2025 Santa Cruz Heckler SL vs 2026 Santa Cruz Vala
The Santa Cruz Vala size closest to your L is the S. Compare the S instead
What changes on the Santa Cruz Vala
- Frame stack
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Frame reach
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Wheelbase
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Head angle
- +0.2°
- About the same head angle
- Chainstays
- −4 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
Only the Santa Cruz Heckler SL is drawn. The Santa Cruz Vala numbers we have for size M are missing the reach and stack.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Santa Cruz Heckler SL L | Santa Cruz Vala M | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 477.5 | not listed | |
| Stack | 634.9 | not listed | |
| Head tube angle | 64 | 64.2 | +0.2° |
| Seat tube angle | 77.2 | 77.5 | +0.3° |
| Chainstay length | 443.8 | 440 | −4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1262.7/1263.4 | 1240 | |
| BB height | 341 | not listed | |
| Standover | 733.4/729.3 | 735 | |
| Seat tube length | 430 | 400 | −30 mm |
| Head tube length | 120 | 120 | ±0 mm |
| Effective top tube | not listed | 601 | |
| BB drop | not listed | 28 |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Vala minus the Santa Cruz Heckler SL. Full charts: 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler SL, 2026 Santa Cruz Vala.
Where each sits in its class
Santa Cruz Heckler SLSanta Cruz Vala
AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted
Each bike is ranked against the other trail bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.
What each ships with
The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.
| Part | Santa Cruz Heckler SLGX AXS | Santa Cruz Vala70 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Santa Cruz Heckler SL | Santa Cruz Vala |
| Fork | Fox 36 Performance Elite Grip X2 | RockShox ZEB Base |
| Rear shock | Fox FLOAT X Performance Elite | Fox Float X Performance |
| Shifter | SRAM Pod Controller | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission |
| Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle AXS | SRAM 70 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM 70 Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | Race Face Aeffect R | e*thirteen Helix eSpec |
| Motor | Fazua Ride 60 | Bosch Performance CX BDU38 |
| Battery | Fazua 430 | Bosch PowerTube Battery |
| Wheelset | Reserve 30|SL | not listed |
| Tire | Schwalbe Albert | Maxxis Assegai, Maxxis Minion DHR II |
| Brake | SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth | SRAM DB 8 |
| Rotor | SRAM HS2 | SRAM CenterLine |
| Handlebar | Santa Cruz e35 | Burgtec Alloy Bar |
| Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3 | OneUp Components Enduro Stem |
| Grips | Santa Cruz House | not listed |
| Headset | Cane Creek 50 | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset |
| Dropper post | OneUp Components dropper post | SDG Tellis Dropper |
| Saddle | SDG Bel-Air | SDG Bel-Air V3 Max |
| Hub | not listed | SRAM MTH 716, SRAM MTH 746 |
| Rim | not listed | Reserve 30|HD AL |
| Accessory | not listed | OneUp Components Chainguide |
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