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Submitted by
CEB
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Spur Meadow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Direct from Santa Cr | | Strengths: | What a SMOOTH ride! Absorbs all the big and small hits. A very balanced and solid feel. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't have a built in sirus radio....... serious......... | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 Catamount MFS, 2004 Santa Cruz Blur Classic | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla R 140 (PUSHED) Fox Float rear (PUSHED), all XTR, MAVIC X517. Thomson Stem & relaxed seatpost. SDG saddle. | | Bottom Line: | It seems to me the LT is the result of the evolution of the BLUR from customer reviews and complaints as well as real time testing. I can't see anyone buying an XC or Classic. The LT is the way a BLUR should be.
This is a replacement frame from my 2004 Blur Classic. After MANY MANY hard beating miles over the 4 years 10 months owned, the frame finally snapped on the top tube, one inch behind the headtube (under the gusset). With SC's original owner no fault frame replacement program, I opted for the LT. What an upgrade an LT really is. This is a VERY different bike than the Blur I used to ride no doubt. That additional inch of travel makes a huge difference. If you are a BLUR owner, and looking to upgrade to something a bit more "all mountain", the LT is for you! Today I rode a trail I have just about memorized, I know every undulation. I could ride this trail much better with the LT. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weldo
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Junction, Co
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any and all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | Grassroots Cycles | | Strengths: | great climber and descender, solid feel and stiff overall | | Weaknesses: | well, I will start with the headbadge peeling off before it hit the trail, next the powdercoat sucks, chain suck and chain slap - took out a mucho links , still dealing with chain slap...santa cruz finish work needs an overhaul..dented the downtube above the bb...sux, but o-well...still rides schweeet | | Similar Products Used: | misc other duallys | | Bike Setup: | AMR kit - swapped to a king headset , took off the wimpy wheels - DT 1750's ft and rear , saddle swap, smallblock 8 rear 2.35 and WTB 2.55 weirwolf LT front | | Bottom Line: | this bike rips..from cross country riding to all day epic rides..and the bike park with a shorter stem, flat pedals -it does it all well...
only 4 chilis because Santa Cruz need to put in some extra
effort on the finish work | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joveylee
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | http://www.bikehash.freeservers.com/ | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | (Frame only) Malaysi | | Strengths: | Its a Stallion ! Strong build, and geometry fits me naturally. XL size frame with RP23 suspension weights only 3KG. Its 1KG heavier than my previous 19" hard tail frame. But i do not feel the weight when riding, especially uphill. As compared to hard tail, I can now pedal smoothly even on uneven road. | | Weaknesses: | Seat post diameter is not common with bikes that i know. Although its an excellent bike, and good things dont come cheap. I wish i could have been more affordable for many. | | Similar Products Used: | Da Bomb Tora Bora 19" hard tail | | Bike Setup: | Shimano + SRAM + Truvative + FSA. Transferred from my Da Bomb.
Recently bought new Suntour Epicon (remote adjustable 180-120mm), Air + Hydrolic suspension. Fits perfectly well. Yet to test offroad. 40% of Fox Talas cost. Hope it performs decently. | | Bottom Line: | Quick Facts about rider:
- 105 KG gorilla
- 6'1" height
For the first time i feel "naturally" seated on a bike.
The frame handles well, from downhill and uphill. Very
stable. The pro-pedal from Fox RP23 is excellent. I have
a regular trail, I can now ride up the hill easier than
previous bike (same components, just different frame).
Well, i must also admit my stamina builds up everytime
riding since i started last 3 months.
If you are big, tall and potentially handsome, buy LT :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scampscamp
a Weekend Warrior
from Delmar, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | SMBA [Saratoga] | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Berkshire Bike and B | | Strengths: | Awesome bike with a pretty good groupset. The suspension soaks up the trail great but it still climbs well too. What I will say is that I am glad that I upgraded to the adjustable talas. I'm not the best climber and always reduce the travel for extended climbing. With it fully open I can't climb too well at all. Best upgrade ever over the float fork if you can afford it. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't figured out any yet. The hub/pawls have loosened a little but that's not Santa cruz, that's shimano. I could probably reduce the rear rotor to a 6 inch, 7 is a little overkill for me. Expensive, but what price do we place on our hobbies? When your girlfriend and her parents are encouraging you to spend the money [and they don't ride at all] you have to go with the flow. You only live once. | | Similar Products Used: | Had a Kona the King until the frame broke, replaced with a Kona Kikapu. That's pretty good but there is a clear and OBVIOUS difference between the four/faux bar linkage suspension system and a DW/VPP style of suspension. There's a lot of hype out there but through my experience, DW/VPP or whatever the cool kids are calling it nowadays blows the older suspension systems away. For those of you who disagree, you'll notice that Turner has now moved to a DW style linkage too.
Also have Tomac buckshot but can't find a hanger to fit it for love nor money. Thinking of getting a Banshee viento frame to swap parts over. | | Bike Setup: | Medium SC BLUR LT 2008.5 curvy model. Talas RLC. XT hubs, Juicy 5 blah blah blah. | | Bottom Line: | Wish i had bought this bike the day my kona broke instead of wasting 2 months of the summer umming and ahhing about whether to buy it or not.
Ended up buying it the day i got my Kona replacement frame back anyway. God I wasted half the summer, idiot!
Also i tested a Pivot Mach 5, Felt Compulsion and Titus Motolite at the same time.
Felt has way too many pivot points/bearing points. Motolite did not compare.
The pivot mach 5 rocked too and I would have considered buying it but it was ~$1500 more expensive and the frame is made by giant [as is the SC Blur]. Maybe next time.
Who should buy this bike? Aggressive trail riders/light all mountain riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
markrods
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Canada
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | glen major | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1199.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay nomade20000 | | Strengths: | Amazing climber
5.3" of travel
Great decender
Fox DHX 5.0 air highly adjustable
| | Weaknesses: | Was missing the head badge and paint had a very slight smudge when I receieved the frame. Perhaps that's why I paid $1,199 cdn. No worries, I installed a head badge and it's all good. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC air, Giant atx 970, Specialized fsr, | | Bike Setup: | XTR pretty much all around, with Race Face Duec XC Crank bros Acid pedals, Mavic 717 w/DT Swiss hubs, Easton Carbon low rise, Race Face 100MM stem w/6 deg rise,fox vanilla rlc fork. 26.3 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | This is an amazing trail bike that climbs really well, and can handle high speed root and rock decents with no problems.
I came off of a Giant AC Air Lite @ 29.5 lbs. Great at decents, but harder to climb with than the Blur.
I fly with hills that used to kill me. It made that much of a difference. VPP and stable platform shocks are a good combo.
Buy one and have fun.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kiwijames
a Racer
from Lafayette, CA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Joaquin Miller Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3445.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | It does everything I ask of it w/o any hesitation on my part :-) It's a stout ride that can handle a huge range of riding terrain and you can get it under 29LBS no problem with 5.5 inch travel at both ends. Serviceable lower linkage pivots with zerk fittings and a grease gun with grease supplied. STIFF!!!!! No sign of flex period. VPP is king. | | Weaknesses: | XO Trigger shifters lost gears on the fourth ride, SRAM's issue not SC. Cockpit seems short at first. | | Similar Products Used: | GF Sugar 1 XT/XTR/Juicy (back-up), Scott Spark 20 Xt (stolen), Pivot Mach 5 Demo, Marin Quad Mt Vision Pro XC Demo, Felt Virtue 1 Demo | | Bike Setup: | Black Med LT2, Joplin remote, Talas 32 RLC, Race Face Deus XC, XO Shifters, XO RD, XT FD, Easton Havocs, Kenda Nevegals, FSA XO 150, FSA SLK riser, Juicy Carbons, North Shore ODI grips. | | Bottom Line: | First off Colorado Cyclist gave me a screaming deal on the 2008 display bike..saved huge ($1200), kudos to them! I'm so stoked on this bike even though it took a bit of time to get used to the upright seating position. Reality is that 5 inch has become the "standard" for Trail/XC ride/race. For the 4 LBS in equipment I added on when this replaced my Scott Spark, I overcame it with the RP23 Pro-pedal and the Lt2's climbing and descending ability. I get the XC config at 100-120mm for climbing and the technical tight single track and when coming down the other side at speed, it's 140 and Pro-Pedal OFF. The bike will inspire confidence in any rider whether your a seasoned trail mongrel or new to longer travel rigs, the trails and obstacles that you've hesitated on before will all become faint memories. If your considering a 4.5-5.5 inch you owe it to yourself to put a Blur LT2 on the list of bikes to Demo.
Can't wait to get this into a 12-24 race before Winter!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kjellterskelter
a Weekend Warrior
from Central Point, Or. USA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Wagner Watershed | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Seller | | Strengths: | Great climber, confidence inspiring descender. | | Weaknesses: | Mine is a little noisy. Sounds like the bushings in the suspension are a tad creaky??? easy to get over it though. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona King Kikapu, Kona Stinky, GF Hi Fi. | | Bike Setup: | Revalation fork,RP23 shock, xt drivetrain, noir cranks, Nevegal front and rear. | | Bottom Line: | Believe the hype! This bike inspires me to get out and ride more, it has helped develop me as a rider, because you feel confident that it will handle whatever you throw at it(except for serious DH stuff) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kramersdad
a Cross Country Rider
from Kelowna, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Keystone Standard Basin Trail, Fred/Skull trails, Holy Pail Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath, Kelowna, | | Strengths: | Climbs amazingly well, very stable at speed downhill, nice standover height, very efficient suspension, nicely- shifting XT. A great do-everything bike that thrives the more you demand of it and makes you want to ride more often. | | Weaknesses: | Burned a large, smoking crater in my wallet. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mtn Instinct, Kona Kula | | Bike Setup: | Black anodized, XL frame (28.3 lbs.), 2009 XT gruppo, DT Swiss XR 4.20 wheelset, Fox Float RLC fork, RP23 shock, Crank Bros stem, WTB Rocket saddle, Easton Monkey bars, Kenda Nevegal 2.35 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Need a dozen more hard rides on this bike to really get to appreciate its capabilities. It lives up to the hype and price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pakdoc
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain Brook, AL USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Red BUMP Oak Mnt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | SpeedGoat.com | | Strengths: | Smooth quiet links, grease fittings, light, durable, laterally stiff and fast for 5+inches, a good looking bike. | | Weaknesses: | tight cockpit(5'10" on a Med), more upright positioning, grease fittings not threaded but pressed and can get clogged with debris.(need to cap), Fox RP23 "wheezes" with PP off. | | Similar Products Used: | Blur Classic/Push RP2/Minute3,
Yeti AS-3/Risse Asto 5/Psylo | | Bike Setup: | Med ANO BLK BLT2 with Fox RP23 '09,RaceFace Next bar/seat post, Dues X-type Crankset,SRAM XO shift/rearD, XTR FD, X819's with CK Isodiscs, 2.3 UST HighRollers, Juicy 7's 7"/6", Nixon 145 Super Air Plus "devolved" 20mm TA | | Bottom Line: | You can build this bike @26-27lbs easily but still not as fast as xc b/c you will want to run bigger tires and more sag to use the "fun factor" aspect of this bike. Had to remove hs spacers and may go with a setback seatpost if needed as I am not use to the upright position. Started with a Thompson but switch to a less straight post...better, stem at 90mm and might go 100mm. Suspension has been a little trial and error as well but may settle on SC's rec. psi for the rear and since modifications of Nixon to "devolve" and adding Enduro seals, liking it more and more. I think most will be real happy with the bike but you will need to give it a couple of months to dial in everything unless coming off a BLT1. If you are boarderline on the size...move up if you like a shorter stem.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
StraightBlur
a Downhiller
from Auburn Hills, MI
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontac Lake for XC, Bloomer for FR | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5500.00 | | Purchased At: | KLM Bikes | | Strengths: | Plush, Plush, Plush on XC trails, off 6 foot drops, or catching 15ft. of air off dirt jumps. Very stiff and ultra responsive handling on the single track. Light enough to climb about anything climbable. (is that a word?) | | Weaknesses: | Price, but worth every penny. A bit heavy for XC racing, but the bike doesn't go well with spandex anyway. | | Similar Products Used: | Blur Classic, Blur XC, Nomad | | Bike Setup: | Black Ano Blur LT2 XO AM
REAR DER - SRAM X0 long cage
FRONT DER - Shimano M970 (XTR)
SHIFTERS - SRAM X0 triggers
CRANKSET - TruVativ Noir
CASSETTE - SRAM PG 990, 11-34
CHAIN - SRAM PC 991
BRAKES - Avid Ultimates w/ 185mm rotors
BRAKE LEVERS - Avid Ultimate
BARS - Race Face Atlas low riser
STEM - Thomson, 31.8mm
GRIPS - Lizard Skin lock on
HEADSET - Hope (color - gold)
SEAT POST - Thompson Elite 30.9
QUICK RELEASE - Hope (color - gold)
SADDLE - WTB Pure V Stealth
WHEELS - DT 5.1d rims laced to DT 240s hubs w/ DT 14/15 spokes, alloy nipples
TIRES - Kenda Nevegal 2.1 folding
TUBES - Kenda Freeride
REAR SHOCK - Fox Float RP23
FORK - Fox 36 Talas RC2 QR20
PEDALS - Crankbros Mallet 3 (color- gold) | | Bottom Line: | The best all around bike I have ever ridden. I am a light 140lbs. so I can get away with the rp23 and Talas 36 for fairly big hits. A heavier rider may want to go with the dhx 5.0 if doing larger drops. Anyone over 200lbs. I would recommend the same set-up on a Nomad or Heckler for anything more than All Mountain riding. I would definitely recommend this bike to anyone who wants to shred single track. For the lighter riders, this is plenty of bike for big dirt jumps, 15ft. drops, and DH riding with the right build. Eventhough the bike can be built for a 26lb. XC machine, it would seem like a waste of travel. I would say no to spandex for this P1mp ride. Peace. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loll
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2899.00 | | Purchased At: | Passion Trail Bike | | Strengths: | Climbing Technical hills, All mountain~ish riding, | | Weaknesses: | Long fireroad, super technical decent that req'd much body english, Tail-whipping oriented mid air moves | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, Giant AC-1, Intense 5.5 FRO (Demo), Specialized full line of S-work,trail, and enduro bikes (Demo) | | Bike Setup: | R-AM kit
Major change is a Fox Van 36 upfront
Some other parts to keep the weight down to 31 pounds | | Bottom Line: | This is for a review of the BLT2, aka the new BLT.
After coming from 2.5 yrs of riding a Bullit, and another 4 months on a Single speed while waiting for this bike, I think the BLT2 is happy in the middle. Neither does it give me the all out feel when decending or DJ-ing from the bullit, nor does it climb as good as a hardtail. But the bike answered to what I was lacking for a long time. A bike that can ride most trails, but can still be good enough to take on a few long road rides when dirt time is not available.
I initially gives it a B, but after really reviewing other comments on the Santa Cruz forum, I think I discovered the strength of this bike is at technical climbs. For other uphills, take your hardtail instead. On the decents, I found that I need to be a bit cautious over the rock gardens, then and only then, I carefully let it go. Haven't taken the BLT2 to FR yet.
So far I found table topping and tail whips a bit hard. I tried the Intense FRO during Sea Otter and found this cousin of BLT a bit easier to whip around. However, if you launch it straight on, it is surprisingly great.
My shop had the bike set up with Van36 and a few extra stem spacers. With the steering this high, I found myself hucking alot of the ledges at the local jump parks, instead of launching off the lips. It jumps decently. I think I give this area about a B+. I dont feel as comfortable taking this bike to the doubles like the old bullit I had.
Wheelies were pretty easy, again with the high setup I have.
Somehow, on the really technical decents, I found it not as easy to move around on the bike. I rode my buddy's Ventana during part of the downhill and found that compare to the BLT, the Ventana had much more room to move around. May be I am not getting used to the geometry yet. Again, I felt better on the bullit.
But not too many bikes out there can go hard overall on the trails on Saturday, and be great on the road on Sunday.
Time will tell. I have only had the bike for about a month.
One thing is true though, never in a long time had I enjoy riding a bike so much overall. I found myself wanting to sneak morning rides in before work. When I was on the bullit, I dreaded the bike path and uphills, while on the single speed, I enjoy the uphills and simplicity, but cannot pedal distance efficiently. Perhaps the BLT2 is the answer. So far so good.
BTW, I got a heck of an amazing deal on it. 2008 pricing before the increase, plus 10% shop annual sale discount. On top of that, my shop worked with me to switch out parts I dont like and install parts I already have. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tdeeds
a Weekend Warrior
from Simi Valley, Ca
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Peak/Chumash Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World in Resed | | Strengths: | VPP, stable platform, plush suspension, very good on climbs, great downhill bike, Santa Cruz Bikes Co. | | Weaknesses: | High maintenance | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS 2000, Tested Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | RP23 Shock, Fox Float 32 RLC fork, DT Swiss rims, Shimano XT components, Kenda Nevegal 2.35 tires, Race Face handelbars and stem | | Bottom Line: | The Blur LT is a great all-around, do-everything bike. While climbing there is very little bobb with the Fox suspension, which makes for a very smooth, efficient ride. The short cockpit puts you in a more upright position, which felt a bit unusual at first, but after a few rides I got used to it. Because of the bike's suspension and geometry, I have become much faster on the climbs.
You realize the value of this bike on the downhills. I find that it performs best on tight singletracks and rough, rocky descents. It can handle just about anything you throw at it. I rode Porcupine Rim twice and the bike handeled wonderfully.
I'm not really sure why this bike is in the XC category. I feel it should be in the All Mountain category because of the way it handles and the fact it has nearly 6 inches of travel. Either way, it's a fantastic bike and I highly recommend it. I'm waiting to read the reviews on the newly designed Blur LT.
Santa Cruz Bikes has been OUTSTANDING!. I've called several times inquiring about parts and service. They have always been very responsive and have done a great job answering questions and shipping replacement parts. I want to say a special thanks to Tim in the Parts Department. Keep up the good work guys! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jchap30
a Weekend Warrior
from El Dorado Hills
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Boulder, Paully Creek, Lloyds, Manzanita trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only from CBE | | Strengths: | Climber, Excellant trail rider and plush when it goes DH. This is the best "all around" bike built. Fast on the XC, excellant tranfer of energy and can slap on the fat tires for some DH action. | | Weaknesses: | Just having to do seasonal maintence, but it's not really an issue. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC, Intense VPP, Iron Hourse, Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Marz Z-1 thru axle 130,Sram XO, Avid Juicy carbon, King hubs/headset, XTR bottom braket/crank, differing tires depending on terrain. | | Bottom Line: | I stomped first downieville pass of the season last thursday with michellin 2.5's on this "classic BLT" that in all seriousness is perfect for Downieville, as I blew passed a few dudes on nomads with huge tires and Fox 40's. I rode straight to Yuba expeditions knowing they had the new BLT2 in stock for rentals, peddled around the town and did some curb ollies, not impressed. It felt exactly the same and maybe it was not set for my personal tweeks, but that linear feel SC describes reminds me of their single pivot offerings. I won't be changing frames anytime soon.
But also when I rode my local XC trail (salmon falls) with lighter tires -WTB's 2.4 mutano raptors the bike reminded me how much I love its abilties to accelerate for quick climbing needs but also it climbs so well when seated and just spinnging circles which in all honesty is the week link in my personal riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Tahoe, CA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Prizma, Hole in the Ground, Flume Mnt Hood, OR area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | C/L | | Strengths: | Great balanced bike, plush stable, climbs and desends well slow speed and high speed. Fairly light, good build. Good re sale,nice clean simple graphics. | | Weaknesses: | To expensive, frames are small. Test size before you buy. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign, Blur, Nomad, Trance, Idrive, Turner, Dakar, Ibis Mojo | | Bike Setup: | XTR cranks, Thompson stem, post Race Face oversize carbon bar, 32mm Talas, Juicy 7 disk brakes, Mavic wheel set, Sram XO shifters and derailure, Time peddals, Navagels 2.35 and 2.1 rear Fisk seat | | Bottom Line: | Hi,
The Blur LT is a great balanced bike one of the best all mountain trail bikes and a great one bike quiver. I had a Blur XC and didn't like it. I then purchased a Giant Trance that I preferred to the Blur XC. I also bought a Giant Reign great bike. This season I wanted to simplify and I'm selling the Trance and Reign and keeping the Blur LT. It's sort of in the middle of both bikes. The Blur may be a little better than the Giants but not by much. If your into Bling names you may think the Santa Cruz is superior but it isn't. The Blur LT is a perfect one bike to have in rocky areas with lots of climbs like Colorado, BC and Idaho. I live in Tahoe and we ride from 5500 feet elev to 9000 elev in rocky silty terrain. I'm 6 foot 195lbs and I need the XL size the large is way to small for me, yes I have a short 30-31" inseam and long torso long arms wide sholders, APE like in design :-)). My old Blur was a XL as well I tested both sizes via renal bikes for a few days. The XL fits me perfect and I think it would be to small for a guy 6 3" so do yourself a favor and test ride prior to buying. I think Santa Cruz's sizing charts are off, Giants are the same, Trek and Specialized and Fisher are correct. My bike weighs 28 3/4 lbs pretty light for a 5" travel bike, one pound less than my 6" travel Giant Reign with this build; Frame size XL Fox 32mm Talas, light Mavic wheels, XTR cranks Race Face carbon bars, Juicy 7s Time pedals XO shifters and Navegels. The LT climbs a tiny bit better and is better in the tight technical stuff, but the Reign is more stable and slightly better on fast descents. They're both great bikes. If your on a tight budget buy the very nice Giant Trance XO prbably better than the LT or Reign if you want a light great climbing 6" travel bike. If you work hard and want a bit more custom build and a little Bling buy the Santa Cruz. I raced Motocross and Enduros in New England for years and raced a few XC mountain bike races and did Tris for a year years. Just trying to explain I know alot about wrenching, geometry, build quality, suspension set up and frame design. If you have the cash and want a nice bike buy the Blur LT. I wouldn't buy a 2008 Blur LT 2 unless you have lots of $$ and money isnt an issue. Sure the older BLUR LT may need slightly more maintaince, big deal replace the bearings once a year vs every two years. The bikes will climb and descend just about the same and you will save $1000 on the frame, you can get great deals on new 2008 standard LT frames. I bought my new 2008 LT black Ano frame for $900. You will spend $2000 for a LT 2 frame, yes it's a beautiful bike. I would save $$ and take your wife or girl friend on a nice mountain bike trip to BC or Tahoe and have an epic trip.
Cheers
Dave | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Tahoe, CA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Prizma, Hole in the Ground, Flume Mnt Hood, OR area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | C/L | | Strengths: | Great balanced bike, plush stable, climbs and desends well slow speed and high speed. Fairly light, good build. Good re sale,nice clean simple graphics. | | Weaknesses: | To expensive, frames are small. Test size before you buy. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign, Blur, Nomad, Trance, Idrive, Turner, Dakar, Ibis Mojo | | Bike Setup: | XTR cranks, Thompson stem, post Race Face oversize carbon bar, 32mm Talas, Juicy 7 disk brakes, Mavic wheel set, Sram XO shifters and derailure, Time peddals, Navagels 2.35 and 2.1 rear Fisk seat | | Bottom Line: | Hi,
The Blur LT is a great balanced bike one of the best all mountain trail bikes and a great one bike quiver. I had a Blur XC and didn't like it. I then purchased a Giant Trance that I preferred to the Blur XC. I also bought a Giant Reign great bike. This season I wanted to simplify and I'm selling the Trance and Reign and keeping the Blur LT. It's sort of in the middle of both bikes. The Blur may be a little better than the Giants but not by much. If your into Bling names you may think the Santa Cruz is superior but it isn't. The Blur LT is a perfect one bike to have in rocky areas with lots of climbs like Colorado, BC and Idaho. I live in Tahoe and we ride from 5500 feet elev to 9000 elev in rocky silty terrain. I'm 6 foot 195lbs and I need the XL size the large is way to small for me, yes I have a short 30-31" inseam and long torso long arms wide sholders, APE like in design :-)). My old Blur was a XL as well I tested both sizes via renal bikes for a few days. The XL fits me perfect and I think it would be to small for a guy 6 3" so do yourself a favor and test ride prior to buying. I think Santa Cruz's sizing charts are off, Giants are the same, Trek and Specialized and Fisher are correct. My bike weighs 28 3/4 lbs pretty light for a 5" travel bike, one pound less than my 6" travel Giant Reign with this build; Frame size XL Fox 32mm Talas, light Mavic wheels, XTR cranks Race Face carbon bars, Juicy 7s Time pedals XO shifters and Navegels. The LT climbs a tiny bit better and is better in the tight technical stuff, but the Reign is more stable and slightly better on fast descents. They're both great bikes. If your on a tight budget buy the very nice Giant Trance XO prbably better than the LT or Reign if you want a light great climbing 6" travel bike. If you work hard and want a bit more custom build and a little Bling buy the Santa Cruz. I raced Motocross and Enduros in New England for years and raced a few XC mountain bike races and did Tris for a year years. Just trying to explain I know alot about wrenching, geometry, build quality, suspension set up and frame design. If you have the cash and want a nice bike buy the Blur LT. I wouldn't buy a 2008 Blur LT 2 unless you have lots of $$ and money isnt an issue. Sure the older BLUR LT may need slightly more maintaince, big deal replace the bearings once a year vs every two years. The bikes will climb and descend just about the same and you will save $1000 on the frame, you can get great deals on new 2008 standard LT frames. I bought my new 2008 LT black Ano frame for $900. You will spend $2000 for a LT 2 frame, yes it's a beautiful bike. I would save $$ and take your wife or girl friend on a nice mountain bike trip to BC or Tahoe and have an epic trip.
Cheers
Dave | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Armstrong
a Cross Country Rider
from Wakefield, quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | cockpunch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | built it off pinkbike | | Strengths: | Suspension design. | | Weaknesses: | chainstay length a bit long.
Chain suck. | | Bike Setup: | High end Fox/xtr. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing pedaling bike. I wanted more travel without sacrificing climbing efficency. It still climbs as good as my M4 but i had to flip over my stem to bring me more over the bars. Mine ways 28lb with a 140mm vanilla rlc and 2.1" nevegals. Downhill's very well but this is a climbing bike with long legs. VPP* has no pedal bob. Super fun bike.
I put every single part on this bike, set it up and had no problems with anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Strengths: | Frame geometry, VPP, stiffness, responsiveness, | | Weaknesses: | Make sure to check the pivot points within the first month, mine loosened... very bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth, GT i-drive, SC juliana (friends bike), first full suspension I've owned. | | Bike Setup: | XT derailers, shifters, cranks, old KORE elite stem, WTB saddle, Thompson post, avid juicy seven 6" brakes, dt wheels, Fox talas 36 up front fox rp 23 in the back, kenda nevegal rubber. Crank brothers mallet pedals | | Bottom Line: | The fox suspension is beautiful and matches the geometry of the bike to a T. This bike handles ANYTHING you throw at it. Downhill course in Canmore Alberta "the Redeamer". Long epic 6 hour cross country trails through the rocky mountains. Ups, downs, 6' drops to flat ground. It loves it all. I've had it out in the mud and sand and clay and snow. You seem to have endless travel and it is great in tight technical roots and rocks. Gives you the confidence of a 8" downhill beast but handles like my old 21 pound solid aluminum hardtail... only it climbs much better. I kept my last bike for 15 years, I hope this will survive the test of time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Fray
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Guadalasca, Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycology, Sherman Oaks, Ca | | Strengths: | The most plush, stable, solid, bike I have ever ridden. Instills an unusual sense of confidence when bombing down big hills. Climbs like a goat. Handles well at high speeds and at walking speed. So far,(after 1 year the bike has been virtually maintenance free. | | Weaknesses: | Very little to complain about.. The rear suspension arm was creaking and made me a little nervous, but after a quick check with an allen wrench, I discovered the shop who assembled the bike left almost every bolt loose. Since I tightened them, no more creaking. I have not experienced any bearing issues. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3+, Cannondale Super V 900, Ellsworth Epiphany | | Bike Setup: | SRAM 9X shifters, deraileurs, chain and cluster, Ativ cranks, Fox RP23 rear shock, Fox Float RLC 130 fork, Juicy Seven brakes, DT Swiss 340 hubs, Mavic 321 rims with Kenda Nevegal front and rear tires (they came with the bike) | | Bottom Line: | I ride a whole lot and this bike kicks some serious A$$. Smooth as silk on the downhill runs, infinitely adjustable suspension including lockout if that's your thing. Absolutely zero pedal bob and when you get the suspension dialed in to your weight, it rides like a dream (I'm 225+ and the bike handles my ample size flawlessly). The feeling you get from this ride is pure confidence and stability. I find myself looking for something to bounce off of or over on the way down the hills. Climbs almost like a hard tail and rides very light. This bike is certainly not for beginners (it would spoil them)it is designed for serious riders who really use their equipment.. I have beat up this bike on trials all over Southern California and I can't wait for my next ride. The frame and overall feel of the bike is quality all the way. This bike should be on your list of top 3 choices in the all mountain class. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from Eugene, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Paul's Bicycle Way of Life | | Strengths: | Climbs better than any hardtail. Stiff solid feeing frame. Super efficient yet plush suspension is so good you don't even notice it's working. Back end feels like there are little rockets pushing your rear tire on the ground. Really takes the edge off without sucking power away. | | Weaknesses: | Steep price. Complex suspension needs regular maintenance to work right. Not too great as a wet winter bike. Given the handling characteristics and price I would say this is not a beginners bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Amplifier(the older high end XC FS bike), 2008 Trek Fuel EX-8, 89 specialized Stumpjuumper, 92 specialized hard rock, 94 specialized Stumpjumper, 03 specialized hard rock. | | Bike Setup: | 07 Blur LT, LX/XT mix, fox RP23, rock shox revolution 426 fork | | Bottom Line: | Amazing bike rides like a dream. There is so much grip from the rear VPP suspension. Suspension remains active wile peddling over huge rocks or hard on the breaks. You can set the VPP so soft that it cancels out even normal pavement chatter and the dammed thing still dose not bob! Turn on pro pedal and you have a hard trail to hammer with. Not that you even need it though. It really takes a experienced rider to be able to appreciate and use the VPP suspension 100%. This bike likes to be pushed hard up hills and threw corners. This is an ideal bike for epic riders like myself. Really lets a person ride stronger/longer. This is not a newbee bike though. It likes to be ridden very aggressively by an experienced rider. All new riders should spend at least a year on a hard tail learning to ride anyway. The pivots will need to be serviced and replaced often if you ride in very wet conditions. Say 1-2 times a year for racers and once a year for heavy winter riders. (so make sure you've got a good local shop to do the work) Summer riders should get at least a couple of years out of them. It's a very sweet bike. If you've got the money and the love of mountain biking test one out. Tried out a 08 Trek Fuel EX-8 and it was a total joke compared the the Blur LT. Even though the Blur weighted more. It is that good. The fuel would be great for casual riders or flat trails. Alas far out in the mountains king Blur reigns. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bond007Jms
a
from SLC, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Green Valley | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Similar Products Used: | Turner Spot, Santa Cruz Blur LT, Intense 5.5 and 6.6, Yeti 575, Specialized Enduro, Cannondale Prophet MX and 1000 | |
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