{"id":54035,"date":"2023-09-02T13:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-02T11:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=744375"},"modified":"2023-09-02T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-02T11:35:32","slug":"bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build\/","title":{"rendered":"BikeRadar Builds | Tom\u2019s Transition Spur is an eclectic, enduro-worrying build"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom explains why he loves his downcountry bike and what he has planned for it <\/p>

By Tom Law\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 02 September 2023 at 11:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Anyone who has met me will know how much I love banging on about my Transition Spur.<\/p>\n

The Spur is neither particularly low-budget nor that hard-hitting \u2013 at least on paper. Two things it most definitely is, though, are a whole lot of fun and pretty darn versatile for a short-travel bike.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fast enough that I can go for a proper XC thrash if I want to and comfortable enough for an epic day out in the Peak District. Yet it\u2019s potent enough on the downs that it can get me into and mostly out of trouble on descents that push my comfort zone a little bit.<\/p>\n

In short, I flipping love it.\u00a0In my mind, it\u2019s still one of the best downcountry bikes<\/a> you can buy, even three years after its release.<\/p>\n

The downcountry template<\/h2>\n
\"Tom's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Spur\u2019s low top tube flows into the seatstays almost seamlessly.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I\u2019ve swapped out almost every component in the three years I\u2019ve owned the Transition Spur<\/a>, but I\u2019ve never felt the urge to switch to another frame.<\/p>\n

For one, it looks fantastic \u2013 the low-slung lines are super-clean. The run from the top tube into the seatstays is downright gorgeous.<\/p>\n

Bikes are rarely a cheap investment and the ride is, of course, critically important. But it sure helps when even a quick glance at your rig of choice makes you want to go and ride.<\/p>\n

It also helps that the Spur\u2019s geometry<\/a> is bang on point \u2013 geometry trends move quickly, but the Spur has stood the test of time.<\/p>\n

My size-large bike has a roomy 480mm reach. It\u2019s rangy without being too long on the tighter trails around the Midlands woods I sometimes call home.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the 66-degree head angle is a perfect middle ground. It offers stable steering with the stock 50mm stem and my preferred 780mm-wide handlebar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Moving backwards and the 75.9-degree seat angle is not the steepest these days. It\u2019s plenty steep enough for me to move my weight around on the tech climbs I love, though.<\/p>\n

The 435mm chainstays keep things nice and lively. Again, this helps the Spur strike the ideal balance between stability and agility.<\/p>\n

I do tend to bash the end of the crank arms because the bottom bracket is pretty low, even with 170mm cranks. A touch more ground clearance wouldn\u2019t go amiss \u2013 just as long as it didn\u2019t mess too much with the Spur\u2019s ridiculously fun feel in the corners.<\/p>\n

I also can\u2019t help but think a steeper seat angle would make it even better on the climbs. Yet there\u2019s very, very little to quibble about when it comes to the Spur\u2019s geometry.<\/p>\n

Hooray for hassle-free TLC<\/h2>\n
\"Tom's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Spur has tube-in-tube cable routing.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Mercifully for the maintenance-shy (like me), the Spur is also a dream to work on.<\/p>\n

The external rear brake hose routing is hidden out of the way for driveside Instagram shots, which is a nice touch.<\/p>\n

The gear cable routing is also tube-in-tube. This means you only have to pop the cable in, push it through and it appears, as if by magic, at the other end. It\u2019s a refreshing change from the usual magnets-and-swearing approach required for most internal cable-routing jobs.<\/p>\n

Finally, there\u2019s a good old threaded bottom bracket and zero-stack tapered headset. Both unfussy standards make it easy to source and fit replacement parts.<\/p>\n

I just wish Transition had also adopted tube-in-tube routing for the dropper post<\/a> cable. A little more protection around the chain and seatstays wouldn\u2019t go amiss either.<\/p>\n

A perfect contradiction<\/h2>\n
\"Tom's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Chromag\u2019s Cutlass bar is one of my favourites and proof you really don\u2019t need a 35mm bar clamp.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Contradictory is a word I would use to describe the Spur\u2019s current component build.<\/p>\n

As a bit of a closet weight weenie, I always like to watch the grams, so there are some light but durable components on the Spur. However, there\u2019s also excess weight in other areas.<\/p>\n

Some parts were chosen simply because I like them \u2013 they look pretty or are a bit bling, and for that, I say to hell with the extra weight.<\/p>\n

The perfect case in point is the cockpit and seating area.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
Chromag\u2019s Cutlass bar is one of my favourites and proof you really don\u2019t need a 35mm bar clamp.\u00a0<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
The Chromag Ranger stem is beautifully machined, but weighs an awful lot more than lighter options on the market.\u00a0<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
I love the smooth operation of RockShox\u2019s Reverb AXS post, though a 200mm-drop option would be nice.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
The clean lines of the almost cable-free front end please me greatly.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
The irony of this sticker I added before I worked at BikeRadar\u2026 Now, riding more equals working more.\u00a0<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Being an animal lover, I\u2019m a big fan of Chromag\u2019s snarling bear aesthetic. Given the brand\u2019s British Columbian origins, I know its kit is durable. It does make me wince when it hits the scales though.<\/p>\n

I could chop about a good 100g or so from the Ranger stem alone. Even with some lovely oil-slick Ti bolts, it\u2019s a weighty stem.<\/p>\n

The matching Cutlass Carbon handlebar is not the lightest carbon bar around at a claimed 247g. However, the shape is comfortable, it has a decent degree of flex to soak up trail vibrations and has stood up to a lot of abuse. That makes the trade-off worth it in my eyes.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the 170mm RockShox Reverb AXS<\/a> dropper post is most definitely not a lightweight choice. It has less drop than the 180mm OneUp V2<\/a> post that came on the bike as stock.<\/p>\n

However, I love the smooth feel and cable-free appearance, especially with a matching AXS drivetrain.<\/p>\n

Up until recently, I was running an eclectic drivetrain. I paired SRAM\u2019s GX AXS controller and derailleur with an X01 cassette, oil slick XX1 chain and Truvativ Descendant cranks.<\/p>\n

With TRP\u2019s new EVO12 drivetrain needing some testing, I\u2019m back on a cable drivetrain and enjoying it so far.<\/p>\n

I have done a decent number of rides with this drivetrain, and there\u2019s much less chain slap and noise than GX AXS. Shifting under load seems good too.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not quite up to SRAM\u2019s new T-Type Transmission<\/a> standard, but very impressive all the same.<\/p>\n

More from the SRAM stable<\/h2>\n
\"Tom's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Spur has a RockShox SID fork.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The suspension and brakes are also from the SRAM stable.<\/p>\n

RockShox\u2019s SID fork and SIDLuxe shock<\/a> take care of bouncing duties. Featuring alongside are some, naturally, oil slick rainbow-finished SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There have been many words written about how good the latest SID is and the SIDLuxe has been equally impressive.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s amazing how much performance RockShox has pulled out of this tiny little shock. Both units feel like a very good match for the Spur. They\u2019re lightweight but very capable in the rough stuff.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
The RockShox SID is a standout performer.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
Despite it\u2019s diminutive size, the SIDLuxe packs a lot of performance into a very lightweight package<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div>
\n
\"Tom's\n<\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s G2 Ultimate brakes are a bling addition, but in hindsight, Codes would be a better choice.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

I\u2019ll soon be installing an \u00d6hlins RXC34 m.1 fork and TXC2Air shock, so we\u2019ll see how they perform in testing.<\/p>\n

As nice as the G2 Ultimate brakes look with the other oil-slick components, I\u2019ve found the performance pretty average.<\/p>\n

They have a fair amount of power for a four-piston brake and the modulation of that power is excellent. It\u2019s telling of the Spur\u2019s prowess that I wish I\u2019d gone for SRAM\u2019s burlier Code RSC brakes<\/a> though.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had two different sets of Hunt wheels on the Spur. First, its aluminium XC Wide hoops and more recently the new Proven Carbon Race XC.<\/p>\n

Both have been a good fit for the fast, technical rides I enjoy. The added internal rim width<\/a> (25mm vs 30mm) combined with the reduced weight of the Proven wheels has taken the rolling stock to the next level.<\/p>\n

\"Tom's\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The fact I find the Minion DHR II the best tyre for the Spur says a lot about its technical trail capabilities.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Wrapped around both sets of hoops has been an array of Maxxis tyres<\/a>. A Dissector and Rekon combo came stock with the Spur, though I went a little too racey with a Rekon Race and perhaps a shade aggressive in the DHR II.<\/p>\n

Of all the combos and different treads I\u2019ve tried, I keep coming back to the trusty DHR II<\/a>, however.<\/p>\n

Yes, they roll a smidge slower than the others, but the added grip is a quality skill compensator when I\u2019m chasing (or at least trying to keep up with) BikeRadar\u2019s MTB tech editors.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next for the Spur?<\/h2>\n

As much as I love the Spur as it is, there\u2019s always room for improvement.<\/p>\n

The move to \u00d6hlins suspension will be an interesting test piece, because I was impressed on the launch. I\u2019m keen to try some burlier brakes too and add yet more weight to this light but semi-burly contradiction of a bike.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also excited to try Berd\u2019s rope spokes to see how they ride in comparison to regular steel spokes. Hopefully, their reduced weight can help me claw back some of the grams I\u2019ve added.<\/p>\n

That weight probably makes this little shredder slightly more capable than it should be for a bike with so little travel.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tom explains why he loves his downcountry bike and what he has planned for it <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":54036,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build.jpg",2400,1600,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/09\/bikeradar-builds-toms-transition-spur-is-an-eclectic-enduro-worrying-build-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Tom explains why he loves his downcountry bike and what he has planned for it","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/54035"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}