Help please - SB100 v Blur (with 120 fork)

[stringalongamax21]

I am looking for a new light, nimble short travel 29er for pinn'in local trail (plus racing XC\100km Marathons too).

I currently ride a SB4.5 2017, which is great when riding open trail with long sweeping turns, but I find really slow\sluggish in the tight singletrack that is common in my area.

I want my next bike to be lighter and more nimble than the 45, especially in the tight singletrail.

My LBS sell custom built Yeti and Santa Cruz, but they only build to order, so no chance of getting a demo of either bike.

The lead mechanic (and a trusted adviser of many years) has suggested the SB100 over the Blur, for the pedalling efficiency of the SI design, however the SC Blur frame appears to much lighter than the SB100, and thats gotta be a major advantage -- right?.

Im 5'10 with 32 inch inseam, and ape factor arms, so looking at a Large Frame.

Numbers side by side:
Headangle -Blur 68.5 / SB100 67.8
Reach - Blur 455mm / SB100 452mm
Wheelbase - Blur 1164mm / SB100 1177mm
Chain Stay - Blur 432mm / SB100 437mm
Frame weight - Blur 2.05kg (no shock) / SB100 2.5kg

When I study the numbers, the Blur's lighter frame, and shorter wheel base makes me think it will be most nimble and responsive, but Ive never ridden the VPP before.

Any tips appreciated.
Cheers String

[waltaz]

I did a similar search, and ended up narrowing it down to the SB100 and Blur TR (120mm). I went with the SB100 for a few different reasons, including it felt a bit burlier, cockpit felt better, and I vastly prefer the 3-position levers on the F/R suspension on the Yeti vs. the dual remote lockouts on the Blur. I’ve got a more detailed post on it somewhere.

I am also 5’10” with a 32-inch inseam, and the Large fits me perfectly. The bike feels playful and flickable underneath me, is very snappy and sharp-handling. Pedaling efficiency is fantastic, and I’ve had it on week-long trips to SoCal and Colorado, with alot of steep, sustained climbing, and the SB100 ate it up.

Regarding the weight, on an apples-to-apples basis, the Blur might be ~1/2 lb. less than the SB100, but in real-world builds, they are seeming pretty similar.

All that said, my wife has a Blur 100mm, and loves it, but she is much lighter than I am. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, but my vote is for the SB100.


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[kosmo]

I want my next bike to be lighter and more nimble than the 45, especially in the tight singletrail.

In general, this desire will favor the bike with the steeper HTA.

[Jayem]

In general, this desire will favor the bike with the steeper HTA.

And the shorter wheelbase/chainstay.

[TwoTone]

Have to ask why the Pivot Mach 4 SL isn't on the list?

[AF2NR]

The stock Blur TR doesn't come with a 120 fork, it is 110. I enjoyed riding my Blur, which is for sale btw, but I wanted something that was more playful and ended up going to a 27.5 bike. I also demoed both bikes and for what I thought I wanted to do, maybe some XC/marathon type racing the Blur seemed better for me. However in hind sight the SB may have been the better option as I learned that I like riding for fun more than training. My Blur TR has the 120 airshaft in it, and it's a Large, and it weighs 24.08 without pedals. I don't think you can go wrong with either bike honestly, good luck!

[waltaz]

I also demoed both bikes and for what I thought I wanted to do, maybe some XC/marathon type racing the Blur seemed better for me. However in hind sight the SB may have been the better option as I learned that I like riding for fun more than training.

This is the other reason I went with the SB100 - I think the Blur, even in TR configuration, is more of an XC racer, and I wanted something a bit more fun and capable for day-to-day trail riding, in addition to 12/24-hour, marathon and stage racing (no pure XC racing for me). I think that the SB100 fulfills that perfectly.

[gus6464]

New tallboy is coming very soon. Most likely crankworx reveal so wait a couple of days.

[TwoTone]

New tallboy is coming very soon. Most likely crankworx reveal so wait a couple of days.

Why- it's heading away from it's XC heritage based on all the rumors.

[stringalongamax21]

Yer I saw the rumors too and have been excited to see the new Tallboy.
I have considered giving up XC racing at end of the season and just focus on having fun on the trail. 5010 and Tallboy both look awesome after seeing 'guy kesteven' ride them on youtube. I dont know anyone around here with one though.
Could the new Tallboy be the most fun, poppy short-travel 29er?.
Thanks for your comments buddy!

[waltaz]

Yer I saw the rumors too and have been excited to see the new Tallboy.
I have considered giving up XC racing at end of the season and just focus on having fun on the trail. 5010 and Tallboy both look awesome after seeing 'guy kesteven' ride them on youtube. I dont know anyone around here with one though.
Could the new Tallboy be the most fun, poppy short-travel 29er?.
Thanks for your comments buddy!

I'd call the Tallboy "mid-travel", as short-travel, to me, is 100/110mm rear travel.

You might be pretty surprised at what the SB100 can handle, if you just want to have fun. It's an extremely fun bike!

[stringalongamax21]

Hi Waltaz,
Thanks buddy for sharing your real life experience with the SB100. Sounds like you really like the SB100, your comments have really helped alot.

I also don't like the idea of using a lockout, I prefer a nice clean bar and being able to standup and mash the pedals without having to think locking the suspension.

My SB45 is good for that too (it just turns in the tight-stuff like a school bus).

The bizzare thing is this ... on paper the geo numbers of the SB45 and SB100 look so similar, however from what Im hearing they are completely different bikes from a handling point of view.

SB45 v SB100
Head angle -SB45 67.4 / SB100 67.8
Reach - SB45 444mm / SB100 452mm
Wheelbase - SB45 1180 mm / SB100 1177mm
Chain Stay - SB45 437mm / SB100 437mm
Frame weight - SB45 2.6kg / SB100 2.5kg

Man, I wish I was travelling to US sometime soon - from what I see on youtube, you guys have the ability to demo multiple bikes before you buy. The market is too small in OZ and so bike shops cant afford to run demo fleets at all.

Thanks again buddy

[stringalongamax21]

TwoTONE - That is a very interesting question, and yes I have watched multiple reviews on the new Pivot Mach 4. The honest answer is just that I dont live that close to a Pivot retail store. My trusted LBS stocks Yeti, SC, Niner, Divinci to my knowledge.

[waltaz]

Hi Waltaz,
Thanks buddy for sharing your real life experience with the SB100. Sounds like you really like the SB100, your comments have really helped alot.

I also don't like the idea of using a lockout, I prefer a nice clean bar and being able to standup and mash the pedals without having to think locking the suspension.

My SB45 is good for that too (it just turns in the tight-stuff like a school bus).

The bizzare thing is this ... on paper the geo numbers of the SB45 and SB100 look so similar, however from what Im hearing they are completely different bikes from a handling point of view.

SB45 v SB100
Head angle -SB45 67.4 / SB100 67.8
Reach - SB45 444mm / SB100 452mm
Wheelbase - SB45 1180 mm / SB100 1177mm
Chain Stay - SB45 437mm / SB100 437mm
Frame weight - SB45 2.6kg / SB100 2.5kg

Man, I wish I was travelling to US sometime soon - from what I see on youtube, you guys have the ability to demo multiple bikes before you buy. The market is too small in OZ and so bike shops cant afford to run demo fleets at all.

Thanks again buddy

Happy to share any info!

Also, not sure how impactful it is to you, but I believe the 44mm offset on the fork helps the SB100’s handling. It’s the first 44mm offset bike I’ve ridden, and it’s noticeable to me. Very quick and precise.


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[LoneStar]

FWIW, I think your LBS will still value you as a customer even if you don't buy a bike/frame through them. I picked up a frame from Intense early last year and my shop was happy to help me build it up...along with some wheels (which they likely made more $ from). I'd take a look at the Mach 4SL if I were in your shoes just to avoid any potential buyer's remorse.

[stringalongamax21]

I am also 5’10” with a 32-inch inseam, and the Large fits me perfectly.

Hey Waltaz - THanks again mate. your comments have made the SB100 top of my list, and keen to pull trigger asap.

Ive arranged for a carpark ride with my trusted LBS tomorrow. Just cos we are the same size body, I wondered:
What size stem do you use?.
Many spacers ?
Is your saddle fairly middle of rails?

Cheers fella
String

[Zerort]

I owned the Blur - in XC form. I think I had it under 20 lbs for a size Large - pictures on this site somewhere.

It was a great bike for long days in the saddle. Very comfortable. However, it just felt plain to me. A bit boring. Not poppy at all.

I sold it want went to a OIZ. The Orbea is a pretty fun bike, with great handling. The stock FOX factory suspension however was poor at best. I now have it set up with a 120 mm fork and a McLeod shock and I will probably keep this one for awhile with this setup.

You can also increase the rear travel to 120 mm by adding a longer stroke shock if you have any interest.

[waltaz]

Hey Waltaz - THanks again mate. your comments have made the SB100 top of my list, and keen to pull trigger asap.

Ive arranged for a carpark ride with my trusted LBS tomorrow. Just cos we are the same size body, I wondered:
What size stem do you use?.
Many spacers ?
Is your saddle fairly middle of rails?

Cheers fella
String

Great to hear! To answer your questions:
- Stem: Stock 50mm
- Spacers: 25mm total - two 10mm's and a 5mm
- Saddle: I have it slightly back of center - about 5-10mm

Hope this helps!

[stringalongamax21]

Hey Waltaz.. So I picked up my new SB100 last night. First proper ride will be a race tomorrow. (7hr team of 2 relay format). Thanks again buddy for sharing all your info on the SB100. :-)

[waltaz]

Hey Waltaz.. So I picked up my new SB100 last night. First proper ride will be a race tomorrow. (7hr team of 2 relay format). Thanks again buddy for sharing all your info on the SB100. :-)

That’s awesome...congratulations! Looking forward to hearing how the first rides/race go for you! Good luck and enjoy!


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