2024 Transition Spur Review: Still Great?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- Correction: The stock Spur comes with a 120mm Fox 34.
The Transition Spur is a familiar face on the channel, but it’s been almost four years since we last talked about it. Today, Transition has made a couple of updates. While this update isn’t a complete overhaul, the Spur might not really need one at the moment. Even after four years, it’s still at the sharp end. Stick around to see if we still love it after all these years.
Check the full written review on our website - bebikes.com/the-hub/2024-tran...
0:00 Intro
1:12 Climbing
3:39 Descending
6:54 Comparisons
10:08 Who is it for? - กีฬา
Correction** Stock builds come with a 120mm fork.
Despite the stock 120 spec, did the spur your rode / reviewed have a 130mm fork? Any thoughts on fox vs sid for best fork application on the spur?
@@ColoradoGooner I used to own a spur. I ran it with a 130mm Fox 34. Felt it suited the bike much better.
130 Pike makes the Spur complete.
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.
It's such a fun one on the descents.
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!
Thanks. Glad you like the videos.
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.
Best Utah bike in my opinion (with exception of a handful of trails). I love mine! Best reviews in the game, keep it up!!
It's so good for a lot of the trails in Utah. Depends on what you end up riding though. There's certainly a lot of big bike terrain out here too.
The updates on the Spur align it with a bike I’m currently riding. Would be nice to put them head to head. Great review!
Sounds like you've got some back to back riding on your hands.
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.
Those are two of the best in the category.
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.
Yeah. Made that correction as many places as I could. We got some wires crossed with our build. Stock builds come with 120.
Yes thank god for externally routed brake lines 🙏 Please keep doing this.
You and I might be in the vast minority here. But we’re right.
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.
@@bikersedge Amen!
Love my Spur. It's perfect for my local trails. I have been toying with putting on a 130mm Pike once I blow out the SID haha.
Not a bad move.
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
I'm just glad that you never said "down country"
I avoid it at all costs.
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! 💜
Great review. Are those open rocky trails in the vid St George?
All of this was filmed in St George area.
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.
The rockier the better! Sidewalks are no fun.
great review. Where are you riding at the 5:09 mark? That looks like a great trail
It's a little connector between Dino Cliffs area and Church Rocks.
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.
Tires probably make the biggest change to ride quality out of any component.
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 👍
Got some wires crossed on our exact build. Stock builds have 120 front and back.
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.
We have multiple videos of the current Giant Trance X 29.
@@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.
Nice review! What tires would you be running on your spur?
I don't hate the stock ones. I'd maybe throw an insert in the rear though.
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.
Transition's website lists the new 2024 model as coming with a 120mm fork still.
Correct - We got some wires crossed with our build. Thanks for pointing that out.
@@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.
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
I think the Spur is a bit more versatile for the category. It goes from XC to trail, where the Element will always be more trail due to the geo.
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.
Great review. How would you compare it to the smuggler?
Much more XC than a Smuggler. Significantly faster uphill and less capable down.
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.
@@bikersedge Thanks for the reply - yes, maybe I'm asking for too much! A demo would be ideal if I could get one.
@@Deanokit at some point it will be a matter of getting a bike that has a little more travel to work with.
It’s sounds like a great one.. 👍
Sure is
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.
Great option in the category.
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
Yeah I ran mine with a 130mm fork as well. Works a lot better for me.
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!
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).
I mean you can do that externally too....
@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.
Still rocking my OG Deep Sea Green Spur. It's the bike I will never sell. Does everything, looks good. What more do you need?
Thats the one I had. So good.
Awesome review man can I ask what’s it like to wheelie and manual?
Wish I could tell you. I'm a chump and I'm not good at either.
@@bikersedge 😂 👍
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 video as always. How would compare to revel ranger?
The Spur is a much more capable descender. The Ranger probably climbs a bit better but probably not enough to make up the difference in descending.
👍👍 thank you
i got the spur for 3 years. Took it for 130km 5k D+ mega ride and park laps. I sold it for a SC Heckler 👍👍
Nice!
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
How do you like the Top Fuel? I was the opposite of you and got a Spur lol.
@@user-rj9ui3sz8u 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.
@@user-rj9ui3sz8u 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.
Where are all the comparisons of the Spur vs S Works Epic 8? - near identical geo and by all accounts, Epic 8 (and 8 Evo) is a ripper
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 do think transition has gotten a little spendy. But then again most bikes have.
MTX pads should come with the screw and c-clip. Thats is all. Good review
Not sure why this comment is here?
Tell your homies at MTX! I thought you were involved in that company @@bikersedge
Gotcha. We're just an MTX dealer, but we know the owner of the company. We can pass the message along.
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.
That’s one I’d like to try. Haven’t had an opportunity to do it. We don’t carry them at the shop.
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). ;)
Bummer, no SB120 LR review yet. 😂
Still working on it.
Some would say I have the proportions of baby alien. Do you recommend this bike for someone with a build like me?
It's only suited for humans.
I'm really curious how would this would compare to a stump jumper non-evo? Thoughts?
Not too familiar. We don’t carry specialized.
How do you feel this compares to the Allied BC40?
I think this is more trail than the BC40
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?
I’d agree. The geometry and suspension kinematics make the Spur more stable.
@@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.
@user-rj9ui3sz8u just looking at travel and geo does very little for getting a feel for a bike. They are frequently more than the sum of their parts.
@@bikersedge It's so hard because you can't ride every bike that you want to get these days, that's why your channel is so great.
What rise handlebars are you running on this build? 35mm?
Yes. 35mm
Any word if Ibis is going to revamp the Ripley?
Not that I've heard.
Would love to see this compared to the Scor 2030
Unfortunately we don’t carry Scor. Won’t be able to make it happen.
Any thoughts on how it compares to the SB120?
I haven't ridden the 120 and it's been a long time since I've ridden the 115. Wouldn't be able to say unfortuantely.
I have my eye on a spur but not sure about the sizing; can I ask you how tall you are? (Since you’re on an XL)
I’m 6’2”
@@bikersedgethanx!
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.
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.
Personally love them .
I've found trying to find transitions to even demo in CO is difficult.
I have demos available at Seagull's Cycles is Eagle!
@@MrThaSeagullAwesome! Hope I can make it out there this spring.
Pedal Pushers in Golden has one to demo I believe
What’s causing these weight increases in updated bikes?
Bikes are being built tougher with heavier duty components and frames. The way we ride has changed.
Can you compare this to the YT izzo?
Haven’t ridden it. Wouldn’t be able to say.
@bikersedge I’m trying to decide between the Spur and a Ripley AF. I live in St. George and ride here 99% of the time. Help me decide
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.
Thanks for the advice
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
I won’t argue there. There’s also a big difference in weight and climbing ability though. Different strokes for different folks.
But can it be built to be XC race ready? Its geo is closer now to new XC race bikes.
The original model year was more XC than this with a Sid fork and shock. Should work just fine.
new element with flight attendant too hmmm
Can someone explain to me how the 2020 builds were ~25lbs and the 2024 builds are ~27lbs? I can't for the life of my figure out how or why.
I bet most of it comes from the fork. The 2020 came with a 120mm Rockshox Sid. It’s a lot lighter than the Fox 34.
I can run a rear brake cable through my bikes in 2 mins.. Some companies just need to work on better internal routing
But externally routed is even easier. And you don’t have to bleed.
Hmmm wouldn't this kind of bike normally classified as 'down-country' these days? Anyway nice review as always
I refuse to accept "downcountry" as a category.
What's under the blanket?
What blanket....
0:21 that blanket
@@Nate_K111 still not sure what you’re talking about….
Guys I’m pretty sure there is something cool under that blanket that he’s not telling us about
I'm guessing it's the new Baby Shark collaboration bike
Thats weird the site says its a 120mm fork.
Correct. Got some wires crossed with our exact build. The stock fork is 120mm.
@@bikersedge Thanks for the clarification, wonder what happened? Its a different review then if it has a bigger fork than what people would buy stock.
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.
@@bikersedge Ah ok, sorry for my confusion!
@@user-rj9ui3sz8u Very understandable.
Spur vs Revel Ranger?
Ranger
Ranger is snappier on tight trails and a significantly better climber...relatively XC. Spur is by far the better descender...more trail.
The Spur is a much more capable descender. The Ranger probably climbs a bit better but probably not enough to make up the difference in descending.
@@bikersedge I own a Ranger. Curious as to how much diff there may be to make a change someday. Great review as always!
@@mattmiller7650 I’d hope they’d bring the geo up into the trail category a bit more. That would be good to see.
Sb120 vs Spur...
Haven’t been able to ride an SB120 yet.
It’s still the same bike but UDH
Yes but built very differently from the last time I rode it. The build has changed the ride quality quite a bit.
@@bikersedge How is the new one built differently, can you elaborate please?
I was excited until I saw it was 8 grand for the new features... : /
Yeah the build that’s available now is pretty high end and spendy. They’ll have more build kits available soon.
I prefer a "wheels on the ground" kind of riding so this might be a good fit for me. I'll bump the fork up to 150 tho
Yikes. I’d consult transition on that one to make sure the head tube is designed to take those forces.
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.
Smuggler?
@@bubbastank3108 I like the geo of the Smuggler but it not light and it doesn't have the single pivot flex stay suspension.
that's a Stumpjumper
I ride the Stumpjumper here in Switzerland, and that's pretty much that bike :)
Nothing angle headset cant fix 😉
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.
I’d much rather have an externally routed rear brake held on with zip ties.
@@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.
@@a8f235 gotcha. I want the rear brake externally routed. It doesn’t need to go inside the frame at any point.
the original colorway for the spur is hands down the best....these new colors are butt ugly....nice bike though!
I must like butts then because this white one is solid.
@@bikersedge lol...nothing wrong with butts.
I think the term you’re looking for is downcountry unfortunately lmfao
I refuse to accept that as a category.
This will probably be the next bike I get my wife if I can get her past the “It must be Specialized” irrational brand loyalty.
Get her on a test ride and she'll come around!
@@bikersedge I broke the rule when I got my Pivot Trail 429 as my family bike this winter. Interesting comparison actually.
How about a Blur TR?
Also a good one. Quite a bit more XC than this.