It was only a matter of time until Santa Cruz jumped into the e-bike game. Interestingly, they’ve done so rather quietly, and to some surprise, have found a way to incorporate their latest “Lower Link VPP” suspension layout into the mix. From a design standpoint, that layout just doesn’t seem like it would play nice with a motor and a battery to contend with, but alas it has…surprisingly nicely as well. Anyhow, we got a chance to get some saddle time on the new Heckler, a bike that Santa Cruz hasn’t produced since 2013. With 27.5″ wheels and 160mm/150mm travel, it falls in line with a Bronson, but with pedal assist. Read on for our initial thoughts on the latest creation from the coastal Californian brand…

Yep, it all fits! Santa Cruz chose a Shimano motor with a 504Wh battery and managed to keep the chainstay length down to a respectable 445mm – which strikes a nice balance between stability while climbing under power and maneuverability on the downhills. As for parts, the drivetrain is a combination of SRAM’s Eagle XO1 12-speed bits and Shimano Deore XT cranks in a 165mm length.

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