The correct way to increase travel, rather than slapping a longer stroke shock in a bike and thinking it works properly. They’ll be working on one
Santa Cruz Vala
- Thread starter Lee Dove
- Start date
-
- Tags
- santa cruz
- Thread starter
- #182
Yep, That would be meA bloke who regularly rides the Tweed Valley rather than the Surrey Alps...
i am quicker on the 160/150 Vala compared to the 160/160 Decoy ...Is it high progression or something I didn't see the figures?
What's the big deal with over stroking a shock? Removing a travel spacer won't affect the first 90-odd % of travel behaviour.
Genuine question, not going on the defensive here.
e/ I read the thread, seems a contentious subject on here.
What's the big deal with over stroking a shock? Removing a travel spacer won't affect the first 90-odd % of travel behaviour.
Genuine question, not going on the defensive here.
e/ I read the thread, seems a contentious subject on here.
Last edited:
I find it generally funny that engineers have spent hours to work perfect geometry and suspension kinematics and then avarge joe buys the bike and just adds 10-20mm suspension travel both ends and says it’s much better that way and those guys who designed the whole thing in the first place don’t know what they are doing 
. I understand that if you are big or light you might have to special tune the suspension, but adding travel ain’t it…
. I understand that if you are big or light you might have to special tune the suspension, but adding travel ain’t it…I find it generally funny that engineers have spent hours to work perfect geometry and suspension kinematics and then avarge joe buys the bike and just adds 10-20mm suspension travel both ends and says it’s much better that way and those guys who designed the whole thing in the first place don’t know what they are doing
I don't think they really know and its finger in the air. Tell me, if no frame clearance issues exist what exactly is the problem with removing a travel spacer?
I can only assume the idea was to get decent mid support out the rear suspension system to generate speed on. My Levo at 150mm feels significantly quicker than it is at 160mm with a cascade. Its noticeably easier to pump and generate speed at 150mm. But it then feels like it lacks the cushion feel I want.
Lee Dove says 160mm isn't necessary but earlier in the thread (I'm sleuthing a bit here sorry) says that the really steep trials he rides keeps weight off the back end. What about those of us not riding really steep stuff? I don't and I don't really care for it, I'd not venture down slab or gulley of doom at Dyfi. Most of what I ride is techy chunk, blown out natural trails, if the gradient doesn't exist to generate the speed I usually don't ride it, a symptom of being over biked maybe, and I'm looking for as little stress on my ageing body as possible. I've had enough riding time and bikes in different configurations to know which I prefer.
I've over stroked an Enduro (180/180) and a Patrol (170/170) and neither had any negative affects but they are absolute sponges to pedal out the box anyway. Both feel better landing to flat with the extra 10mm, it happens occasionally.
I find it generally funny that engineers have spent hours to work perfect geometry and suspension kinematics and then avarge joe buys the bike and just adds 10-20mm suspension travel both ends and says it’s much better that way and those guys who designed the whole thing in the first place don’t know what they are doing
Are you saying the engineers don’t overstroke often their shocks on the bikes they design? I guarantee you that is incorrect.
For the sake of simplicity, say the shock being overstocked is a coil, so it’s linear. You know the frame can clear the extra travel. The first 93% of the ride will be identical. You just have a bit extra when and if you need it.
There is absolutely nothing fundamentally wrong with putting a 65mm stroke shock on this bike, in the larger sizes, if you so choose.
prolix2
Member
My medium XO Reserve weighs 50.8 pounds, 23.04 kg. This is with plastic pedals and I exchanged the handlebar for a little heavier more swept alloy handlebar (versus the carbon one that comes on it) , no tire sealant yet. It looks like my range is going to be 29 miles in EMTB mode at about 1200 feet vertical. I weigh 155 pounds. By the way I've had a Specialized turbo levo SL, a Trek fuel EXE, and a Trek Rail and have liked them all but this Santa Cruz Vala is wonderful. For me, feels like the mid-powered bikes with the power of the Rail, but with more control and stability. Of course since I'm 77 years old and ride only mild trails with no jumps or drops and minimal technical stuff you guys might take my inpressions with a grain of salt. Also by the way, my trek fuel EXE outfitted the same way but with sealant, weighs 46 pounds. (20.8 kg) and the rail weighs 56 pounds , (25.4kg) , so the Vala Is exactly between the two, but again handles like the lighter one. I had worried that the new GEN five Bosch CX motor was not really quieter than the GEN four on my rail but it is significantly better in noise and harshness, a lot better in my case.
TheMirrorVision
New Member
Just saw a green Vala at my local bike shop while dropping my Hightower off for service. Wow! Like others have mentioned, you really need to see this color in person. Beautiful color and striking combination with Fox’s kashima.
Color aside, the bikes dimensions are fantastic and compared to some of the other e-bikes on the show floor it visually looks like it weighs at least 5kg/10lbs lighter than Gen 4 Bosch e-bikes because of the relatively svelte appearance.
Color aside, the bikes dimensions are fantastic and compared to some of the other e-bikes on the show floor it visually looks like it weighs at least 5kg/10lbs lighter than Gen 4 Bosch e-bikes because of the relatively svelte appearance.
I think they are quite different? DW vs 4 bar?
Yup, but it’s been out for over a year. The more curious release is the new Shuttle LT, which also uses the outdated motor
Jasong911
Member
My local shop just spent a week in Phoenix at pivot. 15 people riding emtbs all week, both LT and AM. To a rider , men and women, they all liked the AM more. The older motor, the bigger battery, whatever, they said it felt more satisfying and less work than the LT. Also difficult to get used to was the race mode overrun on the LT. The comment was “I typically spend some time getting on and off the bike, it would take off on its own it seems while I was getting off especially. If I was in a race or a situation where I was going to spend some long amount of time not stopping, it might be helpful, but not just normal trail riding”
As an aside, being on emtb’s helped keep the group together. There were some ability gaps.
As an aside, being on emtb’s helped keep the group together. There were some ability gaps.
EMTB Forums
Latest articles
-
The most reliable motor brand (in Norway)
A poll was posted on a big Norwegian emtb facebook group. There are...- Knut Nes
- 3 min read
- Views: 975
- Reaction score: 5
- Comments: 5
-
2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF Ltd review
We were quite surprised to read about the new lightweight Canyon...- Knut Nes
- 7 min read
- Views: 924
- Comments: 1