Full XT; Hayes Hydro discs (but I prefer Shimano); Duke SL U-Turn 108 mm front shock; Fox RP-23 Pro-Pedal rear shock; FSA XC-300 Wheelset (stellar wheelset); WTB Moto and Mutano Raptors 2.4.
Bottom Line:
I love my Slayer, but think this is a great bike too. The prior post noted the bearing issue, with which I wholly agree (and prompting my post). The mud-n-gunk off the back tire is THROWN right into the lower rear bearing seam and though I have yet to have the creaking (see other posts), it is an obvious concern. My Blur is black, so I rig several small pieces of black electrician's tape strategically stuck to the fixed parts, which cover and slide over the moving, open gap on the rear bearings. Two or three times a year, I replace the tape. The tape keeps stuff out of the bearing seam and still lets the suspension work. Once I get a little dirt on the tape and rear linkage, it is hard to even notice the black tape, but this exposed rear bearing seam would be the Blur's weakness. But let me be clear: This is a great bike and seems to put the pedal stroke into the drive, not the suspension. It is light and handles great, while still soaking up the bumps of Rocky Mountain's Alpine and Moab's rock trails. If this bike's lone weakness can be cured by a 99 cent roll of electrician's tape and 15 minutes a year, it gets five chillies from me. Side Note: I am a die-hard Marzocchi Fan. I bought this bike used and thought I would quickly replace the Duke shock. Although I will eventually replace the shock for a Marzocchi or Fox shock, I've found the Duke SL U-Turn to be better than expected. I do not use the U-Turn function, but it seems like it works for those who dial in on the up and the down of the ride. Having ridden it for a year, it is much better than expected. I may replace it in the future solely to get more travel, like 130 mm or more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tom
a Cross Country Rider
from timbuktu Date Reviewed: August 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
speedgoat
Strengths:
Very nice plushness
Weaknesses:
(Santa Cruz) What's the deal with the slots in the black triangle piece that houses the lower link bearings? The slots allow dirt to fly off my tires and fall onto the bearings which cause them to pre-maturely wear out (which then causes a very annoying creaking noise when riding).
Similar Products Used:
a couple of older Treks
Bike Setup:
fox, Magura, Thomson, all around primo parts
Bottom Line:
The Blur is a fantastic bike, however the lower pivot point bearings (the one closest to the rear wheel in particular)are a definite weak point. Why would you expose a part that needs free and clear greased movement to be exposed to dirt and grime? If your blur is creaking like a rocking chair and changing the BB doesn't help, do yourself a huge favor and check that lower bearing- you may also want to cover up those slots to keep the bearings well lubricated and clean after you clean or replace them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Murphy
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire UK Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Delamere Forest & Hollingworth Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Leisure Lakes Bikes UK
Strengths:
I cannot find anything wrong with this bike Santa Cruz really have put the effort into building this! Easy to ride & throw about in DH madness XC has become easy too
Weaknesses:
NONE that i can find!
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Prophet is what used to have
Bike Setup:
Manitou Minute 1:00 Forks to front Fox. Standard rear shox. XTr group set, Hope Hubs&Disc Brakes, Thompson Seat Post, Mavic Rims
Bottom Line:
Awsome!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Manny Wheaton
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise Date Reviewed: June 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hard Guy
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Dirt Dart
Strengths:
5th Element shock never leaks. I have re-aired it once in one year and I ride 6 days a week. Pivots are smooth and bike rides very solid. I would recommend this to any Cross country rider. There are bigger travel bikes out ther for the new free ride scene and Blur no announced the Blur LT.
The bike is plush. It feels a lot more like 6 inches of travel in the back and doesn't bottom out. I weight 200lbs and rarely have to get off my seat for the downhill. I test rode 7 new full suspension bikes and narrowed it down between the Intense and SC. I ended up getting the Blur because it just fit me better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Molina
a Downhiller
from St. Louis MO. USA Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
CHUB
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
ballwin bikes
Strengths:
Very easy to ride,will improve your riding proformance uphill and downhill.
I can't say enough about this bike.It has truely increased my ability to ride.I can climb rock gardens all day.My confidence has grown on technical downhills.The suspension has save me from eating dirt.Knowing this bike is to know true love.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Molina
a Downhiller
from St. Louis MO. USA Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
CHUB
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
ballwin bikes
Strengths:
Very easy to ride,will improve your riding proformance uphill and downhill.
I can't say enough about this bike.It has truely increased my ability to ride.I can climb rock gardens all day.My confidence has grown on technical downhills.The suspension has save me from eating dirt.Knowing this bike is to know true love.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Duran
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, Ca, US Date Reviewed: February 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
4500
Strengths:
When I bought the bike I was told it was the ultimate country bike, When I first rode it felt really nice. Its light, somewhat plush and it a bike made in the states!
Weaknesses:
Now after rideing it for about two years now, it nearly is about to fall apart, the rear shock has been sent back about six times. And I about to replace all of the pivots because of the annoying sqeak it makes as I pedal
vpp is not a good suspension design, i absolutley am not a fan
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, CT Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At:
Cutting Edge
Strengths:
Light, fast, VPP is great, looks sweet and it climbs just like it says...a scalded monkey!!
Weaknesses:
Haven't really found any yet, but the only one I can think of is the low bottom bracket clearance.
Bike Setup:
Medium Trans gold with FOX Float RLC & 5th Element, XTR shift/brake, XTR rapid rise derailleur, new XT cranks, Thompson, Easton, Mavic 819/Hope XC disc hubs, tubeless Kenda Kharisma tires & Avid mechanical disc.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a super fast XC bike that eliminates a lot of the bob in climbing this is the bike. VPP is a great concept and it works just as good as it looks. I have only been riding this bike this season and I do a lot of technical riding here on the east coast and the bike has taken everything that I can throw at it!! It is a little on the pricy side, but worth every penny. I saved a few bucks by just buying the frame, buying all the componets separately and getting specific parts. Buy this bike! You won't be disappointed. Keep on spinning!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RandyP
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine CA Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Bike Co
Strengths:
All-around do-all trail bike
Weaknesses:
Bearings and bushing made of cheese
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Giant NRS, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up post. I have had my Blur for 11 months and about 1,600 miles. Living in SoCal, the bike rarely sees anything more severe than dusty trails and the occasional stream crossing. My equipment is meticulously looked after. That's why I am really disappointed in SDanta Cruz and the Blur. In my last post I described the Fox bushing issues I was having. Now, three sets of bushings later, I started to develop a serious clicking from the BB area which turned out to be bearings that were toast.
A call to SC didn't provide me with much insight. Once again, they feel that bearings are "wear items" and depending on conditions and riding style may need to be replaced occasionally. When I asked if they had any problems with the bearings, the sales rep said "no".
So I order a set of bearings and a bearing press. Not two days later, I am talking with a riding buddy that also owns a Blur that's about two months older than mine. He tells me that he had to replace the bearings too and that Santa Cruz replaced them under warranty. To make matters worse, one of the new replacement bearings I bougfht is actually worse than the one it is replacing. So I contact SC. So far, no response.
In my original post on the Blur, I gave it a 5-4. My last bushing run-in dropped it to a 3-3 for poor customer service from SC. They're now down to a 2-2 for basically the same reason: lack of service and total apathy. Worse yet, apparently I didn't complain loud enough to get my bearings covered under warranty. The bike when working is great. But the lack of customer service and the almost constant need to replace parts has turned me off completely. I'll never buy another Santa Cruz product. Next bike will most likely be an Intense Spider, Ellsworth Truth or a new Giant NRS Air.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Otto
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos Date Reviewed: January 31, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Strengths:
Light, nimble, stiff, reduced bob. Long top tube climbs well. Replaceable derailer hanger.
Weaknesses:
Time will tell. 5th Element longevity in question. Higher maintenance shock.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
2004 XT, Vbrakes, crossmax wheelset, Fox 100RLC, 5th Element
Bottom Line:
When trying to decide between the Truth and the Blur, I read all the reviews looking for a smoking gun to sway me. No such luck. Test rode both. Could not find two bikes with the exact setup to test. Ended up testing: Blur/XTR/Fox AVA Truth/XTR/Romic Ti coil.
Both bikes were relatively set to my height/weight. The top tubes about the same length..
The Truth was very plush, like a '70 El Dorado Cadillac. Bobbing was unnoticeable until sprinting up the last few feet of a long hill. Get tired, get sloppy and bob a bit.
The Blur, with a Fox AVA, was more enjoyable out of the saddle climbing. Not as plush over obstacles, but smooth enough. Get tired, get sloppy, get a bit “O” bob. Sorry did not find the bike to be bob free. Perhaps if you have impeccable form you could ride bobless. The Blur’s bob was less noticeable.
Choose the Blur for out of the saddle climbing and $$$$$$. Don't think you can go wrong with either bike. Ride them and make an informed decison.
First real off trail Blur excursion:
Expected the full suspension to suck up energy climbing the steep hills over the rough stuff. Not sure of the physics but, was actually able to keep better balance and contact with trail. That The bike's front end rose/popped up less hitting rocks and trail structure on the really steep stuff. While climbing, poor line choices are not penalized with an abrupt loss of momentum/speed. When the rear wheel hits an obstacle the shock is activated and the wheel rises.
I enjoy the climb almost as much as I do the downhill. The downhill has gotten a whole lot sweeter. No longer require intense concentration on the downhill to avoid seat thrusting impacts.
Learning to gauge speed again. Can no longer use vibration/bounce to guestimate.
No regrets over the Blur. Moved beyond the ribbing of being called "Monkey Boy". Have gotten over the sinking feeling of making a "me too!" purchase.
Good design. Good bike. Good price.
I still climb like a startled sloth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern California Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
too many to list
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Climbs real well. Fun trail bike. VPP design
Weaknesses:
VPP design, Brake jack, semi active under power, paint, steep angles, low BB, short wheelbase and lack of tire clearance.
Similar Products Used:
Intense tracer & Uzzi, SC heckler
Bike Setup:
medium with Fox AVA, Fox Talas, mavic 317/XT wheels, Avid mech, XT/sram/truvativ/XTR drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
I really like the way this bike climbs and rolls when your not pedaling. The balance is pretty neutral too. Descending the bikes kinda unstable due to its short wheelbase, steep angles and the stiffening up of the suspension under braking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Bern, Switzerland Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Gurten-Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Veloladen Bern Jörgensen
Strengths:
No bob, no lock-out, no non-sense, hassle-free suspension! Absolutely wicked looks! Tough enough to handle the rough stuff (whoa, the rhyme!).
Weaknesses:
Paint comes off too easily. Actually, whole paint job could've been done more carefully. Weight is neither good nor too bad.
Similar Products Used:
Several Specialized FSRs, Scott Strike, Turner Burner
Bike Setup:
Medium size, trans red frame w/ 5th Element Air. Manitou Black Platinum, Deore Disc, Mavic Crossmax Enduro, Race Face cranks and b/b, FSA riser bars and headset, Thomson stem and seatpost, SRAM X-9 triggers and r. derailleur, XTR SPDs, Maxxis tires.
Bottom Line:
Accelerates like my street bike, descends almost like a freerider, climbs like my good ol' hardtail and handles bumps even better than the Turner I owned before. Not quite as nimble as my Chameleon on single track, but it comes close! In short: I guess I'm up for some XC-racing again! I liked this bike's handling from the very first moment, and the more I ride it the more I love it. Well, I don't see many alternatives on the market except maybe the Intense VPPs (even more expensive!), some Turners (still pretty cool!) and the new Stumpjumpers (don't like the looks!). People here ride brands like Scott, Trek, Cannondale, Canyon, Arrow and MTB Cycletech. There aren't many SC's around yet. Just wait...! So: if you're looking for an excellent do-it-all trailbike which can handle XC-racing, technical downhilling and even some dirts (I've seen hardcore dirt jumpers and dual slalom wheenies on Blurs!) look no further!
Ride your bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Price
a Cross Country Rider
from Corinth Date Reviewed: January 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Johnsons Branch
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Bikes and More
Strengths:
Handles excellent in corners and on climbs
Weaknesses:
Low bottom bracket, Pivot points get dirty and squeak, upper pivot point weak
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M800
Bike Setup:
Fox float rear shock, Fox float RL 100 front fork, avid breaks, XT components
Bottom Line:
I weight in at 205 lb. and ride 20 to 60 miles of single track all almost every week if the trails are open I ride. I do maintenance only when I have to and cleaning on rainy days. The first 9 mouths I had no problems with any components or the frame. But in the last 3 months I have replaced and upgraded just about everything. I have had to clean pivot points to stop squeaking, put a new steer tube in the fox fork 100 shock, new bottom bracket, new chain, new chain rings, new cassettes, new shifters, new derailer. Rebuild the back shock. Replace the upper pivot point after it broke. All the shock work, pivot work and some of the components were done under warranty This has been a great bike and it performs as advertised I have no complaint because I have rode this bike hard and but it a way dirty but with better maintenance things would last a lot longer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilroy, CA Date Reviewed: January 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Demo Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1425.00
Purchased At:
Reeds Sport Shop, San Jose
Strengths:
Awesome Suspension, locks out when you want to and moves when you need it once you dial in the rear sag.
Weaknesses:
Takes a few rides to dial in the rear shock settings. Need more info for dialing it in. Frame is somewhat heavier than I thought it would be at about 6 lbs.
Similar Products Used:
2000 Specialize FSR-Pro
Bike Setup:
Ultimate rim v-brakes (the best rim brakes available), Race Face Cranks and BB. Chris King headset, hubs, 02 Atom Race 100mm fork.
Bottom Line:
Nothing but high praise on this frame. As they say, it feels good right from the start. Took awhile to dial in the rear brakes but once set, it rides like a dream. Lots of cush, well balance for a long day's ride. Will be tough to race on with the weight, but I'm sure it can hold it's own. This bike works well with my 100mm Atom Race fork.
I took care of the rattling of the seat stays by sealing the hole once I got the bike. Then I addressed the linkage squeak by zip tieing some cut up old tubes to block the seals from getting dirty.
I love this bike. Makes you want to go out ride it everyday on your favorite singletrack. One of the few products out there that does what it is advertised to do.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dean
a Cross Country Rider
from new mexico Date Reviewed: January 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
too many
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
sports systems
Strengths:
awesome ride, felt liked i owned it for many years when i first rode it. great climber. i was totally amazed by the ride!
Weaknesses:
again, rocks in swing arm rattling, finally got them out, what a pain, sup with that? low bottom bracket clearance over rugged terrain, squeaking in linkage.
Similar Products Used:
none, my first dual suspension
Bike Setup:
fox float fork, 5th element shock
Bottom Line:
sweet dual suspension bike, feels like the rear wheel digs in when climbing. great for technical riding, with the exception of low bottom bracket clearance. man, i love this bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Morris, NJ Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Doesnt Matter
Strengths:
All
Weaknesses:
Pebbles in the swingarm at first, easily corrected thanks to other MTB reviewers. Thank you!
Similar Products Used:
Scalpel, Enduro.
Bike Setup:
Avid mechanical discs, chris king headset, monkey lite bars.
Bottom Line:
Had the bike now for about a year. Frame has survived 2 24 hr mtn bike races, 3 triathalons and unlimited weekend and weeknight excursions. Heavy riding and beating up on this bike. My frame has not cracked, nor do I think the fox shox is garbage. Even if I had a problem with the frame cracking, just bring it into the shop and get another one. No big deal. I weight 165 lbs, take care of the bike after riding it. Keep it relatively clean and lubed. Best bike I have ever ridden. Would the 5th element help? Help with what? Just get out and ride the damn thing and stop complaining about everything already. Excellent quality construction all around. Nothing and I mean nothing comes close to this bike. I have friends that all have either Scalpels or Enduros or other FS brands and I'm telling you, every one of them wants my bike for themselves after riding it. Every one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Phoenix, AZ USA Date Reviewed: December 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
VPP works extremely well. Very little bob. Perfect geometry with large frame, 4" travel fork, and 5'11" rider. Very smooth and long lasting pivot bearings. Good cable routing. Good anodized finish. Great support from Santa Cruz.
Weaknesses:
Breaks too easily. After 7 months the upper swing link broke. After 10 months the seat tube cracked completely through just about the bottom bracket shell. The frame was sort of ridable after both frame failures however. I weigh 175 lb, avoid all extreme riding and large drops, but ride 10 hrs/week. There is not enough rear tire clearance - especially with rim brakes. Tires over 2.1" wide will not install unless deflated. The frame is slightly on the heavy side for racing.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Truth, K2-5000
Bike Setup:
Large anodized frame, Fox RLC100 fork, 5th Element Air shock, Avid rim breaks.
Bottom Line:
I love riding this bike, but I am concerned about the long term durability. The upper swing link will probably break again in a few months, and the seat tube will probably fail again in another 10-12 months unless I had a defective frame to begin with. I carry an extra swing link and rear derailler hanger on every ride. Since the warranty is one year it may be expensive to replace the frame next time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark westwick
a Cross Country Rider
from cave creek, az. usa Date Reviewed: November 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Alma School
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Smooth ride, climbs really well, and no bobbing, which is the main reason I decided to try this frame.
Weaknesses:
Pebbles in the rocker arm but an easy fix.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth ID, Truth, ISIS.
Bike Setup:
XTR, Crossmax, Fox Float 100rl, Easton, Race Face, Progressive 5th Element, Chris King.
Bottom Line:
This is an AWESOME bike!!! I am 6'3" and 225 and have had trouble finding a bike that will not only handle my size but more importantly perform really well -- I have found both with the XL Santa Cruz Blur. This bike climbs better than my hardtail Klein Adroit and handles any type of XC riding I throw at it -- and without any bobbing. It is a smooth, fast, and durable design and does everything my LBS said it would. The bike handles flawlessly. I have been excited about full suspension frames before but will have to say this is the best so far. The only complaint, which doesn't effect performance, are the pebbles in the rocker arm. Santa Cruz left some holes -- I assume for welding -- in the rocker arm and small stones or pebbles slide around inside - annoying. I see from other reviews I am not the only one with this problem and was told by my local LBS that they would fix it free of charge - by removing the pebbles and sealing up the holes with silicone. Other than that I would highly recommend this bike to anyone. It rides like a dream!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ray
a
from El Dorado Hills Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Flume Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Strengths:
Solid ride both downhill and uphill. Amazing climber. Handles technical terrain extremely well.
Weaknesses:
A bit too heavy. Some difficulty in dialing in the RS. Some difficulty is getting started again when going uphill due to slight bob and sag. Probably would be eliminated if I had a lock-out feature on the RS.
Similar Products Used:
None. I've ridden only hardtails since 83.
Bike Setup:
Easton cabon fiber stem, bar, seatpost. XT groupo, Race Face crank, BB, RS Psychlo. XTR rear, Panaracers, Rhino rims.
Bottom Line:
I was really sceptically about moving into a FS bike. I've ridden hardtails since 1983: Specialized, Richey, Klein, and Yeti's since 89. Finally decided to make the move after test riding the Blur at a LBS. Purchased a SC Blur frameset. Took me two months to gather the parts and build the bike. Well, it been three months now and I am amazed. Everything that has been said about this bike is true in that your overall riding skills do improve. It is an amazing climber. I'm doing things that I could not do on my Yeti hardtail. The bike is an amazing confidence builder. Going downhill with disc brakes is really sweet. Yes, there is still some bob but I really don't notice it. Overall, I am really satisfied with the bike. You will definitely ride line the fun meter on this one. I give this bike 4 chilis because it is a great bike. I can't see giving 5 chili's because that would be Nirvana!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bradford Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Little Pine Mountain
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3125.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Company, Lake Forrest
Strengths:
I ride hard in Santa Barbara at an intermediate level, weighing just under 200 lbs and this bike hasn't failed me yet. The Kenda Karma tires are a great fit.
Weaknesses:
The Crane Creek S2 is junk. Demolished it in 6 months and replaced it with Chris King Threadless.
Similar Products Used:
None. I'm new to the mountain biking world.
Bike Setup:
Super X kit. XT rear derailer, LX crank, Hayes 6" Disc, Easton carbon post/bars, Fox RLC front and AVA rear w/ lock.
Bottom Line:
This bike performs beyond my expectations. While on a recent trip to Moab, many of the trail riders asked for a test and each and every one of them loved it. As I am just developing my skills at a lower level intermediate I'm not the one to ask this question.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from Germantown, MD Date Reviewed: November 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Schaeffer Farm
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Excellent build quality, No bob when climbing seated, great damping control on Fox shock, beautiful anodized finish
Weaknesses:
None noted to date
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper FSR - one test ride; Otherwise I've been a hardtail rider for years.
Bike Setup:
Fox100RL front fork, XT Group, WTB EpicWolf tires, total weight is 27lbs.
Bottom Line:
Bought the frame on Ebay ($1250) and built it out using a new Fox100RL fork, Chris King headset, and XT components from my old hardtail. After riding for two weekends, I am delighted with this bike. Seated climbing is even more efficient than my hardtail as the suspension takes the edge off roots and rocks without any noticable bob. When climbing out of the saddle, it also climbs like a hardtail if the front fork is locked out. I find I can ride longer and remain fresh since I spend more time on the seat instead of absorbing every little shock with my legs as you do on a hardtail.
Bottom line: This is a superb trail bike. Highly recommended. Will report on long term durability in a couple of years...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
johkar
a Racer
from Iowa Date Reviewed: November 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop
Strengths:
Rides like a hardtail. Climbs great. Black Anodized easy to maintain.
Weaknesses:
The Fox rear shock sucks as id my previous one. Won't hold air over a few days. I have to put in about 30lbs more air than Santa Cruz or Fox says too in order to get a firm ride. If you live and ride where it is muddy, do not buy this bike as it has absolutely no mud clearance.
Similar Products Used:
Specialed M4 FSR
Bike Setup:
Mostly XTR. I have had problems with the rear deraileur. Rapid Rise does not stay in adjustment...though I love being able to shift going uphill when required.
Bottom Line:
Best bike I have ever ridden. I didn't buy a rear lockout model and I don't need it. The front handlebar lockout on the SID Team is used all the time. My biggest complaint's are not with the frame, but the rear shock and rear deraileur. The mud clearance I can deal with as I try to avoid that most of the time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JAEN jean-philippe
a Weekend Warrior
from chatillon ,FRANCE Date Reviewed: October 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2330.00
Strengths:
une grande rigiditée ,un systme anti-pompage trés efficace ,un grand confort sur tous les chocs
Weaknesses:
la prix du cadre est trops cher en france,l'anodisation et trops fragile ,pas de bocage pour l'amorto arriere ,il manque un guide gaine hydraulique prés de la douille de direction
Le systeme VPP est vraiment efficace ,plus ont pedale fort et moin ça pompe ,le cadre est vraiment trés rigide et participe efficacement au rendement excellent de ce spad ,dommage que la douille de direction ne support pas plus 105mm
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren Rodd
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Austalia Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Fringe, Nelson, New Zealand
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Strengths:
Climbing efficiency subject to technique and excellent control on technical single track
Weaknesses:
Mud clearance with 2.1 tyres and bottom braket height is marginal in rocky terrain. Annoying squeak developing in bottom linkage.
Similar Products Used:
High end Marins, FSR, Kona
Bike Setup:
XT group set with Fox Vanilla 125L
Bottom Line:
Once the bike is set up correctly (which takes time to fine tune) it is a pleasure to ride. There is room for improvement but the bottom line is that it is one of the better bikes on the market for cross country riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a
from NJ Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
Rocks! Ok whats the deal with all the stones/pebbles getting caught in the swingarm of this bike? Whats the problem? Annoying to listen to. Where the hell is the hole that is allowing all of this to happen. Starting to really get annoyed now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
Hmmm, still nothing I can find
Similar Products Used:
Sugar 1
Bike Setup:
Mavic Crossmax SL's, Avid Machanical Discs, pretty much all stock from here on out.
Bottom Line:
Been riding this bike now for about 3 months. Still taking the abuse well. Completed a 24 hr race few weeks ago, rode Solo and bike held up to the test. Only problem I have had is a few pebbles that somehow managed to get into one of the rear swingarms. Notice how there are 2 holes in the back of each swingarm or am I losing my mind here? Finally managed to crush the stones with a nail the other night (dont ask), got em out and covered the holes with Duct Tape. Santa Cruz why did you make the swingarms with holes in the end. Most annoying sound is me riding behind someone with rocks rolling around in my frame. FIX IT! Other than that, the bike is still incredible. Rode some other newbies out there and nothing even comes close to this. Word of advice, put your name on the waiting list, suck it up and just buy one of these puppies. Probably the last mountain bike I will ever buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aron
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Denver Spoke
Strengths:
Well, for the past 6 months, I've loved this ride, all the things others say about the bike and the VPP technology seems to be true...climbs great, very little peddle induced bob, very efficent! I was in love until yesterday.
Weaknesses:
on an uphill climb (apex- for the local readers), the linkage connecting the shock snapped right down the middle. Must have cracked it in days previous (hogsback)...I'm not sure how good SantaCruz is with their warrenties but at least The Spoke took the ball and said they'd take care of it.
Bike Setup:
RaceFace Next LP cranks and BB, Hope Mini discs, Fox Float 100 fork...
Bottom Line:
I love the ride, hope this was a fluk!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
Denver Spoke
Strengths:
Geometry, Anodized Paint, Suspension Performance, Weight (for all around riding)
Weaknesses:
Weight (for racing)
Bike Setup:
Blur frame, Float AVA shock, Float 100 Forx, XT/XTR
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic bike that does what it claims it will do. It is durable, strong, efficient, and an absolute blast to ride!! I had been riding a hardtail until I bought this bike. I do a fair amount of climbing on my rides, and this bike does a great job on the climbs. It feels very efficient and keeps the rear wheel planted. The downhills are so great! The geometry feels like a good comporomise for a cross country bike, nice on climbs and downhills. I like the fact that the efficiency of the bike is derived from a clever frame design that allows the shock to remain active all the time, rather than a clever shock design that locks out on its own to fix an inherent inefficiency in the frame. The bottom line is this bike does what it says it will do, and does it very well. If you are an all around rider interested in a great all around bike, this is for you. If you are looking for a light weight racing bike, this probably isn't for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Los Alamos, NM, USA Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
South Boundary Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Overall and incredible frame. Good geometry/handling. Nice replaceable dropout/hanger. Suspension works as promised.
Weaknesses:
The Fox AVA Float bushings/reducers are junk. But don't hold that against the frame. Graphics on frame are cheap stickers which flake off over time.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Sugar
Bike Setup:
Fox AVA Float, RockShox Duke SL 100, Avid Mech. Disc, mix of LX & XT components ...
Bottom Line:
This is a spectacular frame! Build it up with the parts that you want, and you won't feel the need to get another bike for years. Great as a general trailbike. The customer support from Santa Cruz has been very good so far, answering emails almost immediately. The value rating below would be 4 chilis if it were not for the good customer service (frame is a bit pricey, but is worth it if it includes good customer service).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Amsel
a Cross Country Rider
from Arizona Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Sedona trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes
Strengths:
Light enough to race with, plushness, durability
Weaknesses:
Hard to get,
Similar Products Used:
Garry fisher sugar 2+, VT
Bike Setup:
Marathon SL 105mm,BLA BLA
Bottom Line:
The ultimate bike for all around XC,Free ride, etc... If you have the money buy one, bon't look somewhere else
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Lauer
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville, SC Date Reviewed: August 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Black Mt.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Carolina Fatz
Strengths:
Great climbing bike. Great on the down hills. This is flat out the best bike on the market.
Weaknesses:
lack of clear coat over stickers and rear tire clearance.
Similar Products Used:
Epic and XTC SE1
Bike Setup:
Fox Talas RLC (don't tell) with XTR build kit. Mavic Crossmax.
Bottom Line:
Best bike ever built.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RandyP
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine CA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
SJT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Bike Company
Strengths:
This is a follow-up review. The Blur is Still a do-all XC frameset with minimal bob.
Weaknesses:
Rear suspension looseness (Fox Float bushings wore out after 600 miles!), poor quality paint, poor customer service from mfr.
Similar Products Used:
Giant NRS, Specialized Epic, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR, Fox TALAS fork
Bottom Line:
This post is a follow-up to my original review. I now have over 750 miles on the bike and the only issue I have had was that the rear suspension got a bit sloppy. When I picked the bike up off the ground, I could feel a distinctive "clunk" from the rear, almost like you left a QR loose and the wheel fell against the dropout tabs. On closer inspection, I found that the rear shock to swingarm mounting had massive amounts of play.
The LBS that sold me the bike replaced the rear shock DU (pressed in) bushing and reducers. This set me back about $40. When I asked about warranty, I was told to contact Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz says that this is a shock issue and passed me along to Fox. Fox says that the bushings will need "occasional" replacement and since they consider them to be "wear items", no warranty. Further, Fox says that it's a frame design issue. To me, needing to replace these parts after 600 miles is not "occasional" service, it is "frequent repair".
The bike has not been treated roughly and is extremely well maintained. I live in SoCal so we don't do any muddy/wet rides here. These bushings shouldn't have gone away so quickly.
Two of my riding buddies also have Blurs; both have developed the same play. The LBS also says that this has been a common problem with Blur frames.
Since I usually put about 3,000 miles on a year, will I need to fork over $200 annually to keep it running well? In about 2 years I will have spent enough to buy a Progressive 5th Element shock.
If you are considering a Blur, S/C now offers it with the Progressive 5th Element shock. Do yourself a favor and stay away from the Fox Float.
Replacing the bushings made it tight again and it now rides like new. BTW, as a backup I just bought all the needed replacement pieces from Fox and plan to do future repairs on my own since the DU bushings are about $1.50 each and the reducers are about $5.00 a pair.
My original rating was a 5-4. With the lack of customer service from both S/C and Fox, I now give it a 3-3.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Milne
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Bruce
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Dukes on Queen ( Frame only )
Strengths:
Amazing climber, makes me feel better at all times, the 4 inches of rear travel feels like 6 with not bob !
Weaknesses:
nothing ..... maybe the weight but not really
Similar Products Used:
Sugar 2+ , Liquid 30, Giant Vt
Bike Setup:
manitou black comp 80/100 mm front fork, fox ava 4 inch rear, XTR rear, XT front, LX shifters, XT v-break, Shimano m545 wheel set race face turbine crank,easton carbon fiber handel bars, and King headset this thing is a machine
Bottom Line:
amazing bike worth every penny
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Cycle
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
Hmmm, none. Nope! Nada! Nothing!
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Sugar 1 Team Issue
Bike Setup:
Chris King Headset, XTR Rapid Fire Shifters, Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes, Monkey Lite Riser Bar, Shimano SPD 959's, Fox Float RLC front, Fox AVA w/Lockout Rear, Mavic Crossmax XL disc wheelset.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line? The bottom line is basically pure and simple. This is the best full suspension bike out there. Period. I had a Sugar 1 for over a year and had nothing but problems with it. Chain suck, chain suck. Just God aweful. This bike, incredible. Soaks up bumps like nobody's business. Super fast, great climber, climbs like a hardtail. Downhill incredible. If you havent ridden one just test one out, you'll know exactly what is in store. Its worth every penny I spent on this puppy. The Blur seriously brings full suspension mountain biking to a whole new level that really cannot be described. The Virtual Pivot Point is what makes this bike tick. The suspension is literally always working. When you climb and really "dig in" on your pedalstroke the rear stiffens up and climbs like a hardtail. When rolling or downhilling the suspension is working still and you cant even tell. I just think its an incredible machine. Friends of mine are drooling, already 2 buds have placed orders for this bike at the shop where I got it from. Santa Cruz is pretty much caught up with orders now so just go and buy one. Christ you can even pick the colors on their website. Sick sick sick is all I have to say. 5 flames all around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lou Kuhn
a Cross Country Rider
from Evanston, IL, USA Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
The Pony Shop
Strengths:
This bike makes me a better rider, after riding and racing nothing but superlight hardtails I was ready to make the switch. The bike climbs great, is 2 lbs heavier than my hardtail, but I never notice it.
Weaknesses:
The wait does suck. The Pony Shop has them in stock right now! My first 5th element rear shock was bad, but SC took care of it immediately.
Similar Products Used:
Lot of test rides, Cannondales, Elsworth, Giant, Specialized, Salsa hardtails
Bike Setup:
Full 03 xtr, Fox Float rlc, Discs hand built wheels, Easton Stuff 23.5 lbs in XLG
Bottom Line:
This bike is making riding more fun for me. The only problem I have is I'm riding above my skill level, I need to catch up with the bike's potential before I'll really begin to enjoy all it's benefits. It's hard to find but well worth the effort, if you're looking now call The Pony Shop in Evanston Illinois.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave T
a
from Salinas, Ca. USA Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003
Superlights, Truth, Epic, Fuel, Sugar...you name it.
Bike Setup:
Fox Forx, 03' XTR Discs, all the goods.....
Bottom Line:
Contrary to Dougs rant - the ONLY thing he is correct about is RESALE. I'm a p/t guy at my local shop and we have COUNTLESS Blurs out there. Take a guess at how many people are complaining about their performance & value...........NONE. Was your Blur suspension dialed Doug??? It makes a HUGE difference. I'm waiting for my Gen. 2 Blur now and am going to give the 5th Air a shot, I'll let you all in on what I think about it after some ride time...... ENOUGH OF THAT...
This Frameset is hard to beat, Value, Performance, Ability...it's got it all. Ride one, you'll see.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Conners
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Too Many
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Strengths:
I've just read the last review and it's obviously not a "real" review. Doug must be a Epic rider upset with his purchase. The bike Climbs just as expeceted, fantastic! Climbs better than any other hardtail/ full suspension bike I've riden
Weaknesses:
The only weekness I found and this is being picky, I would like to have the option not to have the v-brake mounts welded on the rame, I mean who rids anything but disc brakes.
Similar Products Used:
I've ridden superlights, Fsr's, Titus racer x's, Ellsworth Id, # of hardtails, Turner 5 spot, Crappy epics.
Bike Setup:
My bike is set up with Fox float 100mm, all xtr, etc...
Bottom Line:
I have had as much experience as DOUG and to say this bike climbs poorly is insane. The design doesn't allow it. The bike makes average riders great riders. If you get a poor quality build like paint, call the company, be a man and speak, don't settle. Make SC get it right. I will say SC is putting the bad boys out quickly, I was lucky to get one fromt he first run and completely happy. I ride regurly with a four guys. they ride an Id, a superlight, sugar, and a truth. These guys can no longer hang with me on the climbs or downhills. Listen to the majority, in this case we are right! It has been a year now and I have had zero problems and I ride 75-100 mile a week.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Handles nice on downhills. High resale value, more on this later..
Weaknesses:
Poor build quality (even for a bike half the price), welds look like something done in high school shop class. The paint is really poor, some parts of the frame had no paint at all! Big time bob. Poor tire clearance. On the heavy side. Poor climber.
Similar Products Used:
15 years of MTBs.
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR
Bottom Line:
Sorry to be the one to buck the hype... This bike is average at best. I bought into all the hype, and the Blur has been a big disapointment. One good thing is due to the demand for the Blur (not sure why) I was able to sell mine for almost what I bought it for. I have now got myself a Yeti ASR-SL. The Blur and the Yeti are close in price, but the Yeti trounces the Bulr in build qulity, and performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from newburgh ny Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
stewart/cronimeer
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2850.00
Purchased At:
colorodo cyclist
Strengths:
fox shocks rurle. small sacrafice in wieght for such a great trail bike.
Weaknesses:
Cant find any as of yet and probably will not be able to
Similar Products Used:
cannodale
Bike Setup:
xt xtr fox front and back hayse disk still wieghs in at just about 26 pounds
Bottom Line:
If you can afford it buy it if you cant then morgage your house and get one if you dont have a house hit the subways and start pan hadleling. This bike really lives up to the hype. It climbs better than any hard tail. the wheels feel as if they are glude to the ground. down hill is quick and effortless and it takes hits great. Have not gone over 6 feet with it yet but I think the bike could handle the abuse. This is your bike if your looking for one that you can put in some serious miles, want to ride up the mountaine instead of taking the chair lift and beat most of the people down. I was on the fence betwen the surger 2+ with disc or the Blurr and I am glad I spent the extra coin.
AWSOME BIKE!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yogi
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagan, MN (MORC Country!) Date Reviewed: July 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Lebanon Hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4600.00
Purchased At:
Cyclepath
Strengths:
It flows through any kind of trail as if it were floating on air. It is a strange feeling - almost like it weighs nothing, or like it just knows where to go without my telling it.
Weaknesses:
Annoying squeak that I cannot find. Sounds like it is coming from where the rear shock attaches to the top tube, but I could be wrong. It is so loud that it takes away all this bikes strengths.
Similar Products Used:
Last bike was a Cannondale 2002 Jekyll
Bike Setup:
Full 03' XTR, Anno Black, about 24.5 lbs.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. I don't know if it is the bike frame itself, or the new 03' XTR that really makes the difference. Perhaps it is the combo. It is like riding on air. The uphills feel like they take less effort. It handles downhills with ease. It just WANTS to go cross country. This bike has actually made me a better mountain biker!
If it were not for the annoying noise it makes (kind of a clicking or squeaking noise) I'd give it 5 Chilis... the noise itself makes me want to dump this bike and find something else. Is it poor design? I see others with the same problem. No amount of lube or cleaning has helped. Maybe you'll get lucky and not have the same issue with your Blur. I hope not!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT, USA Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Willow Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2475.00
Purchased At:
Wimmer's Ultimate
Strengths:
Weight - this bike is great for those who are concerned about the additional weight that full-suspension bikes carry. Comfort/Suspension - If you want to thoroughly enjoy your ride on virually every trail you ride; this is your bike. Paint Job - Annodized paint is the only way to go; paint flaking off, etc. are nonexistent problems... don't settle for the regular paint job. Handling - I love the way this bike rides. I feel like a better rider when I'm on it.
Weaknesses:
Some people complain about the bob... I wouldn't call it bobbing but it does flex as I rotate thru my stroke. I have focused on smoothing out my stroke and that has helped. I should point out that I don't notice the very small amount of flex/bob while riding. The ride is awesome.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Epic/S-works/Enduro, Klein Palomino, Maverick American ML-7, Rocky Mountian Slayer, Trek Fuel (All demo'ed while I was shopping)
Bike Setup:
Standard package from Santa Cruz
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. I'm 34 and love fast cross-country riding - I felt that my last bike was hindering my performance and consequently reducing my overall riding enjoyment.
I was looking for a bike that didn't feel like I was pushing a tank up the trail but would provide a comfortable ride. What I got with the Blur is a bike that does all of the above and more. I'm pretty confident after riding with several groups that I could race this bike (as is) and it wouldn't hinder my performance. Accordingly, I would buy it if I was 19 or 50 as I think this bike is good enough to accommodate a variety of riding styles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Elroy Cohen
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Strengths:
Suspension: very smooth, since it runs on sealed bearings. Is it perfectly "bob-free"? Of course not, but no other suspension bike i have tried has less bob than the blur. Very efficient bike. Very comfortable to ride this bike over long distances off road. You will never go back to your hardtail once you try this. Frame: solid, smooth feel to it. Good quality welds.
Weaknesses:
paint job: seems that the factory "missed a spot". You don't notice unless you look for it, but a few more swipes with the sprayer could have helped. weight: probably too heavy to be a hard-core race bike. (but it is plenty light enough for long off road rides, for sure.) head tube angle: perhaps a little too slack, at least given the fork that i use. the steering was not as crisp as some other full susp. bikes i tried. rear tire clearance: not enough. all the 2.1 tires i tried still fit, but there is not much clearance left for mud.
Similar Products Used:
trek fuel and liquid cannondale jeckyl current full suspension offerings from specialized and tomac
Bike Setup:
large frame, marzocchi marathon sl fork, xt kit, michelin hot s 2.1 tires
Bottom Line:
buy it if: you are interested in an efficient, light, extremely comfortable full suspension bike that you can do long rides off road.
don't buy it if: you need a super fast xc race bike/
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Caldwell
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Ranches (White, Walker, Hall & Heil
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Sports Garage
Strengths:
First rate handling and suspension performance. The 03 XTR is excellent. The complete package makes for the perfect trail bike. It does almost everything better than other bikes
Weaknesses:
Relatively rough and unrefined consruction. Problems early with components and fork. These have been resolved.
Similar Products Used:
Turner Burner XCE (x2), Intense Tracer, FSR, Hardtails way back when.
Bike Setup:
XL Black Ano frame, Fox Float AVA, Marzocchi Marathon SL (105), full '03 XTR including discs, Mavic 317, Hutchinson Python Airlite (they're better than they look), Thomson post and stem, Easton Monkeylite SL, Eggbeaters, King HS. Built for 6'-2" 185lb rider
Bottom Line:
First of all I really like this bike. But I have some criticism of the way it is built and the way I received it from Santa Cruz. I have ridden the bike hard for 6 months and I think I have a good perspective on the pros and cons.
The good: It kicks ass as a trail bike. It appears to have the perfect balance of quick handling but yet stability at speed. The rider’s weight (at least for my size) is balanced exactly where it should be. As other reviewers have reported you will feel comfortable immediately. The rear suspension is plush always and while it does move under pedaling somewhat it is more efficient than the excellent Horst link (the only kind!) four-bar designs that I had been riding. I didn’t think a little pedal bob was hurting me but now that I am riding the Blur I think it was. Further it hooks up as well as these other bikes on gnarly climbs. This is the test against which most other suspension designs fail when compared to the good four-bars. The pivots have run noise free with no service. The chassis is stiff with no unwanted flex. The Fox Float AVA is set up for an 185lb rider at 200-210psi and I run the rebound damper in the middle and slightly toward the slow end. As other reviewer's have noted small increases in pressure do not significantly effect sag or even plushness but it quickly removes unwanted suspension movement. The AVA shock may not be needed because you will run it at max volume and not adjust it. It does have more volume than a standard Float so it will give a more linear spring rate which is what this bike seems to want.
The 2003 XTR is wonderful. I can’t imagine going back to the old stuff. The disc brakes are as good or better as my old Hayes at a fraction of the weight. The BB and crankset is sweet, flex-free, light and clean. The finish is susceptible to abrasion though. The drive train is excellent and the new shifters are intuitive and problem-free. Throw away those thumb levers as they are just something to crack your knees on. Index finger for braking and up shifts, bird finger for downshifts. Long fingered gloves help Mr. Bird.
The Marzocchi Marathon SL was not my favorite initially but I am happy with it now (see my review under 03 forks). It took at least 20 hours to break in. It is a good balance to the rear suspension and has great steering rigidity. My set up is for an 185lb rider at 36psi positive and 120psi negative. I run middle range or slower on the rebound damper. The ECC is surprisingly effective on smooth long climbs.
The bad: Note that my frame was delivered in November so some of these problems may be solved by now. It is a rough frame and the design needs to be refined. It needs better welding and CNC fittings to compete with the high-end works of art. Of course it costs less. The “Blur” graphics are stupid and no graphics appear on my head tube. Tire clearance is too low even when running only 2.0 tires. The front derailleur stop on the seat tube is VERY poorly located too high so that the cable routing suffers. Get rid of the brake post mounts unless someone wants to run rim brakes. My build kit was terrible as it came from Santa Cruz. It came with the wrong diameter seat post and the wrong diameter front derailleur clamp. Other part selections were marginal and have been replaced with what I wanted. Imagine a new bike that I was dying to ride and I couldn’t build because the parts didn’t fit. Fortunately I pirated enough off other bikes that I got it going without too much delay.
All in all though this a great bike, its performance and value overcome any of its shortcomings. It is too bad that everyone and their brother will be on one by year end.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Altadena California Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Most of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
Cycle World
Strengths:
Feels right for someone who's been waiting for a ridable substitute for my hardtail.
Weaknesses:
I love it so much I can't say anything bad about it. If I had to pick something to criticize I guess it would be that it doesn't weigh as little as my hardtail.
Similar Products Used:
None, I never bought or used a FS bike because they always bounced like crazy every time I got on one and they weighed too much.
Bike Setup:
XTR Crankset, Marta Discs, Stan's No-Tubes with Specialized Roll-X Tires, Time Ti pedals, Sid Fork.
Bottom Line:
I was really nervous about spending the $ for this bike. I was afraid I would get it and hate it like I hated other suspension bikes I tried at the LBS. I spent several months reading reviews and checking out the bike. It was either the Blur or the Epic or possibly the Fuel etc, etc. But I was not sure I would like it because I was so used to my hardtail and am pretty damn good on it. I finally said F@!#! it and bought the frame after a 22 mile back buster on my S-Works Memorial Day. Well, I am so happy I got this bike I can't believe it! Yes, it is heavier than my hardtail but guess what, I got better times on Sunday's 7 mile uphill than I got on my hardtail! I noticed that going up, I saved a lot of energy due to not needing to stand up to cushion my butt over bumps. Also, my new Blur seems to float over things while I sit. I didn't need to stand up the whole way, even on the steepest parts, which gave me better traction. At one point, this little fart on his feather weight hardtail passed me on the uphill. I don't like to be passed so I drafted him for about a mile until I bonked and had to fall back. The little turd kept on putting distance between us and finally disappeared over the crest a couple hundred yards away. My freakin' bike blew me away when I fanned past him on my way down while he bounced around on his little bony ass over the relatively smooth fire road. I was haulin' ass!!! It was nice and smooth and great control around gravelly corners. Then, I hit the single track that I ride every weekend. I was in for a really big surprise because, even though I had gotten to the point where I could ride the whole thing without dabbing, I had never been able to ride it with such ease and control at speed. On my new Blur, I cruised down the most difficult rock ledges and steepest, rockiest sections like never before! I had so much fun that I am still smilin' and it's Thursday. I have found a bike that is ideal for me and I LOVE it. I don't race. I just love to ride lots of single track and long climbs. The Blur is light enough for me even though I am used to a 22lb S- Works. The Blur has made me a much better technical rider, instantly. It is fun. Lot's of FUN to ride. Go get one. You won't regret it. I never experienced this amount of increased control from any other source and am really glad I found the Blur. It's not a hardtail so it has a cushey feel over bumps of all sizes, and I'm glad but, it has the feel of a hardtail in the power transfer dept. There was no Bob really at least none that bothered me at all because it is so unnoticeable. I will never ride a hardtail again except on the street! It is like the difference between not having the right tool to do the job and having the perfect tool to do a job. The Blur gets the job done like I want it done and IT FEELS GREAT!!! Thanks, Santa Cruz.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Albert
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3250.00
Strengths:
Climbs like a mtn goat. Overall the bike has excellent ride quality. Light and nimble makes this FS MTN Bike like nothing else on earth.
Weaknesses:
The frame is a little heavy but the performance and durabilty gained makes everything worth while.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel 98, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Full XTR (except XT crankset), Skareb fork, Easton bars, and Thompson stem and seat post, wheels are Mavic 317 with XTR hubs
Bottom Line:
I Love it...... This bike is everything I have every dreamed for in a MTN BIKE. PERFECT......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
delboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston MA Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Lynn Woods, Foxboro
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
VPP design, Ano paint, Build quality, Climbing and decending are greatly improved over a hardtail.
Weaknesses:
Mud clearance could be better.
Similar Products Used:
multiple hardtails
Bike Setup:
03 XTR Disc. 03 XTR wheels. Fox Float RLC.
Bottom Line:
The faster you hammer the blur the better it feels. This is my first full suspension bike so I can not compare it to anything else but one thing is for sure I do not miss my hardtail. The blur is awesome going up and down the trail but it really shines when the trail gets nasty. It is very easy to pedal your way out of trouble with surefooted confidence. The bike also mutes nearly all pedal feedback and handles very well. So far I am very, very happy with the blur and feel the hype surrounding the bike was well deserved. For a do it all rig look no further than the Blur.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Phoenix, Arizona, USA Date Reviewed: June 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Pedal The Peaks shop in Durango
Strengths:
Great handling and geometry. Not much bobbing.
Weaknesses:
The short 3" long black linkage at the rear of the shock broke completely through. The frame is slightly overweight for racing.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Truth, Titus Switchblade
Bike Setup:
Large, anodized frame with Santa Cruz Super-x kit. 25.2lbs
Bottom Line:
The frame linkage broke after about 5 months of riding/training at 10-15hr/week. I weigh 175 and never jump off anything big. If I can wear out this linkage then others can and probably will soon, however the part may have been flawed on my bike - time will tell. Due to how the rear triangle is made there is some torsional stress on this part - it showed signs of torsional failure. It creaked for a couple of weeks before failing, but I thought the creaks were the shock pivots or normal seatpost, crank, or bottom bracket noises and did not suspect that the frame was failing on such a new bike. Some other frame damage occurred when this thing broke, but the frame stayed intact - very good design from a safety standpoint.
My LBS shipped the bike frame to Santa Cruz who checked it out for alignment, etc. They sent it back with a new link within a day of receipt. The damage to the front triangle from the linkage failure is mostly cosmetic, but I am concerned about it due to the obvious stress concentration. I haven't figured out what to due about the damage. I spoke with Santa Cruz about it and they do not think the frame is highly stressed at this location and suggest I take another look at it when the frame gets back and call them if I would like to "work something out".
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Walt
a
from Park City, UT Date Reviewed: May 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
8,000 FT Mid-mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Traction, smooth ride, stiffness, confidence inspiring handling.
Weaknesses:
I also had the squeaking from the pivots. Lube fixed it overnight. The anodized finish is good looking but does still scratch. Two dumb falls onto rock have left some minor scratches on the chain stays.
Similar Products Used:
Closest is my Fat Chance HT. Demo'd various FS.
Bike Setup:
Anodized steel blue Blur, '02 XTR rear D, rest XT, Cane Creek headset, Mavic 517 rims, ARC Cf bars, Thompson post and stem, Hutchinson Pythons, Time pedals.
Bottom Line:
I have now ridden the Blur on about every surface including slickrock, sand, packed dirt, jeep trails, buffed and rocky single track, creek crossings, jumbled rockfalls, babyhead rock, snow and a little mud. It has handled everything I have thrown at it. I rode 17 miles of fairly technical singletrack today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Much more fun than on my beloved hardtail. The combination of the suspension and the gearing made it possible for me to sit and climb where I had to stand and try to balance the power/rear wheel spin before. It was especially noticeable on switchbacks with loose dirt. Minimal bob when standing and cranking in granny gear- usually only need to do this on the most extreme parts of the Slickrock trail. I now feel much more comfortable blasting through rock piles and creek crossings. I am glad that my son-in-law convinced me to upgrade to a state of the art bike, more similar in quality/performance to my road bike. Now I am much more balanced between road and MTB riding. The Blur is even kind of fun on the road- at least for the short distance back to the trailhead. I recommend it strongly. I have been riding mt bikes since the early 80's and this has put new excitement back in the sport!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RandyP
a Weekend Warrior
from Irvine CA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Bike Company
Strengths:
Plush ride yet very efficient. Very tight for a 4-pivot design.
Weaknesses:
Really poor quality finish on my Trans Gold powder coated frame (drips, runs, dirt). There was so much paint buildup on the LR dropout that the axle wouldn't slide in until I took a file to the paint. Poor quality decals are not protected by clearcoat.
XTR/XT, Duke SL fork, Mavic 517s with Hutchinson Python Lites, Avid SD7, EC70 post & bar, Raceface stem, Chris King Headset, Time Carbon pedals. Weighs in at 27 lbs.
Bottom Line:
For the past 18 monmths I was riding a Supergo store brand FS with only 2.5" of travel and a Giant Rainier hardtail so the Blur feels like a freeride bike to me. It took me some time to set up the rear shock but once I had it dialed in it really does minimize pedal-induced bobbing. Note that I said minimalizes. One thing that took some getting used to is the slight hesitation once you begin pedaling while the suspension is into its travel. According to all the reviews I've read, the Virtual Pivot Point setup is designed to move the swingarm down to the VPP when you pedal so if the suspension is compressed the swingarm moves before you move forward. It is really minimal and other riders do not even notice it but coming from bikes with virtually no suspension it is noticeable to me.
I have a friend with a Blur and we both developed a minor bearing squeak after the first 500 miles. Nothing that some Tri-flow didn't take care of. So far I've raced it twice and put about 600 miles on it. The only things I would change on my original setup is the front fork, maybe go to disc brakes, and possibly try going tubeless with a Stan's conversion. The Duke which which I had on the last frame just isn't matched to the Blur. I'm thinking of a Fox Float or a TALAS RLC.
If you are more inclined towards racing and want VPP, go with the Intense Spyder which has a bit less travel and the frame is a full pound lighter. You'll also pay another $600 for the Intense. If you want a multi-dimensional do-all bike, the Blur is the ticket. I love mine.
5 Chilis for the value and when Santa Cruz improves their paint quality, I'll give it a five in the overall. For now it's a solid 4.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Timko
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Ta,
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
3,700.00
Strengths:
Great feel on the trails. No bob when climbing. Strong cornering. Solid climber.
Weaknesses:
Still not as great a a climber as my old hardtail but difference is bearly noticeable.
Bike Setup:
2002 all XTR. Fox 100 mm front, non lockout fox rear shock.
Bottom Line:
I'm 6'6" and weigh clost to 200lbs. This bike is great for an oversized rider. (or any rider)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Duane
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood,CO Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Silky smooth over rough, minimal bob, good climber
Weaknesses:
Availability!!!!!!!! It took so long to get, I almost went elsewhere.
Similar Products Used:
4 Bar link designs, GT STS 4 bar, Santa Cruz superlight, Maverick designs, hardtails
Bike Setup:
AVA Fox rear shock, Fox 100 RLC front, mix of XT and XTR for the rest.
Bottom Line:
First off, this bike is awesome. But, it still has pedal bob, although very minimal. But let's face it, if you want a FS bike that is supple enough to smooth out the rough, it's not going to be as stiff as a hardtail. It's just physics, and it won't ever happen. That being said, this bike minimized unwanted pedal bob better than anything I've ridden. It climbs very well thru the rough stuff, and goes down it even better. Seems stiff laterally, and overall very smooth. It's the best out there right now. Thanks to Santa Cruz for keeping the price reasonable on such a high demand bike. For all that, I need to give it top chili scores!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a
from Tucson Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Arizona Bicycle Experts
Strengths:
only the best frame ever, that's what.
Weaknesses:
It's almost too pretty to ride. oooh, shiny. =) I ride a medium frame, so I don't get that cool bend in the top tube. SC touts the 5th Element for the bike, but puts a Float AVA on the bike, but see my comments below.
Similar Products Used:
Hardtails. Hardtails hardtails hardtails.
Bike Setup:
crappy fork, crappy wheels, crappy parts in general. I'm upgrading here, okay?
Bottom Line:
The best bike I have ever ridden. I love this thing like no other. I'm offically a training maniac now, just so I can ride this thing longer when I go riding. sucks up bumps like butter, sucks up drops like they were bumps, and as for bobing, even when I stood up, pedaled squares with this thing, going uphill, you had perfect suspension, and it's very helpfull side effect: TRACTION. Here's the kicker, though: I had the rear shock 15 LBS. lower (according to SC, this will pretty much stop the bike from cancelling bob like it is supposed to)than SC says to. and there was NO BOB. One of the things that amazed me the most was the frames ability to make up for the the crapitude of the rest of my componentry: the only two things worth even mentioning on my bike is the avid mech disc on the back, the X.0 shifters(I don't even have the deraileur.) This bike acctually made up for the fork that I've been complaining about since I got it. On a side note, those who are wondering if you can put an 80mm fork on this bike, don't worry at all. It handles both an 80 or 100 without problems, one of the first frames i've encountered that didn't have subpar steering (unrideably quick, or unrideably slow) with a fork other than the travel recommended for it. Before I bought the bike, I was a little worried about the shock, since SC is touting the 5th Element so highly for the blur on their website, I was thinking i was gonna have to drop another 500$+ just to get a "REAL" Blur, but this was unjustified. The 5th Element may be better, but I just don't see how you could tell, unless you're timing laps, but most people will tell you to buy a superlight if you're going race alot anyway. One last thing, the LBS I bought it at, Arizona Bicycle Experts, is undoubtedly the best shop I've ever been in, next time you're in Tucson, drop in and check 'em out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Santa Cruz, CA Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything in Santa Cruz
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Stiff, stiff, STIFF! It sure is pretty!
Weaknesses:
It squeaks sometimes from the pivot areas. Only seems to happen on mine though...?
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup:
Trans blue Blur, '02 XTR, Chris King headset, CK dick hubs, Mavic 321 CD rims, Easton monkeylight bars, Thompson post and stem, Hutchinson Pythons, did I forget anything?
Bottom Line:
It climbs much better than my superlight! It is heavier...but not enough to really notice on rides, just on the scale. It seems to want to pull you up the hill on its own power.
It descends better than my superlight. I had recently ridden down stairs on my daily commute and noticed the superlight suspension seems to "lock out" if I had applied the brakes. I did the same test on my new Blur and, while it was fully active, it sure did soak up the bumping and jarring.
I was hesitant to buy the thing, but I finally had sold my superlight frame to a friend from work and it was my opportunity. I test rode one in the parking lot and then found another friend who let me ride it off road. I was in awe. So I got one. It has been the best frame decision I have made in a while. And at my clyde weight it is much stiffer and feels more reliable than my superlight.
All in all, I am happy.
*It has this really annoying squeal that seems to come from the pivot area, maybe bottom bracket, but seems to come from the bike. It only happens when I am riding up hill and really spinning the cranks. For now, it gets five flamers all around...but if the squeak is from the frame it will lower, not much though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
glen
a Cross Country Rider
from santa fe, nm usa Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
*secret*
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
colorado cyclist
Strengths:
beautifully fabricated, anodized finish, geometry (for me), super stiff, lives up to all the praise...
Weaknesses:
getting the first scuff on that finish! the rear dropouts seem a little furthur apart than they should be.... waiting for a SC response, to make sure I'm not mistaken...
Similar Products Used:
fsr enduro, stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
size lg. frame, Marzocchi MX-A Pro, hayes disks, CK ISO hubs on Mavic 3.1's UST, nice old Syncros Revolution tubular cranks, misc. Thompson parts....
Bottom Line:
I rode my Enduro about 5,500 miles before it cracked.... Specialized replaced the frame in less than 2 weeks with a sweet 2003 s-works enduro. Too late. I was already on a Blur, no thanks to the LBS. RIP 4-bar. I sold the enduro to offset some of the cost of the frame, so it wasn't a huge expenditure.
This frame is living up to all the praise, and thumping most of the criticisms below. If one spends the time setting up and understanding the design, it is truly a class-defining ride. I ride 6-7 days a week, 15-35 miles HARD and this frame has pushed me up a notch already this season. I cannot overstate the excellence all around of this bike. Having only ridden 4-Bar frames in the past, and demoed other styles, I can't claim to have a huge amount of saddle time on a huge cross section of designs... but I can tell you that I can ride this bike for 4-5 hours and it's my legs/endurance that fade before anything related to the bike set-up does. I'm not sure what else to say. How about on Sundays ride, about 3000 feet of climbing, about 2/3rd's trail & 1/3rd road over 25 miles, and still felt good! I just had to turn back home to get some other things done... Normally it would have been june/july before I was at that point in the season, but it was a joy yesterday!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roger Phillips
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Idaho Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Payette Rim trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Great climber, comfortable, lightweight
Weaknesses:
Cockpit was tighter than I expected, Santa Cruz/Fox gave very little information on shock set up.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Mantra
Bike Setup:
Sid 100 front shock, Cane Creek wheels, XT components.
Bottom Line:
Thanks to all who wrote before me. You're info is spot on. It's a great climber, nimble on the trail and bomber on the downhills.
I'm a serious recreational trail rider who rides a lot of rugged trails in Idaho. The Blur met or exceeded all my expectations, which were pretty high considering all the hype and ink devoted it.
I put it together and started riding after my usual three-month winter lay off, and on my first ride I was climbing better than I was last fall after a full season on my old bike.
I tried to take it easy on my first descent to get a feel for the bike, but all caution quickly faded away and I just pointed it where I wanted to go. There were no surprises. It felt like an old friend after a few rides.
I have a couple minor complaints. One is with the sizing. I am 6'2" and 190; I bought a XL frame and I still have the seat all the way back and a 120mm stem with riser bars pushed forward. Maybe I have a weird riding position, but the frame felt a little cramped for an X-large, especially when Santa Cruz's specs say I was on the bubble between a large and an XL .
Also, there was very little information about setting up the shock. I found it on Santa Cruz's web site, but I was a little disappointed there wasn't more info that came with the frame.
All that aside, it's the best bike I have ever owned and worth every penny. I bought it because lots of people are calling it the best all-around trail bike, and I agree.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakewood, Colorado Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Deer Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Denver Spoke
Strengths:
Superb handling, very fast bike, up and down the trail, especially down!
Weaknesses:
The bottom Bracket is a little low, my pedals are hitting roots, rocks, etc.
Similar Products Used:
none-Klein Attitude Comp
Bike Setup:
xt/xtr-easton,raceface
Bottom Line:
An incredible bike, the best I have ridden to date. I got this back in early December when they first came out. I have ridden it about 25-30x now. I got this bike the day my daughter was born, it was a great day. I went riding the next day while mom and daughter recouped. As far as climbing, it's just plain awesome, great sprinting as long as you stay in the saddle. No bob, as long as you set the fox up there will be little to none. You don't need the lockout feature on the rear, trust me on this one, you will just be thowing away money.
Where the blur really excels is in rock gardens and the downhills, it's fun. I recently went to Moab and did porcupine rim, it was a totaly different experience on the blur, this bike is made for that trail. I literaly waited for my friends on their hardtails for well over 20 minutes at certain spots along the trail, it's that fast.
The bike is a bit pricey for the whole set up, do what I did and buy the frame, then transfer all your componets over from your current bike. I have been slowly upgrading the componets, then moving the old ones back to the previous hardtail. So in about a year I will have two fuctioning trail bikes, without dumping 4g's at one time.
The bottom line is this bike is a unbelievable ride, it exceeds all my expectaions, even with all the high praises from all the mags. If you can get one, do it. I guess talking to my lbs that there is a two month waiting list. Get on the list you won't be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
owen
a Cross Country Rider
from heber Date Reviewed: April 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
porcupine rim
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Jans
Strengths:
Looks good, rides better, performs as expected.
Weaknesses:
People just want to touch it every where I take it.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized S-works
Bike Setup:
XTR derailers, Fox Float R up front, Thompson post, Easton monkey lite bar, and EA-50 stem. Truevativ stylo team crank, sram shifters, flight gel saddle, and Avid stoppers. XL Steel Blue ano frame 26.3 lbs.
Bottom Line:
Ok, the last bike I owned was a S-Works hard tail so the First ten minutes was different. I had a hard time getting used to how much higher up I was. After that first ten minutes It was like I had rode this thing for the last ten years. I love the extra traction I get because the rear tire is just glued to the ground. I expected this thing to be so plush that it might feel mushy. Not so at all. Very responsive and quick to every input. I just can't explain the feeling, so much is going on under you, and you don't feel most of it. No words can describe what you will feel on a properly set up Blur. After my second ride I felt like I had just spent the whole time on an exersize bike in a gym. None of the asociated sorness or numbness I was used to from certain body parts from previous rides in Moab. It's just not fair to my riding buddies. Oh well.
To all those who complain about bob, set up the sag to SC specs and learn how to pedal circles!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Belacheck
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Strengths:
Everything, this bike rocks up the hills and feels like it has 6" in the back. The Fox fork is the best fork I've ridden
Weaknesses:
Huh?!?
Similar Products Used:
Intense Tracer, Superlite, FSR
Bike Setup:
XTR Kit from SC + Fox float rlc fork
Bottom Line:
OK first of all, to the people worried about bob, learn to set your suspension up and learn how to pedal a full suspension bike and stop whining. You will not, or can not out climb this bike in any situation with your precious hardtails or epics or fuels. Built this bike weighs 24.6 lbs just like the web-site said it would, I would dare a weight weenie build a better bike that is lighter than this. It truly is worth the hype.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003
I purchased the frame only (from Denver Spoke...great guys...go there). I've been on a hard-tail for as long as I've been riding, and riding my Blur makes me wonder why it took so long to get on a full-suspension set up.
The bike is fantastic. You'll obviously notice the plush suspension and the highly-touted virtual pivot that greatly reduces the bob...but the handling is greatly over-looked. It is extremely tight through corners, very quick and responsive...you always feel in control on this frame.
It's also a great value. It's hard to find any quality frames at this price range. If you can get your hands on one, but it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tico
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
Helen's
Strengths:
Lateral Stiffness, Well designed frame and suspension, great all-around trail bike (going up and down),cool citrus anodized finish, awesome Santa Cruz customer service
Weaknesses:
Takes awhile to get the Fox Float dialed in, but once you do, it's an awesome ride. The lockout option on the Float, I find, is unneccessary, but that's my problem.
Similar Products Used:
Intense Tracer, Yeti ARC, Specialized S-Works (Hardtail), Klein Pulse (pre-Trek)
Bike Setup:
Float RL, Fox Float RLC 100 up front, Race Face Turbines, 959's, Mavic 3.1's w/King ISO's, King Headset, XT Derailers/Cassette/Shifters, IRC Serac's, Hope Mini's, Thompson Post and Stem, SDG Grand Prix Saddle
Bottom Line:
I was a little skeptical at first with the anti-bob claim, however after a month of playing around with the Float RL, I think I got it dialed in perfectly for my weight. This thing climbs unbelievably............no or very little bob while seated. Of course, when standing, there is some noticable bob, as we all (or most) full suspension bikes. It feels almost as good as my old Yeti and Klein hardtails of the past. Going downhill (including technical sections), it's on par with my old Intense Tracer. Overall, I couldn't be any happier. I hear of long waits for the frame, but I was fortunate enough to walk into my LBS and find the exact frame I wanted! Only problem now is that all I want to do is ride! For those in search of a Blur, Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica, CA often has some unaccounted Blur's in stock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Howard Hendry
a Cross Country Rider
from Haleiwa Date Reviewed: April 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pupakua rainforest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Barnfield's...I wish...long wait..sorry Bill
Strengths:
Up hill riding. If you stand and hammer, you will make it bob...it has a rear suspension after all, however, if you set the shock right, and stay seated and keep you cadence up, there is no bob and the Blur will go up hill better than a hardtail Bridgestone MB 1 ever would. I make stuff I could not make up on my MB2. My brother kept his MB1 till something significantly better came out, the Outland VPP5. The Blur is much better...the more I ride it, the more I love this bike and think my brother does not deserve it. Best all round bike on the market. To those that say it does not climb well I can only say their riding style is to fault. It's not the bike.
Weaknesses:
Mud clearence, long wait to get one, belongs to my brother.
Similar Products Used:
(offroad) MB3, MB2, MB1, Outland VPP5
Bike Setup:
All XTR disk set up from Santa Cruz, Fox Float 100, Laser V seat(great, the best), Continental Twester Pro tires(GREAT TOO!)
Bottom Line:
I got to ride the best bike in the world.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Han
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: April 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Wasatch Crest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Well made, great anodizing, very efficient and supple suspension, lateral stiffness, perfect geometry, relatively inexpensive compared to competition (i.e. Ellsworth, Titus, Turner, Maverick, etc.)
Weaknesses:
High demand/long wait, finicky rear suspension setup
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth ID, Ventana El Saltamontes, Specialized Epic
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR Drivetrain, Fox F100RL fork, King headset & wheels, Hayes Discs, Mavic X317 rims, Hutchinson Python Airlight, Stan's Notubes, Thomson/Easton cockpit
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best mountain bike that I've ridden. It is as efficient as a 4 bar, but it has less bob going uphill. Plus, it is far more laterally rigid than a 4 bar. Some people have criticized the Blur's lack of traction when climbing because it is designed to lengthen the suspension when cranking the pedals (a la the Superlight and other semi-active single pivots) but I did not find this to be true. The only time I really experienced this is when I stand and really crank the pedals, and quite honestly, this is an advantage of this design. When I have to stand on a particularly steep ascent, the rear stiffens up and I feel absolutely no bob, only traction. Standing up on a 4 bar would result in some serious up and down motion. But when I sit and spin uphill, the rear is as active as my Ellsworth was.
Does the design completely eliminate bobbing? No, not if you're comparing it to a hardtail. But compared to other full suspension design, bob is minimized. But the beauty of this frame is that regardless how hard you're pedaling, suspension motion is minimized, yet it stays incredibly supple. You no longer have to compromise on whether you want supple suspension travel or bob-less pedaling.
Other criticisms I've read include the rear suspension locking up when braking; I've not experienced this. The rear stays supple even under braking on steep downhills.
Finally, the geometry is perfect for all around mtb'ing. It seems the trend is to slacken the front angles for downhill stability, but this makes it more difficult to climb. The Blur has a very comfortable 71 degrees (depending on the travel of your fork). Plus, the seattube angle is traditional (as compared to, say, a Maverick), so adjusting the seat height will not change the characteristics of the ride.
Now, one does have to set up the rear suspension exactly as Santa Cruz recommends, so that the bike is sitting in the recommended sag. If it is off, the suspension does bob and/or tend to bottom out. So if you are test riding it, have it set up with the appropriate sag before you ride it.
Do I like this bike. No, I love this bike. Since riding the Blur, I have gotten rid of all of my other mountain bikes, including my beloved Fat hardtail. It really is an incredible bike, a bike that is actually worthy of the hype.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Theo
a Cross Country Rider
from Idyllwild, CA Date Reviewed: April 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Optimator
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3300.00
Purchased At:
Back Alley Bikes
Strengths:
This bike can handle any of the sickest trails with the greatest of ease.
Weaknesses:
Lower link does like to collect filth.
Bike Setup:
5" Psylo, Sram XO, FSA Carbon cranks, Hayes HFX-9
Bottom Line:
This bike is killer. Those guys crying about bob do not have their rear shock pumped up enough. The thing is supple on rough climbs, but lock the forks and start to mash and it doesn't go anywhere but up. We've got 5' drops on our trails and the Blur with 5" up front just laughs and keeps rippin'. This is not the bike for race weenie weight nerds, it is a trailbike for those who haul ass on downs. A couple turns on the adjustable travel Psylo to lower the front are all it takes to keep up on the climbs with my Fuel riding geek boy buddies.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Warren
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Cruces,NM USA Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Santa Fe
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At:
Adventure Cycle
Strengths:
Seems to be well, made no problems at all so far. High tech, and looks like a work of art. Downhill control and turning on tight single track are top notch.
Weaknesses:
Does not live up to its billing as a great climber. Still bobs somewhat. Not as good at climbing as my old Fisher Sugar 3.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR, Gary Fisher Sugar 3
Bike Setup:
Fox RLC 100 fork. A mix of XT, XTR and LX componentry. Velociraptor tires.
Bottom Line:
If I had it to do all over again I wouldn't. The Blur does go down hill and negotiates tight single track better than my Sugar 3 but this could be due in part at least to the outstanding Fox RLC 100 fork (the single best piece of mountain biking equipment I have bought). I mainly got the Blur because I bought into the hype about it being such an awesome climber but I've found that it actually doesn't climb as well as my Gary Fisher Sugar 3. It's still an excellent bike though and it is smooth enough over our typically rocky, tough desert terrain out here that I do come back feeling fresher after rides than before. All in all however I wished I'd just upgraded my Sugar 3.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joseph
a
from Sacto Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Anodization looks great, goes downhill well.
Weaknesses:
As the guy below me said, the bike does bob significantly. I don't know where SC got off trying to push this bike off as a no-bob design? Regardless, I expected as much. If I could afford the Epic, I would have bought that bike, but the SC is a good compromise for those on a budget. Also, it is a porker if you are thinking of racing.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel, Specialized Epic
Bottom Line:
Good trail bike, bad race bike. I presume anyone thinking of racing would probably head for the Epic or Fuel frames anyhow. I love how this bike goes downhill, but DO NOT be fooled into thinking this frame is efficient, because it is not. Still worth the low price for the frameset, however.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Winston
a Cross Country Rider
from Whistler, BC Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Thrill Me Kill Me
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
MTBR Ad
Strengths:
Climbs very well, decends even better. Pedals extremely efficently, virtually bob free. Light at 26 lbs with my set up.
Marzocchi Z-1 100, all xtr, avid mechanical disc, Thomson post & stem, King headset, monkey lite bar.
Bottom Line:
Its not a freeride bike but it definitely handles tough terrain and light hucking. Its not a race specific bike but it is fast and can be raced. So what is it really? The bike that puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. The best all mountain, trail bike that you can possibly hope to buy right now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Staples
a Cross Country Rider
from Plano, TX Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Johnson Branch
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Bikes and More
Strengths:
Good climber, decent shock absorbtion
Weaknesses:
Is not the superbike I was expecting; not that much better than single pivot full suspension
Similar Products Used:
Marin Mount Vision
Bike Setup:
Marin Mt. Vision with Fox Float front and rear
Bottom Line:
I test rode this thing for about a half an hour. When I walked into the store, I was ready to buy one. After my test ride, I was not so sure. Yeah, it was really nice. If you are looking for a new bike anyway, I highly recommend the frame. Good suspension, although not as plush as I expected over the big stuff. Soaks up little bumps and climbs very well.
I have decided that it isn't worth the price for me to upgrade. That's saying something since I usually have to have the latest and greatest. I would say that the Blur is about 20% nicer than my four year old Marin Mt. Vision (that basically has the same frame design as the Santa Cruz Superlight). I just can't justify laying out the $1500.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jacob
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, CA Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
High Demand, okay descender
Weaknesses:
Still bobs, is not the answer to efficient suspension. Heavy frame but can be built light if you spend lots of $$
Bike Setup:
Blur R kit
Bottom Line:
This bike handles well, but does not deliver a "no-bob" ride like SC claims. A little upsetting, but I guess their claims are simple marketing. Frame must weigh about 6lbs or more, because this bike weighs a good 3lbs more than my hardtail with a similiar build. I will post again later after more riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Sun Valley CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Strengths:
Handles great. Light weight. Front end stays down on steep climbs. Very little pedal bob when seated.
Weaknesses:
Has pedal feedback when hitting bumps. Not that active when going downhill while braking. Bobs alot when standing. The bike reminds me of a single pivot bike the way it rides. Cracked the upper link. Bearing problem. Santa Cruz took care of me. Thank You.
Similar Products Used:
Gt Lts. Intense uzzi DH. Ellsworth Dare. Titus Switchblade,Quasi moto. Mountain Cycle San Andreas.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Marathon SL. XT/Xtr. v-brakes. Chris king hubs. Kore elite stem. Pro Taper bars. Raceface Seatpost. 25.5 lbs.
Bottom Line:
Don't run out and sell your 4-bar bike. This bike rides just like a single pivot bike with 4 1/2" travel. For me that's good and bad. Good at very little bob when seated. Bad at pedal feedback and not real active when braking. It's a great fireroad climber, but not on technical stuff. Going downhill is a great 4 1/2" bike, but not like a 6" travel bike, like some people will make you believe.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lon
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
McDowell Mountain Preserve
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Adventure Bicycle Mesa AZ
Strengths:
Unfreaking Real Ride, Climbs like a goat, Extremely fast and responsive ride
Weaknesses:
Graphics on the Citrus Anodized are too light to see and owning a bike like this I want the world to notice what it is!
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup:
Anodized Citrus Frame, full 2003 XTR (v-brakes, not disc), Mavic CrossMax XL UST, Thompson Elite Post, Easton MonkeyLite Bars, Easton Magnesium Stem, Cris King Headset, Marzocchi 2001 X-Fly 100 (pulled that from my old Superlight)
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! See all of the other reviews on it and you will know what I mean. Instant bragging rights if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these. Five chilis for overall rating and five chilis for value
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a
from San Jose Date Reviewed: March 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Skegg's Piont/Corte de Madera
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
Reed's
Strengths:
Awesome suspension. It really does climb like a scalded monkey!
Weaknesses:
None yet...
Similar Products Used:
Tested a Superlight in the lot...
Bike Setup:
Black Anodized medium frame w/ lockout. Thompson elite 15 degree stem/post. SID race fork. Mavic 517 w/ King ISO hubs. IRD carbon low riser bar. All XT w/ XT discs. TIME carbon Ti. Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bottom Line:
Awesome ride. This is my first full suspension,and I can't say enough good things about it! It weighs in at 25.2 lbs. It climbs unbelievable well. I usually do use the lockout on the long steep bay area bust a lung climbs just to conserve every last bit of energy, but it really isn't necessary. It handles bumps so smoothly, you don't even feel a lot of them. My downhill speeds have vastly improved. The bike holds the lines well, and turns very well (great geometry). The XT components work very well. Shifting is very smooth, and the XT discs are amazing! They are quiet and will stop on a dime! I ordered my bike in Nov'02 and finally got it the last week of Jan '03. I think that was the longest 2 months ever. I highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a good all around FS bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dominique Merritt
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Blanc, Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ft. Custer
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
KLM Bicycle and Fitness
Strengths:
Little to no bob. It really is amazing ... the only time you get any noticable bob is when you get up out of the saddle. Very plush ride. No need to shell out the extra $ to get the lockout on the rear.
Weaknesses:
No very fond of the paint job ... the color is good ... but it seems they could have put a few more mils of paint on there.
Wheels: Maviv 517, DT Hugi 240, DT revolution : Fork 2002 RS Sid SL : Chris king headset, Easton MG60 stem, Easton CT2 flat bar, XTR shifters, XTR brake levers, XT crank, XT BB, XT F.D., XTR R.D., XT cassette, Thompson seat post, Selle Itallia Gel flite saddle, Gore ride on cables, XTR rim brakes
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is ... A race worthy full suspension bike is a big investment. After taking 4 months testing and investigating lots of different F.S. rigs, it came to be a no brainer. The Blur is easily at the top of the heap. It really is amazing. The cost to perfomance ratio is easily the best.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from Portsmouth, NH Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything in Crested Butte, CO
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$1376.00
Purchased At:
Wheel Power - Exeter, NH
Strengths:
PLUSH!!!!! This is a sweet ride. I came out of the saddle to sprint and I thought I was on my hardtail, hit some bumps and thought i was chillin on a lazy boy. The Fox AVA R is super easy to adjust.
Weaknesses:
Why do they take so damn long to get????? just ordered mine today after a 10 minute demo ride....I don't get it until June.. I WANT MINE NOW!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Nothing compares
Bike Setup:
Fox RLC 100, Full XTR, King & White Industries Hubs, Easton Monkey Lite Riser bar, Syncros Stem... when I get it that is
Bottom Line:
Although I only rode around on this do-it-all wonder bike for 10 minutes I knew there was no better way to spend $1400. No bob, no flex, this is the bike to own. I tried Specialized's S-Works "brain" bike but this is a better buy at $600 less for the frameset. This will be my first full suspension so I'll be back later to write a full review once I log some riding time. Happy Trails....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco Bay area Date Reviewed: February 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Stan's Bicycle
Strengths:
Great climbing, very rigid, no bobbing, plush
Weaknesses:
I'm 5ft.6 inches. Stand over height just high enough. Any one shorter probably will not fit frame
Similar Products Used:
Heckler, Superlite
Bike Setup:
super X package. Skareb fork. Time ATAC pedals
Bottom Line:
I have ridden a Heckler for 6 years and loved it. No problems at all. I wanted a new bike and saw no reason to upgrade to a Blur because I never bobbed with the Heckler. It figured a Superlite would be less maintanance and cheaper. One ride on the Blur and it was immediately clear there was a big difference. The Heckler did not bobb but it flexed. The Blur is rigid. I am climbing much easier in lower gears. The plushness is unbelievable. I feel like I'm floating. The bike weight came in lighter than I expected. Exactly 26 lbs with bar ends and ATAC pedals. It is not fair that anyone should have a bike this good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JT
a Cross Country Rider
from Arizona Date Reviewed: February 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Strengths:
climbs great, awesome handling in turns, plush, fast and efficient.
Weaknesses:
The wait . . .
Similar Products Used:
Titus, Santa Cruz Superlight, Specialized, Trek
Bike Setup:
Size large Super X package with Fox Float RLC.
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for three months and like it more everytime I ride it. I have ridden the Blur on various terrain and it has handled everything better than I expected. It smooths out rocky sections of trails, it is outstanding at climbs, great in turns. Overall it provides an extremely efficient ride. This bike has surpassed all of my expectations. The Blur is the best bike I have ever ridden.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
desertbikeadvocate
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Desert, Ca, Usa Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Big Laguna/Noble Canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Tri-A-Bike, Palm Desert
Strengths:
The BMW 5-series of Mountain Bikes..... Seated Climbs Are A Thing Of Beauty..... Flows Like "Buttah" On All Terrain.......... Smooth And Luxurious At All Speeds............ Lives Up To All The Hype And More................
Weaknesses:
None... The Holy-Grail has been attained or very closely approximated.........
Similar Products Used:
Nrs/Cannondale Raven/SantaCruz Superlight..
Bike Setup:
Citrus-anodized/317's/hugi-240/avid mechanicals/Stan's NoTubes Hutchinson Pythons/Sram X0 Rear derailleur/Xtr Front Derailleur/Xtr 12/34 Cassette/Tru-vativ Team Cranks/FSA-platinum ti BB/ Fox 100rlc/Ava with lockout/monkeylite lo-rise carbon bars/carbon seatpot/wtb-laser-steath seat/race face deus stem/avid-ti levers/sram 89-r chain/salsa skewers&q.r seatclamp.......
Bottom Line:
Based on all the hype I was expecting a great ride. The Blur delivered way beyond my expectations. The ease with which it climbs and descends on varied terrain must be experienced. Its performance envelope for a mountain bike can be equated to a BMW-5 series for a car. Its that refined....
Plush/luxurious/fast/all-day/epic riding...without any stress... pure pleasure..... Absolutely the one bike to own if you only own one bike........
Set the shocks exactly to Fox's reccomendations for weight and enjoy the ride...
If you were waiting to buy a FS xc-lighter duty free-ride bike, stop waiting..............
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakeland Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Carter Road Lakeland, Fl
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Village Cycles
Strengths:
Plush suspension, No pedal induced bob, Climbs well and descends great! Very stiff, no flex. Powder coat looks great too.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
S-Works FSR
Bike Setup:
Thomson stem and seatpost. XTR shifters and rear derailer everything else XT. Avid Ti v-brakes, Marzochi Bomber Bam 80.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. The first time out on it I was able to climb a section I could never make before. I just finished the 12 hr. race at Razorback park in Reddick Fl and this thing saved my butt a couple of times on some severe drops. I was not planning on using this bike for this race as I was waiting on the new talas fork to come in before building this frame up. Unfortunately, or fortunately, my FSR basically self destructed a couple of weeks ago and I was forced to rob all the parts off of it and build this frame up. I am so glad I did. Razorback is an old limestone quary, translated "Rocky terrain" and the FSR just did not take a beating like this thing can. It just feels like a much sturdier bike with plusher suspension. It may weigh a tad more, but not enough to notice without actually putting it on a scale. I've only ridden it a half dozen times now, but so far it's fantastic. If anything changes I will send in another review, but the way this thing is put together I don't think that will happen. It is solid!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area Date Reviewed: February 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great climber, great descender, great bike.
Weaknesses:
The bottom bracket is a bit low. In rocky areas it's not difficult to hit your pedals on the ground.
Similar Products Used:
mostly hardtails
Bike Setup:
cross country parts with XT/XTR mix; Fox AVA RL shock; 100mm fork
Bottom Line:
It's tough to not like this bike; it really does do everything well. Everyone is talking about the the lack of "bob." Hmmm... the suspension does move when you pedal, but it's from rider weight shift, not pedal induced bobbing. The bike climbs rally well, and whatever suspension movement is going on, does not effect the bikes ability to climb. I have been riding a Bontrager Race Lite for the past 5 years, and the Blur climbs just as well.
I have the rear lockout option, but rarely use it on the trail. I've found that unless you lockout the front shock, the Fox feels funny while climbing locked out. There is a bit of negative travel in the Fox which is not locked out, and the bike will move a bit and noticeable bottom out while climbing. This must be caused by the front fork bobbing, as once the bike is locked out, front and rear, the odd sensation disappears.
Downhill the bike eats up bumps. The suspension from day one was ultra-plush, yet never bottoms out. It makes riding sections of trial that used to be difficult, seem like nothing. I find that I'm aiming the bike at rocks instead of avoiding them. Since I've not bottomed out I've not messed with the AVA option on the rear shock. However it's nice to have adjustability if I ever find I need a more progressive shock.
The bike handles well in any trail situation I've been in. The bike is easy to handle in tight twisty technical sections, and just as well behaved at high speeds. Finding a bike that allows me to come to a complete stop, pause, then accelerate over or around an obstruction, combined with high speed stability is something I never expected to find. I've had bikes do one or the other really well, this is the first to do both.
There's not a lot of negatives to say about this bike. In rocky sections I have caught the pedals multiple times. If you ride where it's really rocky, be aware of this, and possibly look for a bike with a higher BB.
I bought the frame and built it up with parts that I had from another bike, so I don't have comments on Santa Cruz's parts spec - I like the components I have though.
I resisted buying a FS bike as long as I could. I did have one ill-fated venture into the world of URT bikes, and went back to a hardtail. After riding the Blur for 3+ months (I bought it in November) I'm a FS believer.
I can't say if the Blur is better than a lot of the other high end suspension bikes out there. All I can say is that it's meet all my expecations and then some - and seeing how I'd read several magazine articles, my expectations were high.
Is the frame worth $1500? It seems like a lot, but it's about the going rate for any frame in the same class. In fact it's cheaper than most, so I can't knock SC for that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terry
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Drunken Bear
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At:
Mill Valley Cyclery
Strengths:
This bike climbs like no other. Lightweight and fun to ride.
Weaknesses:
Hard to find.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR, Marin Eldridge Grade
Bike Setup:
Super X kit, Fox RLC front shock, Fox Float R Rear
Bottom Line:
Best bike I've ever ridden. It really climbs as advertised. When you lock out the front shock it's like hitting the afterburners. Downhill is smooth and the Fox RLC front shock makes it easy to keep your line. I'd recommend test riding this bike before any purchase.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Trail 100 Phoenix
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
Pedal The Peaks - Durango
Strengths:
Ridgid. Pedaling efficiency. Cable routing. Very smooth on the bumps - it does seem to float. Climbs well. The combination of Fox Float 100 RLC front and Fox shock on the back seems to work just right.
Weaknesses:
A little bit heavy for racing. Seat tube has a stop requiring the seatpost to be cut. Not enough rear wheel clearance. It is a big pain just to fit a 2.1 rear tire through the opening inside of the Avid rim brakes. Larger tires really need the air removed to fit. The adjustable air volume shock is useless on the Blur - there is no reason ever to reduce the volume. It is difficult to clean the bike - the two short rear linkages are difficult to get at to clean.
Similar Products Used:
I had an Ellsworth Truth for two years prior to the Blur. It was lighter and was set up lower for racing. The Blur is much more fun to ride and enables me to clear everything I could on the Ellsworth and more. The Ellsworth had a Cane Creek AD12 on the back which does not compare in smoothness to the Fox shock. It also had a 2003 Duke Race 100 which was not as smooth as the Fox Float.
Bike Setup:
Large anodized frame, Fox Float 100 RLC, LX shift, XT derail, Avid Ti brakes and levers, Easton carbon bar 3/4" rise, Easton carbon seat post, Titec Gove saddle, LX crank, 517 rims on White Bros and XT hubs, Python air light tires, Ritchey Pro mtn stem 100mm x 6° with 1.25" stack. The configuration was slightly modified from the basic Santa Cruz Super X kit. Pedal the Peaks in Durango (David) did a great job setting the bike up - highly recommended!
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. I would recommend it to anyone for racing or just trail riding. I need to stop writing so I can go out and enjoy the little bugger again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo, CA Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
private reserve
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
A Better Bike Shop
Strengths:
Low top tube. Incredible feel. Well made. Handles, climbs, and desends better than any bike I've ever ridden.
Weaknesses:
The rear drop out has enough space so that the wheel can be a bit of a pill to get recentered after a tire change. The seat tube has a constriction about 2/3 the way down which required sawing off a few inches of seat post in order to get the height right and I'm 6' tall. The graphics on the bike are simple plastic decals with no clear coat over then. How long is that suppose to last?
Similar Products Used:
I put 3000 miles on a Hoerst link 4 bar with Fox Van Rx rear shock and Marz. Z2 front shock. It was da'kine 4 years ago.
Bike Setup:
Marz. MXR 100 fork, Valiant rims, XTR/White hubs, Shimano XT/LX drive train. Rim brakes. Weight is 27.5 lbs. Large frame.
Bottom Line:
First off, A Better Bike Shop has an extra large black Blurr in stock, just in case you gotta have one and can't find one.
The funny thing is that this bike is making me a worse rider than I was before. I use to have to pick my lines, keep on top of terrain changes, and throw myself at short but difficult pitches. Not any more.
Now I just go. I'm getting very sloppy. I'm finding less to be concerned about on the trail. The down side is that old challenging trails are now a bit mundane. The mental change between my last f/s bike and the Blurr is similar as to when I went from a rigid bike to f/s. The bike makes you feel like your cheating. Downhill plush all the time and yet I'm climbing sections I have never cleared. Yet the weight difference between the two bikes is only 2.5lbs. It's the design. Santa Cruz has nailed it. It's as good as the reviews say it is. Better. Ride one and see. Congratulations Santa Cruz. Thanks for the ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stafford Kramer
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee Date Reviewed: January 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Goosebury Mesa
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Adventure Bicycle
Strengths:
Plush, yet the most snappy fs ride of any bike w/o lockout. Great build quality. Robust.
Weaknesses:
Disclaimer: I work at a shop that sells them, so take the review with a grain of salt.
Similar Products Used:
Outland VPP5 for 5 years. Plust just about everything else -- Ellsworth to Wojack.
Bike Setup:
Tried it several ways.
Bottom Line:
Just freakin' sweet. Way more plush yet snappier than my old Outland VPP5 (which finally kicked the bucket when I ran out of replacement parts). And I thought the Outland was the best fs bike I'd ever ridden. I really liked the Maverick too, but the Blur is just better and more affordable. Ellsworth's are great -- maybe the best 4 bar style out there, but again, the Blur is superior. Yeah, I work at the shop that sells them, but we sell Ellsworth too and I admit the Blur my favorite. I've ridden every Blur we've built up, so I've got a variety of set ups that I've tried. Even and LX build is way fun on the Blur!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico Ca. Date Reviewed: January 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
North Rim Adventure Sports
Strengths:
Going uphill and downhill over the roughest terrain is smoothed out like butter without loss of energy or control.
Weaknesses:
The wind creates tearing in the eyes and makes it hard to see from going so fast.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight,Surgar,Fuel,and Rocky Mountain Ti Bolt.
Bike Setup:
03 XTR shifters brakes, hubs and R/D, 02 XTR cranks and front/D. Thompson post and stem, monkeylight, Mavic 317 rims and 03 Marathon S fork. Weight 27lbs Black/Ano.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. It has such a smooth ride and yet puts all your energy into gong forward. Going up hill over ruff or smooth surface the bike works equally well. Going downhill it is plush quick responding ride that can take good sized drops for a 4 inch travel bike and maked them seen to just disapper. It is by far the best cross country suspension bike I have ridden to date.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Strengths:
Climbs better than my old Klein hardtail. Floats downhill.
Weaknesses:
Lousy paint job. Stickers not clear coated.
Similar Products Used:
SL, Szazbo, Epic, Klein Attitude, Klein Adroit
Bike Setup:
Fox AVA, King Hubs on 517s, XO, Thomson, Flite etc.
Bottom Line:
The blur isnt as crisp as my old Klein AND it weighs 3lbs more, but i find myself riding up hills i could never clear on my Klein HT.
I dont use the lockout on smooth climbs and the bob is so minimal that the only time i am aware of it is when i look down and see the linkages moving slightly..
Needless to say, the downhills are much more fun - the only problem is that you feel that you can do practically anything on the bike......
I demoed the epic before deciding on the blur and have had absolutely no regrets.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Racer
from Here Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Climbing, reasonable light weight, travel, heaps of stuff
Weaknesses:
hmmm, none really, has a tiny amount of bob when standing. And really a bit tricky to set up, once done there will be no bob, if its not right it will bob a wee bit.
Similar Products Used:
GT Zaskar Team, only hardtails
Bike Setup:
Blur frame (Blue anno), Sid World Cup, XTR, Crossmax
Bottom Line:
This bike is really great, it climbs really well, better than my GT. Im not really quite sure why people are saying this is not really a race bike - it is. Its not really that heavy mine weighs 23.4lbs, and is faster than my hardtail with all the same parts. It really climbs well as there is so much travel.
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Submitted by
Evan
a Racer
from Florida Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Racers Edge
Strengths:
Strong 6069 tubeset. Great anodized finish. CNC machined links and sealed bearing pivots. Tight geometry. VPP Technology. Reasonable price.
Weaknesses:
Rear shifter cable rubs on brake boss weld. Some of the welds (cosmetic) are not up to Santa Cruz quality I have seen in the past. The wait for delivery....I saw this bike at the Sea Otter Classic in March '02 and was told they were shipping in the next two weeks. I received mine 9 months later and still know people waiting for theirs. Chalk it up to supply and demand...(the American f'in way!)
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel 100, SC Superlight
Bike Setup:
'03 Fox 100 RLC, XTR, Thompson, Easton Carbon Bar, XT Hydrodiscs, '03 Crossmax SL Wheelset
Bottom Line:
The fact that the suspension movement of the Blur is transparent. You know it is doing it's job cause the big roots and rocks get eaten up, you just don't feel the bike reacting like you can on most full suspension designs. It really kind of floats. It does not climb as well as my Fuel, but when you reach the top of the hill, the Fuel could never compare to the way this bike descends over choppy stuff although the advantage remains with the Trek for the "nimble" feeling when running hot thru smooth switchbacking singletrack...Each bike has it's own great qualities and I feel they are the two best bikes available on the market today. I will continue to XC race the Fuel and train, freeride and do endurance events on the Blur. If I was forced to choose and only have one bike, as much as I love it, the Fuel would be headed for Ebay. In other words, I am down with the VPP! Yea you know me..........
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Submitted by
David Shuman
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Wilder Ranch
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Excellent ride. This is the best mt. bike I have ever ridden!!! Comfortable, tons of control, no wasted energy despite the cushy ride...I can only ride one or two days a week so I want my time riding to be enjoyable. This blows my old FSR Enduro out of the park!! Its that good of a bike!!
Weaknesses:
None really. The BB is a good height, the frame isn't light but its not heavy either. I can't really think of a negative comment about this bike. I'm that happy with it.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Enduro FSR, Bontrager Superlight,
Bike Setup:
2003 XTR, Fox shocks, Egg Beaters. This bike is tricked out to the max and I am sooooo happy I did it this way. It is so worth it.
Bottom Line:
If you're in the market for a top quality mt bike don't even waste your time looking elsewhere. There is no comparison to any other bike out there...and I've looked. This bike is so 10+ its the next dimension.
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Submitted by
Scotty Wilson
a Weekend Warrior
from Fair Oaks, CA Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anything with dirt!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat.com
Strengths:
This bike climbs like a mo-fo, but still descends like a freeride or DH bike! I love the way the suspension allows the rear wheel to "follow" the ground without creating any pedal feedback at all! It's a blast to stand and hammer up loose hills without spinning the rear wheel every time you hit a bump. Price is great compared to the new Intense "Spider" which is the same bike with fancy machined foo-foo parts.
If you have a full-suspension bike that does not say "Santa Cruz" on the downtube and "Blur" on the toptube, you need to buy one of these!!! The only people that would not like this bike are the weight-conscious XC racer types that would probably never ride anything but a hardtail or short-travel lockout-able XC bike anyways. SCHWEEEET BIKE, Santa Cruz!
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Submitted by
Matthew Stenberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Hazelwood, MO Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Berryman
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Affordable Cycles
Strengths:
Climbs great, no noticible bob, great on the downhill sections.
Weaknesses:
Stickers look like they will not last long.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale SuperV 1000
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, Marzocchi Marathon SL 4" fork, Thompson, Race Face, XTR, XT disc brakes, Chris King Tubeless wheelset, Hutchinson Pythons, Egg Beater pedals.
Bottom Line:
This bike is so much more fun to ride than my Cannondale. The extra travel lets me ride faster on the downhills, but does not hurt me on the climbs. My Cannondale with it's single pivot had much more bob while climbing. Everyone says this is a XC race bike, but I believe it is an excellent all around trail bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Ride quality, Santa Cruz name and rep, replaceable drop outs instead of hangers, this frame is a very solid frame.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
all kinds
Bike Setup:
Race face next lp cranks, Avid ultimate brakes and levers, Chris King headset, Fox RLC fork, Easton carbon bars and seat post, Thomson stem, Bontrager rims laced to Hugi 240 hubs, Selle Italia seat, Xt and XTR drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike it is more designed as a trail bike than a racer I would say, although I would race it in a race with no problem. This bike does what Santa Cruz says it would do it climbs very well and goes down even better the ergos on this bike feel very good to me I'm 5'10" 160 lbs and I love it. If you are a racer looking for a race only bike look at the super light, if you are a rider more than a racer the Blur is your bike. Don't get me wrong I will be racing this bike on some races but this bike is a jack of all trades and a master of all. Santa Cruz has done an excellent job.
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Submitted by
Shlomi Malka
a Cross Country Rider
from Raanana, Israel Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Carmel, Jerosalem mountains
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Zir Merchazi
Strengths:
Plush, Plush, Plush !!! Efficiency,Climbing and incredible descender.
Weaknesses:
Weight but it worth it.
Similar Products Used:
Trek fuel, SC superlight(which I own).
Bike Setup:
X kit,Mostly XT,Manitou MARS-super fork,XTR V-brakes,Cane-Creek wheelset. Weight about 26 lbs.
Bottom Line:
Amazing rear shock technology thanks to the VPP. I was very impressed with the fully active suspension over my old superlight. It is defenetly worth upgrading. The bike sucks up everything you throw at it. The extra weight is not realy an issue.
Well done Santa Cruz, I love your bikes.
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Submitted by
Joe
a
from Denver Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Buffalo Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Rolls over everything big and small with ease. No bob! Climbs extremly well.
Weaknesses:
none!
Similar Products Used:
none- previous hardtail rider
Bike Setup:
xt/xtr--Rockhox sid
Bottom Line:
This Bike really lives up to the wonderful reviews, it's by far the best bike I have ever ridden. It climbs so much better than my hardtail, I have cut 10 mins off my previous fastest loop at the local trail. It wasn't new bike adrenaline either. This bike climbs so easy and smooth, the rear tire eats up everything with ease without affecting peadaling or the pilot. Downhill is oh so much fun. I know after long rides I feel less fatigued. This bike will take care of you. You can't go wrong with this bike, also Santa Cruz customer service is awesome, my hats off to them for keeping the price down on this bike. I would have bought it if they charged 2k. It's worth it!
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Waukesha Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Kettle Moraine South Wisconsin
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Design, weight-to-comfort ratio, color (blue steel anodized)
Weaknesses:
Some may say 5 3/4 lb. (anodized) FS is heavy, but who cares if can roll over everything out there!? Rear der. routing on first prod run touches brake boss (corrected in second prod run).
Bike Setup:
Manitou BLACK 100/120 (at 120), King, Easton, '02 XTR ('03 is not worth it), Hugi, Avid Mg
Bottom Line:
The magazines are actually right for a change - this is one of the best rides out there. I was a hardcore MTB rider in college, switching to all-road the last several years. This bike has returned me to my roots in the dirt! It climbs better than my Klein Attitude (22 lb), better trail feel than my Marin cro-moly, and floats like Pam Anderson in a hot tub! The new AVA Fox Float takes some tinkering to adjust, but if that is your bag, you'll love playing with it to dial in that perfect feel. With a 120mm fork (~5 inches), this thing is a monster and at only 26.5 lbs. (could be built lighter). If you can find one (big IF), buy it regardless of anything.
This bike is the David that will slain the bid Goliaths (Specialguise, Truk, & Cannonfail).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peetr
a Racer
from Somerville, MA. Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
andover
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Ace Wheel Works
Strengths:
Well thought out design, excellent welds, nice replacable hanger, beautiful powdercoating.
Weaknesses:
Rear shifter cable rubs on the brake boss. Stickers peel off easily.
Similar Products Used:
dagger, GT- LTS, Specialized FSR, Giant, IF
Bike Setup:
You see, I have this carbon fibre fetish...cranks, bars, seatpost, bar ends, saddle, stem. It came in at 24.2 lbs. with tubless wheels. Perfect for the next race season.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It met and surpassed my expectations for the ride I was looking for. The term "reckless abandon" will have a new meaning for my riding style. It climbs, pedals, corners, and downhills like a dream. With the AVA shock I measured 6" of rear suspension travel with very little pedal induced "bob". Who knew? Now I just need to save up for a Fox front shock because the flexy SID is holding me back. Amy one looking for a great cross country/ free ride trail bike should stop here. All day comfort is the key
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Submitted by
Wickes
a
from Denver Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Winter Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Denver Spoke
Strengths:
Well made piece of machinery, everything so far. Climbs extremly well for a full suspension bike. Minimal bob, I mean minimal.Goes over stuff most xc bikes shouldn't. Very light and reponsive, nimble and very fast.
Weaknesses:
n/a--owners manual for the float r sucks!
Similar Products Used:
none- the old bike was a Klein attitude comp...hardtail, very stiff ride.
Bike Setup:
Sid sl--float r--xt/xtr--race face- easton carbon post.
Bottom Line:
I was skeptical when I read some reviews that say this bike climbs better than a hard tail. Well, this bike does climb better than my previous hard tail, with an exception of course. It is awesome climbing rocky singltrack, it does smoke my previous hardatil, just because the back tire eats up everything in it's path. Now on a fire raod forget it, the hardtail will win. It took me a while to get the float R dialed in, but once I did get it in harmony with the sid upfront everything was just peachy. This bike rides like a dream, it is fast, nimble and goes over stuff that most xc bikes wouldn't want to tackle with the slightest bit of effort. I highly recommend this bike to any hard tail lover who is thinking of making the next step. I'm no bike tech weenie, however I do know the feeling a well made bike. $1500 bones is a lot of dough for just the frame (athough it's all relative) but I feel no buyers remorse , this bike is so much fun to ride you won't belive it. The smile is permantly imprinted on my face as soon as I head to the trail until I get back home. One final thing, she is beautiful, I went with the steel blue ano, I sometimes just go into my garage to look at it(yes I'm pathetic) In conclusion--get this bike if you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Noble Knob
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Center Cycle (LBS)
Strengths:
Everything!
Weaknesses:
Still looking.
Similar Products Used:
SC Heckler for 5 years.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z1, King/XTR/Avid
Bottom Line:
Short and simple, I love this bike! After ordering my bike in August, it has finally arrived and the wait was worth it. The Blur is everything the magazine writers are gushing about and more. I was concerned about the ride quality of an Air Shock bike compared to my old Vanilla coil over on my Heckler, but I was totally blown away by the plushness of this bike and the Float AVA shock. All the plushness of coil over without the weight. As far as climbing and pedal feedback goes, sit and spin and all is well, stand and hammer and you will get some feedback. Life is like that, live with it.
I would strongly recommend this bike for those who like long hours on the trail and want to enjoy every minute of them. It certainly could be raced, but for the total weight concious racers out there, stick with the best light bike on the planet, the SC Superlight.
I've also got to put in a thanks to the guys at Santa Cruz. Over the years, they have been very helpful to me and are very customer focused.
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Submitted by
JCintheBA
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: December 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Strengths:
Terrific suspension, stiff, good geometry fact, great technical climber and descender
Weaknesses:
Rear derailleur cable still too close to brake boss, no coil spring option
Frame Construction My first impression was, "there must be a mile of welds on this thing." The top and down tubes are gusseted at the head tube al la the Superlight. The seat tube is also gusseted at the BB. The replaceable derailleur hanger is very cool but the tang that the derailleur bolts onto could be a little beefier. The down tube is *heavily* butted. You can compress is with your bare hand at the middle of the tube. Overall, under close examination of the frame you get the impression that there is lots of metal where there needs to be and none where there doesn't. I have the ano finish which is holding up well so far and looks great. The bike built up at ~26 lbs with nice but not the lightest components. You could probably knock off another pound or two if you were willing to drop the cash.
Tip: If you if you put on an SRAM derailleur the cable routing is a straight shot from the shifter to the rear derailleur with no big loops or bends. This set up shifts better than any bike I have ever ridden.
Suspension Performance Wow, this suspension is cool. When climbing with anything close to a reasonable pedal stroke there is no bobbing whatsoever. Yes, if you pedal squares, especially when standing, you can get the suspension to bob but that is from loading and unloading the front triangle not pedaling force. If you are into technical climbs, this is the bike for you.
On descents, the suspension can be supple over both small, high frequency hits and big low frequency ones thanks to the AVA shock. I managed to dial its progressivity so that I would use most of my travel on the small to medium stuff yet not bottom on the occasional drop. I'd still like to try it with a Vanilla RC coil shock though. The suspension is just as active as a 4-bar bike but not as loose and jiggily.
Overall Ride Quality Man this bike is stiff. I have seen some comments on the web from people doing parking lot tests saying the frame is flexy. Consider the source. I've had this bike on a wide variety of trails from buff single track to freeride-like steep rutted chutes and it has that nice tendency to go where you point it like other SCs. You *need* a 5" fork on this bike. I had my Z1 MCR dropped to 4" and the geometry was just too steep. I put the 5" springs in and it descends like a dream without impairing climbing. Even up super steep standing-in-the-granny-gear grinds the front end did not wander. I really don't think this is an XC race bike. It is really more of a trail bike you could race if you needed to. It would be great for 24hr races though.
This is a very sweet bike. I only gave it 4 flaming turds because I cant get a coil shock for it. But it definitely gets 5 for value. You will not find another frame that even approaches the ride quality, efficiency and finish for under $2000. If you like technical climbs and descents and want an efficient responsive ride from a respected manufacturer for $500 less than it should cost, this is your bike.
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Submitted by
Ken Rasmussen
a Cross Country Rider
from Bow, WA USA Date Reviewed: December 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
medium dry single track w/ climbs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Fairhaven Bicycle and Mtn Sports
Strengths:
All the favorable hype and product reviews are accurate. This frame is beyond criticism. There is no power loss due to "bob"--in fact the power transmission feels better than a hardtail. The traction is superb. Steering control is remarkable. There is no looseness anywhere. The suspension works well.
Weaknesses:
If it weighed nothing, was even more plush, had a crashproof autopilot, and could prevent whatever fork one used from bobbing when standing, it would be better, wouldn't it? Do you honestly expect that? I concur with Mtn Bike Magazine: "You'll miss your family!"
Similar Products Used:
I haven't had extensive riding time on suspension frames. I've been a hardtail rider since the early '80s. Never again!!
Bike Setup:
Fox Float RLC fork. Deore XT parts. 36 spoke OCR wheels. XTR V-brakes. I weight 170 pounds, and use the size large frame. My components are several years old. The frame and fork are new. I've ridden the frame and fork 150 miles in dirt.
Bottom Line:
The Santa Cruz Blur Frame is the best bicycle component I've purchased in 35 years of cycling. I'm awestruck. I resisted buying a suspension frame because I didn't want the efficiency loss. I finally unbent and bought this. Efficiency loss???? Fah! No way! I got a major efficiency gain!! If you're a cross country rider looking for top performance, I suggest you try one of these. The only reason for getting something else is if you are looking for a different type of frame for a different type of riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Reilly
a Racer
from Redondo Beach, CA USA Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Backbone
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Helen's, Manhattan Beach (www.helenscycles.com)
Strengths:
Relatively light, great climbing, smooth riding F/S bike. This bike could weigh 25 lbs. without spending a million bucks (V-brakes, lighter fork, etc).
Weaknesses:
Not quite as solid downhill as the UZZI I just sold. But that bike weighed over 30 lbs. and climbed poorly. (I guess that's not a weakness, then.)
Similar Products Used:
UZZI XC, GT Zaskar, GT LTS, Specialized SJ M4
Bike Setup:
For test-bike: Large size (I'm about 6", 160 lbs.), Fox rear w/o lockout (probably don't need it?), Fox RC fork w/lockout (nice!), XT, Hayes disc brakes, Monkey-lite bars (no bar-ends).
Bottom Line:
I am not big on riding bikes other than my own, set up as I prefer, so I was hesitant on doing the "test-ride" thing. However, within minutes this bike felt completely natural to me (except for the wide handlebars that I couldn't trim). At first, it seemed to sit a little tall (although the specs say the BB height is only 12.5"), but that feeling disappeared by the end of the ride. The bike hooked up on steep climbs and felt lighter than the 27 lbs. (w/disc brakes) it weighed. On the long moderate uphill to the ride's end, I kicked it into gear and dusted my buddy to the cheers of the local downhill bunch who were relaxing by the trail!
I am ready to retire the Zaskar (a good hardtail ride) frame, and rebuild the bike with the Blur frame. I was thinking about a buying a Trek Fuel frame, but why compromise. With the Santa Cruz I could do it all, trail ride, train and race. The frame price is reasonable, but it's going to take a while to get it (big backlog at Santa Cruz!). So don't order yours until they ship mine!
James Reilly jamesreilly.com
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roger
a
from Yorba Linda, Calif. USA Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere there's DIRT
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
2 Wheeler Dealer
Strengths:
This bike is as good if not BETTER than they said it would be..... It was worth the wait (I had it on order back in Feb.) It climbs like a "Bat Outta Hell", It feels like it wants to leap forward with every pedal stroke. What more can I say, Except I'm glad I've got one.......
$ 2524.00
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