Excellent review, I bought one too and I build it with xx sl carbon wheels sid ultimate 120mm, dropper post and with pedals, water cage and garmin mount (ready to race) 22.4 lbs. Not too bad. Awesome bike 👍🏻.
I was looking to buy a Blur. Needed to wait till the new ones come out next month. Accidently found your video on the Blurvelo. Got interested and started researching it. Ended up buying a 120 gx build from Mikes Bikes. Just needed to order a one up v3 dropper to go along with it.
I got this exact bike and am LOVING IT so far! The SID suspension is a gamechanger alongside the AXS Transmission for that price. Awesome review, thanks!
Just rode my new ZFS-5 120 built out by me with XX SL, enve M6, enve stem and bar, Sram level 4 piston and axs dropper. Sid Select and Sidluxe select+ and I've been comparing multiple short travel bikes in my garage. I am 5'10" like you and always figuring out which size to go with. Currently have a medium and large Ibis Exie, Med Pivot Mach 4 SL XXSL build, Ibis Ripley V4S medium, and Transition Spur in Medium. Every one of them is built up with XX or XX SL and transmission on the ones that can take it. All of them are sick bikes but I constantly take them each out at random to compare and for my east coast riding this ZFS totally locked in as the best of the bunch. I felt so comfortable on it. Super fast, smooths the trail better than the Exie, as light as the Mach 4 but sizing and handling are a little better than the Mach 4. Climbs better than the transition. It's around 24lbs without pedals so super light and just flies up hills. So far only 1 ride on it but if the first 10 mile ride impression continues I will have 4-5 other bikes for sale real soon.
Love all these reviews! Wish I could try them all as I want to shave some weight off my stumpy alloy and frel the trail a bit more. Its so hard to know which one to go with. Never considered this one but for the price it seems decent! Fuel ex over all of these?? Is the fuel more of a 'trail' bike? As in less pedalability but better decent? Thanks for all the info
I just got one and am doing the same. My wrap will be here tomorrow! Been riding it around the house and bike shop. Really playful bike! Can’t wait to put time on it!
@@benkoch4464 I was finally able to get the wrap going. It went really smooth. I overlapped in two places but for 18 pieces I can accept it! The wrap actually makes the bike more glossy. I went with the wrap for the fork as well and it made it shine nice! Definitely feel better having some protection on it. Can’t believe it didn’t have any at all on it other than on small strip. The padding is nice down by the bb though. I had a pretty decent rock strike it tonight. Loving the bike. It is so friggin playful. If you want it in the air just pick up! Front or rear. I put ground controls on it and can still steer with the back of the bike very easily. I too am going to have some bikes for sale! 😂
The Cervelo ZFS-5 and Santa Cruz Blur TR supposed collaboration, reminds me of the Pierer Group and their KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas bikes having the same basic bikes, with some slight differences in components and different colors.😁
@jctrails Obviously, these bikes are expensive to make a mistake in getting one that doesn't deliver the expected performance and ride quality. So we all appreciate testers like yourself who step up to make the effort on these reviews. I personally narrowed my choices to the Mach 4SL and the ZFS-5 . The only determining factor is going to be between the Flex Stay VS DW link out back. Since I'm a 6' 190lb rider , my only concern would be if the Cervelo gets too "flexy" under load . Pretty sure the beefier DW / Triangle would hold up. I appreciate your efforts 👍
@@HLDefender I’m sure the Mach 4sl has a ton more traction being a DW link. I think the real deciding factor is, do you ride trails that require a suspension design that allows you to pedal thru chunk. These flex stay bikes are great pedaling bikes but do not compete with the ripley and top fuel for getting thru the chunkier sections. Also it depends on what kind of rider you are. If you are an active rider you can still get these flex stay bikes to hook up. I’m starting to prefer the simpler suspension design. I need to work on my technique to get thru rough sections and not depend on the bike so much.
@jctrails great information you shared on peddle efficiency while seated over rock gardens. I was definitely thinking that was the case as well. Riding on the east coast (NJ), we don't have the downhill as much - so I'm definitely in the category of staying seated the majority of the ride and relying on the active rear suspension to do it's work. DW would probably be my choice. The Mach 4SL is one of the few brands out there that isn't a heavy brute but has the full featured rear. The Niner Rkt 9 RDO is another that comes to mind.
The Signal has a Horst link suspension design which makes it a little touch heavier. The suspension is active and bobs more while pedaling. It does have better traction though.
Just pulled the trigger on the 120. Too good of a deal to pass up. Unfortunately GX build, but at $3,400 I'm not going to complain. It will replace my Gen 5 Fuel EX, which has me overbiked on most of the terrain I ride. Wondering why the deals are so good. Are they not selling because it's not a proper MTB name? Or is it because this is basically the new Blur and Cervelo made this for their team for this year? The deal maker for me was a premium frame (not a second-tier C vs CC frame with Santa Cruz) that weighs less than nearly everything.
I just did. The epic 8 just seemed to be so busy. With all of the cables and over sized frame tubing. The grip shifter was going to be hard to get used to. The zfs-5 is such a lighter feel. Less to hear/feel moving around. Almost the feeling of ss. Also 4225 vs 7000… zfs-5 is a win!
You said you are 5'10" on a large. I believe you said you'd shorten the stem. I'm 5'9" with roughly a 31" inseam so I'm at the top of a medium and bottom of the range for a large. I usually fall right between sizes and tend to size up. Looks like the reach is about an inch longer on the large. Unfortunately, nothing local for me to check out. Size/fit are subjective, but I'd appreciate your thoughts.
I have always rode medium bikes. I am 5’9 as well. I rode the evo 8 med and lg. The lg felt so much better. It was a surprise. So I went straight to the lg zfs-5 and it felt just right. I didn’t want to get off the bike when I was test riding it. Go with the large.
We need to clear up & specify what type of climbing the The Specialized Epic excels at. If you mean fire road smooth trails, sure if you mean true mountain biking trails with some technical stuff where you need traction & some sophisticated suspension to hover over obstacles, then the Epic IS NOT IT.
I would say the epic excels in fire road climbs - to climbs with baby head size chunk. Obviously these flex stay bikes don’t hook up like my old Ripley, Top Fuel, and Tallboy. They are so light though that you can create a ton of speed before an obstacle and jump up it.
Looking to maybe pick one up thanks for the review.
Can’t wait to hear which way you go!
Still got more testing to do!
Excellent review, I bought one too and I build it with xx sl carbon wheels sid ultimate 120mm, dropper post and with pedals, water cage and garmin mount (ready to race) 22.4 lbs. Not too bad. Awesome bike 👍🏻.
I was looking to buy a Blur. Needed to wait till the new ones come out next month. Accidently found your video on the Blurvelo. Got interested and started researching it. Ended up buying a 120 gx build from Mikes Bikes. Just needed to order a one up v3 dropper to go along with it.
@@XCBen hope you enjoy it. It’s a solid bike.
I got this exact bike and am LOVING IT so far! The SID suspension is a gamechanger alongside the AXS Transmission for that price. Awesome review, thanks!
I’m glad your enjoying it! It’s a sweet bike!
Oh shit let's go!
Just rode my new ZFS-5 120 built out by me with XX SL, enve M6, enve stem and bar, Sram level 4 piston and axs dropper. Sid Select and Sidluxe select+ and I've been comparing multiple short travel bikes in my garage. I am 5'10" like you and always figuring out which size to go with. Currently have a medium and large Ibis Exie, Med Pivot Mach 4 SL XXSL build, Ibis Ripley V4S medium, and Transition Spur in Medium. Every one of them is built up with XX or XX SL and transmission on the ones that can take it. All of them are sick bikes but I constantly take them each out at random to compare and for my east coast riding this ZFS totally locked in as the best of the bunch. I felt so comfortable on it. Super fast, smooths the trail better than the Exie, as light as the Mach 4 but sizing and handling are a little better than the Mach 4. Climbs better than the transition. It's around 24lbs without pedals so super light and just flies up hills. So far only 1 ride on it but if the first 10 mile ride impression continues I will have 4-5 other bikes for sale real soon.
Curious your thoughts on it now you’ve had it for a bit
What size frame ZFS-5 did you go with?
@@wd99999 in love with it. It’s fast, forgiving, climbs great, just all around the best downcountry style bike I’ve ever been on.
I'm as tall as you. So, what is the right size for you?
I just received it today. I will hopefully be able to set some time aside this weekend to put it on.
Sweet!!!
Love all these reviews! Wish I could try them all as I want to shave some weight off my stumpy alloy and frel the trail a bit more. Its so hard to know which one to go with. Never considered this one but for the price it seems decent!
Fuel ex over all of these?? Is the fuel more of a 'trail' bike? As in less pedalability but better decent?
Thanks for all the info
Just bought the same bike a week or so ago. Still have not rode it yet, waiting to install ride wrap on it then it’s time to rip! Ride on brother.
Better man than me, once I get a new bike I’m riding it that day rain or shine.
I just got one and am doing the same. My wrap will be here tomorrow! Been riding it around the house and bike shop. Really playful bike! Can’t wait to put time on it!
@@TurboZCar how did your ride wrap install go?
@@benkoch4464 I was finally able to get the wrap going. It went really smooth. I overlapped in two places but for 18 pieces I can accept it! The wrap actually makes the bike more glossy. I went with the wrap for the fork as well and it made it shine nice! Definitely feel better having some protection on it. Can’t believe it didn’t have any at all on it other than on small strip. The padding is nice down by the bb though. I had a pretty decent rock strike it tonight. Loving the bike. It is so friggin playful. If you want it in the air just pick up! Front or rear. I put ground controls on it and can still steer with the back of the bike very easily. I too am going to have some bikes for sale! 😂
Just bought the 100mm version of this bike. Can’t beat the price of these now
Wish I could have gotten the XT build.
Saw some of the XTs on Mikes Bikes site.
The Cervelo ZFS-5 and Santa Cruz Blur TR supposed collaboration, reminds me of the Pierer Group and their KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas bikes having the same basic bikes, with some slight differences in components and different colors.😁
I’m looking at a Husky 350 right now 😬
Time to try the Pivot Mach 4SL (120 Fork)
Time to email Pivot
@jctrails Obviously, these bikes are expensive to make a mistake in getting one that doesn't deliver the expected performance and ride quality. So we all appreciate testers like yourself who step up to make the effort on these reviews. I personally narrowed my choices to the Mach 4SL and the ZFS-5 . The only determining factor is going to be between the Flex Stay VS DW link out back. Since I'm a 6' 190lb rider , my only concern would be if the Cervelo gets too "flexy" under load . Pretty sure the beefier DW / Triangle would hold up. I appreciate your efforts 👍
@@HLDefender I’m sure the Mach 4sl has a ton more traction being a DW link. I think the real deciding factor is, do you ride trails that require a suspension design that allows you to pedal thru chunk. These flex stay bikes are great pedaling bikes but do not compete with the ripley and top fuel for getting thru the chunkier sections. Also it depends on what kind of rider you are. If you are an active rider you can still get these flex stay bikes to hook up. I’m starting to prefer the simpler suspension design. I need to work on my technique to get thru rough sections and not depend on the bike so much.
@jctrails great information you shared on peddle efficiency while seated over rock gardens. I was definitely thinking that was the case as well. Riding on the east coast (NJ), we don't have the downhill as much - so I'm definitely in the category of staying seated the majority of the ride and relying on the active rear suspension to do it's work. DW would probably be my choice. The Mach 4SL is one of the few brands out there that isn't a heavy brute but has the full featured rear. The Niner Rkt 9 RDO is another that comes to mind.
I saw your Signal Peak review from a couple years ago... How do the ZFS-5 120;and the signal peak TR compare to each other?
The Signal has a Horst link suspension design which makes it a little touch heavier. The suspension is active and bobs more while pedaling. It does have better traction though.
Just pulled the trigger on the 120. Too good of a deal to pass up. Unfortunately GX build, but at $3,400 I'm not going to complain. It will replace my Gen 5 Fuel EX, which has me overbiked on most of the terrain I ride. Wondering why the deals are so good. Are they not selling because it's not a proper MTB name? Or is it because this is basically the new Blur and Cervelo made this for their team for this year? The deal maker for me was a premium frame (not a second-tier C vs CC frame with Santa Cruz) that weighs less than nearly everything.
How much does the GX build weigh?
@@jlthomas8 I don't know. I would weigh it, but I already changed out to carbon handlebars, carbon wheels, etc.
Given current price would you go for this over new epic 8 evo comp?
At this price absolutely.
I just did. The epic 8 just seemed to be so busy. With all of the cables and over sized frame tubing. The grip shifter was going to be hard to get used to. The zfs-5 is such a lighter feel. Less to hear/feel moving around. Almost the feeling of ss. Also 4225 vs 7000… zfs-5 is a win!
You said you are 5'10" on a large. I believe you said you'd shorten the stem. I'm 5'9" with roughly a 31" inseam so I'm at the top of a medium and bottom of the range for a large. I usually fall right between sizes and tend to size up. Looks like the reach is about an inch longer on the large. Unfortunately, nothing local for me to check out. Size/fit are subjective, but I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Do you have long arms for your height?
@@jctrails Yes, and broad shoulders.
@@ralphkeith2905 probably go with the large and put a shorter stem on it.
@@jctrails thanks!!
I have always rode medium bikes. I am 5’9 as well. I rode the evo 8 med and lg. The lg felt so much better. It was a surprise. So I went straight to the lg zfs-5 and it felt just right. I didn’t want to get off the bike when I was test riding it. Go with the large.
What length dropper is on the large?
180mm
Fezzari front triangle it looks like
Do mean Ari? 😛
Any plans on trying a Epic World Cup?
Don’t know if I’m going to do that XC.
We need to clear up & specify what type of climbing the The Specialized Epic excels at. If you mean fire road smooth trails, sure if you mean true mountain biking trails with some technical stuff where you need traction & some sophisticated suspension to hover over obstacles, then the Epic IS NOT IT.
I would say the epic excels in fire road climbs - to climbs with baby head size chunk. Obviously these flex stay bikes don’t hook up like my old Ripley, Top Fuel, and Tallboy. They are so light though that you can create a ton of speed before an obstacle and jump up it.
Looks just like the Yeti, swing link with no pivot on rear axle. Yawn, over priced name
The Cervelo is cheaper and lighter than the Yeti
I think for $4200 it’s worth it. The yeti on the other I will agree with you is overpriced.
@@frienduro24 yet none of them look as good as the allied bc40.. The all look to similar..The BC40 is a piece of art
@@jctrails you are right, the Yeti ASR frame alone is 4k!
Yum yum got his yeti down to 22 pounds flat. But a love the Cervelo too!