The Santa Cruz Blur is a really sweet bike. Very nice. I have lots of riding buddies who ride them... Santa Cruz bikes are very popular around here. I've been on rides with 8 to 10 guys and there are maybe only 1 or 2 who are not riding Santa Cruz bikes.

I'd love a Blur but even their smallest is too big for me. The geometry eliminates the "bob". All your pedaling power goes to propel you. You don't bounce like many other FS bikes. When I "stand up" on a climb on my Superlight , I lock out my shock. On the Blur you don't have to.

One thing to keep in mind (if it matters to you) is that Santa Cruz isn't making all their own frames anymore. I think they're making the Blurs, but many of the other models are being made over seas. Or that's the rumor I've heard around my LBS.