Santa Cruz Vala: All new! Bosch motor and new rear triangle on the Santa Cruz e-bike
Lukas Niebuhr
· 01.10.2024
The Santa Cruz Vala immediately stands out visually from its predecessors, such as the Heckler. Unlike these, it does not come with the Californians' almost iconic VPP rear triangle, but with a classic four-bar linkage. However, the design process was not about setting a new visual accent. Rather, it is a necessary consequence that resulted from the installation of the Bosch motor. This would have blocked the ideal pivot points on the VPP rear triangle. The switch from Shimano to Bosch is the next big thing that makes the Vala a very special Santa Cruz bike. Because this is also a first for Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Vala: Info on the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor
First things first: the new Bosch Performance Line CX no longer rattles! That alone should be of great importance for a brand like Santa Cruz. Because with the Shimano EP 801, as used in the Vala predecessor Hecklerit is hardly possible to build a quiet bike. With the Vala with Bosch CX, trail bikers can now hope for a quiet vehicle!
The Bosch Performance Line CX should deliver 600 watts at peak power and have a maximum torque of 85 Nm. For the battery, Santa Cruz has opted for the new Powertube 600, the smaller of the two new Bosch batteries. On the one hand, this saves weight and on the other, 600 Wh should be enough for most riders. At least that's the engineers' idea. If not, a 250 Wh range extender can also be ordered, which is located in the frame triangle above the permanently installed, integrated battery.
The small battery should have a double effect on the overall weight: The slim Powertube itself is just under a kilo lighter than the larger Powertube 800, and the developers explain that the frame can also be designed to be smaller and correspondingly lighter, which would further reduce the overall weight. The most expensive version of the Santa Cruz Vala is said to weigh less than 21.5 kilos, which is extremely low for a Bosch bike! Even the cheapest model should weigh less than 22.5 kilos - with full Bosch power.
Compared to the popular Heckler, the suspension travel remains untouched. With 160/150 millimetres of travel and a mullet setup, the new Santa Cruz Vala also wants to score points as an all-rounder for trails and off-road. The option of fitting a large 29er rear wheel, as was available on the Heckler, no longer exists.
The facts about the Santa Cruz Vala
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600, permanently installed
- Suspension travel: 160/150 mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch
- Five equipment variants from 7499 euros
- Weight: from 21.5 kilos (manufacturer's specification, size L)
- Geometry and progression customisable via flipchips
- Five sizes S to XXL
The rear triangle of the Santa Cruz Vala
The Americans are talking about the best e-bike in their history - and this is said to be down to the rear suspension system, which differs drastically from the classic lower-link VPP of most other Santa Cruz bikes. Both in terms of the anti-squat value, which describes how much the suspension hardens when pedalling, the E-MTB impresses with reduced pedal kickback on hard impacts and an active suspension when pedalling off-road. The bike also stands out from its predecessors in terms of its anti-rise value and gear ratio.
The four-bar linkage design is said to have made it possible to install a shock with a 60 mm stroke instead of the previous 55 mm. This would allow the rider to benefit from better damping qualities on the one hand and more consistency on long descents on the other.
The geometry of the Santa Cruz Vala
The new E-MTB from Santa Cruz is available in five sizes from S to XXL. With reach values of 435 to 525 millimetres, many bikers should be able to find a suitable size. The short seat tubes, which allow a free choice of size, and the chainstays 439 . Only a few e-MTB manufacturers go to this effort. Each frame size has its own rear triangle, so the individual sizes should ride in a particularly balanced manner.
Geometry and progression are customisable
The geometry and suspension of the Vala can be fine-tuned to personal preferences and the area of use. The two flipchips on the shock mount and rocker link allow you to make slight adjustments to the angles as well as changes to the progression. Both can be adjusted independently of each other. Thanks to the new design, the bike can also be fitted with long seat posts. As much as 180 mm in size M.
Although the Vala has many new characteristics, the manufacturer's basic construction and design principles have not changed: Stability and durability are still a high priority for the Americans, the position of the battery is geared towards optimum handling and many components are designed for stiffness. All in all, the focus of the Santa Cruz Vala should be on handling and trail characteristics. We are looking forward to the upcoming practical test.
The Santa Cruz Vala models in detail
In terms of price, the Santa Cruz Vala is not exactly a bargain. The entry-level model costs 7499 euros and comes with a slightly heavier C-carbon frame, while the high-end CC-carbon chassis is supposed to be even lighter. Santa Cruz is asking 12,999 euros for the top model.
Santa Cruz Vala C MX R
- Price: 7499 Euro
- Total weight (manufacturer's specification in size L): 22.45 kilos
- Frame: C Carbon, 150mm travel MX wheels (S-XXL)
- Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL
- Fork: Rockshox Zeb Base 160mm
- Damper: Fox Float X Performance
- Drive: Sram Eagle NX
- Brakes: Sram DB8 Stealth 220F/200R
- Seat post: SDG Tellis
- Rims/hubs: Raceface
- Front / rear tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary F&R MX 2.5", Radial Casing
Santa Cruz Vala C MX S
- Price: 8499 Euro
- Total weight (manufacturer's specification in size L): 22.24 kilos
- Frame: C Carbon, 150mm travel MX wheels (S-XXL)
- Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance 160mm
- Damper: Fox Float X Performance
- Drive: Sram Eagle GX
- Brakes: Sram Maven Bronze 200F/R
- Seat post: OneUp V3
- Rims/hubs: Raceface ARC 30 HD/ e13 SL E-Spec
- Front / rear tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary F&R MX 2.5", Radial Casing
Santa Cruz Vala C MX GX AXS
- Price: 9799 Euro
- Total weight (manufacturer's specification in size L): 22.37 kilos
- Frame: C Carbon, 150mm travel MX wheels (S-XXL)
- Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance Elite 160mm
- Damper: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Drive: Sram GX AXS
- Brakes: Sram Maven Bronze 200F/R
- Seat post: OneUp V3
- Rims/hubs: Raceface ARC 30 HD/ e13 SL E-Spec
- Front / rear tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary F&R MX 2.5", Radial Casing
Santa Cruz Vala CC MX X0 AXS RSV
- Price: 11,499 Euro
- Total weight (manufacturer's specification in size L): 21.53 kilos
- Frame: CC Carbon, 150mm travel MX wheels (S-XXL)
- Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL
- Fork: Fox 38 Factory 160mm
- Damper: Fox Float X Factory
- Drive: Sram X0 AXS
- Brakes: Sram Maven Silver 200F/R
- Seat post: OneUp V3
- Rims/hubs: RSV 30|HD C Front, 31|DH Rear/ DT350
- Front / rear tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary F&R MX 2.5", Radial Casing
Santa Cruz Vala CC MX XX AXS RSV
- Price: 12,999 Euro
- Total weight (manufacturer's specification in size L): 21.47 kilos
- Frame: CC Carbon, 150mm travel MX wheels (S-XXL)
- Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL
- Fork: Fox 38 Factory 160mm
- Damper: Fox Float X Factory
- Drive: Sram XX AXS
- Brakes: Sram Maven Ultimate 200F/R
- Seat post: OneUp V3
- Rims/hubs: RSV 30|HD C Front, 31|DH Rear/ i9 Hydra
- Front / rear tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary F&R MX 2.5", Radial Casing
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
