I am in the market for a new trail bike. I came off a BMC fourstroke that got stolen so my renters insurance is allowing me to but a bike of similar replacement cost. I am looking for something a little more trail bikeish than the 4inch race bike geometry of the bmc. I have been looking at the blur LT carbon, trek remedy, pivot mach 5.7, enduro and a few others. I like the blur lt carbon the best and the xt build pack they sell is very nice. I have also herd about the vpp blurs wearing through bearing fast but unsure if this is a common problem with the new carbon ones. Any suggestions on what to buy. I live in maine where there are very few demo bikes so most likely i wont get to demo a bike before i buy it.
Blur LT vs other trail bikes? suggestions welcome
- Thread starter birdman2447
- Start date
I am on my second Trance X-0. Best trail bike I have owned so far.
Have you had a chance to test ride many of them? Im full blast SC slut and already Have an LT2 Alu so I'd def go SC, but be sure yourself! (Also Carbon is teh t*tz!); All of the bikes listed are really solid.
I have a BLTc and love it. Get a Works Components headset to slacken out the head angle/drop the BB and you're looking at one awesome trail rig with dh geometry (if that's your sort of thing). The bike is more than up for some serious bashing. Get one and ride it like a downhill bike. The bearing issues you referenced are on older model vpp bikes. SC's new axle/bearing setup is righteous. You won't be disappointed.
I have a blur ltc and really like it. It's very stiff and the Pushed RP23 on there is sensitive and well controlled. I've never changed the bearings since buying it in Feb 2010 although they have started to feel a bit gritty now so have a set ready to press in. The grease ports and collet bearings make maintenance straight forward.
The only minor niggles I have with it are
1. I'm 6ft and the large is a bit on the short side so have to use a 70mm stem.
2. Stock geo gives a 68.5 HA with a revelation 150 fork. I've got 2deg slackening cups which make the steering much less twitchy on the downs.
3. Change the lower shock reducer as soon as poss to a heavy duty through axle or a rwc needle bearing as they wear out after a few rides.
Overall I love it. If I had the money I'd try a bos vip'r rear shock to see if it sags less than the rp23 when climbing and would be interested in a 160mm travel adjust fork for the front (maybe the new fox 34) as the revelation feels comparatively noodley compared to the frame. Surprised Santa cruz haven't updated the geo to something similar to the blur trc tbh...
The only minor niggles I have with it are
1. I'm 6ft and the large is a bit on the short side so have to use a 70mm stem.
2. Stock geo gives a 68.5 HA with a revelation 150 fork. I've got 2deg slackening cups which make the steering much less twitchy on the downs.
3. Change the lower shock reducer as soon as poss to a heavy duty through axle or a rwc needle bearing as they wear out after a few rides.
Overall I love it. If I had the money I'd try a bos vip'r rear shock to see if it sags less than the rp23 when climbing and would be interested in a 160mm travel adjust fork for the front (maybe the new fox 34) as the revelation feels comparatively noodley compared to the frame. Surprised Santa cruz haven't updated the geo to something similar to the blur trc tbh...
LTc is a great ride. The bearing issues were solved long ago. Newer SC bikes have a completely updated system. The bearings last a long time and are much easier to service. SC's new hardware is a positive attribute, not a negative.
I have become a big fan of DW Link bikes. Climbs much more efficiently than VPP, single pivot, etc. Go and demo Turner Spot, Ibis and Pivots, and compare them to the ones you tried.
Look at an Ibis Mojo, carbon. And a Yeti SB66, theres a carbon version coming out soon unless it already did. And those Giant Trace X-0s theres an alloy and a carbon version. Any of those are really sweet rides.
really all these bikes that are being thrown out have very different suspension platforms, and will fit differently if you actually plan to ride for a few hours every outing...
do you want a plush, active suspension that does not squat under firm pedaling, but not the best out-of-saddle sprinting? then look at a trance x
do you want a firm suspension off the top that sprints really well? blur lt or mojo hd
do you want a fairly suportive suspension thru the whole range of travel? enduro or remedy
etc.
do you want a plush, active suspension that does not squat under firm pedaling, but not the best out-of-saddle sprinting? then look at a trance x
do you want a firm suspension off the top that sprints really well? blur lt or mojo hd
do you want a fairly suportive suspension thru the whole range of travel? enduro or remedy
etc.
Yeah, depends on your riding style and how you like the bike to feel of course.
On a spammy note, I'll have a brand new Blur LTc frame for sale in a couple days. Lemme know if you want it. 
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thanks for the input, demoed a blur trc today and was pretty impressed. going to demo a tallboy tomorrow just to see how it feels but i am not sure i can switch over to big wheels
Also check out the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO line up. I built an EVO frame up in January and have been really impressed with it. It is more of a trail bike than the Enduro. Pedal great and descends even better.
i have ridden the blur lt, but coming from a scott gambler plowtruck, i really didnt like it much.
the geometry is too XC-ish for my taste. from the bikes you posted, i liked the enduro much better.
the geometry is too XC-ish for my taste. from the bikes you posted, i liked the enduro much better.