Santa Cruz Bicycles

Heckler D AM Complete Bike - 2012

The Santa Cruz Heckler D AM Complete Bike is a brawnier, longer-travel version of the Superlight. Sporting 150mm of rear suspension travel and a geometry that's better suited aggressive riding, the Heckler lets you ride terrain that’ll stuff shorter travel bikes. Add in the ability to take a 2.5in tire and a 203mm brake rotor and the Heckler’s a hell of a versatile machine. While it can be built up as a cross-country or freeride bike, the Santa Cruz Heckler is best suited as an all-mountain, all-day adventure machine.

The Heckler frame is crafted from shaped 6069 aluminum tubing. This includes extensive hydroforming and tube butting to optimize the strength, stiffness, and weight of the Heckler. The rear triangle is asymmetric, which does two things: it increases stiffness to provide excellent tracking with smooth suspension action, and it helps to suppress chain slap for a quieter ride. Santa Cruz has always used single-pivot suspension designs, favoring them for their simplicity, reliability, and plush action – in this application they put extensive time into finding the ideal pivot location to offer a perfect balance of pedal-ablity and bump compliance. A Fox Float RL keeps suspension motion under control, and features rebound and preload adjustments to offer a tailored ride. This rear shock also has a lockout to provide efficient, bob-free climbing.

Up front, a Rock Shox Sektor R places the Heckler’s geometry in the all-mountain segment, leveling bumps with 150mm of plush action. The D AM build kit consists of a Shimano 10-speed drivetrain with the duties split between Deore for the crank, cassette, and shifters, and SLX for the rear derailleur. The Easton EA30 handlebar, stem, and seatpost are all sensible alloy bits, and are a nice foundation for the Lizard Skin Charger grips and WTB Volt Sport saddle. WTB FX rims are laced to Shimano M525 hubs with 14 gauge DT spokes. Aggressive Maxxis High Roller 2.35in tires round out the wheel package, and Avid Elixir 1 brakes with a 185mm front rotor bring it all to a stop.

The Santa Cruz Heckler D AM Complete Bike is powder coated in your choice of Clear, Black, Lime or Galaxy Blue. Perhaps one of its finest details is the integrated bottle-opener on the replaceable derailleur hanger. It's nice to know that Santa Cruz pays attention to the little things. The Heckler frame has a two year warranty against manufacturing defects, and the bearings are guaranteed for life.