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Today’s Deals2026 Santa Cruz
Vala AL Deore
A 29″ / 27.5″ aluminum frame full suspension enduro e-bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,949| Weight | 53.1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Suspension | Full, 150 / 160mm |
| Fork | RockShox Psylo |
| Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select |
| Wheels | 29″ / 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | Deore |
| Motor | Bosch 600W 85Nm mid-drive |
| Battery | Bosch 600Wh |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Vala model range
View Comparison5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Santa Cruz Vala is a highly capable enduro bike praised for its versatile performance, comfortable ride, and advanced suspension design. It excels in steep and rough terrain, offering a balance of power and efficiency with its Bosch motor and well-thought-out geometry. The bike's design focuses on durability, ease of service, and adaptability, making it a standout in its category.
Advanced four-bar suspension design for improved anti-squat and damping
Versatile performance across various terrains
Bosch Performance CX motor praised for power and natural feel
Lightweight and durable frame design
Comfortable and confidence-inspiring ride
High price point
Additional weight from battery options
Limited battery size for longer rides
Complex charging interface
Santa Cruz states they were able to improve anti-squat figures while maintaining the ideal amount of anti-rise while also decreasing the leverage ratio for better damping and consistency on long descent.
Bikerumorthe Vala beats Specialized's Turbo Levo as the 150mm travel eMTB to beat
BikeRadarThe new frame geometry combined with the redesigned rear suspension has transformed the 150/160 mm travel offering to a highly capable descender.
EMTB ForumsFeedback?
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Jan 2026
Constructed with an alloy frame, Santa Cruz’s Vala AL 70 is built to take all of the goodness of its carbon-framed brethren but offer it at a more accessible price. But the move to metal has resulted in a bike that has no business being as dynamic and fun as a 24kg e-MTB should be, thanks to a superb suspension design and wisely picked geometry. That said, a couple of componentry changes would really elevate what the Vala AL could get up to.
Oct 2025 · Ron Koch
Santa Cruz’s all-new Vala eMTB debuts with a Horst link suspension design and Bosch’s Gen 5 Performance Line CX motor. Power, precision, and control.
Jul 2025 · Jeremy Benson
Santa Cruz aims to make its popular Vala eMTB more accessible with two new, more affordable, aluminum-framed models.
Jul 2025 · Dario DiGiulio
The aluminum Vala eschews the geometry adjustments found on its carbon sibling, but still has a Bosch CX motor and 600 Wh battery.
Jun 2025 · Joshua Hutchens
The Vala is different in many ways. It's the brands first 4-bar suspension bike and their first bike to use a Bosch motor. The bike also features a...
Aggressive (adjustable) geometry
Lighter weight battery
Schwalbe radial tires
Poor parts spec for the price
Less range
Feb 2025 · Alex Evans
Santa Cruz’s Vala ditches VPP suspension and Shimano motor in favour of Horst-link and Bosch
Comfortable grippy supple supportive suspension
Goldilocks geometry
Lightweight
Battery range
Motor power and feel
Spec choices
Confidence inspiring ride feel
Lifetime bearing and frame warranty
None
Feb 2025
The Vala stakes out middle ground between full powered, big battery eMTBs and SL models, but without giving up the full power motor and solid range
Excellent balance and composure on steep, rocky terrain
Feels very much like a pedal bike, lightweight for full-power eMTB (~48 lbs)
Superior cornering and suspension performance due to low-slung weight
Bosch motor is quiet on descents, powerful and responsive in eMTB mode
Schwalbe Radial tires provide amazing grip and compliance, no flats
Maven brakes are well-received, no hand soreness
Range extender (PowerMore) gives total 850Wh, enough for long rides in boost
Well-chosen spec (AXS, Reserve carbon wheels, etc.)
Exceptional climbing ability with motor assist
Skittish and unpredictable on fast, rough, or loose terrain initially (issue resolved mysteriously)
Bosch PowerMore plug interface is difficult to align, especially in low light
Power port receptacle rotated, causing cover fitting issues
Range extender adds weight (1.5kg) and eliminates water bottle cage
No option for larger 800Wh battery; only 600Wh plus extender
No dedicated display for detailed ride info (only multi-colored bars for battery)
App can only pair with one Bosch eMTB at a time
Nov 2024 · Knut Nes
The new Vala is Santa Cruz’ first attempt on a Bosch-powered emtb. Like many other brands these days, Santa Cruz has gone from Shimano to offering both brands. According to my local Santa Cruz contact, the brand will be opportunistic when...
| Frame | Aluminum MX 150mm Travel, 4-Bar Tire Clearance: 2.5" Colors: Gloss Lunar Gray (Vala 2026); Gloss Stormbringer Purple (Vala 2026) |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Psylo Gold RC, 160mm Travel: 160mm |
| Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select, 205x60 Travel: 150mm |
| Bottom Bracket | N/A |
| Headset | FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB |
| Stem | OneUp Enduro Stem, 42mm |
| Handlebar | Santa Cruz Bicycles Aluminum Bar, 35x800, 30mm Rise |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Medium, Steel |
| Seatpost | SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6 Type: Dropper |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100, SGS, 12spd |
|---|---|
| Crank | E13 Helix eSpec, 160mm |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore 6100, 10-51t |
| Chain | Shimano Deore 6100, 12spd |
| Chain Guide | OneUp Chainguide |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore M6120 Type: Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Front: WTB ST Tough 30, Rear: WTB ST Tough 30 |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Front: WTB Frequency Sport, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 32h, Rear: WTB Frequency Sport, 12x148, MicroSpline, 6-Bolt, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Front: WTB Frequency Sport, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 32h, Rear: WTB Frequency Sport, 12x148, MicroSpline, 6-Bolt, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", EXO+, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHRII, 27.5"x2.5", DoubleDown |
| Disc Rotors | Front: Shimano RT66, 220mm, Rear: Shimano RT66, 203mm |
| Motor | Bosch Performance CX BDU38 |
|---|---|
| Battery | Bosch PowerTube Battery 600Wh |
First added July 23
Last updated June 20