2022 Santa Cruz Blur TR Review: The Cruz Missile | 2021 Fall Field Test 

I unabashedly LOVE Henry Quinney. Discovered him at GMBN, and was stoked to see when he moved across to Pinkbike, the man is an absolute legend.

Levy and Henry bringing two very different sets of requirements/needs for this category really draw out all the small details that help identify the right buyer for this bike.

This is the bike Keegan Swenson uses for long XC races and he wins those races usually, so I'd say you're spot on about it being a good bike for marathon events.

I have 883km on my 2022 Santa Cruz Blur TR S and the review is pretty accurate from my perspective. I'm all about the climb and yet I find the two piston brakes a bit lacking, though they are improved when overbled. The 2.4 tires are great volume wise and roll well but they have you on the edge when pushing things downhill. It's capable of KOMs downhill for sure but it's a scary ride when the front tire is drifting along with the rear. The long dropper puts a grin on this xc racer's face, as does the efficient rear suspension. I was surprised how much I liked the 760mm bars on this bike and yet I still reluctantly cut it down a bit because of the tight trees where I ride. The S version size large that I bought is heavier than my old xc racer by a significant margin (26.6lbs vs 23.9lbs) and yet it still felt very light and nimble - certainly more sure footed than the old bike. This bike is for someone who wants race speeds but prefers more comfort and doesn't want their enduro or trail riding friends to get away on the descents. It would shine as a marathon racer.

Still using the same Blur 1 classic since 2007 - I still consistently pull ahead on climbs and crap my pants harder on steep steep technical descents than anyone I casually ride with. Santa Cruz found the magic sauce when they made the blur 20 years ago. Currently rebuilding. This made me want to a new Blur. Awesome review.

Thanks for the honest review, appreciate the difference of opinions from the reviewers as it brought to light the real pros and cons. Most of the cons mentioned are actually all things I view as pros (I ride around Toronto). Dropped a deposit on one today!

Good job gentle men. You guys are very blessed to be riding in such a great spot.

Great video Pinkbike!! That seems like a great bike for XC ! Waiting for the E-bikes and Trail bikes Review (Field Test!!)

Excellent guys, nice to hear the opinions from riders......and you were talking about excellent bikes, all of them,...so,.... and not any bike is for any rider, very well explained!!!! THX.

HEY HENRY! Welcome back!

I am the ideal rider for that bike... And I love mine. Huge weight difference between the Blur v3 and the grip is so good.

Great review! You’re making my decision about which downcountry/capablecountry bike i should buy really difficult…

Amazing Bike! Looking forward for the new update!

love love love. Thank you. Cant wait for the canyon review especially after the tid bits we heard here.

Great bike! Great Review!

Oh this bike looks cool! Oh it’s $10,000 nevermind.

This bike seems like the perfect bike if you have a gravity-favoured Trail or AM Bike already. I like the look of this.

Levy and Henry perfect combo

I was wondering where Henry landed after a Bath England company job. Great to see you.

I totally agree with having a funner bike over a faster bike. Iv already bought into the Down county thing with a torrent S2 steel bike. I'm not the fastest but dam I'm having the funnest time on any trail!

Man great video. I debated months Blur vs Tallboy. Exactly my sentiments. Went with a little more confidence inspired since I suck at going down hill.

Ok, the blur lyrics reference is some of the slickest pinkbike work this year. Funny, I don’t see anyone else laughing 👏🥳

love the Matte black!! Beautiful with orange accent 👌

I'd take the Blur TR all day. I have a 2022 Pivot Trail 429 with Carbon wheels and love it. It punches above it's class in terms of DH capability, and is the best pedaling short-travel bike neck & neck with the Ripley. But If I had a chance I'd get the Blur TR as my light rocket bike I'd get it. Something about Santa Cruz' suspension that is just unique.

Another Like for Henry 👍

Had the chance to ride most of this dwcbikes and a few more. In my opinion which is like a very amateur opinion. My favorite was the kona hei hei, the second one was the salsa spearfish, and the 3rd place would be for the top fuel. 🤙🏼

The problem is not the 2 pistons brakes, but Sram level brakes ;)

I would like to see some comparisons of this years and last years group. What are your impressions on the Blur T vs the Epic Evo vs the Top Fuel vs the Spur etc.? I realize that is quite a lot and Henry wasn’t here last year but maybe an episode where the 3 boys talk about the last 2 years options.

use hope brakes for easy reach and bite point control

Would love to know what you think would be the best BC bike race bike out the test.

I seem to like the bike from the mere look of it. Too bad, Santa Cruz is hard to find here at my end! Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #KeepBiking

Would’ve liked to see the Revel Ranger included

I'm interested to see the Scor bike review

Heys everyone-great videos! How about a 2021 vs 2022 XC/DC Field Test? Questions we all would liked answered: Mike-2021 Epic Evo vs SC Blur TR and Henry-2021 Transition Spur vs new 2022 Trek Top Fuel. Which would you prefer if you had to chose? Thanks again for the super-informative content! Best MTB channel on YT!!

climbing is fun!!! there are plenty people that enjoy a good ascend

Love the Britpop references, no matter how obvious!

To the brakes, whatever happened to that sensible movement of running 2/4 piston brakes on such bikes that was happening a couple years ago? To me that is the ideal situation, 4 pot brake on the front, 2 pot on the rear. Man, Henry, that opening, brutally brilliant, nearly fell off my chair laughing - "...Fvck him, he's prob riding an e-bike" LMAO. Levy, man, can't say how much respect I have for you after your definition of a DC bike or what you really enjoy, feel the same way, love a bike that's a bit under gunned for the descents and makes you work for it, but is something you can easily crank out the miles with loads of climbing.

What other full suspension bikes are lightweight like the Blur?

I agree with everything they said. I came off a 150mm Niner Rip 9 and could never gel with the enduro travel. I thought I wanted long travel but I couldn’t get along with it. I picked up the XC (100mm) CC X01 AXS RSV Blur and it’s awesome! The first thing I did was upgrade the front brake to a Code RSC and 180mm rotor. After about 40 miles it was clear it needed the 120mm upgrade. Installed the Fox 34SC factory and a DPS Factory. It is the perfect bike! I was a little hesitant to spend the money because this cost as much as my KTM 350 and I still think the value isn’t great but it’s the first bike I’ve had where I absolutely love everything about it. I can’t really think of a negative except the thought of it getting ripped off scares me. It’s made mountain biking great again.

Blur Blur Blur!!!!

I’m gonna start Racing MTB in my area but I’m racing xc on a Enduro bike I’d love to do downhill when the season begins for it

Thumbs up inside 2 minutes for that Liam Gallagher line 😂

Mike & Mike back together....and now Henry is with them, three of the best all in one room! $9000 for a bike like this?! Um, no.

ahhhh thats where Henry went 😉 pay rise and a lovely country to live in i suppose 🇬🇧

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="478">7:58</a> - this is my argument for 27.5” bikes. I know 29” wheels roll over the same size root easier and I know they are capable of putting down faster lap times because of this, but I don’t care. 27.5” bikes are more fun and you can’t change the physics of a much larger rotating mass.

you got me with the uk cursing

so what I'm hearing is that if you like climbing and are more on the endurance side of XC (60-100 milers) this is the bike?

please do comparisom this one, trek top fuel and epic evo. tnaks. I looking something ligt and fun.

Please try a ghost full party

Why does the longer travel slacker TR version Blur have a shorter reach than the XC version of Blur? That seems a bit odd. In size Large the TR's Reach is about 12.5 mm shorter than the Large XC version. I know it's not huge, and the TT is almost 5 mm longer on the TR, but wouldn't you think the difference should be the other way around with the TR having the longer Reach for a given size?

Would be amazing if you invited some "racers" to join your group and provide feedback on the DC bikes

It has Longer Insertion Depth, Hahahahaha made my day

Epic

Coffee and TV, girls and boys, this is Blur with Damon Albarn, eeem Henry Quinney ;)

I just trail rode this bike and really enjoyed it. It felt really nimble and capable for flowy/fast trails and I was comfortable on "blue" obstacles. I'm not someone who enjoys the big hits or technical 'dangerous' stuff, my preference is speed and holding a clean line. I haven't been able to trail ride a Top Fuel to compare and the Epic Evo is impossible to find as well. Top Fuel's are a lot easier to come by right now, but I'd really like to hear some more feedback on that comparison, as I'd basically be buying a bike without testing it.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="507">8:27</a> What's the face for Levy?? Hahah

I think if you put better brakes and different tires it would be better

Looks like the blur EVOlved into a specialized mtb. Henry looks like the Mikes big brother:)

Great channel but holy nerd session... There was some serious geeking out on the bikes they reviewed...

Guys, how would you rate the specialized epic evo vs this Santa Cruz?

Wish the following v3 was on this test.... BTW isn’t downcountry bikes just a trail bike?

super nice love British people

Any idea when Wicked Wills will be available to us?

Process 111>>>

henry!!! You put me always in a good mode when watching and explaining something! You could sell me anything... #iamnotinlovebutyouareagreatpresenter

Cruz Missile... Humour on Point...

Bring back Levy!!

Appreciate these reviews. They’ve provided great insight to overall geo and purpose of each bike. Would you guys be able to include insight for the bikes with alloy models as well? Specifically, id like to know if the Top Fuel Alloy would be viable to people who can’t afford carbon. Im guessing yes (just get stronger) but it would help justify cost hearing from pros Thanks 🤙🏽

SC all day everyday. I personally own 3 different SC. Blur isn't one of them though.

Whinging about 175mm cranks aside - at least these 3 are nowhere near as dorky as Beta MTB tests.

Tip of the hat on Blur references.

They sure make good looking bikes… although relatively similar throughout the seasons.

Please test the Merida ninety-six rc 8000

Liam Gallagher probably IS an e-biker 🤣🤣🤣

Stringtronics

Anyone notice this looks a lot like the 2014 Bronson C color scheme?

Why not 4 pot in the front 2 pot in the rear?

Hey check out the bergamont revox 8 2022

Music is too LOUD

Bismilah

Trek top fuel 9.8 GX for 7k blows this bike away if you want bang for your buck.

You keep saying it's lite ...what does it weigh ? would need to be under 10Kgs to be competitive with the Sworks Epic for example

If you want to improve the blur, put a shorter stem and a 35 mm rise bar, and it will descend a lot better.

is this for roadis going to try mtb?

Music is to loud. I’m trying to hear till I’m dead

Surely the Tallboy would fit the ‘downcountry’ category a lot better than this longer stroked XC bike

I’m confused. Y didn’t you guys use the tallboy, an actual downcountry

yo, the music used here is bangin! Kaz, Levy and Lil Henry should drop a fire anual mixtape series!

What about fat people? Those flex stays going to survive a 230lb rider?

Santa Mountain ?

What is wrong with that Kashima coating? Is it just me or does it actually look like someone dropped his mustard?

Please fix the sound mixing, just horrible....

Should have spec’ed the 2022 Fox Float X. And the FIT 4 is a serious compromise.

That intro is funny, but surely Henry knows that Liam Gallagher isn't responsible for Blur and Parklife, right? Oh well, Damon Albarn is probably a ___ e-biker too.

listed "for sale" slightly used, less than 10 miles brand new Blur

Henry Quinney should honestly do narration videos and replace Sir David Attenborough

Why is Henry talking so slowly?

Blur song puns and then a Liam Gallagher reference. Is this just to get RU-vid comments!?

Man that intro music is god awful. I just find myself skipping the first 30 seconds of every one of these videos because it's so bad. Other than that, great video lol

So confused why the regular BLUR though shorter on travel, has a more aggressive front center and STA... I get it, longer reach, the more STA you need...