Santa Cruz Vala R 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 2024, 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 600 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 R with only an average range. The battery is securely attached to the down tube and cannot be removed for charging or storage.

Carbon frames are rather the exception in the price range of about 7500€. With the carbon fibre chassis, Santa Cruz thus sets clear accents compared to the aluminium competitors. The good Rock Shox chassis confidently dampens small and medium bumps. The thick 38mm stanchions on the fork provide an extra dose of steering precision and performance. The mid-range brakes from SRAM do their job but could be a bit firmer. The power of the four pistons setup is only average. The drivetrain and components have a subordinate but not to be neglected importance when it comes to EMTB. Even the bike brand product managers know this and don't aim too high with mostly average components. The handling of the bike is pleasantly balanced due to the moderate geometry. This allows you to intuitively control the bike over the trails. Overall, the Santa Cruz developers have done a great job with a god geometry.