I just bought a 2023 spur on discount and it is a total blast. Climbs great and rips downhill. A couple of times on descents I've had to remind myself this bike only has 120 mm of travel because it just wants to be pushed hard. Looking forward to using it in my first cross country trail race I signed up for this summer.
Awesome review as always. Having demo’d and owned several of the compared bikes in this vid, Conner is right on in his descriptions as usual. This channel is quickly becoming the best around for actual reviewer’s info. Thanks guys!
A tallboy is just in a different category than these single pivot bikes. You could take a tallboy to moab with a 140mm fork and never look back. You take a single pivot flex stay bike to moab and you will be wishing you had better traction both up and down
The Druid v2 is the most capable trail bike I’ve ridden, though climbing is a bit less “fast” but point it downhill … HOLY! Very very impressive for a 130 travel bike
Have always been interested in the Spur, but when I changed bikes, I was not able to locate one to test ride. Went with the Ripley and have been very happy. It seems to do most everything I like to do very well. Sometimes in the Jankey, Rocky downhills I wish for a bit more travel and compliance, overall I have been very happy...Thanks for the update. Great video.
Except this channel uses "Enduro" and "All-Mountain" all the time. Odd that somehow "downcountry" is too lame (yet you both know exactly what each of you were referring to) but Enduro and All-Mountain are totally appropriate gradations. (I mean use downcountry, don't use it, but odd that it's somehow "cool" to be not using it...).
@@lenolenolenoyou's the man! Seen all your comments - you see through the dumbness and BS that is prevalent in the World, today! BE or Biker's Smeg, as I call them, have always talked from the script of Gen Z fantasy world dumbness and never make any sense about anything. However, I guess there's 99% dumbos, nowadays and if you're trying to sell in a market, sell the way the majority will just nod they're empty heads. Sad World, in last 15-20 years - Jesus Christ is coming and as He said - He's the only way (also, the only way a sane person can navigate the contemporary World). Peace brother and I hope you find Jesus and Salvation! 💜
Nice. Thanks. External routing for everything except dropper. What’s to be gained by internal routing the RD if the brake is external? Frame weight? I’d like to know the same for the Trance. You do my favorite reviews.
Agreed. I think the main benefit is aesthetics. The brake is especially annoying to be internal because you’re likely going to have to bleed it if you pull the line at any point. RD isn’t as bad. Some bikes it’s almost easier to shove the housing through the frame than it is to zip tie it to the anchors.
@@bikersedgeEnded up building up a Spur frame, in no small part because of your review. Had a few shakedown rides. It’s really a great bike. Corners unbelievably well, even on our tight, twisty northeast trails. Descends and climbs great. Incredibly capable for such a light, nimble frame. Never thought I’d say 120mm on both ends would be enough for rough trail riding. I thin my days of slogging around on a plus thirty pound trail bike are done. The frame has some sort of magic in it. Perfectly stiff, great geo, light. Suspension is very good, although feels a bit different in a way I can’t quite describe. It almost feels a bit stiff until you get moving and take bigger, faster hits, then it opens up and feels like more than 120, or at least can handle hits like a longer travel bike.
Recently threw some trail wheels and tires on my pivot mach 4sl while my trail rig ( revel rascal) is in the shop for a suspension rebuild. Honestly supprised with how capable a 120mm "XC" bike could be with some propper rubber. Seems like yesterdays trail bike geo is todays xc or "downcounty" bike.
I'd be super interested to see you review the newer Giant Trance X (with the slacker geometry and 160mm front travel), I haven't seen many reviews anywhere of it, and it seems like a great option.
@@bikersedge oh yeah, I saw those! I was meaning the 27.5 Trance X with the geometry almost like the Transition Sentinel, with a 63.8 head tube angle and 160mm fork.
So as a gravel guy who figured out I loathe long travel in a trail bike, would this be a good option stringing together a long day of mostly blue square trails in rooty/rocky New England?
Best argument for internal rear brake like is that you can run brakes moto (for all the LH road driving locations like UK/Aus/NZ/Japan/Nepal/Singapore).
@bikersedge not with the rear swooped from left to right so the cables are neat and symmetrical. Majority of bikes with external have hose mounts running along the LHS of a downtube = inwards loop. Not sure why I'm having to explain this to a bike shop.
of the 4 i could literally compare: uphill climbs, 1) spot ryve 115 - 2) banshee phantom - 3) spur -4) yeti sb115 downhill bombs, 1) phantom - 2) spur - 3) sb115 - 4) ryve for me, the phantom forked at 120 mil is first class/all around. spot ryve is a close second all around, yet not really made for fast 'n chunky descents, although quite capable in it's own right. Spur will take a bit more abuse, not sure if it's the flexing stays or a mere 5mm more travel out back, a combo of both perhaps. i may replace the SB115 with a spur. for having such a cult following, the yeti isnt much to brag about.
Great review as always. Interesting that they spec the same head angle at 66 with both the 120 and 130 fork. I'd guess head angle would be 65.6 with a 130 fork.
@@bikersedgeI just figured they gave you a different review model or something before they finalized the spec. Or they hadn't updated the website properly yet, ha ha.
good stuff. i am currently considering a few bikes at the moment and the spur is one of them also the smuggler and patrol. im considering some norco bikes as well. then cannondale scalpel 4 popped up on my radar and want to test ride it. im in houston so most of the stuff out here is packed dirt single track. the sentienal is another one im considering as well. they have a stumpjumper evo alloy i havent tested yet either. any of these bike ive mention you have ridden and would recommend hard to decide and prices are decent right now
I’m in Houston we just have that hard packed dirt with soft layer on top. No crazy hills or anything small jumps. A 120/120 could handle it. If I were go to Austin I would prefer 140-130 fork .i like to zip down the trails kinda a speed freak
Has anyone ridden a Spur with the original RS SID shock and compared with the Fox DPS? I have a SID shock and Fox 34 130mm. I don't want to give up any climbing efficiency, but I would take a little improvement in shock absorption. Seems like the SID is easily overwhelmed in bigger terrain.
I’ve ridden it with both. I don’t think there’s all that much difference between them either in climbing or descending performance. I don’t think you’re going to get noticeably better bump compliance or worse pedal efficiency from the DPS. If you went to a significantly larger volume shock you might start to notice a bit. But for the most part, frame kinematics dictate the lions share of the suspension feel.
Hi Connor, I've heard about some people adding a 130MM fork to the Spur, even the Transition guys told me it was a great upgrade. any comment or experience about that ? Thank you.
In good part due to your review I bought and built up a Spur frame. Your review is spot on. Thanks. It’s a great all around light weight trail bike. It’s geo and suspension allows it to tackle more than its frame weight would suggest. At a low weight it’s zippy and can climb all day. The way this bike corners is pretty amazing. It’s so much less work to corner fast and hard on this bike. Frame flex feels just right to me. Solid but not harsh or chattery. Where I’m at now on bikes this one is a perfect fit for how I ride. Been on too many frames to count in my thirty years of mountain biking, this is one of the best. Usually takes me several weeks to dial in a new build. This took one ride and only because I think the fork’s psi chart was soft. Thanks again for such a great review. I’m so impressed with the way this frame handles, if my current (old) Trance dies I may add a Smuggler. Oh, and btw, the new 120 SID Ultimate does not hold this bike back. Just realized I already posted most of this on this thread. Oh well. Maybe will get you a few more hits.
I think the Spur set the standard for short travel trail bikes. Clearly still an awesome bike, but so very expensive (even on sale it is CDN $6400 for the GX build). I have the YT Izzo Core 3, a slightly more capable bike and an excellent climber too. And with CF wheels it is also light(ish) at 27.5 lbs without pedals.
I have a Rocky Element in Size Large. I’ve ridden XL’s in everything else. But wanted to size down to get it more playful and have a bigger gap in between this and my Enduro bike (I love under biking, still a funny term) I’ve built the Element up with a 36 and 140 and have it now with a 120 34 stepcast. With 140 and heavy tires it rips, with a 34 and xc tires it’s a rocket ship with the geo I still want. My question. Which one is a better mule for playing around with set ups? Element or Spur. My buddy is on the fence between both these bikes. Thanks in advance. Love your channel
As always great video. Thanks I’m a bit confused now, I have a 2023 Spur and can’t be any ahhoier with my bike, I just looked the Transition web site and there is no models with 130MM fork, I am assuming you upgraded it, correct ? Thanks 👍
I’m still ripping my 2019 Ripley after riding a couple other bikes for parts of seasons. Threw an angle set to match the AF geo, and seriously can’t find a fault with it for its intended purpose.
You are the first guy that climbs over rocks and rides through rock gardens, I live in Arizona and we have lots of trails like what you ride, I have asked another guy that rides different bikes in Utah if would ride over rocks like you do, but he said he doesn't like those types of trails.
Amazing bike, I’ve had mine a while now and is perfect for my riding style and where I ride in the UK. It’s so versatile and it’s the perfect all in one do it all bike that I’ve been wanting for many years. I never feel over biked or under biked and it’s so comfortable and enjoyable to do some big epic rides on. I honestly can’t sing its praises enough. Well done Transition. I would say you did mention it’s now a 130mm fork but looking at there site it is still 120mm.
Good vid! Thank you 🙌 I've always been curious about Spur, even considered trading my Ripley v4 frame for Spur frame but ended up staying with Ripley. I do like the look of the updates Sour frame, rounded vs sharp edges.
Both would be great on the more XC trails down there. I think the Ripley AF will be a little bit more forgiving when you’re in the bigger terrain down there.
I love my Spur - 130mm 34 (having outgrown the 120 34SC), a 120mm DPX2 (don't tell Transition) and a light set of wheels for long/ climbing/ XC-ish days and a heavier set for trail-ish days. Other than the awful quality of the paint it's served 100kg me well for almost 3yrs. Absolute ripper on the ups, and way more comfortable on the downs than it should be for such a tiny travel package. Didn't upgrade (having wanted a bit more travel) to the Smuggler because it's so $$$, and have gone elsewhere for the next 140-150/130 bike on order, but if I wasn't on a n=n allowance I'd also keep the Spur! Banger of a bike
What 140-150/130 bike did you end up with? I'm heading into my 4th season on the spur about to put a 130 pike on over the original 120sid. I will die on the no internal rear brake routing hill next to @bikersedge so the smuggler is out.
@@aconsola1 gone with an AM130 (made in the UK, cool tech, got a good deal) - similar kinda laidback/ lowkey vibe (but different direction) to the Spur!
Great review, thanks! I bought a Spur frame-only about 18 months ago and ride it with the stock Sidluxe shock and a Pike 120 up front (not the current model, but the previous fork). I love the bike, but feel like I could get more out of the suspension. Ideally I'd like to put a Cane Creek IL air shock on the back for more pop and more capacity to adjust. For the fork, I'm unsure - my main aim is for it to be super-supple off the top with good control in the middle - I'm definitely on the xc side of trail! I like the idea of the new SID ultimate; stiff, light and supple - the alternative is a Fox 34 Factory - possibly just as supple off the top, with the possibility to go to 130 travel, but heavier. Any thoughts?
It’s tough to get supple off the top when there’s only 120mm. I don’t know if any application appropriate suspension will get you that feel. I personally didn’t mind the Fox stuff or the RS stuff on the previous one I owned.
I've got the previous version of the Spur with the Fox build and I love it. Perfect description of its characteristics in this video. You can definitely get it into situations where it doesn't belong because of how capable it is right up to it's limit. There's no sign it's getting outgunned until it's actually outgunned. And even then, you'll survive it, it'll just be really rough haha. Also, very happy to see that someone else around my weight is getting that much out of the rear travel. I spend a lot of time worrying that I'm abusing the shock but I'm pretty sure at our weight class on a 120mm bike riding aggressively you're never going to get done with a ride and see you didn't use all the travel (unless the bike is just set up wrong, of course).
I set my bikes up to make sure I use full travel frequently. The amount of travel doesn’t change that for me. The travel is there. May as well make sure youre not leaving any on the table. If I’m not bottoming out multiple times every ride it’s not set up right.
Internally routing through one vs 2 tubes makes no difference because you are going to be doing internal routing no matter(or you'll be doing a ghetto ziptie job). The trend of pushing cables through the headset though is another matter. That's just stupid.
@@bikersedge I thought you were saying you wanted externally *_only_* in the rear as in the rear triangle(internal downtube and external rear triangle). Fully external, sure fine. I got fully internal on my bike and I've owned this bike for 2 years and still not touched it. Wouldn't be a big deal to me at least.
Watching your Spur/Ripley comparison video. Even with the bigger 130mm fork on the Ripley it didn't look like it smoothed the trail out more than the Spur. Is that you experience still?
@@bikersedge Cool, thanks for the reply. Good kinematics seem to throw a wrench in all the just about numbers is everything. So much nuance in designs its crazy.
I just picked up a Scor 2030 while on vacation in UT. The Spur was also in my list. Yes, the Scor is heavier but the ride outperformed the weight. Love to hear if you’ve thrown a leg over a Scor and your thoughts on a comparison.
I live in Colorado and not one shop that I could find had one in stock. I was happy to find a demo and it hooked me. Surprisingly damp frame and design. Climbs extremely well. I was looking for something as slack as my hardtail Cotic and the 2 frames are exact in the HT angle and fork travel. Super happy with it (obviously). GX stock build with XTR all mountain pedals in medium is 30lbs 12 ounces. I’ve already lightened it up with some WR1 wheels and a lighter saddle. Still considerably heavier than the Spur. Much lighter than my Evil Wreckoning v3 with Push and Zeb.
@@chadwilson4696 I got the opportunity to ride the 2030, I found it very fun and capable in the downhill singletracks but I found it kinda boring climbing the fireroads or riding flat section. The 64.5 angle is just too much when it s flat and you need to turn around trees. I wish I could ride it with the steep setting (65.5) and see if there is a difference.
@@MrGranjakI rode a 2030 in Hurricane Utah and took one home. I’m already used to slack bikes and it corners better than anything I’ve ever ridden in 30 years (yes, I’m a bit old). ;)
I constantly went back and forth between the Spur or a Trek Top Fuel. Ended up getting a great deal on the Top Fuel so I went that direction, but they seem very comparable. Would love to throw a leg over one once demo season arrives
@@TomCollins-c4h Mine is still in the mail! But I did get to ride a friend's Top Fuel and it seriously impressed me. Very efficient climber but really didn't feel like an XC bike on the descents either. The stack height is a tad lower (hinting at the XC focus of prior Top Fuel's) but besides that it descends just as well as any trail bike I've ridden.
@@TomCollins-c4h Mine is still in the mail actually! But I did get to extensively test a friend's Top Fuel, which sold me on it. It climbs extremely well and descends very comfortably for a 120/120. The stack height leans a bit XC but that's about the only hint on this bike that screams "XC Bike". Everything else is very downcounty/short travel trail, and it's factory compatible with a 130 fork in case you want a bit more travel.
@@TomCollins-c4h Sorry just saw this reply now. I like the Top Fuel a lot. It's an extremely efficient bike, it'll scoot up just about any climb with ease. Descending it feels like a light duty trail bike, even with the SID fork and stock 120/120 setup. It's surprisingly capable on the downs though. It feels very confident and capable in fast flow to moderately chunky tech. I will say it definitely leans into the XC side of downcountry with body position and how the suspension rides (it's not "plush" or "deep" in a traditional trail bike sense, instead it feels supportive and "just enough" on most hits. Not harsh imo). I might throw a 130 fork on it at some point, but otherwise zero complaints.
@@TheIggyTech Thanks for your reply, it's always interesting to hear people's experiences on ride quality. It was on top of my list a few years ago but hard to get. I'm glad you are stoked with your bike sounds like a good one!
I'd love to try a Spur out here in Colorado but haven't ever seen one last long enough in stock to try! Wish those paint colors were a little more bold or interesting too.
This had a 120mm. I didn’t get a press kit for this bike and made the assumption that since Fox doesn’t make a 120mm 34 that this had a 130mm fork. The ride assessment in this video is based on 120. Although even at 130 (how I ran my old one) it wouldn’t be much different.
I would have liked the new Spur to have come with a 140mm Fox 34 and more progressive geo (65* HTA, 77* STA) while still keeping the bike as XC light as possible. Think long travel, progressive geo, lightweight, XC bike.