Comments on: 2009 Santa Cruz Blur LT Bike Review

By: Mr. K

Mr. K — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:00:38 +0000

I rode a 2011 Blur Lt with 650b wheels. Since I never rode the LT with 26″ wheels, I can’t give you a review. Yet, I can tell you I loved the way the 650b wheels felt. What a confidence booster! I am torn between the LT2 with the 650b wheels and a 29′er (Transition Bandit 29). I am going to hopefully demo a Bandit 29 soon. One question: the LT will come with a Fox Float 32 140mm fork. Will the bigger wheels have an adverse affect on the geometry? The bb height is high already, add the 650b wheels, and it gets higher. Although I didn’t really feel any top heavy-ness after riding the LT for two days, I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on my situation.
Mr. K

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:36:30 +0000

I finally went to a bike shop where they did a bike fit for me. They used a medium Mojo SL (beautiful bike), and recommended a long stem. For now I will give the large BLT a try and fing the answer on the trail. Thanks a lot, Jason and by the way, GREAT review!!! Happy trails! L.

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:10:16 +0000

Laura… I don’t think you’re crazy for wanting a more properly-fit bike. Santa Cruz bikes are notoriously-small. I ride a Large (5′ 10″) and the Medium is just too dang small for me. You’re a good 4″ shorter than me, but it sounds like your longer legs are maxing out the Medium.

In short (err… tall), you’re not crazy.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:51:03 +0000

Jason, I have a fitting question:
Four years ago I have purchased a Medium Blur Classic. As soon as I got it I have changed my front fork to a Talas 140 and a longer up right stem, and set the seat as far back as possible, to accommodate my long legs. Weight of the bike was 26 lbs (due to XTR components). Going downhill was great, going up was not as efficient (however, the bike was so light !!!). I did not pay attention to that until last weekend, when my friend noticed my feet went further than my knees on the climb. Then, I tried a Large Blur. The Blur (33 lbs) climbed like nothing through steep roots … I could not believe it, while my Medium Blur Classic (26 lbs) was jumping all over the place, front wheel popping. Then I analyzed the size of the Medium Blur Classic, I noticed my body was going too far back on the seat. There is no more adjustment I could do on the bike to properly fit on. So I am now looking at a Large 2005 Blur LT frame (sitting in my garage). Would it be crazy to jump from a medium to a large? I am only 5 7”, but have long arms and legs (32”). Based on the Santa Cruz size chart, I am definitely a Medium … though it is obvious to me that I need more space. What would you suggest? Thank you!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:56:00 +0000

Matt

Sounds like your LT2 has been sufficiently loved! Glad you’re still liking it more and more. It’s amazing what a new fork will do for a bike… the 2011 Fox 32′s are amazing!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:18:34 +0000

Just thought I’d share that this very review bike has been hitting terrain from 15500k above sea level in South America to 700ft above sea level in Illinois…and keeps on giving. The original front triangle met an unfortunate ending with a tree, the hangar is now helicoiled to the rear triangle, the paint is missing all over the place, but it just won’t give up..!

I’ve done lots of upgrades along the way, but my recent swap to a 2011 Talas 150mm gave the bike all kinds of new life. I’d recommend it to any Blur rider with some all mountain terrain – 150 is great up front on this bike.

Anyway, I spent a lot of time trying to find the best bike out there, but at the end of the day this bike has been killer each and every day…even when ripping down terrain well beyond XC/All Mountain. I don’t know if it’s the best, but it’s one of the best investments I’ve made and we’ll leave it at that.

By: 2011 Pivot Mach 5.7 Mountain Bike – Quick Review - FeedTheHabit.com

2011 Pivot Mach 5.7 Mountain Bike – Quick Review - FeedTheHabit.com — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:42:50 +0000

[...] is a beautiful bike that is built to go head-on with some stiff competition: Yeti 575, Ibis Mojo, Santa Cruz Blur LT, etc. The 5.7 moniker represents the amount of travel provided by this capable trail slayer and [...]

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:10:15 +0000

I found the sizing questions on here quite interesting. Im looking at a BLT2 at some point in the near future too and am having the M vs L debate. Im 5’9″ so you’d think a M would be best. Problem I have is I have a really long back so top tube length is quite important. I currently have an ’09 SC Chameleon in an L and that has an even longer top tube than the L BLT2 at 600mm. I run this with a 100mm stem and find it perfect. I think I’ll end up with the large LT2 as well, but dont want to make the wrong desission. Hmm. Good review by the way.

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:30:45 +0000

Sorry to confuse you… that’s just my take. The LT is really built around a 140mm fork while the Nomad is built around a 160mm+ fork. Both are confident all-mountain bikes but both are pretty similar actually. I’ve seen a few LT’s with a 36 up front, so I know it’s kosher, but I just don’t know how it rides.

By: Damien

Damien — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:59:54 +0000

Thanks for your advice, though i think i am slightly more confused now than i was before!!! Ha!

Hopefully i will be able to test ride one of them soon to form a better opinion on the issue.