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2012 Santa Cruz Blur TR Carbon R XC vs 2012 Specialized Carve Expert 29

The Santa Cruz Blur TR Carbon R XC and Specialized Carve Expert 29 are both Cross Country bikes. The Santa Cruz Blur TR Carbon R XC's frame is made from Carbon, while the Specialized Carve Expert 29's is Aluminium / Alloy. The Santa Cruz Blur TR Carbon R XC has wheels, while the Specialized Carve Expert 29 has 29" wheels. Both bikes have forks from RockShox. The Santa Cruz Blur TR Carbon R XC retails for $4,141 USD. The Santa Cruz Blur TR Carbon R XC comes in S , M, L, XL, while the Specialized Carve Expert 29 comes in 15.5", 17.5", 19", 21", 23".

  • Description
  • Buy
  • Frameset
  • Frame Material
  • Frame
  • Fork
  • Shock
  • Motor
  • Battery
  • Wheels
  • Hubs
  • Wheels
  • Wheel Size
  • Spokes
  • Tires
  • Drivetrain
  • Chain
  • Crank
  • Bottom Bracket
  • Front Derailleur
  • Rear Derailleur
  • Shifters
  • Cassette
  • Pedals
  • Components
  • Brakeset
  • Brakeset Brand
  • Handlebar
  • Saddle
  • Seatpost
  • Stem
  • Grips
  • Headset
  • Rock Shox Sektor SA r 130 taper, 130mm
  • Fox Float RP 23
  • Shimano M756 hubs (XT)
  • Mavic XM 119 disc rims
  • DT 14 gauge spokes, brass nipples
  • Maxxis Crossmark 2.1 folding
  • 16.9, , 24/32/42 10spd, Shimano HG 74 10spd
  • Shimano M552
  • 13.1,
  • Shimano M780 or M781 (XT) 10 spd
  • Shimano M780 SGS (XT) 10spd
  • Shimano M660 (SLX) 10spd
  • Avid Elixir 5's w/ 160mm rotors, Avid Elixir 5
  • TruVativ Stylo Team 680mm
  • WTB Volt Race
  • Easton EA30, 30.9, , 30.9,
  • TruVativ Stylo Race, 31.8mm
  • Lizard Skin Charger
  • Cane Creek 10
  • Specialized M4SL fully manipulated alloy frame, 29"" geometry , fully butted w/ smooth welding, tapered head/seat tubes, forged post mount 160mm dropouts w/ replaceable derailleur hanger, disc only
  • RockShox Recon Silver TK, Recon Silver TK SA SL 29 , magnesium lower, butted 32mm Cr-Mo stanchions, 1-1/8"" to 1.5"" tapered alloy steerer, Solo Air spring, TurnKey damping w/ lock out and external rebound adj. 80mm travel
  • Formula rear disc hub, cassette, double-sealed loose ball , polished races, machined disc mount and flanges, 19mm contact, QR, 32h
  • Carve Disc 29"", alloy double-wall, sleeve joint, 32h
  • 29"
  • Stainless, 2.0mm (14g)
  • Specialized The Captain Control, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, aramid bead, dual compound, 29x2.0""
  • KMC, KMC X-10, 10-speed, reusable Missing Link
  • Shimano, Shimano Hollowtech, 3pc, 10-speed, Octalink spline
  • Shimano, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 73mm
  • Shimano Deore, Shimano Deore, 10-speed, 34.9mm clamp, bottom-swing, dual-pull
  • Shimano XT, Shimano XT Shadow, 10-speed, SGS cage
  • Shimano Deore, Shimano Deore, 10-speed Rapidfire plus, SL type w/ optical display
  • Shimano Deore, Shimano BR-M505 hydraulic disc brake, post mount, 180mm 6-bolt rotor
  • XC flat bar, double butted alloy, 10º backsweep, 4º upsweep, 31.8mm
  • Specialized Body Geometry Carve SL, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm width
  • Forged 6061 alloy, 2 bolt head, 27.2mm, 12.5mm offset, micro adjust
  • Specialized 3D forged 6061 alloy, 4 bolt clamp, 7º rise, 31.8mm
  • Specialized Body Geometry XCT Men's, dual compound, Kraton rubber, closed end, 130mm
  • Integrated 1-1/8"" upper and 1-1/2"" lower threadless, Campy-style, full cartridge bearings

Why it pays to compare

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines.

They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in all shapes and sizes (and colours) and are all suited for different purposes. Choosing the right new (or used) Mountain Bike is a complicated, confusing and highly emotional (think buying a new car- the shiny red one is the best choice right?).

Comparing mountain bikes helps bring a bit of logic and reason into the decision process. Not only will comparing mountain bikes save you money, but you'll also find the bike most suitable to you, your riding style and your budget. Plus, when you do hit the Buy Now button, you'll have the confidence you're choosing the perfect bike for you.

It's easy to get carried away by the most rad looking frame, with the coolest paint job and the most aggressive new geometry, but the components are one of the most important things to consider.

A wise Mountain biker

What to compare

Components

It's essential to know which components make up a bike. From there you can compare the differences, such as build quality, performance, features, weight and price. This takes some of the guesswork out of buying a mountain bike.

Here are the components that have the biggest impact on your ride. You should be paying particular attention to these:

  • Fork
  • Shock
  • Drivetrain (Derailleur, shifter, cranks, chain etc.)
  • Brakeset
  • Wheels
Price

Ultimately, for most of us, price is the deciding factor and you want to get the most bang for your buck. Comparing the price of mountain bikes, along with which components you're getting, helps you determine what you're actually paying for. Are you spending your hard-earned dollars on a quality bike frame, with quality components and a solid warranty? Or are you simply paying for a brand name?

Reviews

Nothing is more helpful than what real people think about a bike. It's the next best thing to riding one yourself. Reviews give you a real insight into how a bike actually rides, instead of just what the numbers seem to say about it.

Warranties

Different bike companies have different warranties. It's important to compare the length of these warranties, what they'll cover and who's covered.

How to compare

  1. Search for mountain bikes that you'd like to compare.
  2. Tap Compare. You're done. No really, you are.
  3. A huge comparison table comes up, allowing you to compare components and specs for each bike.
  4. Want to delve into a bike a bit more? Click on the bike's name to view in-depth info, reviews, prices, specifications, images and more.