A
Anthony Sloan
Guest
OK, initial review. Keep in mind that I have done all of 2 rides on this bike, so what I say is by
no means a refined opinion.
I need to quit comparing this frame to my old one, which is a 2002 Giant NRS Air. If we picture a
scale that runs from hardtail to full on downhill rig, the NRS would be just over the line from
hardtail. Small bump compliance, and initial travel feel quite harsh on the NRS.
(In reality, it seems that riding the Blur has made me more able to objectively review the
NRS..ah well)
So. Enough about the NRS, that is so 2002.
The Blur rides *quite* nicely. There is just a much more plush feel to the bike. The Blur is not as
efficient as the NRS, but there are two points I would like to make about that.
1) The NRS is about as efficient as it gets.
2) The NRS is pretty much an XC race orineted bike, while the Blur is geared to being a
"Trail Bike".
All of the hype on this bike seems to agree on the fact that the 4.5 inches of rear wheel travel
feel more like 6, and after the riding I have done I would have to agree. It really soaks up the
rough stuff quite well.
Currently I am running an 80mm travel fork, which works suprisingly well, I cannot wait for the
100mm fork to show up. (perhaps today!) I was a bit leery of dropping the front end off of ledges
that were over a foot and a half.
The bike feels quite solid. The rear end doesn't seem to wag at all. and it generally seems to enjoy
being plonked off of about anything.
I really don't have a good feel for climbing yet. I gotta get the NRS out of my head. It doesn't
seem inefficient, or bobby (or cindy, or greg, or marsha) but the increased plushness will take
getting used to.
Overall, I am quite happy with the bike, but look for a more informed review soon.
A
pic o' the day to ye: http://www.anthonysloan.com/monumentsnow2.jpg
no means a refined opinion.
I need to quit comparing this frame to my old one, which is a 2002 Giant NRS Air. If we picture a
scale that runs from hardtail to full on downhill rig, the NRS would be just over the line from
hardtail. Small bump compliance, and initial travel feel quite harsh on the NRS.
(In reality, it seems that riding the Blur has made me more able to objectively review the
NRS..ah well)
So. Enough about the NRS, that is so 2002.
The Blur rides *quite* nicely. There is just a much more plush feel to the bike. The Blur is not as
efficient as the NRS, but there are two points I would like to make about that.
1) The NRS is about as efficient as it gets.
2) The NRS is pretty much an XC race orineted bike, while the Blur is geared to being a
"Trail Bike".
All of the hype on this bike seems to agree on the fact that the 4.5 inches of rear wheel travel
feel more like 6, and after the riding I have done I would have to agree. It really soaks up the
rough stuff quite well.
Currently I am running an 80mm travel fork, which works suprisingly well, I cannot wait for the
100mm fork to show up. (perhaps today!) I was a bit leery of dropping the front end off of ledges
that were over a foot and a half.
The bike feels quite solid. The rear end doesn't seem to wag at all. and it generally seems to enjoy
being plonked off of about anything.
I really don't have a good feel for climbing yet. I gotta get the NRS out of my head. It doesn't
seem inefficient, or bobby (or cindy, or greg, or marsha) but the increased plushness will take
getting used to.
Overall, I am quite happy with the bike, but look for a more informed review soon.
A
pic o' the day to ye: http://www.anthonysloan.com/monumentsnow2.jpg