Such comprehensive yet concise reviews, that give all of the apt and relevant info and comparisons that most reviewers fail to provide. I never sense an agenda either, which frees me from having to filter the review, and allows me to just enjoy and consider the honest information being provided. Also, this is the first legitimate review I’ve found on this bike; everyone seems to just be reviewing the 27.5” Heckler and the Bullit. Very well done. Thanks!
I have one agenda with these reviews. Help people find the best bike for them. That requires honesty. I’d hate to hype up a bike and have someone disappointed when they buy it because I misled them.
Thanks. Finally! the first full video review of heckler MX....i did get a Rail 9.7 to save $$$....still wanna ride one of these ....wanted that slightly lighter and more nimble feel....
Hi Conner An excellent review which saw me buy the Heckler mx. I would agree with all your comments. As my first ebike and was pretty unsure what to expect, but the Heckler is great fun and makes for an awesome UK trail bike, rides very light, not far behind my 5010 for handling. Probably looking at a 40 "ish" mile range over mixed climbing and single track. The Pike Ultimate is really capable over the rough but currently working at getting a little more small bump sensitivity, if not may possibly consider a "36".
Great review. I bought an MX a few weeks ago, and just got back from a week in Moab. You nailed the review based on my own experience. And having not ridden any other eBikes (they are hard to find!)...and going on a friend's recommendation...your review, from somebody who is riding and reviewing quite a few bikes, really gave me comfort in my decision. I can't thank you enough for removing the 'hmm...did I make the right choice' thing hanging over my head. Fun is fun...and I had plenty, but not riding a bunch of bikes first makes one wonder. Being able to hit every steep climb on Slick Rock was quite the experience (I'm 51 and 215 pounds). Just stand up and pedal...the back wheel just sticks. That is of course Slick Rock more than the bike, but the power made up for what I lack. Battery life was never an issue. I rode up from town, did the practice loop and complete Slick Rock ride, and finished with 20%. Plenty for a somewhat of a big guy with way too much water in his pack. Net/net: it is an extremely balanced bike. The only thing I found myself sometimes wishing for was a little more plush in the front. And you caught that as well. Now I am thinking of upgrading the fork. At some point when my bank account recovers! These things are not cheap.
If you have the X01 RSV build of this bike, it comes with a Pike Ultimate, and you’re not going to find a much nicer fork. If you’re running any other build, there’s plenty you can do to upgrade the internals rather than replacing the entire fork. If you’re thinking longer, we can’t really just throw on a longer fork without blowing up carefully designed geometry. The geo on this frame is the same as the 27.5” version... until they mix the wheels. Putting a 29” front wheel on it required SC to put a shorter 140mm fork just to compensate and keep the geo under control, and it STILL got slacker than the 27.5”. It blew my mind when I learned to ride my emtb differently than I do my mtb. The Shimano motors depend on cadence to perform (unlike Bosch), so most agree that it helps the motor performance to pedal seated. This works great for climbs. Totally different riding my Hightower, where I get out of the saddle and crank much more on steep technical stuff. Try staying in the saddle and keeping in the right gear to spin that cadence high enough for the motor to work its best. 🤘
Really digging the content Conner!! Thank you for not using subliminal coco joy sales pitches in your reviews. I was looking for info on this bike and reviews were lacking, I was only able to get a parking lot test ride on both the mx and 27.5. From bunny hopping up and down curbs and zipping around, I felt like it was a very lively fun bike but wasn’t 100% without getting it on the trail. Your review sealed the deal for me and subsided my “not enough battery” fears. Been riding for 16 years and I finally gave the ebike a shot. Wow!! They are a blast!! Lots of upside to them.
Best review I’ve seen for the Heckler. Really authoritative presentation and a very likeable style. Kinda made my mind up now. Just need to check maximum pilot weight….
Great video and bike analysis. Torn between this one and the Orbea Rise. You've ridden both and it seems you prefer the Heckler more as the best all around eMTB. Thanks for keeping us on the edge of our seats on every video. Cheers!
Having had 2 hecklers in the past I had a good idea what I was getting. Your review sealed the deal for me. Thank you for the great review. Just got mine a couple of days ago. I bumped the front end to 150mm and have no regrets.
Hey BE, At 10:40 you mention "trail" while waving the quote fingers and at 10:50, and elsewhere, you are riding on what appears to be not really a trail. Are you in the St. George area and are you on a trail? And, the most comprehensive Santa Cruz review I've seen. Keep up the fine work.
Well I just ordered me a closeout and it arrives tomorrow in the bitter arctic cold so I can either just look at it or get the pogies and take a stroll. Where your riding kinda looks like the Zen Trail in St George but IDK Could be Vernal too. Where is that? Also, so it seems that I could take off my 27.5 front wheel from my other bike and slap it on, getting the full 27.5 experience with a slacker head angle, no? Regardless, I am excited for my first E-mountain bike experience.
Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. The front end would get lower making the head tube steeper. It would compromise you bottom bracket height as well. All without giving you the full benefit of 27.5 because your wheelbase wouldn’t be getting smaller.
Bought a new SC Hightower last year, loving it. But my riding buddies have both gotten a mondraker Ebike. Really wish I could afford a SC Heckler, looks like such a sweet bike.
I wouldn’t mullet it. You won’t gain any benefits by simply swapping it for a smaller wheel. The chainstay will still be on the long side and your BB is going to get really low.
Can you do a review on the "Santa Cruz " Bullit" not the Heckler ; love your reviews & content it would be great to compare ; the 2 bikes !!! 👍👌😎🚵🌲🌲🏞️🚵🌲🌲🌲
I'm in the market for an Emtb ; I've demoed the Orbea Rise 150/140 very impressed !! We have Santa Cruz bikes 45 mins up the road from us ; so I'm going to ; Demo the Santa Cruz ; Bullit S Build ; we have very rocky, rooty, steep natural trails around where I live ; so I'm intrigued to demo the Bullit !!! That's why I would love you demo on your channel ! That would be epic !!¡!!!!👌😎🚵🌲🌲🌲🌲🏞️
