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Can any owners give me their thoughts on said Beasty?
I've always liked the look of them but have never ridden one.
Mainly interested in XCing / longer distance stuff so don't need to worry about suitability with rock gardens, riding down cliffs etc.
Pros, cons, things to look out for?
Cheers
I've had one for around 3 years. It's my only full-sus and I was coming off a Meta 5.
There's no doubt that it's an excellent frame. Any concerns you've ever had about carbon being too flexy will soon be removed.
Fitted out with a 120mm fork, the geometry is actually pretty slack and I find it has a tendency to wander a little on very steep climbs. I opted for a reasonably short stem for sharper steering though.
I reckon it's actually better with a 100mm fork. I've tried SIDS on mine and I'm about to shorten my Rebas to 100mm as a result.
With a suitable build (i.e. one matching the value of the frame) you'll get it down to around 22lbs .
Mine is in the bare carbon. Some of it has gone a bit matt over the years, mainly from heel rub (I've taped mine up in this area now).
The grease ports and supplied marine grease and high-quality gun have kept the bearings running smooth and true.
However..... they are ****ing expensive. Looking around at some other deals at the moment and you'll get an [url= http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/Ibis-Mojo-SL-Special-Blend-M-201203090202/ ]Ibis Mojo Special Blend[/url] (full build) for the cost of a Blur XC frame!
If you are near East Central Scotland and fancy a test ride, let me know.
I rented one in Whistler for the day and found it to be fantastic, would definately buy one if I had the cash, I expected it to be very racey feeling but tbh it felt the same as the old model Heckler I was riding at the time
Currently £1850 at Stif.
Review here;
http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/04/23/santa-cruzs-updated-blur-xc-what-changed-what-didnt-and-why/
It's versatility is its key.
With a 120mm it does feel slack but then again at 22lbs it's light and relatively nimble.
The ultimate true all mountain machine?
As near as damn it, IMHO.
If you could just have one bike to do most things, the Blur Carbon would be it. Quite possibly.
Cheers folks
The importer(?) says they come up a bit small and thinks a Large would be fine for me. I'm 5' 10", with a slightly short torso riding an 18" Explosif and an old medium S Works FSR.
I've got three CF road bikes but still have a lingering concern about crashing a CF MTB, especially an expensive one. That said I'm an old fart roadie and knows my limits, which includes no jumping or screaming down technical trails.
DruidH you're possibly the furthest point away from me but thanks for the offer. I'll see if I can track down someone a bit more local for a test ride.
On sizing - I'm 5'7" and riding a medium, so large sounds right for you.
I'm clearly biased as an owner but imo best bike ever (in the context of xc / trail riding) - love mine to bits! 2011 SC Blur xc Carbon with '11 Fox F120rlc FIT forks in my case, it's a complete hoot and utterly rapid! 🙂
Are they discontinuing/revising the Blur XC? The only time you see discounts on Santa Cruz seems to be when they bin a model or redesign it. Hence The Butcher and Nickel prices at the moment.
Dame You dirty rider why you have to go and put that link up now I'm skint and gonna have to sell my old frame of to get some funds back double quick 
Bats
Looks like I can get a demo ride in tomorrow up in that there Surrey Hills.
Will I blend in with the other weekend warriors?