I just came here to say BLUR
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Exactly this. Put a dropper on whatever you end up with, you will not regret it.
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I’ve had the Pivot Mach 4sl since just before they were announced and I’m still absolutely smitten with it. Once my XC season was over (I switched to an enduro focus in June) I made it a little more downcountry and it’s an absolute killer general trail bike. It’s great for KOM hunting. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P95uLomOaY
I’ve been riding a Tallboy the last few years. Apparently i was downcountry before it was cool and didn’t know it. 
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@kryton57 - do you have the RC? I’m trying to decide between a RC 900 Pro and the 910 (non-RC). I’m fairly light (150 lbs) and do XCM events on a hardtail currently. So I’m looking for more cushion and am leaning towards the RC Pro + a dropper post. Thoughts?
Well @jmm, which did you go with? I’m also considering the Spark 910. Are you planning to do XC races?
I ended up with a 2019 XL Orbea Oiz M10 TR. was a coin toss with the Spark 910 but the Oiz was on clearance and the dealer wouldn’t budge off MSRP on the Scott. Both of these bikes have good specs for the price but the Oiz is lighter Only the Canyon Lux has a better price/spec ratio but it just didn’t fit me and is more race bike. My son just bought a 2020 Lux.
I love the Oiz. Added some Mavic carbon wheels that were also on clearance. Also swapped the stem for a 0 degree. Planning to upgrade the cassette to X01 and the rotors to XT and put stock stuff on a backup set of wheels. Have a set of Maxxis Aspens in the garage I’ll use for races. I also ordered a Squidlock remote from Orbea although it looks like I may have to wait a while on that. I’ve signed up for the MTB division of a local gravel grinder and the Austin Rattler. Hoping to get into Leadville.
What I love about this bike is it is perfect for my local N. Texas trails and also light enough to give me a shot at Leadville.
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I do indeed have the RC and could write pretty much the same as JMM wrote about the Oiz. Mine is a 2018 so the Oiz wasn’t available with the geo and spec when I bought my Spark.
I love my Spark. I race XCM - and 12h Nationals - on it and it’s fantastic. Light, very capable and for me the twin lock is the perfect system for a bike like this. On open mode it descends and cushions like a bigger bike; in trail mode it’s also very small bump compliant so you lose none of the comfort but is very snappy on a acceleration and through single track and lockout is well, lockout. The cool thing is you have that all at the click of the lever at your thumb.
I think at the current time a choice between a Spark, Oiz, RM, Anthems and a few others are quickly tricky and may come down to personal preference. The only thing that put me off an Epic for example was the reported “clunk” of the Brain activation - I’m far too paranoid to have odd noises happening so that’d be head issue for me! The one thing I would say is look at the head angles - 68 degrees or less gives you more confidence downhill in the main - I also have a 65.5 degree hardtail - and this newer slacker geo is a real benefit to confidence and boost to ability
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I had a plan to hang up my Blur for this time of year when I’m not racing in favor of a trail bike. Budget isn’t allowing that, so instead I threw on set of trail tires, and I’m always running a 150 mm dropper. On all but the steepest and tech trails this bike is amazing. I was going to shop for a different race bike this year but I’m going to rail this thing for another season. I’m running a 120 fork. I really recommend this bike and unlike a Scott, Specialized, or Orbea it doesn’t need a remote. 
That said, I do like how Horst link and Modded single pivots ride in general, but for a race bike they nailed the pedal efficiency / plushness ratio pretty well with the Blur.
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Thanks again, @kryton57! Seems the Spark RC is a little steeper than 68 and the non-RC a little slacker. I have a 27.5" hardtail with a 69.5 HTA so either way I’m looking forward to a bike that’s a little more forgiving in geo and suspension. Might stick to RC due to weight factor and slap on a dropper. Lots of choices, perhaps too many.
What sort of hardtail do you have that has a 65.5 HTA? The BMX kid in me wants a Nukeproof Scout Race for it’s simplicity and fun factor, looks like a fun ride!
The nukeproof is great. But I got a discount Clockwork Evo from sunset mtb in Cardiff. looks even better in real life.
I wanted a simple bike to teach me some technical skills / bravery to translate onto my race bike and it does - it’s very awesome.
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Slight derail here: How did you run the dropper cable on the Blur? I’ve got one as well and was going to add a dropper. Did you do internal? If so, does the cable and housing fit through one of the grommets where the housing enters the frame?
Internal absolutely. It goes through the drive side grommet on the head tube, if I remember correctly I did have to fish it into the seat tube. The grommets are my least favorite part of the frame - I probably have my cables a bit on the short side, but the grommets pop out all the time. SC sent me a whole new set and I’m going to run fresh cables soon, hope it helps.
I am not running a remote shock, so this allowed me to free up the left side for an under the bar dropper lever. I feel as though the Blur doesn’t require a remote.
Check this: https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/files/tech/cable_routing_-_my18_blur_final.pdf
Damn wish I saw your thread before posting a new one. Exactly my situation!
Sorry to bring up an old response…
Spark (120?) or Spark RC?
Spark RC. Although I would add that since the time of posting the new Oiz has arrived and is supposed to be very good.
Any long travel droppers you guys recommend? I’m looking for at least 175-200mm. I remember @Nate_Pearson buying a longer dropper but don’t remember which episode it was or the brand he got. OneUp Components has a 180mm and a 210mm for around $175 online.
Nate got the 9point8 Fall Line R, I think.
Here is my comment about the head offset in the related cast episode.
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I have the same dropper and it’s been great.
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Do you need that much drop on an XC bike?
I’m thinking more drop means more squatting required, which can really tire you out. I’d actually prefer to have less drop than that of a trail bike.