Santa Cruz is Back at Fanatik!
Santa Cruz Bicycles has made its return to Fanatik, and we couldn’t be more excited! There are many reasons why riders flock to Santa Cruz and why they are a perfect fit for our shop. They have always been known for their excellent build quality, innovative design, amazing customer support, and—most importantly—the "sweet, sweet" ride of their VPP suspension.
So, when it came time for Santa Cruz to release their new Vala E-bike, it was a shock to see them employ a Horst Link suspension design. VPP is what has traditionally set Santa Cruz apart, while the Horst Link is perhaps the most common suspension platform used by other brands.
With Fanatik becoming a Santa Cruz Demo Center, we now have access to a wide range of models. We figured that getting out to ride the Vala and comparing it to its analog sibling, the Bronson, made a lot of sense.
The Same, But Different
If you line up the geometry charts of the Bronson and the Vala, you’ll find nearly identical numbers. In a size Large, both bikes feature:
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Reach: 480mm
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Stack: 641mm
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Headtube Angle: 64.2°
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Rear Travel: 150mm
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Fork Travel: 160mm
Their wheelbase and chainstay lengths vary by only 1mm (the Vala runs a 1268mm wheelbase/443mm chainstay, while the Bronson has a 1267mm wheelbase/442mm chainstay).
The real difference lies in the details: one has a motor and a Horst Link suspension platform, while the other runs VPP suspension and is 100% powered by your own legs. It’s the perfect scenario for a back-to-back comparison!
What Makes VPP So Special?
VPP, or Virtual Pivot Point suspension, is a platform consisting of two rotating links that join the front and rear triangles. These two links are counter-rotating, meaning they move in opposite directions as the suspension cycles. This creates a “virtual” pivot point (or instant center) that moves throughout the suspension travel.
This virtual point controls the rear wheel’s axle path. VPP is a highly tunable platform that allows engineers to manipulate suspension kinematics by adjusting linkage placement. Essentially, it allows them to tune the bike to behave exactly how they want.
A hallmark of Santa Cruz VPP bikes is their anti-squat characteristics. You can think of anti-squat as the bike’s resistance to "squatting" into its travel as you pedal. Higher anti-squat numbers mean the bike won't squat as much, eliminating that dreaded "pedal bob."
Santa Cruz bikes typically have high anti-squat numbers at the beginning of their travel for a firm pedaling platform, but as you get deeper into the stroke, the suspension softens into that plush, "magic carpet" feel Santa Cruz is famous for on descents.
What's Special About A Horst Link Bike?
Horst Link suspension, often referred to as a four-bar linkage, is the most common platform on modern mountain bikes. Brands like Specialized, Transition, and Chromag utilize this design for its predictable ride and the ease with which it can be tuned via pivot location tweaks.
One of the hallmarks of a Horst Link bike is its anti-rise characteristics. Anti-rise refers to how much the suspension "rises" or "squats" under braking. Horst Link bikes tend to have lower anti-rise numbers, meaning the suspension stays more active and supple even when you're jamming on the brakes.
Given the extra weight of an E-bike, maintaining active suspension under braking was likely a conscious decision by Santa Cruz. It’s potentially one of the primary reasons they chose the Horst Link for the Vala!
So Which Suspension is "Best"?
There is no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to the intended use of the bike and the specific goals of the designers. The team at Santa Cruz is always striving to build the best-riding bikes possible, and for the Vala, the Horst Link was the right tool for the job.
Watch our YouTube video to see our full thoughts after riding the Vala and Bronson back-to-back.
We are always happy to answer questions about these models or any of the bikes we sell here at Fanatik. Don't hesitate to hit us up—we’d love to help you find your perfect ride!
