Test: When we checked our Santa Cruz Heckler test bike for the first time, we were amazed: The scales stopped at just under 21kg. This makes the Californians' debut E-MTB one of the lightest bikes in the entire test field. The basis of the carbon frame is the Shimano E8000 motor, which is powered by a rather small 504Wh battery. However, the overall high-quality equipment and the noble carbon wheel set from our own company have their price: At over 11.000 euros, the neon yellow noble wheel is also one of the most expensive representatives in the test.
Santa Cruz Heckler CC 01 RSV: The Facts
Suspension travel: 160 mm / 150 mm
wheel size: 27,5 inch
Drive: Shimano E8000
Display / control unit: Shimano E8000
Battery capacity (test bike): 504Wh
Frame material: Carbon
Weight complete bike (size L without pedals): 20,95kg
Maximum weight allowed: 130kg
Price: € 11.199
A separate test video is currently being produced for each E-MTB test 2020 and will be added here in the coming days and weeks
| frame | Heckler CC |
| suspension fork | Fox 36 Performance Elite |
| Drive | Shimano E8000 |
| Rechargeable battery | Shimano 504Wh |
| Suspension shocks | RockShox Super Deluxe Select Ultimate |
| Wheels | DT Swiss 350 hubs / Santa Cruz Reserve 30 V2 [v], Reserve Carbon DH [r] |
| Tire VR | Maxxis Minion DHRII Exo+ 2,6" |
| Tire HR | Maxxis Minion DHRII Exo+ 2,6" |
| derailleur | Sram X01 Eagle |
| Gear levers | Sram X01 Eagle |
| Crank | Shimano XT E8050 |
| Front derailleur | Without |
| Brake | Ram Code RSC |
| Brake discs | Sram Centerline 200/200mm |
| Seat post | RockShox Reverb STealth |
| Saddle | WTB Silberado Team |
| Stem | RaceFace Aeffect R |
| Links | Santa Cruz Di2 Carbon |
An E-MTB from Santa Cruz? Really now?! What was completely unthinkable for die-hard fans of the cult manufacturer from California a few years ago will no longer surprise anyone in 2020 and is further proof of the importance that e-mountain bikes have now taken on. Santa Cruz wouldn't be Santa Cruz, however, if the E-MTB premiere didn't also cause a bang or two: The weight of less than 21kg - despite a full-blown 504Wh battery and robust components is almost sensational and only with high-end components and a very light frame. All of this has its price: the Heckler with our test bike's equipment costs a whopping 11.199 euros - the top model is even more than 13.000 euros.
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Lively handling with sufficient smoothness
However, a low weight does not make a good E-MTB. In the Heckler's case, however, it harmonises superbly with the overall alignment of the bike. Anyone who expects a pure baller, true to the motto "hold the handlebars and hold on to them," will be disappointed. However, this is to be understood as a compliment, because the Santa Cruz E-MTB manages the balancing act between agility and smooth running better than almost any other bike in the test field. The noble wheels with the in-house carbon rims also contribute to the very direct driving experience, which provide a lot of control thanks to their high rigidity.
Geometry Santa Cruz Heckler CC x01
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| seat tube (in mm) | 390 | 405 | 430 | 460 | 500 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 572 | 595 | 619 | 650 | 682 |
| head tube (in mm) | 110 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 175 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 445 | 445 | 445 | 445 | 445 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1187 | 1211 | 1237 | 1268 | 1304 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 76.2 | 76.1 | 76 | 75.9 | 75.4 |
| Reach (mm) | 425 | 445 | 465 | 490 | 515 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 597 | 606 | 620 | 634 | 655 |
It's nice that Santa Cruz doesn't slow down the bike's nimble character with downhill-heavy geometry. The steering angle isn't too slack, and the entire bike isn't too long overall. Modern, no question, but not too extreme. A nice side effect is that the bike has a very accessible, good-natured character and should therefore also be a lot of fun for beginners. If we could wish for something: We believe that a 29-inch front wheel would give the Heckler a little more smoothness without sacrificing agility. Maybe 2021?
High-quality overall impression
The almost non-existent background noise on the descent is also absolutely beneficial. As one of the very few bikes in the test, the Heckler did not rattle at all, even at hard speeds. In any case, the overall impression of the bike is appropriate for the high price and very high quality: the clean cockpit is just as appealing as the well thought-out cable routing and the generously applied and robust frame protection.
If the way points up, the Santa Cruz does its job properly, but without shining as brightly as on the descent. The very natural riding feel of the Shimano E8000 motor goes well with the character of the bike, even if the last punch on steep sections is missing. Here, too, the driver benefits from the central seating position, in which almost all climbing passages can be mastered. You rarely have to actively push your center of gravity forward to prevent the front wheel from climbing.
The big Velomotion E-MTB test 2020: test fields, individual tests and background information
We set ourselves the daunting task of conscientiously and objectively testing 57 eMTBs. With our two large test fields "Highend" and "Bestseller" we had a huge range of different bikes.
Our test conclusion
E-MTB test 2020: The best e-mountain bikes for every application
E-MTB test 2020: We have examined almost 60 current e-mountain bikes over the past few weeks and months. Depending on the area of application, many of the bikes were convincing. We have summarized our editorial favorites for you depending on the target group or area of application. E-MTB Test 2020: Our test winners In both of our test fields we had a very narrow lead […]
Our test candidates in the High-End category: BH AtomX Carbon Lynx 6 Pro-S | Bull's Sonic EVO EN 2 | Cannondale Moterra Neo 1 | Focus Jam² 9.9 Drifter | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Greyp G6.2 | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Husqvarna Mountain Cross 8 | KTM Macina Prowler Prestige | M1 Spitzing Evo Bobby Root | Norco Range VLT C2 | Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orange Surge RS | Orbea Wild FS M10 | Santa Cruz Heckler CC X01 RSV | Scott Genius eRide 700 Tuned | Simplon Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Carbon | Storck e:drenalin GTS 500 | TrekRail 9.9 | YT Decoy Pro Race | YT Decoy Pro 29
You can also find this at the kiosk Velomotion E-MTB test yearbook 2020. There you will find all 57 individual tests of the bikes, exciting stories and advice on everything to do with e-mountain bikes on over 160 pages.
Here you can also order the E-MTB yearbook 2020 directly from us.
