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
Compared with the Santa Cruz Heckler SL in L, the Santa Cruz Vala in XXL places the top of the head tube 33 mm higher and 48 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket.
- Frame stack
- +33 mm
- Higher front end
- Frame reach
- +48 mm
- Longer frame reach
- Wheelbase
- n/a
- One of the bikes has no number for this
- Head angle
- +0.2°
- About the same head angle
- Chainstays
- +6 mm
- Longer: more planted
The two frames
Santa Cruz Heckler SL, LSanta Cruz Vala, XXLDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Santa Cruz Heckler SL L | Santa Cruz Vala XXL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 477.5 | 525mm | +48 mm |
| Stack | 634.9 | 668mm | +33 mm |
| Head tube angle | 64 | 64.2 | +0.2° |
| Seat tube angle | 77.2 | 77.5 | +0.3° |
| Chainstay length | 443.8 | 450 | +6 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1262.7/1263.4 | 1333 | |
| BB height | 341 | not listed | |
| Standover | 733.4/729.3 | 728 | |
| Seat tube length | 430 | 500 | +70 mm |
| Head tube length | 120 | 160 | +40 mm |
| Effective top tube | not listed | 673 | |
| 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
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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