The move to a Bosch motor means the Santa Cruz Vala has done away with VPP suspension and adopted a pretty trad 4-bar arrangement.
Santa Cruz Vala in a nutshell
- New Bosch Performance Line CX
- 600 Wh battery
- MX Wheels
- 150mm Rear Travel
- 160mm Fork Travel
- SM-XXL Frame Sizes
- CC & C Carbon Frames
- Claimed weights: 21.47kg to 22.45kg
- SRP £6,699 to £11,999
Santa Cruz Bicycles press release:
A NEW NAME IN TOWN
Introducing the new Santa Cruz Vala
CLASS-LEADING POWER MEETS SANTA CRUZ RIDE DYNAMICS: All the legendary ride qualities of a Santa Cruz – supreme handling, great suspension, and longevity – paired with the class-leading Bosch Performance Line CX motor and a versatile battery solution. The Vala is built for real trails and not tribulations.
BOSCH PERFORMANCE LINE CX: The NEW Bosch drive unit is powerful, reliable and quiet. The power on tap and how it delivers it makes going up trails feel like descending.
RANGE WITH HANDLING IN MIND: 600 Wh is optimal for most rides. Low battery mass improves handling characteristics. The 250 Wh PowerMore extender battery provides the freedom to cover more ground when needed.
EXCEPTIONAL HANDLING DYNAMICS: Bombproof, lightweight carbon frame, superior ebike suspension performance and tuneable geometry and kinematic create a chassis that exceeds where real mountain biking demands it.
VP-FREE?: While this bike might look like something you’ve seen before, we found ways to make the four-bar suspension system work better on the trail and off. Sublime kinematics, dialed handling, tuned chassis stiffness, and we’ve made it a joy to own. Details really do matter.
WHY FOUR-BAR? WHY NOT VPP?
It is a challenge to package large motor where optimum VPPTM pivots would be.
We wanted to apply the advances in suspension design that we’ve made on recent pedal bikes (VPPTM) to the Vala.
This meant utilizing a new design, but one that gave us the freedom to make all the right spec and kinematic choices. The result is our best handling ebike.
Santa Cruz`Vala geometry
Santa Cruz Vala model specs
Some other stuff
Two options via flipchip allow for two different characters:
- Low progression provides a very consistent feel that prioritizes responsiveness
- Hi progression sits in a bit more and prioritizes bump-eating forgiveness.
Seatstay bridge and one-piece link for added rigidity.
Progression chip (independent of shock rate chip) adjusts from 26-29%.
Geo adjust chip (hi/lo 4mm BB height & 0.3-degrees HTA).
Enclosed downtube for chassis robustness and reliability/rattle-free.
Battery placed as low and as close to the bb as possible to provide the best handling.
Tool mount under TT.
