Mountain Biking - SC Blur or Titus Racer X?

Want to know which bike, those of you who have some time on both (or who compared the two), would choose for some extensive XC riding and why... have read the recent review in MBA on both and they state that the Racer X has very little pedal bob effect... the Blur with the VPP suspension is supposed to eliminate bobbing... for those of you with either, do you notice any bob when you stand up and pound the pedals? Does one bike have an advantage over the other on cornering, stability, handling on the rough (rocky) downhills... would anyone pay the premium for the Intense Spider over the Blur... thanks in advance for any feedback.

My thoughts:

Hammerhead 100x (http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/cycles/100x.htm) Is a better bike to compare to the Blur, as it is a racer x tweaked to run 100mm of rear travel, and be happy with a 100 mm fork up front. It is a very, very nice bike. I test rode one several times.

I ended up getting a Santa Cruz Blur, for the following reasons. It was a bit less expensive than the HH100x. A shop had one available immediately, whereas HHs iin my size were several months out.

I also had an Outland Vpp back in the day and alway liked how the suspension worked. The Blur really is quite a nice bike. Perhaps the best "trail bike" I have been on. It climbs very well, and can be flung at technical ups and ledges with confidence. The 4.5 " of rear travel seems bottomless, but really hooks up on climbs, even loose, sketchy stuff.

If you stand up and pound the pedals, the re will be a bit of bob. It is pretty minimal, but it is there. Both bikes reward a smooth pedal stroke, so even out of the saddle, as long as you aren't throwing your weight around, I think the bob is negligible.

I nixed the Spider for a couple of reasons. Mailnly it was that it is a shorter travel bike, bred for the Norba race course, I wanted something a bit, well, "bigger". Plus the price was considerably more.

A

Well said, I can't think of anything to add except that I have two friends that each own one of the two bikes mentioned, (not the HH100X), and they are both very happy with each of their bikes. Of course they've ridden each others and like their own better. Is this a true statement on their parts? Who knows. Comparing the two side by side, I think the quality of finish is better on the Titus, but of course it cost more. Not saying the quality is NOT good on the SC, just not as meticulous as the Titus.

I personally liked the VPP better, but didn't like the set-up on either bike. Both were XC oriented, and I'm NOT a XC racer.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice!

L8R

As far as the Spyder, check out the current issue of MBA for a test. I'm a fan of Intense, so if I were getting a XC bike (which I'm not). I'd probably pony up and spend the extra for the Spyder! But then again, I'm a bit of an Intense Snob!

L8R

Isn't the Intense Spyder also supposed to be a little more XC race oriented with a little shorter travel than the "all trail" travel of the Blur? I think my personal choice would be the intense spyder too.

Yes.

I just got the new issue and didn't read it all the way through at time of above post. Also in that same issue is a test review of the Titus Racer X. I'd definately head to the bookstore and pick up an issue!

I did read the Spyder review, but not the Titus yet. They were very impressed with the Spyder!

L8R

Isn't the titus racer-x / switchblade suspension essentially your standard issue horst link?

Yep. But in the same way that 50's Miles Davis is sublime and 80' s Miles Davis is execrable, different versions of the same basic ingredients can lead to vastly different results.

A

Just as a Lamborghini Murcielago and Maza Miata are both sports cars with the same design technology, it is- as singlespeedster says- all in the execution.