2023 Transition Spur Test Ride and Review | How does the Spur compare to my Trek Top and Epic Evo?🤔

[@matthewnorris203]

I agree with all the reviews on KZbin: it’s fun and peppy and feels like a very light trail bike but pedals and handles like an XC bike on technical section. Awesome awesome bike.

[@jonthesailorman]

Would love to see more Transition reviews from you. Especially the Scout!

[@hobokenarts]

This was the bike I wanted back in 2021 but settled on the ‘22 Top Fuel as these didn’t come back available until 2023 practically. Geo is exactly the same. You’re review confirmed my suspicions with its flex stay and lightness giving it a more xc feel. No regrets. Thanks for the review!

[@jctrails]

No problem. Both are great bikes but if I could only have one bike it would be the Top Fuel.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

I would say you made the right choice. I got a Spur and had a warranty issue right away, Transition wasnt very helpful or professional.

[@Intentsrig]

@@TomCollins-c4hwhat issue did you have?

[@TomCollins-c4h]

@@Intentsrig Rear axle got chipped putting the rear wheel in carefully, broke like glass, it was crazy. Then fork was feeling harsh/ not right so I did a lowers service, and the fork had no oil in it! And on top of that the rotor and rear brake won't align about 2mm or so off. So I have to take it into a shop and have them do some measurements for Transition. Never had so many issues with a bike. Usually just have brake and shifting issues but thats all I ever had in 35 plus years riding bikes.

[@ZRMTB]

Transition bikes 👌🏽💯

[@matthewnorris203]

Yup

[@Jacob99174]

As always - great review!

[@jctrails]

🤙

[@sasquatchmtb]

Nice! I live pretty close to Transition HQ and ride a Spire. They make great bikes!

[@LastAphelion]

I hate being east coast I want to try a Spire so bad cause I hear nothing but great things about the ride quality and LOVE their looks but I'd be uber overbiked everywhere lol I could be that dork riding Spire on single track everywhere but I really don't want to get laughed at. I thought about doing a full 27 Patrol too... Do you know if Patrol pedals as well as Spire or worse, I've heard people say their Spire pedals and climbs even better than the Sentinel which is odd

[@sasquatchmtb]

@@LastAphelion I haven't personally pedaled the Sentinel much but from what I hear they pedal very similar. I would be hesitant to say the Spire pedals better because it is longer and slightly heavier so you'll feel that on some tight corners but it probably is not super noticeable unless you're constantly going back and forth between both bikes and really trying to feel the difference. I can't afford to buy 3-4 different bikes so I ride the Spire everywhere but I do mainly ride steep and preferrably longer descents as opposed to cross country rides. If you were fine being overbiked sometimes the Spire is pretty awesome because it is also right at home if you spend a few days at any bike park. It really does pedal well though and is a pretty good answer for the "one bike quiver" in my situation.

[@LastAphelion]

Thanks 👍 If I win the lottery I'm going WAO Arrival, Transition was my first want and more affordable, but I keep hearing Arrival owners gush about their Arrival 170 even with a RS coil feeling as pedalable and poppy if not more than their Sentinel/Ripmo. Plus it lets you swap to mid and short travel. You gotta try one if you ever get the chance!

[@sasquatchmtb]

@@LastAphelion Yeah I ride the NX Alloy Spire and it was only $3,800. Might be cheaper now even. I don't know much about the Arrival but it looks like a sick bike!! I've never ridden a coil shock but I'd like to try one on my Spire.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

These are the 3 bikes Im considering now. Leaning towards the Epic EVO.

[@ClarityGrowth]

Great review, thanks. I’m about to do a custom build with XTR for 2023 BCBR. Stoked to see how it does.

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

Fantastic ride review 💪🏾💯

[@rob1208lv]

What did you think of my custom built spur? I think I should have went with wider wheels. Bonus points if you can guess what the beer is of yellow beer cap on the stem 😅

[@michaeldevries2482]

Good content like always!!

[@jctrails]

Thanks Mike!

[@jzdyrko]

I Had a Spur X01 I built up stout with a 36/Float X and it was amazing. My biggest mistake was selling it to build a Deviate Claymore. Deviate is an amazing bike too but the Spur might have been the most fun bike i've ridden for everyday trails for 60-70% of what I ride in NorCal. I wish I never sold it and will probably get another one

[@jctrails]

The one that got away😢

[@jzdyrko]

@@jctrails about to order another....

[@LastAphelion]

What the heck! I thought they said you can't fit a reservoir in their, that's a wild build lol I've been looking at Deviate and Forbidden Druid too ever since I heard of them, those red and green Deviate frames look so royal with some gold accents they're gorgeous. Do you think the Druid would be a funner everywhere ride than the Deviate (do you have a Highlander or Claymore)?

[@jzdyrko]

@@LastAphelion I have a Claymore, Druid V2 looks like an great all around bike

[@flow2tech]

​@@jctrails You got to try that Allied BC40 JC....!!!

[@user-xq5rp9fm1p]

Please advise! 6'1 and currently have an XL epic evo. Totally love it for its super lightweight climbing and decent descending capabilities. But thinking about sizing down to a large. How would you compare the Spur to the EE? Didn't really get your take between the two bikes? Would the Spur's additional weight be noticeable? Is the geo significantly more "progressive"? Much appreciated! You always seem to test the same bikes on my radar! 😉

[@TomCollins-c4h]

I had a small window to get the Top Fuel, gone! So I ended up getting a Spur.

[@BoxCarBoy12]

Do you ride your top fuel in the low or high geo setting? If low, do you think switching to the high setting would make it feel significantly more XC?

[@discostu333]

Stupidly fun bike. Easily the best bike I've ever owned. The only time I would take a longer travel, heavier bike out would be for serous big mountain descents and park / jump stuff. Everything else gets ridden on my Spur.

[@troyshellhamer9964]

I ordered a new Tallboy on March 1 because I thought Santa Cruz had them in stock. My bike shop has been going back and forth with them for months now and I don’t think Santa Cruz will be able to complete my order. I initially wanted a Top Fuel 9.7 but went with the Tallboy for the added travel. I’ll have to check out this one too… I’m really bummed Santa Cruz dropped the ball on my order! I ride/live in North Conway,NH and want something comfortable that I can still do marathon races on…

[@mahmer09]

I’m in your boat. Have a 2018 TB and was going to get a new frame. Was locked in on a new TB but there are more awesome bikes in this category now. Heavily eyeing this Spur. People seem to love them.

[@thelmaviaduct]

Do you think they'll go fully internal cables for 2024? Seems stupid having the brake cable external, it requires no maintenance once fitted.

[@Micarmn]

Nice video! Ya you should get on a large bro.

[@ehvoslef]

Curious how you feel the Spur compares to the standard Stumpy?

[@jctrails]

It’s pedals better and feels a lot lighter. The Stumpy though would feel better on the rougher descents.

[@Crazzzybob]

Great vid! How would you compare the Spur to the Signal Peak? Especially the suspension and pedal efficiency.

[@jctrails]

Good question. The Spur with it’s flex stays pedals better. It sits up in its travel and just goes. The signal peak is not a bad pedaling bike it’s just more active which is good if you ride somewhere rocky. The signal has more traction with it’s traditional horst link design. What I like about the peak is that it has a remote lock out on the rear shock, so if your on a smooth part of trail just twist the grip and your gone!

[@Crazzzybob]

Sweet! I appreciate the info and that’s about what I was hoping to hear! I’m switching my Spur out for a Signal Peak frame this week now that I’m in Austin and the trails are way tighter and rockier. The XL Spur was just super long for the tight trails here, even though it’s been a fantastic bike.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

@@Crazzzybob I wish the Spur didnt have such a long wheelbase its perfect to me otherwise.

[@adamleininger1387]

How would you order the Spur, Ripley, and Top Fuel for primarily slower, make-your-own-speed types of trails? I'm about the same size as you, 5'10", but mostly legs with a 33" inseam and a 6'0" arm span. The Trek being available in a M/L size is a huge selling point!

[@jctrails]

I would rate the Top Fuel 1st due to it’s sizing and how well it pedals. The Ripley is still one of my favorite bikes but it’s a full fledged trail bike. You can build it up pretty lightweight but your going to be throwing a lot of money at it to make feel like the other two. The Spur does feel lighter and pedals a touch better but it has less traction than the others mentioned above. . You being 5’10” I would say the top fuel is the way to go. If Transition made a M/L I would be all over it.

[@adamleininger1387]

@@jctrails Thank you!

[@LastAphelion]

Do you know of any bikes in the same category that I could find in 27.5 wheel size medium? Trek only offers smalls with 27 and it's impossible finding mullets/full 27 in shorter travel bikes

[@adamleininger1387]

@@LastAphelion 5010, Mojo HD4, the new SB135 are the first that come to mind.

[@brianhanish6307]

@@jctrails I'm 5'11 and own a large spur and it's perfect. I'm blown away the fact that you would even consider a medium in this bike. That reach would be way to short

[@SplatteredWRX]

I miss your videos!

[@jctrails]

Miss making them😢

[@seanwittmer]

Too bad you didn’t ride the Large. 5’10” and the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Fun. Fast. Relaxed.

[@sbbeowulf8296]

If i could have 2 Bikes it would be this bike and a Santa Cruz Megatower Just 1 climb able Dh bike and a good all rounder that is easy to climb

[@marksandoval5361]

The Epic EVO is light but has XC-ish geometry. The Top Fuel is heavy. The Spur is both light and progressive. For me, the Spur would be better if it was slightly more progressive (77* STA, 65* HTA, 1235mm wheelbase-size large) and came with i30 rims.

[@jctrails]

I agree the spur feels super light. If only Transition made a M/L I would be all over it.

[@marksandoval5361]

@@jctrails I would buy the size large, adjust the saddle all the way forward and install a 35mm stem. I'm 5'9" and I have this same problem. A size medium always feels too small and a size large feels too big. I'm currently riding a size large bike with these adjustments. 5'9" to 5'10" average height guys always fall between size medium and size large on every sizing chart.

[@milktop1]

You coming to the big Cinco ride tomorrow?

[@jctrails]

I’m a maybe.

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

Anyone else having PEDAL STRIKE ISSUES? I have owned the Spur for about 3 months and love the bike with one big exception. PEDAL STRIKE! It is the worst bike I have ever owned for this issue. I changed crankarms to 170mm, put on the skinniest flat pedals I could find and even pumped up the air in the rear shock, but still not resolved. Anyone else having this problem?

[@andrewbowman4012]

Skill issue

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

@@andrewbowman4012 jackass

[@melbournechugging2999]

Ha you bought a transvestite 😂