Two New Blur Models Available in June

By Vernon Felton

Santa Cruz Bicycles recently announced that they will be offering two new Blur models this June. Here’s the quick version—The Santa Cruz Blur as you know it is sort of a jack-of-all trades trail bike: 4.5-inches of rear travel, efficient pedaler, longish wheelbase, not-too-twitchy steering. While these traits have served the Blur well to date, the folks at Santa Cruz were getting requests that pulled them in two opposite directions. Some folks wanted a quicker handling, racier version of the current Blur. Other folks wanted a burlier, longer-travel version of the Blur.

In response to the requests, Santa Cruz will now offer a Blur Long Travel model and a Blur Cross Country model.

The BLT: 5.3 inches of rear travel, more tire clearance, accepts up to 6-inch travel forks.

THE LONG-TRAVEL VERSION The BLT (long travel) will feature more rear wheel travel (5.3 inches, to be exact). It’ll also have a slightly longer wheelbase (increased stability at speed), more rear tire clearance, more frame material around the headtube and downtube (increased strength) and it’ll have a slightly relaxed head angle (69.5 degrees measured with a five-inch travel fork). Finally, the BLT will also be able to accommodate the longer travel forks (up to six inches of travel) that people have already been slapping on Blurs. Again, Santa Cruz plans on having bikes available beginning June 1st. Frames will run around $1,499 with a Fox RP3 rear shock.

THE CROSS COUNTRY VERSION The skinny-leg racer set will have their wishes fulfilled as well. First and foremost, the Blur XC will feature a lighter frame than the current Blur model. Expect Blur XC frames to weigh in at a very impressive five pounds even. Santa Cruz dropped the Blur’s weight by using smaller-diameter down tubes and shorter head tubes. Rear wheel travel will remain a plush 4.5-inches, but Santa Cruz also cut the chainstay length by half an inch (the shorter wheelbase should equal a snappier ride). Santa Cruz recommends running a 4-inch travel fork on the Blur XC.

Blur XC: five-pound frame, 4.5-inches of travel, accepts 4-inch travel forks.

One other interesting point: the Blur XC will also be available in a wee-pixie size. The Extra Small model features a very low standover height of 26.6 inches and a 20.5-inch top tube that’ll put grins on the faces of small riders the world over whose lower backs are aching from being stretched out on cockpits that are waaay too long for them. Go ahead, call it “women’s specific”, but really short guys will also be pleased (even if their taller friends give them crap for riding such a small bike...and you know they will). Santa Cruz expects to have Blur XCs available by June 15th. Expect to pay $1,525 for a frame outfitted with a Fox Float RP3 rear shock.

THE SLALOM VERSION Santa Cruz will continue to offer the Blur 4X model that they released this Fall. You’ve probably already seen this bike here on bikemag.com. Ferrentino tested it for this site back in January. If you missed it, click onto Ferrentino’s test herewww.bikemag.com/features/gear/Blur4X4 and get the scoop. The basic gist is this: longer wheelbase, heavy duty frame, relaxed head angle—race slalom on it, jump it a bit, hang out in front of the local 7-11 with it, etc. Like I said, you can check out Ferrentino’s review for a detailed assessment.