Since this was destined to be my race bike, I wanted lighter carbon fiber wheels right off the bat. The best OEM spec available is Shimano XT with RockShox Select+ suspension. Though it only has 100mm of travel, this bike felt composed on all but the steepest, roughest trails.Įven if you merely glanced at that product listing, you’ll realize I changed a lot on this bike - almost everything! Unfortunately, the lower-end C frames aren’t built with high-end parts. This simplified suspension layout seems to have a bit more pedal bob than VPP, but the handlebar-mounted dual lockout makes it easy to switch into go-mode. The new flex-stay suspension design was well-suited for a wide range of rides, from fast and smooth to rough and rad. It turns out that I shouldn’t have doubted the Santa Cruz engineers. In fact, the lower modulus carbon is kind of nice for a mountain bike because it is more impact resistant. Sure, a CC model would have saved me a couple hundred grams, but this is what was available on TPC when I needed it. That means it has lower modulus carbon fiber, compared to the CC trim. I also liked how it could fit two bottles, which certainly came in handy when I did that week-long stage race in Italy. So, I ended up with the newest Blur for a few reasons. Fortunately, there are plenty of previous-generation Blur 4s out there, in case that’s more your speed. It also opens up once things get rough on descents. I really like how VPP suspension climbs, staying firm under pedaling forces. When I was shopping for my next race bike, I had some reservations about the 2022 Blur’s suspension design. This saves weight, results in a more XC-friendly suspension action, and - bonus! - lets you fit two water bottles in the frame.Īdmittedly, I’m a big fan of VPP suspension. The rear triangle employs flex stays, like many of its competitors, such as Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale. Instead of the brand’s trusty VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension design, the new Blur is essentially a single-pivot bike. The 2022 Blur 5 (i.e., fifth generation) is a notable change for Santa Cruz. In 2021, Santa Cruz released an updated version of its proven cross-country MTB platform, the Blur. SHOP ALL MOUNTAIN BIKES Choosing a Santa Cruz Blur But it took a few key upgrades to get it exactly the way I like it. It’s lived up to my expectations and more. So, it is saying a lot that, after a seven-day mountain bike stage race earlier this fall, I happily hopped aboard my Santa Cruz Blur 5 and enjoyed a local ride on the very bike that I had just suffered aboard for 25+ hours.Īs far as cross-country bikes go, the Blur is one of the most well-mannered, versatile, and fun options on the market. It’s like going on a road trip with a friend - you need a little space after things wrap up. I don’t want to wash it, don’t want to ride it, don’t even want to look at it. Blur frame is 289g lighter than the previous model) it might be the difference between claiming first place.or just crossing the line.Once a big event, adventure, or race is finished, I’m usually pretty sick of the bike I just piloted to the finish. The Blur isn’t guaranteed to make you a race winner but being the lightest, full-suspension carbon XC bike we’ve ever made (Approx 23lb as complete. The carbon frame, while being light, is made to go the distance and as always the legendary Santa Cruz lifetime warranty and Rider Support team has got your back.
SANTA CRUZ BIKES BLUR FREE
And the high quality fit, finish and carbon construction promises multi-day racers a worry free existence-meaning there's no fiddly proprietary parts that could leave you stranded in a Cape Epic or Breck Epic campsite. Two water bottle mounts within the front triangle should keep chuggers happy. The trim frame and super-efficient Superlight™ suspension will be the key to translating your input into competition beating performances.īut the Blur isn't just for the short track. Santa Cruz tapped into everything they’ve learned from years of making the highest quality carbon full-suspension bikes so that they could put as little (weight) as possible into the Blur frame. They know that to beat the pack every advantage needs to be acquired. And between each of those races, innumerable wannabes are putting in the hours on the rollers and in the gym all because they want to feel what it’s like to take the win. Or at least leaves with a water bottle as their prize. Each weekend, at race venues the world over, there is one rider who gets hoisted upon the shoulders of the crowd and carried to the podium.
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