Quiver

2027 Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2 vs 2026 Santa Cruz Vala AL

The Santa Cruz Vala AL size closest to your L is the L. Compare the L instead

What changes on the Santa Cruz Vala AL

Compared with the Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2 in L, the Santa Cruz Vala AL in M places the top of the head tube 13 mm lower and 15 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 34 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−13 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−15 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−34 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
+0.7°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
−4 mm
Shorter: livelier

The two frames

2027 Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2 (L) and 2026 Santa Cruz Vala AL (M), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2 is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Santa Cruz Vala AL is the colored outline on top.J 1275

Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2, LSanta Cruz Vala AL, MDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementTrek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2 LSanta Cruz Vala AL MDifference
Reach473458−15 mm
Stack647634−13 mm
Head tube angle63.4°64.1°+0.7°
Seat tube angle76.3°76.8+0.5°
Effective top tube622606−16 mm
Chainstay length444440−4 mm
Wheelbase12751241−34 mm
BB drop2730+3 mm
BB height347342−5 mm
Standover760745−15 mm
Seat tube length420400−20 mm
Head tube length125120−5 mm

Differences are the Santa Cruz Vala AL minus the Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2. Full charts: 2027 Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2, 2026 Santa Cruz Vala AL.

Where each sits in its class

Trek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 2Santa Cruz Vala AL

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.

PartTrek Fuel+ LX 9.8 Gen 29.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2Santa Cruz Vala ALAL 70
FrameTrek OCLVSanta Cruz Vala
ForkRockShox ZEB B1 UltimateRockShox ZEB Base
Rear shockRockShox Vivid D1 UltimateRockShox Super Deluxe Base
ShifterSRAM Eagle 90 TransmissionSRAM Eagle 70 Transmission
DerailleurSRAM Eagle 90 TransmissionSRAM 70 Eagle Transmission
CassetteSRAM GX Eagle TransmissionSRAM Eagle 70 Transmission
ChainSRAM GX EagleSRAM 70 Eagle Transmission
CranksetSRAM XXe*thirteen Helix eSpec
ChainringSRAM Transmissionnot listed
MotorTQ HPR60-DRV01Bosch Performance CX BDU38
BatteryTQ HPR 580Wh V01Bosch PowerTube Battery
WheelsetBontrager Line Comp 30not listed
TireMaxxis AssegaiMaxxis Assegai, Maxxis Minion DHR II
BrakeSRAM Maven 4-piston BronzeSRAM DB 8
RotorSRAM HS2SRAM CenterLine
HandlebarRace Face Turbinenot listed
GripsTrek Line Elitenot listed
SeatpostBontrager Line Droppernot listed
SaddleTrek VerseWTB Silverado Medium
Hubnot listedSRAM MTH 716, SRAM MTH 746
Rimnot listedReserve 30|HD AL
Stemnot listedOneUp Components Enduro Stem
Headsetnot listedFSA IS-2/47/42 ACB
Dropper postnot listedSDG Tellis Dropper

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