Santa Cruz Vala

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Downhillr said:
How much lighter is the Vala?
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Vala is roughly 2kg lighter than Bullit.

For this reason I like to think Vala as a middleweight:

  • Heckler SL ~19.5kg
  • Vala ~21.5kg
  • Bullit 23.5kg
These figures for X0 AXS RSV builds w/o pedals.
 
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Motohawk75 said:
How is the new gen5 motor compared with the previous gen4 from Bosch in terms of power and punch ? Obviously the same specs on paper but how does it actually feels in comparison
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mtbrdan said:
My large weighs 47.6 lbs with pedals.
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Just for perspective, my rail 9.8 carbon weighs 56 pounds. My fuel EXE carbon weighs 46 pounds. I'm looking forward to the power of the rail at closer to the weight of the fuel EXE.
 
I know there are many variables, but if any owners would be happy to share your weight and what range/elevation you're getting out of the Vala on a full 600wh I'd be very grateful, just so I can build an average of what to expect. I'm in 2 minds whether to wait for the inevitable Bullit update, or pull the trigger on a Vala now. Cheers
 
jbrown....Stock Schwalbe's and they are sweet. DNE87.... I'm 210 lbs and three rides in this is what I've got so far....First was a factory demo and I got 28 miles and 3500 feet mostly in tour with liberal amounts of turbo, I'm guessing I had 5% or so left. Second was the first ride on my bike and got 21 miles and 3100 feet mostly in turbo, less than 5% left. Last ride was after work quickie, 1 hour, 12 miles, 1500 feet all turbo and had 35% left. Unless you just want more travel I would not hesitate on the Vala based on my limited experience. Range extenders should be getting into owners hands in ther next month or so I'm told and I would not hold my breath for a larger battery in the Bullit.
 
Another ride in the books, mixed in some trail and God help me even some eco. 22 miles and 4k feet. I am coming off of an Orbea Rise H30 that I put 7000 miles on over the last three years. Most of that mileage was on some rather soft coil suspension ( that I love as I have bad arthritis in both wrists ), getting the same compliant feel has been a challenge but I am getting it more dialed. The Vala seems to be about 15-25% more efficient than the Rise and of course is doing it with a top end of 85nm ( for now ) as opposed to the Rise with its 65nm.




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@mtbrdan appreciate your replies man, thank you for the insight. Sounds like you’re having a blast.
i have some thinking to do 🤔
I am after more travel really, more so than the bigger battery but word on the grapevine is the bullit iteration will have the 800wh, for only 900grams or so heavier, it would be nice to have also. I think I will have to wait it out.

Currently on a 170/170 with 720wh, but if I could get more range and 2kg lighter, would be the perfect bike for me.

However, If anyone else wants to chime in with their ride logs would be great to hear some more. Cheers 🍻
 
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DNE87 said:
@mtbrdan appreciate your replies man, thank you for the insight. Sounds like you’re having a blast.
i have some thinking to do 🤔
I am after more travel really, more so than the bigger battery but word on the grapevine is the bullit iteration will have the 800wh, for only 900grams or so heavier, it would be nice to have also. I think I will have to wait it out.

Currently on a 170/170 with 720wh, but if I could get more range and 2kg lighter, would be the perfect bike for me.

However, If anyone else wants to chime in with their ride logs would be great to hear some more. Cheers 🍻
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Not on the grapevine I'm on.
 
leroy said:
any idea when when its released and what specs?
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Rumour is vala style 4 bar, 170mm, Bosch gen 5 with big battery, coming spring 2025. Might be the long travel e-bike to buy?
 
Does anyone run with 78cm handlebars? I don't know if I should cut mine, 80cm is too much
 
diablo said:
Does anyone run with 78cm handlebars? I don't know if I should cut mine, 80cm is too much
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I'm gorilla shaped 1.78m with 780mm/10° sweep bars because that's what I find most comfortable. Just put up with sometimes hitting trees.
 
Dax said:
Rumour is vala style 4 bar, 170mm, Bosch gen 5 with big battery, coming spring 2025. Might be the long travel e-bike to buy?
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Is that not basically a Bullet (whatever its called) then??!! Still think the Trek Slash + is the ebike for me until I look at the price.

Anyone over stroked the rear shock yet?
 
mike172 said:
Is that not basically a Bullet (whatever its called) then??!! Still think the Trek Slash + is the ebike for me until I look at the price.

Anyone over stroked the rear shock yet?
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Look earlier in the thread, someone has put a longer stoke shock in taking it to 162mm rear travel. Not really needed though.
 
mike172 said:
Says whom?
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The design engineers that designed the kinematic and chose the shock size to make that work. Why put a bigger shock on a bike to add 10mm of travel and mess the kinematic up significantly and not just buy a bike with 160/170mm rear travel in the first place. It doesn’t need it, wait for the updated bullit if you want more travel
 
I wonder if/when Cascade Components will make a link for the Vala to increase progression and travel like they've done for other 4-bar/Horst link bikes...
 
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