TL;DR
Gravity Nelson now runs New Zealand’s only all-Santa Cruz Vala electric rental fleet. Every e-bike is set up specifically for Nelson trails—your weight, your brake preference, your ride style. Half-day from $179. Range extenders available. Stock is strictly limited. Book early or miss out.

The Santa Cruz Vala rental Electric Mountain Bike
Electric Mountain Bike Rentals, Nelson
The only rental fleet in New Zealand running the new Santa Cruz Vala. Full-power Bosch CX motor, 600Wh battery, and a chassis built for the steep, raw, hero-dirt trails that put Nelson on the map. From the Coppermine to Wairoa Gorge, these bikes are prepped and ready. No compromises. No generic fleet bikes. Just the best e-MTB experience money can rent.
Santa Cruz Vala — The Gold Standard
- Bosch Performance CX motor — 85Nm torque, seamless power delivery.
- 600Wh battery + PowerMore 250Wh extender available — Ride the Wairoa Gorge all day.
- Mixed-wheel mullet setup — 29″ front for stability, 27.5″ rear for agility.
- 150mm rear / 160mm front travel — Enduro-capable, trail-playful.
- Nelson-spec setup — Tubeless with heavy duty trail-specific rubber, brakes swapped to your preference.

Amazing performance from the Santa Cruz electric full supsension Vala mountain bike
Why Our Setup Matters
Most rental companies hand you a bike and wave you off. We do things differently. Every Gravity Nelson e-bike leaves the shop set up for you — your weight, your saddle height, your suspension sag. We swap the brake levers to your home-country preference (left-front or right-front). We choose the tyre pressures for the day’s conditions. This isn’t just service. It’s safety, comfort, and speed. On a trail like 629 or Peaking Ridge, doing a Coppermine Loop, or out for a full day at the Wairoa Gorge Billionaire Bike Park, that setup is the difference between surviving and grinning ear to ear.
Pricing & Booking
All rentals include: Helmet, multi-tool, after-hours drop-off option, and full setup service. Knee pads available on request.
| Rental Period | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Half-Day (up to 4 hours) | $179 | Perfect for a quick blast around Codgers. |
| Full-Day | $249 | The classic. Coppermine loop, here we come. |
| Multi-Day (Day 2 onwards) | $199/day | Wairoa Gorge, Kaiteriteri, the full Nelson experience. |
⚠️ Limited Stock Notice
Our Santa Cruz Vala fleet is intentionally small. We only keep enough bikes to give every rider our full setup attention. Summer dates sell out days, sometimes weeks, in advance. If your dates are fixed, book early.

Effortlessly explore Nelson’s amazing trail network with the rental Santa Cruz Vala mountain bikes
“Gorge Ready” — What It Means
Wairoa Gorge Bike Park is a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers worldwide. It’s also brutal on bikes. Every Gravity Nelson Vala is Gorge Ready on day one — Heavy duty tires, tubeless sealant, frame protection applied, and a full bolt-check before it leaves our hands. Take our bike to the Gorge, and lap it out with confidence. You’re covered. It’s what the Vala was built for.
PowerMore Range Extender: Ride Longer
The Vala’s integrated 600Wh battery is already enough for most riders. But if you’re planning an epic — the complete Coppermine loop, or a longer ride like the Old Ghost Road, Paparoa, or the Heaphy — add a 250Wh PowerMore range extender. It clicks into your bottle cage mount and gives you the extra juice to explore without range anxiety. Available at booking.
Your Questions, Answered
Do I need to bring anything to pick up my rental?
Just your riding gear and a sense of adventure. We provide helmets and a multi-tool, bring your pedals if you want or use our flat or clip pedals. — we’re happy to fit them during setup.
Can you swap the brakes to my preference?
Absolutely. We standardise on right-front but can swap to left-front (UK/Canada/Europe) at no charge. Just let us know when you book or at pickup.
Are these bikes suitable for Wairoa Gorge?
Yes. Every Vala in our fleet is prepped specifically with Wairoa Gorge in mind — Heavy-duty tyres and tire sealant. They’re 100% Gorge Ready.
What happens if the bike breaks down on the trail?
Call us immediately. We’ll talk you through a trailside fix or, figure out a suitable solution. Our bikes are meticulously maintained, but mountain biking is hard on equipment — we’ve got your back.
Can I buy the rental bike if I love it?
Yes. We offer a Try-Before-You-Buy programme. If you decide to purchase any mountain bike from us after renting, we credit your rental cost toward the purchase. Talk to us when you return the bike.
How far in advance should I book?
Summer weekends and holiday periods book out 1–2 weeks in advance. We recommend reserving your bike as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
Do you offer guided rides or shuttles?
We are your one stop shop for making the most of the 400+ kms of amazing mountain biking in the region. We offer private and casual shuttles, coaching, and guided trips, get in touch for more information.
Ready to Ride Nelson’s Best?
Our Vala fleet is small, our setup process is thorough, and our summer calendar fills fast. Secure your dates now and experience the difference a properly prepared bike makes.
Questions? Call us or email info@gravitynelson.co.nz

