Description:The Blur made a lot of trail riding friends in its first couple years of life. Many of those people loved the bikes, but wanted a little more travel. Not wanting to disappoint them, we have introduced the Blur LT. Rear travel has increased to 135mm. The head tube junction is reinforced to handle the stresses generated by longer forks - up to 160mm of travel. We also raised the bottom bracket a hair, and slackened off the head tube a touch. The result is a bike that devours high speed, steep, rocky trails, yet remains light and nimble enough to climb all day long, and always keep a smile plastered across a dusty rider's face.
Submitted by
Stew
a Cross Country Rider
from Bountiful, Utah Date Reviewed: September 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Thunder Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Strengths:
The Blur is a great bike. Set up right, it is fantastic.
Weaknesses:
Can't be sure. I bought mine used and have added the things I like best.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hard Rock, Specialized Rock Hopper FS A1 Comp., Rocky Mountain Slayer.
Bike Setup:
XT shifters and deraileurs. Hayes 9 discs. Fox RP23 rear shock and Fox Float Trail Tune Fork. Easton EA70 Bar, Thompson Elite Stem and Seatpost. WTB seat. FSA DH Pig Headset and FSA XC-300 Wheelset. WTB Mutano and Moto Raptor tires.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike. It rides great and handles the bumps well. Loved my RM Slayer, but don't do drops like I used to. This bike is lighter. As for the creaking squeaking complained about, I haven't had it.
And here's a potential fix. The rear tire throws gunk into the VPP pivot point. Very discreetly, I put black electrician's tape across the gaps where the gunk would hit the bearings. It's a black Blur, so it doesn't show. I think the barrier of the tape keeps dirt out of the bearings and keeps the bike from squeaking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Turtleman
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim, CA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Overall good bike. Climbs well, dependable for me.
I have ridden this 2004 Blur for 4 years now, and I can say that it is a very good bike. It climbs exceptionally well. It is not the most plush ride, but it is efficient.
For me, it has been a very dependable ride. Yes, it creaks sometimes and makes noise, and it bothered me when I first got the bike, but I guess I've gotten used to it. And I truely believe, that the noise itself has gotten substantially less after the first year. I just don't think it is a big deal. Right now, it's in a quiet phase. I have not had to change or repair any linkage at all, and it is still working as well as ever. In the first year, I used to take aprart the linkages and clean them, but since then all I do is make sure that none of the bolts are loose every few months or so. To give you perspective, I probably ride 3 weekends per month, about 15 to 20 miles, cross country with enjoying some technical descents at times, about 11 months out of year since I live in Socal. I have crashed it number of times, and most I have done is 3 feet drops. I think the frame is very well built.
It descends pretty darn well for a crosscountry focused bike. I just wish it be more active rear suspension under braking. Fox fork is great, and 5th element shock has held up nicely. Tubeless conversion was well worth the effort.
This bike is not perfect. But I have yet to ride "the perfect" bike. I can say that after riding it for 4 years, I love this bike. And because it does what it is meant to do very well, in a dependable manner, I give it 5 stars.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Pace
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley Ca. Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
All Pro bike shop
Strengths:
Handles well
Weaknesses:
Creaks, squeeks, a maintenance nightmare! Have completly replaced bearings bushings 3 times so far. It is alot of money to pay for a bike you cannot ride without being annoyed by the noise or all the riders you are riding with asking what up with that noisy thing you are riding! Yes Santa Cruz sends you all the parts you at no charge because they know they have a piece of junk with their name on it!
Bottom Line:
Tell a friend DO NOT BUY A SANTA CRUZ!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phillip Woods
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver Date Reviewed: March 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Deer Creek
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Mojo Wheels
Strengths:
This is a follow up to my previous review. I have finally overhauled my bike after 3 1/2+ years of riding, and I still have no issues with the pivots. No noise, no slop.
Weaknesses:
The only weakness I can find probably has more to do with me. This bike requires proper set-up to work properly. Since my weight fluctuates, the set-up changes based on the time of year I am riding. Oh, during muddy rides, the linkage acts as a mud-shelf like the old 990 u-brakes. I guess since I clean my bike after dirty rides, that has helped the longevity of my pivots.
Bike Setup:
Just switched to the new XTR 970 shifters and rear derailer. This new XTR is awsome!! I have had Sram XO on my bike for the last few years both twist shifters and the Sram triggers. Shimano just put Sram back in their place.
Bottom Line:
This bike does everything very well. I can maitain traction on cliimbs whether sitting or standing, and fly downhill with amazing traction and control. I did have my fork and rear shock rebuilt (no pivots) and this feels like a brand new bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bike Dude Dude
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham Alabama Date Reviewed: December 31, 2007
The 5th Element failed after 5 months and parts are not available now . Tires sucked.. replaced with Kenda John Tomac tires
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Hi Fi
Bike Setup:
replaced rear shock with Fox RP23 rear Fox F-100 front shocks XT Sram X-7.avid Mtn brakes Selle Italia saddle
Bottom Line:
I really liked this bicycle but in Alabama there are no active Santa Cruz dealers..I purchased this blue used at a local bike store .. replacement parts are hard to obtain .. rear suspension requires constant work and tighting.. This is a great bike but Santa Cruz's tech support is not good..I just sold my blur and have purchased a new 2008 Trek EX9..more later
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JD
a Racer
from Chino, CA Date Reviewed: December 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1699.00
Strengths:
The best full suspension on the market. The virtual pivot point really makes a difference. Short wheel base. Great customer service.
Weaknesses:
High maintenance pivot points, other than that, nothing... A bit on the pricey side. Lack of color options for a bike that expensive.
Bike Setup:
Full 2007 XTR, Mavic SL rims.
Bottom Line:
If you own a Blur classic, I would recommend upgrading the bearings to the pro pack and getting the Ti link for the top pivot. Also, Santa Cruz has upgraded the bottom link. It no longer has holes on in the middle of the axles. This eliminates some "creaking" issues the Blur has because it doesn't let dirt into the axle. Make sure you disassemble your pivots ounce a month and clean them. This will eliminate any "creaking" issue that everybody complains about.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from chappaqua, n.y. Date Reviewed: November 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Ninham
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle by Julio
Strengths:
The bike loves to ride over rock gardens. This bike climbs like a goat.
Weaknesses:
The bike just doesn't hold up. I have replaced the bearings three times and it needs to have it again. If you only ride once a week this bike will work for you.
Bottom Line:
This bike is better as a sculpture hung against the wall. Don't buy it unless you have a very close relationship with your bike shop.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shredder
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: November 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Racoon Mtn, TN
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Spin Cycle
Strengths:
Excellent handling characteristics. Required some tweaking to get it just right. Switched out shimano dual control rapid rise for sram x-9 shifters and xo derailler. Also swicthed to a shorter stem, which gave a more centered position between the wheels. Handling improved dramatically.
Weaknesses:
Original shimano drivetrain caused ghost shifting, which totally disappeared with sram components. Ghost shifts could be eliminated with shimano but you have to adjust your derailer while on the bike with suspension weighted. The use of sram eliminated this need entirely.
Bike Setup:
2005 large Orange anodized frame, 5th element shock, fox talas fork. Sram x-9 shifters, xo rear derailler, shimano xt front derailler. Shimano xt disc brakes, shimano hollowtech crankset with race face rings, sram 11-34 cassette. Race face deus 90mm stem.
Bottom Line:
Great bike has served me well over the last 2 + years. With some tweaking the bike is absolutely perfect, handles like a dream. Downhills and rails corners awesomely. Climbs almost anything. I ride 2-3 times per week and put the bike through its paces. I've never had any problems with the pivots (keep 'em tightened), or the 5th element shock. Once you dial in the suspension and rebound correctly - no worries!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phillip Woods
a
from Denver, CO, USA Date Reviewed: September 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Deer Creek
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Mojo Wheels--Denver
Strengths:
Great handling, light weight,envious head-turners, sixth sense feedback
Weaknesses:
develoveped some creaking after two plus years of use, 2-3 rides per week, but a little cleaning and lube cured it.
Similar Products Used:
Cannindale Gemini (freeride set-up), several hardtails, tried all the rest as a bike shop guy.
Bike Setup:
Bright red powder coat '05 frame(large). Full Sram XO with carbon rear derailiur and twist style shifters, King headset, Hope Mono-Mini with red floating rotors to match the PG990 cassette, Mavic Crossmax Enduro Wheelset with Stans and Maxxis Larson TT tires(I weigh 205 lbs and have literally stepped on these wheels during get-offs and they have only needed truing once in 2+ years), Race Face ISIS Next LP cranks, FSA Ti BB, Shimano 959 Pedals, Thompson stem and post, Easton Monkeylite Carbon Bar, WTB seat ti-rails
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I have ever owned. I have had no mechanical trouble whatsoever. This thing climbs better than any hardtail I ever rode and descends like a rocket. Traction feedback feels telegraphed. I have sold all of my other bikes Habanero Ti Cyclocross, Gemini, DBR Vertex TR hardtail. All of these other bikes were set up with top end components, but I just never wanted to ride anything but this Blur. The Best bike ever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dennis
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, B.C. CANADA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1750.00
Purchased At:
John Henry's
Strengths:
Clean tide construction, good dealer network in my area, strong front triangle, relatively light with my 5th Element air shock, Anodized finish is very durable.
Weaknesses:
Bearings require seasonal replacement despite relatively low mileage. Seat tube collar could be reduced in height (2006 models addressed this point). Anodized finish fades with regular exposure to sun. Suspension is not very active while braking or pedalling.
Similar Products Used:
only hardtails.
Bike Setup:
2005 Blur (purchased new) - XTR drivetrain, Thomson Elite seatpost, Raceface Ti BB, Raceface Turbine LP cranks, Eggbeater Candy Ti, Easton Carbon Monkeylite riser bar, Truvativ Stylo Team stem, Chris King headset, Hope Mono M4 brakes, Mavic XC717 rims, American Classic hubs, DT Competition spokes, Marzocchi Bomber SL 4", Specialized Ti body geometry saddle, King Ti bottle cage
Bottom Line:
Good cross country rig. Takes the "ump" out of bumps but still not as efficient as a hardtail (but then again, what FS is?). I have mine down to about 25 lbs so it's reasonably light (although mucho $ on parts to get it so). My rear hub seems to be developing play, could the twisty rear triangle on the 2005 and earlier Blur be contributing to this?
This rig could be built up to 24 lbs with off the shelf parts.
My 4" travel fork seems well matched to the 4.5" rear. I can't see a 3" fork working very well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from annandale, va Date Reviewed: August 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
Rides well, very predictable in the corners. Gives confidence in rocky terrain, sand and mud. 4-link virtual suspension works great. If you are the original buyer and it fits you properly I'd probably give it 3 Chili's for Value, 4 overall.
Weaknesses:
2 year warranty - no warranty at all if not original owner. Seat tube on mine broke at the bottom bracket - not a dent or ding on the rest of the bike! Santa Cruz admitted problem but blew me off when I tried to get fixed.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro (replaced broken Blur), GT XC 2.0
Bike Setup:
XT, Fox Talus fork, Fox rear shock
Bottom Line:
DO NOT buy this bike USED unless you are willing to write it off completely should something go wrong. Santa Cruz will not help you at all. They even said "they had a manufacturing defect with the large 2003 Blur frames" but didn't offer to fix or replace at discount.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Morris, NJ Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
VPP design.
Weaknesses:
Pivots. Not enough Santa Cruz dealers in the area.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized
Bike Setup:
Full SRAM XO. Avid mechanicals.
Bottom Line:
After over 4 years of riding the Blur I still love it. Cant compare to other rides or I should say I havent in quite some time now. Had a major overhaul this Spring. Replaced all the pivots. Right now I do have some rattling going on somewhere and havent figured out where or why. Might be the chain slapping against the tire. I would love to demo the Nomad but I cant find a dealer that carries Santa Cruz in Northern NJ other than 1 who doesnt have any bikes in the showroom. Seems like out west Santa Cruz is huge. Back east its tough to find a dealer. Yet, all the magazines rave about the bike. I still love it but might be on borrowed time now. We'll see.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nathan Sowle
a Racer
from Reno, NV Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Downieville
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Local Shop
Strengths:
Good suspension setup (VPP is my savior), builds up light, Handles like a dream.
Weaknesses:
Bottom Pivot Point squeaks
Similar Products Used:
K2 Razorback, Specialized Epic, Cannondale Rush, Titus Racer X
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Minute 2 fork, 5th Element shock, Easton Monkeylite SL bar, Thompson stem, Easton EC 70 seat post, Time Carbon Ti pedals, Mavic 717 rims w/ XTR hubs, XTR Brakes Disc
Bottom Line:
It rides nicely, very responsive, a little heavy for a XC racer though only weighs 26 lbs. Suspension has saved my life in many races, perfect for long descents
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Baker
a Racer
from Charlotte, NC USA Date Reviewed: March 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
U.S.National Whitewater Center (Catawba River trails)
Ghost shifting, pedal drag due to changes in geometry while riding through rough terrain pedaling (also associated with the ghost shifting). Bearings were not so much an issue with me. They seem to have lasted for a reasonable amount of time, as with any new technology with lots of moving parts there will be much more maintenance involved. Less maintenance on a Mtn Bike means no suspension. Unfortunately forks and shocks, bearings etc need rebuilding/replacing every season to keep your bike in shape. I feel too many reviews here are slamming the Blur because of the bearing issue. I raced and rode this bike hard and it has served me well.
Similar Products Used:
Asylum (Titus), Specialized Stumpjumper, Fat Chance Team "Yo Eddy"
Bike Setup:
XTR, Hydro disc, XTR F&R derail, Thompson stem & Seat post, Chris King headset, XTR cranks, Crossmax UST wheels, Fox F100 RLT, Fox RP3, etc
Bottom Line:
I've enjoyed the Blur and it has served me well. Probably would not buy another one but would still consider the Santa Cruz line, perhaps a Superlight or maybe a Titus Racer X 100.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan Date Reviewed: September 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
VPP linkage help traveling up all inclines. Solid frame.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Jekyll
Bike Setup:
Shimano XT and anything carbon
Bottom Line:
This frame takes XC riding to another level of contol and Acceleration. A+ to the designers of the blur.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from Inverness, Il, USA Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Palos
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Climbs great, descends great, smooth ride, very little bob, suspension reacts very well
Weaknesses:
pivots tend to loosen and berrings creak while riding
Bike Setup:
Full shimano XT, RP3 rear shock, Manitou Black Super air fork, Easton bars and seatpost
Bottom Line:
great bike all around but make sure to check the pivots after every few rides to make sure nothing has loosened up
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Morris, NJ Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Dirt
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
VPP, comfortable, no bob.
Weaknesses:
Bearings, LACK OF DEALERS IN THE NORTHERN NJ AREA!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpy
Bike Setup:
All XTR
Bottom Line:
Had this ride for over 2 years. Still love it. The bearings squeek and creak over time and mine are being replaced but is a bike, things happen. Thats not my complaint. My complaint is the lack of dealers who sell/work on this bike in my area. I have a shop I would love to work with other than the shop where I bought it from because they just flat out suck at repairs. Problem is that they dont sell Santa Cruz and flat out told me they had some reservations taking the Blur apart and trying to figure out how to put it back together. At the price I paid for it I feel like a bought the top of the line BMW but I live in Bagdad. No one can change the freakin oil! Santa Cruz needs to get more shops to sell and work on their products at least in the northern NJ area. At this pace I'd be better off buying a high end Specialized or Cannondale, at least most of the shops sell them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jmac
a Cross Country Rider
from Chanhassen, MN, USA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Mammoth
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Internet
Strengths:
Great suspension, climbs anything, descends like a deamon, gret for G-outs, strong frame, power goes to pedals
Weaknesses:
Clearence for rear tire to small, poorer quality bearings need regular maintence or replacement.
Similar Products Used:
GT i-drives, Trek Fuels, Cannondale Super V's
Bike Setup:
Pushed Fox F100x, 5th element air, stans tubless in Kenda nevegal stickee 2.1, XTR crank, XTR rear D, XT front, avid rear mech disc, Avid v-brakes up front (this is MN afterall)
Bottom Line:
Sweet sweet ride, have played with suspension settings a lot and think I finally have them dialed in, front and rear are in balance and work together. With Kenda tires can climb anything with no rear slippage, descends most any hill on anyline you end up taking, just flys on that twisty single track. I don't do big drops, I don't catch big air but this bike fite my riding style to a T. I am a cruz'er for life. Price may seem high to some but not as pricey as the more boutique bikes and can go with them on any terrain, so I give it high value marks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian McC
a Racer
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Riverhead - Gordies Gully
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Westpoint Cycles Vancouver
Strengths:
Plush as ride, climbs like a hard tail, VPP works a treat in sprints, overall great geometry and feel.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
tested - Rocky Mountain, superlite, intense, and yeti full suspension XC bikes and the blur wins hands down on price and performance!!!
Bike Setup:
Blur classic full XT, juicy 7 carbon..
Bottom Line:
bottom line, i came from a stripped down KHS Alite 4000 hardtail racer to a Blur!, it climbs 97% as well as a hardtail, i can get out of the seat in the big ring and sprint fast, my down hill speed has increased by 25%, my cornering in and out is quicker...what more can i say..the stuff we ride is hard technical, and thats hard on bikes as well as riders, alot of mud crud dust rocks etc, long ups and downs, i think this bike is near perfect all i need to to is drop a few pounds of it and i will be the same as my hardtail!, i even have a second set of wheels with slicks and thrash the roads for milage (so not to change riding positions)eating a few roadies on the way!!
cheers westpoint in Vancouver fior the sweet deal as our dealer in NZ is asking $2k more for the same machine!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fastal
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: March 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Backbone
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Strong, stiff, light.
Weaknesses:
Wish I could have afforded to buy a new one.
Similar Products Used:
RM Element Race
Bike Setup:
'03 Blur, Fox AVA shock, Fox Van 130 fork
Bottom Line:
Just to add to the positive reviews - I love this bike. I'm clearing things that I never thought I could before. It climbs like a billy goat and descends with confidence. Really well made, handles the rough stuff with ease. I didn't believe the hype until a friend lent me his for a week. Best FS bike I've ridden. I lusted after a 5-spot until I rode this sucker. Highly recomended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pirate
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth, Australia Date Reviewed: March 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Turner Hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, rigid, fast. Nice set of components. Fits exactly what I was after. A fast xc bike with dual suspension that was not too plush. Can be set up to do it all.
Weaknesses:
Costa lot...Stickers on bike of this price...come on...
Similar Products Used:
Specialised Epic, Giant Trance
Bike Setup:
XT with rapid fires, Hayes Mag 6", Bontrager rims laced to onyx hubs, headset Cane Creek,Maxm Carbon bars, Maxm MX4 seat with Ti Rails, 5th Element Shock, Fox 100RLT
Bottom Line:
I agonised over this purchase for ages. Trying to justify the cost of the Blur over the other bikes. Ended up getting a slightly used bike for a reasonable price. There are not many on the second hand market in Oz.
I was surprised just how quick I settled into the bike. Many of my mates who have gone from hardtails onto softtails have said that there was a decent period of adjustment getting used to the plush travel. Not with the Blur. You just dont realised that the suspension is working until you look down.
Extremely efficent pedalling, is amazing when you hammer the pedals all the energy goes into forward motion rather than suspension. I am taking much cleaner lines now, with increased confidence.
My lap times with the Blur on my regular tracks are within a minute of the best times I have ever set on a hardtail, and I have only been riding the bike a couple of weeks.
I am 6'1 185lbs. Large is fine. Very easy to setup from firm for the tech tracks to plush for longer trail runs. A great "do it" all bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan Price
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town,WC,South Africa Date Reviewed: March 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Harkerville
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1830.00
Purchased At:
Action Cyling (lbs)
Strengths:
VPP works great, responsive, pedals well, light enough for long stuff, very well balanced
Weaknesses:
Frame bearings don't last, misalignment of the rear triangle bottle cage inserts have come loose in the frame but can't be removed
VPP works exactly like it should and the compromise between the 3 aspects of Dual Suspesion bikes, namely Pedal Bob, Terrain induced suspension action and pedal/chain feedback has landed pretty well in the pedal/chain feedback camp which if i had to chose would be where i'd want the compromise so that's all good. I ride mine pretty soft for long adventure races, etc and the only way it bobs is hard hammering out of the saddle,all good. Otherwise the bike is responsive and very well balanced which really allows you to throw it around with confidence. If you're looking for a dual bike that pedals great uphill but lets you have a whole lot of fun going down and won't leave your undercarriage finished after a long day then this is it.
Now onto the bad stuff...frame bearings should last longer than 6months, Santa Cruz reckon you should get 12-18months (probably acceptable) but myself and a lot of others with blurs around here are getting 4-8months from the bearings in the small link behind the bottom bracket...furthermore these are proprietary bearings so you can't replace them with cheaper and better bearings from SKF for example (like i do with my american classic hubs) One last thing, the thread inserts for the bottle cage bolts have also come loose which has prevented me from using my bottle cages now (the bolt is now fixed in the insert and just turns with it so i can't get either out the frame)...not what you'd expect from a frame that costs this much!
worth 5 chilli's for the performance but loosing one for the reliability and build quality issues
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C G
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, now Austin Date Reviewed: March 1, 2006
Favorite Trail:
All of South Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Slippery Pig, Phoenix
Strengths:
Exceptional bike overall. The balance and stability are truly amazing and after almost 3 years I am still in love with this bike. The VPP works well and the feel, geometry and balace are confidence inspiring. The bike sucks it all up but pedals responsively.
Weaknesses:
The only issues I had were frame creak before the prescribed 1 year rebuild mark. I rebuilt the frame myself and Santa Cruz was helpful with the couple of questions the guide did not address. The chainline isn't the best, but isn't bad either. Neither of these can overshadw the 5 chili mark.
Similar Products Used:
Tried the comparable Trek, Specialized, Fisher as well as the SC Superlight
Bike Setup:
04 Blur with 5th element, Fox 100RL, XTR/XT, Mavic Tubeless
Bottom Line:
I'm 180, ride 2-3 times a week and if I destroyed it tomorrow, I would buy another one without hesitation. One of the reasons I bought it was because of the unanimous rave reviews on mtbr at the time, and they were right on. It is a perfect fit and I really couldn't be happier with it. The few times I've called SC they have been helpful.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack Frost
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, Missouri Date Reviewed: February 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
several
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Inspires confidence up and down the trail. Handling is precise, ride is smooth.
$
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