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Santa Cruz's- you just can't go wrong. Even with guess work.
I'll repeat what I (think I) said earlier in the thread - the Blur XC was probably the worst bike I've ever ridden, never felt quite so much disliking for a bike! Why people spent many thousands on those and the subsequent XCc I'll never know.
Can't deny their popularity, and quite honestly I was really disappointed not to like it, I did want to, but it pedalled like an utter dog, which is kinda important for a race bike! Personal innit.
I loved my old Blur XC. I had the old alu one. Somewhat agree with the pedalling comment, didn't make for a good xc race bike. Though it did make a brilliant trail bike.
I don't know. If we're all honest that's the right answer. There's probably a few guys on here that have ridden enough bikes, well enough over enough years to really know how they compare to the rest.
I've had 3 Hecklers a Chameleon and 2 Blurs. Ride a S/H Blur LT2 now that cost me about 1/3 new. I trust it not to snap (I'm looking at you Ellsworth)and it rides more than well enough for me. Bearings last very well, grease ports are a good idea and the anodised finish is very hardwearing, also if I'm honest I think SC make the best looking bikes by a mile. Will buy another. Seems the mags who do ride lots and lots of bikes think they are pretty decent. One consistent thing is they are short so I ride a L when in other frames I'm a M.
Just brought a 5010 Aluminium...Looks nice,will get a ride in next week once the new Avid hose arrives
I can agree with 'short' - my Chameleon is the only Large bike I own, everything else is medium.
Not so sure about steep or tall though. Granted, that's the hardware Cham. Never ridden an SC full sus bike, they may be different. Also, with a set of 36's on mine, I may have slackened it off I suppose... Normally run them around 140 though.
It's an awesome hardtail frame, polar opposite of my Soul.
I don't get the pedalling complaints. Rear tyre really digs in when climbing & VPP design works well. Perhaps it is more what you expect a full sus to feel like & the VPP doesn't do what you expected? On my 3rd SC & love it. Again, they often come up a touch short, so just go up a size over normal. Dropper post still drops fully, so what's the issue? Ride something other than a SC too, just for balance.
Bought a Heckler after it got bike of the year in one of the review mags, test rode it, fell in love. Kept it 5 years, no hassle, fantastic all round trail bike, Ano finish was gorgeous and on selling it still looked like new.
Upgraded to a Blur LT 2.3 frame from Santa Cruz USA fire sale last October £767 total cost, shipped from California. That included the CTD fox shock.
Took me a few rides to get used to the rear wheel tracking the trail so well, and dialling the suspension, and now its one of the plushest bikes i've ever rode. Fast, stable, comfy, and floats over the trail. Love how the VPP climbs, can leave it in descend or trail mode with no issues.
Descending is supurbular 
With 140mm rear and 150mm front, and weighing in around 29lbs i've no plans to change it for a long time.
The size is just a label on the frame, there is no international standard for what the letters mean. Just get the one that fits and don't get hung up on the letter.
I don't think people are getting hung up on labels. To run a dropper I need a max 17" seat tube, so if the SC 17" is short as **** then I won't be able to buy the next size up
Thought it climbed fine for a FS trail bike (this was original VPP Blur XC.) You just had to stay seated and it would find loads of traction. Not a great short course xc race bike though where you want to power up shorter climbs.