Santa Cruz Vala GX AXS Review

The Performance Line CX Gen. 5 from Bosch shows impressively that they shouldn't be limited to DIY and household products. No motor has shaped the EMTB boom as much as the Bosch CX. Since October 224, the 5th generation of the Bosch Performance Line CX has been available. Compared to the previous model, the motor is especially much quieter. While you can still hear a sound when pedaling uphill, the annoying high-frequency tones have finally disappeared. The gearbox no longer rattles on the downhill trails either. With its proven performance data of 85 Nm torque and over 6 watts of peak power, the motor provides ample power, even for the steepest uphill trails. Bosch has always been a leader in motor control, and the new CX demonstrates this as well. Although it doesn't reach the extremely fine tuning of the #DJI Avinox, Bosch remains one of the best brands on the market in terms of motor control. Additionally, the motor delivers powerful support even at low cadence. Fans of XXL tours are greatly restricted by the Vala GX AXS with only an average range. The battery is firmly integrated into the frame and can not be easily removed.

The high-quality Fox chassis also takes away the fear of rough root sections. The thick 38mm stanchions on the fork provide an extra dose of steering precision and performance. With its four pistons and 2 millimeter rotors the SRAM braking system decelerates extremely goodly. This allows you to maintain control over your own pace even in the steepest descents. The shifting and the rest of the components are always in the shadow of the engine when it comes to electric mountain bikes. Nevertheless, Santa Cruz doesn't skimp here and instals very good components. When it comes to the geometry, Santa Cruz does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. Overall, the Santa Cruz developers have done a great job with a god geometry.