I’ve always liked the Santa Cruz cx bikes but too rich for my blood so I went with the less expensive but champion and well kitted Canyon LUX and absolutely love it. Way more bike for the price.
I'm riding the 2019 Blur and can really recommend it. Fast as sh*** when you're going uphill and at the same time, lots of reserves during the downhill
It is, but I would give the twist a fair try first, if you're going to run a dropper it is a much cleaner setup, and personally I prefer it to the levers as it's right there a little twist and your set and a quick little button press to release. And no confusion in the heat of a race with your dropper lever.
@Bikeradar... The Santa Cruz Blur isn't a "Swing Link" design. "Its' a "Drop Link" design. Swing Link designs would be bikes like the Specialized Epic, Canyon Lux, Cannondale Scalpel with the linkage attached to the seat tube to the seat stays. The problem with drop links is the link has minimal impact on lateral and torsional rigidity of the frame and provide zero pedaling platform which is why most of the major bicycle manufactures have went away from this design. Another knock against drop link bikes is you have to run excessively rear high shock pressures to combat pedal bob or use lock out. At this point in the game it is hard to believe that Santa Cruz went with a drop link for a new XC bike. In fact nothings says I don't understand engineering statics like a drop link full suspension bike.
What's with all the cables? ...on the S-Works Epic for example you only have two brake cables ....as much as I would love to own a SC they are not very progressive ...must say very disappointing...and to supply a top end bike that does not come standard with a power meter is surprising ..seems crazy
@@tryhardpker Agreed but the new Scott does and the cables are all hidden giving a very clean look!! Think the SC designers have missed a trick in their design. Also, they have chosen to not use an ASX dropper (no cable and definitely the best dropper on the market) ....why use a cabled dropper on a bike at this price point?? ... seems ludicrous in my opinion ...for me this bike, as much as I love SC, does not stack up against the Sworks or the New Scott, and SC seem to be years behind both these brands .
@@allantimm2003 I’d take this anyday to the Cape Epic where the bike gets worked on heavily every day and a cabled dropper is lighter. Only change I would make would be to a mechanical derailleur.
@@jaymueller2418 interesting view as I am doing the Cape Epic in October and I will be riding a 2021 S-Works Epic with and AXS dropper and gears, and the bike has only two cables (my point of the original post) and even with the AXS dropper weighs less than the SC. Please note that I support that the SC is an iconic bike and will own one one day but currently they are a long way off the more progressive MTB companies. At the Cape Epic they always publish what bikes and components are begin used/ ridden and I am confident you will see that the SC XCO bike is not well supported vs Scott or Specialized or Canyon or Trek ...... let’s wait and see ? P.S the AXS dropper is an amazing product and performs far better and more reliably then any of the cable droppers on the market ...... try one you will never look back !!
I have one on order in this same color. You mentioned it is matte and a bit of a pain to keep clean. Is it enough to be a major PIA? I wash my bikes frequently. I might be able to change to the black color if this is a major issue.
I’m a fan of SC in general. Since ‘19, I have been thinking of going from a HT to a DS for XCM, mostly for the comfort. I think I am going to go with the Specialized Epic over the Blur. The Epic’s geometry is good, threaded BB, rear shock linkage is better, large dealership network and at most major XC races (Leadville Series, Cape Epic, La Ruta, etc.) it wins the bike count.
Keep the hardtail. You never know when you might need it. I’m jealous of people who can still ride hardcore; I raced in the early 90s but developed ME/CFS (similar to long haul covid) in 93 and never recovered. Go ride some trails for me! 👍🏻🚵🏻♀️
@@adamcline121 How? Same travel, similar numbers and probably made in the same factory. Entry level sniper vs Top line Blur, similar weight and performance??? 👍🏿
Very loose, skittery track after a surprisingly unsupportive corner on very skinny tyres filmed in slo-mo - sorry! it's not quite as confident as the Epic, but better than the Oiz and Scalpel.
Great looking bike. As I approach 50 I’m thinking this kind of ride would be more suitable than my usual trail / all mountain bike. Don’t get airborne much these days. An XC / down country bike makes much more sense. But the price!! Holy shit. Could never justify that. Looking at more affordable alternatives. Maybe a Norco Optic.
Everything functions properly th-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Nothing was damaged in the box aside from a decal on the fork. The decal was missing a piece of a corner but I ended up peeling them off anyways. Assembly is easy BUT make sure you tune up the derailleurs. Both the front and rear need adjusting. I'd advise going to a bike shop but I opted out and put in 10+ hours with the help of TH-cam. Ended up fraying a shifter cable but all in all I learned from the experience. The Brakes work well but the front caliper needs adjusting or at least mine did because the rotor was rubbing against the pads. Make sure you swap out the seat, grips, and pedals. For the short run you'll be fine though. I've read that this bike isn't built yet for hard trails but I just need it for the city. PA has some of the worst roads and being in a mountain this was a great choice. Worth the investment!
I scrapped my blur’s remote lockout when I bought a dropper and got my 120 mm rock shock sid ultimate fork this spring, effectively converting my xc blur into a tr version. Instead of the remote lockout I just use the lockout on the fork and had my mechanic set the rear shock to fully open. Trust me you don’t need the remote lockout on the tr build. After getting rid of it to make room for my dropper remote I haven’t looked back.
The Epic and Sclpel video from last year was done in lycra, however the Freewheel sponsored kit we have for these vides has much better colours (i.e. not black) in its non-baggy form. Don't worry, I wear lycra most of the time on an XC bike :-) (plus, you get just as many comments the other way when we do wear lycra on a MTB - can't please everyone!)
Thats what i thought but look at the competition from Scott, Specialized, Trek and cannondale and the Blur is about the same. I actually thought it would be more.
All the credits for Merida and there latest Ninety-Six. Shame on you, SC, for this straight copy and double the asking price. Form a boutique brand XC bikers expect better. Way better!
No mounts for a bash guard? Where do these fools race? Last race I was at had at least 5 large log crossings. sorry, not going to cyclecross it....fail bike
@@naskofilms4077 no, its a carbon mountain bike frame with out a bash guard mount.....all modern mountain bikes need mounts for something to protect the chain and ring or its just a road / gravel bike.
@@MrBig617 coming from someone that would not know a tech trail from a bike path. Maybe some people ride trails that are goathead size rocks with bigger Bolders mixed in....
What do you think of the updated design for the Santa Cruz Blur? Would the Blur be your XC race machine of choice? let us know in the comments!
It seems like XC bikes are becoming almost as capable as some older trail bikes
@@bobohunter1776 That's because they're trail bikes now, just a way to sell us more bikes
Are you guys doing a review on the new bronson?
Not worth it
I’ve always liked the Santa Cruz cx bikes but too rich for my blood so I went with the less expensive but champion and well kitted Canyon LUX and absolutely love it. Way more bike for the price.
Great review. Thank you! If you could do the Blur TR vs the Kona Hei Hei vs the Scalpel SE I would be ecstatic!
I will be the proud owner of a new blur tr CC in… 1 - 2 more years. For now I’ll stick with my 2019 blur 😁. Great review
Nice job no punches pulled!!
I’m curious on your opinion santa cruz blur tr 2023 vs epic evo 2023. Thank You very Much!
I'm riding the 2019 Blur and can really recommend it. Fast as sh*** when you're going uphill and at the same time, lots of reserves during the downhill
1:18 cracked frame around head tube?
For the best value for the money and someone who doesn’t race, I would try the Vitus Rapide FS
Aren’t those like a Scott spark knock off?
Great alternative indeed. Or take the NS Synonym, which is the Polish nephew of the Vitus Rapide FS (almost exact same open mold frame) 😁
Wouldn’t ride a vitus unless given it for free lol
How does this climb ?
Do you think it would be possible to swap the lock out for a more traditional lever?
It is, but I would give the twist a fair try first, if you're going to run a dropper it is a much cleaner setup, and personally I prefer it to the levers as it's right there a little twist and your set and a quick little button press to release. And no confusion in the heat of a race with your dropper lever.
@Bikeradar... The Santa Cruz Blur isn't a "Swing Link" design. "Its' a "Drop Link" design. Swing Link designs would be bikes like the Specialized Epic, Canyon Lux, Cannondale Scalpel with the linkage attached to the seat tube to the seat stays.
The problem with drop links is the link has minimal impact on lateral and torsional rigidity of the frame and provide zero pedaling platform which is why most of the major bicycle manufactures have went away from this design. Another knock against drop link bikes is you have to run excessively rear high shock pressures to combat pedal bob or use lock out.
At this point in the game it is hard to believe that Santa Cruz went with a drop link for a new XC bike. In fact nothings says I don't understand engineering statics like a drop link full suspension bike.
@@REB4444 ... Even Santa Cruz can't change the laws of physics/geometry which dictate the statics and dynamics of a given full suspension design.
And yet they make WC winning XC bikes, and you don't... who'd have believed it?
I chose the new Cannondale scalpel and absolutely love it it is a shame I'm not fit enough to ride it fast
What's with all the cables? ...on the S-Works Epic for example you only have two brake cables ....as much as I would love to own a SC they are not very progressive ...must say very disappointing...and to supply a top end bike that does not come standard with a power meter is surprising ..seems crazy
The sworks epic doesn't have a manual lockout (brain) so you dont have front n rear lockout cables
@@tryhardpker Agreed but the new Scott does and the cables are all hidden giving a very clean look!! Think the SC designers have missed a trick in their design. Also, they have chosen to not use an ASX dropper (no cable and definitely the best dropper on the market) ....why use a cabled dropper on a bike at this price point?? ... seems ludicrous in my opinion ...for me this bike, as much as I love SC, does not stack up against the Sworks or the New Scott, and SC seem to be years behind both these brands .
@@allantimm2003 I’d take this anyday to the Cape Epic where the bike gets worked on heavily every day and a cabled dropper is lighter. Only change I would make would be to a mechanical derailleur.
@@jaymueller2418 interesting view as I am doing the Cape Epic in October and I will be riding a 2021 S-Works Epic with and AXS dropper and gears, and the bike has only two cables (my point of the original post) and even with the AXS dropper weighs less than the SC. Please note that I support that the SC is an iconic bike and will own one one day but currently they are a long way off the more progressive MTB companies. At the Cape Epic they always publish what bikes and components are begin used/ ridden and I am confident you will see that the SC XCO bike is not well supported vs Scott or Specialized or Canyon or Trek ...... let’s wait and see ? P.S the AXS dropper is an amazing product and performs far better and more reliably then any of the cable droppers on the market ...... try one you will never look back !!
@@allantimm2003 the axs dropper is heavier than the transfer that’s why
I have one on order in this same color. You mentioned it is matte and a bit of a pain to keep clean. Is it enough to be a major PIA? I wash my bikes frequently. I might be able to change to the black color if this is a major issue.
I have the black colour in the xo1 axs Rsv build kit. washed after every ride with care bit of a pain but looks shop new still
@@Jimbob-eu4gd - so the black is also a matte finish? Good to know, thanks!
Buy a kit to protect the frame. Have it ready to install when the bike is new.
I’m a fan of SC in general. Since ‘19, I have been thinking of going from a HT to a DS for XCM, mostly for the comfort. I think I am going to go with the Specialized Epic over the Blur. The Epic’s geometry is good, threaded BB, rear shock linkage is better, large dealership network and at most major XC races (Leadville Series, Cape Epic, La Ruta, etc.) it wins the bike count.
Keep the hardtail. You never know when you might need it. I’m jealous of people who can still ride hardcore; I raced in the early 90s but developed ME/CFS (similar to long haul covid) in 93 and never recovered. Go ride some trails for me! 👍🏻🚵🏻♀️
Are the epic back in stock?
Have Blur s '22 used.........the grip twistloc will release on it own....how would I fix that????
Duct tape.
they had faulty twistlocs had mine replaced warranty covered, now works like a charm @@codered7453
Compare to Intense Sniper. Same weight, half the price???
I'm confused the Blur is $5199 and the cheapest Intense Sniper CC bike is $4199. Sure, cheaper but not half price.
@@uhntss Top end blur vs entry level sniper
@@thelmaviaduct that's a strange comparison
@@adamcline121 How? Same travel, similar numbers and probably made in the same factory. Entry level sniper vs Top line Blur, similar weight and performance??? 👍🏿
When will you review the Hugene from Propain?
We're due to release a full video review on the Propain in a couple of weeks, why not click the bell icon so you don't miss out. Thanks for watching!
Looks nervous @0:57 and 1:09. Hardly a rough trail too. Strong pass for me.
Very loose, skittery track after a surprisingly unsupportive corner on very skinny tyres filmed in slo-mo - sorry! it's not quite as confident as the Epic, but better than the Oiz and Scalpel.
It’s very stable or at least my TR version is. My old bike is a specialized epic.
Great looking bike. As I approach 50 I’m thinking this kind of ride would be more suitable than my usual trail / all mountain bike. Don’t get airborne much these days. An XC / down country bike makes much more sense. But the price!! Holy shit. Could never justify that. Looking at more affordable alternatives. Maybe a Norco Optic.
Bike prices have gotten completely out of hand. Overpriced cervelo mtb in my book
No powermeter included 😕.
You can add it if you want, it’s what I did. Not the end of the world
Everything functions properly th-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Nothing was damaged in the box aside from a decal on the fork. The decal was missing a piece of a corner but I ended up peeling them off anyways. Assembly is easy BUT make sure you tune up the derailleurs. Both the front and rear need adjusting. I'd advise going to a bike shop but I opted out and put in 10+ hours with the help of TH-cam. Ended up fraying a shifter cable but all in all I learned from the experience. The Brakes work well but the front caliper needs adjusting or at least mine did because the rotor was rubbing against the pads. Make sure you swap out the seat, grips, and pedals. For the short run you'll be fine though. I've read that this bike isn't built yet for hard trails but I just need it for the city. PA has some of the worst roads and being in a mountain this was a great choice. Worth the investment!
What about the Canyon LUX nearly all sold out, wonder why.
Doesn't necessarily mean that it's a good bike. This year almost all affordable bikes are sold out no matter where you look.
All bikes are currently sold out
You lost me at the twist lock. They lockout system is balls. My 2020 Santa Cruz blur tr has it and I loathe it.
I love my twist lock, been using it for a year. It works perfect with my axs dropper controller on the same side
I scrapped my blur’s remote lockout when I bought a dropper and got my 120 mm rock shock sid ultimate fork this spring, effectively converting my xc blur into a tr version. Instead of the remote lockout I just use the lockout on the fork and had my mechanic set the rear shock to fully open. Trust me you don’t need the remote lockout on the tr build. After getting rid of it to make room for my dropper remote I haven’t looked back.
Orbea Oiz for me....
Yea but here you are eye bowling the blurrrrr
They had a a year to copy the Epic Evo which is has much less expensive options and is literally the same bike.
Different linkage system... but by that pretty much all FS XC bikes are the same...
Literally not the same bike.
Orbea Oiz is the future of xc/tr
Please wear lycra while presenting an xc bike, trust me it's not that scarying
The Epic and Sclpel video from last year was done in lycra, however the Freewheel sponsored kit we have for these vides has much better colours (i.e. not black) in its non-baggy form. Don't worry, I wear lycra most of the time on an XC bike :-)
(plus, you get just as many comments the other way when we do wear lycra on a MTB - can't please everyone!)
🔥🔥🔥 im just here to comment, thank you for reading 😅😅😅
I would take Canyon Lux 😎
More comedy pricing.
Lucky for you there is always cheap bikes at target
Thats what i thought but look at the
competition from Scott, Specialized, Trek and cannondale and the Blur is about the same. I actually thought it would be more.
@@andypaul999 trek have whacked their prices up insanely that’s why I bought a blur over a supercaliber got an xo1 axs rsv
10 and a bit kilos and you pay nearly £10,000, er no thanks
A, w, e, s, o, m, e.
It would be a lot faster if you could fit 2x up front
But then we’d be back in 2002
@@aarongriffith1830 a big chainring means speed?
All the credits for Merida and there latest Ninety-Six. Shame on you, SC, for this straight copy and double the asking price. Form a boutique brand XC bikers expect better. Way better!
this BICYCLE is $5300!!! 🤣
The one I bought 25 years ago was $2500. Your point? If you can't afford it don't buy one.
Crap
No mounts for a bash guard? Where do these fools race? Last race I was at had at least 5 large log crossings. sorry, not going to cyclecross it....fail bike
You were probably one of the guys last year complaining the don’t have 2 bottle cages
@@naskofilms4077 no, its a carbon mountain bike frame with out a bash guard mount.....all modern mountain bikes need mounts for something to protect the chain and ring or its just a road / gravel bike.
@@mustclime5311 Or you could just learn how to properly hop over logs....
@@MrBig617 coming from someone that would not know a tech trail from a bike path. Maybe some people ride trails that are goathead size rocks with bigger Bolders mixed in....
@@mustclime5311 I ride in the northeast, champ. All I ride are big rocks. No bash guard necessary if you know how to actually ride tech trails.
Thought only the Blur Trail came with a dropper.
They all come standard with dropper it shows it on the sc site
Tr version comes with infinite adjustable dropper. Xc version is only two position which is lighter.