REVIEW - $5,999 Transition Spire Carbon GX

Read Vital's in-depth review of the Transition Spire
www.vitalmtb.c...
The Spire is Transition's newest, and biggest mountain bike to date. Despite having less travel than the TR-11 (Transition's downhill bike), its wheelbase is longer. Numbers aside, Transition has billed this bike as more of an all-rounder and ready to party in the woods, as is the Bellingham brand's moniker. Was Transition able to perform some sort of wizardry and make those numbers shrink once on dirt? We couldn't wait to find out.
#MTB #mountainbike #enduro #visitrenotahoe #RenoTahoe
Learn More about the Reno Tahoe area where we tested these bikes
www.visitrenot...
Transition Spire Strengths
Rides like a smaller bike
Comfortable on the climbs
Lively trail manners
Spot-on build kit
Easy to get along with
Weaknesses
Rides like a smaller bike
Rear suspension is harsh
Highlights
Japanese Toray Carbon or Aluminum frame offerings
29-inch wheels only (stock)
170mm rear travel (160mm with 60mm stroke shock)
Size-specific chainstays
Lifetime warranty
56mm upper and lower headset cups
Guided internal derailleur and dropper post routing (carbon)
External rear brake routing
Boost 148mm rear spacing
SRAM UDH
Threaded bottom bracket
Dual crown compatible
Price: $5,999 as tested

[@b4bnik]

Patiently waiting for the spectral mullet review 😅

[@vitalmtb]

Haha!! We are certainly putting it through the paces right now and can't wait to share how it looks on the other side!

[@karlhess2748]

The Transition sounds like an ideal bike. How do you think the alloy version compares to the carbon? Would it really be the same feel plus two pounds or would there be a different frame feel?

[@danielray1558]

I’d like to see that as well. All the reviews rave about the sportiness of the carbon bike, but I haven’t seen anything on the alloy.

[@macrio5]

I have the Alloy Spire and it's the real deal. Most balanced, turn shredding, rock gobbling, and stable as hell at speed. It also jumps well and climbs amazing. I'm absolutely blown away. I've broken 2 carbon frames this past year and ALLOY is the way to go.

[@vitalmtb]

We haven't ridden the Spire in alloy but have every confidence it rips just as well. One of the reviewers in this video actually went out and bought an alloy Spire and is building it now...

[@clarkscottkent]

@@macrio5 what's the weight on the alloy? Thanks

[@HannyDart]

@@clarkscottkent my reasonably lightweight alloy build comes in at exactly 17kg in size medium.

[@allaneddlemon7557]

I love my new Transition Spire. I also have the 2019 base model aluminum Santa Cruz Bronson and the Spire is so much nicer!

[@Geschlossen007]

In what way is it nicer? Cause I have a Bronson as well and I like it very much.

[@allaneddlemon7557]

@@Geschlossen007 The Bronson I had was a great enduro bike in the beginning. But now, since I have the Spire, the Spire is lighter, it has a lot better components and you get a great deal for what you pay for

[@falkyn06]

So stoked for mine to come in. Did you guys ever get a weight for it? Also, I know Brad had a Scout... I have a Scout. Love that bike in the Reno area. Do they feel similar as far as the "harsh" suspension feel??

[@yesme6034]

can you guys do 275 bike tests?

[@parkerwilliams6189]

How tall were your test riders and did you ever want a large? I’m thinking about the large but feel it might be too long for my type of riding.

[@hannesnohl8627]

Yessss

[@vegaone571]

I don't like the red accents, but this bike is so beautiful!

[@SpencerBaum]

Good thing they have multiple color options

[@jjartiagamtb7049]

can you compare 2022 trek slash 8 vs 2022 transition spire ? 🙏🏻☺️

[@gabrielmarias972]

With the new headshet and mx, what angles will have and can you check clearance to the BB? Thanks

[@mikeborges31]

Hi Im 180 cm with short legs If i choose size M seem stupid ?

[@LukasDePraga]

I feel like I've seen this before..

[@innisnettle]

Same

[@dash0173]

yeah... i think something happened where they had to reupload the video. i've 100% seen this before.

[@vitalmtb]

Yes, because as the video states at the beginning and end, this is just a breakout of our larger test. The only difference here is that it is associated with a written article on our site that goes more in-depth.

[@LukasDePraga]

@@vitalmtb Oh yea, I remember, it was a one long video with all of the tests. Cheers.

[@HannyDart]

you mean it looks like a session? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@daxolivares6939]

What were the name of the trails?

[@innisnettle]

Re-uploaded

[@hazza788]

I was exited until I realized that it was the exact same review

[@vitalmtb]

Not exactly, we're pretty upfront this is just a breakout video from our larger test. The key difference is the association to a written article that goes more in-depth.

[@erikjpendleton]

#1 ☝ That shit is 🔥

[@em1355]

Why do the Fox Manufacturers and bike companies keep agreeing to use those ugly blue caps on the forks, especially when they do not even match the color scheme of a bike worth more than $5000? This is total stupidity, at least Fox should offer black caps or more neutral color and I do not understand why bike manufacturers do not put more pressure on Fox. Other than that, great bike and great video!!

[@RCKING1]

convinced they looked at the Nicolai G1 chart and made it worse

[@Sphuntsho]

Watching something that I can’t afford 😂

[@MrGiboz24]

220 mm brakes? It's oversized

[@petesahad3028]

This is a comment

[@hazza788]

No way

[@ivan.rusanov]

This is a reply.

[@hazza788]

@@ivan.rusanovutterly incredible

[@MtbPoland]

Bikes for real guys....stay away from e-bike shit

[@Perception_]

Yup, e-bikes are blasphemi.

[@High_Octane]

but but excuse about how I actually utilize and enjoy ebikes. take your pick. i'm old. hurt knee, recovering injury, ride longer, farther, the pocket book is huge under the goalpost's and anyone who has an ebike will find some magical wonderful reason why THEY actually really benefit from a ebike. like if you can ride a ebike you can ride a regular bike...slower. suck it up. when did going faster farther become a necessity to ride? hate it.

[@hazza788]

@@High_Octane I think most of the hate on E-bikes, stems from new riders with a big budget getting into the sport and immediately purchasing an expensive E-bike, without developing and basic skill on the bike. I think Electric bikes are great but only for people who have health issues or injuries.

[@High_Octane]

@@hazza788 No,I think that's called jealousy. The hate comes from people making excuses to ride them and poor trail etiquette while riding a motorized unit through local spots.

[@Shauny808]

External cable routing in 2021 on high end bike 🙅🏽‍♂️

[@hazza788]

Easy maintenance Not everybody wants to spend an hour threading their brake hose through their frame

[@High_Octane]

gx....on $6000.. this is disheartening and honestly pathetic. Get a grip bike industry. that should have xt all day. can't believe this.

[@hazza788]

It's a carbon frame? Yes, mountain bikes are overpriced but the Transitions value for money is definitely better than many other bike brands. I'm a Commencal person and they are possibly some of the best value mountain bikes on the market

[@High_Octane]

@@hazza788 yawwn. GX is an insult.

[@hazza788]

@@High_Octane Honestly who gives a crap about having a top of the line drivetrain. If it shifts, its good enough for me. My mentality is that derailleurs get broken and chains/cassettes wear out over time. Suspension and brakes are the stuff that really counts as they are way more expensive to upgrade after you buy the bike

[@High_Octane]

@@hazza788 ya, keep accepting sub-par parts for dirt bike money.

[@hazza788]

@@High_Octane ohhhh you're a dirt biker Yeah the bike industry as a whole is undeniably overpriced but transitions are definitely better value than trek or specialized. I'm pissed of about how much everything costs but with middle aged dentists from Colorado willing to pay 20,000 CAD for an overpriced E-bike, things aren't likely to change anytime soon.