Santa Cruz VALA 2025: First Look with Bosch Gen 5 eMTB Motor!

[@premix5six]

The only thing really wrong with this bike is that you’re gonna ask Santa Cruz money for the same bike you can buy for 25 to 30% cheaper from 12 other bike companies.

[@zokinjo1]

For this money you get the newest Nicolai with Pinion or DJI's Amflow...

[@eugenux]

it probably is very good of a bike but, without a vpp, it looks like a generic frame; if you remove the SC sticker and write ZangJuang on it, no one would bat an eye.

[@mikes.8305]

Actually it looks like specialized and SC had a baby. I really like it minus the price. May have to demo and wait till they go on sale.

[@JoeBernard10]

I don't think ZangJuang can develop a bike built to send the poached trails in this video.

[@eugenux]

@@JoeBernard10 it is a made up name;(hopefully , there's no ZangJuang out there)but, if you believe that generic frames made in china cannot go and do 95-99% of what this bike is doing, you haven't been paying attention to this channel very much.

[@ericzingeler7140]

@@eugenux You might be right, but I’m not willing to bet my life on it.

[@MonsterChuck]

Bike looks sick. Smaller battery is dumb, only mx wheels are dumb and price is ridiculous.

[@doctorebikes]

NEW SANTA FOCUS 2025 ? Good public report Rob 👍

[@williamm3548]

People love complaining, Bosch managed to improve an already pretty good motor and making it even better and enjoyable. Also 85nm is more than enough for 99% of people. Also you can get Bosch cx at 3000€ vs DJI starting 7000€

[@EduardoEcheagarayTirado]

es muy bueno mientras no lo mojes :) lo cual es ridículo para una MTB

[@msjj000]

Spot on!

[@HFrizzler]

True. Barely anyone is on Turbo mode the whole time and feels power starved. Why jumping in power then? And when people were asked what they appreciate the most / are annoyed the most by motors virtually nobody complained about power but noise, durability and smoothness of support. All of those things were addressed by Bosch and still complaints. In the EMTB podcast the guy from Crestline hinted that there is more juice in the motor than the 85Nm stated on paper right now. (btw: ich don’t drive a bike with a Bosch motor)

[@RAG0407]

Lots of harsh comments for trying some new ideas.

[@eugenux]

you misspelled "desperately wanting to use a Bosch motor"

[@323johnnybravo]

What’s new about a Horst link bike ? All the direct to consumer brands at half the price use this lol

[@zayon0170]

what the fk is new about this ebike sir? let me answer for you... NOTHING! :D

[@cudi7]

It gets interesting when you compare the bike with the new Rise LT. The Santa, as a mullet setup with an air shock and carbon wheels, weighs over 1kg more compared to a full 29er bike with a coil shock and (slightly) even more battery capacity. Good job, Orbea!

[@kkeestar]

Orbea = flimsy frames

[@msjj000]

Great point

[@dimimtb]

Looks like a Norco Fluid VLT LOL, not a Santa Cruz at all. The new high pivot Sight looks interesting if it rides well.

[@4KMTBRider]

Good looking bike and the geo and spec looks great. Perhaps moving away from the VPP on their emtb's is a good idea for Santa Cruz and it looks like it makes sense from a design/performance perspective.

[@alexbiketester]

Classic brands often when they change their look have a backlash as the style is as important as the brand name. Look at history of coca cola

[@lsugimoto8361]

Best review I've seen thus far

[@UncraftedPlays]

HECK YEAH, finally the Bosh downhill noise is gone. It's SO loud when riding on my Strive:ON. Eventhough you get used to it, not having that constant clonking is such a W.

[@pablojmcglynn2863]

Great video. I like santacruz. I had a few in the years gone by . the last one i owned was a 2020/21 tallboy. A lot of comments with regards to the suspension , other brands use vpp not just sc the biggest disappointment about this is the 600 battery, 10k for a ride that can only do 3hrs ? 1kg of a difference in weight if they had put an 800 battery in ? Seriously? It's a Great looking ride, but there is no chance iam buying this , there is better rides out there , lighter , faster with bigger batteries and the same new bosch motor in the frame. But each to their own.

[@nimbusleonGER]

Sry Santa, but I am very happy now, to have bought a Heckler with EP801 last year. ^^ The Vala (good looking) looks like a complete random MTB without the VPP Design. Could be a Trek, TR, Focus, CUBE...

[@G00glieS]

Yeah, who needs a SantaCruz with no VPP?

[@pgson8929]

I would much prefer what you bought👍. Shimano motor I have I dont even have a slight desire to have anything else. I ride my GFs e bike with a bosche gen 4 and I dont feel it is any better what so ever.

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

yeah it looks like they bought the frame off some OEM manufacturer and slapped santa cruz on it

[@davemcbeard]

Yeah, I'm not paying Santa Cruz money for a generic 4 bar bike. Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY happy with my Cube Stereo Hybrid 160, and even happier that I could probably buy 2 of them for the price of a Santa Cruz...

[@ShitStefanShoots]

VPP was/is just another four-bar design to circumnavigate the (now defunct) Specialized patent. It's neither better nor worse than other designs..

[@folmonty]

Excellent review Rob!

[@mehukatti123]

Great bike and nice to see it in 4K quality here filmed with proper camera!

[@St3v3-0]

So basically a Pivot shuttle Am with a smaller battery?

[@premix5six]

@@St3v3-0 and no dw link.

[@YTOnlineReviews]

No dout about this bike. That was an amazing.

[@robhaskins3068]

What did Brose know in 2018 that they all are trying to achieve now. The rattles in later bikes and thecoffee grinder sound of the pinion MGU would kill the joy of Emtb for me. I've updated my 2018 super silent, smooth and powerful 1.3 Brose Levo with a Rohloff manual change hub,170 mm Fox 38's 150mm cranks, 9piont8 steering head slacker kit + fox DPX2 shock. The silence is golden and goodbye derailleurs for me. A brand new spare sealed, updated motor and two 500wh batteries are the go for me.Going backwards with updates gives me what I want until they can come up with something as silent , smooth and reliable. E=mtb²

[@ThomasElsmore-jt3tp]

Nice looking bike. SC have done the same as Yeti because the motor wont allow them to improve the current suspension kinematics. It makes sense to me. Hopefully, it rides just as well as the VPP if not better.

[@philhicks5818]

Really nice looking bike , personally it needs at least a 720 watt hour battery, and I still think manufacturers haven’t learnt why they have been selling off bikes with lots of discounts, the thing is over priced

[@markbabb3722]

Still love my Santa Cruz Bullit wife loves her heckler, nice to see moved over to Bosch.

[@lukenukem1164]

Mad they didn't put the new 800 battery in that released with the new cx. I don't get it, adds about 2lbs.

[@vvtt1823]

Sad day, to see Santa Cruz with 4-bar link! 😢

[@ShitStefanShoots]

VPP is a four-bar variation ...

[@reubroper1427]

I can see the attraction of a quite set up but can easily handle the audio of my cyclone and CYC mid drives, no bell needed,, also the silent motors seem to be what people complain about, huge kw seem less of an issue

[@svenball5384]

thanks for the edit. In essence, they cant use their signature "best in class" suspension due to seatpost and motor constrains. Looks so random to me now

[@cameratool]

Will Bosch’s next gen 6 motor have matching bolt pattern and case shape? LOL

[@andrewwigley1252]

yes what a ripp off

[@LlenadeMalo]

Oh god no. Why would you then have to upgrade an entire bike? 🤷

[@Weissi0711]

as if anyone ever has changed the motor for a new generation on its bike, you trolls. 😂

[@HFrizzler]

It has the same bolt pattern their SX motor has

[@dmweyland]

looks like an orbea wild clone, im sure it rides nice...

[@senthilkumar-yq9gs]

Super good congratulations

[@endthefedandnwo]

Lots of things to like about this one specifically the new Bosch motor I believe is superior to Shimano. The negatives is the small battery and the suspension design is still negotiable based on how it rides. I just don’t get how this new model differs from the heckler besides making the suspension worse

[@ddsgardening7437]

Emtb is very fast becoming a rich person's sport ,love my Giant Reign eb.

[@danielturcan4685]

Indeed. I also love my Giant Reign E+ 1 PRO, only thing I'd like to is a bigger battery, 600/625 would be great instead of the 500 one. Although, I only once managed to discharge it to 0%.

[@heywood165]

All bikes can be expensive. The Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup LTD xc bike is £12.5k and doesn't have a motor. People don't have to buy the most expensive bike every time...

[@canieto1]

There are number of e-bikes that can be had for cheap. Decoy, Marin, etc. On the use market, you can get an e-Bike for really cheap

[@supervelomantrek7015]

Nice video….that’s all…

[@RobHill00]

Just looks like a generic bike design!🤷🏼‍♂️

[@andrewwigley1252]

totally agree

[@battleduke]

Should come with the kiox 300 display, wouldn't wanna miss the information and navigation while riding anymore. Taking out your smartphone the whole time is annoying. Do you remove the battery downwards (so the bike has to stand upside down or lay on the side)?

[@heywood165]

Guy Kesteven has said the designer of current Santa Cruz bikes doesn't like VPP. So this could be an early indication of what the 2026 pedal bikes will look like. It'd be easy to develop a 120,140,160,180mm version of this suspension platform.

[@tmstriveon]

I always liked how Tuner Bikes looked! But.... #1 - "They model the suspension to feel like SC" So... we don't need VPP to have a really nice bike? Ahahah Bosch is getting rousted by DJI... not even tear offs will clear the vision! DJI introduced a revolution in eMTB. You can have "POWA", and not weight a PIG. Replacing my current emtb, I won't go old bikes!

[@madmountainman5197]

New SC... interesting, but not groundbreaking. What I want to know is, which bike to you prefer from your two recent builds, the Nicolai you bought yourself or the Amflow? When are the reviews coming Rob?

[@MikesBikes2020]

Where is the VPP?

[@aggropa]

Super sweet Bike. I will definitely consider it for my next bike, although technology is evolving so fast. I hope they offer a build kit with the Zeb and Vivid Air. Also, I’ve seen that the Liverpool force on the maven’s is really high, so I wouldn’t be down with that. Bigger manufacturers really need to allow you to pick your parts. Otherwise you’re wasting a ton of time and money.

[@thechiefworm]

I like the look of it and you know it will ride great from Santa Cruz. Just need a 800wh 29er next......

[@Coolcmsc]

Superb quality and remarkably balanced, as usual. I ride an XL Bullit and I can have one of those at the same spec for 21.3kg…. And when I did a ride almost identical to the one you did at Dalby in the dry I got the same height and 46km, similar average pace and a shorter journey time (mix of trail, eco and boost) and that was the old 800 EP8, the new one has the 801. It’s battery is 630 Whr, so only a little but more. So, which would you choose…? The Bullit XL I ride with more rise on the bars doesn’t have any of the problems you described with the front end. Anyway, I’ll not be buying this, but the next Bullit and let’s just hope they let you take the battery out as they do now….

[@szakalbarnabas87]

Santa Cruz just lost being Santa Cruz. They’re just one of a dozen now.

[@markb868]

So lets get this straight. It looks like a Vitus, only provides enough range for a 3 hr ride, the power that you've paid for tapers on a 1000' climb and it costs £10k.... Maybe not for me after all.

[@TheTree1968]

As that famous saying goes.. “it looks like a Rail!!” Looks like they’ve raided the Rail spec sheet Rob. Although, using the 600 battery is a good move as it keeps the down tube and therefore reach at sensible proportions.

[@jediali221]

I actually like this a lot, moved away from Santa Cruz when I wanted an e-bike. I would have bought this instead of my Unno Mith which to me is a spiritual successor to a what Santa Cruz could be doing to innovate with VPP.

[@fredEVOIX]

not a santa cruz customer never had one it might not look stunning but it looks great to me, love the green and gold color it's trunnion which isn't soft on shocks but better than yoke according to the 50 videos I watched about the subject last week I didn't know what VPP was and wouldn't want it not a fan of the shock being that down and exposed

[@889811]

Pinion Niɔolai that's the future 😊 looks like Rocky Mountain to me with display and those changes 🤟

[@tomclarkson6078]

Your speculations of the screen are correct and someone on KZbin has said what's coming and what will be displayed.

[@rfrankway]

Magic Mary Trail Radials! Unobtainable elsewhere, but finally seen here. I’ve only been able to get the Albert’s.

[@allvideo7298]

Very nice cycle

[@SanjayKumar-td1cm]

Wow nice cycle

[@H3avyHaul3r]

hmmm SC if it’s like 3k Au i might consider for a generic bike like that…you’ve been too expensive for too long

[@Burbs1976]

Good weight

[@gimmick_8269]

Hm, the vala does not impress me in any way! There are cheaper, lighter, or more powerful bikes out there! And i guess the next shimano doesn't rattle either....

[@scrutch666]

I forecast a big drop in sales soon with this little increases. Why would i spend another 10k to not even loose significant weight . Ebikes had already enough power

[@JorgeDiazfernandez]

look really nice but in my opinion first is look like a copy of the new Trek slash and secound like always overpriced you have better option now with new Bosch GEN 5 like the new Norco

[@mrd6093]

WITH THIS NEW BIKE I WOULD OF LIKE TO SEE HOW THE BATTERY IS INSTALLED PLEASE,

[@ilidiofaria]

Santa Cruz have any company in Europe that deals with warranties?

[@mountaincruiser817]

I always struggle to see if a painted part is forged or Cnc'd. I guess Rob has that eye.

[@aguyholding1024]

Not sure why the fake secrecy around the top tube controller. Crestline has it published that a new controller is coming that will fit that space.

[@323johnnybravo]

Way too expensive for a 4bar. The YT decoy is less than half the price of this lol

[@St3v3-0]

Just got a core 5 Decoy and it's a blast. Previous bikes are a heckler 9 and trek rail. For the price, the Decoy is hard to beat.

[@kanutecarson1]

I think for most people the YT will be just as much fun, and at half the price. There is nothing on this Vala that is really outstanding. It will be a fun bike to test ride but I doubt I will buy one.

[@323johnnybravo]

@@St3v3-0 Santa Cruz is making all the wrong moves right now, probably why their bikes are always on sale lol

[@adamfavsvidc]

You say you have seen the heat management chart. I have been wondering how the dji avinox motor does with heat management. Would love to see some graphs or info on both motors.

[@brianbathgate4944]

How difficult is it to put a Garmin in the top tube of a bike? Surely can’t be that hard

[@stephanemartin4733]

Again, a $17 914 CAN very affordable!

[@mustclime5311]

axis only is a deal braker for me. replacement parts cost way to much and any cassette with alloy cogs suck for e bikes.

[@Claudio11000]

Can't wait for you to try the new rail, even if eye is santa cruz is very inviting.....

[@EcoTony]

And why would you get this other than the motor? SC without VPP doesn't seem worth the money.

[@supervelomantrek7015]

Could be interesting a bike with Bosch SX and 600W battery

[@richardwager283]

It wasn’t that long ago SC had the shocks high! Short memory 😂

[@peter572]

Does the chain looks a bit dirty or rusty? It stands out compared to the clean gears

[@denesk2794]

I am almost sure the new display could work with this. What I am curious about is: does this pair to either a Garmin with ANT+ or an Apple Watch? Reason: 600Wh battery with just a few bars is not enough. I don't see a percentage and I go crazy. I literally put on a Garmin when I am on my ebike just to see a percentage.

[@BenoitCajelot]

The Santa Cruz version of the Propain Sresh CF 👍🏼

[@sakariputtonen2683]

Everything is sweet, price though..

[@dronemotioncom]

Looks nice and just like an Orbea Wild, probably more expensive. That said if you're in Europe, it makes sense to get a bike made in Europe, if in America it might make sense to get a US made bike.

[@scp8412]

Isn’t this Less travel and lighter than the wild?

[@brookscurran]

what about the 800WH battery?

[@cyclefactoryuk]

Germany is on the phone, they want their 2022 Cube Stereo 160 back 🤣

[@deancade9682]

Every e-bike engine and bike you test is the best.

[@wilko2907]

Hi rob just thinking I have a 750wh power tube is the new 800wh a compatible upgrade please 🙏🏻

[@wolkuz]

Ofc not lol

[@wojciechpac3943]

lack of VPP is a big big problem here... they abandoned what is their markup... the good thing is they switched to Bosch (ep8 sucks really) and replaced reverb dropper with one up! hopefully they ll make something with vpp once SC realise that '4bar' was a mistake. It looks like any other bike on the market ... if i were to buy not vpp why not canyon for half of the price

[@mattmiller7650]

And Yeti did it with the 160e with a 6-bar. Nobody said a thing!!!

[@yofoo138]

So does this motor use a magnet on the rotor now? That’s what it looks like because man my sensor is always saying it cannot connect at times.

[@offtherockcycles]

hi Rob, So if its 250 w nominal for Epac legislation, does that mean that the motor has to drop down in wattage within a set period of time and if so how long is that time to meet Epac regulation?

[@e_mtb]

The 250w is the average output within a time frame of 30 minutes, which should not be exceeded by these motors according to the law. But in reality most motors don't restrict the output noticeable, only if they overheat on a big climb, so it's more a theoretical law on paper, no one really cares

[@EduardoEcheagarayTirado]

Is Gen5 waterproof ??

[@alexbocade4703]

Nice! Looks like my rail.

[@jerryofthebikes]

9:30 so after this 3 hour ride how many %/juice left in battery? Or it was dead?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

It was between 0 and 10%, probably around 5-6%

[@Grifterbiden]

Nice review once again Rob looks like you rode barking dog, possibly dog leash? I must’ve just missed you guys. I was riding there on last Tuesday afternoon.

[@ludwigschmidt4698]

Santa Transition 2025 👎

[@elchinhasanzada2468]

Santa Cruz must be out of their mind with price tag.

[@ShitStefanShoots]

They have always been

[@porroco]

I dont like the battery layout display how is shown on the frame, how hard is to show 10 lights of batt level just for the piece of mind

[@hassebir]

New Bullit? Please?

[@Paulo-fr3xm]

The Trek rail is such a good bike, looks like Santa Cruz just stuck their name over the top

[@davemcbeard]

Except the Trek Rail is single pivot, linkage actuated and not true 4 bar, not horst link.

[@grundy1973]

Rail+ vibes

[@robociock]

No more a santa cruz

[@aaronoconnor606]

That bosch motor is still not as good as DJI they need to setup it up a bit

[@In_dependent]

is battery removable?

[@e_mtb]

No, only by unscrewing the motor. The inbuilt battery helps santa cruz to keep down the overall weight (there's also an exploded drawing on their website where you can see, that there is no opening)

[@wrongusername]

That chain was a bit rusty :D

[@TCK71]

So DJI has more power, bigger battery, better display and weighs the same. Ermmm……..

[@megane230f1]

And its cheaper

[@Charliezfabrykiczekolady]

rusty chain :)))

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Nope! Fresh California dust!

[@chougame2806]

How much price 😢

[@jaydub308]

It's on the santa Cruz website

[@williamcopeland8331]

For the price of this thing, you can buy a brand new Honda CR 250 or any other dual sport. This bike shouldn’t cost more than 3k.

[@Cartsp70]

Agreed 👍🏾 the SC Nomad is £9499! And it’s not an ebike, ridiculous

[@IntoTheWhite04]

Just cant see the point of buying anything other than the amflow at the moment if you're going to spend this much

[@wanderer2246]

Nearly everyone wants value for money, but some brands with their view of bikes as "luxury items" are still there, waiting for big money, until they will start begging for our money or bankrupt.

[@TCK71]

Completely agree, AMFLOW just set the benchmark, everything else just looks meh!

[@IntoTheWhite04]

@@TCK71 Still perfectly reasonable to buy a cheaper one from a different brand .. I'd go Cube, Canyon or specifically the newest Orbea rise but as soon as you pay out amflow money theres just no point getting anything else..

[@skellener]

You’ll never see that DJI bike come to the US.

[@IntoTheWhite04]

@@skellener I'm in the UK so not fussed