Overbiking VS Underbiking - Can The Spur Go Full Enduro?

[@davewallace9048]

Getting ready to build up a new spur.. With a pike ultimate 130 on the front!! Transmission X01 envy bar and stem. Shimano XTR brakes with Oak components brake levers. 30 mm internal carbon hoops with DT Swiss 240 hubs. One up dropper version three at 200 mm. Still trying to decide on the tires!! Ergon saddle!

[@LoamerMTB]

Wow sounds sick! Enjoy.

[@mkrj2576]

Cool video. Thanks. I can get away with flats on rough trails on a long travel bike. But on a shorter travel rig clippies give a lot more control… and likely a better time.

[@LoamerMTB]

Spot on! My feet get knocked around alot more on the Spur. Clipless would be nice.

[@KrisYahner]

That was a fun comparison and a great idea for a video. I've spent some time with a 170 nomad as my only bike but lately I've been spending a lot of time on a 130/120 bike and I am constantly amazed and how capable and how much fun that bike is. I still usually prefer to travel with the big bike though because it is a lot more forgiving when I riding trails that I don't know well. The little bike can get scary when you get off line!

[@LoamerMTB]

Thanks! It was fun to see how the Spur did with a direct benchmark with the Spire. I bet that 130/120 bike rips! I think the Spur would be a lot of fun in Duluth. Seems like all the brands have made pretty ripping short travel machines these days.

[@KYMXRacer]

I’m going to do my own test this weekend. I’ve been running 28 spoke 1500g Roval Carbon wheels with a dissector front and Rekon rear on my Spur. They definitely give the bike a sprightly feel pedaling, but they lack traction and support on the rougher downs. I’m going to swap those with the WeAreOne triads mounted with minions I run on my Stumpjumper EVO. I feel like with a slightly burlier wheel set up, the spur will be faster everywhere except the gnarliest of trails. I also put a 203 rotor on the front of my spur (180 rear) and I no longer have complaints about the SRAM G2 RSC that came on the bike.

[@LoamerMTB]

Nice! I need to put that bigger rotor on for sure! Loving the assagai up front as well. Bike just smashes. It’s crazy how much better it carries speed than the big bikes when things aren’t totally gnarly.

[@retsz1]

I added the crane creek coil and bigger rear brakes on my spur. The Sid shock was annoying, I noticed it getting harsher towards the end of long descents.

[@LoamerMTB]

You’re running a coil on a 120 mm bike!?

[@retsz1]

@ yup, sounds counter intuitive. I’m down in Seattle and riding Tiger I felt the rear shock degrade on longer rides. After the Sid started leaking I thought I might as well try something crazy when I saw the Cane Creek IL come out. It’s compliant on the top end and does well at bottom with the progressive spring.

[@LoamerMTB]

That’s crazy. I didn’t know they made a coil that small! Very cool.

[@Ridebox_MTB]

Cool video! and a great trail, its way more difficult than it looks on camera ( rode there around 2018-2019 ) As far as the bike travel debate - always an interesting one. I think the questions is are you looking at your ride in terms of fun, comfort or performance ? Most people only measure timing... that's important if you race, but otherwise not as much. A shorter travel bike as you mentioned will give a faster feeling even if the times are slower, it will pop better and usually corner better with a shorter wheel base ( from the same brand and same size compared to an enduro bike ) . a longer travel bike will feel more safe and controlled which might be better for some riders. In terms of performance, I'd say with a less skilled rider the Spire will be faster, with a skilled rider the times will be very close and maybe even faster on the spur - and if you get a pro racer on that trail, who can push the bike to the edge, the spire will again be faster. My fastest descents are with my hardtail, just because I want the suffering to end ;) Also riding a Sentinel which is a good in between.

[@LoamerMTB]

Your entire comment is spot on. I was only focusing on speed and capability in these last few Spur videos. I will totally admit I am back to riding my Spire all of the time again. As fun as the Spur is the trails around here are just way more comfortable to ride on the Spire. A Sentinel would probably be a super solid spot to land for a one bike setup for the local. I think if I lived in Colorado or the Midwest I’d be riding the Spur a lot more. It’s super fun but when things get gnarly sure it can handle it but my back hurts 😂

[@sasquatchmtb]

Impressed both by the climbing ability of the Spire and the DH capability of the Spur. Also Chuck is a great place to get a couple laps in!

[@LoamerMTB]

It’s pretty close! The spire wasn’t THAT much slower on the climb. Definitely felt harder to pedal but wasn’t much slower. It is hard to beat the Spire in the steeps tho. Both such great bikes!

[@rlopez9044]

Thank you man, great video, I own a Spur and I am planning to take it to Whistler in September, I don’t do jumps or crazy drops. Question, do the bike bottom up hard ?

[@LoamerMTB]

Oh man that’s awesome. Whistler would be an experience on the Spur for sure but will def be fun and get the job done. I have never bottomed out the fork or the rear shock. I run 30% sag. It’s a super progressive design.

[@Skifishbum91]

I see you around Galby with your e bike. Eyeing the spur or a smuggler to complement a patrol. If purchasing again would you go spur ?

[@LoamerMTB]

Nice! Yeah Galby is super fun on the ebike. Cool to zip around and ride a ton of stuff. Thats a tough one! I’d say if you’re planning on buying just demo both bikes from Transition and go up on Galby and ride a good mix of tech and flow. Quick way to feel the differences. You probably already know but they’ll put the demo payments towards your new bike purchase. See what bike feels better to you. Haven’t ridden the Smuggler so hard to say but maybe a bit more travel than the Spur would be good in the PNW assuming it’s still snappy and poppy like the Spur. If I had more cash to burn I’d consider putting a Fox 34 130 mm fork on my Spur. That being said I’m super happy with the 120 and will continue to run it as is. Just feels a little rough on some gnarly stuff that it’s not really meant to be ridden on anyway.

[@Saelenkmith]

Are there any loamers in the Chuckanuts?

[@LoamerMTB]

I think everything is pretty ridden in at this point.

[@AndrewGehn]

Had a feeling the times would be close but for how much faster the Spur climbs you don’t sacrifice much time on what looks like a really rowdy descent! Fun idea for a video, but here in the Midwest it’s even more obvious that my Fuel EX is the better choice than Spire! Spur just might be my next frame, depending on if the Trek Top Fuel gets a redesign, Transition giving you a sales commission? 😂

[@LoamerMTB]

I will def still take the Spire all day long north of the border or on the steep local stuff but for 95% of the riding it’s just the perfect bike! Yeah right!? Tell em I sent you. Maybe I’ll get a cut 😂 How much travel would you go with if you built up a frame?

[@AndrewGehn]

@@LoamerMTB I’d put the 130 mm air spring in the Pike Ultimate. Living near two of the best bike parks in the Midwest I’m actually in the position to justify owning a Spire, but for 95+% of midwestern trails the 120 mm downcountry rocket is perfect. I’ll let them know if I do!

[@pipeliner360]

​@@AndrewGehn What bike parks are you referring to?

[@richATTK1]

Great video but you should have added in the climb times! Spur wins! Haha Deciding btwn a Smuggler and Spur right now. What a good problem to have.

[@LoamerMTB]

Yes with the climb times the Spur destroyed the Spire! The more I ride the Spur that faster I’m getting on the DH too. This bike rips. I’d prob go smuggler for a one bike quiver but the good news is whatever choice you make will be rad!

[@marklouieadame]

140mm/150mm full sus is a sweetspot, but i love 120mm full sus short travel, agile and so fun

[@LoamerMTB]

There is something special about the 120s!

[@pt.mtb2389]

Wait, I thought you didn't use strava anymore?

[@LoamerMTB]

I still run it depending on the ride. It’s just defaulted to private/no heatmap.

[@pt.mtb2389]

@@LoamerMTB Was wondering, because the last I've seen from you was Madeira

[@huckfin1598]

You climb for an hour!?!?!?!?!?

[@LoamerMTB]

Sometimes 2-4 hours 😂. That’s the price you pay for dropping 2k+ feet in a single lap.

[@Dialed1]

“Pretty majestic little package”😂😂😂. Nice comparison. Yea that Spur can really hold its own. I bet a 130 on the front would be the deal on that bike!! It’d prob turn it into your daily.

[@LoamerMTB]

With how good the Sid is I actually don’t feel the need to go 130. Crazy thing is the Sid is more predicable and handles big compressions better than the 180 Boxxer on my eeb 😂