Style: XC
Drivetrain: Single ring
Tyre clearance: 6cm
Wheel size: 29 inch
Head angle: 69-degree
Frame material: Carbon
Sizes: S, M ,L, XL
Intended use: Cross Country
Travel: 100mm VVP Suspension

Last seen in the Santa Cruz line in 2014, The Blur returns for 2018 with an updated design aimed at cross country racing and fast trail riding. The new Blur 3 makes the jump to 29-inch wheel only with 100mm of travel front and rear. It features updated tube shapes and a further revision of the VPP rear suspension, which now has a more linear progression and increased anti squat for better pedalling characteristics, especially with shocks set to the “open” mode.

According to Santa Cruz, the frame was designed to provide great stiffness under high pedalling loads, as well as lateral and torsional stiffness so the bike tracks really well descending. This was done by using a large cross section downtube, along with a one-piece swing arm. Already a stiff design, Santa Cruz enhanced the swingarm by connecting the upper and lower stays with a vertical member on both sides, something other models in the SC line only have on the non-driveside, and tuning the carbon layups to meet specific stiffness and weight targets.

Cables for the drivetrain are run internally, with brakes remaining externally routed. Both The C and CC carbon levels of frame are dropper post compatible and certain builds will see shocks and forks equipped with remote lockouts, with cables also run internally. And yes, there is room for a bottle cage in the main triangle.

With the move to bigger tyres even for cross country use, the new frame ekes out every bit of clearance by using a redesigned lower link and different bearings than other Santa Cruz models to keep chainstays tight, allowing clearance for up to 6cm tyres and accepting an XC friendly 38t chainring.

The new Blur 3 will be available in base model C and higher end (and lighter) CC levels. No alloy model has been announced as of now.

The C version of the bike will be available in three build options: Blur 3 C R, Blur 3 C S, and Blur 3 C XE.

THE CC frame is available as a frame only option with a Fox Factory DPS shock and three builds: Blur 3 CC X01, Blur 3 CC X01 Reserve, and Blur 3 CC XX1 Reserve. Reserve builds get Santa Cruz’s house built Reserve 25 carbon rims with DT Swiss 350 or 240 hubs.

This article originally appeared on Bicycling.com.

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