2026 Santa Cruz Vala vs 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler SL
The M is the Santa Cruz Heckler SL size closest to your S Santa Cruz Vala. We match frame stack and reach. This is a geometry comparison, not a fit recommendation; stem, spacers, handlebars and saddle setup also affect your riding position.
What changes on the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Compared with the Santa Cruz Vala in S, the Santa Cruz Heckler SL in M places the top of the head tube at about the same height and 22 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket.
- Frame stack
- +3 mm
- About the same height
- Frame reach
- +22 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
- +5 mm
- Longer: more planted
The two frames
Santa Cruz Vala, SSanta Cruz Heckler SL, MDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Santa Cruz Vala S | Santa Cruz Heckler SL M | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 435mm | 457.4 | +22 mm |
| Stack | 623mm | 625.8 | +3 mm |
| Head tube angle | 64.2 | 64 | −0.2° |
| Seat tube angle | 77.5 | 76.9 | −0.6° |
| Effective top tube | 573 | not listed | |
| Chainstay length | 439 | 443.8 | +5 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1210 | 1238.4/1239.1 | |
| BB drop | 28 | not listed | |
| Standover | 741 | 728.8 | −12 mm |
| Seat tube length | 380 | 405 | +25 mm |
| Head tube length | 110 | 110 | ±0 mm |
| BB height | not listed | 341 |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Heckler SL minus the Santa Cruz Vala. Full charts: 2026 Santa Cruz Vala, 2025 Santa Cruz Heckler SL.
Where each sits in its class
Santa Cruz ValaSanta Cruz Heckler SL
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 Vala70 | Santa Cruz Heckler SLGX AXS |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Santa Cruz Vala | Santa Cruz Heckler SL |
| Fork | RockShox ZEB Base | Fox 36 Performance Elite Grip X2 |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X Performance | Fox FLOAT X Performance Elite |
| Shifter | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission | SRAM Pod Controller |
| Derailleur | SRAM 70 Eagle Transmission | SRAM GX Eagle AXS |
| Cassette | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Chain | SRAM 70 Eagle Transmission | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | e*thirteen Helix eSpec | Race Face Aeffect R |
| Motor | Bosch Performance CX BDU38 | Fazua Ride 60 |
| Battery | Bosch PowerTube Battery | Fazua 430 |
| Tire | Maxxis Assegai, Maxxis Minion DHR II | Schwalbe Albert |
| Hub | SRAM MTH 716, SRAM MTH 746 | not listed |
| Rim | Reserve 30|HD AL | not listed |
| Brake | SRAM DB 8 | SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth |
| Rotor | SRAM CenterLine | SRAM HS2 |
| Handlebar | Burgtec Alloy Bar | Santa Cruz e35 |
| Stem | OneUp Components Enduro Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3 |
| Headset | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 50 |
| Dropper post | SDG Tellis Dropper | OneUp Components dropper post |
| Saddle | SDG Bel-Air V3 Max | SDG Bel-Air |
| Accessory | OneUp Components Chainguide | not listed |
| Wheelset | not listed | Reserve 30|SL |
| Grips | not listed | Santa Cruz House |
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