Ha! After my first major mtb accident in thirty years of riding last year I wasn’t sure I’d ever go back to mtb. Sold my longer travel, fast bike right away. Mostly healed up now but in order to take it down a few notches I got a Spur. After only two rides on it I’m shocked as to how capable it is. And “unfortunately” I’m riding way faster overall. Thanks for the review.
Wow incredible riding! Next time, when I’m whining while slowly going through a little Rocky / rooty section on my Spur I’ll watch this for inspiration!
100% couldn't agree more. I went from a stumpjumer which wasn't enough for my needs, to an intense carbine which was way top much bike and finally settled on a new Niner Rip RDO which is the sweet spot between the two. 5 years and 3 bikes later we have a winner 😂
I have a Transition scout (140R 150F) and its beyond fantastic, does everything I want. I have a DH bike for when I go uplifts but my scout rides better than any other trail bike Ive ever ridden.
Sick overview, was in the market for a 120ish downcountry bike and you made that Spur look like a riot on the trails. Short travel bikes are stupid amounts of fun as your riding skills increase, especially here in the Midwest. Love my 130/150 Fuel EX, but feel there's too much overlap with my Spire and I struggle to utilize all it's travel for everyday XC riding, even with zero volume spacers in the fork and shock. Also rocking the Dissector/Assegai combo on that bike and feel it's almost perfect for spirited trail riding, but the Minion DHF or even DHR ll front might be the better choice for everyday rides. Was set on buying the Fuel EX's little brother the Trek Top Fuel as my next frame and swapping the components over and shortening my Pike Ultimate to 130 mm, but am strongly considering the Spur now. Every review of it makes it seem like the perfect little trail rocket than still handles it!
I definitely have an aggressive tire combo for a 120 mm bike but it still feels super light and fast after being on all the big bikes. I have some DHFs lying around so maybe I’ll throw one on the front when I wear out the Assagai. Also thinking about throwing in an XC cushcore in the rear… Oh man with the way you ride I think the Spur would be the perfect Midwest bike! I’m gonna say you’ll be able to do everything just as well as your Trek but have a lot more fun on everything else. The Spur really feels that capable to me. I need to get up to a pretty big bike like the Spire before I really notice much of a difference in the lack of travel. You’d love it! Could rip spirit and Piedmont no problem on it as well. It’s so sick.
I’d love to try an Evil sometime. I hear great things about the suspension kinematics. The Offering sounds like a solid single bike to have in the PNW for sure.
Different spokes for different folks for sure... I would totally love a spur. I've thought about what the best quiver killer bike would be for me, I think it would be the Spire with maybe 170 front 160 rear, and then probably carbon frame with light components. All that being said, I kind of enjoy my alloy spire with "cheap" components that can take a beating.
The Spire is pretty awesome for the PNW. I just need to ride steeper trails when I’m on it and it’s all good. 👍 Can’t beat the durable affordable components. Way less stressful when stuff breaks.
@@LoamerMTB I was wondering if you'd notice the poetic nature of the first two lines here. I thought about keeping it going but gave up lol. The only Alloy Spire component I'd swap out is the Code R's probably. Could use some tougher wheels too though... I've abused them.
Pivot Shadowcat Pro XT / XTR w/ Reynolds black label carbon wheelset has 140/160 travel and weighs something like 28 lbs. It's ridiculously fun and rockets uphill.
@@LoamerMTB They're the first carbon rims that I have ridden on a mountainbike. My previous ones Race Face AR. Things I noticed -- - the ease of acceleration (particularly rapid acceleration, like suddenly pushing hard or standing up to get over something) is very obvious. - I'm often using a slightly larger gear when climbing because it just takes less effort. It's very noticeable how fast they spin up. - they're very, very stiff & precise, which overall is great, but has caused some surprises when glancing laterally off of rocks for example. - Industry Nine hub is *loud* like a cicada but I love the 1deg engagement -- it has changed how I ride. - However, I don't love the fact that I had to warranty the rear hub after 1 month (pinging, due to a problem with the pawls and/or freehub body)
maybe you have, but I've always thought the 130-140 range is perfect for all types of riding, better then a full on enduro bike or full on x-country bike...they can be one bike to do it all.
I totally agree. Just because I can do it on my 120 bike doesn’t mean I want to. Sometimes the Spur just beats me up. A middle of the road do it all 130/140 would be so much more comfortable.
I see a lot of folks over biked on local Midwest trails. I was one of them. The typical “bigger is better” mindset. I have a very overlapped quiver right now (Spur 120/120, Trance X 135/150, and Stumpy EVO 150/160). I grab the Spur for 90% of my local rides because it’s so much more fun. I keep flat pedals on my Trance X to mix it up. The STEVO is used when I travel to bigger, faster terrain or race enduros.
I bet the Spur is an absolute blast in the Midwest. I rode my Spire in Duluth and Copper Harbor and even on the gnarlier trails it felt like a bit too much bike. The Spur prob would have been way more fun overall. Sounds like you have a great setup to cover all the bases!
Ha! After my first major mtb accident in thirty years of riding last year I wasn’t sure I’d ever go back to mtb. Sold my longer travel, fast bike right away. Mostly healed up now but in order to take it down a few notches I got a Spur. After only two rides on it I’m shocked as to how capable it is. And “unfortunately” I’m riding way faster overall. Thanks for the review.
Exactly my experience 😂 Now I’m doing the same moves without the travel to bail me out.
Wow incredible riding! Next time, when I’m whining while slowly going through a little Rocky / rooty section on my Spur I’ll watch this for inspiration!
You can definitely tell you rode over a root garden on the Spur! Very capable but still only 120.
100% couldn't agree more. I went from a stumpjumer which wasn't enough for my needs, to an intense carbine which was way top much bike and finally settled on a new Niner Rip RDO which is the sweet spot between the two. 5 years and 3 bikes later we have a winner 😂
That’s awesome! Sounds like the perfect setup for you.
The balls with which this man ignores his brakes is offensive lol
Braking less is the easiest way to go faster!
@@LoamerMTB Agreed lol. Just picked up an OIZ and the hubs are hella fast. What camera are you filming with?
Nice! I film on a GoPro Hero 12.
Excellent video, great subject. Definitely wish I had more bikes!! But for now the 140r/160f has a-lot of bases covered.
I think the 140/160 or slightly less would prob be the best single bike for most people.
I have a Transition scout (140R 150F) and its beyond fantastic, does everything I want. I have a DH bike for when I go uplifts but my scout rides better than any other trail bike Ive ever ridden.
Sick overview, was in the market for a 120ish downcountry bike and you made that Spur look like a riot on the trails. Short travel bikes are stupid amounts of fun as your riding skills increase, especially here in the Midwest. Love my 130/150 Fuel EX, but feel there's too much overlap with my Spire and I struggle to utilize all it's travel for everyday XC riding, even with zero volume spacers in the fork and shock. Also rocking the Dissector/Assegai combo on that bike and feel it's almost perfect for spirited trail riding, but the Minion DHF or even DHR ll front might be the better choice for everyday rides. Was set on buying the Fuel EX's little brother the Trek Top Fuel as my next frame and swapping the components over and shortening my Pike Ultimate to 130 mm, but am strongly considering the Spur now. Every review of it makes it seem like the perfect little trail rocket than still handles it!
I definitely have an aggressive tire combo for a 120 mm bike but it still feels super light and fast after being on all the big bikes. I have some DHFs lying around so maybe I’ll throw one on the front when I wear out the Assagai. Also thinking about throwing in an XC cushcore in the rear… Oh man with the way you ride I think the Spur would be the perfect Midwest bike! I’m gonna say you’ll be able to do everything just as well as your Trek but have a lot more fun on everything else. The Spur really feels that capable to me. I need to get up to a pretty big bike like the Spire before I really notice much of a difference in the lack of travel. You’d love it! Could rip spirit and Piedmont no problem on it as well. It’s so sick.
Evil offering!!! For the people in the back!
Best northwest trail bike
I’d love to try an Evil sometime. I hear great things about the suspension kinematics. The Offering sounds like a solid single bike to have in the PNW for sure.
Different spokes for different folks for sure... I would totally love a spur. I've thought about what the best quiver killer bike would be for me, I think it would be the Spire with maybe 170 front 160 rear, and then probably carbon frame with light components. All that being said, I kind of enjoy my alloy spire with "cheap" components that can take a beating.
The Spire is pretty awesome for the PNW. I just need to ride steeper trails when I’m on it and it’s all good. 👍 Can’t beat the durable affordable components. Way less stressful when stuff breaks.
@@LoamerMTB I was wondering if you'd notice the poetic nature of the first two lines here. I thought about keeping it going but gave up lol. The only Alloy Spire component I'd swap out is the Code R's probably. Could use some tougher wheels too though... I've abused them.
Nice Rip! Short travel bikes are crazy fun! Where's the next spot you'll take the Spur?
It’s so refreshing! I’d love to get it over to the east side. I bet it’d be great on all the flowy fast stuff over there.
Pivot Shadowcat Pro XT / XTR w/ Reynolds black label carbon wheelset has 140/160 travel and weighs something like 28 lbs. It's ridiculously fun and rockets uphill.
I bet it is! How do you like the carbon rims? I’ve been thinking about throwing some on the Spur.
@@LoamerMTB They're the first carbon rims that I have ridden on a mountainbike. My previous ones Race Face AR. Things I noticed --
- the ease of acceleration (particularly rapid acceleration, like suddenly pushing hard or standing up to get over something) is very obvious.
- I'm often using a slightly larger gear when climbing because it just takes less effort. It's very noticeable how fast they spin up.
- they're very, very stiff & precise, which overall is great, but has caused some surprises when glancing laterally off of rocks for example.
- Industry Nine hub is *loud* like a cicada but I love the 1deg engagement -- it has changed how I ride.
- However, I don't love the fact that I had to warranty the rear hub after 1 month (pinging, due to a problem with the pawls and/or freehub body)
maybe you have, but I've always thought the 130-140 range is perfect for all types of riding, better then a full on enduro bike or full on x-country bike...they can be one bike to do it all.
I totally agree. Just because I can do it on my 120 bike doesn’t mean I want to. Sometimes the Spur just beats me up. A middle of the road do it all 130/140 would be so much more comfortable.
I see a lot of folks over biked on local Midwest trails. I was one of them. The typical “bigger is better” mindset.
I have a very overlapped quiver right now (Spur 120/120, Trance X 135/150, and Stumpy EVO 150/160). I grab the Spur for 90% of my local rides because it’s so much more fun. I keep flat pedals on my Trance X to mix it up. The STEVO is used when I travel to bigger, faster terrain or race enduros.
I bet the Spur is an absolute blast in the Midwest. I rode my Spire in Duluth and Copper Harbor and even on the gnarlier trails it felt like a bit too much bike. The Spur prob would have been way more fun overall. Sounds like you have a great setup to cover all the bases!