Santa Cruz VALA - First Ride Review!

[@scruby_music]

I'm torn! I had an insane enduro HSL build that i had to sell. Now I'mback in the market. My HSL had enough power for the climbs at the Sydney trails. I just dont know if I want the extra weight. Rode a mates Yeti e160 back to back with a Slash+ and the slash with much less power ripped harder due to it being that bit lighter.

[@klassyken]

Crestline bikes managed to put the new Bosch motor, 800wh battery, and a VPP in their new S180. As far as battery size required depends on where you live, how high you climb, how much you weigh, what mode you like to use etc. But the new 800wh battery from Bosch weighs less than their last own 750wh battery, so more watts doesn't nevessarily always mean more weigh Great video. Thank you

[@BRINKUK]

@@klassyken Yeah those bikes look really cool! Maybe we'll do a versus test one day. Agreed, battery size is very subjective, hopefully that came across in the video.. As for suspension design, It'd be great to overlay the kinematics of both bike and see what the numbers both designers were chasing. Santa Cruz will definitely have had a design brief of numbers for geo and kinematics that just won't have fitted without compromise with VPP... That's not saying krestline is compromised, but more likely the numbers that krestline were chasing are different and therefore fitted with the dual short link layout. Millimetres make all the difference at the pivot points.

[@davefreeman9347]

Absolutely spot on about the battery, if you’re cruising into the car park after your ride with 30% left on the battery your carrying to much battery how many people regularly rinse a 800wh battery not many I would wager.

[@BRINKUK]

We would love a lunch ride battery option on these! 340wh and less weight! Yes please!

[@adamthomasbmx]

KZbin auto caption working in overdrive. #Bikh Weird seeing an SC with a four bar but great explanation of how and why it’s not so different. 👍

[@lifebehindbars8750]

I’d be interested to hear how this compares to the Heckler 9 MX as that’s what I bought in June and it’s barely worked since so I’m considering changing!

[@OneRound79]

I bought a Heckler in May and I love the bike but the motor died last week so currently at the service. In the same boat as you now I want the Vala 😁

[@michaeledwards5241]

Great review. Doesn’t get much better than that 👍

[@BRINKUK]

❤ Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@BlakeD-pz6fl]

The lighting!

[@BRINKUK]

Sorry! It was Sunny in October. We have to make the most of any and all available Vitamin D in the UK in Autumn 😂

[@Nimble_Arrow]

Nice review! The last 20% more/less (SL vs Vala) fun is really helpfull! I have Santa Cruz Bullit, also with Mavens and I am wondering if the weight difference will be noticeable. My bike is 23,4kg, while Vala appears to weigh around 22,4 + Cush Core. Do you perhaps have any comparison? 🙂

[@BRINKUK]

The main difference is where the weight is. One of the reasons the Vala doesn't have an massive 800w battery is because it moves the weight distribution too far froward and ruins the ride character. The better efficiency also nods towards having a lighter battery but still getting the range. 1kg of weight doesnt sound like a lot but depending on where it is it can make a huge difference. Stick a 1kg weight on the end of your handlebars and youll soon see! haha

[@Guido1970]

Fair review for a bike shop 😉 my concern is the pace of development is destroying used ebike resale values 💸

[@BRINKUK]

Maybe thats true. E-Bike value should be linked to milage and condition though as you can prove milage on a E-Bike. Rather than on regular bikes having no real provable milage etc. I think the wider industry needs to catch up with part exchange and re sale market etc but we are a way off!

[@Matt-yk3nb]

How much of the weight difference do you feel from heckler sl ? I do like the playful/poppy ness from heckler sl but curious with that new suspension set up on Vala would make it somewhat similar

[@BRINKUK]

It's as close as it's ever been between full fat and SL... But there's still a noticeable difference to the SL. Interestingly my personal Heckler SL I've made a lot heavier with DH tyres and 38mm forks, but the SL still feels a lot more 'normal/acoustic/muscular' (whatever that correct term is!)

[@snowdosker]

For me there are 2 concerns: 1. 160/150 mm travel. I would prefer 170/160mm. A small difference, but more comfort on rocky trails (in Spain) 2. Price :(( Super bike. I have Santa Cruz Nomad and I love it. But I can't spent 8k for another Santa Cruz... My wife will kill me 😢

[@mehukatti123]

How is the rear end with the stock Float X? Would you switch to coil?

[@BRINKUK]

That's a good question. So first up yes the Float X perf elite was totally capable in the setting we rode it (low progression on the flip chip). Support in the mid stroke and nice bottom out control, most e-bikes have lovely small bump anyway due to the large sprung mass and this was no exception... But I'd love to try a coil and the high progression setting. Santa Cruz say you can run either air/coil in either high/low, but I think the obvious option would be to try the coil in high progression first. A shock swap and flip chip setting video for another day maybe!

[@salmaan0007]

They removed the VPP linkage😔

[@milocuevas]

get the amflow which is light and real full power, after that bike your super new vala is like a SL bike in comparison

[@BRINKUK]

I've ridden the amflow too, but me personally for full fat bikes I'd choose the Vala. Like I said in the video it's easy to focus on a few ingredients or numbers, but the bike is defined by the entire recipe... And Santa Cruz are very good at baking great bike recipes! I'm sure that dji motor will stir things up in the industry, it'll be nice to see when bike companies adopt it into their next gen bikes... but higher torque doesn't always mean a better ride, in fact on the Bosch I think turbo mode is too much... But the purple emtb mode is sublime!

[@sampep]

500% more reliable motor :D

[@BRINKUK]

At Brink we regularly deal with warranty scenarios on all major e-bike motor brands... And I personally love my Heckler SL with a Fazua motor! Read into that what you will 😉 Cheers, Ste