Santa Cruz Bicycles

Heckler MX Carbon R E-Bike

With an expanded battery range and a refined carbon frame, the Santa Cruz Heckler lets us explore remote mountains and forests that would take hours to reach on a conventional MTB. This 6-inch travel e-MTB handles big days in big terrain, letting us cover more mileage in less time so we can focus on the fun parts of the ride. Built with Santa Cruz's legendary carbon frame and well-balanced VPP suspension, the Heckler gives us a new way to explore the trails.

The Heckler V9 expands our trail maps thanks to a larger 720 Watt-hour battery that adds significant range over the previous model. It comes in both mixed-wheel and 29-inch configurations, with this MX bike utilizing a 29er front wheel that steamrolls over obstacles, and a 27.5in rear wheel for precise cornering and maneuverability. The frame sees the addition of a flip-chip that can adjust geometry and shock rate to suit any terrain, and it's now compatible with coil shocks for riders wanting to add the plush consistency of a coil. We also appreciate that the bike is compatible with the Universal Derailleur Hanger standard to simplify finding replacements if we bend one out on a bike trip.

This Heckler uses Santa Cruz's C-level carbon, which isn't quite as light as their CC carbon but allows for a significant price reduction. The frame is backed by Santa Cruz's renowned lifetime warranty that's among the best in the industry, though chances are you'll never have to use it. Geometry-wise the Heckler is positioned as an aggressive trail and enduro bike, with generous reach and wheelbase figures to keep us stable at speed, and a slack 64.5-degree head tube for confidence when we drop into steep terrain.

Santa Cruz offers numerous build kits for the Heckler, and this one is the more entry-level option, helping us to get out on trails at a more approachable price. It still sees mid-level RockShox suspension that does a great job damping the trail, as well as a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain that shifts cleanly throughout the entire gear range. 4-piston brakes with large 200mm rotors give us plenty of stopping power, especially with the grippy Maxxis tires that dig deep to provide great braking and cornering traction.

*Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be of equal or better spec level. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.