Santa Cruz Heckler S 29 Review

Shimano has become the biggest component manufacturer for bicycles thanks to its gear, pedal and brake components. It's clear that the Japanese want to shape the E-Bike trend from this dominant market position. Even nasty steep sections are effortlessly climbed by the motor. The Shimano EP801 conveys a riding feeling. Whoever enjoys longer tours will be pleased with the good range.

A good chassis sits in rugged terrain and generates plenty of traction. That's exactly what the good Fox chassis in the Heckler S 29 hits. The thick 38mm stanchions on the fork provide an extra dose of steering precision and performance. Especially for heavy riders, the Santa Cruz brakes could be a problem. With four pistons they only decelerate averagely. The average shifting components and accessories leave some tuning potential open. For most e-bikers, this should be an acceptable point. When it comes to the geometry, Santa Cruz does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. The low bottom bracket height will likely be a sticking point for trail riders, as it negatively affects handling. Hell yeah, the geometry is killer! Here the remarkable know-how of the Santa Cruz developers is videly visible.