Santa Cruz Vala

[Flo7]

Yes, I will try...

and the new weight with X2 and e mallet pedals:

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Yes, I will try...

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Such a great looking rig.

 

[RSG]

Hi,
mounted a 205x65 and it fits... New Travel would be 162,5mm!

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The massive X2 looks better in combination with the 38er.
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What size frame?

 

[Flo7]

What size frame?

Medium

 

[Jor4s]

Sooo….

Called quite a few dealers enquiring about the C - R kit in a large (gloss grey) and it looks like it’s going to be an up hill struggle to find one. 🫤

Was told by a few that also called SCUK they are expecting stock in April but they won’t be pushing the lower build option.

 

[LautSprecher]

I can confirm that the rear triangle has guided internatl cabel routing. LOVE IT!

 

[mehukatti]

Who needs internal cable routing in the age of wireless shifting.

 

[LautSprecher]

Who needs internal cable routing in the age of wireless shifting.

Do you brake wireless?
CC build has no routing for shifters btw.

 

[mehukatti]

Do you brake wireless?

No, and I don't have mechanical brakes either (the post that I referred to mentioned cable routing).

 

[LautSprecher]

No, and I don't have mechanical brakes either (the post that I referred to mentioned cable routing).

Sorry, I am not a native speaker.
I hope everybody except you did understand.

 

[LautSprecher]

Closer look - beautiful.
View attachment 149883

Not much to write yet but first impression are GREAT. This may be the best Santa Cruz E-Bike ever. What a great evolution of the heckler.
View attachment IMG_4451.jpeg

 

[whitymon]

Please take a picture in day light, outside, in the garage/under a roof (?) that does not render the paint justice I think.

 

[TomRob]

Sooo….

Called quite a few dealers enquiring about the C - R kit in a large (gloss grey) and it looks like it’s going to be an up hill struggle to find one. 🫤

Was told by a few that also called SCUK they are expecting stock in April but they won’t be pushing the lower build option.

Are you based in the UK? If so, give Stif a call, there are R kit bikes landing in the next couple of weeks

 

[DNE87]

Rode the Vala today and it’s a fantastic bike, always been an SC fanboy and had multiple of their mtb’s and the latest heckler emtb, however this thing is very nice to ride so much smoother than the heckler suspension wise, breaking traction is insane and felt so easy to throw around.
Will wait for the Bullit update though, 170/170 on the 4 bar with the Bosch and 800wh battery at around a kilo heavier than the vala, I’ll place an order the minute it’s announced

 

[leroy]

Rode the Vala today and it’s a fantastic bike, always been an SC fanboy and had multiple of their mtb’s and the latest heckler emtb, however this thing is very nice to ride so much smoother than the heckler suspension wise, breaking traction is insane and felt so easy to throw around.
Will wait for the Bullit update though, 170/170 on the 4 bar with the Bosch and 800wh battery at around a kilo heavier than the vala, I’ll place an order the minute it’s announced

any idea when the bullet replacement is due?

 

[mehukatti]

any idea when the bullet replacement is due?

With the usual Santa Cruz 3-year lifecycle, a new Bullit should have come out late 2023. Not sure what's taking them so long, but now it's 4 years old and long overdue. If I would have to guess, it will come out either late this year or H1 2025.

 

[TheMirrorVision]

Rode the Vala today and it’s a fantastic bike, always been an SC fanboy and had multiple of their mtb’s and the latest heckler emtb, however this thing is very nice to ride so much smoother than the heckler suspension wise, breaking traction is insane and felt so easy to throw around.
Will wait for the Bullit update though, 170/170 on the 4 bar with the Bosch and 800wh battery at around a kilo heavier than the vala, I’ll place an order the minute it’s announced

Agree with you 100% if that is what the next Bullit is like!

 

[Weeksy]

Closer look - beautiful.
View attachment 149883

Not much to write yet but first impression are GREAT. This may be the best Santa Cruz E-Bike ever. What a great evolution of the heckler.
View attachment 149884

Yeah i'm sold... Sadly i'm not in the market right now... Well, not sadly as i'm happy.... But lets just say when i am, it'll be hard to resist the Vala.

 

[slickrock]

Rode the Vala today and it’s a fantastic bike, always been an SC fanboy and had multiple of their mtb’s and the latest heckler emtb, however this thing is very nice to ride so much smoother than the heckler suspension wise, breaking traction is insane and felt so easy to throw around.
Will wait for the Bullit update though, 170/170 on the 4 bar with the Bosch and 800wh battery at around a kilo heavier than the vala, I’ll place an order the minute it’s announced

Does this say anything about the venerable 4-bar suspension with circa 1985 Amp Research Horst Link versus what Santa Cruz has used for decades? Don't you miss the S-curve anti-squat suspension feel? Or is there something about the geometry of this bike or components or some other aesthetic that Santa Cruz is doing better now. Not trying to be provocative here, but I'm truly curious about how Santa Cruz diehards are processing the departure of suspension legacy with this bike.

 

[Weeksy]

Does this say anything about the venerable 4-bar suspension with circa 1985 Amp Research Horst Link versus what Santa Cruz has used for decades? Don't you miss the S-curve anti-squat suspension feel? Or is there something about the geometry of this bike or components or some other aesthetic that Santa Cruz is doing better now. Not trying to be provocative here, but I'm truly curious about how Santa Cruz diehards are processing the departure of suspension legacy with this bike.

I doubt 90% of riders even know the difference, let alone care. If a bike rides well, it rides well. Mostly it's just people who are 'average' and honestly it really doesn't matter.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Does this say anything about the venerable 4-bar suspension with circa 1985 Amp Research Horst Link versus what Santa Cruz has used for decades? Don't you miss the S-curve anti-squat suspension feel? Or is there something about the geometry of this bike or components or some other aesthetic that Santa Cruz is doing better now. Not trying to be provocative here, but I'm truly curious about how Santa Cruz diehards are processing the departure of suspension legacy with this bike.

The 4 link is probably the largest single improvement to this platform, and frankly my only concern about the Crestline that's a contender.

Horst Link bikes just work better.

 

[TheMirrorVision]

Does this say anything about the venerable 4-bar suspension with circa 1985 Amp Research Horst Link versus what Santa Cruz has used for decades? Don't you miss the S-curve anti-squat suspension feel? Or is there something about the geometry of this bike or components or some other aesthetic that Santa Cruz is doing better now. Not trying to be provocative here, but I'm truly curious about how Santa Cruz diehards are processing the departure of suspension legacy with this bike.

As a long time SC fan, they way I interpret it is that with motors taking over the MTB space trying to solve for climbing efficiency via dual link designs (VPP, DW, Switch, Maestro, etc) is no longer a priority because of the motor assistance. Instead, focusing on designs (Horst, High Pivot, etc) that allow for more active suspension movement, and cater towards downhill and braking performance are the priorities.

 

[Bndit]

I have never felt that suspension platform of my Bullit is limiting my riding.

 

[Lightme]

I have never felt that suspension platform of my Bullit is limiting my riding.

I’m sure a 4 bar/horst link wouldn’t either.

 

[Jor4s]

Are you based in the UK? If so, give Stif a call, there are R kit bikes landing in the next couple of weeks

I’ve called everyone and no joy… looking at April next year. I could have got an S kit which I contemplated on and the dealer called me back within ten minutes to say it had sold.

 

[LautSprecher]

Anyone tried to install the Purion 400 in a CC-frame?