The Heckler Chronicles

[BT180]

EDIT: 10.11.09 - Updated pic in XC mode. Updated spec list too. XT shifters, derailleur, cassette, middle ring, XTR chain.

EDIT: 25.08.09

DHX 5.0 Coil and Fizik Gobi are now on. See bottom of this post...

'Bout time I posted my ride. Here’s the evolution of my ’04 Santa Cruz Heckler.

09/07/2008
Deposit was put down on the bike. A fellow Farkinburner was selling as it was too small for him.

For Sale Pics and spec when purchased

Frame - Santa Cruz Heckler - Medium
Rear shock - DT Swiss SSD 210L
Fork - RockShox Revelation 426 Dual Air
Handlebar – hmmm. Not sure.
Stem - PRO
Headset - Aheadset by Cane Creek
Grips - Diatech Lock On
Saddle - SDG Bel Air
Seatpost – Something light and silver!
Front brake - Avid Juicy 5 with 160mm rotor
Rear brake - Avid Juicy 5 with 160mm rotor
Cranks – Shimano XT
Chainguide – N/A
Pedals – DMR V8
Front derailleur – Shimano Deore
Rear derailleur – Shimano XT
Front shifter – Shimano Deore
Rear shifter - Shimano Deore
Cassette - Shimano XT
Front hub - Shimano Deore
Rear hub - Shimano Deore
Front rim – WTB Speed Disc
Rear rim - WTB Speed Disc
Tyres – Maxxis. F: High Roller 2.1 Exception, R: Crossmark 2.1 Exception

The frame was also rebuilt with new bearings, sleeves, pivot & shock bolts and associated hardware from a Santa Cruz Heckler Pro-Pack.



Since the purchase I have experimented with a few different parts.

First was to ditch the tyres in favour of something more trail oriented and less XC race.

New tyres and a clean


Maxxis Minion DHF on the front and an Ignitor on the rear. Both in 2.35 size. The bike immediately felt more solid and controllable.
Next I ditched the big ring and purchased an e.thirteen DRS. This was a good purchase as I ride Red Hill a lot and often on the techy climbs the big ring comes into contact with the rocks. Obviously chain security was good too now. The only downfall was the increased weight.

I actually rode in the Fat Tyre Festival 8hr race (In a team) at Ourimbah with this set up. Wasn’t ideal for a long day in the saddle.

Ourimbah



Next to come was a set of ODI Rogue Lock-On Grips. I had to ditch the Diatech’s as they were wearing out and were too thin in the first place. The ODI’s feel great - Nice and thick with heaps of squishy padding.

I had the opportunity to swap my shock with a 5th Element coil for a few weeks. I’d always wanted a DHX5 Coil so I gave the 5th a go. First impressions was again increased weight. The thing is ridiculously heavy compared to my ultra light DT Swiss. Didn’t want to muck around with the settings as it wasn’t mine so it wasn’t set up properly and didn’t feel right. I was happy to give it back in the end. I’d still like to get a properly tuned DHX5 though and use it as my general trail shock. I’d keep the DT for races.

Next was a new seatpost. My black and red theme was developing and I had to get rid of the silver post. Always wanted a bling item so I fitted a Thomson layback post. At this stage I had realised that I was a little cramped on my bike so that’s why I went a layback.

5th Element shock, Thomson post and swapped clear bashie for a black one


Next it was time to go clipless! Borrowed a set of entry level Shimano M424 spd’s and shoes. After a tentative start and a few stacks I haven’t looked back. Sooooooooooooo much better than flats.

I entered the Sydney 24hr that was run early this year and I wasn’t going to repeat my mistake of the Fat Tyre Festival so I pulled off the chain guide and put my narrower tyres back on. Although the conditions were crap it was a good move.

I now have a few sets of narrow and wide tyres depending on the conditions -

All Maxxis:

2.1
Crossmark Exception
HighRoller Exception
Crossmark
Advantage

2.35
Minion DHF Super Tacky
Ignitor
Hansventure

The race also played havoc with my drive train, hubs, brake pads and rotors. I ended up having to replace my middle ring, get my hubs serviced and get new rotors.
Next purchase: Avid G3 Cleansweep Rotors. 185mm up front and 160mm on the rear. The increased diameter on the front is great...Especially on the long fast downhill at Dirt Works!

185mm up front




Hmmmm, where to now? If you’re still reading you’re doing well!


Next upgrade was a longer stem. I bought a 90mm Race Face Ride XC stem.
As I mentioned earlier I had come to the conclusion that my bike was a bit too small for me. After a proper bike fit down at the LBS (Bike Addiction) it was confirmed. For a Heckler I should be riding a large frame. Anyway, after the fitting which included the repositioning of the cleats in my shoes, saddle height and the purchase of a longer stem my lower back pain has gone and I’ve shaved a few minutes off my Manly Dam lap times.

If you don’t feel comfortable on your bike then go and get a proper fitting done. Highly recommended!

So now we’re getting closer to where I want the bike to be.

K-Rudd kindly gave me $900 to play with so a new wheelset and pedals were on the cards. I’d always wanted to upgrade the wheels so that I didn’t have to keep trueing the cheap ass WTB’s. I also wanted to buy my own set of clipless pedals as my current ones were on loan.

Next purchase

DT Swiss E2200 AM wheels
Time ATAC XS pedals.






These are such a good purchase. The wheels feel so much more solid under me and the bike can now handle anything I can throw at it. Keromx mentioned it too in his review and it’s true; They’re a very confidence inspiring wheelset. While not the lightest they’re my only set and as such they have to be able to handle anything.
As for the pedals, well they’re great too. Good solid clunk when clipping in and a good range of adjustability. Mud and dirt shedding abilities of Times need no further explanation.

So that’s where we are today. Current build is in between my trail and race spec as I can’t be bothered re-fitting my bashie after the Dirt Works race and I know I’ll have to take it off again anyway for the upcoming NRMA race. Once I work out how to do it myself and re-tune the gears I’ll probably do it. At the moment I just get the LBS to do it.

Next purchase on the cards is a new saddle – probably a Gobi. Still have dreams of that DHX5 too.

Current Spec

Frame - Santa Cruz Heckler - Medium
Rear shock - Fox DHX 5.0 Coil/DT Swiss SSD 210L
Fork - RockShox Revelation 426 Dual Air
Handlebar – hmmm. Still not sure.
Stem - 90mm Race Face Ride XC
Headset - Aheadset by Cane Creek
Grips - ODI Rogue Lock-On
Saddle - Fizik Gobi XM
Seatpost – Thomson Elite Layback
Front brake - Avid Juicy 5 with 185mm rotor
Rear brake - Avid Juicy 5 with 160mm rotor
Cranks – Shimano XT
Chainguide – e.thirteen DRS (when fitted)
Pedals – Time ATAC XS
Front derailleur – Shimano Deore
Rear derailleur – Shimano XT
Front shifter – Shimano XT
Rear shifter - Shimano XT
Cassette - Shimano XT
Chain - Shimano XTR
Front hub – DT Swiss
Rear hub – DT Swiss
Front rim – DT Swiss E2200
Rear rim - DT Swiss E2200
Tyres – Maxxis. F: Minion DHF Super Tacky 2.35, R: Hansventure 2.35

AM Mode:




XC Mode:

[Spanky_Ham]

spanky loves hecklers... and that last pic with the red rims...

mmmmmm, tasty

quick quiz, are those time atak peddles adjustable for release??


s

[ja_har]

BT

Got a weight for the bike in it's newest form. I'm interested to know as I have a long term plan of dropping weight off my beast.

PS looking good with the new wheels

[BT180]

spanky loves hecklers... and that last pic with the red rims...

mmmmmm, tasty

quick quiz, are those time atak peddles adjustable for release??


s

Yep, three release adjustments. You can see on the pic: Just under where it says Time there is a red semi-circle that has three positions marked -adjusted with a flat head screwdriver.

James - Haven't weighed it yet. But I can tell you if you swap your 5th Element for an air shock it will make a HUGE difference!

Will try and hijack the bathroom scales tonight.

[ja_har]

Haven't weighed it yet. But I can tell you if you swap your 5th Element for an air shock it will make a HUGE difference!

Will try and hijack the bathroom scales tonight.

I know it will, but budget is the issue...

My 5th is 950gm and an RP23 is about 200-250gm, 700gm in shock alone might just bring mine under 16kg...goal is sub 15 but minister of war and finance says no. So I'm banking on lotto or bigger legs

so far lotto looks more likely

[bhooper]

Nice bike. Looks really smooth and i lurve the red rims

[Ivan]

I know it will, but budget is the issue...

My 5th is 950gm and an RP23 is about 200-250gm, 700gm in shock alone might just bring mine under 16kg...goal is sub 15 but minister of war and finance says no. So I'm banking on lotto or bigger legs

so far lotto looks more likely

Sub 15 is very doable without spending a mountain of cash.

Mine is around 14kg's atm, and it is by no means a light build.

RP3's can be had cheaply on ebay. That's where I got mine.

[BT180]

I know it will, but budget is the issue...

My 5th is 950gm and an RP23 is about 200-250gm, 700gm in shock alone might just bring mine under 16kg...goal is sub 15 but minister of war and finance says no. So I'm banking on lotto or bigger legs

so far lotto looks more likely

I reckon mine is only around 13-14kgs. What else does yours have that's heavy? Your wheels?

I also noticed a difference when I removed the DRS.

[ja_har]

Heavy..the wheels, forks and cranks are the main things. Rest is all top line gear, just a few years old.

DH wheelset, Sherman forks and Race Face Prodigy DH cranks are not known for their weight weenieness...

It was built as a bike to survive a season in Whistler (which it did magnificantly) then come back to Aus. But now the heavy duty stuff that never breaks is weighing it down...

First to swap is the XT cranks from my 4X bike.

Could also do the tyres but not ready yet to give up my 2.35 minions...

[BT180]

Yeah I wouldn't worry about the Minions. I wouldn't give mine up either. What are you going to change first? Wheels would be good with all that rotating mass kinda stuff.