Home > Feature Stories

Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform

20 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

One of the most recognizable names in the Santa Cruz Lexicon, the Blur is back. Again. The Blur XC 3 as it would be is an all new, 100mm full suspension XC race bike that continues with VPP suspension and 29″ wheels. Along with the new Highball, the Santa Cruz Blur answers the need for pared down, light weight speed.

Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform

Starting with a full carbon frame, the Blur like other SC models is available in a ‘C’ or higher end ‘CC’ frame which ends up lighter and stiffer thanks to the use of higher modulus carbon fiber. Running a 69º head tube angle, the frame includes internal cable routing with the option for dual remote lockouts as well as internal dropper post compatibility, though the frame is 1x specific.

Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform

Fans of simplicity will appreciate the threaded bottom bracket, while Boost spacing, two bottle cage mounts, and a bolt on down tube protector round out the bill. Frames are said to have a 2060g frame weight with complete bikes checking in at 21.9lbs. / 9.9kg for the XX1 Reserve build.

Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform

Four sizes will be offered from Small to Extra Large.

Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform Santa Cruz Blur is back with 100mm 29er XC platform

Pricing for complete bikes starts at $3,699 for the Blur 3 C with an R kit, and goes up to $8,999 for the Blur 3 CC with an XX1 Reserve Build. The CC frame only runs $2,999.

santacruzbicycles.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

20 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Andy
Andy
6 years ago

Nice and excited to see that both main VPP brands SC and Intense (Sniper) launch XC bikes around same time. Just going by the numbers I feel Intense has pushed the concept a bit further though. Anyways, I really would love to see a shootout.

arp
arp
6 years ago

I know it’s not what the cool kids are doing, but I applaud Santa Cruz for (re)releasing this bike (plus revamping the Highball). There are raceable bikes out there, but if you wanted to get something from brands like Santa Cruz, ibis, etc, your options were limited. Thank you!

jim
jim
6 years ago

gimme a 67 HA version of this

Derron Tanner
Derron Tanner
6 years ago
Reply to  jim

Cane Creek Angleset?

Elvis
Elvis
6 years ago
Reply to  Derron Tanner

Or change the fork and put One with 51mm offset

Joe J
Joe J
6 years ago
Reply to  Derron Tanner

Not compatible with an integrated headset.

Niles
Niles
6 years ago
Reply to  jim

Tallboy 3?

Jake
6 years ago
Reply to  jim

Tallboy 3? Intense Sniper?

bikebudha01
6 years ago

Sorry Santa Cruz, I live and ride real mountains. No triple (or at least a double) and it’s a hard pass…

Jake
6 years ago
Reply to  bikebudha01

I too live and ride in real mountains and do not share your opinion. Good thing there are bikes for each of us, eh?

Ted Sanchez
Ted Sanchez
6 years ago
Reply to  bikebudha01

Eagle has an easier gear than a double with an 11-36. Maybe you need an E-bike?

Greg
Greg
6 years ago
Reply to  Ted Sanchez

Apples to apples, XTR cassettes go to 40. A 24/40 is lower than an Eagle 32/50 and identical to 30/50, not that you’d want to go that low on Eagle and compromise the top end. Mountains go up and down. Doubles give you both, and less chainline compromise, and smaller steps between gears, which some people such as myself care about.

drunkatwork
drunkatwork
6 years ago
Reply to  bikebudha01

Lmao, I’m sure they’re really losing sleep over your hard pass.

Greg
Greg
6 years ago

Under the downtube bottle mount doesn’t count. Poo on the 1x only bit. Otherwise I dig it.

contrarian
contrarian
6 years ago

No mention of max tire clearance but judging by the picture of the crank it looks like anything more than a 2.3 will be a no-go.

D-con
D-con
6 years ago

I, for one, would like to thank Santa Cruz for going with the majority of riders and skipping the ugly (and structurally compromised) contortions needed to accommodate a front derailleur.

A xtr double has 9% more range than Eagle (545% vs 500%). The weight savings, simplicity and quiet more than make up for that loss in my experience.

Steve
6 years ago

XC bikes need two bottle cages within the triangle.

JBikes
JBikes
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

They do? My hardtail has never seen more than 1 bottle. My FS has never seen a bottle despite being able to take 2.
If the world collectively decided to go to a communistic single XC bike design for all people, I’d probably agree with you. But since I don’t think this will happen or is desired by anyone, a manufacturer is free to equip its XC bike, purchased willingly by people fully aware of the design, with any amount of bottle mounts ranging from 0 to a frame made purely of cages.

Arthur
Arthur
6 years ago

New Epic or New Blur, that is the question

I do like two bottles inside the triangle on the Epic.

Otherwise meh, could go either. Anyone know how suspension compares?

chadquest
chadquest
6 years ago

People complaining about no front derailleur mounts are giving the single speeders reading from the Colorado front range a reason to live.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.