Mountain Biking - Ellsworth Truth vs. Santa Cruz Blur

Does anyone own one of these fine machines? If so, would you care to comment on your impressions?

ThanX!!!! :)

Don't overlook the Ventana offerings: http://www.VentanaUSA.com

flip a coin.

Both bikes are sweet and both will leave you with never ending happiness

What about the Titus Racer X Ti Version?
or
The Intense Spyder VPP
or
....etc.

I was seriously considering getting an Id from Ellsworth, but read in numerous places that they had problems with durability of the rear ends. I ended up getting a great deal on my Uzzi SL, that it became a non-issue with the Id.

I've ridden the Truth and it is a sweet riding bike. No pedal feedback, unless you are intentionally trying, or just a really, really up and down pedaler.

The finish and welds were perfect and the bike was flawless.

I haven't ridden a Blur yet.

L8R

FYI A2 i've heard from a very knowledgeable source that the Blur is a better bike than the Spyder VPP

O.k., why?

I've not seen the two side by side, but I thought they had the same design.

What's different about them?

I know the quality of an Intense is far superior to a SC. Intense has a bunch more CNC'd parts (even their cable guides). Welds are perfect. I've seen some cobby welds on a couple of SC Bullits.

I don't doubt you, just teach me oh great master!

L8R

I'm not exactly sure why the Blur is better than the Spyder, but apparently it is. The guy who told me this works hand in hand with Intense so for him to tell me the blur is better really says something. Thats all i know

Great stuff thus far. Does anyone else have experience on either one of these fine steeds???

I'm ready for a f/s bike! :)

I've been Blurry for a few months now, and I quite like it.

The bike rocks. it is probably the best XC trail bike I have been on, ever.

I just put a TALAS up front, and that fork really suits the bike. Adjustable travel, adjustable head angle. Kewl.

I considered the Spyder, but rejected it when I found out the following bits of information:

The Spyder is designed for less travel than the Blur. (4" rear, optimal handling with 80mm up front.)

Mo Money.

As far as build quality, Intense makes a darn fine bike, so there should be no issues there.

I haven't been lucky enough to be on either yet. However, I do ride a Superlight and LOVE it. If the blur is as much nicer than the superlight as they say it is it must be one hell of a bike.

The blur is heavier than a superlight but supposedly pedals better. I love my truth though

Originally posted by jonjayal
The blur is heavier than a superlight but supposedly pedals better. I love my truth though

Tell me about your Truth. What do you like the most about it?

What do you like the least?

What fork and shock are you running?

Anything else?

Shoot me some info! ThanX a bunch!!!! :)

I can do a direct comparison between my Truth and a Scott G-Zero Strike (carbon) and a Marin Wolf Ridge TARA full susser.

I have ridden up one of the "done" mountains in the UK - Snowdon in Wales. Did it 2 years ago on my Scott and managed to ride about 30-40% of it. The rest was so rocky and loose I just couldn't get the traction.

This year I did it with a similar level of fitness on my Truth, rode 60% of it smply because the real 4-bar linkage of the Truth was fully active under pedalling where the Scott had a tendency to lock-out - being a single pivot.

Also in the descent back down, I came off twice last year on the Scott because when pedalling through rocky sections the sus. gave quite a lot of feedback. The Truth gave the same feeling of "working hard to clear stuff" but you could just point it and shoot and it sorted out the technicalities!

I'm running a 100mm Pace Airforce RC38LT now but i rode Snowdon on an 80mm Rockshox SID SL 2002.

If you want any more infor you're more than welcome to email me.

Jon

Okay, I'm going to reply to one of my own questions! :D

I was able to demo (all day ride) the Santa Cruz Blur today. After the ride, it was quite obvious that I do not want this bike anymore. I NEED this bike!

Seriously, the bike was just awesome. Now appreciate that I'm someone who has not ridden a FS bike ... ever. Therefore, take my review in that context.

The ride I did today consisted of a real variety of terain including some good climbs, and some equally good downhill blasts. This bike inspired absolute confidence in the downhills. I just pointed, and the bike rolled over the little hits as well as some big hits. I rolled over rocks that would have put me over the bars on my hardtail. The ride was quite plush and there there was some bob while climbing. However, the bob was very minimal, and the plush ride more that made up for it.

The bottom line is that I would (and will!) race this bike in a race with good downhill runs. If the race is geared heavily toward climbing, I may go with the hardtail ... I think.

For a ride with my buds, there is only one choice - Blur me! :D

You have experienced the BLUR??

*pointing* he is one!!

you lucky dog!

Originally posted by bac
Okay, I'm going to reply to one of my own questions! :D

I was able to demo (all day ride) the Santa Cruz Blur today. After the ride, it was quite obvious that I do not want this bike anymore. I NEED this bike!

Seriously, the bike was just awesome. Now appreciate that I'm someone who has not ridden a FS bike ... ever. Therefore, take my review in that context.



Fret not, I have had many, many full suspension bikes through the last ten years, and the Blur is one of the best I have ever been on.

A

Haha congrats BAC...I haven't test ridden the blur as I don't do xc but it sounds like a great bike....when are you getting it...a week or two? ;)

I thought about a blur but it seems like everyone and their brother has one now. while it's cool to have the new cool thing, it's kinda lame when everyone has the same bike. IMO. that reason (and $$ woes) is keeping me at bay...for now.
Have a blast on the new cruz