Santa Cruz Heckler SL GX AXS I Carbon C Review

Even steep ramps are surprisingly easy to climb with the Fazua motor. With its boost function, which provides 450 watts of support for a short period of time, the Fazua Ride 60 reduces the gap between light and classic full-power motors. At the moment, hardly any other light motor offers such a good combination of natural support, dynamic power delivery and capability. The short range unfortunately limits the tour radius quite significantly.

A good chassis sits in rugged terrain and generates plenty of traction. That's exactly what the good Rock Shox chassis in the Heckler SL GX AXS hits. In comparison, it's noticeable that the direct competition mounts better chassises, thus offering significantly more control. Bad brakes reduce the riding pleasure. Fortunately, this is not the case with the Heckler SL GX AXS. With their four pistons and large brake rotors the SRAM brake brakes good. The drivetrain and components have a subordinate but not to be neglected importance when it comes to EMTB. Even the bike brand product managers know this and don't aim too high with mostly average components. 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. Due to the short chainstays , when climbing steep sections, it requires active weight shifting to prevent the front wheel from lifting. For the good geometry, the developer team of Santa Cruz definitely deserves props. Such a knack for detail in geometry is rarely seen.