Heckler SL Live Ride: Is This The Most Fun Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Ever?

Santa Cruz's Heckler SL might just be the most fun mountain bike they've ever made. Find out what this Fazua powered mid power, mid travel, mixed wheel is really like to ride as I tackle my favourite local tech trails with Heckler SL owner Olly.
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[@lsa20k]

Thx for the review!! I have a C S build and love it. Handling superb. Motor very silent! I just don't get the shock done as I want it (biobike is a Trek Slash with SD ultimate). Are you planning to test another shock?

[@YepNeddy]

Fab vid as usual Guy. Where are these trails? They look mint

[@BurningHorizons]

Guisecliff Wood nr Pateley Bridge. It's private woodland with a couple of public footpaths running through. However, the landowner appears to be tolerant of cyclists. Even hosted a NAMBS DH event back in the 90's. Very techy and steep, particularly at the top. Many non-eMTB use Nought Bank Road to ascend.

[@davegriffiths6277]

@Guykevs, Having ridden this and the Whyte 150 RSX, how do you feel they compare? Climbing and descending? I know the SC has a little more travel. How do the two motors compare? These two are on my list of lightweight ebikes and I'd appreciate your comments on the two. Ta

[@ceriway380]

Excellent ride showing how a bike rides ,I've riden there, and it's techy. You talk about short cranks ,i have shimano Ep8 ( orbea rise), and there don't seem to many options for 160mm any Suggestion of maker brands.

[@GuyKesTV]

Cheers Ceri, weirdly Hope don’t do Shimano yet. You’ll have to pester them!

[@fion1flatout]

I was going to be dull and ask what the mudguards were, but you did mention they are Crud. I've struggled with mudguard aversion all my biking life 😅

[@GuyKesTV]

If you still haven't got a mudguard after this winter then you're definitely a 'fendercist' 🤣🤣

[@EuropesWorstGamer]

Is there a frame only option in the pipeline? I’ve looked everywhere and nothing gives. I could flip my bits onto one of these and sell my old frame. 🤔

[@GuyKesTV]

I’ll ask boss

[@Deebo1985]

Been watching a lot of these lightweight EMTB videos and so far thinking the Kenevo SL fits the bill. What would be your choice of an SL bike for riding enduro type trails? There is a Kenevo SL expert for sale online 4999 brand new (with 1.1 motor) and it seems a deal too good to miss. I just want something to take the sting out of the steeper climbs and enable me to get a few more laps in when time limited.

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, Kenevo SL is still the one for proper Enduro / Park work. ESP at that price and with full fresh bike back up.

[@Deebo1985]

How did you find the S4? Think I'm around the same height as you (I'm a smidge over 5ft 11) and slightly worried the S4 will be too long (current bike is 465 so it's a big jump)

[@adriangidney7134]

I ride an S4 levo sl 1.1 , I'm 5'11" & I reckon it's perfect for me.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Deebo1985 you’re an inch taller than me and I’d defo go S4

[@Deebo1985]

Cheers both for the replies, helps a lot with that decision

[@andig72]

@GuyKes your motor sounds like it needs a replacement. I‘ve ridden the same bike last weekend and it was absolutely silent. Some of those Fazua motors seem to have a problem in terms of noise.

[@GuyKesTV]

Yeah, a couple of other people have said that now. Apparently the motors in the first batch have some noise and reliability issues. They’ve all been solved with a replacement motor but it seems my demo bike must have had a first batch engine

[@david1519]

I have a spring in my step and a foot of prick at my disposal! Beats 60nm any day of the week! 😂😂😂😂

[@IntoTheWhite04]

Jimmy

[@johnyates6753]

That motor sounds poorly?

[@GuyKesTV]

Apparently the second batch of motors is a lot quieter. I guess this is first batch 🤣

[@johnyates6753]

@@GuyKesTV Hope so!!

[@Andy-co6pn]

Hmm a Bosch motor would have been my choice .

[@GuyKesTV]

But Santa Cruz are part of the Ponhub group with links to Porsche and therefore Fazua

[@Andy-co6pn]

@GuyKesTV Ah ok. I knew their had to be a commercial reason, I wasn't sure what it was. "Pornhub" ???

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Andy-co6pn Ponhub is the name I keep trying to get the Santa Cruz / Cervelo / Focus folks to adopt as their group bike site because they’re all part of the Pon group. pon.com/en/

[@wvjeepguy8178]

First!