Descending
74
Slack 64° head angle, 150mm travel and a long 1263mm wheelbase — composed in the chunk, confident when it gets steep, and stable through fast corners.
Santa Cruz
Heckler SL 2026
Current✎Lightweight · TrailLegacy · 2.8/10iFreshness 2.8/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.
Lightweight Fazua Ride 60-powered mullet eMTB with 430Wh battery
Motor
Fazua Ride 60 · 60Nm · 450W↗
Battery
430Wh
Travel F/R
160/150mm
Wheels
29F/27.5R✎
Frame
Full carbon✎
Weight
19.88 kg
Price
From £5,999
From £5,999
EMTB Forums verdict
The Santa Cruz Heckler SL 2026 is the lightweight Fazua-powered version of Santa Cruz's iconic Heckler platform, a 2026 carryover of the existing model. Built around the Fazua Ride 60 motor (60 Nm torque, 250 W rated, 450 W manufacturer-claimed peak, 1.98 kg) and a 430 Wh integrated battery. Travel is 150 mm front and 150 mm rear via Santa Cruz's VPP suspension on a carbon C or carbon CC chassis. Five sizes from S to XXL, reach 432-523 mm, head angle 64.0 degrees flat, size-tuned chainstays 444-451 mm. The community read in one line: a properly poppy, capable lightweight trail eMTB that absolutely rips, but the Fazua Ride 60 motor reliability is the single biggest open question and Santa Cruz are working with Fazua on long-term support.
Drive system and range. The Fazua Ride 60 delivers 60 Nm of torque and 450 W manufacturer-claimed peak in a 1.98 kg package. It's smooth and well-integrated with Santa Cruz's VPP frame, with the 430 Wh battery hidden in the downtube. @cykelk documents range data at ~77 kg rider weight: 19 miles / 3,600 ft used 88% battery in Rocket mode; 24 miles / 4,150 ft used 99% with Rocket+boosted; 18.7 miles / 4,230 ft used only 51% in Eco. Eco is the genuinely long-range mode, Rocket is the punchy-but-short mode. Real-world range will sit in the 30 to 60 km territory depending on assist level and terrain.
Geometry and handling. Properly modern. 64.0 degree head angle is bang on the trail/all-mountain norm. Reach steps cleanly through 432 mm (S), 457 mm (M), 478 mm (L), 497 mm (XL), and a stretched 523 mm (XXL). Chainstays are size-tuned 444 mm (S/M/L), 447 mm (XL), and 451 mm (XXL) — proper attention to detail for shorter and taller riders. Wheelbase scales 1210 to 1331 mm. The VPP suspension layout is one of Santa Cruz's signatures — progressive, supportive, with good small-bump compliance.
Build and value. Single base trim catalogued in the gold facts, with multiple build options typical of Santa Cruz's spec ladder. Expect carbon C entry builds and CC top builds, with RockShox Lyrik/Super Deluxe and Fox 34/Float X options at 150 mm front and rear, four-piston brakes with 200 mm rotors, and Shimano XT or SRAM AXS drivetrains. @Dodger1 documented a 2024 Heckler SL X0 AXS RSV at £3,600 with under 200 miles — used pricing has come down significantly versus launch.
Community-verified strengths.
- @Sworkslevo_nj on coming from a Pivot Shuttle SL: "if you're a very aggressive rider that loves the most rocky steep tech terrain the Heckler SL is for you. The bike smoothes out the trails night and day compared to the Shuttle SL. Jumps totally amazing."
- @A Happy Zeebra: "30+ miles at the bike park. Geez this thing is fun. Really loves to jump and pop. Handles rough chatter so well."
- Size-tuned chainstays (444-451 mm across S to XXL) means shorter riders get a properly agile rear-centre and the XXL gets genuine stability.
Caveats and known gripes.
- @Dirkniblet documented serial Fazua motor failures: "First motor failed after 2 weeks of riding, second motor lasted almost a year, then motors 3-6 experienced very quick succession failures." The owner ultimately traded the bike in at heavy discount for a Santa Cruz Bullit.
- @tp806 documented an E002 drivetrain error on a 2025 Heckler SL after 3.5 months of use in UK muddy winter conditions. Fazua Ride 60 long-term reliability in wet conditions is a known concern.
- @k17chy received a response from Santa Cruz: "We will be working with Fazua to ensure we have longevity when it comes to spares & general support going forward." Santa Cruz are aware and engaging but the underlying motor reliability is the issue, not the brand support.
- 430 Wh battery is small even for an SL. The Mondraker Neat (TQ HPR50) and Trek Fuel EXe carry similar range; the new TQ HPR60 platforms (Propain Sresh SL, Trek Fuel+) offer larger 580 Wh batteries with 60 Nm torque, making the Heckler SL feel a generation behind.
Verdict. The Santa Cruz Heckler SL 2026 is a properly capable lightweight Santa Cruz with VPP suspension, modern geometry and size-tuned chainstays — the ride quality genuinely competes with anything in the SL class. It suits riders who prioritise the ride feel over motor reliability concerns, who buy through strong Santa Cruz dealer networks for warranty support, and who are comfortable with the Fazua Ride 60 ecosystem's longer-term question marks. Look elsewhere if you want proven motor reliability (Bosch SX, Specialized SL, TQ HPR50/60), or if you ride in consistently wet conditions where Fazua water-ingress concerns are highest. Production status: 2026 carryover, base trim, five sizes.
Geometry read
What the numbers mean on the trail
Computed from this bike's geometry, spec and build kit — reach, wheelbase, chainstay, head and seat angles, travel, motor, weight and the fork/tyre/brake spec — and worked out per size, because a fixed chainstay can make an S and an XL feel very different.
Size
Playfulness
90
Short 444mm rear and a lighter build — easy to pop, manual and throw around.
Size balance
85
Balanced front-to-rear in L (FC:RC 1.84) — weight sits evenly between the wheels.
Technical climbing
58
Climbs well — a 77.2° seat keeps the front planted. 450W of peak power and 60Nm of torque.
Easy to throw around; happiest when you're active on the bike.
The numbers are well balanced for its category.
How it stacks up vs other Lightweight · Trail bikes (from 88 bikes in the database)
Weight19.88 kg1.0 kg heavier than average
Battery430 Whabout average capacity
Motor torque60 Nmabout average torque
Value for money52/100from £5,999 · most Fazua Ride 60 bikes ~£6,069
Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.
💬 Forum discussion
2024 Santa Cruz Heckler SL
419 replies · 146.8k views · last reply 7 weeks ago
Join the discussion →
“Picked up my Heckler this week. Did 30+ miles at the bike park. Geez this thing is fun. Really loves to jump and pop. Handles rough chatter so well. The FAZUA motor sits right where I expected for a SL, but had plenty of kick. Think all…”
— A Happy Zeebra · ♥ 13 · most-liked post
OWNERS’ REPORT
Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toptube | 580 mm | 603 mm | 622 mm | 643 mm | 670 mm |
| Reach | 432 mm | 457 mm | 478 mm | 497 mm | 523 mm |
| Stack | 617 mm | 626 mm | 635 mm | 653 mm | 667 mm |
| Seattube | 380 mm | 405 mm | 430 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Chainstay | 444 mm | 444 mm | 444 mm | 447 mm | 451 mm |
| Headtube Angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seattube Angle (eff) | 76.6° | 76.9° | 77.2° | 77.5° | 77.5° |
| Wheelbase | 1210 mm | 1239 mm | 1263 mm | 1295 mm | 1331 mm |
| Headtube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm | 155 mm |
| BB Height | 341 mm | 341 mm | 341 mm | 341 mm | 341 mm |
| Front Centre | 766 mm | 795 mm | 819 mm | 848 mm | 880 mm |
| FC:RC | 1.73 | 1.79 | 1.84 | 1.90 | 1.95 |
Trims · 7
70 £5,999 | 90 £6,999 | Stout £7,023 | Heckler SL S £7,299 | GX AXS £8,399 | Heckler SL X0 AXS RSV £9,799 | Heckler SL XX AXS RSV £11,499 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | Fazua Ride 60 · 60 Nm · all trims | ||||||
| Battery | 430 Wh · all trims | ||||||
| Travel F/R | 160/150 mm · all trims | ||||||
| Frame | C Carbon · all trims | ||||||
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm | FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm | FOX 38 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2, 160mm | — | FOX 36 Float Performance Elite, Grip X2, 160mm | — | — |
| Shock | FOX Float Performance, 210x55 | FOX Float X Performance, 210x55 | FOX Float X2 Performance Elite, 210x55 | — | FOX Float X Performance Elite, 210x55 | — | — |
| Headset | Cane Creek 10 Integrated, IS41 upper, IS52 lower | Cane Creek 10 Integrated, IS41 upper, IS52 lower | Cane Creek 50 Integrated, IS41 upper, IS52 lower | — | Cane Creek 50 Integrated, IS41 upper, IS52 lower | — | — |
| Stem | OneUp Enduro Stem, 42mm -or- e13 TRS Base Stem, 40mm | OneUp Enduro Stem, 42mm | OneUp Enduro Stem, 42mm | — | OneUp Enduro Stem, 42mm (all sizes) | — | — |
| Handlebar | Burgtec Alloy Bar -or- e13 TRS Base Bar | OneUp Aluminum Bar | Santa Cruz eCarbon Bar | — | Santa Cruz eCarbon Bar | — | — |
| Grips | Santa Cruz House | Santa Cruz House | Santa Cruz House | — | Santa Cruz House | — | — |
| Saddle | SDG Bel-Air V3 Max | SDG Bel-Air V3, Max Lux-Alloy | SDG Bel-Air V3, Max Lux-Alloy | — | SDG Bel-Air V3 Max Lux-Alloy Atmos | — | — |
| Seatpost | SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6 | OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 | OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 | — | OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6 | — | — |
| Brakes | SRAM DB8 | SRAM Maven Base | SRAM Maven Bronze | — | SRAM Maven Bronze | — | — |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, 12spd | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd | — | SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type, 12spd | — | — |
| Crank | E13 Helix eSpec, 165mm | E13 Helix eSpec, 165mm | Race Face Aeffect R, 165mm | — | Race Face Aeffect R, 165mm (all sizes) | — | — |
| Shifters | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, Single Click, 12spd | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, Single Click, 12spd | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, Single Click, 12spd | — | SRAM AXS Pod Controller | — | — |
| Cassette | SRAM XS 1270 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t | SRAM XS 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t | SRAM XS 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t | — | SRAM GX 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t | — | — |
| Chain | SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd | SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd | — | SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd | — | — |
| Drivetrain | SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type | — | SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type | — | — |
| Wheels | SRAM MTH 716 front hub (15x110mm Boost) / SRAM MTH 746 rear hub (12x148mm Boost), WTB ST Tough 30 Alloy rims (30mm, 32h) | e*thirteen SL front hub (15x110mm Boost) / e*thirteen SL rear hub (12x148mm Boost) with e*spec freehub and XD driver, Reserve 30 HD AL rims (30mm, 32h) | e*thirteen SL front hub (15x110mm Boost) / e*thirteen SL rear hub (12x148mm Boost) with e*spec freehub and XD driver, Reserve 30 HD AL 6069 rims (30mm, 32h) | — | DT Swiss 370 front hub (15x110mm Boost) / DT Swiss 370 rear hub (12x148mm Boost) with 36t Ratchet freehub and XD driver, Reserve 30 SL AL 6069 rims (30mm, 28h) | — | — |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Albert, 29x2.5 Trail Radial Ultra Soft (front) / 27.5x2.5 Trail Radial Soft (rear) | Schwalbe Albert, 29x2.5 Trail Radial Ultra Soft (front) / 27.5x2.5 Trail Radial Soft (rear) | Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown (front) / Maxxis Minion DHRII 27.5x2.5 3C MaxxTerra DoubleDown (rear) | — | Schwalbe Albert, 29"x2.5" Trail Radial Ultra Soft (front) / 27.5"x2.5" Trail Radial Soft (rear) | — | — |
| Weight | 19.95 kg | 20.12 kg | 20.8 kg | — | 19.88 kg | — | — |
| Price | £5,999 | £6,999 | £7,023 | £7,299 | £8,399 | £9,799 | £11,499 |
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