I bought a Bullit in March. Around the time, I enquired about Vala’s as well and the dealer said next lot will be available around August (in Aus). That seems consistent with other launches say in May, with delivery a few months after. I would think new colours, the new zeb or fox 38, Bosch motor updates and maybe 700 battery same form as 600. That would make sense why there was a bit of a delay.
Santa Cruz Vala
- Thread starter Lee Dove
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Andeh
Active member
Looks like the only real changes for the "Lite" versions are a Fox 36 instead of 38, EXO+ tires front/rear instead of DD/EXO+, 30HD rims f/r instead of 30DH r / 30HD f, and DT 240 hubs, and E*13 carbon cranks.
I would be pretty unhappy if any of them didn't for the prices they charge!
Agree but much of the resent stock had the old style unit, although LBS's appear to be offering the upgrade for free. Would prefer factory fit.
The three new Vala builds have been removed from the German Santa Cruz site yesterday. I saw them at around 7 pm and when I wanted to check something at 9 pm they had disappeared. Not back yet. 
They are on the U.S. site. The short description states carbon CC frames on all three models but the detailed specs state carbon CC on the most expensive only and carbon C on the two others.
The photos look like Kiox 400C on all three.
They are on the U.S. site. The short description states carbon CC frames on all three models but the detailed specs state carbon CC on the most expensive only and carbon C on the two others.
The photos look like Kiox 400C on all three.
Mill72
New Member
It’s only $28 for the converson? The LBS told me when I asked about adding the LSC to myPivot Shuttle SL, that it worth upgrading than spend the money with adding the LSC. Especially with labor with conversion. Was it easy to add?
Andeh
Active member
Then your local shop doesn't know jack about suspension work, or charges like $800/hour for labor. It's a $28 kit, you pop out the old plastic placeholder knob and pop in the new one. The only tools needed are like a dental pick or something to push the ball bearings in. Shouldn't take more than half hour total, including removing the shock and reinstalling it.
Mill72
New Member
Gotcha thanks. They also mention you’ll need to upgrade the base valving to have any noticeable difference in tuning feel. Maybe why the cost?.?
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Andeh
Active member
Sounds like nonsense to me, but it can't hurt to email or call Fox.
Here is official FOX step-by-step guide, it is very easy to do, I've done it multiple times ... No need to upgrade other internal parts ...
tech.ridefox.com
2022-2027 FLOAT X/DHX LSC Upgrade | Bike Tech Help Center | FOX
tech.ridefox.com
Yup took about 35 mins (could have been less) Surprisingly, It works. Also as mentioned there are several videos out there to do it. Just don't use to much grease as it will cause the knob to have some play in it. I did not have to remove the shock as it sits vertical on my Vala. Very easy to do just watch that the steel bearings don't roll away.
I bought a 2026 model with the "old" colour. The C-90 version already has a Kiox 400c display and the One Up dropper post
tryingagain
New Member
- Feb 21, 2026
- 7
- 4
Can anyone please confirm which replacement (v3) mount bolts and bushings you have successfully fitted to a Vala? I have a 2025 C frame, with no issues so far. I thought I'd be careful and source the v3 version pre-emptively. After a lot of back-and-forth with Bosch, Santa Cruz, PBP, and a variety of Bosch stockists, I ended up with these (but not without some others first, too):
However, when I asked my local Santa Cruz dealer to fit them whilst doing some other motor-related work, they said the bolts are correct but the bushings are not. They didn't offer to source the correct ones, as they said the current ones are absolutely fine. I'd really like to have the correct fittings to hand if anything does happen in the future, so could anyone give me a reliable source of the correct fittings please? Cheers!
However, when I asked my local Santa Cruz dealer to fit them whilst doing some other motor-related work, they said the bolts are correct but the bushings are not. They didn't offer to source the correct ones, as they said the current ones are absolutely fine. I'd really like to have the correct fittings to hand if anything does happen in the future, so could anyone give me a reliable source of the correct fittings please? Cheers!
There is a video on this page in which he explains the difference between the old and new bushings and that the old bolts don`t fit the new bushings. It is in German but with auto translate on YT you should be able to understand it.
Bosch Rahmenbuchsen-Set für Gen.5 Motoren BDU31YY, BDU34YY, BDU38YY
Das Bosch Rahmenbuchsen-Set wird benötigt, um den Performance Line CX, Performance Line PX oder Performance Line Gen.5 Motor (MY2026) am…
www.elektrofahrrad24.de
@tryingagain
You can find the video in English on the English website Bosch Frame Bushing Set for Gen.5 Motors BDU31YY, BDU34YY, BDU38YY | eBike24
Direct link to video:
With the recent onboarding of Hans Rey as an ambassador for the brand (Santa Cruz & Bosch), seems unlikely SC would go with an Avinox motor.Still no Vala / bullit VPP with avinox / mahle / maxon for 2027 ?
Those are like the ones that came on my Vala C 90 2026. Not sure what they were referring to as "wrong"
tryingagain
New Member
- Feb 21, 2026
- 7
- 4
Thank you both, that's really helpful. Looks like everything's good then.
Cheers. I agree - as far as I can tell they're exactly the right part numbers (and they match the shop items linked from the video above from an independent seller).
I'm having no issues at the moment, but if the motor ever needs dropping then I'll swap in the new bits. Thanks all!
NoFlyZoneRider
New Member
Not heard anything about this yet, any rumours?
These bikes are barely reaching the midway of Santa Cruz's typical 3-year lifecycle, so if they decide to change motor supplier, that would probably be for the next bikes in MY28 or MY29.
Santa Cruz actually just released MY27 Vala and Bullit with new colors and XT Di2 on select bikes.
Also Bosch just released 120nm software update, so is there really need to switch away from Bosch?
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Gaboon Viper
New Member
- May 15, 2026
- 9
- 14
55m 225lb currently on an Ibis Ripley AF SLX 29’ER - rider riding solo 95% of the time on technical single track, mostly green and black trails in S. Florida, punchy climbs and a few drops but no real jumping for me. I really don’t love the full 29’ front and big just feels big to me and I’m not a fast rider, more plodding trying to get a couple hours good exercise in each sat & sun if I can. Had all but decided that I wanted the Avinox MS2 - PR Carbon, or Teewing or Propain but reading reports of MS2 rattling, lack of parts for avinox, etc and no real local support has me looking at the Vala.
My LBS has offered new Vala C 70 for 5500 either in green or gloss grey Bosch 600wh. Will I be happy on this bike based on my location, trails and riding style? I think SC is also offering free range extender. I’d also much rather have the newer Kiox display if possible. $6k is just a lot of $$ for a bike but if I will love it then I might pull the trigger.
My LBS has offered new Vala C 70 for 5500 either in green or gloss grey Bosch 600wh. Will I be happy on this bike based on my location, trails and riding style? I think SC is also offering free range extender. I’d also much rather have the newer Kiox display if possible. $6k is just a lot of $$ for a bike but if I will love it then I might pull the trigger.
Try to get the C90; I got (in Europe) a great deal on a "test bike" with less than a mile on it. The C90 has components which are quite good, no need for immediate upgrades (apart from cranks, I took some x01 instead of the E13 as other users have repeatedly reported about issues). The Kiox display was included on mine. But to be honest it doesn`t replace a Garmin or Wahoo (especially for navigation). Even the tires (Maxxis) are perfect. It is the first time I got proper tires on a stock bike.
I came from a 29er and was positively surprised of the advantages of a mullet setup. It is my first e-bike and the biggest positive surprise is how nicely it supports on short steep climbs. The bike doesn`t feel like a tank, it is still relatively agile. As long as you don`t use turbo mode all the time 600 W is more than enough. With gear I weigh 210 pounds and I climbed (in the Alps) nearly 5900 feet on a fire road mostly on tour mode (85%), 10% EMTB mode and 5% in turbo. This was with a new battery, it will surely change over time.
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