About the Vala
In the time since it launched the Vala has won huge amounts of praise from regular riders and journalists alike. Santa Cruz know better than to mess with a winning formula, and so for 2027, the Vala remains unchanged, bar some new colours and a move to the new 2027 versions of Fox's excellent suspension.
A super light but still super capable full power EMTB, the Santa Cruz Vala Lite combines a 160mm Fox 36 with 150mm of four-bar rear travel and an MX wheel setup to create a real riders bike handling almost like an SL style E-Bike but without the compromises to power and range. After more detail? Dip into our first ride review on the original Vala here.
Powered by the most recent Gen 5 Bosch CX system (max 120Nm and 750W output), the Vala Lite uses a 600W integrated battery to keep the centre of gravity of low and central for incredible handling in technical terrain, but can also be fitted with a 250W range extender, taking the battery capacity to a massive 850W capacity for any truly epic days out.
The first Santa Cruz to use the design, their take on the four bar linkage delivers low anti squat for amazing climbing traction and neutral manners under braking. A modern geometry set ensures perfect handling across the sizes. Ride far, fast or hard, the Vala Lite can take it all on.
Geometry and Sizing
Specification
- Frame: Carbon C MX 150mm Travel , 4-Bar
- Fork: FOX 36 Float Performance, Grip, 160mm
- Shock: FOX Float X Performance, 205x60
- Wheelset: DT Swiss 370 Hubs with Reserve 30|HD AL 29' Front and 27.5 Rear Rims and Reserve Fillmore Valves
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Tyres: Front: Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+
Rear: Maxxis Minion DHRII 27.5"x2.5", 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ - Brakes: Shimano XT M8220
- Rotors: Shimano RT750, 6-Bolt, 200mm
- Cranks: e13 Helix Race Alloy e*spec All Sizes: 160mm
- Chain: Shimano XT M8100, 12spd
- Cassette: Shimamo XT M8200, 10-51t
- Rear mech: Shimano Deore XT M8200, SGS, 12spd
- Shifter: Shimano XT M8200 12 speed
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6
- Saddle: SDG Bel-Air V3, Max Lux-Alloy
- Handlebar: OneUp Carbon Bar, 35mm Rise, 800mm (20mm Rise on Small)
- Stem: One Up Enduro Stem 42mm
- Grips: Santa Cruz House Grips
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube Battery 600Wh
- Drive Unit: Bosch Performance CX BDU38
