For me it’s the perfect system. I love the single pivot feel and it’s more interactive nature, but for me it’s all about speed and nothing comes close to VPP for carrying and keeping speed. You generally work hard for it so you want to keep it! Spinning it through rooty singletrack still blows me away.
What kind of riding do you do on it?Everything. Winter night ride thrashes through the woods, all day epics in the hills, man–made trail bashing, 100km and 24hr events. But railing it though bermed snaky singletrack is where it comes into its own. It’s unbelievably stable at high speed and makes you look for the slightest rise or kicker in the trail to launch off. I swear I’m riding faster and more confidently than I was 10 years ago.
How would you describe the set up?Soft and supple. I’ve had the bike two years and I did run a re valved 5th Element air shock on it for a while that I really liked, but I got bored of having to have it serviced every three months.
Are there any things you would change on the bike?Nope…or I would have changed them. Actually maybe a longer seat tube for my gangly frame so I didn’t have to ‘high post’ it so much for XC riding. And on on–the–fly height adjustable post for the same reason.
What are the limitations of the bike?Not much considering it’s ‘only’ 115mm at the rear end. Probably coming into big boulder or rock sections at speed…the front end can handle it but the back end might start to complain a little. But that’s it. The down tube is actually the same one as we use on the VP Free so it’s plenty tough enough.
Do you go in for Titanium bolts and lightweight stuff?Nope, definitely not. I used to race XC on stupid light stuff that generally gave you a hernia after about 1/2 hour. I would rather have a 35lb bike that rides and fits perfectly than a 21lb bike that is a bitch to use.
What parts do you break the most?Myself to be honest. I’m pretty light on bike stuff, whether by chance or not! I’ve been through a few shocks/forks but maybe that’s cos I run them too soft.
Is this your perfect bike?Yep. It’s starting to look a little worn after two years use and abuse, but I like the lived–in look.
| Frame | Santa Cruz Blur 4X, Large, Powdercoat Orange |
| Shock | ’06 Fox RP3 |
| Fork | RockShox Pike 454 Air U-Turn |
| Headset | Chris King |
| Stem | Thomson Elite 25.4mm, 100mm |
| Bars | Easton MonkeyLite carbon |
| Grips | Lizard Skin Lock On |
| Brakes | Avid Juicy 7 185/165 mm |
| Derailleur | Shimano XTR front / SRAM X9 rear |
| Shifter | SRAM X9 |
| Seatpost | Easton EC70 |
| Seat | WTB Silverado |
| Crank | Shimano XT 175mm |
| BB | Shimano intergrated |
| Chain | SRAM PC971 |
| Ring | Shimano 44/34/22 |
| Pedals | Crank Bros Candy |
| Front Hub | Hope Pro 2 32h black |
| Rear Hub | Hope Pro 2 32h black |
| Rims | Mavic XM321 32h |
| Spokes | DT Competition black |
| Tyres | WTB 2.3 front / WTB Raijin 2.1 rear |
| Tubes | Whatever we have lying around the warehouse, Kenda or WTB prestas |
Want more from Santa Cruz? Try these:
Santa Cruz Syndicate Reveal V10 Carbon
Team MIA Santa Cruz – Viva Espana Video
Santa Cruz Jackal – Day Tripping with Logan Peat & Josh Bryceland
