Santa Cruz Vala Review: Middleweight Champ

[@AdventuresWithClair]

Awesome review dude, keep pumping them out I need the videos. Had a freak accident with a riding mower ejecting the blade at full speed bouncing off the concrete and fillet my foot horizontally at the toes and sides. I’m benched and sitting here with pins sticking out of my foot. Hopefully by summer I’ll be running again, need these videos to keep me sane.

[@bikersedge]

Yikes dude. I don’t think that’s good for you.

[@Wes-o9t]

Whoa, wish you a fast a full recovery!

[@Emolokz]

Holy shit!

[@BillWhiteley-e8c]

For those of us over 6'2" the real magic is the XXL, there are almost no other choices. Mondraker XL and that's about it. The new Bullit whenever it arrives.

[@bikersedge]

Santa Cruz is really good with that.

[@joethomas9634]

I'm 6'5" and so far this Vala will be the only bike out on the market with correct size stack height to match the longer reach. Finally bike companies are just starting to make them correct fitting for us taller riders.I don't want to have to install 70mm handelbars because they forgot to make a taller stack height.

[@kevinmanzo862]

great review again thank you. All bike companies should need to submit their bike to you for review lol

[@bikersedge]

Thanks! Glad you like them!

[@davidep.1583]

one of the best accurate review imo, thx

[@joehoeper3941]

best review channel out there. I really wish there was "stealth mode" where all the cockpit lights turn off. I enjoy night riding eMTBS and the lights on the top tube/handlebar are distracting. I've found black electric tape does the trick - but with I didn't have to use electric tape on a quite expensive emtb.

[@bikersedge]

Thanks! That’s actually a really cool idea. Send Bosch a letter!

[@ChaseAdams-f4h]

Nice vid! I’ve seen this questioned kinda brought up, but I’ll mention it again…have you guys considered reviewing bikes you may not rep at the shop? I get the potential conflict of interest, but I’ll bet you guys would increase your viewership and reach. Have some better shootouts too. Not to blow smoke, but your BE reviews are some of the most straight forward and best on the ol’ KZbins…

[@bikersedge]

I mean we’d be open to it but getting those bikes is going to be a lot tougher for us. Most of the bikes on the channel are bikes we own.

[@ChaseAdams-f4h]

@ yeah, I get that. And competing shops and brands may be hesitant to loan out. But, I will say, you’d definitely have a lot of viewer support and interest. Y’all’s videos are consistently some of the cleanest, best shot and edited, most informative and entertaining. Great formula too with the scoring system and such.

[@neilmartinez143]

Great review! Thanks for this. When will you do the new Shuttle LT?

[@bikersedge]

Thanks! We don’t carry pivot so we won’t be doing that one.

[@vicpaice1473]

How does the Vala compare to the Heckler Sl and would you choose the Vala over the Heckler SL given the reliability issues of the Fazua motor. They seem close in terms of weight on paper (but obviously different suspension design, motor , battery etc). Asking for a friend

[@bikersedge]

Very different both uphill and downhill. I’d probably go Vala 9/10. There are a few places (like tech, slow awkward stuff) where the SL is nicer.

[@motoxrdr4]

I wonder if the shock is long stroke-able for a bit of extra travel out back like the megatower? 🤔

[@stuartthomasson5027]

Great review! Nice to hear how Vala compares to the outgoing Heckler. Is the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 noticeably quieter than the Gen 4 from a rattle perspective? Would you recommend Vala for Grafton DH laps or would Bullit be better? Would love to hear how the Vala compares to the Heckler SL. Which one would you pick if you prioritize jumps and downhill capability and playfulness?

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Not a pedal assist guy myself, but still watched it all.🙃 Are you on Deity Megattack grips or are those Lockjaws? I just converted to the Mega's and am blown away!

[@bikersedge]

These are the lockjaws I believe. Don’t remember the name just know they’re comfy

[@blakemoser1682]

Top notch review as always! I'm coming out of a the last few seasons riding a Trans Scout and then SC Bronson. I'm torn on my first ebike being the Heckler SL or this new Vala. Hoping to demo here in the spring.

[@bikersedge]

Can’t go wrong with ent of the above. Might need to act fast if you’re trying to snag a heckler.

[@snakalw]

@@bikersedgeWhy’s that? Are they discontinuing the Heckler SL?

[@blakemoser1682]

@ actually considering Heckler SL 👀 Mainly because I love my v4 Bronson and the geo looks similar.

[@bikersedge]

Sorry - I read Heckler. Not the Heckler SL. No the SL will be sticking around. no rush on that one.

[@Gill2242]

I ve read there are a lot of problems with the fazua motor on the heckler sl

[@AppleJack76]

Wonder how a coil would change this bike?

[@bikersedge]

I think it’s progressive enough. Might be worth a shot.

[@eddie19913]

Great review! Will you please review the shuttle Lt and maybe compare the gen 4 race motor vs the cx gen 5 Bosch motor. I went for the pivot shuttle Lt but I’m hoping I didn’t make a mistake in going for an older gen motor I did try them both but the race motor felt it had slightly more Torque.

[@bikersedge]

Wont be able to make the Pivot review happen. As far as gen. 4 vs 5, I make a few comments on that in this video.

[@kojichinkabuto8536]

Looks very similar to an Orbea Wild. Does it ride like it?

[@bikersedge]

Watch the video. You’ll see.

[@kenshosobad]

Compares to the pivot shuttle am. I have the smaller battery in the pivot with the extender

[@JRudd]

Yo, what song is that in the beginning! I've got to have it!

[@bikersedge]

No idea. Just some royalty free stock music.

[@JRudd]

@@bikersedge Thanks! Found it!

[@flyingnorseman]

LLVPP is very good but complex to maintain and set up. Had a bunch of issues with the pivot axle heads cracking as well. Those things take weeks to ship if they are in stock. Like the idea of it being horst link and still having VPP feel.

[@bikersedge]

I really like how 4-bar reacts when on the brakes.

[@schloemo]

Can you comment on your height and the size you tested and how it felt?

[@bikersedge]

I’m 6’2”. Tested an XL. Fit like a glove.

[@benimerl]

@@bikersedge6,2 here as well. Never owned a Santa, but on paper they look like the absolute perfect size for our height in XL

[@schloemo]

@ thx!

[@sety409]

To pile on the battery capacity, due to battery degradation it'll also go down over time. Look like a good bike

[@William.N]

I've been hearing a lot of good stuff about that Bosch.

[@bikersedge]

Yeah. It’s one of the best!

[@derekmann4317]

Great review. It's hard to get one of these bad boys, as I heard pre-orders are a little all over the place when it comes to shipping.

[@bikersedge]

We’ve got them trickling in. Hit us up if you want one.

[@jimm244]

Want. I’m still not sure about the whole e-bike thing yet though…reliability, longevity, etc.

[@bikersedge]

I’m a big fan of having one of each. Pedal bike and e-bike.

[@nicholashines7686]

Ooohhhh snap its a biker’s edge Sunday 🤙

[@bikersedge]

Perfect for those lazy Sunday mornings.

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

It'd be cool if it had a display screen like the TQ

[@bikersedge]

I bet it’s coming.

[@mac16a]

Looks like Slash with straight shot down tube.

[@ridemx323]

This drops right as the bikes are hitting the stores and online shops. Dammit....

[@bikersedge]

The wallet is in danger!

[@Wes-o9t]

Bike sounds amazing. When I see the word Vala I think of Valhalla instead.

[@bikersedge]

Same! Ha.

[@jediali221]

I think the real santa cruz e-bike evolution is the Unno

[@bikersedge]

Very different ride quality between this and the Mith.

[@Accuracy158]

I only clicked too watch the snow riding (something I haven't personally done yet) sadly it looks kind of sluggish. 😅

[@bikersedge]

Yeah. Pretty tough to ride in 6” of fresh snow.

[@stevedzurilla2436]

A 600w should give you 20/3800’ in a 2:00 ride all day.

[@bikersedge]

Depends a lot on your rider weight. I’m not getting that much at 200lb.

[@stevedzurilla2436]

@ That’s surprising. Last week I did a 20/3600’ with my Levo 500w battery and I weigh 195-200. I was riding in 70-90%power mode the entire ride until I was under 30% for my last planned loop.

[@pgson8929]

Not sure why 700wh batteries arnt the obvious choice. You get good range without so much of a weight penalty as you get with 800's

[@bikersedge]

Yeah could be cool. I think it’s still a few lbs more for the 700.

[@anthracitemafiaoffroad]

I think I will keep my ‘24 Orbea Wild Mteam and Santa Cruz Megatower V2. Someone wake me up when they put that Bosch motor in the Bullit 👍👍🇺🇸🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@bikersedge]

I’m waiting for that one too!

[@Lenser]

E-bike...Ouch!