It’s not just the total end stroke control of the long-stroke Fox shock and new VPP action that give it this total trail insolence, either. There’s stuff on our craggy test loop that we normally only fly on a fearless day on a full-blown freeride bike, but the Blur LT just rolled in, picked its nose up, sucked up the landing and snaked through the chicane and off down the steps with complete and utter contempt. Despite having ‘only’ 140mm of rear-wheel travel and a sub-30lb weight, this bike will launch absolutely anything this side of suicide and land it like the proverbial cat with Blu Tack paws. Where the Blur LT continues to blow us away, though, is on the bigger stuff. It also feels fine in the granny ring – a previous no-go area for VPP bikes. While it still gobbles up rocks, roots and other square-edged momentum-sappers without pausing, there’s no hint of excess wallow or over-travel in the centre of the stroke. There’s a more fluid and consistent rear wheel connection to the trail.
It still kicks hard under power for real launch out of corners or crux climbing moves, and it’s no wet blanket, but it’s definitely softer over the small stuff. Significant changes to the VPP suspension (reducing its more radical leverage and chain growth character) produce a more neutral, rounded ride. The fact the bike weighs under 30lb keeps it feeling agile and reactive even on the last climb or singletrack of a long day. Yaw or softness in trail feedback or control delivery – just outstanding instantaneous ‘real time’ reactions. Every move is clinically accurate, with no slur, The new tubeset, linkage and bearing changes make up one of the stiffest front/ rear connections of any suspension bike we’ve tested, making anything we’ve ridden since feel decidedly sloppy. There’s just enough stability and auto-correct to keep you off the brakes and gunning it on long, loose descents, but the Blur LT will still dive round the back of trees and bury itself into successive switchbacks without you having to swing wide like a bus driver. In terms of geometry, Santa Cruz was one of the first companies to hit on what have become the classic angles and lengths for 5-6in travel bikes. We could start with an explanation of numbers and new suspension kinematics, but “absolutely flawless for aggressive, maximum grin riding” is the key ride statement we need to make. It feels tough, it rides tough and - however mid-life crisis this sounds - it makes me ride tough, too.
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