First Rides - Santa Cruz Heckler X01 AXS RSV CC MX

Santa Cruz Heckler X01 AXS RSV CC MX

- By Luke Marshall

£11,699 Do the latest changes make the Heckler e-bike rowdier than ever?

Santa Cruz have given their Heckler e-bike a larger battery, extra wheel-size options and increased travel for 2022, to make it more of a do-it-all machine. With a similar ride character to their Bronson all-mountain/trail bike, this top-spec model is a lot of fun on the trails - assuming you can afford the five-figure asking price.

THE FRAME

All Heckler frames are now carbon fibre. The range-topping X01 bikes get a chassis made from Santa Cruz's 'CC' carbon blend, said to have the same strength and stiffness as their slightly cheaper 'C' material, but at a lighter weight. The shock tunnel through the seat tube has been enlarged, so the frame will take a coil-sprung damper, should you wish it comes with an air shock). A flip-chip on the lower link lets you adjust the geometry, but can't be used to accommodate different rear wheel sizes - Santa Cruz have built specific frames for their 29er and mixed-wheel 'MX' Hecklers (29in front, 650b rear), and they aren't cross-compatible. Incidentally, the size small MX has 650b wheels both front and rear.

The Heckler uses the latest lower-link-actuated version of Santa Cruz's twin-link VPP suspension platform, which now delivers 150mm of rear wheel travel on both the MX and 29 frames. This is matched to a 160mm-travel fork. The bike's new 'low' geometry setting gives a more progressive leverage curve for potentially more aggressive riding.