Santa Cruz Bicycles

Heckler MX Carbon CC R e-Bike

Though we were a bit skeptical of e-bikes in the beginning, after throwing a leg over the Heckler MX and knocking out a grueling fire-road climb in a fraction of the time it normally takes, the epiphany struck. There's nearly unlimited potential to explore fresh trails in hard to reach places, and the pedal assistance lets you knock out the climbs quickly so you can spend more time on the fun parts. Simply put, the Heckler MX opens up a whole new style of riding for those willing to embrace it. In contrast to the standard Heckler, the MX version utilizes a 29in front wheel for mowing over obstacles with ease, and a 27.5in rear wheel to keep the handling precise. It has 140mm of VPP rear travel, a 140mm travel fork, progressive geometry, and a SRAM Eagle drivetrain with a wide gear range that matches the bike's eagerness to explore. This isn't some sluggish e-bike, it's an aggressive trail bike that pairs Santa Cruz's renowned carbon chassis with Shimano's proven electric motor to help you ride further and faster.

With the Heckler, Santa Cruz wanted to make a bike that was light and agile, yet handles tricky terrain with confidence. AKA, something that mimicked the feel of their high-end mountain bikes as closely as possible. They achieve this by using the same CC Carbon construction as their top-tier frames, then pairing it with a cleanly-integrated 504wh battery. This keeps the bike under 50lbs, putting the Heckler right up there with the lightest e-MTBs in its class. The mixed wheel configuration gives you the best traits of both wheel sizes, while the 64.6-degree head angle brings confidence and stability when the trail gets rough. The lower-link VPP suspension balances plush bump-absorption with efficient pedaling performance, and it's tuned with lower anti-squat than Santa Cruz's regular pedal bikes for a more active feel with enhanced traction when you're grunting up a technical climb. When it comes time to go down, the suspension has the mid-stroke and bottom-out support needed to tackle repeated high-speed impacts along with bigger jumps and drops—even with the added weight of the battery and motor.

The Heckler MX uses Shimano's latest EP800 motor that's both lighter and more compact than the previous generation. It also has 10Nm greater torque and smoother power delivery, allowing you to clear the steepest climbs without breaking traction. There are three modes to choose from: Eco, Trail, and Boost. Eco delivers the least amount of power and consequently the longest range. It's ideal for longer rides or when you're making a conscious effort to save power. Trail is the most usable mode for normal trail riding, progressively ramping up the power as you increase your pedaling cadence. Boost mode is quite powerful, providing considerable pedal-assistance for speeds up to 20mph. An intuitive computer display on the handlebar lets you easily switch between these modes, and shows you the current mode as well as your speed.

*Due to unprecedented demand in the global supply chain and the bike industry over the last 18 months, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be minor. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.