Brighton Singletrack
In July 08 I got hold of a SC Blur LT2 as a replacement for both a SC Nomad and the SC Blur LT1. For me the main attraction was a new toy and I justified it by the grease ports in the VPP suspension. I have replaced the VPP bearings on both the Nomad and BLT1 and it is a fiddle requiring almost a full strip-down of the bike. I also found that the bearings are easily removed with the press tool but getting the axles out could be a pig of a job.
The ride position of the BLT2 is much more upright than the BLT1 and it also feels more sprightly. The suspension feel is very different to the BLT1. When set at the stated pressure the shock feels firm but the action is very soft over both small and medium bumps while big bumps are not noticed. The ride position and suspension make the BLT2 feel like a mini-Nomad. Trundling along the South Downs it is very comfy and has much more acceleration response to a pedal kick then the BLT1 which seemed to need cranking up to speed. In both the twisty singletrack of Stanmer Woods and the Surrey Hills runs the BLT2 is great fun and trail jumps are easy, very Nomad like. The BLT2 is similar to the Nomad in that I can point it and hang on but it doesn’t have the Nomad weight penalty. I have done 40 mile rides on it and it is very comfortable.
So far the only potential downside is the location of the lower grease port. I always fit my bikes with a bash guard in place of the large chain ring and the lower grease port is proud of the swing link and actually proud of the bash guard by a couple of mm. I have been across the fallen trees on my local routes and not clunked it onto anything yet but I think it will happen. This wouldn’t be a problem if I used a conventional outer chain ring. I have injected some grease into the ports using the supplied gun and it was straightforward.
The BLT2 is very different to the BLT1, I think it is a completely new bike but SC have used the ‘blur’ name. It rides like a mini Nomad and it will handle everything I will do; however it does not have same indestructible feel. So far I’m very pleased with it, it’s nice to have a new toy and the ‘Lime Green’ is a belting colour.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Your review was better than most of the employed cycling journalists. The Blur LT2 allowed me to consolidate two bikes into one, especially due to the RP23 and Talas 140 RLC combo. So instead of dragging 2 bikes to a race….it’s one and I contend with the additional 4 LBs. It’s not a sprinter like my Scott Spark 20, but my Spark gets too twitchy on high speed switchbacks and is outmatched on a rock garden descent. Not into grabbing air, but in the times I do, the LT2 instills confidence…I have dropped into trails that I and others used to portage. At 27.5 LBS it can trounce much of the competition and the rider is the only limiting factor.
Nice review.
Cheers,
D
By: Don James on November 9, 2008
at 6:21 pm
Hello, what about today, do you still ride your LT2. Are you allways happy? I ride an old Nomad (2007) and i’m interested by the blur lt2, but is it a good things to change? that my question? thanks from Nizza
By: Jeff on October 5, 2010
at 9:11 pm