Got my Heckler SL - First Ride and First Post

[w00tw00t]

Hey there, folks!

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the 2024 Hecker SL CC X0 AXS in Matte Silver that I snagged earlier this week and took out for a spin yesterday. So, a bit of background - I've been rolling on a Gen3 Levo full sized eMTB, so transitioning to this sleeker, lighter version was quite the change. Also, I'm your typical middle-aged mountain biker, nothing too fancy

TBH I'd gone into the bike shop intent on purchasing the full sized Heckler. Then when I saw they had a Heckler SL in my size and in the right config, I took it out for a test ride and was immediately sold. That said I was a bit nervous about 'downgrading' and wondered if I'd end up regretting a smaller motor/battery. Well... After my first ride, all of that changed!

I am seriously impressed. This bike feels like a feather compared to my Levo, and it handles like a dream. It practically dives into corners effortlessly, which was a pleasant surprise. Plus, it's stealthy quiet. In Rocket mode, if I really concentrate, I can kind of hear the motor, but honestly, I had to really focus to notice it. The stealthy eMTB vibe is a game-changer, and it brought back memories of my old non-e MTBs.

The SRAM transmission lives up to the hype. Shifting felt buttery smooth and quick, and though I didn't really go crazy trying to shift under too much load, it did shift well enough under load going uphill so that's great!

I took it out for a solid hour and a half, switching between normal and turbo modes, and still had juice left in the battery when I called it quits.

Now, here's the only hiccup - the dropper post. It came with the OneUp dropper, and it was a bit finicky on the way up sometimes, getting stuck.

All in all, I'm head over heels for this bike. Solid 9.5/10 in my book. Not sure why some folks are complaining, but for your average mountain biker like me, this one's a winner. Highly recommended!

PS - Big thanks to Justin at Mike's Bike's in San Jose! Made the whole purchase experience really pleasant and easy!

 

[cykelk]

Congrats on the new ride! Come join us in the Heckler SL thread

Now, here's the only hiccup - the dropper post. It came with the OneUp dropper, and it was a bit finicky on the way up sometimes, getting stuck.

OneUp posts are great in my experience. Pop the seat off and check the air pressure, it may be low from the factory and/or after sitting around in the build kit for a while. I had to add about 100psi to mine. You can also spin the collar off (above the seat clamp) and put some suspension grease underneath.

 

[w00tw00t]

Congrats on the new ride! Come join us in the Heckler SL thread

OneUp posts are great in my experience. Pop the seat off and check the air pressure, it may be low from the factory and/or after sitting around in the build kit for a while. I had to add about 100psi to mine. You can also spin the collar off (above the seat clamp) and put some suspension grease underneath.

Thanks! Great tip on the dropper air pressure, will check it out!

 

[Canyon Shawn]

That’s a nice bike. I bought a Trek EXe and I love it for all the same reasons. I didn’t even want an Ebike, till the EXe came out. Make sure your seatpost clamp isn’t to tight. I had the same problem with mine and that was causing it. Hit me up if you ever come down to the Thousand Oaks area.

 

[Gavalar]

Hey there, folks!

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the 2024 Hecker SL CC X0 AXS in Matte Silver that I snagged earlier this week and took out for a spin yesterday. So, a bit of background - I've been rolling on a Gen3 Levo full sized eMTB, so transitioning to this sleeker, lighter version was quite the change. Also, I'm your typical middle-aged mountain biker, nothing too fancy

TBH I'd gone into the bike shop intent on purchasing the full sized Heckler. Then when I saw they had a Heckler SL in my size and in the right config, I took it out for a test ride and was immediately sold. That said I was a bit nervous about 'downgrading' and wondered if I'd end up regretting a smaller motor/battery. Well... After my first ride, all of that changed!

I am seriously impressed. This bike feels like a feather compared to my Levo, and it handles like a dream. It practically dives into corners effortlessly, which was a pleasant surprise. Plus, it's stealthy quiet. In Rocket mode, if I really concentrate, I can kind of hear the motor, but honestly, I had to really focus to notice it. The stealthy eMTB vibe is a game-changer, and it brought back memories of my old non-e MTBs.

The SRAM transmission lives up to the hype. Shifting felt buttery smooth and quick, and though I didn't really go crazy trying to shift under too much load, it did shift well enough under load going uphill so that's great!

I took it out for a solid hour and a half, switching between normal and turbo modes, and still had juice left in the battery when I called it quits.

Now, here's the only hiccup - the dropper post. It came with the OneUp dropper, and it was a bit finicky on the way up sometimes, getting stuck.

All in all, I'm head over heels for this bike. Solid 9.5/10 in my book. Not sure why some folks are complaining, but for your average mountain biker like me, this one's a winner. Highly recommended!

PS - Big thanks to Justin at Mike's Bike's in San Jose! Made the whole purchase experience really pleasant and easy!
View attachment 127446 View attachment 127447

Still can't polish a turd

 

[Doomanic]

Seems harsh, what have I missed?

 

[Canyon Shawn]

Seems harsh, what have I missed?

seriously! Regardless it being an Ebike, it’s one of the best looking mountain bikes available. It’s better looking than most non e-bikes.

 

[Doomanic]

Err, ok. What’s that got to do with my question to Gav?

 

[Downhillr]

Still can't polish a turd

What don't you like about yours?

 

[Canyon Shawn]

Err, ok. What’s that got to do with my question to Gav?

I was agreeing with you. His comment was stupid.

 

[Marcelfacd]

Now, here's the only hiccup - the dropper post. It came with the OneUp dropper, and it was a bit finicky on the way up sometimes, getting stuck.

The collar may be a bit to tight. Take it out (the post), clean it and put some friction paste (usually for carbon parts) on it and tighten slightly under spec.

 

[cappuccino34]

In my experience, far too many people just don't understand the lightweight e-bike thing. Heads firmly in the sand. Their loss, they're missing out on a great riding experience in my opinion.

I've got some full fat bikes as well as SLs, and for most rides I prefer the SLs, yet still some people don't believe me.

 

[Shjay]

Definitely want to try a demo of this bike would run it as Enduro bike & change my Rise back to a trail bike

 

[Suns_PSD]

Bike looks great.

Size, weight and if that includes pedals?

Thx

 

[Montana St Alum]

The collar may be a bit to tight. Take it out (the post), clean it and put some friction paste (usually for carbon parts) on it and tighten slightly under spec.

Yeah, One Up and PNW are both sensitive to seat post torque. Friction paste and minimum torque needed to hold in place works well. And yes, top off the pressure as well. Once set up, they're nice posts.

 

[cykelk]

In my experience, far too many people just don't understand the lightweight e-bike thing. Heads firmly in the sand. Their loss, they're missing out on a great riding experience in my opinion.

I've got some full fat bikes as well as SLs, and for most rides I prefer the SLs, yet still some people don't believe me.

My HSL is more an attention hog than a turd.

 

[w00tw00t]

Bike looks great.

Size, weight and if that includes pedals?

Thx

BIke's a Medium, I'm 5'9 and a fatass lol..

 

[w00tw00t]

More rides.. absolutely loving it! 5-stars amazing for me.. Fixed the seatpost by switching to an AXS haha... what can I say, I have a problem..

 

[RustyIron]

Looks like a pretty area to ride. It's much different than the San Jose that we see from the freeway.

 

[w00tw00t]

Looks like a pretty area to ride. It's much different than the San Jose that we see from the freeway.

We have some really scenic trails here in San Jose!

 

[militantmandy]

Must be one of the most (if not the) least e bike looking e bike. The SC plan of making all their frames fat suddenly seems like genius! If I had the dough (and was after an SL bike) I do think this would be top of the list.

 

[Canyon Shawn]

Must be one of the most (if not the) least e bike looking e bike. The SC plan of making all their frames fat suddenly seems like genius! If I had the dough (and was after an SL bike) I do think this would be top of the list.

Also, the Trek EXe doesn’t look like an Ebike. I love mine!

 

[militantmandy]

Also, the Trek EXe doesn’t look like an Ebike. I love mine!

Indeed, it's a very tidy design.

 

[NoMaas]

The Heckler SL would have been a serious contender against my Relay had it been released in early summer. I immediately made the same AXS post upgrade you did, allows for a very clean front end.

 

[w00tw00t]

As I spend more time with my Hecker SL, one minor annoyance - The super thin wire that goes from the mode controller on the left side grip just dangles over the handlebar as it runs into the frame and looks super untidy.. Santa Cruz should haave spent some extra time thinking about possibly wiring it through (inside) the handlebar instead ... It looks really sloppy and ungainly.

I used some black electrical tape to tape it up.

 

[JStrube]

As I spend more time with my Hecker SL, one minor annoyance - The super thin wire that goes from the mode controller on the left side grip just dangles over the handlebar as it runs into the frame and looks super untidy.. Santa Cruz should haave spent some extra time thinking about possibly wiring it through (inside) the handlebar instead ... It looks really sloppy and ungainly.

I used some black electrical tape to tape it up.

This is the worst complaint I have on my 2023 Heckler. The wire begs to be pulled out of the socket whenever I lift the bike by the head tube. There has to be a better way for this. Wait, LEFT side grip... OK, I have that one tucked nicely. For me, it is the one on the right side, from the display to the head tube.

 

[VWsurfbum]

Does it not have the ebike bars where the cable goes in under the grip and comes out by the stem?

 

[Emailsucks98]

I used some black electrical tape to tape it up.

I get shrink-wrap tubing at the local hardware store and wrap the hoses & cables from the levers to frame, with a heat-gun. Have to be careful to not over-heat, or bind up cables, but you end up with only 2-3 exposed housings.

 

[w00tw00t]

Does it not have the ebike bars where the cable goes in under the grip and comes out by the stem?

Nope!

 

[w00tw00t]

This is the worst complaint I have on my 2023 Heckler. The wire begs to be pulled out of the socket whenever I lift the bike by the head tube. There has to be a better way for this. Wait, LEFT side grip... OK, I have that one tucked nicely. For me, it is the one on the right side, from the display to the head tube.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), the SL doesn't have the Shimano-style handlebar display thingabob..