Transition Spur
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CoolumRockClimber
5,341 - 5,360 of 5,398 Posts
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This Spring I finally climbed out of a pit and got back on my bikes after 2.5 years off 'em. I've been averaging 4 rides a week for 3 weeks now. 
Put some sealant in my Spur's tires, and it's been good to go!
I'm running the stock Dissector in the front, and a 2.3 Aggressor out back. The Dissector needs to be replaced, and the Aggressor feels draggy. But it does offer more grip than the Rekon on the loose over hard trails of the Albuquerque foothills. My bike weighs <26lbs and I've been thinking of setting it up with more XC tires to really fly around. Maybe F 2.4 Forekaster2 /R 2.4 Rekon exo+. Any suggestions?
I feel out of shape... Strangely I've been setting some PR's on blue downhill segments, and some clearing tech climbs I've previously struggled with. What gives, haha? I'm just glad I can still pedal the 34T oval chainring around.
Anyway here's a nice pic from my ride today, and a cute friend I met along the way~🐍
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Put some sealant in my Spur's tires, and it's been good to go!I'm running the stock Dissector in the front, and a 2.3 Aggressor out back. The Dissector needs to be replaced, and the Aggressor feels draggy. But it does offer more grip than the Rekon on the loose over hard trails of the Albuquerque foothills. My bike weighs <26lbs and I've been thinking of setting it up with more XC tires to really fly around. Maybe F 2.4 Forekaster2 /R 2.4 Rekon exo+. Any suggestions?
I feel out of shape... Strangely I've been setting some PR's on blue downhill segments, and some clearing tech climbs I've previously struggled with. What gives, haha? I'm just glad I can still pedal the 34T oval chainring around.
Anyway here's a nice pic from my ride today, and a cute friend I met along the way~🐍
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My tire picks would be Syerra front and rear, or Ground Control T5/T7 for a step more aggressive.This Spring I finally climbed out of a pit and got back on my bikes after 2.5 years off 'em. I've been averaging 4 rides a week for 3 weeks now.
I'm running the stock Dissector in the front, and a 2.3 Aggressor out back. The Dissector needs to be replaced, and the Aggressor feels draggy. But it does offer more grip than the Rekon on the loose over hard trails of the Albuquerque foothills. My bike weighs <26lbs and I've been thinking of setting it up with more XC tires to really fly around. Maybe F 2.4 Forekaster2 /R 2.4 Rekon exo+. Any suggestions?
I feel out of shape... Strangely I've been setting some PR's on blue downhill segments, and some clearing tech climbs I've previously struggled with. What gives, haha? I'm just glad I can still pedal the 34T oval chainring around.
Anyway here's a nice pic from my ride today, and a cute friend I met along the way~🐍
View attachment 2144382
View attachment 2144383![Image]()
Joined
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7,041 Posts
Just went back and forth between 120 and 130mm forks. Not much difference, both great, but prefer the 120. Bike is a bit long and slack and the 120 keeps it a bit more nimble. Would‘ve kept the 130 on but the steerer was too short.
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908 Posts
Spur owners— a couple of questions from a curious potential owner:
(Background—I have a Rocky Mountain Carbon Element that has destroyed all its bearings in a short 1000 miles, and seen a couple of other issues that are making me nervous about future wellbeing of this frame)
Question 1: Anybody have time on both the Spur and Element? I’ve got a parking lot spin on a Spur and felt pretty good based on those 5 - 10 minutes. For this bike, I‘m looking to ride it everywhere in PNW, rides from a hour to all day-tests. I love pedaling, and tend to keep my bikes on the ground.
Question 2: I’m looking to either pick up a new frame only or a used complete (all have been pre UDH models) from someplace (Pinkbike, etc) as they are roughly the same in my fairly limited budget. Other than missing out on warranty and no UDH, is there anything else I’m missing out on? I’m fairly sure that both models are similar except that UDH rear triangle…
Question 3: Most of the used models I’m seeing are still running the Sidluxe rear shocks— As a bigger guy 220 ish with gear—will I be able to get to a high enough pressure to be a happy peddler?
Last Question: Anything else I should know about the Spur from current owners?
(Background—I have a Rocky Mountain Carbon Element that has destroyed all its bearings in a short 1000 miles, and seen a couple of other issues that are making me nervous about future wellbeing of this frame)
Question 1: Anybody have time on both the Spur and Element? I’ve got a parking lot spin on a Spur and felt pretty good based on those 5 - 10 minutes. For this bike, I‘m looking to ride it everywhere in PNW, rides from a hour to all day-tests. I love pedaling, and tend to keep my bikes on the ground.
Question 2: I’m looking to either pick up a new frame only or a used complete (all have been pre UDH models) from someplace (Pinkbike, etc) as they are roughly the same in my fairly limited budget. Other than missing out on warranty and no UDH, is there anything else I’m missing out on? I’m fairly sure that both models are similar except that UDH rear triangle…
Question 3: Most of the used models I’m seeing are still running the Sidluxe rear shocks— As a bigger guy 220 ish with gear—will I be able to get to a high enough pressure to be a happy peddler?
Last Question: Anything else I should know about the Spur from current owners?
Things I'd recommend....130mm fork, I think this bike should be specced with it, but ultimately the trails you ride will dictate 130 or 120.
I wouldn't stick with the Sidluxe rear shock, I would say replace with a Cane Creek AirIL. its a much better shock and wakes up the rear end. But again, your local trails will dictate what you want from the bike. You certainly could get away with the Sid.
The only thing that has changed on the bike is the UDH, everything else is the same other than colors.
I wouldn't stick with the Sidluxe rear shock, I would say replace with a Cane Creek AirIL. its a much better shock and wakes up the rear end. But again, your local trails will dictate what you want from the bike. You certainly could get away with the Sid.
The only thing that has changed on the bike is the UDH, everything else is the same other than colors.
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879 Posts
This will, I'm sure, be controversial in a Spur thread (and to be clear -- one, the Spur is the OG bike in this category and the Element is a successor with some refinements; and two, I'm a 15+ year Transition fan boy and think VERY highly of their bikes), but if you ask me, the 2025 Element is everything I wanted my Spur to be, in terms of a 27-28lb trail bike that was comfortable pedaling to and then tipping into serious terrain.
I think (IIRC) from the Element setup thread that you are also on an XL? If so, I would tread carefully with the Spur's relatively slack STA unless you're comfortable "just" running it with a 120mm fork. As soon as I put a 130 fork on the Spur (which was a helpful change, IMO) it really tipped the STA back beyond what I wanted for steep, sustained climbing. Fine for more mellow grade pedaling, but not for "winching" up heinous logging roads to access descents.
As far as suspension performance, I don't think the Spur tracks quite as nicely as the "old" 2021 Horst-Link Element on chundery stuff (especially with that dang SidLuxe), but it has a little more pick-up under pedal force, so that may be a wash in terms of your priorities. Compared to the "new," 2025 flex-pivot Element, I think the Spur is kind of a dead ringer in suspension feel (I wouldn't be shocked if the team at RMB actually rode the Spur in advance of going to the flex-pivot layout) but they're both a bit wiggly in the rear end for us 200+lb folk. I had a LOT of chainstay rub with a 2.4 Nobby Nic on the back of my Spur.
I don't think air pressure alone would be a limiting factor for you on the SidLuxe, but you WILL overheat that teensy shock if you are descending wide open for more than 3-5 minutes. The miniscule oil volume, coupled with the lack of external adjustment and short service interval, contributes to how many folks in this thread have gone to a Cane Creek DB IL / Manitou Mara IL / Fox Float DPS / RS Deluxe shock.
I didn't personally have this issue, but I've heard some folks say that the suspension action near/at sag and at bottom-out is a little unpredictable on flex-stay and flex-pivot bikes of all kinds. My local suspension tuner, who is also a longtime Transition athlete, had to do some weird rebound tune stuff to get his Spur working how he wanted, even with the more trail-worthy Float DPS shock.
Bearings... oh, bearings. I'd like to think that TR's history of making freeride bikes would make their short-travel rigs more indestructible, but my recent Smuggler/Spur experiences would suggest otherwise. I went through a set of main pivot bearings in about forty hours of riding on the Spur (fortunately, they're quite easy to pull and swap compared to the 2021/Horst-Link Element's bearings on the seat stay). Really, almost all of the superlight flex suspension bikes I've rode as "trail bikes" have eaten bearings one way or another. The only one that survived for a while sans bearing issue was the steel Reeb SST that has a MASSIVE main pivot.
Caveats: I usually have a "true" XC bike (used to be 100/120 travel, now 120/120 travel) that sits below the Spur/Element in capability, so I'm not going for all-out racy-ness on either rig; and I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and some recurrent hip/SI joint arthritis issues, so a bit more sensitive to seat angle issues than most. (Aka, a whiny little * about it!)
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7,041 Posts
Very happy with the stock Fox damper on the 2024/25 model. Usually takes me lots of time and frustration to dial a rear damper in but this one was “shockingly“ set and forget. The flex stay suspension feel is noticeable but not at all what I suspected. Unless in way over its head I think it does the job super well of letting me carry speed when I want. It got the ultimate praise on a ride yesterday…. I had to stop and squeeze my rear tire as I felt it may need air. Nope, just the rear suspension doing its thing well. The flex stay design felt more active and smooth than expected. I‘m 170# so may be different for you. Maybe the frame might feel too whippy for a 200 plus pounder but for me it’s perfect.
I ran a Pike Ultimate in both 120 and 130 on the bike and prefer the 120. Both felt great and I’m usually all for more travel up front but on this bike 120 felt perfectly matched to the rear. I didn’t feel I lost anything in terms of dh capability with 10mm less travel but did feel the bike handled better, was more nimble, and climbed better, with 120. Might depend on your trails though. Ours are tighter and not much open, high speed stuff.
I ran a Pike Ultimate in both 120 and 130 on the bike and prefer the 120. Both felt great and I’m usually all for more travel up front but on this bike 120 felt perfectly matched to the rear. I didn’t feel I lost anything in terms of dh capability with 10mm less travel but did feel the bike handled better, was more nimble, and climbed better, with 120. Might depend on your trails though. Ours are tighter and not much open, high speed stuff.
So I dropped my bike off for service yesterday and had them change the airshaft from 130 to 120 since I was doing a 50 hour service anway.
I really preferred the 120mm in the front. It felt more balanced and the climbing position was much better. Didn't feel like I lost any capability on the down at all. I prob won't be going back to the 130mm anytime soon.
Even with keeping the travel numbers the same, I still feel like the upgrade from SID fork/shock to Pike/Deluxe Ult. was really worthwhile for me. I prob weigh in at about 190lbs to 195lbs depending on the day with riding gear so I really value the dampening. I could not get the SID shock to stop bouncing around on uphill climbs no matter how much I messed with it.
Right now, I feel like the spur is running perfect. I will post a pic when I get my framebag in
I really preferred the 120mm in the front. It felt more balanced and the climbing position was much better. Didn't feel like I lost any capability on the down at all. I prob won't be going back to the 130mm anytime soon.
Even with keeping the travel numbers the same, I still feel like the upgrade from SID fork/shock to Pike/Deluxe Ult. was really worthwhile for me. I prob weigh in at about 190lbs to 195lbs depending on the day with riding gear so I really value the dampening. I could not get the SID shock to stop bouncing around on uphill climbs no matter how much I messed with it.
Right now, I feel like the spur is running perfect. I will post a pic when I get my framebag in
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366 Posts
I really think 120mm is the sweet spot for the front of the Spur. I went a similar path. SID wasn’t quite burly enough for me either.
I switched to a Fox 34 130mm. That was better. Then dropped to 120mm on the F34. Perfect. You wouldn’t think 10mm would be so noticeable.
Spur is a great bike!
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366 Posts
Agree. The latest Pike is a great fork too. Arguably better for a 190lb plus rider than a F34. I have a 130mm travel Pike on a Canfield Yelli Screamy. For the Spur I have been trying to keep it optimized for long climbs and not overbuild it!
I regularly ride some long steep climbs with a lot of tight switchbacks on loose sandy gravelly terrain. My Spur is an XL so it’s a big long bike. I feel as if keeping the front travel down at 120mm helps to keep the front end wander somewhat under control on the way up.
I’m using ALL the travel on the way back down.
I upgraded the SID to a 2024 Float on the back. That’s where I wished I would have chosen a slightly heavier duty unit..
I've got a Cane Creek IL Air V2 off my Spur that I just sold, the buyer wanted the RS Deluxe that came with the bike. Less than 12 hours/5 rides on it in perfect condition with Fox bearing on link end and std on the bottom ready to go. PM if interested.
Works awesome on the the spur. Wish servicing it weren't so expensive though
No more so than a Fox, around $120 for a full service. Rockshox are easy to work on but I recently paid $65 for a 200 hr. service kit on a SDU, add in some tools to get it done and you're over the cost of a pro service on a Cane Creek.
The place I take it to in CO, dirtlabs, charges $210 😵💫
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71 Posts
I finally got to demo an Epic 8 Evo and compare it to my Spur. The rear end of the Epic felt really impressive. Like zero peddle bob on climbs, but opens up and absorbs when going over rocks and roots. Just motored over stuff on slow speed climbs. The Epic felt stiffer and more efficient than the Spur, but less loose and playful when descending.
This got wondering how much the Fox Float shock on the Evo contributes to the rear end amd how it would feel on the Spur. I’m sure the linkage plays a huge part, but the Fox DPS is always a compromise for me. Either run it stiff and get pounded/hung up on big roots, or plush and not very efficient. The best configurations I’ve found for me are either 1 negative volume spacer, or 2 plus the needle bearing mount.
Sounds like the DB air solves a lot of these compromises
This got wondering how much the Fox Float shock on the Evo contributes to the rear end amd how it would feel on the Spur. I’m sure the linkage plays a huge part, but the Fox DPS is always a compromise for me. Either run it stiff and get pounded/hung up on big roots, or plush and not very efficient. The best configurations I’ve found for me are either 1 negative volume spacer, or 2 plus the needle bearing mount.
Sounds like the DB air solves a lot of these compromises
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71 Posts
About 1 psi per pound of body weight has worked pretty well. I usually go a little over by 5 psi. That gives me a kind 20-25% sag.
I'm running about 205psi (with a .6 spacer) I'm about 200lbs kitted up with water, etc..
Still go through all the travel easily every ride. Im trying to figure out how to get more support mid travel. I've got a 2024 fox float that Im going to throw on try.
What are you running, how are you finding the ride?
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