Hop aboard the Santa Cruz Blur LT Carbon Bike and go tear up the hills. Santa Cruz uses carbon fiber in place of aluminum to lighten the frame by over a half-pound. In addition to the weight reduction, carbon offers a stiffness unmatched by other materials to make sure all of your energy goes into ripping up and down trails. Second-generation VPP suspension creates a variable shock rate to make the most of the Blur LT's 140 millimeters of travel.
Weaknesses: for any specific single type of riding there are better options available. Bearing kits are expensive. It's getting increasingly hard to find this frame.
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a bike to use for XC, but that was sturdy enough for more punishing types of riding. I was getting ready to just by an AM bike when a friend suggested that I try to find a Blur 4x. I lucked out and grabbed one on ebay. It's exactly what I was looking for. It's about a pound heavier than a full suspension aluminum XC bike and you can feel it after a couple hours. The weight is not immediately noticeable like an AM bike, however. Others have suggested that the short wheelbase makes the bike uncomfortable on long rides, but I've ridden mine for entire days and have not noticed this. I have noticed that the handling is almost supernatural. I gave it 5 stars because it is ideal for what I wanted. If I were to rate it just as an XC bike, however, the rating would not be so high. I don't notice it, but I'm not going to deny that it is a pound heavier than most aluminum XC bikes. I only gave a four on value because the bearing kits are so dear.
Bike Setup: 40% sag seems to achieve full travel without bottom out, depending on shock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from Hora Horacek
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2010
Strengths: Nimble, adaptable (fork travel possibilities), inspiring. Makes a nervous rider feel soo much better. That has got to be a good thing?
Weaknesses: Anodizing susceptible to cable rub
Bottom Line:
This is actually my second Blur4x. After 2yrs I thought I needed a change - went through a couple of hardtails then a Orange Five frame (quite quickly- 2months?)- all the while I looked back and thought wistfully about what I had sold. Sometimes better not to look at a bike with rose-tinted specs?
Not this one, I bought another (luckily new still) and its staying.
This bike is awesome, it pedals really well if you just want to go out for a XC ride with your mates in the woods or local trail. But take it to a 4X track or mini-downhill course or proper mountain trail and the bike comes alive.
It dares you to hit things harder and faster than you usually would, you scour the trails looking for lips to pop and rocks to drop just because you know you can, it feels indestuctible and gives the impression of much longer travel than the actual 4.6 Inches (115mm) it has.
You can build them up burly for DH action or light enough for XC epics and massive trail time.
Bottom Line, if you can find one, buy it and ride it everyday!
Bike Setup: Pike Team Air Forks, X.0 gears, XT chainset and Cassette, Fox RP3 rear Shock, Hope Tech V2 F and M4 R Brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Seraph415
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2010
Bottom Line:
Like I said in my last review, this bike is very versatile. This is my second Blur 4X and I think the better all-around setup of the two. With lightweight tires, I got this baby down to 27 lbs (Bontrager XR1 26x2.2 120tpi). For winter she weighs about 29 lbs (dual compound Intense Edge and Invader 2.35). The 4X is probably my favorite all-around bike, and I've owned and ridden almost 40 bikes in the past 10 years. I can't say enough good stuff about this bike!
Weaknesses: Pivot wear, high standover compared to the other BLURs, low BB, unique angles.
Bottom Line:
A review for the AM rider: As a trail bike, since this is a Blur, and a weird Blur at that, the bottom line is also blurry. This is an awesome bike that has enabled me to do more than ever before. For the first time I am not limited by my bike on the flat and in the mountains. This bike can do everything with ease. It is an amazing climber due to light weight and VPP pedaling, however the very slack head angle does require a serious adaptation in body position and riding style.
On descents, the bike is perfectly able, but it is less confidence-inspiring than regular, longer-travel AM bikes. Although the angles are very slack, I found my body position to be more forward than most AM bikes. The handling is very snappy and the rear suspension does little more than take the stings out of bumps and hits (Although a better shock and setup can help this). That is not to say that I don't have a blast on the trails... This bike keeps you very active and focused riding THROUGH the trail while "chubbier" AM bikes might let you feel they are working for you rolling OVER the trail.
The frame suggests a downhill bias, but I feel most confidence in all terrains besides the steep descents.
At around 30 pounds and with less than 5" of rear travel, this can also be considered a (very aggressive) XC bike.
If you are not a dedicated hucker / downhiller, and want a versatile and light all-rounder, you will get a blast from the Blur 4X. 5 Chillies for quality and value, but this bike is not a crowd-pleaser.
Similar Products Used: DBR Zetec Pro, GT Avalanche, Banshee Scirocco, K2 Tirade, Kona Coiler, DaVinchi Jalapeno and more
Bike Setup: 07 frame, swinger, minute3, S.U.V wheelset, XTR / LX drivetrain, Saint cranks, Hayes 9, Shimano DX pedals, Intense system4 tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
slugster
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor*Cal
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2009
Strengths: Looks and Looks.. nah! not just that, this thing is frukc!ng awesome, solid frame on well design geo.
Weaknesses: meh-beh dah bearings... have to check them once in a while..
Bottom Line:
Cant believe i've waited that long to own one of this thing.. i've gone trough various bikes and designs. This bike is so confident inspiring that when riding it i get faster, taking jumps that i would hesitate before, and ohh man! the railing on this bike is spot on, its scary how it makes it easier to do stuff with this bike..
too bad santa cruz stopped making this thing.. but, if they would make new one's.. i will not wait no more... be the 1st to order.... hint,hint...
Strengths: Just enough travel to pop, slack head tube angle alleviates twitchy feelings of most trail bikes. Freaking rails corners, seriously.
Weaknesses: Pivots creaked on first few rides. I pulled the shafts out and lubed everything with a mixture of grease and anti-seaze and havn't heard back from it yet.
Bottom Line:
For me it's the perfect slacked out trail bike that feels really comfortable at speed on chattery,loose terrain. It is so much fun, I sometimes feel concerned about not being able to replace it with something as valuable when it wears out. Yeah, the grips on my other bikes almost saw no use after this purchase was made. Oh yeah the Pike coil U-turn feature is great on this set up.
Similar Products Used: Kona Dawg,Stinky,Uzzi VPX purchased after the experience from this bike
Bike Setup: Pike Coil,Kings in 819's, and so on
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James Appleyard
a Weekend Warrior
from Swindon, Wiltshire,England
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2009
Strengths: I've had this bike for a while now and i love it to pieces. The bike as its intended for 4x is very snappy as i like to keep my suspension with very fast rebound. I've loved transferring my skills that ive learnt from a hardtail on to a full sus. Its has a great amount of travel, that takes the stings out of hits yet doesn't leave room for carelessness
Weaknesses: Stickers Peal very easily. Very expensive even though its worth every penny
Bottom Line:
Great bike for 4x racing, all mountain or anything else!
Lightweight for a full sus, i would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a great handling play bike.
Bike Setup: 08 Frame
454 RS Pikes
Avid juicy 7's
Sram X-9 group set
Hope Pro 2 hubs
Mavic 714 rims
Maxxis High Roller tyres
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom C
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008
Strengths: Very solid took some time to dial in rear shock. I like it loose and fluid.
Weaknesses: none so far. My own preferrences outweight weakness
Bottom Line:
Solid bike peddles better than 4 bar linkage esp. uphill. Laid back geometry is nice. My Azonic was old school. This bike works well with my zochii 55 fork. I've ridden Santa Cruz Mountains many times, North Star, Big Bear and San Diego this bike is a good all arounder. Santa Cruz does extensive testing and I've seen them at North Star, Nevada with their team. Dedicated company to racing development similiar to Foes. I would say Foes for long travel and Santa Cruz for all mountain.
Bike Setup: does not matter that much compared to personal preferrence
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom C
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008
Strengths: Very solid took some time to dial in rear shock. I like it loose and fluid.
Weaknesses: none so far. My own preferrences outweight weakness
Bottom Line:
Solid bike peddles better than 4 bar linkage esp. uphill. Laid back geometry is nice. My Azonic was old school. This bike works well with my zochii 55 fork. I've ridden Santa Cruz Mountains many times, North Star, Big Bear and San Diego this bike is a good all arounder. Santa Cruz does extensive testing and I've seen them at North Star, Nevada with their team. Dedicated company to racing development similiar to Foes. I would say Foes for long travel and Santa Cruz for all mountain.
Bike Setup: does not matter that much compared to personal preferrence
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rupp
a Cross Country Rider
from Colo notso rado
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008
Strengths: Amazing all around frameset... I have had this bike for a few years now and am more impressed all of the time! I would like to upgrade to a duc pretty soon, but nonetheless, this bike is amazing even with my crappy 4" minute fork...
Weaknesses: I guess it is expensive, but biking is expensive these days. oh, and the bearings will creek if you don't lube them up on a regular basis.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I have had a lot of bikes come and go, and this one will not be leaving me for a very long time. When I get a new fork I plan on sleeping with this thing. ha ha ha.
Similar Products Used: Uzzi DH, Stinky Dee Lux, Heckler, various hardtails, road bikes, steelhead
Bike Setup: 4" minute fork, dhx 5.0 coil, 8" hayes up front and avid bb7 rear, wtb saddle, heavy wheelset, pretty basic setup weighing in at 32 lbs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ron Acuna
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007
Strengths: Just like some of the previous posts, I too am impressed w/ the versatility of the frame. It's confidence inspiring whether it's pointed up or down. The frame has nice welds w/ gussets in all the right places. The powder coat paint holds up well. No matter what your current skill set is, this bike will help you become a better rider!
Weaknesses: Typical full suspension bike: You get about a year out of the bearings before they need replacing. There are a lot of bearings to pull and replace when it comes time to o'haul the rear suspension (8 to be exact.) At least the bearings are free from Santa Cruz. The decals are not clear-coated over. This could be considered a good thing or a bad thing depending on the owner.
I tried running an e.thirteen DRS chainguide system for awhile. I couldn't get the lower guide roller bushing assembly to sit far enough back and behind the bashguard to keep it clear from hitting rocks (the lower VPP suspension link prevents the needed rotation from happening.) I ended up pulling it off to improve ground clearance. However, if the potential for hitting your chainring/bashguard is low, then running the DRS system (or any other chainguide) isn't a problem.
Bottom Line:
A nice stout short travel frame is all that is needed for 75% of the riding that can be done on this planet; my country or yours. Doesn't matter. Period!
Similar Products Used: Nothing too similar. However, I have been on a Santa Cruz frame of some kind since '00 (Superlight and two Chameleons.)
Bike Setup: Most owners seem to build these frames up similar to one another. Mine is no different. Here's the list: -RS Revelation Duel Air w/ U-Turn and Enduro Seals -RP3 (my frame is an '06.....no RP23 at the time) -Crossland wheelset (bought them to temporarily hold me over for awhile but the dang wheels just won't die!) -RF Evolve DH crankset w/bashguard & external bearings upgraded to Enduros -Time Z pedals - X-9 rr der, X-Gen ft der -990 cassette w/ King cassette lock-ring -PC 991 chain -Thomson stem (90mm) and laid-back post -Titec El Norte saddle -Salsa Lip-Loc seatpost clamp and stainless skewers -King hs -RF Diabolus h'bar (31.8mm) -X-9 shifers -Juicy 7 brakes w/ Dangerboy levers -ODI Lock-On Rogue grips -Jagwire Ripcord Pro shift cable system -RF stem pad
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Hora Horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2007
Strengths: Stable, feeling of low down centre of gravity yet nimble/agile.
Weaknesses: Price? After all its only aluminium manufactured in a Far East factory and marketing spend.
Bottom Line:
I can honestly say Im not the most confident rider nor will I ever grab voluntary air (probably 2-3inches) however after 4 weekends of riding this so far, on every ride I can feel my confidence and ability eeking up a bit- its noticeable on every ride. I'm riding bits that I wouldnt have gone near not so long ago. I dont know where Im going to end up but its up and positive. Thats enough to make this my ideal frame/build. :o)
Bike Setup: Pike coils, King ISO hub, King headset, Saint brakes, DX pedals, Saint triple crankset, Thomson stem/post etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007
Strengths: Versatile, fun ride. Strong, stable in the rough. Flies nice. Manuals nice. Corners faster than anything else I've ridden.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Get one. This bike is pure fun to ride. Lighter than Nomad but feels just as stable. Corners way better. The VP-free handles really rough terrain and big hits better, but the Blur 4x is always fun to ride. Tempted to try it in a couple of DH races since it's so light it opens up a few interesting line options.
