how would you build a Heckler

**crashnburn'd** · 10-25-2005, 11:34 AM

So I'm joining the yuppy ranks of all you Santa Cruz owners... I'm buying my friends XL black anodized Heckler (last years frame) and need some advice. I'm going to use it for mostly XC riding. It's going to get jumped, etc, but I'm not going to be doing any freakishly painful climbs or anything like that unless I plan on moving.

Basically all I'm looking for is what Manitou fork should I run. I'm thinking either a Minute or a Nixon, but having never owned a Manitou fork, I really done know. Leaning toward the Nixon, but is running a 145 mm fork (Nixon) going to make it too raked out?

**bagtagley** · 10-25-2005, 11:56 AM

I'm running a Z1 FR on mine (130mm) and it's fine. I'm actually planning on putting a 150mm fork on it to slack it out a bit and for some extra travel. With a 45mm stem it tends to wheelie a bit on steep climbs, but the ETA takes care of that problem. With a longer stem it's much more stable, even with the fork fully extended.

One thing you need to consider is the Axle to Crown height. The Nixon may very well be the same height or lower than my Z1, despite having more travel.

**Ski Monkey** · 10-25-2005, 01:27 PM

Why Manitou and why an XL? How big are you?

**Darkside** · 10-25-2005, 01:29 PM

I know you specified Manitou, but why do you want one? Unless you can get a deal specifically on a Manitou, I wouldn't recommend one. The Fox 36R (or RC2) would be a killer fork for the Heckler. I've seen plenty of problems with Manitou forks, though if I had to recommend one, I'd go for a Sherman Firefly w/the Ti springs.

**crashnburn'd** · 10-25-2005, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Ski Monkey

Why Manitou and why an XL? How big are you?

Size wise, I've ridden the bike and it fits me well.

I am looking at Manitou's because I can get them for cost, I know about their problems. If I came across something else that was comparable in price to what I can get, I'd consider it. I'm going to run a quick release front and want something (somewhat) light, that's why I'm looking at Nixons. Also, I already have a moderately trailable dh/fr bike.

**Arty50** · 10-25-2005, 04:06 PM

I don't know much about the Nixons, but I have an 04 Minute 1 on my 5 Spot. I weight around 220 and it's been bombproof. It's sucked up everything up to 5 footers. I haven't gone bigger than that, and I probably wouldn't feel comfortable doing so on that fork. But it's been great. I know they changed the SPV in 05, and supposedly it vastly improved. Small bump performance was lousy on mine until I had 05 SPV parts swapped in. There are mods to help tweak the SPV if you want also, something about drilling a larger diameter hole...I can't recall exactly.

Anyway, it's been a great fork. Other than the occasional oil change and the SPV swap, I haven't had to touch it. Manitou used to make garbage, but in 04 something drastic happened to their quality control. They're much more reliable now.

**fondigley** · 10-25-2005, 04:53 PM

1. I wouldn't build up a Heckler.
2. I definately wouldn't buy a Manitou fork, but if you do get it for cost, buy 2 and sell them and buy a Fox or Marzocchi fork.

Any questions?

**peterslovo** · 10-25-2005, 04:53 PM

If you're planning on only doing smaller drops: minute; over 5' drops: Nixon.
My 0.02...

**crashnburn'd** · 10-25-2005, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by fondigley

1. I wouldn't build up a Heckler.

Well, I wouldn't build an Ellsworth.

**bagtagley** · 10-25-2005, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by crashnburn'd

Well, I wouldn't build an Ellsworth.

That's what I was thinking.

You gotta forgive fondig. His dedication to TE precedes reasonable thought. Oh, and he's probably bitter from staring at the back end of my Heckler all weekend.

**fondigley** · 10-25-2005, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by crashnburn'd

Well, I wouldn't build an Ellsworth.

To each his own.

Edit: Is there not a specific model you wouldn't build, not just the brand. I think I could build up a VPfree, but I would have to get a killer deal on it.

**fondigley** · 10-25-2005, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

That's what I was thinking.

You gotta forgive fondig. His dedication to TE precedes reasonable thought. Oh, and he's probably bitter from staring at the back end of my Heckler all weekend.

I do love the craftmanship of Ellsworths, been addicted for 5 years now, definitlly dedicated. Actually I just don't care for the fact that everybody and there brother has a Santa Cruz. They do make sweet bikes, but I prefer to be different. Although if money were no object, I would build up a Nicolai or BMW, but they are just riduculously expensive. And your gayness, yes I did hang back, but gonna blame that on the "Old Chubb". You saw me up ahead, behind and all around you on Friday.

**Kabuki_259** · 10-25-2005, 07:40 PM

Sounds like you started on the Old Chubb a little early today Fondig..DAG!!!

**crashnburn'd** · 10-25-2005, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by fondigley

Edit: Is there not a specific model you wouldn't build, not just the brand. I think I could build up a VPfree, but I would have to get a killer deal on it.

A Specialist... I would build one of those.

Like I said before, it's a friends current XC ride and he's giving me a good deal on it and a couple other things. Otherwise, I wouldn't consider a Santa Cruz either (read that as I'm really f'in cheap). Frame was new this spring and been ridden 10 times, tops.

**Arty50** · 10-25-2005, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by peterslovo

If you're planning on only doing smaller drops: minute; over 5' drops: Nixon.
My 0.02...

That sounds about right to me.

**Spats** · 10-26-2005, 01:10 AM

Manitou has had a lot of problems with the Nixons: recalls for insufficient tire clearance, temporary spacer fixes, travel adjust breaking...I see a lot of complaints and not a lot of raves.

Arty's neither lightweight nor slow and hasn't busted his Minute. It's probably a good fit for a Heckler. If you need something burlier, my Sherman Flick+ has treated me well in Moab, Downieville, and N*. Jenson still has them for $289 (QR only though).

**chaka** · 10-26-2005, 09:08 AM

To all you SC haters, F off! Just kidding, I've been on a heckler SL for several years now and it has not let me down. Love those Ellsworths though as well. To each their own. Now let's sing Kum By Ya.

Mine is built up lighter duty than what you are considering, running 100mm Fox, etc. I've heard great things about the Nixon fork for what you are looking for, as well as the Marzochi 130mm. Suggestion- drop an email to Santa Cruz support, they are very helpful with suggestions, as they all ride the rigs and try new forks often. I found their advice very helpful a couple years back when I upgraded all of my suspension parts. They know the inner scoop on how different shocks will effect the ride geometry, etc.

**fondigley** · 10-26-2005, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by crashnburn'd

Like I said before, it's a friends current XC ride and he's giving me a good deal on it and a couple other things. Otherwise, I wouldn't consider a Santa Cruz either (read that as I'm really f'in cheap). Frame was new this spring and been ridden 10 times, tops.

Yeah I hate to pay full price for any bike parts. Yeah I contemplated getting Bags Heckler when he was thinking about selling, but I knew it was prolly too small, but figured he would give me a good deal on it. Actually I would build up anything I got a deal on. I too am a cheap ass, but you can't really tell, cause I go a little overboard when building up a bike. I buy the parts I want, even if I can't get a deal on them, but look for the best deal on the net if the LBS aint hooking it up. I was just screwing around when I said I wouldn't buy a Heckler, but I have no need for one of those now, but they are tight bikes. And the Manitou forks, I have never owned one, just always heard of the problems they had. My roomate just bought a Nixon, I think, which suprised me cause his Sherman went to hell, but I guess he likes them.

So actually for the build, I would go with a fork around 150mm so the Nixon may work for you. I would make sure it is a thru axle for sure. I tore an ear off years ago, when my front wheel came off on a downhill, and don't want anyone else to do anything like that, so thru axle all the way, I say. Other than that I like to build em beefy, but for an all mountain rig, you need to be able to pedal 'er.