Santa Cruz Vala

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armourbl said:
Finally took delivery of my Vala C 70 this weekend. Took it for a ride on a local, easy trail system I know pretty well. Did 19 miles in eMTB+ mode, 1,276 ft of elevation gain, and at the end had 14% battery. This mode was probably way more power and assist than I really need for this trail because I didn't even use all the cassette. Suspension felt stiffer than I'm used to, so may need to do some tuning there, but managed to use most of the travel at some point in the ride.

Overall, very happy with the purchase. My first eMTB and now I know why everyone loves them.

One issue I had was the saddle kept moving, rocking back in the clamp. No matter how much I tightened it with my trail multi-tool it kept moving. Got it home and torqued it properly with a torque wrench and did some testing in front of the house. Hopefully that solves that problem.

ben
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Had a similar issue with my other bike the heckler SL came with a dropper that had the clamp bolts on the sides rather than front and rear, was always an issue after a few days, was an sd something, anyway I binned it for a one up v3 dropper , mint.
 
800wh battery fits?!


Likely a dead end but there's some suggestion from a shop in Portugal (Flow Bikes) that it works in larger size frames.

My understanding is it's a girth issue not a length issue so no go all around but just putting this out there to see if anyone's tried it.
 
Hi all, just a bit of info for anyone who may be interested in the future. I have a Santa Cruz Vala 90 and was struggling with the Q-factor on the original cranks. My regular MTBs both have Shimano XT 2x10 cranks with 175mm Q-factor. I took the plunge and bought a pair of the Hope ISIS cranks at 165mm in the "narrow" version. I estimate that it has reduced the Q-factor by about 10 to 15mm, which is a nice improvement. Clearance at the chainstay is still plenty, and my knees are feeling a bit happier on them.

Cheers
 
Hey everyone! I'm now the owner of a Vala in the R spec.
I made a conscious choice, as I had some excellent Mavic E-Dimax left over from my previous bike, and I'd already purchased a Shimano derailleur, chain, and shifter.
Impressive surprise when the bike arrived with a much more generous configuration: Zeb Select+ with a 3 charger, Cancreek headset, SRAM 90 shifter, SRAM 70 derailleur, and a T-Type GХ cassette. Wonderful!

But now I have a dilemma: having gotten into this whole T-Type group, I need to upgrade my Mavics – buy an ХD freehub, buy centerlock rotors.
On the other hand, I have Reserve aluminum wheels, which look great but are mounted on rather questionable hubs – MTH-716/746. I'm currently struggling with whether to sell the Mavics or invest in them and polish them up, then either dump the reserves or keep them until I sell them. I discovered that there's a fairly inexpensive upgrade for the 746 hub, which involves making a spacer of specific dimensions. This should allow the hub to be tightened without overtightening, making it a very good mid-to-high-end hub.
But I need to find a lathe.
So, has anyone solved the problem with these hubs? Couldn't it have already been solved, shamefully, since the problem has been there since 2016? Perhaps you know a place where I can buy ready-made spacers?
IMG_1340.webp
 
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Hi all,
i'm the happy owner of a vala 70 i bought with a very high discount (2300e discount !).
I'm in the process of fitting different parts on the bike in order to make it mine (changing brakes, ...).
I came across a very well designed front mudguard that i 3D printed and that fits perfectly on the bike. you can find it here : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6892610 (it's free).
i'll send a picture later in the evening.
just sharing a nice design.
pedro
 
I love the tan wall optic. Unfortunately not all tires are available (from Schwalbe) in 2.6“ - but Hans Dampf is plenty enough for our conditions here in the Black Forest.
Would change to radial tires in a heartbeat if they were available in Tan. 😎
 
New Rockshox forks sound amazing and coming from very good experience with Zeb 3.1 and ok to meh experience on Factory 38 GripX2 came on the Vala - far less small bump vibrations with Zeb 3.1.

New Zeb put on weight and whilst CC RSV Vala is neither a heavy or lite e-bike its easy to add weight - cushcore, a coil shock to match new fork also because the feel of riding other long travel SC with Zeb plus coil was awesome.

Wondering the Lyrik will be too "noodly" at 170 or even 160mm travel?
Is the Lyrik chassis going to be too flexible?
Who's happy with their 35/36mm lowers fork on their Vala carbon?
 
NoFlyZoneRider said:
New Rockshox forks sound amazing and coming from very good experience with Zeb 3.1 and ok to meh experience on Factory 38 GripX2 came on the Vala - far less small bump vibrations with Zeb 3.1.

New Zeb put on weight and whilst CC RSV Vala is neither a heavy or lite e-bike its easy to add weight - cushcore, a coil shock to match new fork also because the feel of riding other long travel SC with Zeb plus coil was awesome.

Wondering the Lyrik will be too "noodly" at 170 or even 160mm travel?
Is the Lyrik chassis going to be too flexible?
Who's happy with their 35/36mm lowers fork on their Vala carbon?
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I ordered a new Zeb to replace my old worn out one currently on my Vala. I considered the Lyrik for it for a second since it can go to 170 now, but in my experience running both on a Heckler SL, it felt like that bike overwhelmed the Lyrik in steep stuff, landing drops, and heavy braking. I did see one YouTube video of a guy in Australia running the new Lyrik on his Vala. He said he was enjoying the compliance but his trails were way flatter than what I ride.
 
Andeh said:
I ordered a new Zeb to replace my old worn out one currently on my Vala. I considered the Lyrik for it for a second since it can go to 170 now, but in my experience running both on a Heckler SL, it felt like that bike overwhelmed the Lyrik in steep stuff, landing drops, and heavy braking. I did see one YouTube video of a guy in Australia running the new Lyrik on his Vala. He said he was enjoying the compliance but his trails were way flatter than what I ride.
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Might have seen one similar YT this week where reviewer had a 27 Lyrik 170 on his bullit and was frothing but maybe only fork they got to test and review. Also the first ride.
Fact it goes to 170 makes it tempting since Vala is not a 170/170 bike. 162.5mm at the most with stroke change.
 
NoFlyZoneRider said:
New Rockshox forks sound amazing and coming from very good experience with Zeb 3.1 and ok to meh experience on Factory 38 GripX2 came on the Vala - far less small bump vibrations with Zeb 3.1.

New Zeb put on weight and whilst CC RSV Vala is neither a heavy or lite e-bike its easy to add weight - cushcore, a coil shock to match new fork also because the feel of riding other long travel SC with Zeb plus coil was awesome.

Wondering the Lyrik will be too "noodly" at 170 or even 160mm travel?
Is the Lyrik chassis going to be too flexible?
Who's happy with their 35/36mm lowers fork on their Vala carbon?
Click to expand...

I had a set of lyriks on an a sl bike, in under 300miles the bushings began to knock and it wasn't cost effective to repair. Perhaps I was unlucky but i only weight 75kg.

I now run zebs on a transition regulator (virtually the same as a vala) and have had zero issues.
 
dirt-diggler said:
I had a set of lyriks on an a sl bike, in under 300miles the bushings began to knock and it wasn't cost effective to repair. Perhaps I was unlucky but i only weight 75kg.

I now run zebs on a transition regulator (virtually the same as a vala) and have had zero issues.
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Would like to think the 2027 Lyrik is more robust since its 99% redesigned. In kit around 85-87kg so fairly average height and build so questioning the Zeb or 38mm lowers burliness is required and if a flexier fork might bring more comfort . Rockshox vs Fox is night and day for removing the trail chatter on 38mm stanchion.
 
It's horses for courses. I'm 67kg ride mostly woodsy trail and light enduro and I have a '26 Lyrik on my Vala. Suits me fine, don't feel I'm missing much from the 38s that were on the demo bike I rode. If I was 100kg riding rough steeps all day I'd think again.
 
I've got 38 Factory on my normal bike, and Lyrik Ultimates on my Heckler SL.

Both are great forks but I prefer the Lyriks: small bump compliance off the top is lovely, and I don't know if it's flex in the chassis or something else but they just feel more forgiving. I'm 90kg, so not light, and ride a lot of steeps - think Golfie and Inners, if you know them.

I'll go Zebs on my next bike, but if it came with Lyrik they'd not be getting changed.
 
steve_sordy said:
I ordered a Santa Cruz Vala 90 in large and midnight green, in late March. I received a delayed message from the dealer last week that they were sorry but all SC Valas are sold out until next year! Gutted!
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Get the Mondraker Zendit in the Green, Steve. It is gorgeous.
 
steve_sordy said:
I ordered a Santa Cruz Vala 90 in large and midnight green, in late March. I received a delayed message from the dealer last week that they were sorry but all SC Valas are sold out until next year! Gutted!
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That really is a shitter, feel for you because that is what you had your heart set on. Perhaps keep looking around, might be one somewhere even if a bit more money ...
 
steve_sordy said:
I ordered a Santa Cruz Vala 90 in large and midnight green, in late March. I received a delayed message from the dealer last week that they were sorry but all SC Valas are sold out until next year! Gutted!
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If it’s any use to you, there is a sc vala 90 in green in cycle 360 in the Isle of Man, reduced to 6500. Not sure if it’s a large or medium. I know people from England have bought of them before and they sent the bikes to them.
 
steve_sordy said:
I ordered a Santa Cruz Vala 90 in large and midnight green, in late March. I received a delayed message from the dealer last week that they were sorry but all SC Valas are sold out until next year! Gutted!
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Cannot imagine. These would mean they have stopped production and are going for something new.
 
LautSprecher said:
Cannot imagine. These would mean they have stopped production and are going for something new.
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I think a lot of companies are taking the “Crestline” approach and producing limited bikes, especially the brands that don’t offer anything with an Avinox motor.
 
steve_sordy said:
I ordered a Santa Cruz Vala 90 in large and midnight green, in late March. I received a delayed message from the dealer last week that they were sorry but all SC Valas are sold out until next year! Gutted!
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The Vala 90, that's my bike, bought it back in September 2025, with the Kiosk 400... 😍 I can't comprehend this answer, how would a company stop making a popular bike? Is SC in financial difficulty, or is the message from the dealer only, not SC... Did you check with SC directly, seems your story would have someone move mountains in today's hard market...?
 
steve_sordy said:
I received a delayed message from the dealer last week that they were sorry but all SC Valas are sold out until next year!
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Very sorry for you!
Did the dealer not ask SC about availability when you ordered? My LBS called them and the date given was exact.

What did they tell you when next year will start? Surely not 2027.
 
Ou812 said:
I think a lot of companies are taking the “Crestline” approach and producing limited bikes, especially the brands that don’t offer anything with an Avinox motor.
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Crestline is doing it due to limited resources (may be money, production slots, motors?!). None of the big players (as PON is) would do this approach because it makes zero sense for a huge corporation which is bound to economy of scale and has its own factory.
 
It would be great if the new colours are also launching with a bigger battery as rumoured in the same form factor…
 
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