Santa Cruz Heckler SL vs Specialized Levo SL (vs super-light MTB rider)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- In our latest Vlog, Lindsey (AKA the Mush) puts two of the latest and greatest super light E-MTBs to the ultimate test on two demanding loops around Grizedale forest.
Weighing in at a measly 8 stone dripping wet through and having previously demo’d Specialized original Turbo levo E-bike in 2017, it's fair to say that Lindsey has always been against the idea of an E-bike purely from a handling perspective with her finding it very difficult to muscle the bike around around and bring the additional momentum to a halt.
We had been recently toying with the idea of finding Lindsey a bike with more travel and stability as her confidence and first for speed has been growing and having myself just entered the e-bike world, I was convinced that the latest generation of SL e-bike could be “goldilocks” zone from a handling perspective while tapping into the other advantages E-bikes bring.
It’s very hard to find small frame sizes built up in shops to swing a leg over and even harder to find demo bikes in a size small. Fortunately, Biketreks demo store in Grizedale forest had both the bikes we wanted to try in the correct size! Winner
So we embarked on a day of back to back testing of the @specializedbicycles Specialized Levo SL Comp Carbon in S2 size and the @santacruzbicycles2841 Heckler SL C GX AXS (but with Standard Mechanical GX gears).
2 bikes, 2 Loops, 1 converted light rider?
you also get some of my early ownership thoughts on E-bikes in general and specifically the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy which I picked up recently from @Leisurelakesbikes southport.
Try the route out for yourself - Garmin link here:
connect.garmin...
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00:18 Intro
01:50 Initial thoughts on my Specialized Levo Comp alloy
02:56 Why I bought an E-bike
04:28 Grandad, Dad and the Dentist Descent
05:00 Specialized Levo Sl spec and size rundown
07:00 Specialized Levo SL Initial impressions
10:20 Breasty Haw descent
13:58 specialized Levo SL Battery after 13 miles & 500m climbing
14:15 Santa Cruz Heckler SL spec and size rundown
15:30 Santa Cruz Keckler SL inital Impressions
16:20 Grizedale Parkamoor Descent
16:48 Grandad, Dad and the dentist on the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
21:53 Climbing on an e-bike can be tricky
22:28 Gobi Cycle style MTB Glasses mini review
24:02 following the Santa Cruz Heckler SL on Breath Haw
26:25 North Face Trail final Red descent
27:36 Can Light Riders descend SL E-bikes confidently
29:48 Our winner between the specialized Levo SL and Santa Cruz Heckler SL - กีฬา
I've had my Whyte E160 for 1 week now, and I'm loving it! I was very worried that the motor would take away the sense of achievement and physical effort benefits I get from my Nukeproof Reactor, but I didn't need to be concerned. This week, I've spent more time on the bike, covered more distance, climbed higher per mile than ever before, significantly increased the time spent in zone 3 and 4 according to Garmin, and this is with the e-MTB in it's lowest power setting for 90% of the time. Living in a hilly region, what the E-160 has done is help reduce the one thing that put me off riding - the long, tedious ascents. Climbing still takes a lot of effort (which I like) but now it's fun and my motivation is better than ever to get out and ride.
Perfectly put Tony. I’ve just been out on mine for around 5 hours this evening. 40miles, 1500m climbed, a big smile on my face and I’ll be up first thing in the morning for a run, no problem. They are brilliant! 🤩
Had such a great day 🥳🥳 I’m still wary of how I’ll cope on the steep, natural type stuff that I prefer riding though, only thing giving me further pause 🤔
Should i cancel the order then 😳
😱
Really interesting video. Thanks for this.
Absolute pleasure, we really hope it would be useful somehow! Cheers 👍
Good video, good to see other people's bike decision thought processes too. Thanks for the tip on the glasses I'm after a new pair of photochromics with more coverage than my decathlon ones which are now scratched to hell after several years use. Will check it out as I'm struggling to get hold of the Endura ones I was looking at. 3 witches and Breasty Haw are my favourites in Grizedale, grinning like a Cheshire cat at the bottom 😁
Cheers Annes, the glasses won’t disappoint, I’m super happy with them.
We too love this descents, great fun! 🤩
I do really fancy an e-bike, mainly because I hate climbing! Haha. Those glasses are pretty cool! Might have to pick up a set 😎
They will defo cure your hatred of the climbs Thom, no danger! Glasses are genuinely a bargain and I can’t fault the performance at all.
Great video thanks
For sure looks like S2 was too big for Lindsey
I'm trying to decide between the SL spesh or Santa
Going to test ride the spesh sl this weekend...
Thank you very much.
I think she was comfortable with the size except bar width. The s2 is very similar size to the small heckler and she was looking to size up for stability vs xsmall 5010 she rides now.
Enjoy the test ride, have you tested the heckler SL?
@@MindfulTrailBiker she looked like she was perched on it rather than in the bike - she did a fab job of handling it! Has she tried an S1 - I've several mates who are the same height as Lindsey and they get on much better with an S1.
Yeah going to try organise a test ride on a heckler sl in a few weeks
Thanks again for the review ❤️
We didn’t take it any further after the test ride as fun as it was! Maybe look into it again next year. She preferred the heckler out of the 2 bikes. Range was the main concern with the spesh.
Perfect video. Needed to make this same decision
Thanks you! Did you buy one in the end?
Yes
I just made the swap to cube ebike stereo 155 and I lov it .. great for epic days
They’re so much fun aren’t they. I’ve not been out on the bronson since I got the Levo but that was mainly due to it needing a full rebuild. Gonna try and get out on it this week so I can keep a foot in all camps, there’s no denying e-bikes are addictive
What size is your Levo and how tall are you? Another great vid BTW
Ah thank you! Mines an S4 and I’m 5’9
Thanks. Considering one myself as a first e-bike. Some decent discount on the alloy models at the moment. Looking forward to your next vid. 👍🏻
@andyflaw it’s a great bike Andy! You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you very much! 🙏
ive just got a ebike of my own and love them but they seem to break alot more than the usual bikes
Reliability was a concern for me and the main reason for going with Specialized and buying from a shop. Good warranty and quick service is important factor for sure! 👍
@@MindfulTrailBiker i have a ktm ebike and a whyte ebike now both seemingly holding up well considering been upside down only reason they break more is because u can ride more with them i think ive always seemed to have problems with the rear brakes on them though no idea why might just be my luck, Up rivington soon for a good best places to ride in rivington in summer 😂😂
@NW-ENDURO true, I’ve been out on mine loads since getting it, there’s just no excuse not to go riding now. Very addictive!
Eeb life 😀
EEB life indeed. How have you liked riding the analogue bike more recently?
@@MindfulTrailBiker I love the Reactor & much prefer at uplifts for sure! Also ride it when out with the lad as don't want him to get used to getting towed and not have to pedal 🤣 and with the brothers mostly as they don't like the ebikes 🤣
Also brought on your ride as I wasn't sure if there would be any other ebikes and also to prove to myself I can still pedal 🤣🤣
Im reasonably fit and have been riding over 100 miles a week for the past 15 years or so.. but yet i still kinda want an ebike.
@@davemtbpowell3965 not much to dislike about a private uplift service. That said, I went for a nice analogue pedal today and really enjoyed the slower pace, took more scenery in, was more relaxed and mentally recharged from it. Both are awesome and I shall enjoy both immensely going forward. You’re right as you are and would highly recommend an ebike, if that makes sense 👍
@MindfulTrailBiker I've just ordered a mondraker crafty RR.. can't wait 😁😁😁
Awesome buddy! You’re gonna love it. Lindsey ended up getting a Levo SL last week, first ride in the lakes yesterday, she loved it!
@@MindfulTrailBiker nice! Is there gonna be a video? I'll look forward to seeing it.
You bet, should drop in the Xmas holidays 👍
Got to admit to being occasionally tempted by an ebike. But then I here the latest youtuber trying to justify their choice and it puts me right off! Just pedal a proper bike ffs! Then the next tough day of climbing I'll start being tempted again!! Maybe the day people stop feeling like they have to justify moving to an ebike is the day I'll jump on board? Definitely would be an SL of some description. Too many people I know have a love/hate with all the extra weight and my local trails I feel will be more suited to the lighter bikes.
They are my reasons rather than justification Pete. This is why I decided to spend my cash rather than me asking for forgiveness from the audience. My rationale (that I would normally have for purchasing any bike i.e bigger travel, different wheel size etc is detailed in the edit for the audience as it may resonate or provoke thought. I enjoy a climb, always have, always will, it’s part of MTB for me and I wouldn’t change it. That said as I’m now doing more other training than ever before and it’s nice to get extra riding in without it overly detracting from my overall energy level for a few days after. That’s said I normally need the zone 5 heart rate element of pedalling an analogue bike uphill and so will monitor and ride the ebike accordingly. On the flip side I do love a good uplift and the extra descending time you get on an ebike means your tired from descending rather than climbing which is novel and will only improve my descending endurance.
To summarise then. It’s not just about avoiding climbs and it’s certainly not justification, Im defo not someone who needs to ask if it’s ok for me to buy a bike, just ask the wife 😂
Lindsey decided against a purchase as she feels that on her favourite type of the tracks (golfie style) she would struggle with the weight. I concur, my heavier bike prefers open bridleway to root filled, muddy tight woodland descents for sure
Oh and it’s a 2nd bike so not moving too e-bike just added to the fleet so I can relate to more of my audience 👍
@@MindfulTrailBiker yep, I guess you put yourself out there with this stuff, and good on you. Lets us see places we might never have know about. I'm sure I will relent at some stage. Maybe when the big 60 hits in a few years time. But I do kind of enjoy the struggle too🤘🤘
If a small rider can ride a 250kg bike then they can ride a 25kg bike.
@@bmartinot 🤔 maybe i wasn’t specific enough with the title.
Unfortunately “Can a light MTB rider confidently pilot with agility, poise and control, an ebike that is approx 6kg heavier than their existing analogue mountain bike on tight, technical single track mountain bike specific trails and enjoy the experience and can they in fact enhance the overall riding experience” is too long for the title character count 😂
@@MindfulTrailBiker 😃👍