Call me crazy, but I want a BLTc

I spent a few good rides on an aluminum BLT. I haven't ridden a carbon, but the people I know who ride them say its night and day between the two in regards to stiffness. As far as my impressions went, the ride is in the name, its a Blur Long Travel. It handled very much like an xc bike, with a slightly deeper feel. Great on climbs and a comfortable seated position (semi upright) that would make for an awesome long haul bike, but it felt alittle more timid at descending speed and in technical sections than the 67* head angle xc bikes I've become acustomed to. If your intentions are to ride aggressive enough all the time for a 36 and enduro wheels to be necessities, then you might find the bike handles alittle more "xc" than your AM ideals bargained for. To me, the BLT was always the perfect match for guys who would be on a Blur xc, but liked the sensation of more travel. Not saying you can't rip on it, I know plenty who do, just take a second look at the numbers first before the digital scale.

Talk to the new owner of DHZ in Seattle (U District) he has one and said it is by far the best trailbike he has owned. I think he said his build was 28 lbs.

Keep the SX trail, there is plenty of fun stuff to ride with it. I go to UW also and ride a Norco Six (which is almost the same bike) for pretty much everything, and I wouldn't want anything smaller/bigger. I just don't think it would make that much of a difference to make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially with a 36 and solid wheels. What build do you have on your SX trail?

Yeah I want a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich too!

Call me crazy but why is this in the DH forum?

I could sure go for a BLTc right now myself. We are talking about a Bacon,lettuce,tomato and cheese right???

jcaramia said:

yeah i want a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich too!

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oohhh!!! Mmmmm!!! Yeah! I would eat that like such a gutter biatch.

TheTruth said:

oohhh!!! Mmmmm!!! Yeah! I would eat that like such a gutter biatch.

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And I would make it with only my good looks and charm.

A good Pac NW bike is the Remedy. The angles lend itself to the technical descending here. I actually thing the Blur LTc has a similar HA so I'm sure it'll work out, however I'd be wary of a carbon frame up here. Dropping that on some rocks would make me cry.

It's more stable, and way stiffer than the ibis, but didn't corner or pedal as well. For comparison. The C is CRAZY stiff it won't disapoint

I've got a fellow dh buddy who rallies the heck out of his Bltc, but i suggest building it lighter than you are talking.

Fox 36 + 721s = to burly a build to extract full potential from on a bltc. IMO look at fox 32 (or Revelation+maxle) + 719s, for a more rounded bike.
Make sure you have at least a 36t big ring.

NoUseForAName said:

I've got a fellow dh buddy who rallies the heck out of his Bltc, but i suggest building it lighter than you are talking.

Fox 36 + 721s = to burly a build to extract full potential from on a bltc. IMO look at fox 32 (or Revelation+maxle) + 719s, for a more rounded bike.
Make sure you have at least a 36t big ring.

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He doesn't want a set up that flimsy. He is limiting the climbing potential with the 36 and beefy wheels, but a 32 and 719s would be limiting that bikes ability to get thrown 40 feet through the air

2010 Carbon Enduro

Better suspension, better geo blah blah...

I would keep the SX for sure, there are plenty of trails close to downtown seattle that will have you wishing you still had it when its gone, (the exits and others) you can also make some climbs on it without too much fuss.

If you traded for a BLTc it would be great on climbs but somewhat limiting as far as the stuff you could ride confidently aboard it (IMO). So I would suggest getting a front der. and slapping a DRS guide on it, you would have the best of both worlds (aside from some of the lightness and the bling factor of a new shiny carbon bike to wow all your frat boy budds with.)

JCL said:

2010 Carbon Enduro

Better suspension, better geo blah blah...

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Hells yeah! Im striaght lusting over that thing.

agreed, i would much rather have a 2010 carbon enduro than the blur ltc. Being an avid downhiller, and having a preference for lower and slacker bikes, i felt right at home on the new enduro. now if only i had the cash.....

Don't know if the BLT2c is the bike for you but can totally relate to wanting a lighter, more trail-friendly bike than the 'tweeners' i've been using the last few years. a fox 36 would help improve the BLT2c geometry but like others have said, the bike has a very long-legged XC feel and also I'm not particularly a fan of VPP2. SC vastly improved the build quality with the new frame construction, angular bearings, grease ports etc but sort of lost some of the ride characteristics of the original VPP that I liked in bigger bike. I personally just don't feel like VPP2 bikes ride terribly well. They seem to tend towards a stinkbug stance whereas I much prefer a bike that squats (Giant Maestro). Granted that's my opinion, there are obviously PLENTY of people raving about the BLT2C and other new SC models so you might find you love it. I would try to demo one if possible. Will you be at Interbike Dirt Demo?

punkassean said:

Don't know if the BLT2c is the bike for you but can totally relate to wanting a lighter, more trail-friendly bike than the 'tweeners' i've been using the last few years. a fox 36 would help improve the BLT2c geometry but like others have said, the bike has a very long-legged XC feel and also I'm not particularly a fan of VPP2. SC vastly improved the build quality with the new frame construction, angular bearings, grease ports etc but sort of lost some of the ride characteristics of the original VPP that I liked in bigger bike. I personally just don't feel like VPP2 bikes ride terribly well. They seem to tend towards a stinkbug stance whereas I much prefer a bike that squats (Giant Maestro). Granted that's my opinion, there are obviously PLENTY of people raving about the BLT2C and other new SC models so you might find you love it. I would try to demo one if possible. Will you be at Interbike Dirt Demo?

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ditto

If you come from a dh background, esp riding an fsr i doubt you will like the newer vpp.

i got rid of my 09 nomad and blur lt2 b/c i disliked the vpp2 and its harshness.

are you set on the blur? would you consider some other options?

what about some thing like a Tranny covert?(save some $$, too) the trek remedy was mentioned. that is a sweet bike.

new enduros look much better than previous years

...and one exotic: Xprezo GamJam

to tell you the truth the blur is one of the last frames in that category i would consider.

Do you know much about the trails up here? How much riding are you hoping to get in over the winter?

There are some good spots that really work better with a DH bike and some good pedals that really would be nice with a longer XC bike (Galbraith). I don't ride in Seattle but definately a lot around Whatcom county and I currently have a DH bike and a DJ bike but I will be selling the DJ bike to build up a 5" AM bike after the new year. That will leave me with just what I feel I need to enjoy all the riding I want to do in the NW.

Besides, the snow is too good in the winter to worry about XC bikes. I say stick with your plan to keep your bike, find out what trails you're riding regularly and make a change in the spring.