being in Tampa i'm riding a lot of the same trails as you so your initial videos carried a lot of weight with me and are what ultimately sold me on choosing the Spur. now these new vids continue to highlight just how versatile this bike is and continues to reaffirm what a great choice i made! thank you!!
Hi Clint. So I'm always circling back to your channel and reviewing your Spur content. Pretty sure now we have very similar priorities regarding DC bike setup. I'm 58 and considering a custom Spur build. This particular video covers everything I require. Not a racer , but I will do a couple for fun. But these casual 50 mile rides are my focus in the build. That being said , I'm pretty close to moving forward on a frame up build using XO1 analog , I9 wheels/Hydras . The main difference in mine is the upgrade to the latest 130 Pike and going Flight Attendent. This would give me added stiffness and a bump in travel without the significant weight penalty of going the "full Smuggler" route. This build could find a home on 90 % of the terrain I like . The guys @ Transition suggested to go in this direction. Thanks again for the content.
I really appreciate your analysis and systematic approach to XC set-up. I just decided to try my hand at hard tail XC Racing , so time trials with different tires/wheels is now my routine as I prepare my cardiovascular game. Looking forward to your videos
Thanks for the update. Very interested for the time trial results. I think you are the first person speaking in specific detail about doing a longer endurance event on a well prepped down country bike relative to a traditoinal XC bike. Thanks for sharing the experience and insights.
I’m getting PRs on rowdy enduro trails on my Spur. I can’t top these times on my Ripmo AF. It’s crazy fast even on the chunkier descents. I might lose a little time when it gets super steep and chundery but it absolutely makes up for it on the flatter pumpier sections. Right now it’s my all time favorite bike. I’d rather have it on longer stuff due to comfort, easier to ride when fatigued, and just straight up more fun. Transition knocked it out of park with this bike.
Oh wow that's cool to to hear cause I'm always hearing "the ripley/ripmo is the mtb for everyone etc" so I always think I'll end up with one of those if I have to pick one bike for everything on a budget, but damn do I want to try a Spur/Smuggler more now
Really great series. Just bought a Revel Ranger and want to do exactly the same with that as you are doing with the Spur. Lighter wheels on order... watching with interest
I would love to have a Spur sitting next to my Scout. Those two would cover all my biking needs but unless I win the lottery it’s going to have to be just the Scout for me Great video. Please keep giving us Spur updates
I ride a Kona Hei Hei which is also 120mm travel. I ride this on endurances races and it’s an absolute phrase. These bikes are light and fast, as well as extremely capable for tech and big hits.
I have to agree with all this. 2300 miles on my Spur with Control 29 wheels and usually a slightly aggressive XC tire. I will do 25- 30mile rides all the time on mine. Sometimes punchy XC trails and sometimes bigger "trail" trails. I did 50+ last year and on a trail with little room to rest and I was pretty beat up the last lap, but before the Spur I suffered big time after 20 miles. I will have to really lean the bike on very tight fast turns, but most of the time I can just lean into it like a road bike. I have overwhelmed the bike a few times on very rocky trails that I did not know well enough. If they were my home trail I'm sure I could find all the good lines and go smoother. Coming from XC bikes the Spur has given me the confidence to hit jumps like I never dreamed.When really going hard I do have to be ahead of the turns sometimes, like you, I find the bike not as twitchy, but still able to fly if I adjust my entry into the turns.
Spur is more of a steer with your feet, while a steeper HA x-country bike is more steer with the handlebar. That's the great thing about modern geo once the feeling of steering with your feet clicks.
I'm kind of in the same boat, but with a RM Element, that really is more like a light duty trail bike - which is my every day bike. I want to use it in some XC races, so this is good news to me, hopefully it'll be fast enough :)
Spurs were out of stock, then I bought the Element C30… I am so happy with that decision.. I use it for XC, trail and planning to use it for bike parks as well.
Ive been interested in this bike for some time now. Im curious if you could compare with a Tallboy 4 if you have ever ridden one. Interested to see if it feels smaller/lighter.
Another great video, thanks for making. I've been considering a Spur and watched a few of yours now. I'm sure I saw in a previous video that you said you got rid of a previous Spur for this new 2023 model. Did Transition redesign the Spur for 2023, or is it the same platform as you had before but you wanted an upgrade / newer?
I got rid of the original spur so I could focus on a few other review bikes. I also had an idea they were coming out with Fox suspension which I really wanted.
Still loving the Spur, thinking about a set of carbon wheels (I have the same build) paired with faster rolling tireset for my local trails (same as Florida), and keep the stock wheels/tires for Pisgah/tougher terrain. Still suggest Stan's? Any particular model?
100% would recommend Stan Podium, HOWEVER, I don’t know if they’re going to keep making them. They’re currently not offered on their website, and I talked to some of their guys at the Santos fat tire festival a few weeks ago and they said it’s questionable whether they will continue them or not. Would be a huge loss if they don’t. I am going to announce my dream build (another Spur) in a few weeks from now. But just as a teaser, it will have Industry Nine wheels, which I’m super stoked about. Just started working with those guys. I’ve ridden their alloy wheels in the past and loved them. The carbon wheel should be the next level. Stay tuned!
The thing that makes me not want it for marathon XC is just the single cage mount. I considered a Ripley and a Spur as well. Everything else on those bikes would have been fine. Yes you can wear a pack, but I only use bottles so that's a deal breaker for me. The reason I got rid of my Trance 29 and Anthem as well. I went with the Blur TR. Beefier than a "normal" XC bike, 3 cage mounts and light/fast build.
My XC race bike has the same issue. The Spur has bosses under the down tube for another bottle. A hip pack is also a great solution that I’ve been using o the past few events.
Hi Clint, Im looking at the entry level base Spur, they have one with a Fox entry level suspension and the other one has the Rockshox SID select suspension. What do you think is better at that price?
On paper they look very similar. I’ve ridden an epic, several of them, but not the Evo model. I can’t get first-hand experience but it seems like they would ride very similar. It’s probably going to come down to the relationship you have with your local shop or the deals you can get. Or it may come down to which brand culture do you like… Big corporate or smaller, passionate dudes that are only focused on mountain biking.
Have been riding my Spur for 4 months since new. It is a fun bike, of course, but it has one major shortcoming; Pedal strike. In 30 years of riding MTB's I have never had a bike with this issue this bad. Changed out to 170mm crankset, super thin pedals and only running my rear shock at 20% and although a little bit better, still an issue. I am not a huge rider 180lbs and not all that aggressive anymore. It really detracts from the bikes abilities. Anyone else experience this?
They are both so close. I would give the edge to the spur for descending. But really it’s going to come down to the deal you can get and the relationship wthat you have with your local shop
I don’t think the Spur and the Epic Evo are that close. I race endurance and XC MTB mostly in Nor Cal and Utah and owned both overlapping for more than a year. For free riding the Spur could handle super steep and super fast straighline trails better; it is much more stable and feels raked out a bit more so it’s never twitchy. But I literally couldn’t make it around switchbacks both up and down which I have cleaned for years on my BMC Fourstroke, S-works Epic HT and now my Epic Evo because it feels long and languid in tight and slow conditions. The Epic Evo just feels like the perfect in between bike for me. I cannot just drop double black gnar without really holding on like I could with the Spur, but it can handle it… and it can handle everything else even better, IME. I had a very respected pro suspension guru set up both bikes and work with me afterward and the Evo also climbed better than the Spur. For maybe 10% of all Strava Segments the Spur was marginally faster, but for the rest and overall the Evo was significantly faster. For what it is worth, I’m about 5’8” and rode a medium in both bikes with stock geo set ups; the Spur medium felt a bit too big, so some people may feel more capable of whipping it around switchbacks, et al. I’ve since put money into dropping the Evo below 22lbs which is basically impossible with the Spur and now I don’t even consider riding a regular XC FS bike. My .02….
being in Tampa i'm riding a lot of the same trails as you so your initial videos carried a lot of weight with me and are what ultimately sold me on choosing the Spur. now these new vids continue to highlight just how versatile this bike is and continues to reaffirm what a great choice i made! thank you!!
Hi Clint. So I'm always circling back to your channel and reviewing your Spur content. Pretty sure now we have very similar priorities regarding DC bike setup. I'm 58 and considering a custom Spur build. This particular video covers everything I require. Not a racer , but I will do a couple for fun. But these casual 50 mile rides are my focus in the build. That being said , I'm pretty close to moving forward on a frame up build using XO1 analog , I9 wheels/Hydras . The main difference in mine is the upgrade to the latest 130 Pike and going Flight Attendent. This would give me added stiffness and a bump in travel without the significant weight penalty of going the "full Smuggler" route. This build could find a home on 90 % of the terrain I like . The guys @ Transition suggested to go in this direction. Thanks again for the content.
That color is beautifull ❤
I really appreciate your analysis and systematic approach to XC set-up. I just decided to try my hand at hard tail XC Racing , so time trials with different tires/wheels is now my routine as I prepare my cardiovascular game. Looking forward to your videos
Thanks for the update. Very interested for the time trial results. I think you are the first person speaking in specific detail about doing a longer endurance event on a well prepped down country bike relative to a traditoinal XC bike. Thanks for sharing the experience and insights.
Transition have made the perfect bike. The Spur is different class
thank you for the video Clint 👍
I’m getting PRs on rowdy enduro trails on my Spur. I can’t top these times on my Ripmo AF. It’s crazy fast even on the chunkier descents. I might lose a little time when it gets super steep and chundery but it absolutely makes up for it on the flatter pumpier sections. Right now it’s my all time favorite bike. I’d rather have it on longer stuff due to comfort, easier to ride when fatigued, and just straight up more fun. Transition knocked it out of park with this bike.
Oh wow that's cool to to hear cause I'm always hearing "the ripley/ripmo is the mtb for everyone etc" so I always think I'll end up with one of those if I have to pick one bike for everything on a budget, but damn do I want to try a Spur/Smuggler more now
Really great series. Just bought a Revel Ranger and want to do exactly the same with that as you are doing with the Spur. Lighter wheels on order... watching with interest
Running Roval Carbon Control XC wheels on my 2022 Spur. 50 mile+ rides absolutely perfect.
I did have to true mine once, Not even sure what I did. Been true since. around 2000 miles on mine and they spin brand new smooth.
Thumbs up given for the humble ask
This is like ASMR for bike geeks. Keep up the good work brother🎉
I would love to have a Spur sitting next to my Scout. Those two would cover all my biking needs but unless I win the lottery it’s going to have to be just the Scout for me
Great video. Please keep giving us Spur updates
This will be my next bike!
I ride a Kona Hei Hei which is also 120mm travel. I ride this on endurances races and it’s an absolute phrase. These bikes are light and fast, as well as extremely capable for tech and big hits.
Down county bikes are amazing atm
Can ride anything and really comfortable and still quick. Get carbon wheels and 2 sets of tyres winter and summer👊
I have to agree with all this. 2300 miles on my Spur with Control 29 wheels and usually a slightly aggressive XC tire. I will do 25- 30mile rides all the time on mine. Sometimes punchy XC trails and sometimes bigger "trail" trails. I did 50+ last year and on a trail with little room to rest and I was pretty beat up the last lap, but before the Spur I suffered big time after 20 miles. I will have to really lean the bike on very tight fast turns, but most of the time I can just lean into it like a road bike. I have overwhelmed the bike a few times on very rocky trails that I did not know well enough. If they were my home trail I'm sure I could find all the good lines and go smoother. Coming from XC bikes the Spur has given me the confidence to hit jumps like I never dreamed.When really going hard I do have to be ahead of the turns sometimes, like you, I find the bike not as twitchy, but still able to fly if I adjust my entry into the turns.
Im xc racing my 120mm bike this year 👹
i seriously considering this bike i test rode it today and liked it. i did like the smuggler to but it wasnt carbon
A guy won our 32 mi gunnison growler on that. It is flowing but difficult single track. Another friend loved her 40mi growler race on her spur.
Keep em coming
Spur is more of a steer with your feet, while a steeper HA x-country bike is more steer with the handlebar. That's the great thing about modern geo once the feeling of steering with your feet clicks.
I'm kind of in the same boat, but with a RM Element, that really is more like a light duty trail bike - which is my every day bike. I want to use it in some XC races, so this is good news to me, hopefully it'll be fast enough :)
Spurs were out of stock, then I bought the Element C30… I am so happy with that decision.. I use it for XC, trail and planning to use it for bike parks as well.
Anticipation!
Ive been interested in this bike for some time now. Im curious if you could compare with a Tallboy 4 if you have ever ridden one. Interested to see if it feels smaller/lighter.
Do you know the Intense Sniper T kind off a similar bike, really liked it!
Another great video, thanks for making. I've been considering a Spur and watched a few of yours now. I'm sure I saw in a previous video that you said you got rid of a previous Spur for this new 2023 model. Did Transition redesign the Spur for 2023, or is it the same platform as you had before but you wanted an upgrade / newer?
I got rid of the original spur so I could focus on a few other review bikes. I also had an idea they were coming out with Fox suspension which I really wanted.
Still loving the Spur, thinking about a set of carbon wheels (I have the same build) paired with faster rolling tireset for my local trails (same as Florida), and keep the stock wheels/tires for Pisgah/tougher terrain. Still suggest Stan's? Any particular model?
100% would recommend Stan Podium, HOWEVER, I don’t know if they’re going to keep making them. They’re currently not offered on their website, and I talked to some of their guys at the Santos fat tire festival a few weeks ago and they said it’s questionable whether they will continue them or not. Would be a huge loss if they don’t.
I am going to announce my dream build (another Spur) in a few weeks from now. But just as a teaser, it will have Industry Nine wheels, which I’m super stoked about. Just started working with those guys. I’ve ridden their alloy wheels in the past and loved them. The carbon wheel should be the next level. Stay tuned!
What part of Florida was the Endurance event?
im looking at the nx build
Can’t say enough good things about the Spur. Rode my new custom build the last 3 days in Dupont State Forest. The perfect bike for it.
How does this version of the spur stack up against your niner jet9? Great video by the way
I’m doing a whole series on that right now. First comparison video comes out on Sunday
Can't wait
The thing that makes me not want it for marathon XC is just the single cage mount. I considered a Ripley and a Spur as well. Everything else on those bikes would have been fine. Yes you can wear a pack, but I only use bottles so that's a deal breaker for me. The reason I got rid of my Trance 29 and Anthem as well. I went with the Blur TR. Beefier than a "normal" XC bike, 3 cage mounts and light/fast build.
My XC race bike has the same issue. The Spur has bosses under the down tube for another bottle. A hip pack is also a great solution that I’ve been using o the past few events.
Check out the Wolf Tooth B-Rad system for a solution.
@@discostu333 That's what I use as well.
Not familiar with the area. How many feet of elevation during the event?
Hi Clint, Im looking at the entry level base Spur, they have one with a Fox entry level suspension and the other one has the Rockshox SID select suspension. What do you think is better at that price?
I would always choose Fox if I had the option
@@ClintGibbs Thank you sir, hope I can get a Spur soon.
What do you think about the Spur for ORAMM?
Ideal
brake that checkbook out and get that spur down to the 23-24 lbs range 😁
www.patreon.com/Clintg 😁
@@ClintGibbs Love that reply, what's a couple pounds LOL 🤣
transition spur or specialized epic evo?
On paper they look very similar. I’ve ridden an epic, several of them, but not the Evo model. I can’t get first-hand experience but it seems like they would ride very similar. It’s probably going to come down to the relationship you have with your local shop or the deals you can get. Or it may come down to which brand culture do you like… Big corporate or smaller, passionate dudes that are only focused on mountain biking.
@@ClintGibbs thank you 😊
I’m 220, do you think I’d be too heavy for the Spur?
It might be a bit too flexy for you but hard to say. The jet 9 RDO may be a better option but if you can test ride that would be the best.
Maybe check out the WAO Arrival 130, that's at the top of my dream list to try.
Have been riding my Spur for 4 months since new. It is a fun bike, of course, but it has one major shortcoming; Pedal strike. In 30 years of riding MTB's I have never had a bike with this issue this bad. Changed out to 170mm crankset, super thin pedals and only running my rear shock at 20% and although a little bit better, still an issue. I am not a huge rider 180lbs and not all that aggressive anymore. It really detracts from the bikes abilities. Anyone else experience this?
170 cranks definitely help. This is common for today’s lower and slacker bikes.
@@ClintGibbs hey clint. By the way, great videos. You do a great job with this stuff. Really appreciate it! Keep up the good work. Cheers, Robert
Spur or Epic EVO?
They are both so close. I would give the edge to the spur for descending. But really it’s going to come down to the deal you can get and the relationship wthat you have with your local shop
I don’t think the Spur and the Epic Evo are that close. I race endurance and XC MTB mostly in Nor Cal and Utah and owned both overlapping for more than a year. For free riding the Spur could handle super steep and super fast straighline trails better; it is much more stable and feels raked out a bit more so it’s never twitchy. But I literally couldn’t make it around switchbacks both up and down which I have cleaned for years on my BMC Fourstroke, S-works Epic HT and now my Epic Evo because it feels long and languid in tight and slow conditions. The Epic Evo just feels like the perfect in between bike for me. I cannot just drop double black gnar without really holding on like I could with the Spur, but it can handle it… and it can handle everything else even better, IME. I had a very respected pro suspension guru set up both bikes and work with me afterward and the Evo also climbed better than the Spur. For maybe 10% of all Strava Segments the Spur was marginally faster, but for the rest and overall the Evo was significantly faster. For what it is worth, I’m about 5’8” and rode a medium in both bikes with stock geo set ups; the Spur medium felt a bit too big, so some people may feel more capable of whipping it around switchbacks, et al. I’ve since put money into dropping the Evo below 22lbs which is basically impossible with the Spur and now I don’t even consider riding a regular XC FS bike. My .02….
You lost me at being surprised by using the dropper post
Why not ride it? You don't get paid to race. Ride the most fun bike.
It would be great unless you are Nino.