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Average Rating
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4.88/5
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# of Reviews
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25
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MSRP
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Description:
- 115mm rear travel
- custom butted 6069 tubeset
- replaceable dropout
- up to 150mm travel fork
- durable anodized or powdercoat finish
- disc only
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Submitted by
Tom C
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mission Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle werehouse | | Strengths: | Very solid took some time to dial in rear shock. I like it loose and fluid. | | Weaknesses: | none so far. My own preferrences outweight weakness | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bike Setup: | does not matter that much compared to personal preferrence | | Bottom Line: | Solid bike peddles better than 4 bar linkage esp. uphill. Laid back geometry is nice. My Azonic was old school. This bike works well with my zochii 55 fork. I've ridden Santa Cruz Mountains many times, North Star, Big Bear and San Diego this bike is a good all arounder. Santa Cruz does extensive testing and I've seen them at North Star, Nevada with their team. Dedicated company to racing development similiar to Foes. I would say Foes for long travel and Santa Cruz for all mountain. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom C
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mission Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle werehouse | | Strengths: | Very solid took some time to dial in rear shock. I like it loose and fluid. | | Weaknesses: | none so far. My own preferrences outweight weakness | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bike Setup: | does not matter that much compared to personal preferrence | | Bottom Line: | Solid bike peddles better than 4 bar linkage esp. uphill. Laid back geometry is nice. My Azonic was old school. This bike works well with my zochii 55 fork. I've ridden Santa Cruz Mountains many times, North Star, Big Bear and San Diego this bike is a good all arounder. Santa Cruz does extensive testing and I've seen them at North Star, Nevada with their team. Dedicated company to racing development similiar to Foes. I would say Foes for long travel and Santa Cruz for all mountain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rupp
a Cross Country Rider
from Colo notso rado
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Amazing all around frameset... I have had this bike for a few years now and am more impressed all of the time! I would like to upgrade to a duc pretty soon, but nonetheless, this bike is amazing even with my crappy 4" minute fork... | | Weaknesses: | I guess it is expensive, but biking is expensive these days. oh, and the bearings will creek if you don't lube them up on a regular basis. | | Similar Products Used: | Uzzi DH, Stinky Dee Lux, Heckler, various hardtails, road bikes, steelhead | | Bike Setup: | 4" minute fork, dhx 5.0 coil, 8" hayes up front and avid bb7 rear, wtb saddle, heavy wheelset, pretty basic setup weighing in at 32 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I have had a lot of bikes come and go, and this one will not be leaving me for a very long time. When I get a new fork I plan on sleeping with this thing. ha ha ha. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Acuna
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | The 2222 Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport Shop | | Strengths: | Just like some of the previous posts, I too am impressed w/ the versatility of the frame. It's confidence inspiring whether it's pointed up or down. The frame has nice welds w/ gussets in all the right places. The powder coat paint holds up well. No matter what your current skill set is, this bike will help you become a better rider! | | Weaknesses: | Typical full suspension bike: You get about a year out of the bearings before they need replacing. There are a lot of bearings to pull and replace when it comes time to o'haul the rear suspension (8 to be exact.) At least the bearings are free from Santa Cruz. The decals are not clear-coated over. This could be considered a good thing or a bad thing depending on the owner.
I tried running an e.thirteen DRS chainguide system for awhile. I couldn't get the lower guide roller bushing assembly to sit far enough back and behind the bashguard to keep it clear from hitting rocks (the lower VPP suspension link prevents the needed rotation from happening.) I ended up pulling it off to improve ground clearance. However, if the potential for hitting your chainring/bashguard is low, then running the DRS system (or any other chainguide) isn't a problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing too similar. However, I have been on a Santa Cruz frame of some kind since '00 (Superlight and two Chameleons.) | | Bike Setup: | Most owners seem to build these frames up similar to one another. Mine is no different. Here's the list:
-RS Revelation Duel Air w/ U-Turn and Enduro Seals
-RP3 (my frame is an '06.....no RP23 at the time)
-Crossland wheelset (bought them to temporarily hold me over for awhile but the dang wheels just won't die!)
-RF Evolve DH crankset w/bashguard & external bearings upgraded to Enduros
-Time Z pedals
- X-9 rr der, X-Gen ft der
-990 cassette w/ King cassette lock-ring
-PC 991 chain
-Thomson stem (90mm) and laid-back post
-Titec El Norte saddle
-Salsa Lip-Loc seatpost clamp and stainless skewers
-King hs
-RF Diabolus h'bar (31.8mm)
-X-9 shifers
-Juicy 7 brakes w/ Dangerboy levers
-ODI Lock-On Rogue grips
-Jagwire Ripcord Pro shift cable system
-RF stem pad | | Bottom Line: | A nice stout short travel frame is all that is needed for 75% of the riding that can be done on this planet; my country or yours. Doesn't matter. Period! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hora Horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Helly Hansen V-Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Edinburgh Cycles | | Strengths: | Stable, feeling of low down centre of gravity yet nimble/agile. | | Weaknesses: | Price? After all its only aluminium manufactured in a Far East factory and marketing spend. | | Similar Products Used: | Erm literally everything | | Bike Setup: | Pike coils, King ISO hub, King headset, Saint brakes, DX pedals, Saint triple crankset, Thomson stem/post etc. | | Bottom Line: | I can honestly say Im not the most confident rider nor will I ever grab voluntary air (probably 2-3inches) however after 4 weekends of riding this so far, on every ride I can feel my confidence and ability eeking up a bit- its noticeable on every ride. I'm riding bits that I wouldnt have gone near not so long ago. I dont know where Im going to end up but its up and positive. Thats enough to make this my ideal frame/build. :o) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Built myself | | Strengths: | Versatile, fun ride. Strong, stable in the rough. Flies nice. Manuals nice. Corners faster than anything else I've ridden. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | VP-Free, Nomad, Reign | | Bike Setup: | Pike 454 u-turn, hope hubs, xt cranks, juicy 7's, SRAM mechs | | Bottom Line: | Get one. This bike is pure fun to ride. Lighter than Nomad but feels just as stable. Corners way better. The VP-free handles really rough terrain and big hits better, but the Blur 4x is always fun to ride. Tempted to try it in a couple of DH races since it's so light it opens up a few interesting line options. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luca
a Downhiller
from East Anglia, England
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Glentress | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Weight (or lack of it). Ride. Versatility. Looks. Everything. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock took a while to set up for me.
Rider.
Bearing life.
| | Similar Products Used: | Kona Coiler | | Bike Setup: | Pike 454, DT 5.1 on Hope Pro 2's. The rest is SC's standard Freeride kit. | | Bottom Line: | I guess this bike is the best bike for your typical British MTB'er. Do a bit of this, a bit of that. This bike will take it all in it's stride. I've done XC on it, Downhill, Freeride, I take it down to the jumps quite often. Put simply, pretty much whatever you do, this bike will cope with it.
Only 4 Chilis for value because it is a bit on the steep side (and you can get similar 4X bikes for ALOT less), however, you get what you pay for. Meaning you get a DAMN good bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tai Mo Shan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 1350 | | Strengths: | looks, VPP, cornering, big feel small travel lightweight bike. lightweight do it all bike, ride all day | | Weaknesses: | squeeky bearings, cable routing. | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575, SC Nomad | | Bike Setup: | XO, Rf Deus, 823 or 819's with Maxxis on Hadleys. RP23 (08) and Marz Z1 light. Thompson 70mm stem and layback seat post. Avid 7's with goodridge lines. | | Bottom Line: | coming off the Nomad, i am amazed at the speed, nimble feel and cornering of this bike. the 150mm Z1 seems to work a treat and with the ETA on it seems to climb really well. It feels like there is every bit as much travel under me as on the Nomad. this is now my Trail bike. Having only been out twice, I would be happy doing all day runs that include DH sections where i feel it is very sure footed. 2 rides and I am sold 100%. My buddie calls his 4X "the bike of Dreams" which i think means he can do stuff at speeds he only ever used to dream of, i get his thinking 100%! i am off to Lake Garda in Italy on FRiday with this rig for some climbing and descending, a bike i feel is better equipped than the Nomad for the Job! Its Bye Bye Nomad for me, the 4X takes its place in the stable and will live happily ever after along side the Lizard and the Free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | um - gr27? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd Hand Frame | | Strengths: | Great geometry, feels balanced, nice jumper (although I'm not), very stable, not too heavy, encourages bad behaviour, still fun on easy xc rides | | Weaknesses: | Slow speed technical riding is limited by slack geo, a bit squeaky! | | Similar Products Used: | giant ac, kona coiler | | Bike Setup: | pike race coil, dual ring, 521s on hope, 2.35 tyres (kenda and now on hutchinson) rest is boggo stuff | | Bottom Line: | Went for this frame after getting bored of the clunky nature of the kona coiler i had before - it was just too heavy and unresponsive for me. It's become my most favoured bike ever - and that's with some annoyig squeaking / early bushing wear (this could have been from the previous owner).
It's made me faster - especially on quick turns and berms. The only thing the Coiler was better at was very slow tech' stuff - i think because it was shorter and steeper, but the 4X will do what you need you just have to give it some more muscle.
it's great! (only 4 chilis for value as I'm nervous about VPP bearing wear) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Cresswell
a Weekend Warrior
from Croydon, Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Leith Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | cycleopedia | | Strengths: | Capable all rounder, which excels at fast technical sections. Add to that superb weight and looks.
Set up with the Pikes U-turn, makes for a very plush and fast ride. | | Weaknesses: | None so far, apart from paint seems to loose its shine. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Mount Vision Pro | | Bike Setup: | Pike Air U-tur, Fox RP3, XT, Avid Juicy 7s | | Bottom Line: | Ideal bike for someone who wants to be able to ride swiftly up the hill, but is ultimately looking for that awesome drop or rooty dh section. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Yeats
a
from Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Glentress | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op | | Strengths: | Sturdy, Snappy, Compact, Light. Perfectly finished. Pedals exceptionally well. | | Weaknesses: | Takes a little while to bed in bearings, shock etc. Decals are not lacquered over, so are easily scratched off. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro Elite (2006) | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Blur 4X frame (white, medium size) with Float R
2006 Fox Float RLC 130mm
Shimano LX 2007 shifters and F.mech, 2006 XT chainset and cassette, 2006 XTR R.mech and chain.
Avid Juicy Five brakes
Finishing kit mainly from my Enduro (SBC bars, stem, seatpost), as well as the heavy wheels, which are soon to be changed for ones with Hope Pro II hubs and DT Swiss 5.1d rims. | | Bottom Line: | This, in my humble opinion, makes a great trail bike, not just a great 4X racing bike, because it's both light and strong, and the geometry gives inherently stable (but still sharp) handling with a 130mm fork (the middle of the recommended travel range for the frame). Ideally, a fork like the Fox TALAS (32 or 36) or the Rock Shox Pike/Revelation U-Turn would give you the option to run at 115mm to match the back end for razor-sharp handling with the option to crank the front end up for bigger stuff and greater stability. I find 115 mm RWT is plenty for regular trail riding, and despite what many people say, I, personally, have never found the bottom bracket to be too low, not with a 5 inch fork on, anyway. I'd agree that it is quite low, so the bike feels planted through the corners, and stable at speed, but I certainly would not say it's excessively low, and I run 175mm crank arms.
This is the ideal bike for anyone who wants a light but strong machine which can be used for anything bar big drops, from all-day epics in the woods to short blasts down bermed man-made singletrack with doubles and tabletops, or even messing around at the skatepark or dirt jumps. Some people say the Nomad is the Santa Cruz do-it-all bike. I beg to differ. The Blur 4X will take forks up to 150mm travel for hard hitting aggressive riders, down to 100mm forks for fast XC use, quick handling and lighter weight. Easily builds up around the 27-28lb mark without fitting ridiculously expensive parts (try doing that with the Nomad!). Whatever terrain you ride, whatever your riding style or discipline, this frame can be equipped to meet your needs.
Versatile? Understatement of the century! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seraph
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Deer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | SC EP | | Strengths: | Burly frame, superior geometry for all-mountain riding, low bb for railing turns, reinforced headtube for large forks (though anything over 5" is stupid on this frame). The lifetime warranty on the bearings is well thought-out on SC's end, and much-appreciated on the riders' end. | | Weaknesses: | Such a low bb makes any crank longer than 170mm too long for trail riding (my 175mm cranks are scraping on rocks all the time). The long chainstays are not very well-suited to a 4X bike, as it makes it difficult to put the rear end down in a manual in the middle of a rhythem section. The pivots need to be lubed more often than most bikes in order to keep them quiet. Mine were not greased from the factory, but that was an easy fix. For those reviewers complaining that the pivots are hard to get to, I say "suck it up." It's not really that much of a pain in the ass to take off the cranks and chainguide. It only takes me about 30 minutes, and the payoff is well worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Tazer FS, Kona Dudu, Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Medium frame in white, fox float rp23, pink king headset, pike 426 coil u-turn, crossmax sx wheels, hayes nine carbon brakes, saint cranks, e.13 lg-1, xtr m970 gs derailleur, xtr m952 shifter, easton flatboy pedals, odi lock-ons, easton monkeylite dh bars, thomson x4 stem, thomson laidback post, pink wtb rocket v, pink jagwire housing, pink cnc'd valve caps, wtb prowler mx/xt tires, xtr cassette, various flower and heart stickers. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that the Blur 4X is much more than a fourcross and dual slalom bike. Set up correctly, it climbs like an XC bike and descends like a DH bike. Mine weighs in at only 31 lbs without cutting any corners for weight-savings. If you're looking for a super-durable, reliable, well-designed frame without too much travel, look no further. The 4X rips the singletrack to shreds! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Downhiller
from los alto, ca , usa
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything in whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | 3500 | | Strengths: | its lite, strong, good for everything from trail riding to lite free ride(10ft drops and smaller). the 4x is stable in the air and rails the burms. | | Weaknesses: | people stair? and a little pricy | | Similar Products Used: | any vpp. | | Bike Setup: | fox 36's, juicy 7's, x.o, truviative holsfellers( cranks, bars, stem), gamut,dt swiss wheels,sdg seat | | Bottom Line: | the 4x is a great all around bike.4x, dual slalom, trail riding, lite dh, lite free ride, it pedals great and turns even better. it jumps as good as any. if your looking for a do-it-all bike the 4x is what your thinking of. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | weight/strengh | | Weaknesses: | too many pivots, have to remove the cranks to tighten main pivot | | Similar Products Used: | transition preston | | Bike Setup: | 6" shock, 2.6 tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike is tons of fun to ride! The geometry with a 6" fork feels like my Kona Stinky with a super T. It goes down hill just as well, but you will feel the bottom of the shock if you ride it like a DH rig. It drops off ledges, and launches off hits with no effort, and is very well balanced in the air. It gives you the confidence to hit stuff you would with a big bike, but the short travel and wimpy linkage remind you that your not on a DH bike. It rails corners like nothing else! For most trails, this thing is way faster and more agile than big travel freeride rigs. One can rant about pros and cons all day. What it all boils down to is how much fun is your bike to ride, the 4x is a #^%&$@$ blast to ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a Downhiller
from Utah
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | very stable, good for all mountain riding with a downhill bias. dirt jumps well, good for tricks. jamie goldman uses this bike for slopestyle, that says something. this bike corners like a madman.
| | Weaknesses: | this bike is hard to manual due to the long top tube. i would recommned buying a smaller size if you want to have more control. also, with a longer fork (150mm) it starts to have "different" handling characteristics. | | Similar Products Used: | kona howler, stinky, gemini | | Bike Setup: | z150 w/ ETA, fox RP3, etc.. | | Bottom Line: | for it's application, 4X, there probably isn't a better bike. It is stable in the air and corners very, very well. With a short fork it is good for DJ and all mountain riding. I only would not recommend this bike to someone looking to only shuttle and do bigger jumps (step downs) and (10+ ft) drops. Everything else this bike rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Bub
a Cross Country Rider
from Front Range Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nothing where I live | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | The weight to toughness ratio is very nice (meaning it is tough). Mine is set up pretty heavy but the potential to lighten it up is there when I run across some extra cash. As a former DH racer trying to get back into shape after joining the "real world", I would say this frameset does it all. If you have the balls to huck, it won't break. If you wanna have a "weight weenie" bike with a sweet laid back set up it's there too. | | Weaknesses: | The bottom bracket might be too low, not sure yet though. | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler, Uzzi DH, Stinky Dee Luxx, Gemini, | | Bike Setup: | Standard 4X setup... 4" minute 2:00 (would recommend getting a 5" fork), hayes 8", maxxis high roller 2.3's, DHX 5.0 coil(gonna switch to the air asap), | | Bottom Line: | As I mentioned in the strengths category, the frameset can do it all.
I am very impressed with how I got it stock. However, I am ready to modify it to my personal preferences. Lighter rear shock and a 5" air something up front.
I highly recommend this bike for the aggressive xc rider who usually breaks a lot of stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
crankburger
a Downhiller
from crunktown
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | light, nimble, clean | | Weaknesses: | none for its design that I could see. i think the shock needs to be set properly. I tested my bros bike over the weekend, he likes it pumped up extra for bottom out protection. I would have set it a little softer to utilize all the travel rather than 3.5 or whatever.. | | Similar Products Used: | imperial,rfx,5spot,bmx. DH,FR... | | Bike Setup: | vanilla 125 fork, singletrack wheels, float rp3 rear, short stem... | | Bottom Line: | The frame designed around 4x riding and racing is a ball of fun. The bike felt like a great cornering machine. Also taking air was comfortable and sure. The geometry seems pretty much right on for the smaller jumps and terrain you may encounter. I didnt care for the rp3 too much, the way this one was set up seemed to get ultra progressive in the last 3/4" of the stroke. I felt like it bottomed about 10 times however the o ring never came off the shaft? Other than that the frame will get the job done. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lebe
a Racer
from Phoenix AZ
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Geronimo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Rage Cycles | | Strengths: | Compared to my std Blur, slacker head angle and designed for longer travel, up to 6", fork. Std Blur only rated to 4". | | Weaknesses: | Thought the rear would take a 2.5" Blue Groove but upper cross brace will only take 2.35". Not a biggie. | | Similar Products Used: | All SC products | | Bike Setup: | Pike Team, Fox RP3, Crossmax XL, El Caminos, X.9, Race Face & Gravity Dropper | | Bottom Line: | Bought this to replace my std Blur for SuperD racing and so my son can slalom/4X it. Much funner to ride on top of S. Mtn. than the std Blur and climbs much easier than my VP Free in the heat of the summer. Won both 50+ SuperD and DH class at Deer Valley on it as the courses were nearly the same (more SuperD than DH) and its lighter weight, 29 lbs, was better suited.
Would recommend for any very aggressive trail rider in place of std Blur. Can't speak for the new Blur LT. Have always liked SC anodized finish but waited months for it.
Best all around sled I've had from SC so far in 8 years. IMO you'll always get good value from Santa Cruz. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Racer
from Mill Valley
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strong, cool looking, awesome. Feels really solid into wide turns and berms; it just locks into the turns, even in slippery conditions | | Weaknesses: | pivots are really hard to get to, in order to tighten them, I had to take out the bottom bracket, chain guide, cranks and more. Supposedly the bearings for the pivots aren't strong, but mine just got a little loose, and all I did was tighten them and it was fine. | | Bike Setup: | fox vanilla fork, float rp3 rear shock, truvativ stylos, xt shifter and deralluer, e13 chainguide, and what not. and a non factory color frame, buffed out by a dude who does Harley motorcycles. | | Bottom Line: | sweet bike, but if you don't do any jumping, slalom, or racing it is a little sluggish for an all mountain ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Racer
from Vacaville
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Rays Cycle | | Strengths: | Good part specification for a complete 4x bike.
Solid race machine.
Easy to set up for Slalom or 4x. | | Weaknesses: | Pivot bolts keeping coming loose.
PIKE fork broken within an hour of riding, but Rock Shock has addressed the problem. If you own a pair take close look at the u brace, if it has waffling that goes all the way down to the lowers be careful. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Tazer, Turner 5 Spot | | Bike Setup: | Kit listed on Santa Cruz website with the exception of the brakes and wheels. Instead of the avid brakes my bike came with hayes. Also my bike came with a cheaper Mavic XM321 instead of the burley Mavic 321. I guess they thought I wouldn't notice. | | Bottom Line: | This bike RIPS! I have been racing a hardtail for the last two season because I didn't want to give up the fast acceleration, but with Blur I don't feel like I am giving anything up. If fact I just took 3rd place in the Expert 30-39 MTN X at the Sea Otter. If your looking for a 4x race machine this is the ticket. For me the complete bike was the way to go I get tired of building a new bike every year and the parts spec that comes with the kit is solid. The little differences in what I recieved and what is list actually worked to my favor, it save me from ditching the heavy 321's and replacing with something lighter. The reason for the brake change is that the Avid's are having problems so Santa Cruz replaced with the proven Hayes. Also Santa Cruz has these bikes in stock so if your tired of waiting for Intense to release their new Tazer XVP then get one of these. FYI retail is $3000.00, but the mark up on these is 30% so if you really want one you can probably get the price down a bit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niklaus Hartmann
a Weekend Warrior
from Cochabamba, Bolivia
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Escalarani, Cochabamba | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Santa Cruz | | Strengths: | What can I say about this bike except... wow... I've waited 3 months for this baby, and it is more than i hoped for... it does everything for you.. from steering to smoothing even the nastiest of rocks and drops... It handles beautifully, it goes fast, very fast... I love its simplstic design and its incredible versatility and geometric efficiency... | | Weaknesses: | You might get lazy from just sitting so much... its just so plush...!!! | | Similar Products Used: | not really, first FSR... | | Bike Setup: | FD: SRAM X-Gen / RD: SRAM X-9 '04 / Cassette: SRAM PowerGlide II PG-970 / HB: Easton EA70 '05 / Stem: Easton EA70 '05 / Hubs: Marzocchi QR20 Plus (20 mm axle front); DT Swiss 240s (rear) / Spokes: DT Swiss Revolution / Wheels: Mavic XC-717 / Seatpost: Thompson Elite (30.9 mm) / Pedals: Crank Bros. Egg Beaters SS / Brakes: Avid BB7 (160 mm front ; 203 mm rear) / Tires: Tioga Blue Dragon / Shifters: SRAM X-9 '05 / Brake Levers: Avid FR-5 / Headset: Soon to be Chris King (Aheadset for the mean time) / Crankset: Truvativ Fived / BB: Truvativ (ISIS Drive) / Fork: RS Pike Team / Rear Shock: Fox Float RP3 '05 :: The setup was all my choice, except for the marzzochi hub which had to replace my front dt swiss hub because i did not know the front axle was 20 mm, oh well still works great) all i bought from santa crz is the frame... | | Bottom Line: | Its worth every penny, this bike will do it all w/o the space like looks... simple, fast, efficient, and most of all, insane..!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niklaus Hartmann
a Weekend Warrior
from Cochabamba, Bolivia
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Escalarani, Cochabamba | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Santa Cruz | | Strengths: | What can I say about this bike except... wow... I've waited 3 months for this baby, and it is more than i hoped for... it does everything for you.. from steering to smoothing even the nastiest of rocks and drops... It handles beautifully, it goes fast, very fast... I love its simplstic design and its incredible versatility and geometric efficiency... | | Weaknesses: | You might get lazy from just sitting so much... its just so plush...!!! | | Similar Products Used: | not really, first FSR... | | Bike Setup: | FD: SRAM X-Gen / RD: SRAM X-9 '04 / Cassette: SRAM PowerGlide II PG-970 / HB: Easton EA70 '05 / Stem: Easton EA70 '05 / Hubs: Marzocchi QR20 Plus (20 mm axle front); DT Swiss 240s (rear) / Spokes: DT Swiss Revolution / Wheels: Mavic XC-717 / Seatpost: Thompson Elite (30.9 mm) / Pedals: Crank Bros. Egg Beaters SS / Brakes: Avid BB7 (160 mm front ; 203 mm rear) / Tires: Tioga Blue Dragon / Shifters: SRAM X-9 '05 / Brake Levers: Avid FR-5 / Headset: Soon to be Chris King (Aheadset for the mean time) / Crankset: Truvativ Fived / BB: Truvativ (ISIS Drive) / Fork: RS Pike Team / Rear Shock: Fox Float RP3 '05 :: The setup was all my choice, except for the marzzochi hub which had to replace my front dt swiss hub because i did not know the front axle was 20 mm, oh well still works great) all i bought from santa crz is the frame... | | Bottom Line: | Its worth every penny, this bike will do it all w/o the space like looks... simple, fast, efficient, and most of all, insane..!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arron Kopp
a Weekend Warrior
from Schuylerville N.Y. USA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Sic Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Sky Bicycles | | Strengths: | Excellent Acceleration. The VPP suspension design is the best i've tried so far. The parts kit on the bike is great. The fork really complements the rear suspension and soaks up the big hits well(4+ feet). The generous amount of tire clearence is really nice too! Super beefy frame so no chance in breaking this bike. | | Weaknesses: | The swing-arm pivot on the Bottom bracket is a little tight on clearing the chainguide, which makes tensioning the chain a little harder then on a bike with more clearence(like the Santa Cruz Heckler). Other then that it is a great bike. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first 4x type bike. I owned an urban hardtail with a similar set-up. | | Bike Setup: | Pike fork, Avid Juicy 7's, XT, Mavic 321, Hugi/White Industries hubs, e-thirteen guide, Truvativ Stylo ss cranks, Kenda tires, Easton bar/stem, Thopson seat post. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. I would recommend this bike to any one interested in mountaincross/slalom and dirt jumping. For me it has worked for every thing i've thrown at it. Pedals great and feels great when taken air-born. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Downhiller
from Los Gatos, CA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | A-line | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cameron Zink | | Strengths: | Light, vpp, strength | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Psylo SL, Sram X.O , fifth element air | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for small freeride,trail and 4x racing. It pedals well and is a better choice than the Vp-free for most riding. I recomend this to all riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz CA
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dead Campers | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This bike is very fun. Sections of trail that would scare me on my Ventana Salty are no problem for the 4x. Slack head angle is great with adjustable u-turn fork. Super beefy head tube. VPP pedal technology is great and pedals great @ 30 lbs., better than my 4-bar Ventana. | | Weaknesses: | low bottom bracket height | | Bike Setup: | Large anodized frame, Pike Team Fork,5th Element air rear shock, xt group with triple up chainring up front, 729 wheelset 2.4 fronttire, 2.3 rear tire | | Bottom Line: | I am a 45 year old lite-freerider. no drops over 3-4', into small jumps. I wanted a VP free but knew my riding didn't approach it's potential and didn't want the 40 lb. weight.
I'm having so much fun on this bike dropping down steeper stuff and getting air. The bike gives me more confidence to go for it. I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants a freeride-lite bike that feels like it can do it all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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