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I've been thinking of swapping the SX Trail for something a bit lighter and probably more suited to my riding these days. I'm still more interested / enjoy the downhills more than the climbs etc but the SX is quite heavy etc.
Two possible frames have come up...a 2007 Blur LT and an Intense 5.5EVP that a friend is selling. I've not hadany experience of these two bikes and was wondering what people's experiences are.
Kit wise, I'd want to swap all my stuff over from the SX (1x10, Fox 36's, Easton wheels etc).
My initial thoughts are the Blur is OK with a longer fork but it has a very short top tube. The Intense has a longer top tube but is designed around a much shorter fork and has steeper angles.
The top tube length of the Blur does seem very short. I'm normally happier on a medium frame but my Chameleon was a large just because the top tube was so short.
Any commenst or experiences would be appreciated.
My blur LT 2 is a large and I wouldn't want to go any shorter TT wise, having had a medium heckler before at 5,11 a Large is 100% the right size in Santa Cruz for me.
As for the bike, it's the nuts, mines prolly around 32 lbs with bombproof gear on it.
I ran my LT with a 70mm stem. It was spot on for me but I'm only 5'8"
If you are much taller or like to be a bit more stretched then it might be a bit short.
Richmtb...it's your frame that's in question!
I'm just under six foot, so am thinking it may be too short. I run a 50mm stem too. I've always preferred a slightly smaller frame but the medium Chameleon I tried before buying mine felt way too short to do any distance on.
I'm equally worried that the Intense will be ruined with a burlier fork on it.
I've had a blur classic and 5.5evp, so not exactly the comparison you're looking for, but I may be able to help.
I'd say a medium SC lt will be too small if you're 6' I had a large one, but saying that my intense was a medium.
The 5.5 is crazy steep, but with 140 it feels amazing. With an adjustable fork 120 was ideal for climbing, 140 felt a little wayward. I'd personally go no longer than 140 on one. The bb is low and the angles are steep, but it's the fastest trail bike I've owned.
Both bikes have a scary shock bush and bearing appetite, so be aware of that and get the tools.
Get the right fit and they will both be great bikes.
Richmtb...it's your frame that's in question!
Thought it might be.
I all honesty it might be a bit short if you are 5'11"
Having said that its only half an inch shorter than Intense.
I'll measure the top tube for you tonight and let you know
Large 07 Blur Lt here traded across from 2 bikes to one a superlight and a bullit ( though stil havent sold the superlight and bullit to pay for the blur yet, doh! ) Lt rides a dream, as fast as my bullit on DH yet climbs well and is as light as the superlight too.
Im 6' 2 and the large fits perfectly with 100mm stem
The 5.5 is crazy steep, but with 140 it feels amazing. With an adjustable fork 120 was ideal for climbing, 140 felt a little wayward. I'd personally go no longer than 140 on one. The bb is low and the angles are steep, but it's the fastest trail bike I've owned.
This. I added a coil Pike at 140 which kept the front down. I sold mine to get a Tracer - big mistake.
Leyton, Bobalong...the steep geometry of the 5.5 does worry me slightly mainly because I'm used to a fairly slack bike made slacker by running a slightly longer fork.
Do you think a set of off set bushes would work or would they ruin it?
I've had a 5.5EVP, and it felt steep with 120mm of travel. I slackened it out to 160mm with a pair of Fox 36 Floats, and it was just a little too slack.
IMO 150mm is the sweet spot for that frame - and it's an absolute ripper with that much travel. I was running a CCDB coil on the back and Float 36RC2s on the front and it ate up everything I threw at it. Set up as 1x9, E13 full guide, 65mm stem / 710mm bars. Really regret selling it!
Oooh, and here's a picture of it in its best incarnation (minus the saddle bag)! If anyone sees it out and about let me know eh?
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Thanks Sam....that looks pretty damn good and pretty similar to how mine would be run. The frame I'm thinking about had a DHX 5 on it.
I'm just waiting on some more pics of the one that I've been offered. I'm faffing a bit though because I do really like my SX Trail. It's not great at climbing but it rips the descents.