Santa Cruz

Heckler SL 2023

Discontinued✎Lightweight · TrailLegacy · 1/10iFreshness 1/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.

Lightweight VPP trail bike with quiet Fazua assistance

Motor

Fazua Ride 60 · 60Nm · 450W↗

Battery

Fazua 430 · 430Wh

Travel F/R

160/150mm

Wheels

MX (29F / 27.5R)✎

Frame

Full carbon

Weight

18.93 kg

Price

From £6,699

View the Santa Cruz Heckler SL on Santa Cruz’s site

📋Owners’ report 3,027 posts

Santa Cruz Heckler SL 2023

From £6,699

The Heckler SL was Santa Cruz's first lightweight, mid-power e-bike and a deliberate break from the full-power Heckler that shares its name. A Fazua Ride 60 motor (60 Nm, 450 W peak) and an integrated 430Wh battery keep system weight down, so the lightest CC builds drop to around 18.9 kg. The payoff is a bike that pedals and handles much like a regular trail bike, with discreet assistance on tap through the Breeze, River and Rocket modes.Underneath the e-system it is pure modern Santa Cruz: 150mm of lower-link VPP travel, a 160mm fork, mullet wheels and a slack 64.3 degree head angle in the High flip-chip setting (64.0 degrees, fractionally slacker, in Low). Five sizes (S to XXL) with semi size-specific chainstays make it easy to get fitted, and the flip chip lets you firm up the geometry slightly. The build ladder ran from the alloy-wheeled R at £6,699 to the Reserve carbon, SRAM Transmission XX AXS RSV at £11,999.It is worth being clear that this is the lightweight Fazua SL, not the full-power Shimano EP8 Heckler that was sold alongside it. The 430Wh pack is integrated and not removable, though the frame is ported for the optional Fazua range extender if you want more reach.This original 2023 Heckler SL has since been discontinued and superseded by later model years, so it now lives on mostly second-hand. For riders who want eMTB capability without full-power weight or assistance, it remains a genuinely well-rounded option.

EMTB Forums verdict

The Heckler SL was Santa Cruz's first lightweight, mid-power e-bike and a deliberate break from the full-power Heckler that shares its name. A Fazua Ride 60 motor (60 Nm, 450 W peak) and an integrated 430Wh battery keep system weight down, so the lightest CC builds drop to around 18.9 kg. The payoff is a bike that pedals and handles much like a regular trail bike, with discreet assistance on tap through the Breeze, River and Rocket modes.

Underneath the e-system it is pure modern Santa Cruz: 150mm of lower-link VPP travel, a 160mm fork, mullet wheels and a slack 64.3 degree head angle in the High flip-chip setting (64.0 degrees, fractionally slacker, in Low). Five sizes (S to XXL) with semi size-specific chainstays make it easy to get fitted, and the flip chip lets you firm up the geometry slightly. The build ladder ran from the alloy-wheeled R at £6,699 to the Reserve carbon, SRAM Transmission XX AXS RSV at £11,999.

It is worth being clear that this is the lightweight Fazua SL, not the full-power Shimano EP8 Heckler that was sold alongside it. The 430Wh pack is integrated and not removable, though the frame is ported for the optional Fazua range extender if you want more reach.

This original 2023 Heckler SL has since been discontinued and superseded by later model years, so it now lives on mostly second-hand. For riders who want eMTB capability without full-power weight or assistance, it remains a genuinely well-rounded option.

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

Setting

Descending

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.

Playfulness

Short 443mm rear and a lighter build — easy to pop, manual and throw around.

Size balance

Balanced front-to-rear in L (FC:RC 1.85) — weight sits evenly between the wheels.

Technical climbing

Climbs well — a 77.2° seat keeps the front planted. 450W of peak power and 60Nm of torque.

Best suited toPlayful trail riding — jumps, pumps and tight, techy singletrack.

Easy to throw around; happiest when you're active on the bike.

Watch out forNo major red flags in the L geometry.

The numbers are well balanced for its category.

How it stacks up vs other Lightweight · Trail bikes (from 92 bikes in the database)

Weight18.93 kgabout average weight

Battery430 Whabout average capacity

Motor torque60 Nmabout average torque

Value for money32/100from £6,699 · most Fazua Ride 60 bikes ~£5,999

⚙️ Adjustable geometry: this frame has a high/low setting — low drops the BB and slackens the head angle for more descending stability; high lifts the BB and steepens slightly for clearance and a perkier, more playful feel.

Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.

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💬 Forum discussion

2024 Santa Cruz Heckler SL

424 replies · 147.3k views · last reply 7 days ago

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“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

Santa Cruz Heckler family — what owners actually know

3,027 posts · 617 owners · data through Jul 2026

28FULL-POWER HECKLER (legacy, line ended 2024 model year): battery recalls, 504Wh range and Shimano errors · typical onset: At purchase or first months (recalls and range); any time for errors.

15Heckler SL: Fazua Ride 60 power loss and motor swaps (motor internals in the Fazua Ride 60 report) · typical onset: First months; some after a wet winter.

13Heckler SL: ring controller (mode remote) failures and supply waits · typical onset: Any time for failures; the supply wait ran through 2025.

✓Heckler SL: a 3-year owner called the bike 'solid for 3+ years' and got a free motor and parts swap for a bottom-bracket knock, out of warranty, from Santa…

Inside: the community setup plate · numbered field notes · the used-buyer checklist.

Read the full owners’ report →

Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike

Flip-chip position

geometry changes with the chip

	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Reach	435 mm	460 mm	480 mm	500 mm	525 mm
Stack	614.9 mm	624 mm	633 mm	651 mm	664.5 mm
Seattube	380 mm	405 mm	430 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Chainstay	443 mm	443 mm	443 mm	446 mm	450 mm
Headtube Angle	64.3°	64.3°	64.3°	64.3°	64.3°
Seattube Angle (eff)	76.8°	77.1°	77.5°	77.7°	77.8°
Wheelbase	1209.1 mm	1238.4 mm	1262.7 mm	1294.4 mm	1329.9 mm
Headtube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	140 mm	155 mm
BB Height	344 mm	344 mm	344 mm	344 mm	344 mm
Standover	720.1 mm	733 mm	733.4 mm	731.7 mm	741 mm
Front Centre	766.1 mm*	795.4 mm*	819.7 mm*	848.4 mm*	879.9 mm*
FC:RC	1.73	1.80	1.85	1.90	1.96

Trims · 5

	R £6,699	S £7,499	GX AXS £8,699	X0 AXS RSV £9,999	XX AXS RSV £11,999
Motor	Fazua Ride 60 · 60 Nm · all trims
Battery	Fazua 430 · 430 Wh · all trims
Travel F/R	160/150 mm · all trims
Frame	Carbon C	Carbon C	Carbon C	Carbon CC	Carbon CC
Fork	RockShox Lyrik Base, 160mm	RockShox Lyrik Select+, 160mm	RockShox Lyrik Select+, 160mm	RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 160mm	RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 160mm
Shock	FOX Float Performance, 210x55 (or FOX Float DPS Performance, 210x55)	RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 210x55	RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 210x55	RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, 210x55	RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, 210x55
Headset	FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB or Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated, IS41 upper / IS52 lower	Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated, IS41 upper / IS52 lower	Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated, IS41 upper / IS52 lower	Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated, IS41 upper / IS52 lower	Chris King DropSet 3 IS Integrated, IS41 upper / IS52 lower
Stem	e*thirteen Base	Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm	Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm	Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm	Burgtec Enduro MK3 Machined, 42mm
Handlebar	e*thirteen TRS Base	Burgtec Alloy, 800mm	Santa Cruz e35 Carbon, 800mm	Santa Cruz e35 Carbon, 800mm	Santa Cruz e35 Carbon, 800mm
Grips	Santa Cruz House Grips (or Burgtec Bartender Pro Minnaar) · all trims
Saddle	WTB Silverado Medium, CroMo rails	WTB Silverado Medium, CroMo rails	WTB Silverado Medium, CroMo rails	WTB Silverado Medium, titanium rails	WTB Silverado Medium, titanium rails
Seatpost	SDG Tellis dropper, 31.6	OneUp V2 dropper (or RockShox Reverb Stealth)	OneUp V2 dropper	OneUp V2 dropper	RockShox Reverb AXS dropper, electronic wireless
Brakes	SRAM DB8, 4-piston hydraulic disc; SRAM CenterLine rotors 200mm front / 200mm rear	SRAM Code R, 4-piston hydraulic disc; SRAM CenterLine rotors 200mm front / 200mm rear	SRAM Code Bronze Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc; SRAM HS2 rotors 200mm front / 200mm rear	SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc; SRAM HS2 rotors 200mm front / 200mm rear	SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth, 4-piston hydraulic disc; SRAM HS2 rotors 200mm front / 200mm rear
Rear derailleur	SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed, AXS electronic wireless	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, 12-speed, AXS electronic wireless	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed, AXS electronic wireless
Crank	Praxis eTor AL, 104BCD, 165mm · all trims
Shifters	SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed trigger	SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed trigger	SRAM Eagle AXS Pod Controller, wireless	SRAM Eagle AXS Pod Controller, wireless	SRAM Eagle AXS Pod Ultimate Controller, wireless
Cassette	SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230, 12-speed, 11-50t	SRAM GX Eagle XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t	SRAM GX Eagle Transmission XS-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission XS-1295, 12-speed, 10-52t	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission XS-1297, 12-speed, 10-52t
Chain	SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, 12-speed	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
Drivetrain	SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed; Praxis eTor AL, 104BCD, 165mm; SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed trigger; SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230, 12-speed, 11-50t; SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed; Praxis eTor AL, 104BCD, 165mm; SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed trigger; SRAM GX Eagle XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed	SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed, AXS electronic wireless; Praxis eTor AL, 104BCD, 165mm; SRAM Eagle AXS Pod Controller, wireless; SRAM GX Eagle Transmission XS-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed	SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, 12-speed, AXS electronic wireless; Praxis eTor AL, 104BCD, 165mm; SRAM Eagle AXS Pod Controller, wireless; SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission XS-1295, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, 12-speed	SRAM XX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed, AXS electronic wireless; Praxis eTor AL, 104BCD, 165mm; SRAM Eagle AXS Pod Ultimate Controller, wireless; SRAM XX Eagle Transmission XS-1297, 12-speed, 10-52t; SRAM XX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
Wheels	WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0, alloy, 30mm inner, 32h (29" front / 27.5" rear); DT Swiss / SRAM MTH hubs; OneUp chainguide	Race Face AR Offset 30, alloy, 30mm inner (29" front / 27.5" rear); DT Swiss 370 hubs	Reserve 30 SL, 6069 alloy, 30mm inner, 28h (29" front / 27.5" rear)	Reserve 30 HD Carbon, 30mm inner, 28h (29" front / 27.5" rear); Industry Nine 1/1 hubs	Reserve 30 HD Carbon, 30mm inner, 28h (29" front / 27.5" rear); Industry Nine Hydra hubs
Tyres	(F) Maxxis Minion DHF, 29" x 2.5" WT, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO / (R) Maxxis Minion DHR II, 27.5" x 2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+ · all trims
Weight	19.55 kg	19.3 kg	19.31 kg	19.01 kg	18.93 kg
Price	£6,699	£7,499	£8,699	£9,999	£11,999

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