New Blur LT

[dmitsi]

Hello all.

I'm looking at a new treat for myself. I found a decent price Blur LT and just wanted some more experienced opinions on the kit. It's generally a good standard, but if you can spot any obvious let downs I'd appreciate it so I can look into a decent upgrade.

Spec
Frame: Blur LT 5" travel frame in Anodized orange with a Fox RP23rear shock
Forks: Fox Float 130 mm RLT with lockout,threshold adjustment, and compression/rebound adjust
Rear Derailleur: Sram X9
Front Derailleur: XT
Shifters: Sram X9
Chainset: Truvativ Stylo
Bottom Bracket: Truvative external bb
Chain: Sram
Freewheel: Sram 980
Headset: WTB momentum
Stem: Thomson X4 stem
Handlebars: Truvative oversized Team lo - rise
Front Brake: Hope M4 183mm
Rear Brake: Hope M4 183mm
Brake Levers: Hope
Rims: Mavic 321
Front Hub: Hope
Rear Hub: Hope
Spokes: DT
Tyres: Kenda Nevagals 2.3
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Cromo
Seatpost: WTB TXC
Grips: WTB lockon

Thanks

[snotrag]

Go for a 32 Vanilla RC. The weight savings on the Float are not worth the downgrade in performance - the Coil sprung forks are that bit plusher, more sensitive and smoother.

And I'd be wanting Shimano XT rather than Sram X-9, but thats down to personal preference.

Out of interest, how much does that build work out at?

[dmitsi]

It's last years bike @ £2450. Specced up the 08 model and it came to about £4800 so I'm thinking of being sensible.



ETA bigger pic

Edited by dmitsi on Thursday 5th June 11:46

[Rico]

Commencal Meta 5

www.realcycles.com have a few left

Eg this at £2200

http://www.realcycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b58s...

Edited by Rico on Thursday 5th June 16:09

[P-Jay]

dmitsi said:

Hello all.

I'm looking at a new treat for myself. I found a decent price Blur LT and just wanted some more experienced opinions on the kit. It's generally a good standard, but if you can spot any obvious let downs I'd appreciate it so I can look into a decent upgrade.

Spec
Frame: Blur LT 5" travel frame in Anodized orange with a Fox RP23rear shock
Forks: Fox Float 130 mm RLT with lockout,threshold adjustment, and compression/rebound adjust
Rear Derailleur: Sram X9
Front Derailleur: XT
Shifters: Sram X9
Chainset: Truvativ Stylo
Bottom Bracket: Truvative external bb
Chain: Sram
Freewheel: Sram 980
Headset: WTB momentum
Stem: Thomson X4 stem
Handlebars: Truvative oversized Team lo - rise
Front Brake: Hope M4 183mm
Rear Brake: Hope M4 183mm
Brake Levers: Hope
Rims: Mavic 321
Front Hub: Hope
Rear Hub: Hope
Spokes: DT
Tyres: Kenda Nevagals 2.3
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Cromo
Seatpost: WTB TXC
Grips: WTB lockon

Thanks

I really dislike Truvativ chainsets and the BB's that come with them. Had Stylo's as OE on both my old Norco and my current Spesh. They might as well be made out of butter. A few of my mates had them from new as well. Same thing happened to all of them. Every few days, the pedal arm, comes loose, then it’s every time you ride, then every couple of hours (of riding). Took them back to the shop and they said “yes, they all do that sir, you’ll be wanting to upgrade to a Saint / XT / Hone” – Depending on what type of bike we had at the time.

Other than that, I'd certainly change the cassette for a XT one when the first drive train needs replacing. But hardly a massive thing.

Personally I prefer SRAM shifters / derailers, not as sweet shifting as XTR perhaps, but super tough and still work when they're completely cocooned in thick Welsh mud. Had Shimano before and they light and smoooooth, but first sign of mud and they're waving the white flag.

Other than than a really nice bike, with nice spec.

[PomBstard]

Nice bike indeed. I'm another who prefers SRAM to Shimano shifters, but my questions is, have you ridden one???

I looked very hard at getting a Blur LT, and came very close to importing one from the US, until I rode a Yeti 575 and Blur LT back-to-back off-road. Now, not suggesting you drop all thoughts of buying Santa Cruz, but just that there's a bit of choice for your cash, and I'd be goign for the one that felt best to me.

Just a thought, but other than that, a great fun machine.

[anniesdad]

Rico,

Are you and Neil paid by Commencal?

I have to admit though that for £2200.00 I'd be very tempted with that Commencal. Actually, I'm toying with the idea of a Commencal DH bike for those times when 140mm of fork just ain't enough.

A mate's just spunked £4700 on a Santa Cruz V10 and it is the absolute bks. But I feel for the limited amount of true DH riding I might do I couldn't justify going down this route.

FWIW, I've got SRAM shifters on my Blur LT and I'm having problems with the downshift not returning to it's starting position, so I have to return it by hooking my thumb under the shifter and bringing it back. When you take the cover off to look inside/clean it out it's like a spring-fest in there and I would suggest (for those less mechanically minded) it's probably an LBS job to sort it out.

Lovely Blur LT though - Ive shamelessly added a picture of mine fresh out of box, before it got any use.



Steve

[Rico]

anniesdad said:

Are you and Neil paid by Commencal?

I wish!!! Just a happy customer. Owned 5 over the years and currently have 3. They're just solid bikes and ride really nicely. That and its funny to keep bigging them up!

Which are you tempted by? Mini DH? SupremeDH? Both are excellent and great fun to ride. Start a new thread and Neil and I'll chip in. Although the west country git is off in Whistler at the moment.

[dmitsi]

anniesdad said:

Rico,

Are you and Neil paid by Commencal?

I have to admit though that for £2200.00 I'd be very tempted with that Commencal. Actually, I'm toying with the idea of a Commencal DH bike for those times when 140mm of fork just ain't enough.

A mate's just spunked £4700 on a Santa Cruz V10 and it is the absolute bks. But I feel for the limited amount of true DH riding I might do I couldn't justify going down this route.

FWIW, I've got SRAM shifters on my Blur LT and I'm having problems with the downshift not returning to it's starting position, so I have to return it by hooking my thumb under the shifter and bringing it back. When you take the cover off to look inside/clean it out it's like a spring-fest in there and I would suggest (for those less mechanically minded) it's probably an LBS job to sort it out.

Lovely Blur LT though - Ive shamelessly added a picture of mine fresh out of box, before it got any use.



Steve

What size frame is that? I've cuurently got SRAM and I had the same sticking problem for a couple of days but it passed. Other than that they've been fine, but maybe some XTR would be nice. What forks on your Blur and how much was the bike?

I've never ridden a commencal, I know they're good, but I did just love the feel of the blur. The thing is I would like the 08 bike, not much difference (other than cost), and extra 5mm upto 140 and I think it looks a little more interesting. This bike is doing something for me though.

Cheers for the input guys, interesting about the trutativ stylo too, I've currently got FSA K force which will be getting transferred over.

[dmitsi]

Anyone on the southcoast want to let me have a go on their commencal then???

[neil_bolton]

I wish I was paid by Commencal too!

I'm staying with some guys right now in Sqaumish: 3 Supreme VIP DH's in the garage, a Meta 4x, an Absolute....

Then add mine in...

One of them is sponsered by Commencal Canada

Looking forward to trying out the DH and 4x so I can give a comparative reveiw

However, seriously tho: Commencal are very solid, and very good value bikes. Whilst they continue to build to this, and keep up there in the style stakes, they will continue to be very disireable bikes - and keep me in debt...!

[snotrag]

Neil - my Boss has just got back from Andorra from the Dealers demo thing Commencal were running at the World cup.
Suffice to say - the 09 stuff is Shaweeeeet... You'll love it.