Santa Cruz Heckler 8.1 CC MX XT

The Heckler is about expanding your own trail map—accessing previously unreachable trails, unlocking less-used trails, and doing so independently. The full carbon frame and interchangeable 504Wh battery keep the weight down compared to bikes with larger batteries, but it's fast and easy to put in a fresh battery for even bigger, longer days.

The mixed-wheel option gives riders the confidence of a 29-inch wheel up front for traction and roll-over when you're caught off guard by technical features. But retaining the 27.5 rear wheel allowed us to keep the moderate chainstay length of the Heckler (445mm), which provides a snappy and easy-to-handle bike on tight, demanding trails. We did this without compromising on the standard Heckler's geometry, so the bike's character is still very lithe and accurate.

The new Shimano EP8 motor is lighter than the previous unit (380g), has more power (85Nm versus 75Nm), smaller volume (-10%) for greater ground clearance, less drag (50%), more heat resistant, and tuned to give more power in Trail mode. All this means it's even more capable of tackling longer, tougher rides.

Like every Santa Cruz bike, the Heckler is built for the rigors of true mountain biking. Shimano electronics were chosen for their refinement and reliability, while quality pivot hardware, easily replaceable radial bearings, and no-nonsense internal cabling were considered with a mechanic's sanity in mind!