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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - What Bike to Buy
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With the Blur around, who's in the market for a Superlight? (22 posts)
|  With the Blur around, who's in the market for a Superlight? | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 12:52 PM | | What i mean is when making the crucial decision of buying a frame over $1000 what would make anybody decide either way with the Blur or its cousin the Superlight when the Blur is supposed to be way plusher and a better pedaler? Any ideas... |
| Everyone who doesn't want to wait for the Blur to be available! | SLinBend
Mar 11, 2003 1:37 PM | | |
| Everyone who doesn't want to wait for the Blur to be available! | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 1:41 PM | | thats legit but really, what would the advantage of the superlight be over the blur other than weight and a couple hundred? im asking cause im not sure what to get |
| the difference | laffeaux
Mar 11, 2003 1:56 PM | | The SuperLight is designed to be a lightweight race bike.
The Blur is designed to be a trail bike.
On the trail who knows which is the better option for racing, but based upon the marketing strategy racers should buy a SL. |
| the difference | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 1:59 PM | | im not interested in raqcing. i just want plush 4" front and rear. how would the SL behave as a trailbike? would you get it if you were not going to race it vs the blur? |
| actually ... | laffeaux
Mar 11, 2003 2:05 PM | | I bought the Blur as I was more interested in a plush trail bike, and I have in fact raced it (once already, and signed up for another race next month).
The Blur is much more plush than the Superlight, and I have no plans on ever winning a race, I race for fun. |
| actually ... | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 2:15 PM | | so i take it both are very good climbers. anyone climb better in the granny than the other? |
| I only test rode the SL | laffeaux
Mar 11, 2003 2:23 PM | | My experience on the Superlight includes one test ride in a LBS parking lot, so I'll not claim to have any real experience on it.
I've had my Blur since November and have about 250 off-road miles on it. I think it climbs really well in the granny gear. I rode a Bontrager for many years (still own it), and don't think that the Blur climbs any worse. |
| I only test rode the SL | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 2:29 PM | | yeah, this doesnt really do justice to the SL. I take it the Sl is not just a race bike although i get the feeling the Blur is going to be plusher, but i would really like to know the difference form somebody thats tried both offroad. I do appreciate your input though. By the way, have you ever tried a racer x? how this bike compare to the blur? |
| What about the new Heckler = trail bike? NM | CraigH
Mar 11, 2003 2:45 PM | | nm |
| Lots of folks. | Darrell
Mar 11, 2003 3:30 PM | | The Blur is an awesome trail bike but serious racers would go for the Superlight. 1/2 a pound and $400 bucks is a good incentive. So is the fact that it's a proven design, doesn't bob much on the flats and climbs great due to the tendency for chain tension to drive the rear wheel into the ground. With a lockout for smooth sections of trail, it's a hard bike to beat. I've owned and raced a Superlight for a couple of years. It got stolen along with my wife's. She just got her new Superlight last week and I got a Racer X. Both are excellent race bikes. If my trail bike had been the one to get stolen, I would have a Blur on order right now even if I'd have to wait until August to get it. |
| SL vs Racer X | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 4:00 PM | | So what do you have for trailridding? Also how do you compare the SL to the Racer X? Would you set the RX as a trailrider? |
| SL vs Racer X | Darrell
Mar 12, 2003 4:20 AM | | I like my Racer X better, it just feels right, but I have no complaints at all about the Superlight. I used the rear lockout during races on the SL on smoother sections and even though my Racer X has a rear lockout, I haven't found any situation where it does any good to engage it. Both the SL and Racer X make good trail bikes (with the edge going to the SL for the extra rear travel) but I have a dedicated bike for that purpose. It's a '98 Haro Extreme DX2 with a 5" Marzocchi Z1 Bam fork and 4 1/2" of rear travel via a Fox Float R shock. It has a more upright seating position, weighs 27 pounds and can soak up anything that I'm able to throw at it. It hasn't failed me yet and I've put just under 3000 miles on it. |
| SL vs Racer X | jaco
Mar 12, 2003 5:27 AM | | thanks for the info. what im getting from this commentary is that both the SL and RX have a very similar feel, is that correct? which is surprising since i wouldve thought the SL to be way plusher. |
| SL vs Racer X | Darrell
Mar 12, 2003 7:57 AM | | The Racer X & SL are similar. The Racer X is more efficient than a SL without a lockout. The SL gets slightly better traction on sketchy climbs and is a little more plush on descents. |
| Huh? | Ivabign
Mar 14, 2003 2:11 PM | | As someone who has actually owned both (well, an SL and HH 100x). I'll agree that the RX is more efficient, but I think the RX actually gets MUCH better traction on loose climbs. At least in my experience. Also, I think the HH has a tad more travel than the RX, but I wouldn't say that the SL is more plush on descents either. |
| re: With the Blur around, who's in the market for a Superlight? | Motivated
Mar 11, 2003 4:07 PM | | I've raced my Blur twice finishing 2nd and 3rd in my class and won the 3 race championship. The only 2 frames that have beat me were an M4 hardtail and a Racer-X. Of course there are so many other variables, but I would say I was definitely not more fit than the 3 people who finished ahead of me.
The Blur climbs as well or better than the Racer-X in the big ring, not as good in the small ring and about equal in the middle ring. The Blur handles on par with the R-X, but is geared more toward high-speed cornering. The Blur is definitely faster downhill than the R-X and is also definitely better pedaling across bumpy terrain. The Blur is heavier than the R-X which is important if you are looking for a sub 24lb FS race bike.
One reviewer compared the Blur to a BMW 5-series. I think that is very accurate. Other bikes do certain things better, but are not the whole package the Blur is. The 5-series is not a race car and the Blur is not a race bike. It is an outstanding trail bike that can be raced. The R-X and SL are race bikes that do great on the trail.
The thing that blows me away about the Blur is how well it climbs, then turn at the top and it just hauls ass downhill. If you ride a lot in the middle and big ring you will probably like the Blur. If you ride a lot in granny you may find it too plush and the handling too slow (with 100mm fork).
That said you need to ride one and other bikes in it's class before you buy. Just because 99 people love their Blur does not mean you will. |
| re: With the Blur around, who's in the market for a Superlight? | jaco
Mar 11, 2003 4:15 PM | | thanks for the detailed description. i do not race and do not care for a sub 24lb bike but i do most of my climbing in the granny ring, want to install a 100mm fork and like the rear to be supple. unfortanately i cant test ride any of these bikes since i find myself in SAM. Im trying to decide between a racer x, a SL and a blur. Seems that in terms of price and versatility the SL is the leader. Is the SL plusher than the racer x? |
| re: With the Blur around, who's in the market for a Superlight? | Motivated
Mar 12, 2003 7:21 AM | | I don't know your circumstances but generally if you can't test ride a bike then do not buy it.
If you are in the market for a Racer-X (i.e. $3000 minimum) there are so many other bikes you should also be looking at:
- Specialized FSR (not the Epic)
- Titus Switchblade
- Turner Burner (same as Turner O2 but with more travel) - not being made yet, so look at 2002 Turner O2, great deals available.
- SantaCruz Blur
- Hamerhead 100X (Racer-X optimized for 100mm fork) |
| re: With the Blur around, who's in the market for a Superlight? | jaco
Mar 12, 2003 8:30 AM | | yeah, it sucks not being able to test ride before buying but thats how it is and since my nrs is totally misaligned i am sending it back for warranty and will probably get a new one which i want to use as part swap for a better frame. all those bikes you mention are really good. im just looking for a frame right now and no more than $1300 which leaves out my first choice, the 100X. where are the great deals on the 02? |
| I have an '02 SL, it is my main trailriding bike... | Ride Biker
Mar 11, 2003 4:11 PM | | i don't race, nor do I want to, but I did want a nice light full suspension that was active and plush. The SL fits my needs perfectly. I don't know how active the Blur is, but single pivot is plush by nature, my suspension is always working to absorb the bumps in the road. At 25.75 pounds, it is solid and light, and it climbs like a goat, seated or standing.
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| available blur at my shop . . . | Jas0n
Mar 11, 2003 6:38 PM | | shameless plug, but the shop i work at when im not at college has a blur in stock. we waited a year for the bike (we were one of the first shops to order one), and it arrived a few months ago. its a large, annodized grey blur built up with the super x kit, fox float rl, easton carbon post/bar, etc ... we deal mostly in high end road, but im suprised it hasent yet sold. anyway, if your interested, give them a call 914. 666. 4044 and ask for Eric (the owner, who is willing to ship the bike). let him know jason mentioned the bike on mtbr.com. thought some people may be interested. |
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