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Bike Perfect
Bike Perfect
Lifestyle
Rich Owen

Santa Cruz's brand-new Vala e-MTB gets Bosch's latest full-power motor but ditches VPP. I've ridden it and it's one hell of a bike

The Santa Cruz Vala viewed from the side on a dusty trail.

Hot on the heels of its latest Hightower and Bronson trail bikes, Santa Cruz has just revealed the Vala – a brand new mid-travel (160/150mm), full-power electric mountain bike weighing an impressive 21.6kg / 47.6lb for the large framed model.

Powering the Vala is with Bosch's latest Gen 5 Performance CX motor which is lighter, quieter, and has a more responsive feeling than before. The motor comes with a non-removable 600Wh battery – which may surprise some as there are plenty of higher-capacity options available. The new bike replaces the Heckler in Santa Cruz's e-MTB range and will sit alongside the lighter-weight Fazua-powered Heckler SL released last year.

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