Santa Cruz Blur LTc Review - BikeRadar

i REALLY like the sound of this bike, i just know i'd kill myself if it actually owned one though. could think of worse ways to go i spose...................

I want one but look at the price - It's worth going to US to buy one at those prices! Since when has the £ been worth less than the $!

Here's the dilemma.

Am actually moving to US, with money to burn. Want the ultimate trailbike that can do everything. I don't understand why this only gets four stars, possibly for build or price? Have been waiting for this review for a while!

So it's this which descends or the Ibis which climbs better. Which is going to last longer, with the strength and stiffness touted here I guess the SC?

Slap the Talas adjustable fork and Crank Bros wheels on there, mmm.

gghlyon,

I have the original BLT and two friends have the Mojo & Mojo SL. I am partial to the BLT but you are splitting hairs between the LTc and the Mojo. Unless you ride both bikes several times over the same track, you will probably won't notice a massive difference between these two 'super bikes' provided they are both setup similarly for your size and riding style. You WILL notice a big difference between your old ride and whichever bike you do buy.

"Which will last longer?" Obviously not a serious question. The variables involved with that question alone cannot be summed up just by looking at a spec sheet or on a forum. What level do ride at? Beg, Int or Adv? What is your weight? 150 lbs or 250 lbs? Do you maintain your bike like a paranoid F1 mechanic? Do you plan on buying this bike and hitting the poodle path or the DH track regularly? Do you plow through obstacles or take a more cautious line? Do you favour strict XC or more AM? Jumps/drops? Blah, blah, blah....

Besides, you're moving to the US. Depending on where you live NE, SE, SW, NW or the flatlands of the central interior, your regular terrain will probably change massively from the terrain you are familiar with now.

Find a good deal and buy one. You won't regret either. Money to burn? Buy another for someone else and make a lifelong friend from your impressive act of generosity.

Thanks cap'n!

Was riding mongoose canaan elite over very rough xc and trails in South Africa, and it couldn't take it. Weigh about 170. Looking to go more AM, moving to Denver so Rocky Mountain action ahoy.

OK 'last longer' isn't a valid question, but 'which is tougher bike' is.

Still don't get why both these bikes only get four stars when universal opinion seems to be that they rule over (nearly) all.

I've had one for about 3 months after swapping an 06 nomad (which was great but really needed a coil and an owner living in the alps), with a light + strong wheelset plus fox 2010 front and rear it blows away anything else i have ridden, I'm sure the new fox shox help a lot but it just feels like the right bike all the time. Local blasts on singletrack with the talas at 100/130mm don't leave me wishing i was on the hardtail with a 100mm fork and a bit of inners doesn't leave me wanting for a bigger bike - i can rarely get the bike into a situation where I feel its limitations against the old nomad on a descent. For me the fact that mark weir races DH and XC on one of these speaks volumes. A bike for ragging silly but that doesn't give you the weight penalty to make the flowy flat stuff less fun (shame about the price).

I've had a BLTc since Summer '09 and it remains the best medium travel full sus I've ever ridden. Coming from a Fivespot, I wasn't expecting such an increase in stiffness, but it's obvious from the first twisty trail just how you can hammer this thing whilst it retains absolute composure. Eye-wateringly expensive, but if you can afford it, this bike can do (almost) anything.

Sold my Mojo SL for the LTc, don't regret it for a minute, very similar in many ways but the LTc is VERY stiff at the back and tracks MUCH better than the Mojo, even with the Lopes link.... It's soo stiff and light, I'm considering upgrading the fork for a Lyrik coil UT as it'll still trail light but the stiffness of the 34mm stanchions on the Lyrik will do justice to the frame...

Had one since October 09 after almost 10 years riding a Superlight...never looked back.

I had been fortunate to ride friends Nomads over the truly terrifying stuff up at Stainburn forest (thanks SingleTraction...i think) and realised that this sort of bike is the way forward for an easier life than a 4" of pogo stick on wheels that XC bikes are now on most modern trails.

Last weekend i had the rides of my life at Dalbeattie (the Slab, Terrible Twins, Shakey Jakey - go look them up) and saw just why i love my BLTc - its truly a superbike that flatters the rider, even a middle aged married man like me.

As for the cost, it's about £400 more than an alloy version, but over the total of a complete custom build with even normalish levels of componentry its (almost) lost in the noise.

I treated myself to one of these a little over a year ago and ive never looked back! ive ridden it at most uk trail centers and its been faultless its just come back from its first annual service and there were no serious problems just the usual replacment of cables, pads, chain etc... i agree with what everyone else says if your looking for a hardcore trail bike that can handle anything you dare to point it at then this is the bike for you if you can look past the price tag! but a wise man once said.................. you get what you pay for!!