Newly Released Bikes General

pink poodle said:
I know this is the wrong thread, but I'm in a bit of a hurry...


What the fuck is going on at Santa Cruz bikes?

www.santacruzbicycles.com

Vala - ebike - Santa Cruz Bicycles

The Vala is a full-power ebike that delivers precision and power. Featuring the NEW Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 600 Wh battery. See full specs.
www.santacruzbicycles.com www.santacruzbicycles.com
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We have reached peak SC a few years ago.

Key people have moved on and PONS have shareholders I guess.

Not that their 4 bar would be bad, but all over MTBs have reached the point of fewer new ideas and probably isn't worth throwing bunches of money at anymore.

Take your +/- 0.5 degree geo change here and 5mm change there and live big young man.
 
I was just disappointed to see sc going from some awesome suspension platforms to...such an old and uninnovative design. I realise that their og vpp is old as well, but...fuck me. I've had plenty of vpp and Horst link frames, loved them both, but the vpp is massivley superior.


I can only assume this is a cost cutting move and expect to see that trickle down to the consumer.
 
pink poodle said:
I was just disappointed to see sc going from some awesome suspension platforms to...such an old and uninnovative design. I realise that their og vpp is old as well, but...fuck me. I've had plenty of vpp and Horst link frames, loved them both, but the vpp is massivley superior.


I can only assume this is a cost cutting move and expect to see that trickle down to the consumer.
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It looks just like the older Meridas and current Giant eebs. I find it hard to believe that in a blind test it would be significantly better than either.
 
pink poodle said:
I can only assume this is a cost cutting move and expect to see that trickle down to the consumer.
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It's about the anti-squat on the ebikes and keeping the bike standing up on steep terrain, reducing the bobbing on fast, techy climbs.

Its been reviewed highly by a load of YT reviewers as an absolute improvement and a very well balanced bike.
 
I'm not questioning the quality of the ride, just the huge change in ethos.



While I've never been a climber nor pedalled, the vpp (and various similar platforms) has always been my favourite. Bob...squat...and similar have not worried me, I've lived the compliance. But I have never had any complaints about the Horst either!
 
pink poodle said:
I can only assume this is a cost cutting move and expect to see that trickle down to the consumer.
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I'm not sure why I'm here defending an e bike but:

(Santa Cruz) wanted to use a different motor; "I've ridden every system on the market, including plenty of systems that, as of this recording aren't released yet, and we found that the new Bosch system, which this bike has, was the best fit for this bike." The problem was the new Bosch system isn't compatible with VPP because the system's dual links couldn't be mounted low enough.

Source: https://nsmb.com/articles/2025-santa-cruz-vala-emtb/
 
Bikes have peaked and stagnated a bit... Its all about gizmos now..
Electrify everything electrifiable and invent new useless shit that no one wants but needs to stay cool.
A guy I rode with today has had his bike at SRAM for the 4th time in a few months trying to get his combination of wireless electric shit working properly... Flight attendant, dropper post derailleur... All this whilst currently on his 3rd new warranty frame from Canyon... Why are people content with this shit.
 
Mattyp said:
Bikes have peaked and stagnated a bit... Its all about gizmos now..
Electrify everything electrifiable and invent new useless shit that no one wants but needs to stay cool.
A guy I rode with today has had his bike at SRAM for the 4th time in a few months trying to get his combination of wireless electric shit working properly... Flight attendant, dropper post derailleur... All this whilst currently onspeed. his 3rd new warranty frame from Canyon... Why are people content with this shit.
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Nicolai G1 with Shimano 10 speed. Thread finished.
 
shiny said:
Also not new but reviewed Spot Mayhem rear tyre jammed up due to clearance issues. Eeep.

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Still quite like these.

2.5 on the rear (measured as an actual 2.4) probably as big as I'd go on a trail bike in Canberra. Sounds like they'll sort the frame protection to fix.

My Smuggler has a 2.4 max on the rear, but I've just popped some protection film in that spot and it's all good.
 
Tubbsy said:
Still quite like these.

2.5 on the rear (measured as an actual 2.4) probably as big as I'd go on a trail bike in Canberra. Sounds like they'll sort the frame protection to fix.

My Smuggler has a 2.4 max on the rear, but I've just popped some protection film in that spot and it's all good.
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Yeah. They are pretty interesting. I like the look of their 150.
 
shiny said:
Yeah. They are pretty interesting. I like the look of their 150.
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They had the 150 frames going for $999 in a sale recently - think it worked out to 2000au including shipping.

Think they were clearing stock to make way for the 140 which replaces 130 and 150
 
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