Santa Cruz Vala
- Thread starter Lee Dove
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- santa cruz
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- #4
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.I will get a XO RSv Kit next week… the Price was to good to say no
Congrats! What size? I’d love to know if you can overstroke the shock to 65mm without clearance issues.
Cool story
mikegarf
Member
Had a look at the new Vala in my LBS yesterday. It looks ok but imo it isn't as nice aesthetically as their VPP models. Some of that Santa cruz magic is missing visually me.
I'm not saying it's a bad bike by any means and I'm sure the build quality and ride quality is still great. Just a personal observation.
I'm not saying it's a bad bike by any means and I'm sure the build quality and ride quality is still great. Just a personal observation.
I have to say it, why and the heck are people still buying e trail bikes? Time and time again I see people looking for more travel than the 150-160mm of travel their trail bikes have. Just buy the big e bike you will want in a couple months anyway. Over forking and long shocking are just bandages for poor decisions.
Seeing Jackson ripping Vala it looks like no one will ever need more than 150mm/160mm on a ebike…ever..at any situations.
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- #11
160/150 is perfect for the Tweed Valley Trails. I have been riding a 160/160 for the last 5 1/2 years and 30,000k.
I can never understand why people complain about 160 and want to move to 170. For the majority of riders with correctly setup suspension they will never notice the difference. 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. ;-)
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I know with certainty that I'm not world class, or even any class for that matter. I just need all the help I can get! 
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- #13
That was my point really. People think more suspension travel will help but that is not usually the case.I know with certainty that I'm not world class, or even any class for that matter. I just need all the help I can get!
Yep! I was in the south of France a while ago on some rocky trails. OK, I was on a new bike, one size too small and with a different motor, but I was having fun with my 150/150 travel Kellys bike (could have been 160/150, I didn't measure it). But my son-in law was leaving me for dead on his 100/100 XC bike. In my further defence, he is 20 years younger than me and he used to be in the over 40's British triathlon team. But still 100mm XC bike vs 150 trail bike!!!!! I should have done better!
I have been running a Bullit for 4 years and ordered Vala to replace that. Why? I want a lighter and more agile bike, and I want a slimmer down tube. Bullit is heavy, rides like a DH bike with +5kg added. Super hard to even bunny hop as the battery adds weight so far up in downtube. It's a good bike, but really only comes to life at bike parks and high speed downhill.
But for those that want a bigger bike, just get the upcoming new Bullit with the same 4Bar platform as Vala. If I would have to guess, it will come with the larger 800Wh battery.
Anyhow, waiting for the Vala X0 RSV bikes to arrive in EU. Anyone got news about them?
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That is not a story, it´s real...
Vala is a better bike than the bullet. The e unit forced the link higher and as a result the bullet sucks under braking. That’s why Santa Cruz went to a 4 bar link suspension. I just wish they would replace the bullet with a better design…… as for e bikes being to heavy, watch some motorcycle trials and talk to me about weight.
I like the Vala because it is designed to be light with only 600 battery and looks good in a "proportional' kind of way - add Bosch it's the perfect "lifetime investment" for us retired boomers etc
PS: My wheels never leave the ground these days
PS: My wheels never leave the ground these days
I have come to a 150/160 eBike from an analogue 170/170 enduro rig and I have to say, the eBike feels at least as well supported and capable as my old analogue rig.
In fact, I would go so far as to say it feels like it has more capability than my old bike did and feels plusher and better in every way.
RickBullotta
E*POWAH Elite World Champion
You can get almost a half kg off that bike with a tire swap! Those are heavy shoes.
Because walking your e bike out of the woods with cut side walls is what the cool kids do. Kinda surprised how close the weight is to my 180mm travel, 700wh battery Kenevo.
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- #26
All the models including the cheapest come with MM Radials.
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- #27
Kenevo 24kg ?
RickBullotta
E*POWAH Elite World Champion
ha ha. no, actually you can get some decent sidewalls at 900g.
Size 3s with the 27.5 wheels, 22.7kg
You must be talking about Kenevo SL? The OG aluminum Kenevo is probably 25kg+
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