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Submitted by
stwbiker W
a Cross Country Rider
from Bountiful, UT
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | a double secret location | | Strengths: | Great Suspension v Pedal Stroke compromise. Soft ride when hitting it, rides firm when pedaling. | | Weaknesses: | exposed rear linkage bearings | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Slayer, Specialized FS A1 Comp (HT), Specialized HardRock (HT). | | Bike Setup: | 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. | | Weaknesses: | Anodized paint still scratches but looks cool. | | Similar Products Used: | 03 Rocky Mtn. Element, 01 Specialized Stump Jumper, 00 Murazik | | Bike Setup: | XT and XTR 240 DTSwiss hubs | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Weaknesses: | bottom bracket clearence. | | Similar Products Used: | suger,raleigh m55 | | Bike Setup: | costom wheels,v-breaks,sram trans.mobster tires (very grippy). | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Weaknesses: | bottom bracket clearence. | | Similar Products Used: | suger,raleigh m55 | | Bike Setup: | costom wheels,v-breaks,sram trans.mobster tires (very grippy). | | Bottom Line: | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Ellsworth Moment,Gary Fisher Cake 4 Delux | | Bike Setup: | XTR around the board | | Bottom Line: | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | SPECIALIZED M4 et M5 | | Bike Setup: | THOMSON ,HOPE ,MAVIC , XTR 2003 , EASTON ,TIME ,FOX | | Bottom Line: | 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: |
$2700.00 | | Strengths: | Climbing efficiency subject to technique and excellent control on technical single track | | Weaknesses: | Mud clearance with 2.1 tyres and bottom braket height is marginal in rocky terrain. Annoying squeak developing in bottom linkage. | | Similar Products Used: | High end Marins, FSR, Kona | | Bike Setup: | XT group set with Fox Vanilla 125L | | Bottom Line: | Once the bike is set up correctly (which takes time to fine tune) it is a pleasure to ride. There is room for improvement but the bottom line is that it is one of the better bikes on the market for cross country riders.
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$ 2524.00
