Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV – In our 2024 light eMTB comparison test

Santa Cruz’s light eMTB, the Heckler SL, leaves very little to be desired, at least on paper. With 160/150 mm of travel, mullet wheel setup and top-tier spec, it should be ready for all situations. But how does the Heckler SL fare against the hottest bikes of the season in our 2024 light eMTB comparison test?

Alongside the Heckler and Bullit full-power eMTBs, the Californian manufacturer also offers a light assistance eMTB, the Heckler SL. As a veteran of the mountain bike industry, Santa Cruz couldn’t miss our 2024 light eMTB group test. With its FAZUA Ride 60 motor and 430 Wh battery, the little sibling of Santa Cruz’s full-fat eMTBs has already proved what it’s capable of in our big 2024 eMTB comparison test.

The Heckler SL takes on the competition with Santa Cruz’s trademark VPP rear suspension, a flip chip in the rear shock mount and a mullet wheel setup, generating 160/150 mm of travel front/rear. It’s available in five sizes, S to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders between 1.55 and 2 m tall. Our XX AXS RSV spec variant retails at € 12,999, which makes it the second most expensive bike in the entire test field, tipping the scales at 19.58 kg in size L.

Click here for an overview of this comparison test: The best light eMTB of 2024 – 9 of the most exciting bikes in direct comparison

Endless high end – What sets the Santa Cruz Heckler SL apart from the competition?

Our test bike relies on Santa Cruz’s top-tier CC carbon frame in an elegant “Matt Silver” finish. The lighter CC models rely on a larger proportion of higher strength fibres, where the C models use lower strength fibres. As a result, the CC version is stiffer yet also lighter than the C version. The down tube has the familiar hockey stick shape typical of FAZUA-equipped bikes, and it perfectly suits Santa Cruz’s classic look, making it easier for the design team to integrate the motor into the frame. As a result, the FAZUA Ride 60 Motor is seamlessly integrated into the bottom bracket area and barely visible at first glance. As the name suggests, The motor delivers 60 Nm of torque and 350 watts of peak power, which can be pushed to 450 watts for a few seconds using the Boost function. The motor draws its power from a 430 Wh FAZUA battery, which is permanently integrated into the down tube, right above the motor, and can be charged via a charging port in the bottom bracket area. The motor system is paired with a Ring Control remote on the handlebars, which unfortunately provides a rather poor user experience. This is mainly due to the plastic buttons, which frankly feel quite cheap, and stop working properly with little encouragement. TQ are clearly ahead with their TQ–HPR50 remote. The FAZUA LED hub integrated into the top tube shows basic riding data such as the current support mode and battery charge status in different colours. Under the LED hub hides a USB-C charging port.

Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur, and also enables shifting under load. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, while a small fender on the swingarm protects the shock from muck and dirt. Our Heckler SL test bike rolls on Santa Cruz’s in-house Reverse 30 carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, with a Minion DHF tyre in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound and puncture-prone EXO casing at the front, while a Minion DHR II brings up the rear in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and robust Doubledown casing. The production bike has the same tire combo, albeit with the thinner EXO+ casing at the rear, which sits right in between EXO and Doubledown in terms of puncture protection. Heavy riders in particular should upgrade to the EXO+ casing at the front and Doubledown at the rear to protect the carbon rims.

Rockshox supply the suspension, consisting of a top-tier Lyrik Ultimate fork and matching Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. Both offer countless adjustment options and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. A cut-out in the seat tube makes it easy to read the shock sag. A flip chip in the lower shock mount lets you switch between a high and low setting – we rode the Heckler SL mainly in the latter. SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear provide reliable, powerful deceleration. The brake lines run close to the handlebars and disappear into the frame through conventional cable ports on the frame – great news for all home mechanics! However, while the cable routing looks tidy, the hoses rattle loudly against the handlebars on the trail. RockShox also supply the 170 mm, wireless Reverb AXS dropper post, which leaves the Santa Cruz Heckler SL almost completely wireless, except for the LED hub’s data cable, ensuring a super-clean cockpit. That said, the dropper is too short for a trail bike in size, restricting freedom of movement on the trail.

Tuning Tip: To protect the carbon wheels, heavier and aggressive riders should upgrade to an EXO+ casing at the front and Doubledown at the rear.

Fun mix – The Santa Cruz Heckler SL on the trail

Riding uphill, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL places you in an upright, comfortable pedalling position. Santa Cruz’s proven VPP rear suspension generates plenty of traction, with minimal pedal bob. If you manage to reach the climb switch, which sits far down in the frame, the rear suspension works a lot more efficiently. The FAZUA Ride 60 motor provides good support, with the temporary Boost mode encouraging you to race your riding buddies to the trail head. However, the FAZUA Ride 60 motor isn’t quite as powerful as other motors in this test, like the Shimano EP801 motor of the Cannondale Monterra or MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K. Nevertheless, the FAZUA is more powerful than the TQ-HPR50 motor of the SCOTT Voltage or the Specialized 1.2 SL Custom Rx Trail Tuned drive of the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL. We cover each of these motor systems in a lot more detail in our big motor comparison test, if you want to know more. In terms of reliability, the FAZUA motor system has often struggled with problems in the past. Although the latest software update has resolved many of these problems, we cannot recommend the system without reservation.

When gravity takes over, the Heckler SL integrates you nicely between its wheels. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, while the high front end inspires tons of confidence. On the rough, rocky section at the beginning of our test track, the Heckler SL was immediately subjected to its first endurance test. Overwhelmed? Not at all! Here, the Santa Cruz Heckler impresses with great composure, gobbling up even bigger hits without reaching its limits. When the going gets steep, the high front end inspires confidence and prevents you from flying over the bars. However, the Heckler doesn’t quite match the composure of the MERIDA eONE-Sixty 10K. On flowing trails, the rather firm suspension makes it easy to generate speed by pumping through rollers and berms. Here the Heckler SL shows its playful side, making it easy to ride around obstacles if you don’t feel like ploughing through them. Overall, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL invites you to play with the trail and to pop off roots and natural kickers, while rewarding your efforts with a big grin on your face. However, in this regard, the Santa Cruz doesn’t quite match Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL, which is even more nimble. All in all, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility, while delivering tons of fun in the process.

Tuning. tip: To protect the carbon wheels, heavier and aggressive riders should upgrade to an EXO+ casing at the front and Doubledown at the rear.

Who should take a closer look at the Santa Cruz Heckler SL?

As a good all-rounder, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL appeals to a wide range of riders, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned trail veteran. If you’re looking for a playful e-mountainbike for fun trail escapades, the Heckler SL is a great companion. With the highest payload in the entire test field (136 kg), the Santa Cruz Heckler SL is also an attractive option for heavy riders.

Our conclusions about the Santa Cruz Heckler SL

With its top-tier spec, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL looks impressive on paper, with real-world performance to match! The Californian trail bruiser strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility, while slapping a massive grin on your face in the process. Uphill, the Heckler SL impresses with relatively powerful assistance, though it can’t quite keep up with the best climbers in this test. The only blemish is the eye-watering price tag, which might be a deal breaker for most mere mortals.

For more information, visit santacruzbicycles.com

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The test field

Click here for an overview of this comparison test: The best light eMTB of 2024 – 9 of the most exciting bikes in direct comparison.

All bikes in test: Cannondale Moterra SL1 | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 | Mondraker Dune RR | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Orbea Rise | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL | YT DECOY SN

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker, Mike Hunger