2025 Santa Cruz Vala C GX AXS

If you're after an e-MTB that can handle techy trails without breaking a sweat, the 2025 Santa Cruz Vala C GX AXS deserves a close look. This bike pairs a strong Bosch Performance CX motor with a 600Wh battery tucked neatly inside the frame. That means pedal assist feels smooth and natural, boosting your power just when you need it so you can ride longer and push harder.

Suspension

The suspension setup is smart. Up front, you get a FOX 38 Float Performance Elite fork with Grip X2 damping and 160mm of travel. It manages steep, rough descents with confidence and precision. Out back, a FOX Float X Performance Elite shock keeps things balanced, soaking up big hits and chatter so the trail feels more manageable. FOX FLOAT X is engineered to meet the demands of aggressive Trail riders. It delivers sophisticated damping and fade-free performance on the roughest terrain. It's designed for outstanding durability while remaining impressively lightweight. The Performance Elite series has the same high end features and tunability as the top-of-the-line Factory series, without Fox's Kashima Coat.

Drivetrain

Wireless shifting is a serious perk here. The SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12-speed system offers crisp, reliable gear changes without cables or clutter. The shifter sits ergonomically on the handlebar for quick access. The wide 10-52T cassette gives plenty of gears for climbing steep hills or hammering down fast sections.

Brakes

Stopping on this bike is no guesswork thanks to the SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth brakes. Four-piston calipers paired with 200mm SRAM HS2 rotors front and rear provide solid, consistent stopping power whether the trail is dry or soggy.

Handlebar and Controls

The wide OneUp aluminum handlebars with a 35mm rise give you plenty of leverage. The bike comes with either a 42mm OneUp Stem or the rugged Burgtec Enduro Stem. Santa Cruz’s own grips hold tight and feel good even on long rides. Cane Creek’s 50 IS integrated headset keeps steering smooth and reliable.

Dropper Post and Saddle

When you need to lower your saddle on the fly, the OneUp dropper post steps in. Sizes vary the drop from 120mm on small frames to 240mm for XL and XXL, so you can get your center of gravity just right for aggressive riding. The SDG Bel-Air V3 saddle adds comfort and support over long distances.

Wheels and Tires

The wheels and tires mix durability with traction. Race Face ARC 30 HD rims front and rear are tough but responsive. E13 hubs keep spinning smooth under load, with the front hub sized 15x110 and the rear 12x148 with XD driver. Schwalbe Magic Mary tires lay down serious grip: 29x2.5 Trail Radial Ultra Soft on the front for precise cornering, and a 27.5x2.5 Gravity Radial Soft on the rear to maximize traction and durability.

Electric Motor and Battery

Electric power is courtesy of Bosch’s Performance CX BDU38 motor paired with a 600Wh PowerTube battery. This combo delivers instant torque with a natural feel. Battery life is solid enough to fuel long days on the mountain.

If rough technical terrain is your playground, this bike’s built to keep up and keep you in control. Bosch power for climbs, top-notch Fox suspension, wireless shifting, and strong brakes all add up to an e-bike that's ready to tackle whatever the trail brings you.