[Closed] Santa Cruz Heckler

I used to have a 2011 one. Only downside was it was a bit short and had a straight steerer. I'd buy a new one in a heart beat if I had the money. My mouse had been hovering over the cheap frames at stif

I have an old one. Simple but [s]want[/s] love to descend

Its OK Rob I'm a bit short as well! Looking on the stif site as well.

Absolutly brilliant things, had a 2007 that got stolen, I presume they are 650b endruo spec now, might take some of the fun away, im short as well and the 26er small could turn on a sixpence. Really miss him 😥

I had a 2009 one.

Couldn't get on with it no matter how hard I tried..
Far to short in the TT, yet too tall in the seat tube.

Always felt "Perched"..

Sold it.
Never looked back.

Have a 2008 with a 2009 swingarm. Love it. Simple, bomb proof, life time bearing warranty, great customer service.

Simplicity. Great all round bike. Bulletproof.

Loved my one. I'm saving the pennies for a new one to replace my Blur Lt2. They are surprisingly bad value spec wise so I may just get a frame and do a build. A proper fun bike and bomb proof but not "sophisticated" I now know that doesn't matter to me..

I have had five of them from the first version through to a 2010
Not the lightest but as others say bombproof and love to descend
The early polished swing arm V brake versions were a little flexy in the rear
Also found them to perform better with a coil over shock rather than a air shock but just my opinion
You do get a bit of pedal kick back occasionally but nothing to worry about
Riding a Orange 5 at the moment only because I couldn't find one at a decent price close enough to collect
I would have another one tomorrow

On the premise that 'this thread is useless without pictures' and the fact I've just rebuilt mine, I'm posting mine:

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2010 frame, 2012 150mm revs, CK/mavic wheels, 1x10. Approx 29lbs. Approx 67 deg HA. Large with a 70mm stem works for me for long days out, though I've just stuck a 35mm stem on it for a laugh. I rode the Welsh Coast to coast year before last and it was far far more suitable than my XC hardtail and a LOT more fun. Ride wise, you'll never be the first to the top of a climb but you will happily crank yourself to the top. Also, I've found it to be a highly competent climber, clearing some silly steep and technical stuff. Going down, it's great fun. It is short in the TT but not absurdly so. I've considered getting a more up to date bike (tapered head tube, bolt through axle etc) but can't see the point - the limiting factor in my ability to ride is not the bike!

I've read some really good reviews of the new one and would seriously consider it as a replacement.

Oh, and maintenance wise, I've tightened the bearings once in the 4 years I've had it. Apart from a post ride wash, that's it. Great bike.

Oh, and the photo does a little free advertising for my old LBS! (*hello Sarah!*)

[img][url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14660061385_59de16a063.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14660061385_59de16a063.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oksDv4 ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/76248110@N06/ ]danthomassw13[/url], on Flickr[/img]

My 2010 Heckler at BPW last year. With 160 Marz55 forks it descended like a demon!

Couple of mine

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I'm with Teetosugars, never really got on with mine for exactly the same reasons. Managed to feel too big and too small at the same time! Though was a good climber. The new ones look a lot better to my mind but....

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Brings back memories, my 2nd one. First was so dead in the end it went in a skip. This one is now dead. Great fun at the time but the Blur LTc that replaced it is better in every single way.

Got a new Heckler last year (R AM with the Fox 36 upgrade and a reverb), took me a little while to get used to it being bigger and heavier than my old 26er but I love it now! Eats up the descents and feels really planted over the rough stuff. It's actually better than my old one on techy uphill stuff as well, but you can feel the extra weight in your legs after long climbs.

I'm 5'7 and have the medium if that's of any help.

Pics from a few days at degla and CYB (no idea how to embed, just got a lil broken pic icon on the preview):

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I don't think this is a matter of whether it's good or not, because you already know it'll be awesome at what it's intended for. The really issue is it'd geometry/sizing. I was looking at getting a frame for a build I wanted to do, thought it's was well priced and had all the features I wanted, then I looked at the geometry and the effective top tube length was way to short. Because of that I didn't buy it.

I really liked mine (a late-2006 iirc), but it just didn't get ridden enough and I needed the money in the end. I would have liked a shorter, probably ZS, headtube to lower the front a little with bigger forks. I'd probably need a lower seattube too to accomodate my current droppers. I'd have a new one in a heartbeat.

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/7923563070_45744ce84e_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/7923563070_45744ce84e_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/d5bkfo ]P1020955[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/67673780@N06/ ]warpcow[/url], on Flickr

Loved my 03 ones (I had 2) and still hanker after one, I don't care what anyone says about top tube length or any other guff, it's my favourite ever mtb, I just don't do the riding to justify owning one, although I'm going to have a look on ebay right now.

Teeto would it be fair to ask if you do/did "Heckler" sort of riding?

Have a blue 2014 Heckler. Firstly it looks lovely and secondly, more importantly, rides fantastic. Took a little while to get used to it on steep stuff, but it handles everything fine and is a very quick bike. Also as others have said, it's bomb proof. I ride mine two or three times a week around muddy Welsh hills and it handles the abuse it gets without a problem. They are simple and bloody brilliant bikes.

Thought my 2012 was a little short and tall if that makes sense. Still a good bike though.

Ta for the replies and pics everyone. Need to try a small and large as I like small frame and tall seat post as opposed to other way round.
I've gone back to mainly riding steel hardtail just need a do it all for foreign trips and U.K. uplift and when my backs feeling its age. Update if I get one.

My large Heckler felt like riding a farm gate, I think if I'd had the 150 Revelations dropped to 130 (which are now on my Yeti) the bike would be been what I was after.

my old heckler on start of the "brazilian" trail in the valaise alps...

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Teeto would it be fair to ask if you do/did "Heckler" sort of riding?

If you mean did I just mince around trail centres Al, then, well, yes, I did, and a fair bit of natural stuff in the Lakes too..

Still, I guess I'm not as gnar as you, so that's why I didn't get on with it..

My new Heckler is in the kitchen now. Flippin fantastic.

Jog on then and get some pics up.

Always had a soft spot for a heckler

Its lime green. Can't be botherd with all the pallava of putting up photos on here. My riding ability is better than my I.T. skill.

I'd recommend some offset bushes for the shock - lowers the bb and slackens it a touch. Mine comes out twice a year for the Alps or an uplift day, but it's the one ever present in my bike collection.

Any bike with a bottle opener on the rear mech hanger must be a winner, surely?

If you get a photo when it's made, email or txt it to me if you like, I'll post it up via Flickr for you.

Ha ha mines going to the Alps and several UK uplift days.
Its my own private bike porn for now till it's been out and got dirty!

Cracking bike,

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Would own again A+++++++

Got a good deal on a US VPP bike, but loved the Heckler through its 4 years of ownership. Go fast, feel good, trail carving bike.

I've not read all of the other replies. Something to bear in mind is SC sizing. They always come up short on the top tube length compared to other makes. My large Butcher which is V similar to a Heckler (with a linkage driven shock) looks short compared to say a large Yeti. It makes for a nimble bike that's easy to move around on but can leave you feeling that your perched on top.

Have a look at the frame size chart prior to pushing your button 😀

He's got it in his kitchen. There wasn't that many posts to skim through Dave 😉

Let us know your thoughts Marin, I'm considering one when I change my Blur LTc. Can't afford a high-fallutin' carbon VPP bike any more unfortunately, but love the look of the Heckler 650B

I've got one, it's been to the alpujarras a couple times
[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2396/2229967999_68ce4703b4_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2396/2229967999_68ce4703b4_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/4p4aN8 ]concrete drop at the bottom of don juan[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/23330272@N06/ ]D0NK[/url], on Flickr
Lots of trips to the lakes
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Now my [i]just out for a ride[/i] bike[img] ?oh=8fea912d4ac9e345b0a37302cc31192c&oe=558CD327&__gda__=1434804140_312465fd84ab5d8fb8793e698fbf4b8d[/img]
About to get a spruce up and go on a diet, see if I can get it to go faster uphill without losing the fun down hill.
I really like it.

Ace bikes. Mine's almost a teenager now and still going strong, but I think it might be time for something new and shinier this year!

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6662575991_04dd90ac0c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6662575991_04dd90ac0c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/b9KrHR ]"I can't believe he brought this old bike!", "Tyres look a bit skinny too!"[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/73533899@N00/ ]Gary Hill[/url], on Flickr

I don't like either Santa Cruz bikes or single pivots in general but I do have a hankering for heckler. just something about them.

Mine's almost a teenager now and still going strong

I must have nabbed that photo from someone else - I don't own a Pentax, and its actually from 2011. It's evolved quite a lot over the years, but I think the stem/seatpost/headset are from the original build. Now sporting slightly lighter forks and new brakes and shifters but otherwise much the same.

The paint is pretty good for its age but the picture makes it look better than it is. I probably gave it a good clean and polish before that trip too.

Re paint. try and get an anodised one, after four years hardly a scratch on mine and when washed look like new. real hard wearing. Shame they stopped the ano finish

Re paint. try and get an anodised one

(admittedly it's the very epitome of triggers broom, even got a new shock on it as the 5th coil threw a final wobbler* a few months back)

*probably fixable but I had a spare rp23 floating about.

How much will respray cost though?

When I bought mine it was £1000 painted or £1100 ano, for the frame. Very happy with ano upgrade 😆

Its no longer in the kitchen! Felt fine on demo day then sat on again felt all wrong and can't explain why just not right for me! It's now replaced with an Orange 5 and everyone is much happier.
Big thanks to Stif Cycles in Summerbridge for great customer service and understanding my muppety decision making.
Donk is that one of the villages above Orgiva looks very familiar I'm going again in September.

[img][url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/16639881220_b0b95086c6_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/16639881220_b0b95086c6_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rmpJXN ]SM_EdOxley-0308[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/11871535@N02/ ]Ed Oxley[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Yeah it's alright the Heckler is.

Current model much different to the one of old. 27.5, updated geometry and sizing. Get a demo ride to get the right fit. I'm 5'8" and have medium. Weighs 31lbs with proper tyres. Goes uphill well and downhill just great.

Great pic Ed-O - I have the 2014 'blue' one. Love it. Hang the arse off the back and just go down anything. Plus, almost a year giving it abuse here in Wales and hardly got an alley key out.

I'm 6ft 2 and went for a large, initially i thought, oh, I've bought a BMX but after few rides it felt spot on, so much fun.

Not great for long rides though. Anything approaching 30miles and my body is in bits.

I had a 03 rootbeer special for two years.

Its a good frame but at 1350/single pivot surely there are as good if not better for similar money now?

So you built it up in the kitchen, sat on it, it didn't feel right, dismantled it and swapped it for a new Orange 5 with Stif? Did they just take it back as new or did you have to pay for the privilege of putting bits on it? Just curious really, fairplay, if you're spending that much money its gotta be right! 🙂

Wow. That surpass old me. I used to buy a used frame, ride it for a month then get bored and spot something new.

Buys brand new frame- sits on it in the kitchen/doesn't take it out/decides it might not ride right and gets rid?

I'll remember this little story for the next trail-pause conversation 😆

Donk is that one of the villages above Orgiva

I'm 6ft 2 and went for a large

Nope demo rode one, had one built standard bike then delivered then changed mind. Felt like had mental health breakdown as suddenly didn't like it. Still at loss to explain why after loving the demo. Bike that was delivered never left kitchen. Put it in my van drove back to shop explained all then swapped for Orange plus extra cash as model more expensive than Heckler. Stif were great so big up to them. If I'd ridden it out and about I wouldn't have taken it back or expected a swap.
I've got loads better stories than that Hora but nowt to do with bikes.