Bike Review:

Transition Spire

Unleashing Confidence on the Trails

The Transition Spire is a seriously slack 29-inch wheeled Enduro bike, designed for riders seeking to push their limits and tackle challenging terrain. With 170mm of travel both front and rear, this bike promises an exciting ride. Let’s dive into what makes this trail beast come alive.

Geometry and Fit:

I rode the Spire in a large size setup in the high position. With a reach of 485, it might feel a tad large for some riders, but it contributes to stability on the trails. The 63-degree head tube angle ensures that stability during high-speed descents and provides a boost of confidence. Additionally, the head tube angle is adjustable down to 62.5 degrees, allowing riders to fine-tune the bike’s handling to their preference. The 35mm rise Mandrel bars and 5mm rise Swage stem put the bars in a nice position for pulling up or keeping the weight centered on the steepest descents.

The steep 78.1-degree effective seat tube angle and long 446mm chainstays place the rider in the middle of the bike for an efficient pedaling position. Climbing feels natural and there is good weight on the front tire for switchbacks.

The Build:

The XT build with Fox Factory suspension, XT brakes, and DT Swiss XM 1700 Wheels is impressive. Transition prioritizes important components over flashy features, making the Spire a reliable trail companion. Other builds come with equally capable components like heavy duty Schwalbe tires, good cockpit components, quality suspension, and a bash guide.

The Climb:

The Spire handles climbs well, thanks to its efficient pedaling position and excellent traction. It may not match the speed of shorter travel bikes, but it won’t hold you back while chasing your buddies or clawing up technical climbs. Traction is particularly noteworthy, thanks to the Float X2 rear shock, which confidently tackles rocky trails and slabs.

The Descent:

Where the Spire truly shines is during descents. Stability is abundant, making rough and chunky terrain feel like a walk in the park. It instills immense confidence, allowing the rider to tackle steeps and let it all hang out on the fast sections. The bike’s slack angles and top-notch Fox suspension help smooth out the roughest trails, ensuring the most smiles for your effort.

Jumping:

For riders who love catching air, the Spire does well on larger jumps and high-speed drops. The Fox Float X2 shock can be adjusted to perform well for both high-speed jumps and offer excellent traction. However, on smaller and more trail-sized jumps, it does feel a bit less lively and requires more rider input.

Final Thoughts:

The Transition Spire is an excellent choice for riders looking to go fast and push their limits out on the trails. It offers tremendous stability, making steep descents and technical sections feel tame. While it might not be the speediest climber, its efficiency and traction make it a reliable option for long trail days and resort riding. Riders looking for one bike the Transition Spire could be one of the most well rounded options. For those who love to session features and conquer challenging trails, the Spire is a fantastic companion, instilling confidence and inspiring you to get the most out of every ride.

Pick up a Transition Spire for yourself