First Impressions and Race Experience on the Santa Cruz Vala

I recently took delivery of my new Santa Cruz Vala, which arrived Thursday afternoon. I managed a quick 20-minute spin Friday morning to set up the suspension and get a feel for the bike.

Initial Ride Impressions

Right off the bat, my first impressions were positive. The new Bosch motor is impressively silent during descents, providing a serene riding experience. On climbs or under power, it still emits the characteristic Bosch noise, but it’s a bit higher pitched as your cadence increases—definitely noticeable but not overly intrusive.

Race Day at Comrie Croft

Fast forward to Sunday, and I found myself racing at Comrie Croft for the Muckmedden #Clanatthecroft event. Our team consisted of three riders, allowing for both team and individual results. Racing on e-bikes, we tackled five downhill stages and one power stage (an uphill stage). Having never ridden at Comrie, we were all unsure what to expect. The stages were long and physical, except for stage five, which was a nice short finale.

Riding the Vala in Action

As this was my first proper ride on the Vala, I felt a bit nervous at the start. However, the bike quickly exceeded my expectations. Descending felt effortless—the Vala was silent, composed, and responsive. The front end was delightfully light, likely due to the 600Wh battery. Some critics had questioned Santa Cruz's decision to forgo the VPP design, but honestly, the bike didn’t seem to miss it at all. The only downside I noticed was that the charge port cover felt a bit flimsy; a sturdier design would enhance the overall quality.

 

Race Results

Our performance in the race was fantastic! One of my teammates was also riding his new Vala for the first time and ended up winning the over-40 e-bike category. I secured first place in the under-40 e-bike class. As a team, we took home the e-bike men’s Clan Class title, and we were crowned the fastest e-bike clan of the day. On top of that, I was thrilled to be the fastest e-bike of the day, thanks to a win in the power stage.

Overall, it was an exhilarating experience, and I’m buzzing with excitement for more rides on the Vala. The bike performed incredibly well, and I can't wait to provide more feedback as I continue to put it through its paces.

Thanks Dave

 

 

 

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