Transition Spur Vs YT Izzo. Which is the best downcountry/trail mountain bike?

Which comes out top in a battle of the "downcountry" bikes, the Transition Spur or YT Izzo?
Transition Spur review • Transition Spur Review...
YT Izzo review • YT Izzo Review. SO GOO...
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[@davebuchanan8763]

I have had my YT Izzo since November and done around 1000 miles on it. Dropper cable was badly routed on arrival and had to be replaced. The replacement is now fraying by the lever. The front brake disk was slightly bent on arrival and no replacement offered under warranty. The rear suspension lockout twist grip has now failed, broken plastic actuator. YT customer service (UK) is bad. Having sent the broken part to Sram they are insisting on removing and returning the whole assembly even though they have the broken part. They won’t even sell me the replacement broken part. I like the bike but wouldn’t recommend YT as their customer service is very poor. I also have a Marin Rift Zone which has been superb and cost a lot less than the YT. The Forecaster tyres supplied on the Izzo are fast but the front end try’s to washout on fast downhill bends and they are not good mud tyres. (Very muddy in the UK winter months) The Izzo is a nice bike but YT don’t look after their customers.

[@steveco1800]

Fair enough comment, shame it's been problematic. I'd just say a slightly bent rotor can normally be easily straightened, so I wouldn't have expected a replacement.

[@colemitchmtb]

Interesting, I reached out to YT and got a replacement twistloc and front and rear rotor quite quickly. Hearing your comment I’m very glad I live in the US, I’m sorry you had the experience you had though

[@Hardcaslte]

To be fair though, if you aren't willing to bend a rotor back into place maybe a direct to consumer bike isn't for you. If you bent the rotor during a ride would you be calling for a replacement? That's not really how a bent rotor is handled, it should be bent back into place and keep riding. That said, yes most of the original shipped Izzo's had bent rotors from the packing. Mine did too, I bent it back when I put the bike together and have 800 miles no issues. I think they've corrected this packaging issue since the first shipments. Honestly this twist grip thing: 1) Just buy a $15 lockout on Amazon. It works better and lets you put on your own grips. 2) Maybe it's a UK issue, but here in the US YT will ship you a new twist lock and they've corrected this issue on newer Izzo's too. Seems like YT customer service is either really good or really bad based on your location. I think they're opening, or just opened a YT location in the UK so I'd expect it to get better over there for you all. I'm not a YT fanboy, this is my first bike from them, but I absolutely love it. It's incredibly quiet on the trail, you can ride it like a bigger suspension bike and not have issues (although you do have 130mm travel so pick your lines appropriately). I think David's review is pretty spot on for the Izzo, I can't say about the Spur since I've never ridden one but it seems like the Spur gets just as much acclaim from it's riders as the Izzo does.

[@ehvoslef]

Direct to consumer brands seem to consistently have quality issues. Their bikes may be priced the best but the value is just not there. It sucks you had to go through this.

[@Hardcaslte]

@@ehvoslef They really don't, unless it's the person maintaining it doing a poor job. I don't think people realize how many huge brands are actually direct to consumer and not store bought.

[@brettneuberger6466]

Down country 29r bikes, in my view, are hands down the best looking bikes made. Sleek, light looking, and simple. On top of that, they’re damn fun to ride. I’d love to see my beloved Hei Hei compared to these.

[@andrewh4721]

Great Comparison! I went in to buy a spur... 2021.. no stock until June +++ and then the Izzo blaze was released and I jumped on it. For me the blaze is a hell of a lot of bike for the money and the majority of trails out there, handles double black tech with the right line choice but also is nimble enough to keep up on XC trails. If you can get your hands on one I would love to see your review!

[@juansanchez-tr1dq]

I got the Izzo Blaze as well. Ordered it about 2 weeks ago for late June delivery and I can't wait!

[@alfagtv100]

These are the 2 bikes I have been looking at, so this comparison was great. Room for a large bottle and a threaded BB does it for me. Thanks.

[@dysonvirtudez1903]

Best channel for Bike reviews...

[@johnnnewmex]

Complete izzo for the price of a spur frame. Enough said. Plus izzo retains the 4 bar link vs spur's single pivot.

[@bradgolden1816]

I currently have an Oiz trail (that I have made significantly more trail oriented) but still wish I had something more well rounded (without sacrificing too much of the speed/agility of the orbea) I have been able to demo both the IZZO and the Spur and didn’t like the spur as much as I thought I would. It was a great bike but I think I appreciated the extra travel of the IZZO and their ability to absorb chop. It inspired confidence and the bike just felt more well rounded and could handle small drops and rocks better than the spur, while still ripping smoother stuff. Do you agree? Looking at these bikes and the Ripley.

[@Rincon009]

The 2 bikes I'm directly comparing! good vid!

[@robinkirby9379]

Just need the equivalent Whyte S-120 (I assume Works) comparison now 👍🏻. Thanks David

[@SuperChrisfran]

I’m fortunate enough to have just bought a Spur frame set which I built and spec’d up with the help of my local bike shop. I know bikes are the sum if all their parts, but this bike is great. It’s light, quick, comfortable and a pleasure to ride. I built it up more xc oriented as that suits my riding style and local area, but having that extra travel really helps when the trails get a bit more challenging, particularly at some of the UK’s trail centres. I’m 186cm and went with a large after advice from Transition and the bike shop. Much taller and I reckon you’d be wanting the XL. It’s expensive yes, but is it worth it? I’m not sure! However, I’m loving it.

[@trailnerror2887]

YT USA HQ is near me so naturally, YTs are relatively common in my area. Only reason why I steer clear of YT products is quality issues seems to be a common theme with owners I have come across. Izzy looks great on paper though.

[@junglejim3433]

The suspensions perform differently because they're not at all similar. They may appear similar, to someone who doesn't know what they're looking at, but the Horst Link makes a huge difference in how they perform.

[@rickyhill5263]

It sounds like although similar on paper these two are at opposite ends of a narrow band of bikes, Spur leaning towards the marathon style bike, a little more capable and comfortable than a hardtail where the izzo is the other end, a fast trail bike, not as lardy as an enduro but not as light as the Spur. I have a Litespeed Obed with 140mm forks set up with tubless 2.35 at 23Lb. I use this for xc stuff and the izzo for the chunkier more demanding rides. For me the Spur is too close to my HT bike. The price difference is pretty phenomenal though.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

We've reviewed both Izzo and Spur back to back and I found the Spur to be a faster climber and more confident descender. The Spur really feels like it rides bigger than it is.

[@rickyhill5263]

@@StraightLine_MTB I guess it would come down to value for money for a lot of riders, the Spur is a hefty bit of wedge on top of the izzo.

[@gavgreen10]

That sums it up for me 👍. I have a carbon Giant Anthem xc bike but have always liked the Izzo. The Izzo would compliment the Anthem, offering something different whereas the Spur, wonderful bike though it is, would be too similar to the Anthem in my book.

[@GFClocked]

Great insights. Thank you. Subscribed

[@erikmacadangdang5187]

nice revw David! thx!

[@davidarthur]

My pleasure!

[@Outdawrzman]

You need to get ahold of a 2022 TREK TOP FUEL and go head to head with the Spur

[@brianschaning1575]

I have a canyon neuron (set up 130/140) which compares well to these bikes as well, more toward the light trail side of things

[@cheronoliver6508]

Thank you

[@GermanHunter]

Hi mate! how tall are you? Izzo maybe better in XL?

[@gregoryvierra6114]

I had the Izzo Pro Race for about 3 months and really enjoy it; however, I test rode a Spur and ended up buying it.

[@davidarthur]

That's interesting to hear. What was it about the Izzo that didn't work out for you?

[@gregoryvierra6114]

Hello David from New Mexico, USA. Honestly I really liked the Izzo but grew tired of the remote lockout and I ordered one size too big. I’m 196cm and thought I needed the XXL frame. Also I prefer bikes without mino links because I don’t like to tinker with bikes. The Spur is pretty much set it up and go. No lockout, etc. Also I know it’s an easy fix, but the stock 760mm bars are pretty narrow. I look forward to your next review!

[@cliffordrichardc]

Which is the best

[@Frell1982]

I was in the market and choose the spur in the end. it should arrive in April

[@Jacob99174]

Good call, Zoidberg

[@CCWclassic]

Your geometry numbers are off bud. I can tell you right now the size L Spur has a 1219 mm wheel base definitely not 1255

[@smattgoss]

If you think the izzo is heavy you really are weak

[@global_nomad.]

so the transition is the one then...

[@dhpug3014]

25 pounds??? Sheeesh

[@vegyburger4588]

Why use lb not Kg?

[@bmwofboganville456]

lb is more accurate, more lbs to kgs, simple as

[@global_nomad.]

should use both - and both are accurate

[@Echoes-]

@@bmwofboganville456 Ever heard of decimals?

[@Hardcaslte]

I understand maybe putting kg up on the screen, but why are you asking him to use kg to make it easier for you? Where he lives they use lbs. If I did a bike review being from the US I wouldn't be speaking about kg either, why would I? And seriously, the people that put this on videos. Try this, Google "lbs to kg" it's not hard. Don't ask KZbinrs to change how they speak to better suit where you live.

[@global_nomad.]

@@Hardcaslte its not about making anyone change how they speak its about communicating to your audience around the world...quite normal and common practice.