Transition Spire Review: Surprisingly Versatile | 2021 Summer Field Test

[@alecmoore]

Dear Transition, the externally routed brake cable is super convenient and you made it look ok. Please keep it that way.

[@kalesmith1664]

Alec love seeing you in the comments!

[@TheJayhawk4]

Loving the new setup. Also glad to see Pinkbike listening to the comments and upping Henrys mic a bit. Perfect!

[@dash0173]

i think a HUGE factor in buying a carbon bike is the warranty and transition has, hands down the best warranty of any bike company ive seen. I own a patrol and i landed a 8ish foot drop straight to flat and yes it was a huge impact but, in my opinion and apparently transition's too, it should not have broken the way it did. I literally ripped the rocker linkage off of the bearing that connects it to the front triangle. just ripped straight out of the bottom of the linkage. a few hours later when i got home, i logged into my transition account, submitted a warranty claim and had a new rocker linkage sent to me within a few days and by the next week, i was back on my bike. Absolutely amazing service from a dope ass company

[@stevenjam7119]

Doesnt their warranty cover the alloy models the same way, lifetime?

[@gatoryak7332]

hands down the best warranty of any bike company named Transition, literally

[@dash0173]

@@stevenjam7119 yah i think so. my friend actually just bent his new patrol frame and they're sending him a new one this week and it's alloy

[@adamwildenstein4474]

I have also had several good experiences with their customer service and am a customer for life. Meanwhile, everyone I know who has damaged a Trek frame has received no sympathy from them.

[@kumich5]

@@adamwildenstein4474 My Trek frame broke in January this year, I contacted them and they told me to contact their seller in Croatia where I bought the bike and I got a completely new frame in 5 days, no questions asked. My first time ever using Trek warranty and I had a surprisingly pleasant and painless experience. The bike is Trek Marlin 7 2020 model and I got a different color scheme since 2021 models are in different colors. But I got to chose the color

[@donbenincasa7442]

So glad to see Henry on the channel ✌🏼❤️🍺

[@Neil_Mackie]

Transition's design language making their full sus bikes have the continuous top tube seat stay slope of a good looking hardtail (Yeti Arc, Trek Roscoe etc) results in brilliant looking bikes.

[@bananasstuff3344]

its very subjective, i think it looks good but i can think of many bikes that look better that don't have the continuous top tube. especially hardtails, but for me personally slacker bikes look cooler so neither of those two really feature.

[@Neil_Mackie]

@@bananasstuff3344 yeah there are plenty of pretty bikes about that don't have that slope. I'm a fan of the previous versions of the Specialized Demo/Stumpy asymmetric shape and the Santa Cruz Tallboy (especially in the Gulf livery-esque aqua colour for the 2022 bikes).

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@Neil_Mackie the demos do look really nice honestly, same with the tallboy

[@Neil_Mackie]

@@bananasstuff3344 forgot about the Propain Hugene, which is also a lovely looking thing (as are the other Propain bikes)

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@Neil_Mackie I gotta be honest, the propain bikes don't do it as much for me, I'm one for skinny steel tbh.

[@miat9301]

Henry is a gem.

[@Daffy0208]

You spelled c*ck wrong.

[@kaseyburlingham2861]

Blake and Neal are so good on GMBN that I think it was hard for him to find a nitch, but on pink bike he really makes the show better!

[@BlGGAYWILL]

@@Daffy0208 You go from video to video in this series talking shit about Henry in the comments. From your profile picture you look like you're a dad, so how about acting like an adult and grow up.

[@Daffy0208]

@@BlGGAYWILL you mean like your reply? You're right about part of your assumptions ... you're not right about ALL of it. It's banter between friends and ex colleagues, and I'm very positive about Henry ... positive he's an awesome individual and passionate about life and his chosen career. I appreciate you and others are maybe not aware of this ... so understand that it's not what you think.

[@Daffy0208]

@@BlGGAYWILL NOT ME POSTING! I had issues for a second time of someone using my account and posting on various channels. I didn't post any of the comments on here or indeed any subsequent replies. I have already reported this again as this is the third time this has happened. Rest assured I personally have nothing negative to say about anyone online.

[@joejuan5022]

“slacker than a substitute teacher going through a divorce”😂🤣

[@Daffy0208]

Ok ... its a love hate relationship. Henry has his moments. 🤣

[@HiagoSN]

not any divorce, btw, it's exactly "a difficult one" LOL

[@gatoryak7332]

"and we are here to compare them"😂🤣

[@24MPZ]

Probably funniest bike review analogy I think I've ever heard, Henry was such a good hire for PB

[@johnwilkes9142]

I’m stealing that line

[@mylesfairhurst9226]

I genuinely love Henry

[@TrIpMo1981]

Pinkbike you doing awesome with these reviews. Love the content. Matt, Henry, and Levi are such a nice team. Happy Henry found a new home.

[@AntiDEDok]

Hey, Transition! Personaly, I love external brake hoses. Thank you for them in patrol!

[@luisglzc]

I love this, interaction between the hosts is great.

[@pedalandypedal]

So glad these reviews are void of IPA's and an abundance of "Uh's and Like's". Keep it up!

[@Jackofafewtrades]

What's wrong with IPAs and "Uh's" and "Like's?"

[@accordingtopreston]

So much winning with this post

[@MrSupermugen]

Finaly a company taking ETT seriously and well done on the external brake cable and a huuuuge up on the 160/170 rear with a flip chip that actually makes sense for once

[@rolux4853]

What does ETT mean?

[@gpearce11]

This is probably my favourite on test for two reasons. Firstly, it comes in a proper XXL frame size (the YT Capra's XXL is basically everyone else's XL), and my 6'6" frame with long arms is lusting after that 535mm reach. It's great to see that most of these bikes come with at least 510mm Reach in the XL, which is big enough, but it doesn't compare to actually having the right size, instead of "close enough". Secondly, as Mike pointed out, I love that both carbon specs are available in alloy as well, with the frame being the only difference; all too often if you don't want to spend extra for the carbon frame you've got no choice but to get a lower spec as well.

[@24MPZ]

Nice, I'm 6'4" on the XL. 510mm reach works for me but I would imagine it getting a little cramped at 6'6".

[@mattsun9765]

Seems to me like the "con" of this bike (that it's "a little bit unlively" or that "you really have to push it to get up to speed") could be solved by buying the Sentinel. But since Transition already has that bike in their lineup, the Spire is the next step for people like me, who had a Sentinel but wanted just a bit more.

[@mtvkelby1377]

I loved the (I owned the v1) sentinel! never felt it wasn't enough due to the great geo. I love that the spire is more aggressive than the tr11

[@LastAphelion]

Have ya'll tried it with the cascade link?

[@rider2416]

So happy for this! Love my spire

[@jayTmix89]

So happy to see Henry on here!!!

[@bensun432]

So far this is my favorite bike, Transition is on it!

[@adanielweaver]

Confirmed my choice. Now just gotta wait for it to arrive!

[@GallantLee]

Thought I had clicked on an GMBN video! Great to see Henry as tech editor! Nice

[@pvclassic]

I just bought this today, based alot of my decision from your comments. I'll follow-up with my impressions here soon.

[@LastAphelion]

Hey it's 8 months later, I want to hear it before I snag one!

[@pvclassic]

@@LastAphelion this bike is so fast. Just hit Telluride this past week and flowy and fast came to mind. I'm 5'10" and I chose the Large. Love it. I flipped the chip to rake it out even more and that was the trick. Stable on jumps and hugs corners without too much squat. Very happy with the Zeb forks. What a bike.

[@LastAphelion]

@@pvclassic Thanks! I'm 99% convinced now to get my own, just got to wait for new stock...

[@pvclassic]

@@LastAphelion I'll make a vid here soon of my impressions on this bike. Ttl

[@austinbubumbi4660]

@juniorQ how’s the climbing?

[@GerardoGarcia-kj9qf]

In love 😍 what a beast! Great review, keep up the good work 🤙🏻

[@natezab5598]

I just got my 2022 Patrol a month ago and it is one sweet bike

[@s14tat]

Best looking bike in the test.

[@levis.9408]

This thing looks looks like THE bike for me, I typically ride gnarly home trails, find sketchy rocks to go down with my friends, and am entering my first enduro race soon. I was considering the Capra but they aren’t the slackest and it’s impossible to get one, also considering the pro pain spindrift but it could take a while to get here and it’s also no so slack.

[@ridemx323]

THE PEOPLE LOVE HENRY

[@andrewferguson9823]

Henry is a awesome addition.

[@thatspsychotic]

That look on Levi's face like "wait really? 203mm rotors are small nowadays??"

[@sarthakkokane5776]

0:44 not as surprising as hearing you say "nimbility".

[@Primoz.r]

205 ETE shock. The 230 mm version is the standard mount.

[@src248]

Having just done a brake swap on my Scout with internal routing, PLEASE keep it external, Transition

[@archismanmohanty6702]

Colour looks cool though

[@lukaberazategui6205]

Love your videos guys! Would love to see a review on the latest Propain tyee!!!

[@johnnnewmex]

Henry is a major upgrade to the commentators at PB

[@klstrucker930419]

So far there is a correlation- the slacker, longer the bike the slower it is on the descend test. Can we please have a POV of that?

[@michaelmann3636]

I have the aluminum Deore version, and I love it.

[@LastAphelion]

Do you ever think it'd feel better 3 pounds lighter in carbon, or do you think that's inconsequential and that I should just get an Alloy GX without a second thought? Because I can either find GX Allot or Carbon in stock atm. But I hear even Deore is better than any sram version so maybe I'll wait

[@24MPZ]

@@LastAphelion simple solution, lose 3-5lbs of rider weight. I have the alloy and the weight is not a problem at all for me. I also agree about Deore over NX. GX isn't too bad about the same as Deore imo. I prefer the Marzocchi Z1 and Fox Float X that come with the deore build over Rockshox on the GX.

[@LastAphelion]

@@24MPZ I actually need to gain weight lol I struggle with building and keeping muscle and eating enough to support that, I've been fighting being too skinny all my life. Thanks though I was really close to pulling the trigger on the only GX kits in stock. I'll sit tight for shimano stock and then I'll have the money left over for a cascade link if I want and I've been reading that most people actually prefer the Float X for being more poppy over the Float X2, as well as a lot of people who while they might like the Zeb and super deluxe I did find a lot of comments on them leaking oil and air

[@michaelmann3636]

@@LastAphelion Anything Shimano is best for me. I was surprised by the Deore version, it works flawlessly. I could care less about the weight of the bike. I am 60 and as long as I am able to pedal to the top of the climb, the extra weight means nothing. And the aluminum version is less fragile that's why I bought it, but their warranty is great anyway you go.

[@LastAphelion]

​@@michaelmann3636 I'm less worried now about the weight. I've been training every day I can on my hardtail these past weeks and I finally feel it making a difference enough that I can care less about weight though still have a ways to go in terms of endurance. I just had to really want it more than the pain to finally make progress. Just waiting and hoping that when 2023 models release I can finally sit on one at a store before I pull the trigger.

[@mrspester]

Henry, it is iteration, not itineration , you've done that in two videos now.

[@jpslayermayor9293]

Perhaps it's that distracted substitute teacher in Henry that's causing this iteratively incorrect use of this particular adjective

[@rolux4853]

He’s from over the pond, words are sometimes weird on that small island

[@thingswelike]

@@rolux4853 Not in this case - definitely not Queen's English

[@andrerichard628]

No one came here for a grammar lesson big guy.

[@Mtbmxing]

Every time I see a long travel transition I think about the burly trails in Bellingham that developed that beast

[@Alyn321]

😭😭😭 just two weeks and mine will be in my hands (in grey though). Absolutely can't wait!!!!

[@pinkbike]

Congrats! You're going to love it!

[@Alyn321]

@@pinkbike cheers guys! Was loading up youtube ever day this week waiting for your review! Now I'm even more excited than I was!

[@gatoryak7332]

You absolutely can wait, you will wait, and nobody but you gives a flip.

[@code_-kl5fu]

Can you guys do one on the new Patrol?? There is no reviews on them.

[@gravitybass]

I used to be the biggest hater of internal routing until I discovered the Park Tool routing tool. Did 2 cable housings and a Di2 wire in 10 minutes on an ebike with the integrated battery still in. That's how good that tool is. Needles to say, that external brake routing has got to go.

[@antrace92]

I'm all for alloy frames but considering how heavy are getting enduro bikes lately well, maybe carbon could help

[@Michal_Guncar_Ganczarczyk]

Yea but carbon frame could have the same weight as alloy

[@antrace92]

@@Michal_Guncar_Ganczarczyk depends. Transition is pretty light

[@Kenevoslcomp777]

Pictures don’t do this bike justice I saw it in person and was blown away how it looks

[@leandroiw2942]

Henry mentioned he was riding specialized Enduro prior to the field test. How does the spire compare to it?

[@scottmtb122]

Yes, I too want to know how this and norco range compare to it? I get this feeling that the enduro is the better bike.

[@pinkbike]

We chat about this in the upcoming round table comparison video!

[@joelrunyan1608]

My XXL spire fits a 240 dropper. So rad. ... im 6ft5..

[@olivertilley4965]

I want to see an edit of all the huck to flats without slow mo just to see jason break his wrist in real time

[@mtbville]

Great review 👍

[@307.William]

I would love to see the Transition Patrol I’m a similar review / test

[@chairmanmeow1875]

You're quickly becoming handlebar Henry 😅

[@307.William]

Would y’all please feature a test of the factory mullet bikes

[@Thebigjaunt]

The new smaller offset forks make all the frames look like they should be called snubbnosed to me. Especially the guerrilla gravity frames.

[@dantindley5181]

The fact that matt complained about the external brake routing tells me he has never had to swap a brake in his life

[@karinepotvin4095]

Would it be a dream bike, if it was a mullet? Like the patrol

[@hixrat]

Henry and the Spire: A Love Story

[@jesseo7093]

Can we get a video of its 27.5 version with 180mm front & rear with fox suspension?? If possible I know that’s asking a lot I really do but I think it needs to be done ✔️

[@jimmy8x541]

I don't think there is a 27.5 version. The Scout is the only bike Transition sells right now with 27.5 wheels front & back

[@24MPZ]

@@jimmy8x541 it's definitely not sold with 27.5 but it can be swapped to 27.5 (with 180mm fork and shock to keep the geo the same).

[@blombardo83]

weird.... at 2:13 you can see the suspension going through 2/3 of it's travel and the rest at is "second stage". it goes through the travel, stops and goes through the rest. Im curious as to why.

[@justinwbohner]

That's because the rider lands the bike on one wheel or the other and kinda rocks back and forth during the landing. When they land nose heavy it makes the front end look less stiff, rear heavy gives that rocking effect.

[@blombardo83]

@@justinwbohner I normally look at stuff like that. I'll have to look again 👍

[@Jwmbike14]

The Norco is over 37lbs? My Levo SL was 37.8lbs! My Kenevo SL is 40lbs.

[@ssjj9584]

Does the Spire pedal better than the Specialized Enduro for long days??

[@jayTmix89]

Yo that opening is fire!!!!!!

[@letsgo_inc]

Get me that GX alloy. I don't care about weight.

[@yarondot]

So what do you think how would be riding in Morzine?

[@fud1376]

I wondered where you'd gone from GMBN Ha!!

[@Lucas-hk6gn]

This has to be a really stupid question but why is the shock have so much travel but looks so short?

[@ronrides345]

it works kinda like a seesaw with the leverage point at the end. the shock is short in stanchion length, but the leverage is more, moving the dropouts more. thats why its 170 rear travel. the dropouts move at a max of 170 degrees. and no thats not a stupid question i also didn't understand at first.

[@Lucas-hk6gn]

@RonnytheRider Thanks so much!

[@ronrides345]

@@Lucas-hk6gn no problem dude😄

[@thecount1001]

all bikes, in the huck to flat, show the suspension compressing fast, then stops for a split second, then compresses a bit more to the end. anyone out there able to explain why this is? every single bike, no matter the components seems to do this.

[@EikEilmann]

Because the tires act like springs too, but have no damping. Look at the tires expanding after initial hit and it will make sense.

[@luiseduardonegretenavarret2537]

Can you review the Cube stereo 170 (one77 2022 model) please???

[@Michal_Guncar_Ganczarczyk]

So, how plush this suspencion is? In 1 to 10 scale? Can you tell?

[@Justin-yx4bq]

You infected Henry now with nimbility???

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

External brake routing foreva!! lol

[@filipvaclavovsky7405]

Is the alloy with its weight penalty still nimble?

[@rascal1234]

Looks great, but I think I’ll stick to my Patrol.

[@reubs91]

Levy kills the vibe for me

[@RCKING1]

It’s almost like Chris Porter was right... 5 years ago.

[@nathoodles]

“180 is plenty” try being 6’5 and 90% leg. 210 is not enough, but they don’t make longer

[@pjsanab]

Try being 5’8” with short inseam. 210 is not enough

[@24MPZ]

Same issue, 6'4" and a half (closer to 6'5" but I round down). Long legs and bike fit has been a nightmare. Had to put riser bars on my XL spire. The XXL had the right stack I needed but too long of a reach.

[@42guitarsrolandraymessmer21]

what happened to 300 pound kazimer??

[@bimfred]

message is: BIKE THAT FITS, WINS

[@aleef852]

Back tire hit the seat bad. Dont know why these experts make such rookie design mistakes

[@stevenjam7119]

Your right even with that super long rear end it still smokes the rear seat at full travel. Pretty weird considering bikes meant to go down steep stuff and the seat to be slammed down majority of the time

[@bitumen83]

Does anyone know name of the intro song? Thanks in advance.

[@donski8687]

I don't have a clue what to buy there's so much friggin stuff out there !! One says one says another 😂

[@mustclime5311]

wow on the slow time....

[@dphockey131]

What's the intro track ID

[@rubindublone5932]

no charger 2.1 damper?

[@Jay-mm1kw]

Outside cable really bothers me tbh at that price.

[@AFryingPan]

Agreed

[@MrSupermugen]

all cables outside please but cover them like other brands have, i seriously hate internal, rattly bs

[@Jay-mm1kw]

@@MrSupermugen wym cables outside but cover them? Other companies put the cables inside and it’s soo much better and cleaner.

[@SpencerBaum]

Welp, since this one didn't break on the huck to flat, rip the we are one

[@fentonbalfus4908]

it’s actually a 205 ete

[@tylerzack8772]

Anyone know how tall Henry is?

[@Shauny808]

External cable routing?? 🙅🏽‍♂️

[@Jackofafewtrades]

Wait straight steerer tubes still exist?

[@tobyg4556]

Pretty much, only on duel crown forks though.

[@Jackofafewtrades]

@@tobyg4556 neat! Seems like RockShox at least makes a decent straight steerer single crown.

[@tobyg4556]

@@Jackofafewtrades they do but only at the budget end. I would think that the forks on this are tapered but the frame has a straight head tube to allow for forks with a straight 1.5 inch steerer and just spacers in the top headset bearing to allow for tapering steer tubes. I think.

[@thingswelike]

Not sure 'itineration' is a word

[@lucasmin3757]

Dude sitting in the middle looks like Eminem 😄

[@thomashardbattle4287]

Henry gmbn?

[@ronrides345]

ikr he moved i think

[@SwiftyOne]

1:21 bro got zero chill

[@ChrisSlash]

6k? I better transition into Matt Hoffman once I get on that shit

[@deeplato5647]

*QU* *QUI* *QUI* *QUINNEY* ain't *ToO SKInnY*

[@thomasstrongmtb]

The blurred e bike is the eminent

[@bill8791]

Honestly, your control should be a bike. An SC Megatower, because it appears that all of these bikes are trying to copy.

[@simonarends7802]

In any other way that all of these bikes fit into the same category?? I'm sure you are not a fanboy, just passionate.

[@bill8791]

@@simonarends7802 Seriously, they are all trying to do what the Hightower LT did in 2018 and what the Megatower does now, which is a longer travel single crown bike that can get up hills but kills it downhill. I'm no fan boy, just objective.

[@fatbikedaddy8644]

Quote: “ slacker then a substitute teacher going through a difficult divorce “. ... really ???

[@Ren_1312]

Yeah that was pretty cringe

[@flyingnorseman]

Anyone else sensing some tension between these bros? Like Henry is leaning on that Trick accent and cleaning up with the local hotties, much to their dismay?

[@pinkbike]

Henry was deeply offended by Levy's choice in tea.

[@bluestraycat]

@@pinkbike 🤣🤣🤣

[@Alan-75]

@@pinkbike please tell me the milk wasn't put in before the water. Its bag, suger, water, leave the bag to brew for 10seconds or so while stirring then remove the bag and add milk.. Any other way your just heathens..right henry😄

[@Subboxstoker]

Henry's voice is really hard to listen to he can make anything sound boring.i find myself cringing until I change the video.

[@banjoreno]

Henry talks waaay to much. Let Matt talk more. Henry your annoying

[@gatoryak7332]

Henry's annoying what?

[@jarnold1789]

Disagree

[@arnotjie]

This comment is annoying

[@RidePOV180]

Why cant they just stop producing these shit carbon frames they always snap