Submitted by
peeler hughes
a Racer
from Philadelphia, PA, USA Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
ebay/from an A-HOLE!
Strengths:
frameset is superior to all
Weaknesses:
low bottom bracket clearance
Bike Setup:
XT/Raceface/SRAM/Easton/Crossmax
Bottom Line:
I had to post a review on this guy. I bought this on Ebay for 1750 bucks from seller (DLMLAW) a douchebag from vermont, some lawyer who listed the bike as perfectly fine and shipped it with a thrashed freehub/cassette/bottom bracket/rear shock/fork/chain/derailuer/brakes.
yes, all that stuff was severely thrashed. I couldnt get my money back so I invested another 600 in rebuilding it, and I am a very happy rider. This VPP suspension is simply genius. I ride and race with a friend on a Cannondale Caffiene 29er w/ carbon lefty fork. We do all our training riding and racing together. He rarely finishes ahead of me, it is either a tie or a close finish. The Blur is everything it is claimed to be. It descends incredibly smooth and climbs almost whatever your legs and lungs can handle. The bike tracks perfectly, stays firmly in contact w/ the trail. When the suspension is dialed in, this bike does anything you ask it to.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Great Northern Road
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Brookvale Bike Barn
Strengths:
Descending, disc brakes, climbing
Weaknesses:
Components aren't as good as my other bike.
Similar Products Used:
Fuel 100
Bike Setup:
XT drivetrain, Hayes disc, Manitou Black Comp fork
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike second hand from a bike shop, where it was their demo bike. This was my first all-mountain bike, with 4" of travel, disc brakes, riser bars, etc. So it's a much more forgiving ride than my Fuel, which is a pure race machine. I am more confident on descents with the riser bars and disc brakes. Climbs just fine, easy to pedal. No complaints.
Great bike for the average Joe Rider. Not for hucking. Frame is fine for racers, but you'd want better components than I have on it.
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Submitted by
Jim Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The bike climbs well and descends even better. It is very smooth and flows with the terrain.
Weaknesses:
I think its fine just the way the factory made it.
Similar Products Used:
Many bike, but the SC Superlite was my last bike
Bike Setup:
Fox 80mm fork, 5th element rear shock,XTR drive train and shifting, Hope mini disc, Mavic CrossMax wheels
Bottom Line:
The bike was built from parts I pillaged from my Superlite. Hence the 80mm fork. I ride rough rocky terrain. That's all we have in Lake Tahoe. I descend rock stairs for up to a mile, deep dusty soil and loose granite shell. The bike is always smooth and tracks a great line. When it's time to climb you can bet your going to bust your but to go up hill. All of our climbs are about an 1hr to 1 1/2 hrs so a climging machine is important. This bike is simply a great all around machine. I always feel like I can push for more speed because the bike tracks so smoothly. The 80mm Fox forx has never felt like it was not enough. I'm really want to try a the correct 100mm forx to see the difference. The 5th element rear shock has also worked very well. I haven't seen the air loss that a lot of users talk about. I used to check the shock before each ride but now I only check it about every two weeks. It climbs like it has a lock out but is fully active while I climb. Basically the bike is a great all around product. This bike gets beat to death on the rocks and just keeps going for more. Very satisfied with my blur.
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Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: August 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
still looking
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Bike Now
Strengths:
Efficiency matched by no other. I love to watch others ride my Blur as it glides up the climbs. Very positive feedback from all who have test ridden my Blur. Handles descents with a breeze and is a very well balanced trail bike with 100mm travel fork.(travel adjust fork great for altering handling characteristics to get the most out of every trail). I use it for long trail rides, overnight expeditions and some sport level racing as it handles these all flawlessly. Also considered Intense Spider but felt it was slightly more race oriented than the Blur and too expensive.
Weaknesses:
Mud collecting around bottom swing link.
Similar Products Used:
Ridden All Giants, Konas, GTs, Specialized, Cannondale and other Santa Cruz models.
Bike Setup:
2003 Blur Frame, Fox AVA rear shock, 2002 Rock Shox Psylo SL fork, Rapidfire XTR Drivetrain, Hope mini disc, Mavic wheels, Ritchey post and stem, SDG Comp ti seat, Chris King headset, Easton bars, Truvativ Stylo team crank etc.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't have possibly bought a better frame for my needs and thoroughly recomend spending the extra dollars to get a top quality frame that will last for years. If you consider yourself to be more of a trail rider than an XC racer, but still enjoy the odd mtb race or lightweight camping trips into the wilderness, then put this frame at the top of your list and build the rest up to suit your specific needs and riding style.
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Submitted by
carlos aguilar
a Weekend Warrior
from long island city Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Stillwell/Rocky Point
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Peaks Mountain Bike
Strengths:
Everything.....Makes you a better rider. A breaze going uphill and sweet ride going down.
Weaknesses:
Can't ride everyday.....None.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized hotrock and K2 Assault 5.0
Bike Setup:
Everything xtr and mavic w/WTB laser disc lite wheelset
Bottom Line:
The Blur is the only bike for some serious XC. It's worth a little money. Good riding.
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Submitted by
Martibe
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, Montana Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything in the Bitterroots
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Bike DRs
Strengths:
Comfy, incredible on the climbs. Downhill .. Oh My!!! It's one of those rides you sit on and know you're ass is on one of the great ones. Just plain fun to ride.
Weaknesses:
I can't find one. Okay, it needs another of those hydrolic brake line guide things on the front cable stops. Also, it's not a big basher or high hucker. However, it is the best trail bike I have ever been on.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing like this bike. Maybe the 3V Masi in ride quality. Hard to compare, and I have 20 years of riding the best.
Bike Setup:
ZI, Hayes, XTR (Hey, the XTR fr. DR is best ever and worth it), Race Face, XT/Mavic wheels, good stuff all over. The Doctors did me well.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome! I still can't believe how great it climbs. I sag the F1 and it does well for a 200 pounder that has a history of riding through things. I will go lighter eventually, but the 20mm axle is great. Let the bike wiggle and it's a Caddie up and down the hill. I ride the livin crap outta bikes, but I have every confidence this bike will take anything I have to dish out. Next, it's loading gear on it and traveling into the woods and mountains. My other bikes are lonely children now put in the corner. But they know ... he's going out with a star!
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Submitted by
Mags
a Weekend Warrior
from Glasgow Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mabie, Glentrees Scotland
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
Alpine Bikes (Frame only)
Strengths:
Handling, confidence boosting and the fantastic Trans Red I got it in.....
It took 2 months for me to decide on the Blur, between all the reviews and my sizing issue. I was deciding between a SC Juliana (Large) or a small Blur (not a lot of difference in size). After reading the reviews the VPP won hands down.
I have not been disappointed, I have came from a bike with under 3" of rear travel which did suffer from bob, to a 4"+ bike with no bob (If it does, you cant feel it). The bike climbs unbelievably well.
Going down, I could not put my finger on what was going on?? I then realised the Blur was so much faster, it was actually scary and took me a good few rides to get used to how fast the bike actually cruises at. The handling is just outstanding, this bike can handle it all.
At the price you expect top notch. I believe it is worth the money I paid for it because of the fun I have had on it already, never mind the fun I'll get over the coming years!! If your thinking of buying one, don't think just buy!
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Submitted by
James Herman
a Weekend Warrior
from Farmington Hills MI USA Date Reviewed: March 30, 2004
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
KLM Bike & Fitness -Birmingham MI on Woodward
Strengths:
No pedal induced bob..light & fast
Weaknesses:
Little mud clearance for rear tire..I emailed Santa Cruz and they have no plans to correct this
Similar Products Used:
This is my first good bike.
Bike Setup:
Fox F100x fork...it came with Hayes hydraulic disc brakes, shimano Deore LX drivetrain, Mavic XC rim 717 disc ssc 1" with Kenda Karma 26 x 2.0 L3R Pro Sick-E tires. I'm using Stan's NoTubes and really love it.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy the full bike. Just get the frame so you can put what you really need on it. Like the Fox F100X fork. The Blur frame is only half the equation for eliminating pedal induced bob. The F100X fork is the other half. I also put on a Tammer Tricky Dick suspension seatpost along with a hobson bike seat to maximize seating comfort. I put on the shortest stem I could along with full upright handle bars (the $13 kind "not for serious riders" is how Nashbar described them). Hey I can always skid my butt off the seat and crouch down when descending. I really love this bike. Thanks to Mountain Bike Mag for their review, I bought the right bike.
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Submitted by
chris
a
from ventura,ca Date Reviewed: March 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2980.00
Purchased At:
Mainstreet Cycles, Santa Maria, CA
Strengths:
VPP rear-suspension. Handling. Hayes disc brakes. Fox RLC100. Available colors (mine is a nice Trans Blue)
Specialized Stumpjumber FSR-XC, Gary Fisher Suger 2
Bike Setup:
Super X Kit w/ Disc Brakes (stock). Added M747 pedals. Replaced tires w/ Panaracer Fire XC Pros. Replace chain w/ Sram PC-59.
Bottom Line:
The VPP rear-suspension is one sweet ride! Coming from owning bikes from two extremes of rear-suspension, FSR-XC's four-bar plushness to Sugar's responsive acceleration, the Blur is the best of both worlds. The VPP nicely soaks up small and big bumps like any four-bar. When it's time to hammer up a hill the VPP just digs in and accelerates with little rear-end dive and bobbing...nice! The handling is nicely balanced between XC and freeride...not raked too steeply forward or backward. It's the perfect "trail" bike for the type of riding most of us ride. It's not for XC race geeks shaving grams or freeride Red Bull Challenge wannabes flying off cliffs.
The pivots started to creak a bit, but after a little cleaning and lubing, they were fine. The Hayes hydraulic disc brakes are also nice (I'm never going back to V's). Karma tires are light, but don't grip very well laterally; replaced with Panaracer Fire XC Pros. If you can, switch out the Easton EC70 carbon seatpost. It failed in a year. I'm keeping an eye on the Easton carbon handlebars.
In this case, all the bike mag hype is true...the Blur one sweet ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from West Boylston, MA Date Reviewed: March 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Leominster State Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Alley
Strengths:
The most comfortable and best handling bike I have ridden.
Similar Products Used:
Tested Jekyll, Epic. My last bike was a Litespeed hardtail.
Bike Setup:
XT Goodies, Hayes disks, Fox Float 100 RLC and Fox Float Rear
Bottom Line:
Just like the reviews say, it is simply awesome. This bike climbs better than my Litespeed Obed hardtail. I don't know if the geometery is a better fit for me or what, but the power transfer is better, and I just feel better riding it. It is a rocket ship. Totally stable platform, no bob. Up and down hill, the best bike I have ridden. It has definitely made a better rider out of me. A great bike for technical singletrack, roots, babyheads, whatever you can throw at it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don C.
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
4000.
Strengths:
Quality build... Good design.
Weaknesses:
Low bottom bracket...And if you live and ride where it is muddy, do not buy this bike as it has absolutely no mud clearance...unless you want to run a 1.90 tire.
Similar Products Used:
None really. The Blur replaced my Giant NRS-1. The difference is like night and day.
Bike Setup:
‘03 Santa Cruz Blur frame with mods: Truvativ Stylo Team Cranks, Mavic 317/Amer.Classic Wheelset with Stan’s NoTubes, Hutchinson Python Lite Tires, Hayes Mag Plus Discs, Fox Float RLC 100, Chris King Headset, XTR Drivetrain, Thomson Seatpost & Stem, Easton MonkeyLite Carbon Riser Bar, Crank Bros. Eggbeater Pedals, Terry Fly Saddle. TOTAL WEIGHT - 26 lbs.
Bottom Line:
I won't repeat all of the stuff everyone else is saying, as I agree with them that this is a great bike. It was worth the 4 month wait. My thanks to Eric at Bicycle Warehouse in Vista, CA, for his help.
After riding it for about 2 months, I figured out which shock pressures work best for me. My Blur came with the 5th Element Air, but when the LBS started to set up the shock’s IFP chamber and couldn’t get it to hold air. They mailed the shock back to Progressive Suspension and 4 days later we received a new one...which has been working just fine. I've had no problems, just really efficient, supple suspension.
Properly tuning the 5th Element Air requires a little more patience than tuning a Fox. Although the IFP and main chambers both have an effect on the amount of sag, the two chambers work independently of one another. You’ll need to adjust the rebound depending on the amount of pressure in the main chamber only; the IFP pressure has no effect on rebound. Tune the IFP to prevent bob and for low-speed bumps.
The Blur has an exceptional amount of grip, and there is absolutely no bob when remaining seated - and very little when standing up. Downhill, the Blur is very smooth and confidence inspiring. Overall, an excellent dual-suspension bike. Recommended for anyone that loves aggressive technical riding and epics.
The Blur lives up to its billing. Great handling. It flies through singletrack - the suspension eats everything up. It will make you faster and you'll feel faster. I've felt no need for a lockout with the 5th Element while running at the low end of recommended pressures for my weight.
The bottom line is this is a flat-out great bike! It pushes me to get out there three times a week now, sometimes more. This bike is fantastic for what it was designed for, a fun trail bike let leaves you smiling at the end of the day. For all that, I need to give it top chili scores!
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Colorado Date Reviewed: February 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hall Ranch
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Mojo Wheels
Strengths:
Ride quality - Travel to weight ratio Rocky trail performance
Weaknesses:
Crank clearence when suspension is compressed
Similar Products Used:
NRS 2
Bike Setup:
XTR disc and drivetrain, Fox Float RLX Front, Fox rear, Mavic rims
Bottom Line:
Believe the other reviews, this bike is a phenominal ride. One item that other reviews have not addressed is the tendancy for the crank arm to bang into rocks, roots and other things when you compress the suspension. My best guess is that the clearence is reduced when you ride over a rock or some other type of obstacle. The benefit is that you feel like you are stepping over it and thus the back tire bike keeps moving forward rather than getting hung up on the rock or whatever. The down side is that the clearence is reduced when this happens and your crank arms are more likely to come in contact with something. I like the VPP much better than my old NRS as I could feel a dramitic loss of momentum when I hit something, but it does take some getting used to. If you are a cross country rider on moderate to rough trails, this ride is for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from San Luis Obispo, Ca Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004
air leak in 5th element shock, annoying pebbles in frame
Similar Products Used:
hardtails, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
XT all around, Progressive shock, Fox 100 RLC fork, Mavic, Hayes discs
Bottom Line:
All the hype is true! I love this bike. It has changed the sport for me and instantly made me a better rider. Great climber with no bob when in the saddle and minimal when cranking standing up. It feels like the bike wants to jump forward when climbing and it accelerates much quicker than any bike I have ridden. I ride mostly singletrack with cobbles, shale, and hardpacked dirt and the frame is always plush. I also really appreciate the handling of the frame...super snappy and precise. It makes my old FSR feel like a Buick! The 5th element worked great until it developed a leak after a month (faulty o-ring) but Progressive took care of it. Also I have been annoyed at the ting ting tinging of the many pebbles the frame has seemed to suck up from the trail, but a easy fix. Pull off the rear derailer and shake em out! I could gush on and on about how much I love this bike but I know better. Simply put, the best XC bike on the market.
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Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord CA. USA Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Diablo state park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Purchased At:
Clayton Bikes
Strengths:
Climbs great no bob with VVP and 5th element shock. Rides fast downhill. Great on tecnical single tracks. Handles real well.
Weaknesses:
None. Only the lack of my own riding skills
Similar Products Used:
None, this is my 1ST fully suspension MT. bike.
Bike Setup:
Full Shimano XTR, including dics brakes. Marzocchi marathon SL fork. Mythos 2.1 tires.
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike since July 2003, took me 2 weeks to get. I'm 5'-6" 150lbs I got the small frame size for this bike, fits me like a glove. This is my first mt. bike so I really don't have anything to compare it with. I bought it because other people were recomending it and not only the bike shop that I bought it from, did'nt even test drive it before I bought it. Two months earlier I bought my first rode bike a Trekk 5500 and was riding half centuries in a month, prior to that I had'nt riden a bike in 18yrs, I'm 38. Two months later I decided I wanted to try mountain biking. When riding the Blur it feels like the bike not only improves you but will dish out anything you put it thru, my riding skills are'nt that good yet, but with each ride that I do I improve those skills, and the bike responds to my improvments, making me seem like a better rider than I am. Going up steep hills is no problem as long my legs can peddle, the Blur will take me there, there is no bob with the 5th element rear shock, tires are gluded to the ground and traction is very good. I ride on MT. Diablo St. park, it's 3200ft. elevation mainly on fire roads, and some singal tracts so it's quite a work out for me going up. Going down it's fast, rides plush and smooth, and handles really well, and this is in a mixture of riding in gravel, rocks, sand, roots, with plenty of switchbacks, in these conditions riding downhill the Blur won't beat up your body!(especially if you know how to ride, but like I said I'm still learning) As this is my first mtb I am very pleased with it. Who should buy this bike? I don't know anything about Free riding, or Down hill, or XC racing, but what do know is this bike is fun, takes me where I want to go without a fuss. So if you like riding trails up or down you can't go wrong with a Santa Cruz Blur!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pedro lé
a Weekend Warrior
from Águeda Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Serra do Caramulo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
www.pernalonga.net
Strengths:
super rigida principalmente o triangulo traseiro, leve para uma 4,5" de curso, estabilidade a toda a prova, fiabilidade, "Santa Cruz made", pronta para aguentar muita porrada, maneàvel
quadro SC medida L, preto anodizado, amortecedor 5ºelemento a ar, forqueta fox float 100 rlc, aste low rise hurrycat carbon, espigão hurrycat carbon, comandos lx gold, desviadores xt, travões de disco formula pro 2003, espigão thompsom elite, selim wtb rocket v race, rodas crossmax sl disk, pneus schwalbe jimmy na frente e atrás black jack 2.1 ust, pedaleiro raceface prodigy xc, cassete xt 11-34
Bottom Line:
UMA BIKE PARA AMAR ! é um brinquedo q nos pede mais e mais, realmente somos levados até ao extase em cima desta máquina, quanto mais se anda mais se aprende e leva-nos para além dos nossos próprios limites, no principio comecei por me perguntar se estava eu realmente muito melhor biker, mas depressa cheguei há conclusão q esta "BOMBA" ensina-nos a andar de bicicleta ( acho mesmo q quem se inica no btt devia ser obrigado a começar com uma BLUR ) a subir não há bob, edu ou outros (deem-lhe o nome q quiserem) podem isso sim faltar as pernas, mesmo a pedalar em pé não mexe, uma hardtrail autentica, no plano bem, é prato grande e asta la vista em grande estilo e com muito conforto, a descer hehehehehehe sempre a direito é apontar e vai ele roda da frente a centimetros do solo e o resto a bike faz " DO OUTRO MUNDO " só mesmo com uma de downhill e 8 ou 10" de curso para se fazer melhor, claro a fox dá uma ajuda muito grande, sem flexões mantem todas as trajectórias, esta bike obrigou-me a começar uma dieta de emagrecimento a treinar mais, a exceder os meus limites pois eu ainda não estou ao seu nivel.
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Submitted by
César Pinho
a Cross Country Rider
from Aveiro - Portugal Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Serra da Freita - Muita pedra
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
PernaLonga.net
Strengths:
Bastante leve 11.2 Kgs, funcionamento, qualidade de contrução, uma bike de elite.
Weaknesses:
Inicialmente tinha uma guiador recto para uma posição mais XC. Mas com o andamento a descer que esta bike permitia ficava sempre com dores nos braços. Acabei por optar por um Easton em Carbono Low Rise, e fica completamente diferente, sem preder nada de XC.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel, Commençal Doctor, etc
Bike Setup:
5º Element - Float 100 RLC - Mavic Cross Max - Thomson - Easton - Magura Marta - XTR - Pedaleiro Race Face
Bottom Line:
Estava curioso para testar esta novidade que parece ser já um mito, pois só ouvia dizer bem da montada, todos os jornalistas internacionais a alegiam como muito boa e vindo de uma marca tão carismatica com a SantaCruz a espectativa ainda era maior. A principio revelou-se uma bike normal, rola bem, não bombeia é estavel, e muito agil. Aquilo mesmo que eu queria. Com o passar dos passeios revelou-se uma bike espetacular, era preciso conhecer a bixa. Em zonas mais dificeis, mais trialeiras onde eu normalmente passava a contornar de Blur passo a saltar tal é a estabilidade e a confiança que transmite. Em descidas mais rápidas puxar a frente e passar de roda da frente a planar é uma constante, sem sentir receio, vacilar não é com ela. Para onde se aponta a frente é para onde ela vai, muito ajudada pela espetacular Float RLC. A subir haja pernas, pois se eu pedalar tanto na pedaleira do meio como na de cima não se nota que se vai de FULL SUSPENSION, caso contrario se a força já não for muita ou a subida muito técnica ou inclinada e tiver de baixar para o prato pequeno, ai nota-se menos à vontade, por parte do "BORRÃO", mas nada de preocupante, pois nessas subidas todas as rigidas já vão a pé à muito, enquanto eu lentamente lá vou trepando, pois a subir em mau piso o VPP cola literalmente a roda ao chão, não perdendo nenhuma tração, parece um lagarta trepa tudo. Para mim o unico problema é a baixa distancia dos pedais ao solo, devido em parte a regulação que eu uso no amortecedor de tràz, com muito SAG o que leva que em zonas muito técnicas a subir os pedais batam nas pedras maiores. Bem uma bike que não deixa ficar nada mal quem tiver o bom gosto de ter um SantaCruz, preta anodizada.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Johnson City, tn Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Cherokee Buffalo Mtn
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Hampton Trails Bicycles
Strengths:
Super suspension, light weight, great handling
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight Specialized
Bike Setup:
super x discs, fox front fork
Bottom Line:
THE best bike I've ever ridden. It is a great climber and downhiller. A perfect all around bike. The rear suspension takes the big jolts out and absorbs them beautifully. The Fox front fork seems stiff and tough for a 200 lber like me. I highly recommend this bike. It seems to be way ahead of the competition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida Date Reviewed: December 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Oleta State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Bell's Bicycles
Strengths:
Awesome Bike!!! From the first time I jumped on the saddle and hit the trails it was obvious how amazing this bike is. Unlike the Specialized Epic, which I found to be too stiff and delayed in its reaction to bumps, the Blur delivers on its promise of eliminating peddle bob. On flat trails or those with small bumps, the bike is nice and stiff. When the big bumps appear, the bike is as responsive as the best dualies. I am also extremely impressed with the bike's "snap" when quickly accelerating or climbing. It almost leaps up hills and comes up to speed very quickly. All in all, an awesome ride!!
Weaknesses:
I avoided the Easton carbon seat post after reading the many complaints on this site. I opted for the Thomson Elite which has been great.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rockhopper, Stumpjumper and Epic, Cannondale Scalpel, Jamus XT, Giant NRS, Trek Liquid and Fuel, Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup:
Fox Float 100 RL fork, XT components, EC70 handlebar, Chris King headset, Hayes hydraulic brakes, Hutchinson tubeless tires, Mavic 317 rims, Thomson Elite seatpost and stem
Bottom Line:
Everyone I know that rides a Blur swears by it. I've ridden a lot of bikes and this one blows them all away. Highly recommend
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Dussault
a Cross Country Rider
from Vermont Date Reviewed: December 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kingdom Trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
custom build
Strengths:
A great bike for one who is making teh transition from hardtail. I've 10 years experience on various high end hardtails, and swore (up until teo years ago) that a hardtail was "all I needed" to enjoy riding the kinds of trails I enjoy: Fast, twisty, semi-technical singletrack. This bike does sacrifice a bit of my hardtail's nimbleness, but it's opened up a whole new world of riding to me. It has me picking new lines, bombing prevoiusly jaw-rattling descents and climbing stuff in the saddle that used to take some serious body english to clear. I'm very satisfied with this bike.
Weaknesses:
None yet. No pebble torture in teh swingarm, nor broken seattubes- though I do worry after reading previous posts that my 208 lbs of grace may max this bike out as I push my personal envelope.
Similar Products Used:
Ummm...none
Bike Setup:
Dramride: Lg blue ano frame, 5th element, king iso wheels, laced to mavic 3.1 tubeless rims, xt 756 discs, TALAS RLC, Race Face Turbine cranks (ano pewter to match King hubs and headset) 2002 XTR rear mech, xt pods, thomson pipes, monkeylite bar, lock on grips
Bottom Line:
I've only 25 rides on it, but I'm preaching the good word of full suspension, and Santa Cruz. I'm very impressed with this bike; it as a machine in in comparison with the toys I've played with for the past decade. The Blur is everything I wanted in a bike- a sturdy, do-it-all trailbike that doesn't make the climbs a chore. For a reformed retro-grouch like myself, the Blur's design plays to my sensibilities. It doesn't rely on an overly "smart" technology that fixes an inherent design flaw to make good on its promise of a "stable platform." The frame design transcends monkey motion, finding that mythic sweet spot in the sag that provides for stable pedalling, FULL, active suspension and endless grins. It makes me want to ride and ride and ride. I wish I didn't need my job in order to afford this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Damon Bennett
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Date Reviewed: December 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kedumba Pass
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
long story
Strengths:
Plushness of ride, forgiveness in the face of impending doom, health improvements over less supple bikes from long days in the saddle....
Weaknesses:
spherical ball in 5th element kaput anodising a little 'soft'
Excellent, I have the bike of choice for the riding i do. Coming from a Zaskar to this plushness and forgiveing machine i really don't know the bikes true capabilities yet. The 5th shock spherical bearing PLASTIC guide has died and replaced completely with a brass bush which seems to have solved the slop. The bike really climbs exceptionally well with the continueous power input from the rider going straight to the ground.. downhill it eats all i have been game enough to scare myself into. The Vanilla's up front also help there as they perform so much better than any air shock with a full range of coil symetry and no air ramping (for the extra 200grams) its very worth it, they have without a doubt saved my skin..and life in an ever growing list of near death experiences from 'letting the bike go do its stuff' worth every cent of the elevated pricing we pay down here for US made products...in a similar class as the CK gear on the bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roger and Max Williams
a Racer
from Santa Rosa Date Reviewed: December 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Annadel
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Santa Rosa Cyclery (frame only)
Strengths:
Rides like a plush magic carpet. Pretty light - 25lbs. Replaced free under warranty .
Weaknesses:
Frame cracked on seat tube just above BB weld, and upper swing link broke in half, after just 8 months.
Similar Products Used:
Joker, GT LTS-2, KHS Montana.
Bike Setup:
XTR drivetrain ('02), Hope Mini, Mavic/Hope UST wheelset, Easton carbon bars and post & titanium bits.
Bottom Line:
This bike has a unique ride. It's very smooth and easy to control. It's great for hammering up loose rocky stuff and super fun going down fast. I'ts plenty light for me - I've won a couple of races in the expert class on it, but I was winning races on my 30lb Joker so I'm no weight weenie. I ride pretty hard, so I'm worried about the frame breaking again. I weigh 150lbs.and limit myself to 3 foot drops. If you're heavier or dropping bigger, get something different. If the frame hadn't broken, I would definitely have given it a 5+ rating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark wilson
a Weekend Warrior
from plymouth, mn Date Reviewed: November 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
f trail rodalben germany
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1360.00
Purchased At:
pedal the peaks
Strengths:
quality built, anodized finish, stiffness, bearings, supple ride, great geometry, progressive travel, pedals well, traction is super, fully active supesion, no stink bugging or brake jack,
Weaknesses:
mud clearance, set up, no pro pedal shock, not as efficient a climber as my last bike, pro pedal would fix that, high seating position affects some steep climbing
Similar Products Used:
truth, RM element, DBR x4, superlight
Bike Setup:
thompson, sram, xtr, race face next lp, FSA, king, mavic hugi,marathon s 100, hope mini
Bottom Line:
This is a great trail bike which you will read over and over again in this section. The pro pedal, SPV or 5th element makes a huge difference in how well it pedals. It is not as effecient as my truth but the suspension action is far superior. It handles great and I can't wait to ride it again when I get off. My truth brake jacked and this bike has none of that. The truth also never got close to using it's claimed 100mm of travel because of the ramp up in the air shock. I have not expereince this with the Blur. The truth cracked twice. Coming from the truth which is a race bike I do miss the efficiency sometimes but now that I have ridden it for a while I don't notice it. One day I will upgrade to a new shock w/ SPV. If you want a great all day trail bike with super customer service this may be it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie Capobianco
a Cross Country Rider
from Sound Beach, NY USA Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Shoreham North
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
Mt. Sinai Bike
Strengths:
Great plush ride that firms up as advertised to minimize bob. Climbs well, decensed well, very good in tight stuff, very good overall.
Weaknesses:
Frame may not be well suited to larger riders. I ride strictly cross country, no radical downhilling or big drops for me. After 3 months, my seat post snaped, just above the bottom weld. This was espically disheartning in light of the fact I specifaclly expressed concern about the frame, before I bought the bike(I had previously snaped the down tube on two superlights). I was told that the Blur was manufactured with a stronger Aluminum alloy and that the frame strength would not be an issue with this bike! They were wrong! Seems some other reviewers had same trouble with the Blurr. Santa Cruz replaced the front part of frame, but doesn't seem like the problem has been addressed. I don't feel confident, and I hate down time without a bike. So much so, that I purchased another bike so I would have a back up in anticipation of another break. And I'm pretty sure it happen again.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruiz Superlight, Heckler.
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Mavic Cross max Wheels, Hayes Hydrolic discs.
Bottom Line:
Great ride for smaller riders. If your over 200lbs, I would suggest you have a backup or look elsewhere.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003
Reasonably expensive frame and a long wait for a bike that broke in under six months. Bike was used under xc conditions, no big hucks etc. Two days after my frame broke I found another Blur at a local race with a brake in the identical location. Clearly something amiss in the design / fabrication process. I am not impressed. Bike works well when intact. I will post again with info as to how quickly S.C. handles the warranty issue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Keene
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: November 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
paulk@inter.net.il
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Dukes, Toronto
Strengths:
It rides great, VPP works!
Weaknesses:
FRAME CRACKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
SC Superlight
Bike Setup:
XT, XTR
Bottom Line:
Yesterday, my local Bike Shop found a 2 inch crack in the seat tube below the front derailler. I only ride XC no DH or FR and weekends only, and I only weigh 80 kilos. I've had the bike for 8 months only. I never had this problem with my Superlight in 2 years. Now I have a warranty issues as frame was purchased in canada and I live in Israel. Santa Cruz told me I must pay shipping costs for new frame $200 approx + build cost $70, total $270 plus I wont see a new frame for 2 to 3 weeks!!!! They wouldn't offer me a refund so now I'm stuck with a long time to wait and big bills. This pisses me off big time....especially after I recommended this bike to 4 friends who each bought one, I ended up with a lemon!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Texsun
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston Date Reviewed: November 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Attitude Sports in Fond du Lac, WI
Strengths:
Flawless Climbs like a goat Active suspension Believe the Hype!
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Ti hard tail Boulder Bicycles Gazelle FS (old school)
Bike Setup:
Full XT with XTR cranks, Manitou Minute 3 fork, Progressive 5th Element Air, blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
Rode this bike for 10 days in Moab, Fruita, Telluride and I can't begin to tell you how well the bike rides. It holds a line well, doesn't bob, and has not shown any signs of pivot slop. This bike is very confidence inspiring and will make you faster with less fatigue at days end.
I ride very heavy and I am hard on components. Bike held up very well to the abuse and several crashes (many at speed). Wish my wheels and brake levers were that bomb proof.
Read the other reviews, buy the bike, you won't go wrong.
If you are serious about a bike call Chris/Dave at Attitude Sports. They are knowledgeable and will set you up. They helped me!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: November 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hawes/TRW loops
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Adventure Bicycles
Strengths:
Flawless welds. Looks tight and rides the same.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
My other bike is a Titus Switchbalde, which I've ridden for nearly three years.
Bike Setup:
Fox Forx TerraLogic 100x, 5th Element shock, XTR drivetrain, XTR wheels, XTR disc brakes, Thomson stem and seat post, Chris King headset, M959 pedals
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike for just over a month now; I ride 4 - 5 days a week. I thought nothing could beat the Switchblade, but man was I surprised! The Blur is, quite simply, nirvana on singletrack. I can't think of a better way to describe it. If you're looking for the best, and willing to drop about 5 G's, then this is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas Date Reviewed: November 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Clean-up on Aisle Three
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Sport Shop - North
Strengths:
Build quality is HIGH! Welds are flawless. Anodized finish is too cool. MADE IN THE USA. I run a manufacturing company and it is nice to be able to help keep manufacturing jobs here stateside. Good job Santa Cruz!
Weaknesses:
None yet, but buy the next frame size up. They run small.
Similar Products Used:
Giant NRS - which is a great frame for the $$, by the way.
Bike Setup:
Talas RLC(Amazing fork),XT,XTR, Tubeless
Bottom Line:
This frame is amazing. Rode the NRS for 2 yrs and never was able to stop the bob while climbing. I'm 200+ lbs so that has a lot to do with it too! I built the Blur in about 3 hours and hit the trails. 25 miles later my face hurt because I had been smiling so much. Climbs like a goat!! ZERO bob. I mean NONE. Yet plush as the Barcalounger on the rough stuff. Tracks like it is on rails on rough, rocky descents. The NRS seemed to throw me around a lot on the rough stuff. FAST, responsive steering.
I'm giving it 4 flamin' dog poopies for Value because it is expensive. Worth EVERY penny mind you, yet still expensive.
But giving it 5 flamin' dog poopies Overall because I can't imagine how it could be any better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Edd
a
from Oxford,UK Date Reviewed: November 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3700.00
Purchased At:
Off Camber (Blandford Forum, UK)
Strengths:
This bike is able to climb and descend all day every day and still keep you smiling.
Weaknesses:
Price and possible bearing durability problems.
Bike Setup:
Full XT, Hope Minis, Pace RC36 stealth, Manitou Sherman Flicks, and Fox TALAS forks, 5th Element and Fox AVA shocks.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike to work for 3 months in Morzine (the French Alps) as a mountain bike guide. As such I rode 6 days a week, and a total of approximately 1500 miles off road. My set up of the Blur was not especially light, I never weighed it but I guess 28-29 lbs. I build the bike with sensible components for the 'chair-lift assisted' riding that I would be doing. Firstly the 5th Element shock; when I tested the Blur it was with an AVA shock, and I was very impressed. However I managed to get my hands on possibly the first consumer 5th Air in the UK. I was very chuffed, despite the price increase. The reality is that having spent the time to set up the shock it will not bob but is still sesitive. This would be the perfect shock for people who spend long amounts of time on fairly smooth climbs or the road. However I was spending 6 hours plus a day in the saddle with much of the climbing on lifts, and i felt that the slight increase in sensitivity (read comfort) from the Fox AVA would be worth the decreased resistance to bobbing. I sold the 5th Air and was very happy with the AVA, which never bobbed noticably anyway. At this point it may be worth defining what I believe bob is. My definition of bob is noticable movement of the suspension due to the pedaling forces. If I am climbing I want my suspension to react to bumps and rocks for the increased traction and comfort. What I do not want is to feel the bike oscilate beneath me. The only time I felt the Blur do this is when you are out of the saddle and spinning like mad. In these circumstances I found that sitting down and selecting a harder gear before getting out of the saddle again stopped the bike bobbing. About the bearings, as I was working as a guide it was imperative that my bike was always working well. This meant that I was obsesive about cleaning it. I think that it was my liberal use of degreaser that seized the lower bearings after a month. I solved the problem by pealing off the rubber seals and liberally applying grease, before rotating the bearings lots. This worked and I had no further problems, but seized bearings after a month, I was not impressed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Euzent
a Cross Country Rider
from Palo Alto, CA Date Reviewed: November 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Manzanita trail at Skegg's point
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Connection
Strengths:
Extremely well made and designed. With the Progressive 5th Element shock suspension performance is unbelievably good. Ride is super smooth (of an aggressive XC bike) and steering and genral handle are superb
Weaknesses:
Weakness is you will want to buy it or actually buy it after you ride it.
Similar Products Used:
I spent 6 hours testing bikes they day I bought it and 14 year mtn biking it better than KS, specialized (any of them) rocky mountain, klein, trek, gary fisher, Elseworth Truth (although the truth I rode may have been poorly set up)
Bike Setup:
Progressive 5th Element Air shock, Fox float RLC. Full 2003 XTR. Crank bros. egg beaters. Carbon everything. Crazy light for a trail bike (24 lbs.)
Bottom Line:
THIS IS THE BEST XC/TRAIL BIKE IN THE WORLD Buy this if you an aggressive XC rider or trail rider not looking to drop anything higher than 3-4ft, but gotta have somthing fun to ride when you are not racing it. Not only is it light but it has survived 3 months of my thrashing (and there is not much I can't break when I want to). Steering is quick and responsive, breaking with XTR disc is spot perfect. Get the rapid rise derailure with this bike, you will find yourself shifting to higher gears to go up-hill. Climbing performance is the best of both world, hard tail power transfer and soft-tail traction, all automatic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from South San JOse Date Reviewed: November 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Soquel Demo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Sun Bike Shop
Strengths:
Climbs better than a hardtail Ano VPP Design 5th Element
Weaknesses:
BB Height Price....Ouch but you get what you pay for!!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumber FSR Comp
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR, Avid Mech, Easton, Thomson, Mavic 317, 5th Element, Python Airlite, Marzocchi MXC-ECC, Selle Italia
Bottom Line:
This bike ROCKS!!! I'm able to climb sections in a higher gear than with my FSR and go faster on the downhills. The 5th Element is super plush!! Although it took me a month and a half to dial the 5th Element in, but it's totally worth it. This frame is everything I wanted in frame for the riding I do. I don't race, but I ride aggressive and competitive with friends. If you're looking for one bike to do it all this is it! My FSR was 26 lbs with V-Brakes and my Blur is 26.5 lbs with disc's and I can do so much more with the Blur. If you decide to get this bike pay the extra cash for Ano it's worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Parr Wiegel
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY USA Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tryon Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Tow Path Bikes
Strengths:
Versitile, Stable and very fast
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Sugar and Jeykll
Bike Setup:
Mavic Cross Max, XTR, Race Face next lp, Hayse, Monkee, fox, 5th element, Lites Thompson.....
Bottom Line:
This is an up date to a previous review. I have now had the bike for the entire summer and it only gets better. I have had the chance to travel a bit to very different terrains and the bike just nails them all. At Lynn Woods in Massachusetts there are huge drops and boulders with steep decents and the Blus stick.
We rode at Ellicottville and the climbs up the ski hills were long and had switch backs and the blur ate them up. But the decents were brake free and blazing. this Bike does it all.
Another great feature of the Blur is that you are over the center of the bike so you never get the feeling the bike is getting away from you and there is little fear of an over the bars experience. Although they do happen because of piolet error.
This bike flat out rocks in any conditions and at any speed comfortable at a crawl and when you are going so fast you can't hear anything but wind.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Parr Wiegel
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY USA Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tryon Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Tow Path Bikes
Strengths:
Versitile, Stable and very fast
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Sugar and Jeykll
Bike Setup:
Mavic Cross Max, XTR, Race Face next lp, Hayse, Monkee, fox, 5th element, Lites Thompson.....
Bottom Line:
This is an up date to a previous review. I have now had the bike for the entire summer and it only gets better. I have had the chance to travel a bit to very different terrains and the bike just nails them all. At Lynn Woods in Massachusetts there are huge drops and boulders with steep decents and the Blus stick.
We rode at Ellicottville and the climbs up the ski hills were long and had switch backs and the blur ate them up. But the decents were brake free and blazing. this Bike does it all.
Another great feature of the Blur is that you are over the center of the bike so you never get the feeling the bike is getting away from you and there is little fear of an over the bars experience. Although they do happen because of piolet error.
This bike flat out rocks in any conditions and at any speed comfortable at a crawl and when you are going so fast you can't hear anything but wind.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Nettleingham
a Weekend Warrior
from Seoul, South Korea Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003
Santa Cruz Superlight Santa Cruz Heckler Rocky Mountain Element
Bike Setup:
All Race Face, Fox 100 RLC, XT/XTR, Avid Mechanical Discs, Onyx/317 Wheels, Panaracer Tires
Bottom Line:
This bike does everything very well. I have so much fun on this bike everytime I go out I wonder if it should be illegal. Anything that you want your Blur to do, it will do happily. The Blur climbs great, handles great through the twisty stuff, and descends better than any cross country XC bike on the market.
The only issue I have encountered with my Blur is the durability of the frame. The upper link holding the shock to the frame cracked after about 1000 miles. I'm sure it is an isolated incident and Santa Cruz hooked me up with warranty parts right away. I would not recommend drops over 3 or 4 feet with the frame. It is a cross - country frame and shouldn't be subjected to large drops.
Besides the link issue, everything about the Blur has surpassed my expectations. I absolutely love this bike and my girlfriend has been lonely ever since the blur came into my life. Anyone who has the slightest reservation about the Blur will be proven wrong the second it is taken for a spin. Santa Cruz has created an amazing product!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
P Davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Franklin Lakes, NJ USA Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Cannonball
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Get Outside Bike and Trail
Strengths:
Smooth suspension;excellent climber-no bob
Weaknesses:
Tough to clean certain areas; Low clearance;poor tire selection with x-disc kit
After riding a hardtail for over 10 years I decided to go to full suspension. While the ride dowhill is nice it is the ride uphill that amazes me with this bike. It climbs just as well as my old hardtail if not better. Two small complaints are the kenda karma tires which are bad in mud conditions-haven't changed them out yet. The other problem I notice is the bottom of the crank arms seem to take a beating against the rocks. This may be due to too much sag in the rear shock but still seems to have less clearance than my old Cannondale M800. This bike was initially out of my price range but my fiance purchased it for me-thanks Tara! I would recommend this bike if you are looking for something that can handle decent sized bumps yet retains cross country traits. The blur has lived up to all my expectations.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a
from So Cal Date Reviewed: October 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bike Setup:
SRAM X.O, Chris King, Avid Mechanicals/Ultimate levers, Thomson post and stem, Monkeylite bar, Caramba Doublebarrel cranks, WTB Mutanoraptors, Eggbeaters, etc.
Bottom Line:
We just rode Tahoe for five days, 115 miles total, including Mr. Toad's. I've put almost 1,000 miles on this bike in four months. It makes me want to get out and ride. My wife says it's her Blur that allows her to climb stuff in the middle ring she used to do in her granny. She was up there with the guys on the big climbs (up to 2,000 feet) in Tahoe, leaving the girls (and a couple of guys) way behind.
My Blur came with the 5th Element, the first one in San Diego. But when the LBS crew had the bike on the workstand, the swingarm rotated all the way up and they couldn't get it down without bleeding the negative air valve. They couldn't get the main chamber to hold air. Two days later they called me to come pick up my bike and it's been sweet sailing ever since. I've had no problems, just really efficient, supple suspension. I don't even know if they found the problem and fixed it or just got a replacement shock.
A co-worker recently had a Blur built up at the same LBS practically identical to mine and his 5th Element failed. The LBS says they're seeing a lot of this. Maybe I've been lucky, but I just hope it's a simple fix I won't have to deal with again. My wife's has worked great from day one. She switched from the Fox AVA and hasn't looked back.
One other minor thing I've had to deal with was creaking when the rear suspension activated that started after about 200 miles of dry, dusty SoCal conditions. It turned out to be the O-rings on either side of the 5th Element's unique shock mounts. The rubber got dusty and was rubbing enough to make noise. Cleaning and lubing solved it.
The bottom line is this is a flat-out great bike! It pushes me to get out there three times a week now, sometimes more. There is no equal in all-around trail bikes. Now when we do group rides, it's starting to look like a Santa Cruz posse with all the Blurs and Hecklers our friends are getting. Hmmm, maybe I should get a Hecker, too...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scott bays
a Cross Country Rider
from charleston, sc Date Reviewed: October 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
many in northern GA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
colorado cyclist
Strengths:
plush ride, light, stiff laterally and on the climbs with little to no BOB.
Weaknesses:
ummmmm....none yet.
Similar Products Used:
cannondale raven, cannondale super v
Bike Setup:
full XTR, crossmax, fox f80x, 5th element (yes, my dream bike come true)
Bottom Line:
Believe the hype on this one 'cause so far, it does exactly as advertized. Front and rear suspensions lockout automatically (or close to it), the frame is very stiff, and I love the new XTR stuff. There is only a small learning curve on the shifters and the brakes are what I have come to expect from shimano hydraulics.
It did take me around 5 rides to get both suspensions set up but now it is buttery smooth.
As long as the bike holds up for the long run...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry
a Racer
from Northern Virginia Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
ones with rocks
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
the Bike Lane, VA
Strengths:
This bike is a good all around performer. Ideal for long rides that are moderate to highly technical. Bike is stiff laterally and is efficient when set up properly.
Weaknesses:
The top tube is short for me so I am using a longer stem, which slows steering. The bottom bracket is a bit low - I have not regularly hit my pedals on rocks in many years and am adjusting to this change.
Similar Products Used:
Giant AC Air which has 6" travel, mostly have ridden hard-tail race bikes
Bike Setup:
XTR, carbon bars, Fox Float 100 RLC fork and Fox rear with lock out, fizik aliante seat. Hutchinson Scorpions.
Bottom Line:
I won't repeat the stuff everyone else is saying as I mostly agree with them that this is a good bike. A medium comes in around 27 lbs on my bathroom scale and digital fish scale - not sure how other folks weigh their bikes...
If you climb fire roads the rear lockout is a benefit - especially if you like to stand. If you only ride singletrack and stay seated, I would not bother with any lockouts.
XTR wheels were flexy and rubbed the calipers - I switched to 36 hole mavic/american classics and have had no problems. XTR lever shifting is OK but no big improvement. XTR hydraulics are very nice, but the auto centering pads make tolerance b/t the pad/caliper very tight - apparently too tight for the noodly wheels. [I am 5'8"/150lbs so i do not usually flex stuff.] Fizik Aliante seat is very comfy and light. If you ride smooth stuff I would stay with a hard tail, if you go long on technical terrain, this bike probably makes sense for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cycle_Junkie
a Cross Country Rider
from RSM, CA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Bottom Line:
This is just a follow up to an earlier post. My neighbor is 50 and we ride together 2-3 times a week. He used to have a GT i-Drive Race... As soon as I got my Blur he started to notice how much fun I was having when we'd ride! He'd watch me as I motor'd up steep climbs without any "bob". He'd watch as I bombed down steep technical runs without fear. He finally got tired of hearing me talk so much about my cool new bike that he went out and bought one himself! Now he has as much fun as I do when we ride. I've seen him turn into a 20 year old again! He rides with so much more confidence and speed. To him the Blur is like a "fountain of youth". I just built up a citron ano Blur for my Wife and my neighbor is in the process of getting one for his GF. I think that my street will be the only street in So. Cal with 4 Blur owners!
BTW - Has anyone had good luck with the 5th Element Air? I originally got my Wife's frame with one and it was hosed so we went back to the fox AVA...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Muntain View, CA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs Point, Surveyers Ridge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Strengths:
Lite, latterly stiff 4.7" of sweet R/W that feels like 5.5" A true descender climbs that climbs pretty well. Clean build. 5th Element is a must. XL frame weight with 5th Element shock 6.4LBs Fully built 28.5 lbs
Weaknesses:
Bike sizes are "much" shorter than advertised. 4 month wait for my frame. Suspension set up must be "dead" on or the ride will suffer. this isnt a big issue if you take the time to tune your shock and fork three or four rides and she will be dialed.
Fox RL 100mm fork, 5th Element Air, Monkey Lite carbon bar, Thompson stem and post, (XTR shifters, cranks F/R derailleurs),Chris King headset, Hope mini lites, Time pedals, SUN lite Hope hubs with IRC Mythos 530gms (Fully built XL bike weighs in at 28.5lbs) XL frame weight with shock 6.4LBs. P.s I don't understand some of the 24LBs bikes perhaps their XS with helium :-))
Bottom Line:
First off, this bike is a "fantastic trail" bike but (only if you have the proper fit and have a 5th Element the 04 Fox may work as well). The Blur climbs well thru the rough stuff, but it's a "excellent descender". It's very stiff laterally and has very plush smooth motocross type feel suspension, I.E smooth and tracks well adjusts well to small and large hits. I feel it's the best trail bike out there right now. Considering the weight balance, it works great on 95% of the average trails in Northern Cal, New England and Oregon. Things will change with the shock technology evolving, things will get simpler and lighter, the key is to get a bike that fits you and works for you intended use and conditions. I'm 6' tall 195LBS and ride a XL frame the fit close to perfect, maybe even a tad short. The Blurs top tubes are 3/4 of an " shorter than advertised. I raced mountain bikes and motocross and tend to like a longer bike, you can move your body while in the air or climbing and it doesn't exaggerate the bike movement. A balanced top tube with added stability from a slightly longer wheel base is key for my riding style, a few OZ in weight doesn't matter. I just want to help people that are buying new Blurs, please test 2 sizes before you buy. I tested a Large with a Fox shock for two days in Oregon and it was a totally different bike, I didn't like the large at all, it felt like a different bike it didn't climb for beans and descended ok you must be centered for this frame for it to work properly. Just a side note: I've worked with suspension for 20 years, motox, Enduros, bike racing and I'm quite good at tuning suspension. The Blur still has pedal bob with the 5th Element, when you hammer out of the seat, seated bobbing is minimal. Learn to adjust your riding style accordingly. (5th Element SET UP) for me: 12mm sag, 125LBS main body and 105 LBS in the IFS "when using a pump". I have a digital tire pressure gauge and the IFS ramps up quickly 105 = a true 84 pounds on the digital gauge. I replaced the stock Fox RL springs with the next heavier I think yellow and the ride is perfect. This is a sweet trail bike but only when you tune the suspension is tuned properly. Overall I rate the Blur as an excellent trail bike, I bought this instead of a Turner 5 Spot. I recommend it for anyone that loves aggressive technical riding and epics. For race days a hard tail is still the way to go, just look at world cup results. This bike is fantastic for what it was designed for, a fun trail bike let leaves you smiling at the end of the day. Isn't this what it's all about? :-)) For all that, I need to give it top chili scores!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken Drucker
a Cross Country Rider
from Quartz hill, Ca, USA Date Reviewed: September 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Cycle World, Northridge Ca
Strengths:
No pedal bob. Very plush ride. Does everything well.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Raven, Proflex 755
Bike Setup:
X kit, XT/LX, Hayes disc brakes, Fox front shock, Progressive 5th element rear shock.
Bottom Line:
I picked up my bike and the next day went on a 10 day vacation to Sun Valley, Idaho. The bike performed flawlessly. I could immediately tell that this bike was faster and more effiecient then the Cannondale Raven I had been riding the previous four years. I highley recommend this bike to anybody looking for a great cross country bike!!! You won't be disappointed. I set it up according to the shock pressures listed in the Santa Cruz website and they worked great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Diana
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA, USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ringwood, NJ
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
JB Mountain Bikes
Strengths:
Pedal bob? Who's that?
Weaknesses:
Still getting used to the low bottom bracket. The Kenda Karma Stick-E may be great for CA singletrack, but they're a little delicate for our sharp rocks in PA/NJ. I replaced the tubes with standard thickness and run a few more pounds and it seems to be ok now.
Similar Products Used:
New to FS. Demoed Trek Fuel 100 carbon (super sweet but over my budget) and Klein FS (rode like a stagecoach).
Bike Setup:
Fox Talus RLC, 5th Element, Easton Monkey Lite; XT/LX
Bottom Line:
Totally worth the 7-month wait. My thanks to Justin Bernardo at JB Mountain Bikes in Shillington, PA, for all his help. I've been riding it for two months, and have figured out which shock pressures work for me. I race XC beginner, but I'm a closet downhiller. Just came off the 24 Hours of Allamuchy, and the Blur was fantastic throughout the course, which ranged from smooth, dipping singletrack to off-camber rock gardens to brutal, adrenaline-dropoff-filled rocky downhills. It rides like a jetski--you stand on the pedals and just float over the bumps. It saved me from countless "oh $#@#" moments. You think bunnyhop, and it does it. Despite its weight, it climbs very well when in the saddle, and doesn't bob at all when you're out of the saddle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paulus
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, QC, Canada Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Bromont - Trail #11
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Get Outside
Strengths:
The frame is very stiff laterally. The suspension is very compliant over all sorts of terrain. The Blur excels at technical climbs and fast descents. No Bob when seated. Razor-sharp handling.
Weaknesses:
Very minimal bob when standing. Hint of brake jack? Frame sizing could be better for someone 5'9".
Similar Products Used:
Trek 820 (I loved that bike – but someone stole it), Klein Mantra Race (great XC machine when configured with VERY slow rear rebound – but fragile: terrible integrated headset, 1.25” noodle fork – too many odd sized components)
Bike Setup:
I purchased the frame only, and salvaged as many parts from my Klein as possible. Fox Float 100 RLC, 5th Element Air. Thompson seat post and stem.
Bottom Line:
I've only had it a month, but have logged ~ 25 hours on the trail. I’m 5’9”, 165, and have a size Medium. The top tube is a little short, but acceptable with a 120 stem. The Large was too big, but might suit someone with a shorter torso and longer inseam – an additional in-between frame size would be welcome (I know that producing more sizes increases manufacturing costs, but most road bike are available in 1 cm increments!).
Properly tuning the 5th Element Air requires a little more patience than tuning a Fox. Although the IFP and main chambers both have an effect on the amount of sag, the two chambers work independently of one another. You’ll need to adjust the rebound depending on the amount of pressure in the main chamber only; the IFP pressure has no effect on rebound. Tune the IFP to prevent bob and for low-speed bumps. The shock works great, but feels a little flimsy (especially the Schrader valves) compared to the Fox. Hopefully, it won’t end up in the Stupid Light Recycle Bin.
The Blur climbs really well, but you’ll need to shift your weight a little more towards the front than usual – especially if you have a 100 mm fork. Uphill, the rear wheel has an exceptional amount of grip, and there is absolutely no bob when remaining seated - and very little when standing up. Downhill, the Blur is very smooth and confidence inspiring. On very steep (sit on your rear tire) technical descents though, applying the brake has a tendency to make the bike jack a little; not much, but just enough to lose some rear-end traction and remove some of that confidence. This has mostly been cured by increasing the rebound dampening, but you’ll lose some of the plushness. This may simply be due to the fork compressing under load, so I’ll try increasing the compression/pre-load before my next ride. This should limit the amount of load transfer and keep the rear more firmly planted. (If anyone has more info on this, please send me an e-mail)
I somehow managed to dent the left chain stay. I say ‘somehow’ because I haven’t OTBed the Blur yet (The Klein was good at that). I hope this isn’t an indication of frame strength.
Overall, an excellent dual-suspension bike. Recommended for anyone that loves aggressive technical riding and epics. The power transfer and handling are noteworthy, but competitive racers may prefer something lighter. For everyone else, the extra weight is unnoticeable.
I bought the frame from Get Outside (http://getoutsidebikes.com) in northern New Jersey; friendly and knowledgeable staff that gives good service and advice - highly recommended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
r2
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Bike Setup:
Fox 100 RLC, Progressive 5th Element
Bottom Line:
The Blur lives up to its billing. Great handling. It flies through singletrack - the suspension eats everything up. It will make you faster and you'll feel faster. I've felt no need for a lockout with the 5th Element while running at the low end of recommended pressures for my weight. Any loss of efficiency should be insignificant to the average rider and outweighed by the benefits of the suspension. I try not to think about how much I paid for this bike, but you get what you pay for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gene Henriksen
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport News, VA, USA Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Gatewood, Waller Mill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Conte's Bike and Fitness
Strengths:
stable, agile, quick. beautifully understated in anodized black
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
none, came from hardtail C'dale
Bike Setup:
full XTR, hydraulic disks, Easton handlebar and stem, Fox Float 100, 5th Element rear shock. swapping between Kenda Kharma and WTB Weir Wolf
Bottom Line:
At 61, I have been in the mtb world for just over a year. I love this bike. I ride primarily in eastern Virginia woodlands with roots, hills, bumps, mud and sand (and lots of rain in 2003). It handles well on climbs, descents, muddy turns. When I make a mistake, it allows me to correct the mistake rather than throwing me. At the end of the ride I am tired, but comfortable. Fast downhill bumps used to have me hanging on at the limit of my ability, the Blur soaks them up and I am more in control and feeling good. I ride for fun and physical conditioning. I must say thanks to my wife for trying to buy this for me (I wound up ordering it, she was glad for me to get it). Sweet bike. Sweet wife.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bob h
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA USA Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tree Farm
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
MTBR Classifieds
Strengths:
Fantastic ballance,awesome tracking,great climber-handles like a dream come true.
Weaknesses:
The bike is built along the lines of an XC race bike. Limited travel and the warranty only allows for a 100mm fork. Pivot bearings will wear out fast in wet/muddy conditions-limited rear wheel clearance. Bent over riding position makes it hard for older riders-creates stress on the lower back and neck. Doesn't compare with the 5 inch travel bikes.
Similar Products Used:
More plush than the Superlight-better ballance too. Best bike I've had with less than 5 inches of travel
Bike Setup:
XTR/XT, Race Face Turbine, Fox Vanilla RL 100mm, Crossmax, Hayes, Thompson/Easton, Specialized Roll X Pro tires.
Bottom Line:
I bought the frame used from a guy in CT. After we put it together, it creaked louder than any bike I've seen. Took it apart and all the bearings were shot-the shock bushing was shot too. The bike mechanic said the bearings are the tinest he's ever seen-he figured you'd have to replace them every 3-4 months.
We greased everthing and replaced the shock bushing; it was better for a day and then started creaking like crazy again. We called Santa Cruz and found out they've upgraded the bearings for the Blur-they've made them bigger.Santa Cruz has increased the rear wheel clearance too-the newer frames have a little bit more room-enough to run the Specialized Endro Pro.
On the upside, I loved the way the Blur handled on the trail-it was the sweetest handling bike I've had. The Fox Vanilla RL @ 100mm was soooooo perfect-I couldn't have asked for anything better-very plush/very stiff-very efficient. I was climbing stuff on the Blur that I had to walk with my Heckler.
My first ride I climbed in bigger gears and cut my ride time way down-I trused the bike everywhere except on really steep stuff-but that probably says more about me than the bike.
I would have kept the Blur but the bent over riding position put too much stress on my lower back and neck-but then again, I'm 57 years old. Younger riders probably won't have the same problem.
Get this bike if 4.5 inches of travel is all you need-I don't think other bikes in the same class get any better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chi
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2228.00
Strengths:
Smooth over the rough stuff, comfortable on long rides, well balanced, climbs sweet, VPP just works!
Weaknesses:
Paint easily scratched, suspension squeak.
Similar Products Used:
Superlight, Kona Mokomoko, Cannondale Jekyll 500.
Bike Setup:
Large frame, painted black, Marz MX Comp front, no lockout rear, avid ball bearing disc brakes, XT drivetrain, SD7, EA50 seatpost and stem, EA70 lo-rise handlebar, FSA Orbit Extreme headset, 317 with DT Swiss spokes, and Nokian Boazabeana X tires.
Bottom Line:
I have put about 350kms on the bike. At around the 200km mark, a squeak started coming from one of the pivots but it went away at around the 250km mark. Maybe it needed wearing in... Time will tell.
My last bike was a hardtail and this one feels so much better as it takes away the back ache I used to have after a long ride. Smooth over everything once the shock and fork are dialled in.
The paint has developed really faint scratches on it. With a bike at this price, I think that SC could have done a better job with the painting.
If you like to ride trails and want to be comfortable at the end of long rides, get this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland, MA, USA Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Still searching
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Vernon Cycles
Strengths:
Well I came off 1994ish Bianchi Peregrine Hardtail (some upgrades just to keep it running and keep me in shape). Imagine my my surprise with a Blur. So new that I'll have to update the strengths when I get over my shock. LIGHT ASS HELL!
Weaknesses:
I have ridden this bike once and so far the only weakness that I can find is that it is difficult to clean. Real muddy ride and I am very picky about cleaning (don't like the hose at all). Found it difficult to get to some hard to reach places down by the bottom bracket and swingarm. Practice is all I need and maybe some suggestions from some vets.
Similar Products Used:
I have been researching for at least 7 months and narrowed it down to Jekyll 800, Kona Dawg and the Jamis XLT 1.0 (Blur was way out of price range). Couldn't pace up the Blur for what I paid.
Bike Setup:
Haven't had an opportunity to really review bike as excitment too much so far, but looks to be Super X setup. Hayes Disk, Fox Float RL front, 5th element rear, XT rear der, Deore LX front, etc.
Bottom Line:
Hey man what can I say. Got this bike as a wedding gift from my in-laws (yeah they rock). Friend Chester from the UK spec'd it out (Nice job Chet). This bike is super light, super fast and just makes me want to keep riding. I concured a climb that has been getting the best of me with no problem so climbing isn't an issue with the Blur. Got a medium and was concerned because of my height (6'1"), but it fits great. When I get an opportunity to get some specific reviews, I'll post an update. By the way the color is sweet. Super Thanks to Bob and Ellen.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA, USA Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2850.00
Purchased At:
Discover Bicycles - Hood River, OR
Strengths:
Climbs very well, decends EXTREMELY well. pretty Lite, Great handling! very ballanced feel. Sturdy. super plush. accelerates very well. confidence inspiring. FAST, build quality.... (i could go on)
Weaknesses:
erm... Tires arent the best? A little tight with a 2.1 tire in the rear....... i had to send the shock in.. but that isnt the frames fault...other than those things... the bike rocks!
Similar Products Used:
i demo'ed the palomino, fuel 98, epic disk, Yeti Kokopeli (came in second to the blur), Rocky Mountain Instinct and Rocky Mountain ETX
Bike Setup:
Super X Disc Kit with Fox Float 100RLC fork and 5th element air rear shock (Ano black with the 5th element is sweet!)
Bottom Line:
i was starting to not enjoy riding much. I rode a K2 hard tail, and the bike beat the crap out of me after every ride. It wasn't very enjoyable. I baught the blur, and it revived my love for mountain biking. This bike is just pure fun to ride. It seems easier too. I seem to try things much harder, and, accomplish them with this bike. This bike is everything the magazines say it is. I actually believe this bike climbs BETTER than my hardtail. In fact i think it does everything better than it. I love this bike, it is the ultimate do-everthing bike. And in my opinion it is light and nimble enough to race in novice or sport class.
I had to send in my rear shock, the 5th element air... It was leaking air and oil. BUT besides that fact, the shock is fantastic. It is MORE plush than the Fox, it is lighter, it is sexier, AND this shock has LITERALLY no bob. Non at all. Then, if you hit a very small bump, it goes right into its buttery smooth travel. It is not like the brain shock though, this is much smoother, and there is no "locked-out" mode. This just rides firm, not locked out.
BUYERS INTERESTED IN THE BLUR.... READ THIS! DO NOT PRE-ORDER!!! Go to the Santa Cruz website, look up all the dealers around you, and call away. Usually, one of the bike shops has one in stock, or one comming soon, (this is on the west coast, im not sure about east coast)... I live in seattle area, but i baught the bike in Hood River, OR to save a **** load on tax (almost $300). When i went to Discover Bicycles to pick up my bike, they had about five, yes.. five Santa Cruz Blur's in stock. I highly recommend this shop, they were very helpful, and they added the 5th element air for the same price as the Fox AVA.
Oregon, has alot of these bikes, they are anodized in Oregon, my advise is to get one there, and shop is happy to ship one for about $50. Which is certainly cheaper than tax. so... go out and BUY THIS BIKE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hamish
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Godley Head
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Bike Source
Strengths:
Very well made. VPP design does the business. Wonderfull balance.
Weaknesses:
One v minor manufacturing boob. The top holder on the rear seatstay that locates the rear end of the center section of cable outer for the rear mech (phew, does that thing have a name?) is mounted at a slight angle to the cable line. This has created problems with the rear shifter cable binding. Easily sorted.
Bike Setup:
Medium (I am 5'6") X Disc kit. XT with Hayes discs, Fox shock and Fox 100RLC fork. Easton carbon bits.
Bottom Line:
I started cylcing late and have come to the Blur from a Hardtail. My first full sus bike. A bit like going from a beat up Holden ute (read Chevy pickup in the US of A)to a 2003 BMW M3. Both get you there but the experience is a little different. The Blur handles single track very well. Steering is accurate and the fork is nice and stiff. Handling is A1. I used to fall off heaps but have managed to stay on the Blur despite riding faster and harder. Climbing is amazing. The rear tyre hangs on so much better then the hardtail. I don't think that I am losing anything to Bob. I can feel the bike moving while I pedal but it all seems to go where it should. You do need to keep the power on I believe. I can stand in the saddle and mash away and it just grunts up hills. Apparently the 5th Element shock may offer even more stability then the Fox shock.
My race placings have improved so I am going quicker. One of the guys that I ride with a lot is on an S-Works with the Brain. The Blur weighs a little less which surprised both of us. The Blur is an all round XC machine while the S-Works is race oriented. For all the non-race riding we do - the Blur is the pick of the two.
Medium works for me - just. Its not perfect but its a problem when you are on the dividing line between sizes.
Well done SC. You guys are good to deal with as were Bike Source (I purchased via the WWW). Thanks to all the reviewers. I bought this thing sight unseen as no-one has a Blur around here. One of the interesting things is that people don't notice it. The S-works gets all the looks but the Blur just slides on past. Very understated. Nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tommy jackil
a Weekend Warrior
from colorado Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
xxx
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2050.00
Purchased At:
calmarcycles
Strengths:
light,plush,
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Giant NRS, TREK, GARRY FISHER
Bike Setup:
FULL XT, MARATHON SL
Bottom Line:
PERFECT BIKE FOR PERFECT RIDER
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BH
a Weekend Warrior
from Geneva Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Government Trail - Aspen CO
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Bike Connection
Strengths:
Love the VPP suspension. When it's dialed in, no BOB. Yes, you can feel the suspension working whether standing, sitting, climbing or downhill..smooth and plush, but not taking anything away from the pedal stroke. I wouldn't change a thing. I've always been a hardtail fan..until VPP.
Before I got this bike, I rode once or twice a month. Now I'm riding almost every day, and doing 50-100K per weekend of good trails. The enjoyment factor for me went up 100X with the Blur.
Weaknesses:
Not much.
Similar Products Used:
Previously was riding an old Specialized Stumpjumper..nice bike for the money. Demo'd pretty much everything out there before settling on the Blur.
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Fox Float RLC, Fox RL, Crossmax SL UST, Easton 70 series posts and bars. Nice.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line...best bike I've ever ridden. Quick, light, surefooted...gives me confidence to go for technical stuff I wouldn't have even considered before.
I doubt there's a better bike out there, at least for me. I think if you want to really key in on any one thing, you can probably find a bike that's better for that category. But if you want an all-arounder...something you ride everywhere and everyway, something that leaves you smiling at the end of the day and looking forward to coming back for more...I'd highly recommend it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nir Sh
a Cross Country Rider
from Hafera, Israel Date Reviewed: July 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Tzir Merkazi
Strengths:
WOW, WOW, Amazing bike with great set up - Fast comfortable easy to control very good looking!
Weaknesses:
Did not find any yet
Similar Products Used:
Superlight, sugar 4+ , Palamino
Bike Setup:
5 element air+ Full XT + Mavic 717 + Hayes Disc + Marathon S 105 MM + Carbon Bar & Seat post + Kenda Karma Tiers
Bottom Line:
After a long wating, it is the best bike, Like a dream :-) They are only 11.8 KG
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Parr Wiegel
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY USA Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tryon Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Tow Path Bikes
Strengths:
So far the bike is just flat out fast and smooth as silk. Great climber, very responsive and rigid. I have never been on a bike this impressive
Weaknesses:
The wait. 4.5 month... But worth it.
Similar Products Used:
Epic and Sugar 1
Bike Setup:
Mavic Cross Max, Race Face next lp, xtr, Hayse disc, Monkee Lite xc, Fox Rlc 100, Time z peddals
Bottom Line:
Everytime a friend got a new bike I looked in jealousy. I almost pulled the trigger on several other bikes over the past two years but never did,. When the Blur came out I deciede to go for it. I waited and waited and waited but once the bike came it changed the way I ride. The bike is so sure footed that it builds confiedence and raises riding levels. The bike climbs like nothing I have ever been on and the bikes ability to take a hit and absorb it is amazing.
If you are looking ofr an all round bike that will make you a better rider this is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Saskatoon, SK, Canada Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
BicycleCafe
Strengths:
ride, weight, price (blur x-disc vpp)
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mtn Element Race
Bike Setup:
x-disc stock set up, 5th element air, fox RLC talus, XTR RR rear der., 2002 egg beaters
Bottom Line:
The Blur is sweet. It hasn't made me a better rider but I can certainly do things with it I couldn't do on my previous bike. I can climb things I couldn't climb before, I'll go down things without thinking twice (that I would previously have avoided), and all much faster.
I'm a bit of a masher so there is some action in the shock, but what is cool is that you don't feel it transmitted through the seat or the pedals (I don't). I love riding semi-rough roads on my way to trailheads with the fork locked out, I don't feel a thing in the back as the shock and vpp soak up the bumps, and I'm flying. The only time I've really found the FS design working against me is if I'm spinning pretty fast and then need to stand up to maintain the same cadence (but it's bad technique so I won't complain).
I've changed the way I ride with this bike. I stand up going up hills now and can clear things that I would never have tried. This is one situation where I feel my skills might be devolving, although I still try to go up hills while seated the vpp allows me to stand when it gets really steep (something that would have been impossible on my element race).
I can spin much higher gears on this bike, I use the big ring up front all the time, I don't think I used it on my previous bike unless I was tackling a long DH. I hit the little ring less often now too, totally cool. The XTR rapid rise derailleur is great, although I'm starting to realize how much I used to throw that right thumb to grab whole bunches of cogs at once when i started to climb, I have to anticipate more. I think that's a good thing.
The bottom bracket seem pretty high to me, oh well. One thing I noticed is how high the seat it, I can barely touch the ground when I sitting on the bike. Once I'm riding though it feels perfect, I think the SC site is pretty bang on in terms of sizing. I might shorting the stem a bit (change to 100 or 110, from a 120), we'll see. The frame is plenty stiff (super stiff compared to other FS bikes I've ridden) I don't feel any wash if I'm cornering hard and the rear suspension is activated. The 5th element shock is sweet, although I still trying to get all the settings on it and the fox RLS talus (also sweet) dialed in. The frame handles the longer fork (125 mm) just fine.
I haven't seen anyone mention the killer deal that SC is offering if you don't want to customize the colour and are happy with the fox RLC/Xdisc or X set up. If you select Blur X VPP or Blur Xdisc VPP on their site you can get the bike for about $600 less than if you fiddle around with colours and other forks. You get the blur with an anodized frame with the RLC fork with the x-disc set up for less than you can get the powder coated frame with the cheapest fork (duke XC). Anyway, a bike shop pointed that out and it was a great way to get tonnes of bike for a great price (you just have to be satisfied with one of four colours, it seems wierd/cool to have so many colour choices for a bike).
Anyone who can afford this bike should buy it. Great brakes (hayes hydro, great parts kits, strong frame).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chad Forrest
a Cross Country Rider
from Beijing - China Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Xiangshan Moshekou
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1150.00
Purchased At:
The Flying Ball - Hong Kong
Strengths:
I don't ride hardtail bikes. Never have and never will. We ride on really hard pack trails in Beijing (I am an American living and working in China for the past 8 years). The trails are both single track and fast fire roads with lots and lots of up hill riding with fast technical descents. I've been amazed at how suited the Blur is for my riding style and the trails we ride on. This bike up hills unbelievably well and than goes down faster than I can stomach.
Weaknesses:
The only thing I've noticed so far is that I am hitting my pedals more than I ever did before. This is easily adjusted with a little more concentration and a bit of an adjustment to my riding technique.
Similar Products Used:
I've always riden full suspension mt bikes. Started with the Proflex 855 many moons ago than bought one of the first Ravens Cannondale made (guess it was one of the first 100 made). I've riden the Raven since 97' and have never had a problem with it. Actually won an up hill "King of the Mountain" race this summer (2003) riding the Raven.
Bike Setup:
2003 XTR drive train with 2002 rapid fire shifters, egg beaters, 317 rims with DT competition spokes on Hope hubs and Hope skewers (nice skewers), Pannaracer Mach SS tires (normally use Mach SK for the rear but thought I'd try the SS for the rear for this round of tires), Hope minis, 2002 Duke SL (100 mm), Thompson seat post and stem (love Thomspon), Chris King headset, Easton Carbon handle bars. I've also ordered No Tubes but it has gotten lost in the mail.
Bottom Line:
Wow! I researched my new bike for a long time and after having finally purchased the bike and riden the Blur I can honestly say that I made the right choice. I believe that really good mountain bikers are good up hillers and that the Blur being a full suspension bike is equally as good an up hill bike as it is a down hill one. It also handles well in the technical single track (up and down).
This is a great bike and I'm hoping that its made to last. If you're thinking about buying this bike get it. The Chad recommends it and my buddy Stu (Beijing's Mr. Coffee) who also bought a Blur won't shut up about how much he likes his bike.
Thanks to Mr. Lee at the Flying Ball in Hong Kong!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dudeman
a Weekend Warrior
from San Mateo, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At:
That's a secret
Strengths:
Laterally rigid, NO BOB WHATSOEVER, great suspension action, little to no brake jack, great looks.
Weaknesses:
None, unless you expect way too much.
Similar Products Used:
Owned and Ridden: Kona Hots (2), Voodoo Bizango, Schwinn 4-Banger, Bridgestone MB-1 and MB-3, Schwinn High Sierra
Test Ridden: Almost every suspension design out there.
Bike Setup:
The Hodgepodge: Fifth Element Air, Float 100 RL, Hayes Discs, XT/XTR drivetrain, Mavic/Hugi Wheels, Easton Carbon Post and Bars, Titec saddle, raceface 110 system
Bottom Line:
Believe the hype. Nothing else comes close in this price and weight range. There is nothing wrong with this bike, which is a huge compliment to any full-sus bike. It's pretty damn light, too: mine weighs a bit over 25 lbs with 2.1 ritchey z-max tires.
It floats over almost anything. The fifth element air absolutely eliminates whatever "pedal induced feedback" the vpp doesn't take care of.
I'm 5'11" and the large fits me perfectly.
It definitely could take a 5" travel fork without compromising handling.
Can't wait for the 24 of Tahoe at Northstar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Breckenridge, Colorado, USA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Peaks Trail, Breckenridge to Frisco
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3380.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
floats over everything, NO BOB with the 5th element air, NONE.
Weaknesses:
mutano tires have no sidewall, am washing out way too much on trails here. I go too fast (wait, that's a strength too). hayes brakes keep fading (yes, they've been bled),
3.1 Mavic tubeless, WTB Mutano (don't like these), Fox float 100RLC, Progressive 5th Element Air Rear, XT shifters, Hayes Hydraulics, XTR Der. and BB, XT Cranks, WTB laserlite hubs F/R, Monkeylite mid riser Bar, Cane Creek Stem, Chris King Headset, Easton Seat, Selle Prolink seat, Time ATAC carbon pedals
Bottom Line:
This bike IS everything it's been hyped to be, no question. I've ridden about every hot bike out there in testing phase, and this was the ONLY bike that was rideable with no pedal feedback/bob.
I have to say, i'm hesitant to go after every bike that gets hyped by the latest MTB magazine, but for those of us who aren't pro circuit racers but are experts, the bike manufacturers and snotty shop workers leave people no choice, because everyone tries to talk over your head with bike mumbo jumbo. i decided to see what the hype was about, and to all those saying 'oh you're just like everyone else, following the herd (mostly shop workers who don't carry santa cruz)', all i can say is YOURE JEALOUS.
you should buy this bike if you're comfortable going fast, like a smaller frameset and larger clearance over the top tube, and disc brakes don't scare you. don't buy this bike just because it's hot. it's an indy racer, not a porsche. i would only recommend it for advanced to pro riders, and it's not for DH hucking.
p.s. this bike IS available. colorado cyclist has them in stock, and their prices seemed to be really well, although they messed up my shipment so make sure you ask them to double check everything.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cycle Junkie
a Cross Country Rider
from RSM, CA (USA) Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Backbone
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat (just frame)
Strengths:
-VPP just works -Travel is super plush -Bike has a very predictable feel to it -Handles well in pretty much any situation/terrain
Weaknesses:
-Can't really think of any that really bother me
Similar Products Used:
-Turner XCE/02 -Giant VT 1 -Superlight
Bike Setup:
-Large black ano frame -Titec Hell Bent XC bars -ODI Lock-Jaw/Ruffian grips -Titec Big Al stem -King HS -Marz Marathon SL fork ('03) -Titec post -Selle Italia Genuine Gel saddle -XT Crankset -XT front der -XT rear der -XT shifters -Hayes HFX Mag brakes (6" rotors) -Mavic 317/King hubs -Mutano Raptor 2.24 tires -Salsa Flip-Off skewers
Bottom Line:
The blur is just an incredible bike to ride. VPP works! I can climb in any gear and the bike just motors up the trail. I have my AVA Float R setup with 1/2" of sag and 7-8 clicks out for rebound. I know the frame is spec'd with 100mm of travel, but I swear it feels like more. The bike is so much fun to descend on! The feel is super plush and very predictable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Tahoe, NV USA Date Reviewed: June 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chimney Rock
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Bros.
Strengths:
Fast, stiff, climbing.
Weaknesses:
All the XC racers posting reviews on this bike.
Similar Products Used:
Epic, Spider, VT.
Bike Setup:
large frame, xtr everywhere, king everywhere, hayes disc, x3.1 rims with Cont. Vert 2.3 tires, thompson post, monkey lite bars with easton stem, bomber forks.
Bottom Line:
I will keep it short & simple. The bike is everything they said it would be, hands down the best all mountain bike on the market. I can't even explain in words how epic this bike is on the down hills and hardcore XC trails. This is NOT the bike for xc racers! I would advise either to buy this frame or demo the bike before you take advise from your local shop.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
paul
a Weekend Warrior
from mass Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
foxboro + boarderland
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Strengths:
plush, climbs great, made in the usa,
Weaknesses:
rear wheel doesn,t sit square in triangle. closer to non drive side, wheel is dished propperly.
Similar Products Used:
specialized fsr, giant nrs, s.c. bullit
Bike Setup:
marzocchi x-fly, hayes hydro. brakes, thomson, raceface, xtr, xt, c.k. hubs, sun rims.
Bottom Line:
fun bike to ride. i swapped all of the parts from my nrs to this one (even the seat post fit), i like the way this climbs better than my nrs, the wheel stays glued to the ground. goes down good also. it is a large and it fits me well with a 120 stem and i am 6'1". the rear triangle is the only bummer. they have replaced it once and this one is better but still off. they said to ride it the rest of the season and then send it back for inspection/repair. great company to deal with. my rear dropouts are a little far apart and have to be closed up with the skewr. i saw an other post where someone else complained about this too. decent price compared to other bikes in it,s class. imagine paying 2000.00 for an epic and it,s made in taiwan? 4 chilis due to rear triangle issue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Micky
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Cedro Peak
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
Mt Sinai Bicycles
Strengths:
Stable, plush, solid rear end, descends like a YZ250
Weaknesses:
Slower acceleration and steering
Similar Products Used:
Yeti ASR, Santa Cruz Super Light
Bike Setup:
Fox Float R, 317s on CK hubs with Stan's, Fox AVA (just got 5th Element Air), Avid mech. brakes, XT.
Bottom Line:
Very fast and reassuring bicycle on descents. Probably due to the long swingarm and VPP. Slower to accelerate than my Superlight but once you get it going it's fairly efficient. Probably due to the long swingarm and VPP. Very comfortable on long rides. Just got a 5th Element Air. If it does what I hope the Blur may become racable at more courses. As it is now its just a boatload of fun!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Still searching!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
My favourite "well connected" bike store (that would prefer to remain anonymous)
Strengths:
- Extremely light for an XL full suspension bike (25.5 lbs) - VPP works as advertised - great climber, without power sucking bob and is super plush - Very stealthy, this is the quietest bike I've ever ridden through all types of terrain
Weaknesses:
New XTR tranny and discs have yet to convince me of their superiority relative to older XTR and high end V-brakes (Having not had discs before to compare).
Similar Products Used:
Did have a Kona King Kikapu and Fisher Sugar 2 - both ripped off! (great excuse to buy the Blur though!)
Bike Setup:
XL frame, pukey Alien Yellow (it's so ugly, it's great), Full XTR Buildout Kit (new XTR shifters, tranny, hydraulic disks, BB, Easton post and bar, King headset, Fox Fork RLC 100, etc, etc.)
Bottom Line:
What's not to love? I have admired Santa Cruz bikes since I got into this sport. I actually wanted a Superlight instead of the Kona, but at 230lb's, It was not appropriate due to recommended weight limitations. (After snapping two Sugar 2 frames, I became more concerned about this tidbit of information). VPP is amazing and it works, construction quality is top notch and the bike looks beefy and strong. It climbs like hell (in or out of the seat - bonus!)without any bob. Some have mentioned that they have noticed bob but I maintain that it's just the bike navigating the terrain. There is no power loss, dig deep and enjoy! The Fox Fork works well but I do miss the Marzocchi with the ECC lockout that was on my stolen Kona (locks out in the compressed position - great for climbing). The bike is very plush, quiet and stealthy on the trails. The design seems to limit the chain from smacking around. Things works very quietly and effeciently. I don't race much but my Blur and I did come in third in an 8 hour relay event (40ish category), despite some training on my behalf, I gave most of the credit to the bike!
Despite all the goodness, I am being remarkably patient trying to sort out the new XTR stuff. Poor, choppy, non-precise shifting has plagued me since delivery. I've had it in a dozen times for adjustment, but it's only good for a few rides before I'm back again. You can only blame cable stretch for so long. The new XTR hydraulic discs are great but are already starting to grab in the neutral position. Apparently there's a recall/replacement coming for the calipers. I rely heavily on my bike store to keep me apprised of what's going on. They assure me that they will deal with these issues to my satisfaction (I think largely due to the fact that the store team is running the same XTR set-up with similar problems that I am experiencing). Shimano is a big company, I'll keep the faith that they want to maintain their stellar reputation and get it right(for now).
Four flaming chili's only due to my XTR problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Woodberry Forest Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
too many to chose one
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2850.00
Purchased At:
pedal the peaks
Strengths:
Climbing, cornering, descending
Weaknesses:
Difficult to get
Bike Setup:
x disc kit from Santa Cruz
Bottom Line:
I received this bike 13 days ago, I have taken it on long to longer length rides ten times now. On the east coast it has been raining a lot. The first thing I noticed on this bike was its stability. In slick conditions I was immediately comfortable with the wheels sliding on off camber sections and while cornering, it was predictable. The second thing I noticed was the bikes climbing ability, it wants to go up. The back wheel stays glued to the ground giving the bike incredible efficiency. Instead of getting bounced upward like on my hardtail the Blur moved forward. When the conditions dried enough I was able to experience how capable this bike is on downhills. It doesn't take much effort to push the bike forward and keep your weight back when the terrain gets rough, even while on the brakes. That same sense is experienced while cornering. It is easy to find a "sweet spot" within the cockpit that allows the bike to track predictably. Again, the back wheel feels glued to the ground giving a lot of confidence. The final point I want to make is on the bikes efficiency. This bike wants to keep its momentum, it keeps its speed over bumpy and rough terrain. Granted there a lot of variables but I can't imagine doing the same rides I have been doing on the BLur in less time on my hardtail, not to mention the beating my body takes on the hard tail. I don't see why you wouldn't want to race this bike if you enjoy racing (even on a course with relatively smooth terrain). This bike is full of potential for making technical advances in riding style. If you are coming from a hard tail, try new lines with the blur. The blur wants to keep moving so keep your weight centered and go after it! And a PS There are a lot of fun, efficient bikes out there...Epic, Spider, AR-S, Scalpel, Palomino, etc...picking one doesn't mean you have to be at odds or better than another. When racing or trail riding mountain biking should be about enjoying other riders, their bikes, and the trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Edmundo Soriano
a Cross Country Rider
from San Andres Cholula, Pue MEX Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
El Zapo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Speedbikes
Strengths:
Good climber, great handling uphill and downhill, its amazing the feeling of "Im in total control of the bike" and sometimes you´ll be surprised of the speed you reach without intention. At the beggining I use to feel like it was heavy but then I notice I have been passing some folks that usually beats me, due to spinning at much higher cogs than usual.
Weaknesses:
Very hard to get one of this, so plush that you often look to your tires cause you think they are flat.
Similar Products Used:
GT idrive, Kona King Kikapu, Specialized Enduro
Bike Setup:
Blur 03, Black Ano Small, XT Drivetrain(FD, RD, Shifters, Cassette, Chain), Raceface(stem, Seatpost, Handlebar, Cranks, BB, Headset) Fox Float R Forx, Mavic Crossroc wheels and Michelin Wildgripper XS tires
Bottom Line:
I think SC made one of the best bikes around and Im very happy of owning one of them. Also the price vs value is great
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alien
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos, CA. USA Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Saratoga Gap and Steven's Cyn.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Crossroads Bicycles
Strengths:
The VPP system has very little bob. Rides is very different than my Superlight. It's both stiffer on climbs and sprints, and plusher over rough stuff.
Excellent frameset! Bike weighs 25.5 lbs with disc brakes and no weight-weenie parts. Very responsive and stiff when it needs to be, while being plush and smooth over bumps. The combination of VPP and Fox's Brain technology make for a very balanced feel. The bike seems to lock out the front and rear suspension perfectly to elimate bob and give a firm climbing platform. Not as plush as the Superlight, but definitely more efficient. A LOT of performace for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a
from mishawaka Indiana Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Fort Custer
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
House Of Bicycles
Strengths:
great craftmanship, climbs and decends very very well.A great all around bike that does everthing very well.Trans-am blue paint-job is awesome.
Weaknesses:
Long wait,7 long monthes,the last 2 Mo. wre espesially long as it was supposed to be here any-day now.From the sound of other reviewers,it took only 2mos. to get them if you lived on the West Coast.
Similar Products Used:
Giant Nrs DiamondBack Xts-3
Bike Setup:
X-large Trans-Am Blue,Thompson post and stem,Hayes Disc,Fox Float Rl fork,Xt front and rear derailer and shifters.Bontager Mustang Ust rims with Hadley hubs built up expertly by Dave at Speedream Wheels.
Bottom Line:
This bike absolutely lives up to all the hype that has been generated about it.It climbs better than my Giant Nrs. which I thought was a very good climber Before I got my Blur.The suspension is very plush and seems to get better every time I ride it.The Hayes Disc brakes work great and do not drag whatsoever.I had this bike built up with dureability in mind as I am 6-2 and 235lbs.but it still came out 27lbs. 3oz.This bike is absolutely the most fun bike I could ever imagine ridding.Other than the long wait I can think of no weaknesses,But I must say that the wait was definetly worth every single day and month.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Tommasino
a Cross Country Rider
from Northridge, CA USA Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pacific Crest Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica
Strengths:
Solid ride, plush suspension, great handling, climbs like a goat, mighty nice to look at, makes friends jealous
Weaknesses:
You still have to pedal it.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel 90
Bike Setup:
Fox Talus fork, XT/XTR mixture, Maxxis Minion DH tires with tubeless set-up, Hayes brakes, 2.5 hp Briggs and Stratten engine
Bottom Line:
What an exceptional bike! The Virtual Pivot Point really works. If your bike is set-up correctly you will get virtually NO BOB. And that's even if you're a masher like me. Who would guess a bike with 4 1/2 inches of travel could actually be fun to ride uphill? This bike makes my old Fuel seem like it was purchased at Costco. I'm no downhiller, but it's hard not to embrace the downhill ability of this ride. I'm even considering wearing pads now - Oh noooooooooooooo!!!! It's true, don't try anything bigger than a 2.25 tire in the rear as my 2.35 occasionally rubs slightly. And may I highly recommend talking to Monte at Helen's in Santa Monica. He is very knowledgeable and will professionally fit you to the bike, which I firmly believe has allowed me to maximize my enjoyment of this Blur. Go get one - they're SWEET!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Silicon Valley Date Reviewed: June 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Enchanted Forest Loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3700.00
Purchased At:
Reeds Bicyles
Strengths:
Very forgiving on the rocky downhill and you can take ANY line you want while knocking the paint off your friends bike as you go bye in a blurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I expect that I’m going some 5 mph down hill then I used to in on some runs. Most say it feels like 6 inches, it’s starting too now that I’m on the correct size bike.
Weaknesses:
It you don't have one, you may have to wait, or settle for a color you didn't want.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler & Superlight, DBR-XR4
Bike Setup:
Fox RLC 100, Fox AVA w/Lockout, 2003 XTR Crank, Cassette & Front Derailleur, SRAM XO Rear Derailleur and Shifters, XT Disk Brakes, Thompson Seat Post and Stem, Chris King Headset & Hubs on Mavic 317’s, WTB Laser V Seat, Pro Carbon Riser Bars and ATAC Carbon Pedals
Bottom Line:
This is an update from my previous 5/16/03 post… DRAMA: The bike shop inadvertently sold me the wrong size bike (bike sizes are not stated on the frame by the way), I purchased a medium bike and received a small frame without knowing.
Well all and all, the shop corrected the mistake and now that I’m on the correct size bike, I can say that this bike has a noticeably less bobbing than the small framed Blur. It seems correct bike fitment is everything, especially with the Blur.
Yesterday I took this bike to Wilder Ranch, where else but in Santa Cruz California, I couldn’t think of a better place to take my new bike for it’s maiden voyage. I can tell you that the medium Blur and I get along much better, in fact perfect, this bike rocks! It is heads and shoulders above the first Blur I had, it’s much smoother, comfortable, and easier to ride.
I speculate that on the small frame I may have had my weight too far backward to compensate for the small frame and as such, the rear swing arm was not the sweet spot, again only speculation. I weigh about 170 lbs and have the rear shock set at 180 lbs, which seems perfect thus far, every 5 lbs up or down in air pressure makes a HUGE difference i.e. at 175 lbs of pressure the bike is super plush.
I’m extremely happy with the Blur, giving all drama of receiving the wrong size frame, I admit I was jaded, and almost gave up on having a Blur all together. But thanks to my wonderful Wife, who insisted I go through with the deal, even though the bike shop would of made an exception in this case and refunded my money.
Thanks Honey Doo!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
I don't Drive a car
a Cross Country Rider
from Nor Cal Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Dirty
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
shop employee
Strengths:
Lateral stiffness,linear spring rate,stable geometry,durable anno.finish,decent weight for what it is,efficient suspension design.
Weaknesses:
BB a little low, but that makes it handle better. SEAT stay needs protection from chain slap.
Similar Products Used:
too many to list.I work in a shop, tried them all
Bike Setup:
shimano drive train,Easton carbon bars and post.TruVativ team stylo crank/BB, Hope mini,White Ind/317 DB 3x BRASS nips,Marzocchi Marathon sl 105mm. NO LOCKOUT on frm. 959 pedals. Hutchinson python 2.0 tires.
Bottom Line:
I work in a bike shop. I DON'T shave my legs,carry a NORBA card, wear body armour, take the chair lift, or do shuttle runs. I RIDE MY BIKE!-everywhere. 20 to 45 miles, 2 to 5 hrs each time. I ride to the trail head and then I ride everything from long fire road climbs to steep rocky decents and every piece of twisty single track, up and down, and in between. this is NOT a "race" bike or a "free ride" bike. It is a "MT.bike" for people who want to ride all day and get away from it all, including the well beaten path. It is not some miracle bike that does not bob, but when you put the hammer down it firms up plenty for me. For the cry babies who want to run 2.4 or larger tires, get the VPP FREE when it comes out or better yet, inflate your tires or get some SKILLS. Racer boys should get the Intense Spider, it's lighter, made for 80mm forks, and has Easton tubing but that's another review all together.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Silicon Valley Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tractor Trail, Demostration Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3700.00
Purchased At:
A Local Bike Store
Strengths:
Great climber, adjustable suspension, looks cool, currently all the rave.
Weaknesses:
Noticeable bobbing
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler & Superlight, DBR-XR4
Bike Setup:
Fox RLC 100, Fox AVA w/Lockout, XTR Crank, Cassette & Front Derailleur, XO Rear Derailleur and Shifters, XT Disk Brakes, Thompson Seat Post and Stem, Chris Kings Hubs on Mavic 317’s, Chris King Headset, WTB Laser V Seat, Carbon Riser Bars and ATAC Pedals
Bottom Line:
If you view my parts list (24.9 Lbs.) you may note that I have some pretty nice parts; my goal was to spare no expense and put together the best bike that I could.
Although, I didn’t get the lightest parts, I felt I bought the best parts. I could of easily taken another pound if I was a racer type or thought I needed to, but not the case here.
Even though the bikes still has its fair share of bob, the bike is very crisp and a joy to ride. Extremely forgiving on the rocky downhill and you can take ANY line you want, I expect that I’m going some 5 mph down hill then I used to. Most say it feels like 6 inches, it doesn’t, it feels like 4 ½, but a very nice 4 ½. I rode this back-to-back with my DBR (4 bar Horst Linkage) and the bob for the most part is exactly the same. However, when you go to step on the peddled and try to leave your friends behind, the suspension bob does go away - completely. You can blame it on my Non-Armstrong like peddling if you’d like, but I’d like to think that my peddle stoke isn’t that bad for a guy who’s been riding for 16 years now. What I’m most impressed with is those XT Disk breaks, I can’t say enough about them, if you don’t have disk – get um. My old bike now feels like a 1965 Ford with 200,000 miles on the odometer.
As far as the bobbing, since the bike never promised it wouldn’t bob (it’s the people who rode who said that) I can’t be made at the bike. To be most fair, I can’t do not feel the bob and much as I can look down and see the bob, but again, it’s pretty much like my 4 bar bike with exception that when you go all out, the bike gets absolutely flat. The rear shock has a lockout, doesn’t need and I won’t even use it, not even on the flats or some crazy 6 mile 15 degree uphill, that’s not my style.
This bike by all accounts is a very sweet trail-XC bike, and I would absolutely buy this bike again. With a bike this nice, It makes me want to ride everyday, and THAT’S what I wanted to do most, get excited again enough about Mt. Biking to ride daily. I give on y 4 chiles on the value, because I don't think that any bike that cost nearly $4000 dollars is a good value, after all the hype is done, you still need to peddle you butt off to get to the top, after all it's a bicycle...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Witt
a
from Lynchburg, VA Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Strengths:
Plush suspension.
Weaknesses:
Weight. It rides like it has 5 inches of travel. Hard to get
Similar Products Used:
FSR's
Bike Setup:
XTR, Fox fork
Bottom Line:
Disappointed. I waited for this thing for awhile. I does n't ride much different then my old FSR Enduro. Definately not a race bike. I have riden an EPIC quite a bit and now wish I had gotten an Epic instead of my Blur. Don't get me wrong, the Blur is a great trail bike. If you plan to race, look for something else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott G.
a Cross Country Rider
from Pacific Grove, CA Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything at Fort Ord
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4400.00
Purchased At:
Sports Center Bicylces Seaside, CA
Strengths:
Excellent suspension with no BOB, weight, Anno finish is of great quality, overall ride experience is excellent.
Weaknesses:
Perhaps the price, but you get what you pay for. 2 Month wait.
Similar Products Used:
Giant VT, Superlight, Epic
Bike Setup:
2003 XTR w/hydro disk, Chris King Headset, Easton EA-70 bar and seatpost, Mavic 3.1 Rims/XTR hubs, Wildgripper Tires,WTB Rocket V Saddle, Fox Float 100 RLC, Fox RL Rear
Bottom Line:
This was my first full suspension bike. I held out for years due to all the set-ups out there and the BOB issue. I had been quite happy with my Merlin Hardtail, but could not believe how incredible the Blur's ride is. I can testify to falling into the same trap as some of the other new Blur owners, I have started to go way too fast on some trails. It's just plain amazing how much punishment the suspension can absorb. As it has been raining out here for about the past three weeks, the one finger stopping power of the XTR discs is excellent...they work great. I purchased this as a trail bike, and feel I made the right choice. For rides that last between 3-4 hours, it is aweswome. Compared to the Merlin, I definetly do not feel as "beat up" after an extended ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ticky
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clarita Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Towsley cyn (does scare crap out of me though)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
cycle world
Strengths:
Plush bike that climbs like a goat yet descends like a DH bike. Looks cool too!
Weaknesses:
this space has been intentionally left blank by the reviewer to indicate the fact that this product has no weakness whatsoever!!
Similar Products Used:
there are no similar products. I've ridden an NRS for two years and comparing the two would be criminal. I tried the Epic but the "brain" is too smart for me. Almost bought an Ironhorse, thank God I didn't.
Bike Setup:
super x: hayes, xt gruppo, easton cf post and handlebars. shimano 959 peds. fox rlc ava rear, f100rl front
Bottom Line:
Sell all your toys and by this bike! The hills around here are very steep and the blur climbs them as though you're on an escalator. Who the hell is BOB? There's no pedal induced bob on this baby. Descending: I'm generally afraid of death, however, the BLUR makes you feel so comfortable coming down the hills that you think you can't possibly crash. The bike is comfortable, responsive and not twitchy. Instead of searching for the correct line I find myself seeking out the most difficult one! That is to say the BLUR has made me believe that there exists a power greater than us, controlling what we do. That force is the freak at Santa Cruz who designed this gift; somehow empowered by bike-angels!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento ca Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Too many to choose
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
Not tellin'
Strengths:
Probably the best all around bike I have ever used.
Weaknesses:
I will let you know.
Similar Products Used:
Superlight, ID, Bullit and others.
Bike Setup:
A bit heavy compared to a race setup as I like the allaround trailbike for allaround trails and I do not race. Fox 125RLC, all XT, Hayes disc, 959's and a mix of Easton, WTB, and other stuff. 27.5 lbs is my best estimate.
Bottom Line:
Can somebody explain to me how this set up feels more plush than my Bullit and ID. I like small hit smoothness on rocky trails due to a back thing, this is more comfortable than all other bikes I have riden. Weird.
The AVA shock was a bit confusing at first but once figured out it was set and forget, a fact lost on other reviewers who seemed to seek a shock that could adjust on the fly. No lockout required in my opinion.
I have done some downhill at Downiville and Northstar and would not ride this in that environment but almost everywhere else in the Sierra is probably acceptable.
This bike has recieved much hype and I say it is well deserved if the rest of my experiences live up to my initial impression. Tough to get your hands on one of these as I had to wait two months, that was fast from what I understand as I have friends in the business who helped me get this new toy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shaun
a Cross Country Rider
from Alameda, CA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Wissahickon Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Robinson Wheel Works
Strengths:
Responds like a hardtail on sprints and climbs, but still super plush.
Weaknesses:
None that I've found.
Similar Products Used:
Soulcraft FS
Bike Setup:
Full XT, including Discs, Mavic 3.1 Tubeless w/ Panaracer Trailblasters, Easton MonkeyLites, Thomson Stem and Post, and Chris King Headset (as if there is another choice)
Bottom Line:
Climbing: Believe the hype. I'm not kidding. I was a die-hard hardtailer. I brought the bike home and realized to my disappointment that the lockout I requested was not on the Fox rear shock. Couldn't find it spec'd on my order, so I wasn't left with much room to complain. Well, I took it for a ride and it's a non-issue. Lock out your fork and this thing responds like a hardtail. But, I can go up the steep and rough SO much easier. Some might call it cheating.
Downhill: I'm going to get hurt because this thing is so fast. Point it downhill and it just wants to go. It feels very solid and tracks like it's on rails, except for a little slop in the 1.9 Trailblasters (I ordered 2.1 Fire XC's and they hadn't come in - hats off to Robinson for setting me up, anyway - don't like the tires? Bring 'em back!). I haven't ridden enough FS to say that this bike feels "bigger" than it's travel, but it does feel pretty big.
Components: Still dialing the fork - the lockout lever is coming loose, but the ETA is very cool. A little stiction until you get it moving - LBS tells me that will break in. XT Discs rock. Jury's still out on tubeless. Selle Italia Flite Gel saddle is more comfortable than some of the other "junk savers" that I've tried.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Russell
a Weekend Warrior
from Novato, California, USA Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tamarancho, Skegs Point
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
Stan's Bikes
Strengths:
Amazing suspension, stiff but relatively light frame, great geometry.
Weaknesses:
Minor whine that the guides for brake cables allow the disk brake lines to slap against the frame and it makes a pretty good racket. If stealth is an issue you'll want to cover the lines with rubber or silicon tubing at likely contact points.
Similar Products Used:
Giant AC-1 (no comparison), Klein Palamino (excellent Alternative), Specialized Epic (Not sure yet)
Bike Setup:
I'm 210 lbs so weight's not an issue but reliability is. Mostly XT with Hugi hubs, Mavic rims, Monkey Lite bars.
Bottom Line:
This bike lives up to its hype. Climbs great, soaks up bumps better than my AC-1 ever did, is agile as my old hard tail. This bike is pure fun. My thanks to Alex and Bill at Stan's for setting up a sick bike. Go get this thing and then ride, ride, ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik!
a
from Alameda, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Yuba Expeditions, Frame Only
Strengths:
Strong, quality frame build, sure-footed climber, confidence-inspiring handling at high speeds, very fun to ride.
Weaknesses:
Could have a little more tire clearance in the rear. Bit of an attention getter, other riders ask about it while I'm trying to ride. My other bikes are feeling very neglected.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Truth, SC Heckler.
Bike Setup:
2002 XTR Gruppo, Race Face post, Easton MonkeyLight bar, Hayes Hydraulics, Fox Float AVA, Fox Vanilla RLC 100, Mavic F219/XT wheels, and MutanoRaptor 2.24s for almost 29 pounds. I'm 6' and 200 lbs. so was not interested in building a fly-weight bike.
Bottom Line:
I was actually looking for an '03 Heckler when I came across this frame at a really good price. Since I have a Bullit for the bigger stuff, I went for the Blur. I am so glad I did.
The Blur is light years ahead of my old '98 Heckler. This bike does feel "bigger" than it is in soaking up the bumps without complaints, cornering like a dream and feeling very stable at high speeds. It handled the unexpected 2 –3 foot drops, which I came across on unfamiliar Sedona trails, just fine. I haven’t tired anything bigger than that, though I’m sure it would take it if that were what you really want to do with it. It also climbs like a cat up a tree. I have been surprised a couple of times already by what this bike will ascend compared to my old bike, and I’ve only had it built for three weeks and 200 miles now.
I was not convinced on the first ride that this bike was up to all the hype, but by the second day, I was playing around, daring the trail to take me down and sporting a cheek-splitting grin the entire ride. It just needed to break in, loosen it up a little…and get accustomed to my riding style. Now I don’t want to get off this thing, and even my long rides seem way too short. This bike is fun, Fun, FUN!! I know this is cliché, but I have fallen in love with riding all over again thanks to the Blur.
Santa Cruz has another winner on their hands here. I bought it to be a diverse, all-purpose, “every ride” bike. If that’s what you’re shopping for, you owe it to yourself to give the Blur a try.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Opie
a Racer
from Denver, Colorado, USA Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Dakota Ridge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Denver Spoke
Strengths:
Stiffness, light weight, superior suspension design
Weaknesses:
Limited availability for the time being, also, all the other racers/ riders are jealous.
Similar Products Used:
SC Superlight
Bike Setup:
Most parts swapped over from Superlight Frame- King Headset & Hubs, Hope Mini Discs, Race Face Next Cranks w/ Isis BB, Marzocchi Z1 X-Fly, XTR drivetrain, Easton Carbon Bars and Seatpost, Thompson Stem, Etc.. Only the finest parts money can buy, still the bike tops out at 27 lbs. even.
Bottom Line:
People have claimed this is not an ideal XC race bike, that it's too heavy or whatever, well I just got back from the Tour of the Canyonlands, and I can say that these claims are FALSE.
When racing with my old Superlight, which was an excellent all-round bike, I always had problems with out-of-the saddle pedalling, whether climbing or on flats; you would stand up on the pedals, and suddenly it felt like you were pedalling through oatmeal. Not so with the Blur- you stand up, and it feels like you just force the wheel (and your power) into the ground MORE. Truely amazing, all the other racers just couldn't keep up on the infamous "Roman Roads" section at the Canyonlands race. (For those of you who haven't ridden the Hurrah Pass Trail, just imagine a 2000 year-old roman road after an earthquake, with about a 12% grade climb.)
Everything else you've already read, regarding the 'freeride-like travel' on downhills, etc., is TRUE.
One other thing that I have not yet read, which deserves mentioning, is that the overall design/ construction quality of the Blur frame is unequaled at this pricepoint. The replaceable r.d. hanger is very overbuilt, unlike most others I've seen; also, the cable routing is much more logical than with some of the older SC bikes (i.e., my old Superlight). One complaint, why no integrated bottle opener like the new long-travel SC frames?! Can't XC racers enjoy some brews too?!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Corvallis, OR, Benton Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Extendo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2850.00
Purchased At:
Paul's Bicycle Way Of Life
Strengths:
Stiff, great climber, stable, highly adjustable, light for FS bike.
Weaknesses:
None Yet.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Enduro, K24000.
Bike Setup:
Standard X Disk Kit, Continental 2.3 Vertical tires, Mavic 317's, FoxRLC100 fork, Fox AVA rear.
Bottom Line:
This bike definitely lives up to the hype. It responds instantly to rider input and allows you to climb much faster. It does an excellent job of hanling technical high speed single track trails with lots of rocks and roots. The Blur is an all around stong performer. I recommend it to anyone looking for a standout cross country ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
2002 XTR shifters and R derailler, 2003 XTR cranks, cassette, Hope brakes, 100RLC fork, Chris King Hubds, mavic UST rims, Monketlite riser,
Bottom Line:
I waited and waited for this frame,being a SC fan I resisted the urge to buy a Intense or Ellsworth. It was well worth it. Ridden it only a few times since I built it up and its awesome. Its light, responsive and climbs like a monkey. heading downhill it is truely amazing, soaks up all the bumbs and steps we get here in HK (I am sure its preventing me getting SARS as well). Just gotta love riding this bike. Just buy it....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Valentino
a Cross Country Rider
from Wake Forest, NC, USA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
New Light (local) & Tsali (week end trip)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Serious Hill Climbing and Descending. Weld Quality that is sweet enough to warrant the polished (ball burnished) frame and all the work that goes into maintaining the shine. The bikes allows me to think I am a better rider and I have the confidence to hit stuff I would have never even looked at before. Stream crossing drops, log stack jumps, ladder climb drops, big air and bomb down hills. Am I a better rider or is it just the bike?
Weaknesses:
SIZING: Santa Cruz is at least one size off (and they admit that) with the E.T.T. (effective top tube) in relation to the seat post length. This is not an issue if you know your measurements and invest the time in getting the fit right before you purchase. I met one guy with a Large that wanted the XL and one with the XL that thought it was too small. It might be difficult to get a test ride on one since the frames are not in stock anywhere I checked various places and most are back ordered months. The XL frame has a shorter ETT than my Trek Large but the stand over is about the same. Since most FS bikes have some sort of bent top tube you should focus on the ETT and stem length = cockpit.
Similar Products Used:
GIANT - VT1 & NRS TREK - Fuel 100 & Liquid 30 KLIEN – Palomino GARY FISHER - Sugar SPECIALIZED – Stunt Jumper FSR & Epic ELLSWORTH - Truth & ISIS INTENSE – Tracer (but unable to find a Spider since they were not available)
Bike Setup:
RIDER = 190 lbs. (summer) to 200 lbs. (winter) & 6'-0" tall with a long torso 2003 Blur - XL - Polished frame 2003 XTR all the way, Fork 2003 Marzocchi Marathon S - 105 mm, Shock - Fox AVA with Lockout, Thompson Stem & Seat post, Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am, Easton SL Monkey Lite Bar & ODI Lock-on Grips, Crank Brothers Egg Beater Ti Pedals, Chris King Headset, Ritchey Tires - Elevator (front) & Excavator (rear), Mavic 317 Rims w/ 32 spoke db 14/15 gauge
Bottom Line:
HISTORY AND WHY THIS BIKE MEANS SO MUCH TO ME: I have been a long time advocate of lightweight hard tails and have followed their evolution since '96. I believe the entire industry has finally figured out what works and there are a number of awesome hard tails from which to choose. Two years ago I looked at the variety of full suspension bikes and could not believe how very different each one was. It is good to have variety but there was no consensus over what actually worked. Four bars, single pivots, this shock that shock. Think about some other industries like the automotive & motorcycle for instance. There are just one or two leading choices for suspension and the entire industry follows and there are hundreds of thousands of vehicles in service and way more research dollars invested annually than probably the entire bicycle industry. I did what I though was the safe thing and bought a 3.5 lb. Trek STP with 1.25" of rear wheel travel and built it with the finest components. The bike was light and rode like a hard tail more or less.
After two years of a carbon fiber ride and not enough confidence to jump anything but the smallest stuff, I started the search again. I read the hype and tried them all (see above list) and could not believe that Santa Cruz (a single pivot company) purchased the rights to an old design (not single pivot or 4 bar). The hype continued and more and more people agreed that the BLUR was a worthy ride. I am not sure but I believe every major magazine agreed this was a worthy bike. I thought I would give it a try to see what they were all talking about. One quote said something like, this is the last train leaving hard tail city. It truly is.
MY MAIN FEAR: The bike would pogo and leave me with the disconnected feel of so many other full suspension bikes have. REALITY: The suspension is so smooth that I hardly notice is working under me. I have tried the rear lockout on some technical climbs but believe the suspension helps much more than it hurts and the high (as compared to a hard tail) bottom bracket caused me to feel way to high up when locked out. I did notice ‘BOB’ poking his head in a few times after the air in the shock dropped below my weight. Try to keep it at +10 psi to –5 psi and you may never see BOB. If you stand up and mash the pedals, BOB will be there to remind you this is a full suspension bike. Seated pedaling has left BOB with the 4 bar bikes.
WEIGHT: It is easy for the county with Nuclear missiles to say the world should not have them just like the US does and even easier for someone with XTR to say weight does not matter. I did not intend to build this with the lightest parts but that is just sort of how it worked out. The fork is a bit beefy @ 4.3 lbs but the rest of the ride is tight. One scale at a LBS read 27 lbs. (remember XL frame & mud tires). This is coming from a guy coming off a 3.5# soft tail frame. The bike just rides so much better and inspires more confidence.
STIFFNESS and TRAVEL: It is nice to have the ETS on the fork that allows 30mm of active travel for those steep non-technical climbs, just remember to flip the switch before going downhill. The XTR works very well and rivals the looks of the polished frame. No need for rear lockout unless you are riding on the road or smooth double track. Once you get used to the benefits of active travel, you may never flip the switch and may never get on a hard or soft tail again.
My true test of a frame is the bottom bracket deflection. This bike has very little and just truly goes where you point it and show absolutely no signs of flex under full acceleration. I have dropped some fair sized drops (I’ll leave height off just in case the frame cracks & SC reads this) and I’m sure all the travel was used (because the o-ring indicated showed it) but I never felt the bottom. The suspension is right. One down side I noticed was a sore A#* from being able to sit in the saddle the entire time. The up side is fresher legs because the suspension is doing all the work and not my legs.
FUTURE: I still have the STP and a hard tail but neither has not been out of the garage in a month. Anyone interested in a beautiful Soft Tail? I did not think so.
Enjoy the Blur if you can get your hands on one. It does what an all purpose bike should and I believe it will win big at the races, keep you fresh on the all day epic rides and allow the occasional free-ride (xc version) endeavor.
You will not be sorry. Santa Cruz got it right.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, NV ex SF Bay area USA Date Reviewed: April 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tahoe Rim
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
Phat tire (frame)
Strengths:
Ride and quality. What else is there?
Weaknesses:
Pricey
Similar Products Used:
Giant NRS, Klein, Cannondale, GT I Drive
Bike Setup:
Fox Talas RL fork, Fox Float RL rear shock, Chris King hubs, Hayes Hydraulic Discs, Mavic x317 rims, WTB 2.24 Mutano Raptors, Phil Wood bottom bracket, Race Face Next cranks, XTR rapid rise rear deralliur, XTR front deralliur, XT shifters, Easton EC70 carbon bars, Weyless 45 degree stem, Weyless headset, WTB Laser V saddle, Thompson Elite seat post, Shimano 454 pedals, Avid Flak Jacket cables. Titanium nuts and bolts, skewers.
Bottom Line:
I switched over from my Giant looking for something that would provide a stiffer frame and more compliant rear suspension, and I haven't been disappointed. When I got the frame I was immediately impressed with the overall quality of welding, machining, and with the fact that Santa Cruz saw fit to include ti hardware. I broke down and bought a bunch of ti fasteners and skewers so as not to offend the Gods of Non-Ferrousness.
This was the first bike I built from scratch, so I had some questions regarding component selection and set up. Every E Mail I sent to Santa Cruz was responded to within 24 hours, usually much less. Very impressive.
The ride:
I go fast and hard over some very rocky terrain and the bike is just "point and shoot", very undisturbed by whatever you throw at it. The frame and 32mm Fox fork are much stiffer than my previous bike, and it actually has a bit more bottom bracket clearance. The suspension is very straightforward to set up and get close, like everything with some adjustablity, you'll spend some time getting things perfect for you, vs. saying "oh well" and being stuck wuth what you have.
I'm sort of regretting spending the extra $$$ on lockouts, there is not a substantial difference in pedaling, except when you get off the seat.
I traded off weight for better brakes and suspension, and the bike still came in right around 24 pounds. I don't know how one reviewer came up with over 34. Of course some people gave it the one chili/Costco $100 Huffy rating too, so I guess you need to consider the source.
It climbs quite well, very close in feel to my Giant, which would outclimb all but hardtails. Corners fantastic, even in loose sandy conditions, provided you don't overload the front end. You can get a bit of air underneath it without bottoming out. I have to work the rear brake harder and put more english into it to get the back end out compared to my Giant, the bike really wants to stay in line, something that is very comforting on narrow single track where a mistake drops you down acouple of hundred feet of hillside.
I do mirror other comments that the bike doesn't "feel" quite as quick as my old bike, a fact I attribute to the more compliant rear suspension. My timed loops are at least as good or better then I was doing at the end of last year's riding season.
I'm very happy with the purchase, especially considering how much I liked my NRS. If you ride varied terrain, and want a "take anywhere" bike, the Blur is going to be hard to beat. There are specialty bikes that do one task (climb, jump, downhill, Etc) better, but it does everything very well. Yes, it's more expensive than many, especially right now when demand is so high (don't ask how I found the frame and fork), but how much is a constant smile worth?
PS: I was torn between a 4 or 5 chili on the value. In the context of what you get and Santa Cruz's great customer support, I went for the 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Colorado Springs,CO Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Monarch Crest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
industry connections
Strengths:
Combination of suspension, tubeless, disc brakes, light weight and stiffness make the bike a pleasure to ride and produces much anticipation to race. Feels very stable descending.
Weaknesses:
front deraileur alignment reqd a spacer, not a big deal. Hit pedals more than on hardtail, but adjusting. So far really no weakness.
2002 XTR front/back, new '03 BB/Crank. RockShox World Cup Team fork, Avid mechanical discks, Mavic CrossMax SL, Easton carbon bar/post, eggbeater pedals, Flite saddle
Bottom Line:
Took the plunge to get FS, converting from a Litespeed hardtail, and I am really enjoying the crossover. No bobbing (I pedal circles though), tubeless works fine, disc's are great in mud/snow as advertised. My Blur is about as light as you can make it, 24.4 lbs, due to the wheelset and the big weight savings in the new XTR BB/Crank combo. I don't like rapid rise and wanted to stay with the same shifting arrangement as the hardtail (I might still ride it a bit, but probably not much!). Like another post, I timed a route I usually do in 1:45, and with the Blur, cruised it in 1:38, so the climbing/descending improvement is substantial.
Despite the categorizations so many posters and the manufacturs make about bikes, I like this bike for its all-around feel and abilities. I don't huck, nor race professionally, so I don't need those extremes in suspension or lightness - I am probably like most readers/posters - an all terrain rider that really enjoys the improved riding experience from the recent technological improvements in mt biking, and the Blur delivers that experience as well, or better, than any other. Go FS, go tubeless, go disc, go Blur. gotta go ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem, OR Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Gayles Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3300.00
Purchased At:
Frame at LBS, build at Universal.com
Strengths:
All of it - it is likely one of the best FS rigs available.
Weaknesses:
I've yet to find one of significance.
Similar Products Used:
Tried Epic, RM ETSX-70, Palomino, Jekyll 2000, FSR, Superlight, etc.
Bike Setup:
SC Blur - Large - Trans Blue powdercoat WTB Laser V EC70 Easton Carbon Riser Chris King Headset WTB Grips 2003 Fox Vanilla R King ISO Disc Hubs, 317’s w/ DB 14/15, Salsa Skewers Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 Thomson SP, Thomson Stem 2003 XT Cranks XTR Rear Der, XT Fr Der,XT Shifters, XT Cassette - 12-34 Hayes Brakes – HFX 9 HD 6” PC69 Chain
Bottom Line:
I only have about 150 miles on the bike but wanted to post a 1st pass review. I will break the review into a 3 sections. The 1st section I cannot resist addressing some other reviews and opinions. The 2nd section I will address setup, weight and my intended use. The 3rd section I will address my opinion of the overall ride versus intended (marketed) use and versus my use as well as any specifics and/or items of noteworthy performance (good or bad).
Section 1 - I have read some reviews stating this as the best bike ever, and some stating this as a ‘not worth upgrading to’ bike. I see a trend throughout the posting boards whereby someone buys a bike that does not work for their planned use and they blame it on the bike company. It seems like there are riders reinforcing what the bike is not, like an efficient climber, a racer, a hucker, a Sugar 3, etc. I admit, Santa Cruz has done a fine job at hinting that the bike sprints like a racer, climbs like a ‘scalded monkey’ and descends like a 6” bike. Folks - it is marketing – you know, like wonder diet pills…if they really worked we would not be a country of overweight people. SC also proclaims, “no bob, no pogo”. This is pretty true assuming 2 critical items; you pedal in circles and you properly set the bike up at 10 lbs over your weight. Don’t do either of those (how many of us truly pedal in pure Lance Armstrong-ish circles – I wish I did) and there is very – very minimal bob. I am continuously amazed that some apparently buy a bike, get it home and then determine it bobs or does not sprint like a scalded monkey, etc. These are basics that can be determined in a parking lot. Will you keep up with Fuel 100 folks? Unless you spend in excess of $3000, they will likely have a lighter bike (and more fragile – remember there are tradeoffs to every design and setup) and all things held even (is that realistic?) I guess they should beat you to the top and you will beat them to the bottom due to a much more active and rigid suspension and handling system. I think what SC is trying to tell us is that this bike is somewhere between a racer (but certainly never claims to be such) and a trail bike. After all, it is very hard these days to directly compare bikes in this no-mans-land category of bikes with somewhere between 4” and 6” of travel, weighing somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds, handling somewhere between tight singletrack and 5’ drops. My advice – buy it for how it feels under your rear end and for XC trail riding. If you race, buy a racer, if you jump, buy a jumper. You get the point. Ride as many different bikes as you can and take your time in deciding.
Section 2 – as for the setup, as listed above with a goal of durability, minimal weight for durability and highest quality that I could afford. I weigh 200 lbs and categorize myself as an intermediate+ skilled rider, entering my 3rd full year of mountain biking. I am in the 30-something category. I do not jump and ride mostly singletrack trails with lots of climbing and descending throughout Oregon. I bought the bike to get a better feel than my hardtail and to offer me more control during longer (3+ hours) rides. It built up to 28.5 pounds (large). That is the weight as ride-ready, with pump, etc.
Section 3 – Let’s cut to the chase – I love this bike. Depending on how you interpret the billing, this bike performs exactly as advertised. I summarize it as follows: climbs very well (even better with locked out rear on long climbs) descends very smoothly. Handles very responsively – but not quite like a stiff hardtail – but then again, I did not want that. As for this 4” that feels like 6” stuff – obviously marketed by a guy - sounds like travel-envy to me – if you want/need 6”, get 6” – but it is very plush feeling and smooth through the travel cycle. It is not very hard to setup the suspension. It is relatively light for a trail bike. The pedals will smack the occasional rock if you are used to a higher BB, that is, until you ride it a few times and get used to the feel. I do not smack rocks anymore and am not doing anything bizarre to avoid it – I just got used to picking lines. No big deal – but you may notice it at 1st. I’ve yet to lift the front tire on a climb, but remember I have the heavy Vanilla fork to help keep it down. Great climbing control overall. The rear stays planted – in Oregon in the rain-soaked trails. I can’t wait for summer traction – wow! I do not notice brake jack, sorry. I think that some basic forces of physics work against us here. You’re going downhill, there’s a tendency for your weight to be pulled off the rear wheel – right? Now you hit the brakes – that exacerbates the tendency. Why isn’t my rear suspension bobbing through all 4”? Well, there’s not enough weight on it, I presume. You ride off a curb on your street – it’s flat, your butt is in the seat – wow that’s an active suspension – where’d it go on the trail? You need some direct weight to compress the suspension, if your butt is off the seat and your weight is downhill, you just can’t activate the suspension the same as the curb scenario – can you? Remember this is a suspension built not to excessively bob, not a freeride rig. That being said - I have tried, tested and monitored suspension under braking. I feel that it works very well. If you wonder if the suspension locks up, lock it out and try the same hill – you’ll notice. Braking or no braking – this suspension is awesome downhill – zero complaints. Fox Vanilla – smooth, buttery. But – heavy and still has that tiny, tiny little clunk-thing at the beginning of the travel. Don’t worry – buy it – it is awesome in all aspects and mates nicely with the rear shock. Get a lockout, though as it does feel funny if the rear is locked and the front is not. Again, you would not want to lock the bike out very often because you would lose the very sweet feel of the bike. Perhaps long fire road climbs – maybe – but not needed. Hayes disc brakes – awesome, no squeal unless they get wet and then only for a few feet until the water is burned off – buy these brakes they are great! Set ‘em and forget ‘em. Any weaknesses on this bike? I really can’t find a serious one. The decals are atop the paint – but can be replaced and some people like the option of taking them off. The BB could be higher, although I’m fine with it. Is the AVA a useless option? Sure seems like it. It may not quite build up as light as you may think. It is designed for 2.1” rear tires and any larger and you should expect clearance problems. I have ridden in substantial mud and have not had problems to date. As for the reports of weld slag in the downtube – my 330mm SP fits fine without modification. Ride problems – none – zip - nadda.
My only fear – my hardtail will get lonely. This is an awesome ride and I cannot imagine a better ride for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark
a Weekend Warrior
from agoura, ca usa Date Reviewed: April 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
T1
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Westlake Cycles
Strengths:
Builds well,very neutral handling, tight steering and great technical climber
Weaknesses:
still thinking....gotta learn to love that citrus color. still need to squint.
Similar Products Used:
i-drive,lts,hardtail
Bike Setup:
8 speed xtr, crossmax discs with hayes, fox rlc 100 float,carbon bars, post, thomson stem, 26.5 pounds medium frame
Bottom Line:
Loved my i-drive 1000, but it broke and Pacific Bikes wouldn't warranty it. Goodbye GT. This bike takes it up two notches. Much more precise steering, better climber without need for lockout. First ride out felt very comfortable on the bike up and down hills. Still need to balance front and rear suspension, but even without touching air pressure or clickers, it handles and rides great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Young
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterey, CA USA Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hobbit
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4100.00
Purchased At:
Bobcat Bikes Salinas CA
Strengths:
Light weight for a full suspension rig, good all around geometry for cross country, Gets lots of comments on the trail.
Weaknesses:
Paint rubs at cable crossings.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn 88, Santa Cruz Bullit, Treck Fuel, Santa Cruz Superlight, Ellsworth Id, Speacilized FSR
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Monkey lite bars and stem, Fox Forks 100mm RLC, Fox Float rear, eggbeater pedals, Mavic 319 rims, kenda tires, X-Large frame less than 25 lbs
Bottom Line:
This bike is everything I had hoped and more. I am very happy with it on all levels. It climbs without sponging power off your legs, rear end stays hooked up well on rough climbs. the rear suspension tracks well in descents and in corners, the bike feels very balanced throught riding both on smooth trails and rougher more techinical trails. I recently crashed it hard enough to taco the front wheel off a large high speed drop. The bike came through without a problem. I also ruined a good helmet, also a neck and shoulder smasher. Hoping to be able to ride again later this week. I can reccomend the bike without reservation over any of the others I have tried.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John L
a Cross Country Rider
from Norwalk, CT Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
2003 Blur, FoxFloat 100RLC, Fox Float R AVA rear, RaceFace stem, post, bars, full XT, XT hydraulic disc, Mavic x317, Time ATAC
Bottom Line:
This bike will not make you a better rider. Why? Because it is so good at absorbing and dealing with the rough stuff that you need pay so little attention to your line. People who complain about "Bob" (which even when I tried, I could get very little by exaggerating a stomping motion) aren't peddling correctly. An efficient pedal stroke is smooth, circular, and uses both quads and hamstrings. Unfortunately, so many people have inefficient "I'm climbing stairs" strokes that they b!tch that their bike "bobs," when the real problem is that they have bad form.
OK, enough of that.
The Blur frame is perfectly complemented by the Float suspension components. It is surprisingly stiff laterally and is a very neutral-handling bike. It does everything I could have hoped for.
I notices no "brake jack" or bobbing, even under hard peddling. The front end tended to lift a little on steep (>40 deg.) climbs, but that has more to do with finding the right stem rise and adjusting to the bike's handling.
The total weight came to 25# even, with pedals. It is incredibly light-feeling and stable on the trail. I loved my Superlight, and this only seems to be stronger still.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Brevard Date Reviewed: March 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Squirrel Gap
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2950.00
Purchased At:
Sycamore Cycles
Strengths:
VPP works. It climbs better than a hardtail, even on fire roads.
Weaknesses:
Info on rear shock adjustment from Santa Cruz only applies to riders < 175lbs. I'm 195 and bottomed it out w/ 200 lb in rear. Will now adjust AVA to give some progression to the rear. Hutchinson Pythons are no good in mud or leaves.
Similar Products Used:
SC Superlight, Specialized FSR XC, Giant XTC, Giant AC Air, Klein Palomino.
Bike Setup:
Stock w/ XT crankset instead of LX. Switched tires to Panaracer Fire XC after first big ride.
Bottom Line:
I have held out trough the years on going full suspension due to all the designs out there with no clear winner. I liked the simplicity of the Superlight but was sure there would be better things down the road. I finally broke down and got the Blur due to the consistent reviews and a back that just couldn't take anymore Alum. hardtail punishment. I played around the neighborhood the first two days to adjust things and took it out on the third day for some punishment. We rode Clawhammer to Buckhorn Gap, then left on Black Mtn to Avery Creek and back to the car. I climbed Clawhammer(fireroad) faster than I ever have and I had been almost twoo weeks without riding. Had trouble on Blk Mtn due to tires but SMOKED Avery Creek. I dropped off ledges I had always been afraid of and felt like I had been on the bike for years. Buy it when you can get one. The waiting list will probably get longer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David A.
a Cross Country Rider
from Pensacola, FL Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tsali, NC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
frame only - Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
This is an update from my first post below...have done a few more rides and have found an actual weakness!
Weaknesses:
Don't even try to run a rear tire larger than 2.2 - I'm talking actual measurment, not manufacturer's stated size. I can put Conti Vert Pro 2.3's, which are actually 2.1, and there is more room between chainstays and tire than when running Hutchinson Scorpion 2.0, which actually measure out at 2.2. So if you like to run large volume tires keep this in mind...although given the great performance of the suspension there is really no reason to run large volume tires. And if you ride in lots of mud you'll need to run a 2.0 (actual) or smaller tire in the rear.
Manitou Black Super Air, XT, FSA, Hope Mini, Xmax XL
Bottom Line:
One last thought on Superlight/Blur comparison - if you're a XC racer type you'd probably feel better with a Superlight (or Epic, or any other latest XC flavor-of-the-month bike). If you're looking for a more all-day, trail-bikey, do-everything kind of ride, then the Blur is just about perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando, Florida Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any trail, any time
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Higher Ground Bikes - Tallahassee
Strengths:
Superb craftsmanship - Excellent execution of the Virtual Pivot Point design - Super plush ride - The dual Fox suspension creates a perfect balance - Hayes discs sweet and smooth - Weighs 24.5 lbs w/o pedals
Weaknesses:
Not that thrilled with the LX shifter pods and crankset but I'll change those as my finances allow. Very difficult to find a Blur as they're all on backorder through May.
Similar Products Used:
Upgrading from a Trek 8500 hardtail - Tried Sugar 2+ and Fuel 98 but felt better on the large frame Blur.
Bike Setup:
Large Black Ano - Fox Forx 100 RLC - Fox AVA rear shock w/o lockout - Time ATACs - Hutchinson Python Air-lites - Mavic 317s with Hayes discs - Carbon post and bars - XT rear and frnt derailleurs - WTB Laser V Stealth seat
Bottom Line:
Based on my first 40 miles today on the Blur: Very plush ride - I'm 5'11" 169 pounds and followed mfrs instructions to set up shock and fork and it feels great as is. You can definately tell you have rear suspension on flat sections but I would not call it "bobbing". If you're a "stomper" expect some bob with just about any bike. No bob while climbing or descending.
The higher BB than my Trek took a while to get used to as it changed my center of gravity
Overall, it is a great bike and I would highly recommend it if you can find one or get your name on the list and wait it out. Over the next six months I'm going to switch to Stan's NoTubes, upgrade the LX shifter pods to XT and maybe upgrade the XT rear derailleur to XTR. At that point I'll have my perfect bike for a very long time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carolyn
a Weekend Warrior
from rotorua new zealand Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
3500 ( bikes are very expensive in NZ)
Strengths:
solid feel , plush rear travel , inspiring downhill confidence Uphills are just a much fun . Looks very cool in black Ano.
Weaknesses:
none yet , but im still in the fine tuning phase. not much standover height even though Ive got the small frame( but i am only 5ft 3 !)
Similar Products Used:
FSR Comp
Bike Setup:
fox float RL w AVA , Marzochhi MX PRO w ETA , full XT . Thomson post and stem , raceface bars , deore 525 discs. mavic 317 rims w maxxis tires
Bottom Line:
Im having a few set up problems with the front fork and the suspension balance isnt quite right yet. Should be fixed once I get a lighter spring and oil in the fork. When I first went for a ride I thought it felt a bit sluggish but when I got home and checked i found that the rear brake was dragging quite a bit . Doh ! once that was sorted it felt way better.
I havent set it up to be light and it isnt . I only weigh 50Kgs so any full sus bike takes a bit of effort to get up to speed especially on the ups. Having said that it really flies on the downhills and feels very solid . It flies through singletrack with the rear tracking effortlessly. Corners nicely making me feel like an expert rider . ( im not !)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Morrison,CO Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
chutes and ladders
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
The $1500 price is for the frame only--This bike is nice and plush, it seems like the rear triangle is extremly strong.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
none like the blur
Bike Setup:
lx-xt-xtr-raceface-easton
Bottom Line:
Reading Zed's review from Austin down below makes me think something stinky. He states he doesn't like the bike and he doesn't have any reasons to support it? Okay, I know why I don't like bikes I ride, it's not that hard to figure out, is it? I can tell you why I like this bike, it's relativly light, I'm at 26.5 lbs, it can take a hit and still wants to go. There is a little bob, but not enough to really bother me, no bike is perfect. I love how it feels; very responsive and nimble, it feels like you can throw it around and not worry about hurting it. The rear tire seems to eat up every bump, large and small. Now realize too that I'm coming from a hardtail, so I really don't know all that much about dualies. But this bike just feels good and is a lot of fun to ride. I would tell anyone who is in the market for a new dual suspension bike to check this one out before you buy, the price may seem steep but once you ride it you will know that it's worth the money. This is just my muble opinion. Good luck to all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David A.
a Cross Country Rider
from Pensacola, FL Date Reviewed: March 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tsali, NC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Plush but not overly soft suspension; near-freeride travel without the excess weight. Beautiful bike.
Weaknesses:
Hmmm, none yet. Feels kinda' funny to be putting 190 psi in Fox AVA shock rather than the 110 I use on a Superlight.
Similar Products Used:
Currently own a Superlight. Previously owned a Schwinn Homegrown F/S (URT) and before that a Trek 9200 F/S (cantilever beam w/Risse).
Bike Setup:
Manitou Black Super 80/100, XT, FSA, Hope Minis, Mavic Xmax XL disc.
Bottom Line:
OK, I'll be up-front and admit I am loyal to Santa Cruz and am probably somewhat biased. Also, what I like may not be what you want in a bike. I'm just a couple of weeks away from turning 48 (ouch) and I'm no longer a hardbody racer type...heck, never was really. I like long rides, trails that flow, and while I like getting a bit of air, I'm no hucker. All things being equal, I'd rather have a light bike than a heavy one...but all things are never equal so there have to be trade-offs. Lastly, I believe in "feel". You can discuss numbers and weghts and materials and geometry, etc all day long, but it all comes down to how a bike feels when you ride it. OK, that's it for the disclaimers.
I've had a very sweet Superlight for almost two years and have loved everything about it. Since I just got the Blur put together I thought I'd do an admittedly nonscientific side-by-side comparison. Keep in mind I've only had a couple of rides on the Blur and, who knows, it may fall apart on me...but I doubt it. Anyway, a friend started on the S/L and I started on the Blur and we swapped bikes every 15 or 20 minutes over a 3-hour ride on trails that I know well. Here's what I found:
* suspension - the Blur definitely feels waaaaay more plush. I was able to just sit and spin in sections where I would normally stand. The travel doesn't feel too soft like some other longish travel bikes I've been on...it just feels absolutely spot-on. I do see the shock & swingarm moving when pedaling on flat ground, but I don't feel it. Bob-free? Nope. An issue? No again, at least for me.
* climbing - hey, not much climbing here, but I didn't feel any slower than on the S/L. It did feel more isolated (disconnected?) from the trail surface...not in a negative way, but a totally different feel than the S/L. I liked it, though. Again I found myself sitting and spinning a bit more when I would normally get out of the saddle and attack.
* handling - although the Blur and S/L are both size large, the Blur has a half-inch longer wheelbase because of longer chain stays. Despite this, it didn't feel any slower in handling. It's not twitchy nor is it slow...it's "average", I suppose.
* rigidity - did a bit of a test here by pushing on the bb with my foot on each bike and it seemed to deflect about the same for each bike. I do notice that the Blur feels more "solid" when riding. It may have as much to do with different forks, wheels, tires, etc as much as with the frame, but it did feel that way.
* misc - the Blur is almost silent while riding....don't know why since the S/L has elevated stays and no associated chain slap, but the silence is noticable. The hose guides for discs are a nice touch. Didn't want to pop for ano again, but the trans red is beautiful. The Blur built up at 28 lbs, the S/L is 25 lbs - my friend remarked that he didn't notice the 3 lbs difference and I have to say I didn't either.
Bottom line time. I love the Blur. Love the S/L, too. Since I have to rationalize buying the Blur I didn't "need", the S/L is up for sale. Don't think I'm going to miss it, though...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zed
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Its a secret!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4100.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Looks cool. People will stop and stare. Weight is nice.
Weaknesses:
Magazines giving it way too high marks. Me thinks something stinks.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel, Cannondale Jekyll
Bike Setup:
XTR all the way around. 34lbs - nice weight.
Bottom Line:
I seriously question mountain bike magazines coming up with their theory that this is some magical bike that has not been seen in years. I think something is fishy - perhaps SC is spending some big $$ to get that kind of ratings. Word of mouth and riders are in a frenzy to get this bike.. so was I. I waited months before cancelling my original order and getting the one I wanted off eBay. Thought I lucked out that the guy bought too small a bike, but now I'm headed to eBay myself. This bike is way over priced and performs no better than last years Jekyll - in fact I'm going back. I wish I was expert enough to tell you why I dislike the bike in perfect terms... lets just say it just felt wrong and my lap times went down. I felt BOB - he's still there. It was hard to adjust the bike (I'm giving it one extra chili due to my inability to get this completely right). Oh - and the pretty anno frame gets marked up quickly making it look 3 years old in just 3 weeks.
People.. give this bike a year to shake out. Don't buy it just because magazines tell you too, or because someone else that spent 4K does (of course they will convince themselves they love the bike). Ride one for yourselves, then wait another year or two for them to fix things. This is NOT the perfect trail bike everyone talks about. Racers - stay away.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gustfront
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: February 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Strengths:
Abililty to go fast on loose, rough terrain. Climbing or descending, the suspension seems to totally insulate you from rough stuff. Singletrack handling is very sweet as well. The Blur pedals very nicely and that smooth suspension means you can stay seated and keep pedaling over the roughest, bumpiest terrain. I think this is where the biggest speed gains are made in a racing sense compared with other bikes.
It's very stable climbing. The front wheel has a tendency to stay planted on the ground even on very steep climbs. This can make it a little harder to lift the front over obstacles, but it makes the most difficult, technical climbs far more makable.
Weaknesses:
Feels sluggish on smoother climbs. There is also an overall impression that you are working harder than you need to. Something blocking the seat post about 30cm in means that I needed to cut my carbon seatpost, annoying. Bottle holder is too low, it's quite a reach. Paint work is a little rough.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight (past 12 months).
Bike Setup:
Super X kit + Avid discs + Marzocchi flylight Z4.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as a trailbike with the intention of purchasing a more racy bike as a racebike. My first impression riding the Blur reinforced this plan as the bike seemed to feel sluggish and very plush in comparison to the Superlight.
So I got out the stopwatch and headed to my favourite training circuit. It's a 10.2km offroad circuit with a god mix of singletrack, steep, bumpy fireroad and a couple of tricky technical section. I know it very very well as I ride it about 4 times a week. My best time around this circuit was 30min 55sec on the Superlight. I've been trying to get under 30min for about 6 months. My first attempt on the Blur got me 29min 20sec. I was pretty blown away by this result because even though the bike doesn't feel fast I was clearly riding faster than I've ever ridden before. The clock doesn't lie.
Since then I have ridden the bike through other technical singletrack trails in our area and I've been extremely impressed with how fast this bike can travel through this type of trail.
So, I've certainly come around on the Blur's suitability for racing. I will be racing it in our local State series over the next few months and I'm confident my results will be better than they would have been on the Superlight - particularly on the more technical courses. The extra weight and the sluggish feel does not seem to affect it's speed. In fact the suspension does such a good job you constantly feel like you are going slower than you really are.
It's early days, but so far I'm very impressed. A very fun, capable and confidence inspiring bike to ride as as fast trail bike and also can double with a race bike that is a match for the best FS race bikes out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Whatever
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Discover Bicycles
Strengths:
It's a Santa Cruz.
Weaknesses:
Everyone want's to stop and talk about the bike.
Similar Products Used:
Superlight, Maverick ML-7
Bike Setup:
Black anodized frame, 2003 XTR, Fox Float 100, Easton stem, bars and post, speedplay, flite
Bottom Line:
The bike rides as advertised. Climbs very well without any perceived weight penalty. Back end stays well planted even standing in the small ring. Handles tight singletrack ascents nicely and very confidence inspiring negotiating rocky, loose techical stuff on the downhills. Steering is light and balanced with the Fox 100. The bike for me does everything well. On pavement or fire roads I do like having lockouts and is why I specced them. The rear lockout isn't really necessary but I use it.
The new XTR stuff is great. If you are used to rapid rise or road shifters it's an easy transition. The slight weight penalty of the frame and Fox fork is compensated by the light group.
Buy one if you can. I'm glad I waited for mine ;-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, Ca Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mission Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
www.hilltopskibike.net
Strengths:
I’ve been taking notes after my rides to understand and help me tune my Blur and I figured I’d try to organize them into an honest review. I’ve had the bike for 3 weeks and ridden it about half of those days on all my normal roads and trails. I feel like it is almost totally dialed in, but I have yet to fiddle with shock damping. I’m 185lb and use the heavy green springs in the fork and set the shock at 200psi with the volume set at 1 – which is a slightly reduced volume.
This frame is stiff, very stiff. Most notably the rear triangle – which seems like it does not bend at all.
Climbing – I love to climb and I do a few races a year so it is important. Climbs 1 to 2 gears higher in large ring. Lower rings are about the same, maybe one taller over short sections, but easily 1 gear taller over long climbs. I get to and stay in the middle ring more on this bike than on my FSR. Rear wheel can skip off loose rocks when contacting at an angle instead of rolling over – rear triangle has very little lateral compliance. Rear traction is amazing – Hutchinson Python tubeless. Does bob in all gears, most notably in middle ring on flat roads - the rear triangle moves about 0.1”. Oddly when out of saddle and climbing the bob is eliminated. Maybe it is just the weight of my legs going up and down?? Just pedal over rough stuff – bike is not slowed by bumps at all and pedaling is not influenced so erase any tentativeness and just pedal. BB is low – I occasionally feel the pedals brushing the ground – usually due to the fact I’m pedaling over rough stuff I used to coast over. Accelerates very well, and requires less effort to climb, but goes about the same speed uphill. Only feels like it has a motor in that there is a sense the bike is giving you about 1 mph for free i.e. the bike never wants to stop, which is absolutely great over slow rocky terrain where I am trying to pick a line. I can more easily ride everything I did on my FSR. The most difficult sections for me – the ones that took several tries are all much easier and I generally cleaned them first go around. Plus I can clean the tough sections after having ridden much harder. This bike preserves my energy much better than my FSR.
Handling/descending Front and rear can break away at same time which is a little scary. Handling is best at moderate to fast speeds. Slow speed handling is very good. Bike rocks on rocks – the big boulder kind. If you convince yourself you can ride it this bike will do it. If you doubt yourself you may have trouble. It’s like it reads your mind and responds to every subtle input. Believe in this bike and it can clean anything. Bombs down chutes with the greatest of ease. I swear this frame smiles when I scare myself at how fast I bomb down some stuff. Feel like I belong on the trail because this bike is so well suited to singletrack. I felt like a trespasser on my FSR because it never was comfortable in singletrack. Handling is “sensitive” at slow speeds making climbing steep switchbacks relatively less easy than less steep, but tigher switchbacks. What I’m saying is it is not a trials or BMX bike. I always considered my FSR a good downhiller. What a joke. This Blur just shreds on trails that used to make me nervous. At the bottom of a tough section my FSR felt like it was trembling, the Blur is just idling. Makes me a little self-conscious.
Rear susp. Riding over studdery tractor prints is smooth until holes become about 1” deep Always amazed at how much rear susp has traveled – based on o-ring indicator. (I adjusted air volume and don’t notice this anymore)
Braking is very good. Mech disks rock, but I had to set the handle at the least progressive setting so I wasn’t locking up all the time. Braking performance, namely brake jack, or lack of, is at least as good as my FSR – and that is comparing to much higher entrance speeds on the FSR. When the rear locks up over bumpy stuff it does so progressively and rarely when I’m not anticipating it.
Misc. Need to modify routing of rear brake cable because full travel can actuate brake. Paint has been very durable so far. Bent rear dropout on first ride – replacement arrived in 2 days and installed easily. Thank You SC! The Blur loves the dirt which makes it too easy to forgo preceding and concluding my rides with road stints. Climbing Cowles Mtn in SD I’ve always focused on 2 sections near the top of the waterbars because if I was going to make a mistake it was going to be there. I tried different lines, different speeds and always tried to be “on” as I approached. Nevertheless, I only achieved a 50-70% success rate cleaning these 2 sections. On my Blur, the first time through there I did not even notice those sections as different from the rest of the trail. I did not realize it until later that I so easily cleaned them.
Similar Products Used:
My previous bike is a very well maintained ‘98 FSR upgraded with XT/XTR drivetrain and brakes. I have this bike setup very stiff with about 1” travel in front and 2” in rear. It is a very good climber and I have only finished out of the top 10 once in my first season racing at Big Bear.
Bike Setup:
XL Blur, 2002 Atom Race 100mm fork, XTdisk hubs/Mavic 3.1 UST rims, 2003 XT drivetrain with 2002 XTR rear der. (off my FSR), Avid Mech disks, Thomson, Titec, eggbeaters, Python tubeless. I considered buying the “blemished” Blur from www.hilltopskibike.net, but they sold it. Amazingly they offered to build me up another frame they were to receive, but the owner would not be able to use due to the fact they are located in Maine and it is winter. They did a great job building this bike up for $2600. When I bent my der. hanger they sent a replacement der. and chain. The bike was obviously handled with care and they have been incredibly responsive from the get go. I’m glad I went with them because I get answers back much quicker by email and don’t have to make a trip to an LBS.
Bottom Line:
The handling and control of the suspension combine to make a great trail bike. The climbing ability gets me there faster and less fatigued. Then there is descending. This bike hauls ass downhill. The traction in off camber corners is massively better than my FSR. In rough stuff pick a line, get back and hold on. Don’t forget to break for the next corner.
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Submitted by
John Hendry
a Weekend Warrior
from North Shore Hawaii Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Maluhia back yard
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Barnfieds
Strengths:
Best VPP bike yet for non downhill. VPP is the only rear suspension system I would ever consider. Had Bridgestone MB 1 before Outland. Some say the S superlight is better for racing...doesn't make sense....I think someone wants to sell their Superlight so they can buy a Blur! VPP kills all other systems
Weaknesses:
Mud clearance sucks. Needs more clearance for rear tire in the mud.
Similar Products Used:
Outland VPP5
Bike Setup:
all 2003 XTR with disk
Bottom Line:
This bike is the bomb unless it's muddy, but then most bikes can not handle Hawaii's clay mud...even the Outland which has a lot of rear wheel clearence would get loaded. No point in riding XTR in the mud anyway...the bike ends up wieghing a ton with the wheels packed as well as the rest of the bike. Barnfieds machanic got 2nd place at XC this week with 2 flats. Light weight tubes got thorn flats quickly....would have won if not for flats. XTR worked flawless. Bike looked really used after just one race....it got hammered. He loved it. Mine will be here on Tuesday. Yea!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeff blackman
a Cross Country Rider
from Hood River Date Reviewed: December 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
coyote cliffs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3600.00
Purchased At:
discovery bikes
Strengths:
sweet rear suspension
Weaknesses:
painted. I wanted ano. (couldn't wait any longer)
Similar Products Used:
s/c super light, s/c heckler
Bike Setup:
crossmax ust, sram, xtr, hayes
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks as an epic trail bike. It is a little less race than a superlight but way more cush over the rocks. The rear suspension absorbs the hits instead of reacting after the fact. This bike is also much stiffer than the superlight. If you are looking for a great trail bike this is it, if you want a racer try the super light.
$ 3253.00
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