At this time, Santa Cruz launched aluminum-framed variations of the Vala, decreasing the price of entry for certainly one of its most extremely regarded eMTBs. Coincidentally, Ibis additionally launched new AF variations of the Ripley and Ripmo right now, too. The bike trade goes all-in on aluminum right now, apparently.
The Santa Cruz Vala made waves when it launched late final yr. One motive was that Santa Cruz opted for a four-bar suspension format over its typical VPP system. Apparently, packaging a mid-drive motor and battery on a body was simpler with the four-bar format than the extra advanced VPP design. One more reason was that the four-bar Vala was extremely well-received by bike testers and shoppers alike and extremely praised for its glorious on-trail efficiency.
As with most carbon bikes, and particularly these with e-bike motors, the beginning value for the carbon Vala is pretty excessive. The bottom mannequin Carbon C Vala R sells for $7,299, and the seven full builds prime out at $13,899 for the tricked-out XX AXS RSV construct with the higher-tier Carbon CC body.
With the introduction of the Vala AL, Santa Cruz now has two extra accessible choices. The AL fashions share the identical appears to be like, virtually an identical geometry, the highly effective Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor, and 600 Wh battery, simply in a barely extra inexpensive aluminum-framed bundle.
Santa Cruz Vala AL Body Particulars
As talked about, the Vala AL has an all-aluminum body, which Santa Cruz says has been engineered to the identical power and stiffness because the carbon model. The body shares the identical silhouette because the carbon Vala, in addition to the identical four-bar suspension format, 150 mm of rear wheel journey, 160 mm fork, and blended wheel sizes. It’s basically an aluminum copy of the carbon model, and Santa Cruz claims it even shares the identical experience high quality. That mentioned, the entire bike weights of the Vala AL builds are ~4 kilos greater than the carbon fashions.
Like its carbon siblings, the Vala AL makes use of the newest Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor, which is arguably among the finest in the marketplace. It delivers as much as 85 Nm of torque and as much as 600 W of peak energy. Moreover, the upcoming over-air replace will enable customers to bump these figures as much as 100 Nm and 750 W. The 600 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery is housed within the downtube, and riders have the choice of including the 250 Wh Bosch PowerMore vary extender for longer rides. The body additionally has inside cable routing, mounts for a water bottle or vary extender, and an adjunct mount on the underside of the highest tube.
The place the Vala AL body differs from the carbon model is that it solely is available in 4 body sizes — S-XL — no XXL body right here. The opposite most important distinction is the shortage of geometry and development changes. There are not any flip chips on the AL body. As a substitute, Santa Cruz aimed for the blissful center floor of geometry and development in an try to simplify the setup course of. Nonetheless, these angles and measurements are all updated and effectively aligned with the Vala’s journey numbers and all-rounder intentions.
Geometry Chart
Vala AL Builds and Pricing
The Vala AL is at present being supplied in two full builds: Shimano Deore and SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission. The colour choices are “Stormbringer” and “Lunar Grey.” It’s value noting that Santa Cruz’s lifetime guarantee applies to the Vala AL frames and pivot bearings.
Vala AL Deore: $5,999
- Body: Aluminum, 4-Bar, 150 mm
- Fork: RockShox Psylo, 160 mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Choose
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speed
- Brakes: Shimano Deore M6120, Rotors: 220 F/200 R
- Wheels: WTB ST Robust 30 w/ WTB Frequency Sport hubs
- Tires: Entrance: Maxxis Assegai 29” x 2.5”, EXO+, Rear: Maxxis minion DHR II 27.5” x 2.5”, DD
- Seatpost: SDG Tellis Dropper
- Saddle: WTB Silverado, Metal
- Cockpit: OneUp Enduro stem, Santa Cruz Alloy Riser handlebar, and Santa Cruz grips
- Claimed Weight: 53.11 lbs. / 24.09 kg
Vala AL 70: $6,849
- Body: Aluminum, 4-Bar, 150 mm
- Fork: RockShox Zeb Base, 160 mm
- Shock: RockShox Tremendous Deluxe Base
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM DB8, Rotors: 220 F/200 R
- Wheels: Reserve 30|HD AL w/ SRAM MTH hubs
- Tires: Entrance: Maxxis Assegai 29” x 2.5”, EXO+, Rear: Maxxis minion DHR II 27.5” x 2.5”, DD
- Seatpost: SDG Tellis Dropper
- Saddle: WTB Silverado, Metal
- Cockpit: OneUp Enduro stem, Santa Cruz Alloy Riser handlebar, and Santa Cruz grips
- Claimed Weight: 53.68 lbs. / 24.35 kg
It’s notable that carbon Vala additionally is available in an Eagle 70 construct that’s almost an identical to the Vala AL 70, prices $800 extra, and weighs ~4 kilos much less.
Santa Cruz Vala AL: Availability
The brand new Santa Cruz Vala AL bikes can be found beginning right now. They’re at present on the market on the model’s web site and must be arriving quickly at native Santa Cruz sellers and on-line retailers. Yow will discover out extra concerning the Vala AL and every part else Santa Cruz makes at:
