Santa Cruz Vala

[Lee Dove]

Size 3s with the 27.5 wheels, 22.7kg

Interesting, Spec. quote the Levo with 700wh battery as 23.17kg and 24kg for the Kenevo depending on build. The Levo has 36 against the Vala 38 forks. So all about the same (in real terms) at a good weight for a full fat bike.

 

[mustclime]

You must be talking about Kenevo SL? The OG aluminum Kenevo is probably 25kg+

Maybe watch robs Kenevo 29 er video . He is on a s5 with 29er wheels. My bike is on a zeb, 155mm cranks, carbon bars and like I said 27.5 wheels and tires. I am running plus tires but they are still lighter than 29er dh casing tires. Robs bike was 23.5…. See photo but like I said mine has a smaller frame and running 27.5 fork and a fox float x( lighter than an x2).

 

[JStrube]

All the models including the cheapest come with MM Radials.

Is that new or just non US stuff? They used to be MAXXIS all the way.

 

[Lee Dove]

Is that new or just non US stuff? They used to be MAXXIS all the way.

New on this Model I think.

 

[Dax]

I suspect it is just a bandage to try and fix there ego's which can't stand the idea that they may not be world class riders. ;-)

It’s much easier to upgrade my fork than increase my skill

Funnily enough, I’ve just gone from 180/180 to 160/150. It’s nice. No complaints so far.

 

[Dax]

You must be talking about Kenevo SL? The OG aluminum Kenevo is probably 25kg+

My S5 KSL mullet with Zebs is 18.9kg plus pedals.

 

[Lee Dove]

My S5 KSL mullet with Zebs is 18.9kg plus pedals.

Makes sense as it has the 320wh battery.

 

[Dax]

Makes sense as it has the 320wh battery.

Most of the time it’s plenty, like 22miles/3500ft, but there are days when full fat Bosch power is pretty nice. Mine isn’t a lightweight build, I think you could get one around 18 without much effort.

 

[whitymon]

Still wonder how 320wh can be enough on a KSL, it is a self shuttle bike so uphill eat the hell the battery no?

You do not climb that much or do very few laps? On my trail, an analog I would be able to do 10 laps on an afternoon - half cycling half walking the hills definitely I am not that good (walking 100% past the 5 lap).

With the elevation I have, if I apply the formula blabla, I would only be able to do 12 laps top with this battery but okay somehow faster than walking but that would mean that for the rest of the afternoon I would either go back home or walk the bike uphill too?

Is my scenario so singular? I fail to see the benefit or am I missing something - if so tell me so I can buy a KSL lol.

 

[LautSprecher]

Just made payment for this beauty. Will receive next week.

 

[Doomanic]

I pay less then a s Kit for the XO RSV Kit.

Cool story

Bro.

 

[Doomanic]

PS: My wheels never leave the ground these days

Mine often leave the ground, sometimes even intentionally…

 

[Gavalar]

I went with the base R model. I worked out I could upgrade the the Lyrik to Ultimate spec,. Add Hope brakes and wheels for the same price as the the S model. I would end up with a higher spec bike. I hate SRAM brakes and E13 hubs , had both and had trouble with them and a short life. Hope brakes and hubs are great. The S model only comes with base Fox 38 so I also get a better fork. I also did not want AXS shifting, I have it on my road bike (and love it) but for an E-MTB I think it is a waste of money, I change gear less and wear out drive trains quite quickly riding all year in the Tweed Valley.

Your description of what you don't like and what you're looking to upgrade makes a great argument for a frame only option.

 

[Lee Dove]

Just picked up new Vala. Will report tomorrow on how it rides.

 

[Lee Dove]

Two rides on new bike so far. Very Nice motor response, Bike handles well and feels lighter than it is. Magic Mary Radials grip great and roll very well.

Sram brakes as expected and have ordered some Galfer pads for them to improve them. If this don't work I will fit the Hope brakes I have on my old bike. Zeb came in Select+ model instead of the base spec (bike is R model) which is a £350 upgrade I had planned for free

Still tuning suspension and tyre pressures but really happy so far.

PS: Just weighed it 23.9kg inc. pedals so 23.5kg SC say 22.45kg which my guess is without sealant and maybe different tyres. My Decoy is 24.13kg with same pedals but rear mudguard so almost identical.

 

[prolix2]

How did you guys get your Valas so soon? I made my order, even before the local dealers were aware there was such a thing as a Avala and still I'm two weeks out ordering from across the country

 

[mehukatti]

How did you guys get your Valas so soon? I made my order, even before the local dealers were aware there was such a thing as a Avala and still I'm two weeks out ordering from across the country

Did you order size XL? I heard they will arrive later.

 

[Lee Dove]

How did you guys get your Valas so soon? I made my order, even before the local dealers were aware there was such a thing as a Avala and still I'm two weeks out ordering from across the country

I was quoted mid November so it arrived a couple of weeks early.

 

[prolix2]

Did you order size XL? I heard they will arrive later.

Medium , grey , SR or whatever the second from the top is called.

 

[LautSprecher]

"Bad" dealer who did take your money but did not make a preorder. Sorry for you!

 

[ShapeThings]

New on this Model I think.

I bought a Schwalbe Albert Gravity, my first Schwalbe MTB tire. Runs narrow. Assumed they followed Maxxis 2.5 WT as the standard. Otherwise, it's a great tire, just would have bought a 2.6 variant.

Think they —Schwalbe— probably incentivized Santa Cruz/PON with good OEM pricing in addition to arguably being better than Maxxis with this new casing update.

 

[prolix2]

"Bad" dealer who did take your money but did not make a preorder. Sorry for you!

I called a couple of local dealers,, I live in the deep south, just ask what a delivery date might be and they were not even aware that it had come out. They didn't know anything about it and had to call Santa Cruz to estimate a delivery date., Which was going to be January or so. The dealer that the Santa Cruz website refers you to, which is in California, quoted a date of late November , and I made the order. I did not pay the original dealers that I called.

 

[prolix2]

I called a couple of local dealers,, I live in the deep south, just ask what a delivery date might be and they were not even aware that it had come out. They didn't know anything about it and had to call Santa Cruz to estimate a delivery date., Which was going to be January or so. The dealer that the Santa Cruz website refers you to, which is in California, quoted a date of late November , and I made the order. I did not pay the original dealers that I called.

I apologize if this is not a proper question for this forum, or if it is posting in the wrong place but I'm curious as to what Bikes you guys already have that you're now getting a vala. I have a rail and a fuel EXE

 

[prolix2]

I called a couple of local dealers,, I live in the deep south, just ask what a delivery date might be and they were not even aware that it had come out. They didn't know anything about it and had to call Santa Cruz to estimate a delivery date., Which was going to be January or so. The dealer that the Santa Cruz website refers you to, which is in California, quoted a date of late November , and I made the order. I did not pay the original dealers that I called.

Spoke with another local dealer in the deep south today Tuesday 29 October and he said he had spoken with Santa Cruz today and they are sold out until May

 

[LautSprecher]

Who said no1 wants a SC without VPP? If this information is correct we can say finally goodbye to VPP on all SC bikes. I had this too often now with other manufactures. Must not be a bad thing though.
Guess i will keep my Heckler now as a goold old air cooled Porsche.

 

[crazyethnic]

sorry not a fan of this bike it looks like any other bike now.

 

[Geetsrevoel]

Anyone have any information or speculative ideas on what the new bullit will be like in comparison to the Vala and when?

I would possibly commit to a Vala in the next few months but perhaps the sensible decision would be to wait and see.

I know travel is not everything but I would like see something more aggressive (maybe like the 2025 Orbea Wild but a Santa Cruz )

 

[Lee Dove]

sorry not a fan of this bike it looks like any other bike now.

It is not how it "looks" but how it "rides" that is important.

 

[Bndit]

It is not how it "looks" but how it "rides" that is important.

True...even that looks are also important, hahahaa and Vala looks good

 

[Weeksy]

sorry not a fan of this bike it looks like any other bike now.

I'm not seeing that as a bad thing ? Bike looks sweet.