Mountain Biking - Santa Cruz Blur -- who's got one?

Okay, I'm taking the plunge to full suspension! Currently I ride a Ti hardtail with a lot of blings. I love my hardtail, but it's going on 10 years old (but I maintain it really well) and the back brakes are giving me a hard time. They're not even V-brakes and the frame doesn't allow it to have them on the back (the front has v-brakes).

I love climbing, singletrack, and anything technical going up or down, but am not into the DH. I'm not an aggro, hammerhead rider, but rely more on finesse than just brute strength. I don't do jumps. I'm also a female rider if that makes a difference, but I can keep up with the guys, clearing a lot of the technical stuff that they dab or even get off and walk. My cardio is very strong.

I did some research and concluded that the Blur is probably the best bike for me. I'm going to wait til the beginning of next year to buy so I can take advantage of my tax return and go for the upgrades. So my question is: for those who ride a Blur right now, how do you like it? I read the comments in mtbreview.com and most all seem to like their bikes, except for some nit-picky stuff like pebbles that get caught inside the swingarm and anodized paint not being up to snuff (note to self: go for the powdercoat). Also, what other bikes did you try out before deciding on the Blur, and what was it that sold you on the Blur?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Okay, I'm taking the plunge to full suspension! Currently I ride a Ti hardtail with a lot of blings. I love my hardtail, but it's going on 10 years old (but I maintain it really well) and the back brakes are giving me a hard time. They're not even V-brakes and the frame doesn't allow it to have them on the back (the front has v-brakes).

I love climbing, singletrack, and anything technical going up or down, but am not into the DH. I'm not an aggro, hammerhead rider, but rely more on finesse than just brute strength. I don't do jumps. I'm also a female rider if that makes a difference, but I can keep up with the guys, clearing a lot of the technical stuff that they dab or even get off and walk. My cardio is very strong.

I did some research and concluded that the Blur is probably the best bike for me. I'm going to wait til the beginning of next year to buy so I can take advantage of my tax return and go for the upgrades. So my question is: for those who ride a Blur right now, how do you like it? I read the comments in mtbreview.com and most all seem to like their bikes, except for some nit-picky stuff like pebbles that get caught inside the swingarm and anodized paint not being up to snuff (note to self: go for the powdercoat). Also, what other bikes did you try out before deciding on the Blur, and what was it that sold you on the Blur?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

If you don't mind me sidestepping your main question for a moment, greenbreezer, I'm curious as to your decision to go FS. Your description sounds like you really like the HT and your riding style seems perfect for one. (I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise; I'm just interested in the whole FS/HT decision that we all go through). :D

I dunno if it's the right bike for you; the only way to know something like that is for you to go out and ride one. I can tell you that I really ADORE mine. It just about sings to me when we are out on the trails. I test rode a Gary Fisher Sugar and a Klein Palomino the same day I tested the Blur and IMHO they didn't even come close. I've also (since my purchase) tested a Gary Fisher Cake on some local trails and I still like the Blur. The new ones come with a plug installed (to stop the pebble problem) and my black anodized looks as nice now as it did when I brought it home last year.

I bought it because of the ride. Climbing a nice steady hill that I've been up before felt flat on the blur. It's rutted and littered with rocks and limbs. On my HT, I would dodge all of the obstacles to make it, but on the test ride I made it a point to stay seated and aim for every thing I could hit. I think when my wife asked how it was climbing I replied "we're climbing a hill?". It's a really well mannered bike. I completely blew my budget to buy it (I almost doubled what I wanted to spend), and there has not been one moment when I regretted it. Not even when the Visa bill showed up in the mail box. :eek:

Don't buy into the hype. Ride as many bikes as you can get your hands on, preferably on your local trails and then decide. If the Blur is the right one for you buy it. If it ends up being an Intense Spider or a Lightspeed Pisgah then that's what you need. Hope this helps.

If you don't mind me sidestepping your main question for a moment, greenbreezer, I'm curious as to your decision to go FS. Your description sounds like you really like the HT and your riding style seems perfect for one. (I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise; I'm just interested in the whole FS/HT decision that we all go through). :D

Yes, I really like my hardtail and haven't really had a truly good reason to go FS. My hubby is on his second FS bike (Specialized M4 Stumpjumper) and this one seems much better technology-wise. His other one (an Access from about 7 years ago) rode like a Cadillac -- very smooth on the bumps, but weighed about as much as a caddy, too! I would like to upgrade to disc brakes, but the frame design on my HT doesn't even allow for V-brakes in the back, let alone DB's. I also want to get a new fork (current one's about 7 years old, maybe even older...). So I thought about getting just a HT frame and canabalizing the parts from my current bike onto the new one, but there's the whole issue about sizing (current headset, even though it's a Chris King, is 1"). I love my crankset, but would they fit on the new frame? I would have to get my wheels re-laced to fit DB's (current wheelset is custom made with Chris King hubs and Mavic hoops). I even have a cool carbon fiber seatpost, but what are the chances it would be the same size as the new frame? And on and on, so I'm thinking I'm better off just keeping my HT as it is and buying a whole new bike.

That's when the FS suggestions came pooring in. All my riding buddies, the LBS manager (whom I completely trust and have a great customer relationship with) and my hubby tell me FS is the way to go. "They're not like what they used to be," they all say. "And there are FS bikes that are great for climbing as well as XC riding!" they add. So that's when I started doing research on FS bikes that would be suited for my style of riding. Furthermore, hubby pointed out that if I just keep my current HT, then why would I need another? (good point....). Kinda hard to imagine a husband encouraging his wife to spend more money, eh? But I guess this is different. :D

Yes, I'll test ride other bikes, but I'm one of those that once I set my mind to it, it's hard to convince me to get something different (like my recent digital camera purchase... I knew I wanted a certain model and even though we checked out others, I kept coming back to the one I originally set my sites on). :)

Keep us posted with how you get on - I'm in a pretty similar position re: my riding style and my old hardtail needing updating - so I'd love to know how it works out for you.

Hope it's good.

Jonny

That's when the FS suggestions came pooring in. All my riding buddies, the LBS manager (whom I completely trust and have a great customer relationship with) and my hubby tell me FS is the way to go. "They're not like what they used to be," they all say. "And there are FS bikes that are great for climbing as well as XC riding!" they add. So that's when I started doing research on FS bikes that would be suited for my style of riding. Furthermore, hubby pointed out that if I just keep my current HT, then why would I need another? (good point....). Kinda hard to imagine a husband encouraging his wife to spend more money, eh? But I guess this is different. :D

Sounds like you've done a lot of research, greenbreezer. I recently went through the same decision process.

I like HT's because I like the simpler and more consistent design, direct connection to the dirt, having to strategically pick my lines (that's my favorite aspect of the sport; steep, technical single-track; sort of 'dancing' with my bike. I enjoy speed, jumps, etc but they aren't the core of my riding and I use a different bike for the really rough stuff), and the pure climbing ability that only a HT seemed to give me.

I tried FS for awhile but never felt I fully got what I was looking for (see above) like I did with a HT. Things have changed with FS, as you mentioned, and suspension lockouts, etc are melding the worlds of HT and FS closer together. I also considered 'why buy a new HT when I already have one?' The answer was all of the features availabale on HT's today that weren't available not too long ago - improvements in forks, disc brakes, crankset design (X-Drive, ...), frame materials, ... .

It might sound like I'm trying to convince you to stay HT but I'm not. I just enjoy the discussion about this as I think there is still a nice sweet spot in the sport for HT's. I know a lot of people think FS is automatically better than a HT (I don't actually say this to people but I sometimes think, 'wouldn't you be surprised if you knew my HT cost twice as much as your FS?'); however, you clearly aren't one of those people. If I find a FS that I like better than my HT for my favorite type of riding, I'll make the move.

Good luck! Santa Cruz makes a fine bike and I know you'll end up riding the bike that's right for you. I'm interested in hearing your trail review of the Blur or whatever bike you decide on. Happy trails to you and your husband! :beer:

I've had my Blur for about 15 months now - it is truly an awesome machine. Like you, I was coming off a hardtail (Klein Attitude), so I understand your perspective. I also wanted a light, efficient, cross-county machine that could handle a bit more than the short-travel pure-racing machines on the market. I demo'd a Blur, and knew that I had found my machine. I also rode a G/F Sugar, and a Trek Liquid, but the S/C was the clear winner.

Ride as many bikes as you can. Only then will you know what works best for you. Good luck!

I was riding a Bridgestone MB0 for over 14 years and finally got tired of everyone telling me I was riding an antique, so I took the plunge last year and put together a Blur. I'm a fair weather rider in Marin, so I'm hooked on the V-brakes. If you're light and can use an SID fork and stay with 1.8 tires such as the Panaracer Fire XC's you can keep the weight under 24 lbs. Mine's pretty light. Use Stan's NoTubes and you'll save even more weight.

What a revelation on the first ride up Mt Tam! Better hookup on loose dirt uphill, great control down the rocky stuff. Although you'll notice a slight working of the rear suspension on the flats, when you really load up the drivetrain going uphill, the whole suspension stiffens up like magic. Don't go for the lockout option on the rear shock...you don't need it.

Go with the Blur...you'll never regret it.

PS: you can save a lot of $$$ if you can find stuff online and can do it yourself...I spent about $2K for my ride.....and only had to go to the Big S the front derailleur. IMHO, SRAM is the way to go.....

I've had my Blur for about 15 months now - it is truly an awesome machine. Like you, I was coming off a hardtail (Klein Attitude), so I understand your perspective. I also wanted a light, efficient, cross-county machine that could handle a bit more than the short-travel pure-racing machines on the market. I demo'd a Blur, and knew that I had found my machine. I also rode a G/F Sugar, and a Trek Liquid, but the S/C was the clear winner.

Ride as many bikes as you can. Only then will you know what works best for you. Good luck!

Here's a pic!

http://home.alltel.net/bacccc/BikePix/Blur2.jpg

Wow..nice bikes :)

Whoa, BAC that is a sick XC/trail ride!

Yeah, it almost makes me want to buy another bike...almost :)

Nice bike! How much does it weigh and do you have any more high res pics??

Ming

I recently did the same switch. I went for a 88 rigid Douglas to a 2003 Rocky Mountain Instinct. The two bikes are worlds apart in terms of climbing, handling, and speed. I'm glad to see you're going to make the same switch, and you're almost guaranteed to go faster on climbs, downhills, as well as the technical sections.

However, I do recommand you checking out the Rocky Mountain Element Tsc before you make your purchase. The 3D link rear suspension design is really efficient, and handles very well.

Keep us posted!!

ming

Nice bike! How much does it weigh and do you have any more high res pics??

Ming

I've made a few changes since these pix were taken (higher rise bar, Thomson seatpost, WTB saddle, Hope discs), but she comes in right @ 25 lbs. Here is a larger, higher rez shot:

http://www.bikegreenecounty.com/bac/B1.jpg

Nice bike! How much does it weigh and do you have any more high res pics??

Ming

Ready for a night ride!

http://www.bikegreenecounty.com/bac/B2.jpg