2026 Santa Cruz Vala C 90

The 2026 Santa Cruz Vala C 90 is ready to take on whatever you throw at it. Long uphill grinds, chunky technical descents, shuttle laps, or remote trail days. The Vala handles it with poise and power. This bike combines serious suspension, a smart drivetrain, and strong e-bike muscle to keep you moving confidently and having fun, no matter how tough the terrain gets.

Suspension Details

Up front, a FOX 38 Float Performance fork with 160mm of travel and a 38mm stanchion gives you solid control and stiffness for aggressive riding. The GRIP damper inside smooths out the bumps and keeps things predictable. You can charge steep sections with confidence.

Out back, the FOX Float X Performance shock works with the frame’s linkage to offer a supple feel that doesn’t steal your pedaling energy. It's tuned to keep traction high and the ride composed when the trail gets rowdy. 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 series is the more affordable series of the FLOAT X lineup and focuses on durability, consistency and comfort with simplified adjustments for ease of use.

Drivetrain Features

Powered by SRAM’s Eagle T-Type platform, the 12-speed drivetrain handles the extra torque from the motor like a champ. The single-click shifter is simple and reliable, and the Flattop chain adds strength and efficiency. You won't fumble or drop chains even in hard riding. You’ll find gear changes precise and consistent, whether you’re climbing steep grades or blasting through technical sections.

Crankset and Brakes

The E13 Helix eSpec crankset features 160mm arms, which help reduce pedal strikes on rough terrain and keep your pedaling smooth on climbs. Braking comes from SRAM Maven Base brakes paired with big 200mm HS2 rotors. These brakes offer strong stopping power and handle heat well. You can brake later and harder without fading.

Cockpit and Contact Points

OneUp’s aluminum handlebar and short 42mm stem work together to give a precise, connected feel at the bars. The Cane Creek 10 IS headset is smooth and reliable. Dropping your seat post on the fly is effortless thanks to the OneUp dropper, and the SDG Bel-Air V3 saddle balances comfort with aggressive shape for long rides and steep sections.

Wheels

The bike is equipped with tough, lightweight Reserve 30 HD alloy rims. They're ready to take hits and keep rolling strong. The E13 hubs paired with these rims spin freely under power and hold up better under the stresses of aggressive riding and e-bike torque.

Tires

The mullet setup puts a 29x2.5" Maxxis Assegai up front for rollover and bite. The rear sports a 27.5x2.5" Maxxis Minion DHRII with reinforced sidewalls to resist damage. Both tires use premium Maxxis compounds, so grip and control come naturally even when things get loose or steep.

Motor and Battery

The Vala C 90 runs on a Bosch Performance CX motor with 85Nm of torque. The assist feels intuitive and reacts smoothly to pedal inputs. The Bosch PowerTube 600Wh battery keeps the bike balanced and fueled for long rides. You can trust the power as much as the parts around it.

The 2026 Santa Cruz Vala C 90 takes everything you need for serious all-mountain e-riding and puts it in one capable, trail-ready package. It doesn't hesitate, won't hold you back, and is set up to handle everything from your daily laps to epic backcountry missions.