Help! I can't decide between a Cove Hustler and a Santa Cruz Blur. A guy I ride with had a Blur last year but he suffered with shock wear and bearing troubles. Is this the norm with a 2004 blur? I don't know much about the Hustler though, so any info would be great.

Thanks

Just had my Hustler for about a month now. Replaced a Spesh Stumpjumper Comp. First thing about it is the build quality. This is one tough frame. Simple design and damn strong. Quality, large sealed cartridge bearings througout. Simple cable routing-compared to a nightmare on the Stumpy. Basically, no fuss. Run mine with an '05 Talas fork (90-130 mm, Thomson X4 stem and seat post, Hopes, XM819 laced to King hubs, Raceface carbon riser bar, Deus chainset, XTR mechs and shifters. Nice. If I can work out how to post pictures on here I'll have a go when I get back. Feel this bike rides a treat on the technical stuff, and is stout enough to be forgiving and get you out of trouble when you put a foot, or a wheel wrong. Fox RP3 is pretty good, although enjoyed having full lockout on the Fox Triad on the spesh. Main gripe is perhaps the bike is a little slow on climbs, although is still very handy on more technical singletrack ascents. You are well repaid when you fire off downhill though. Basically, this bike just feels solid and pretty bombproof. You'll like it. Never ridden a Blur but from the look of the bearings on my Hustler, those bad boys won't be going wrong anytime soon.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds V good to me. I'll be fitting 05 Fox Tales as well if I decide to buy one. If you can e-mail me some pics of your bike that would be cool. My e-mail is gregprice@hotmail.co.uk

greg a bit of advice remember everybody sees your email address if you post it on the forum but if people click on your name theres an email member function that keeps your email address private, helps prevent junck and scams, viagra ads on there way by the 1000

I'll e-mail you some pics-don't worry I won't include any viagra ads!