tough bike that's made to last many lifetimes of trails. We've been using VPP suspension since 2001. Rather than contracting a series of kooky inventors to try to build eer more complex and wack-a-doo suspension designs or proprietary shocks so the Marketing department has something to talk about, we've stuck with what is an extremely versatile and high-performance mechanism. We do this so you have the very best performing full-suspension bike imaginable rather than having the best performing marketing jargon ever.
Full carbon C and CC frame options
Carbon CC frames use the very best materials and production processes available, while Carbon C frames offer the same great features while adding a little more weight to save a little $. Both versions are made in our own factory, are just as strong and stiff as one another, and have a lifetime warranty.
Shimano EP8 motor The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter, more powerful and more efficient. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. Short, stout counter-rotating links connect the front and rear triangles to create an extremely robust chassis. Simple linkages contain the pivot points to prevent slop from developing over time; grease ports make it servicable; pivots run on large diameter axles and bearings, which we offer free lifetime replacement for. An ebike will see more abuse than a usual bike (longer, further, higher) so having something that runs and runs and runs is important.
Coil and water compatibility The option to run large body shocks (like a coil) and still fit a water bottle in the front triangle.
Made to last many lifetimes The legendary Santa Cruz fit, finish and quality construction put this into a league of its own. The frame, bearings and optional Reserve wheels come with a lifetime warranty and any service is easy to do with our Rider Support pledge.
Details matter The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm, and rubberized DT protectors to shrug off strikes.
Geo The latest Heckler gets longer reach and slacker headtube angle than previous generations. A 445mm rear center blends climbing traction and downhill composure.
Frame Sizing
If you're on the cusp between the recommended height range of two sizes, the absolute best thing is to try to ride them both. At a minimum, check the stack/reach measurements on your current bike and compare it to the new model you are looking at to get an idea of a fit you are already comfortable with. If riding the bike is not an option, consider the following.
Personal Preference A larger size frame will be more stable, and will give you more room to move without upsetting the weight-balance of the bike. The larger size will put the front wheel further in front of you, which gives the feeling of security and conversely, it will require more significant body movements when you WANT to shift the weight-bias of the bike. Think hard about your riding style and how active/intuitive you want it to be vs stable and speedy. You'll need to work a bit harder to muscle the larger bike around.
Body Dimension Not all bodies at a given height are the same. If you have longer legs and a shorter torso than the average person your height, that may push you towards the smaller of the recommended sizes. If you're all torso and arms, most likely you'll want to size up.
R-Kit MX Build Specs
Weight: 22.13kg / 48.79lbs
Material: Carbon C
Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select, 160mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select
Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
Shifters: SRAM NX Eagle Single Click, 12spd
Crankset: Shimano EM600 Crank Arms 165mm
Cassette: SRAM PG1230, 12spd, 11-50t
Chain: SRAM NX Eagle, 12spd
Brakes: SRAM G2 RE
Brake Rotors: Avid Centerline 200mm
Headset: Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset
Bars: E13 TRS Base
Stem: e13 TRS Base
Grips: Santa Cruz House Grips
Front Hub: SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, Torque Cap, 32h
Rear Hub: SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, 32h
Rims: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 29” (F), 27.5” (R) (Size Small is 27.5” Front and Rear)
Chainguide: E13 E-Spec+ AL
Battery: 720Wh Integrated, removable
Drive Unit: Shimano Drive Unit DU-EP800
Display: Shimano Display Unit SC-E7000
Charger: Smart-Plus 4A Charger
Spokes: Sapim Race
Front Tire: Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", 3C, MaxxGrip, EXO+, TR (Size Small is 27.5”)
Please Note: Price, Weight and Parts Spec information is subject to change.
Design Details
Interchangeable 720wh battery The battery is fully removable/replaceable which means carrying a spare for ultra range or charging the battery away from the bike is possible.
The bigger battery gives riders more range to go further and the confidence to do so.
Longer Range: The Heckler's 720wh interchangeable battery allows riders to expand their own trail map - accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails and cramming more into less time.
720wh Battery: The bigger battery gives riders more range to go further or have less anxiety doing so. But the bigger the battery the greater the weight, and there's a point where the advantage of more range is overcome by the negative handling characteristics. That's why after a lot of testing of different battery sizes we feel 720wh is the sweet spot for big rides on real trails. Making the battery removable (using a 4mm hex key) makes it easy to drop a new one in or change off the bike (at an AirBnB, motel or apartment).
29 & MX Wheel Options: The full 29: version feels more calm at speed and efficient across varied terrain. The mixed wheel version (29: up front and 27.5" in the rear) blends traction with quicker steering. Offering both means every rider can find a bike that matches their riding style.
150mm VPP Suspension: One of the best suspension systems ever to grace a mountain bike. It's versatility means it gobbles up the rough stuff but is also really efficient. The two stout links creatae a very tough bike that's made to last many lifetimes of trails. We've been using VPP suspension since 2001. Rather than contracting a series of kooky inventors to try to build eer more complex and wack-a-doo suspension designs or proprietary shocks so the Marketing department has something to talk about, we've stuck with what is an extremely versatile and high-performance mechanism. We do this so you have the very best performing full-suspension bike imaginable rather than having the best performing marketing jargon ever.
Full carbon C and CC frame options
Carbon CC frames use the very best materials and production processes available, while Carbon C frames offer the same great features while adding a little more weight to save a little $. Both versions are made in our own factory, are just as strong and stiff as one another, and have a lifetime warranty.
Shimano EP8 motor The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter, more powerful and more efficient. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides. Short, stout counter-rotating links connect the front and rear triangles to create an extremely robust chassis. Simple linkages contain the pivot points to prevent slop from developing over time; grease ports make it servicable; pivots run on large diameter axles and bearings, which we offer free lifetime replacement for. An ebike will see more abuse than a usual bike (longer, further, higher) so having something that runs and runs and runs is important.
Coil and water compatibility The option to run large body shocks (like a coil) and still fit a water bottle in the front triangle.
Made to last many lifetimes The legendary Santa Cruz fit, finish and quality construction put this into a league of its own. The frame, bearings and optional Reserve wheels come with a lifetime warranty and any service is easy to do with our Rider Support pledge.
Details matter The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm, and rubberized DT protectors to shrug off strikes.
Geo The latest Heckler gets longer reach and slacker headtube angle than previous generations. A 445mm rear center blends climbing traction and downhill composure.
Frame Sizing
If you're on the cusp between the recommended height range of two sizes, the absolute best thing is to try to ride them both. At a minimum, check the stack/reach measurements on your current bike and compare it to the new model you are looking at to get an idea of a fit you are already comfortable with. If riding the bike is not an option, consider the following.
Personal Preference A larger size frame will be more stable, and will give you more room to move without upsetting the weight-balance of the bike. The larger size will put the front wheel further in front of you, which gives the feeling of security and conversely, it will require more significant body movements when you WANT to shift the weight-bias of the bike. Think hard about your riding style and how active/intuitive you want it to be vs stable and speedy. You'll need to work a bit harder to muscle the larger bike around.
Body Dimension Not all bodies at a given height are the same. If you have longer legs and a shorter torso than the average person your height, that may push you towards the smaller of the recommended sizes. If you're all torso and arms, most likely you'll want to size up.
