Mountain Biking - Blur Components????

Well, I'm still waiting for my Blur to arrive. I ordered it on May 5th! Anywho, now S/C is stating that they also have a backlog on the build kits!!! The bottom line is that the frame may be available next week, sans the XTR build kit that I ordered. In an effort to get to ride this thing this year, I'm now considering buying the components from other sources. Soooooo .... now I have nearly unlimited options regarding components.

Thus far, I've decided to go with:

- Mavic Crossmax SL Disc wheelset strapped Panaracer tubless tires
- Fox F100X Terralogic fork
- Progressive 5th Element Air shock

I'm pretty wide open regarding the rest of the components. Here's the XTR build kit from Santa Cruz:

SC XTR Build Kit (http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/bicycles/retail/build_kit.asp) (scroll down a bit for the XTR kit)

I'm considering going with something similar, but I'm interested in your opinions in terms of possible substitutions. So, what component mix would you use? The cost should be comparable to the XTR build kit specified earlier.

THanX!!!!

Sram X-9!

Originally posted by PeterG1185
Sram X-9!

Yup, I am considering some SRAM stuff also. Remember, I can really get any combination of components from any company - AS LONG AS THEY ARE READILY AVAILABLE! I am just about sold on the XTR crank/bb, and a Chris King headset, but the rest is up for debate.

What about disc brakes ... Avid ... Hayes, etc? Models?

What about shifters, and other driveline stuff ... Shimano, SRAM, etc? Models?

Seatposts/Stems/Bars/Grips/Cables/Saddles???

As you can tell, I'm willing to break the bank with this stuff, so let me know what you think.

ThanX!!!!!

If you want mostly XTR, the M965 wheelset is very very nice (looks nice as well). For stronger wheels, a King/Mavic X3.1 build would be a bit better than either the M965 or the Mavic Crossmax SL's. The Crossmax SL's look nice but are a bit delicate.

It takes awhile to get use to the new shifters. Most people I know, once they get used to them - like it. There are a lot of people out there who don't use them and are quite vocal about it. There are some issues that you lose the shifter and brake if you break the dual-use lever. If you do go with XTR in that category, you'll also be best to go with Shimano brakes (either V or disc as they work together). This is also true for the bottom bracket and crank as they are coupled together.

Just a thought, seeing as the blur is designed around a fully active shock i would think that with the 5th element air that it wouldnt settle into its correct sag point and not work exactly as intended

man you still haven't recieved your blur, that sucks :( as far as components i'd stick with the xtr crankset but for rims i'd get the king/mavic combo. i've got the mavic crossmax xl and i recently bent a spoke i'm waiting for a replacement that my LBS had to order it's been a week already. i like hayes brakes but thats just a personal preference, but since your going for light weight xc machine i'd go with hope mini's my buddy has them and they rock. thompson or easton for the post and stem, easton monkeys for bars

Originally posted by PeterG1185
Just a thought, seeing as the blur is designed around a fully active shock i would think that with the 5th element air that it wouldnt settle into its correct sag point and not work exactly as intended

Yup, I had that thought also. I've only ridden the Blur with the Fox thus far, but Santa Cruz is now offering both the 5th Element and the Fox on their Blur frames. The 5th Element is lighter, and I've read good reviews with it on the Blur. I hope I don't lose any of the plush feel, but we shall see!

Also, for 2004 Fox is switching to what they call "ProPedal Dampening" for their shocks. It seems to be the same sort of system as the 5th Element Air. I guess time will tell. I will certainly write a review if I ever get my bike!!! :D

Originally posted by rockstar
man you still haven't recieved your blur, that sucks :(

Yes it does, but I still have faith that I'll ride it this year! :(


as far as components i'd stick with the xtr crankset but for rims i'd get the king/mavic combo. i've got the mavic crossmax xl and i recently bent a spoke i'm waiting for a replacement that my LBS had to order it's been a week already. i like hayes brakes but thats just a personal preference, but since your going for light weight xc machine i'd go with hope mini's my buddy has them and they rock. thompson or easton for the post and stem, easton monkeys for bars

ThanX for your thoughts. The Hope minis look pretty awesome! I am also considering the Avid Juicy 7.

Anyone else???? Help me spec this bad boy out!!! :D

bac, I just put a set of Magura Julie's on mine. I got them used for a song, yes they aren't the lightest, but they do work just as well as my buddies Louise do. I just rode another friends bike with the Avid mech's and honestly, they feel just as solid!

The other plus about the avid mech's that buddy pointed out to me is that if you are paranoid, you can cary a new brake cable with you and you can repair trailside.

Seatpost, stem? Thompson obviously.

Drive train and everything else is personal preference, Sram or Shimano.

Sram cassettes are a better buy in the price to weight catagory.


Now start massaging your face, its gonna ache from the grinning you're gonna be doing when your new ride shows up!!


Scoob

Originally posted by Scooby Snax
Now start massaging your face, its gonna ache from the grinning you're gonna be doing when your new ride shows up!!


Scoob

ThanX for the information, Scoob! BTW, the face massaging has already begun!!!! :D

Okay folks, I'm most probably going to make my decision tomorrow evening (Monday) regarding specs. Any more thoughts regarding components on the soon-to-be-mine Blur? I'm ready to spend big (oh no, who said that?), so the sky is the limit! I'm still on the bubble regarding:

-SRAM X.0 vs. Shimano XTR (shifters/rear deraillier)

-Avid Juicy Seven vs. Hayes vs. Hope Mini vs. Shimano XTR (disc brakes - if I choose Shimano, I'll have to go with shifters also)

-Shimano vs. SRAM (cassette/chain)

Talk to me, people!!!!! Pros/Cons???? Anything!! ThanX!!! :D

Bac, I understand your dilema but most of what you are asking is personal preference. Here would be my answers

1 - Shimano xtr IF you ran conventional rapid fires and brakes. If not x.0 for sure.
2 - Hayes or Hope. The avids haven't proven themselves yet and I don't like intergrated anything when it comes to replacing and repairing. I do like shimano brakes but I would be sure to stay away from integrated. I like hayes for the power but have to admit that hopes offer more.
3 - sram. I prefer the chain and the wear on my cassette was less than on a shimano xt cassette. They are also really good for the money.

Theres my input.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Theres my input.

Good stuff, Maelstrom! ThanX for the reply!

Yup, there's a lot of personal preference involved, but I don't have experience with much of the new and high-end stuff, so I'm hoping to garner @ least a few opinions. This is a lot of cash for me to blow, so I'm trying to make the most educated opinion that I'm able.

ThanX again!!! :)

Anyone else????? ThanX!!!!!! :D

If I were to build up a lightweight XC bike from a Frame Up, and with the forks, headset you've already decided on, I'd spec the rest with the following. XTR Shifters (not dual Control), Hope Mini's or Hayes Mag Carbon discs. If you DO want the dual control, (not my preference) might as well get the XTR calipers, but not the hubs (you can run an XT 6 bolt rotor on the XTR). Wheels would consist of Chris King Hubs with X3.1 rims (as mentioned above). Front and rear derailleurs would be XTR (not rapid rise if possible), XT Cassette and and Sram PC-69 chain. Stem would be either a Race Face SYStem, (not Prodigy) or a Thomson. Seatpost would ONLY be a Thomson. Handlebars would be Easton Monkeylites (if Riser bars) or their carbon flat bar. Seats are such a personal thing, I can't recommend one. Grips, get some ODI lock-ons. I never thought that the ODI system was worth it, until I tried it. My grips don't move EVER! Tires, I'd look into INTENSE Tires. They have the SYSTEM 2 which are good all around tires. That or Maxxis tires. What else? Pedals? I'd go for my old reliable TIME A.T.A.C.'s over anything else.

L8R

One thing to note about ODI lock-ons is that they're not approved for use with the Easton CF bars if I recall correctly.

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Stem would be either a Race Face SYStem, (not Prodigy) or a Thomson.
L8R

The new RaceFace Deus is even nicer than the system :)

You guys should get the october issue of MBA. On page 102 there's an article about the 5th air on the Blur. It'd be worthwhile to read about it before speculating how it would work on it. First off, the 5th air is a fully active shock. And second, to quote Mtn Bike Action, "The Fith Element Air shock makes a profound improvement in the Blur's pedaling peformance."

Don't knock it 'till you ride it....

Okay, here's my final specs! I hope to get the bike in about 10 days. That doesn't seem like much time to wait, but I ordered it on May 5th! Anywho, this is going to be it:

DRIVETRAIN
- 2003 XTR 44/32/24 crankset
- 2003 XTR 9-Speed 11-34 cassette
- 2002 XTR rear derailleur
- 2003 XTR front derailleur
- 2002 XTR rapid-fire shifters

CHAIN
- Shimano or SRAM with Powerlink

BRAKES
- Avid Juicy 7 discs/levers, but if not readily available - Hayes HFX-Mag Plus

WHEELSET
- Mavic Crossmax SL Disc

TIRES
- Panaracer Tubeless 2.1

SEATPOST
- Easton EC70 350mm

SADDLE
- Titec Ithys-Gove Ti

STEM
- Easton Alloy

RISER BARS
- Easton carbon Monkey bar lo-rise

GRIPS
- Dunno - something nice!

HEADSET
- Chris King - black

FORK
- Fox F100X TerraLogic

SHOCK
- Progressive 5th Element Air

Cool, take lots of pics during the build process, and of course once compelted! Then after her maiden voyage.

BTW, do you name your bikes? If so, what are you going to call her/it?

L8R

That is gonna be one hell of a ride for sure. You've gone all out on the frame and specs. Make sure you get in a ride report ASAP and i wanna hear what you think of the avids and the terralogic fork

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
BTW, do you name your bikes? If so, what are you going to call her/it?

L8R

So far, I just want to call her my little money pit, but I'm sure that after a few rides her name will come to me! I can't wait! :D

Originally posted by PeterG1185
That is gonna be one hell of a ride for sure. You've gone all out on the frame and specs. Make sure you get in a ride report ASAP and i wanna hear what you think of the avids and the terralogic fork

Will do!!!