2027 Santa Cruz Vala CC XX AXS Lite RSV

Full-power eMTBs have a reputation for feeling heavy and a little numb. The 2027 Santa Cruz Vala CC XX AXS Lite RSV is the answer to that reputation. It takes the Vala's balanced chassis and Bosch's newest Performance Line CX motor, then strips weight out of every part of the build where it can be done without giving up strength. The result is a bike that climbs like an eMTB should and handles more like the analog trail bike you remember fondly.

At its core is the Carbon CC frame, Santa Cruz's premium layup that saves weight over the C version while matching its stiffness and strength. The four-bar suspension delivers 150mm of rear travel, paired with a 160mm FOX 36 Float Factory fork running the Grip X2 damper. A 29-inch front wheel rolls over chunk and holds a line, while the 27.5-inch rear wheel tucks out of the way on steep rollers and lets the bike change direction quickly. Geometry and shock-rate flip chips let you tune ride height and progression to your terrain.

• Carbon CC frame with 150mm four-bar suspension and MX wheels
• FOX 36 Float Factory Grip X2 fork and FOX Float X Factory shock
• SRAM XX Eagle AXS T-Type wireless drivetrain with a 10-52t cassette
• SRAM Maven Ultimate Carbon brakes with 200mm HS2 rotors front and rear
• Reserve 30|HD Carbon rims on DT Swiss 240 hubs
• Bosch Performance CX drive unit with a 600Wh PowerTube battery

The drivetrain is SRAM's top-tier XX Eagle AXS T-Type. The derailleur mounts directly to the frame through the UDH interface, which makes it remarkably resistant to knocks, and it keeps shifting under load when you are grinding up a ledge with the motor at full assist. Shifts come from the AXS Pod Controller, so there is no cable to stretch or route. An e13 Helix Race Carbon crankset at 160mm gives you a little more ground clearance in rock gardens, and a OneUp chainguide keeps the chain where it belongs.

Stopping duty falls to SRAM Maven Ultimate Carbon brakes, the top of SRAM's Maven range, paired with 200mm HS2 rotors at both ends. On a bike carrying a motor and battery, that extra power and heat capacity is not a luxury. It is what lets you brake later and with one finger at the bottom of a long descent.

Reserve 30|HD Carbon rims laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs bring durability and a lifetime warranty, and the rear hub uses DT's DEG DF freehub to reduce pedal kickback through rough sections. Tires are a Maxxis Assegai in 3C MaxxGrip up front and a Minion DHRII in 3C MaxxTerra on the back, both with EXO+ casings. Out front, a OneUp carbon bar and Industry Nine A35 stem give you a precise, damped feel, and a Chris King DropSet 3 headset adds a premium finishing touch.

Power comes from Bosch's Performance Line CX, which sits low in the frame for stability and pairs with a 600Wh PowerTube battery. Add the Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender when you are planning a really long day. The OneUp dropper offers up to 240mm of drop depending on size, so the saddle disappears when the trail tips down.

The Vala XX AXS Lite RSV is offered in Gloss Slate Blue and Matte Carbon Sparkle, in sizes S through XXL. The XXL is available only in carbon. For riders who want the lightest, most capable full-power Santa Cruz without compromise, this is the one to get. It is backed by Santa Cruz's lifetime frame warranty and free pivot bearing replacements for life for the original owner.

Visit Airpark Bike Co to talk through sizing, suspension setup and assist modes with our team. We will get your Vala dialed so you can spend more time riding and less time adjusting.