2026 Cannondale Moterra SL vs 2026 Santa Cruz Vala AL
The M is the Santa Cruz Vala AL size closest to your M Cannondale Moterra SL. 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 Vala AL
Compared with the Cannondale Moterra SL in M, the Santa Cruz Vala AL in M places the top of the head tube 5 mm lower and 13 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 7 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- −5 mm
- Lower front end
- Frame reach
- +13 mm
- Longer frame reach
- Wheelbase
- −7 mm
- Shorter: quicker to change direction
- Head angle
- +1.6°
- Steeper: sharper steering
- Chainstays
- −9 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
We can't draw these frames yet. The Cannondale Moterra SL numbers we have for size M are missing the seat angle. The numbers below still compare.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Cannondale Moterra SL M | Santa Cruz Vala AL M | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 445 | 458 | +13 mm |
| Stack | 639 | 634 | −5 mm |
| Head tube angle | 62.5 | 64.1° | +1.6° |
| Effective top tube | 595 | 606 | +11 mm |
| Chainstay length | 449 | 440 | −9 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1248 | 1241 | −7 mm |
| BB drop | 30 | 30 | ±0 mm |
| BB height | 335 | 342 | +7 mm |
| Standover | 737 | 745 | +8 mm |
| Seat tube length | 400 | 400 | ±0 mm |
| Fork length | 540 | not listed | |
| Head tube length | 125 | 120 | −5 mm |
| Stack-to-reach | 1.51 | not listed | |
| Seat tube angle | not listed | 76.8 |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Vala AL minus the Cannondale Moterra SL. Full charts: 2026 Cannondale Moterra SL, 2026 Santa Cruz Vala AL.
Where each sits in its class
Cannondale Moterra SLSanta Cruz Vala AL
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 | Cannondale Moterra SL1 | Santa Cruz Vala ALAL 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Cannondale Moterra SL Carbon | Santa Cruz Vala |
| Fork | Fox 36 Performance Elite | RockShox ZEB Base |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X Factory | RockShox Super Deluxe Base |
| Shifter | SRAM Pod Controller | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission |
| Derailleur | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS | SRAM 70 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | SRAM X0 Eagle | SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission |
| Chain | SRAM X0 Eagle | SRAM 70 Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | E*thirteen E-Spec Plus | e*thirteen Helix eSpec |
| Chainring | E*thirteen E-Spec Plus | not listed |
| Motor | Shimano EP801 | Bosch Performance CX BDU38 |
| Battery | Cannondale Custom | Bosch PowerTube Battery |
| Wheelset | DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline | not listed |
| Tire | Maxxis Minion DHF, Maxxis Dissector | Maxxis Assegai, Maxxis Minion DHR II |
| Brake | SRAM Code Stealth Silver | SRAM DB 8 |
| Rotor | SRAM HS2 | SRAM CenterLine |
| Handlebar | Cannondale HollowGram SAVE | not listed |
| Stem | Cannondale 1 | OneUp Components Enduro Stem |
| Grips | Cannondale TaperRidge | not listed |
| Headset | Acros Adjustable Angle | FSA IS-2/47/42 ACB |
| Dropper post | Cannondale DownLow Dropper | SDG Tellis Dropper |
| Saddle | fizik Terra Ridon X3 | WTB Silverado Medium |
| Hub | not listed | SRAM MTH 716, SRAM MTH 746 |
| Rim | not listed | Reserve 30|HD AL |
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