Transition Spire Carbon GX Complete Bike

Take on the biggest terrain without the penalty, Long travel doesn't have to mean single purpose.

The Spire blends DH bike capability with mid-travel efficiency in such a way it's almost two bikes in one. A delicately tuned pedaling and pumping platform, super supple beginning stroke sensitivity and all the travel you could ask for makes for a mind bending ride. Happily climb up to your favorite challenging descent, then cruise on over to your local flow trail and you'll be rewarded on both ends of the spectrum. Don't be fooled though, while it's no one-trick pony, the Spire lives to push your limits. Get in-Spired.

Design
You’ll recognize Transition’s updated 2020 aesthetic from the Scout, with angular, large form factor tubing and a more sparse graphic treatment than the previous Sentinel. It is all new, and all carbon; that’s front and rear triangles, as well as the rocker link. At this point, it does not seem that it will be offered in aluminum, which speaks to the upper echelon of bike manufacturing that Transition now finds itself in.

Suspension
Transition has re-worked the kinematics of their “GiddyUp” four-bar suspension to be more progressive than the previous model, giving riders a wider range in how they can make the bike feel. Do you like a super plush, bump gobbling bike that feels like you’re riding on a cloud? Run 30% sag or more. Want a super poppy, responsive ride that feels more like a down-country bike than an enduro rig? Bump up the air pressure to 25% sag, and you’ll have just that. This change also means that the bike is now coil-compatible (check out the #oncoilhashtag on Instagram and you’ll see what Transition thinks of coil sprung shocks), which we’re certainly happy about. The simplicity and consistency of coil-sprung suspension, along with the DH intentions of this bike, make for exciting prospects.

Geometry
The original Sentinel was longer and slacker than previous bikes, which turned a lot of heads. With that bike, Transition hit a sweet spot, and they have not deviated much on the new model. Reach stays about the same across the board, head angle goes from 64 to 63.6 degrees, and top tubes get a hair shorter due to the even steeper seat tube angle. We agree that this style of all-mountain/enduro bike will settle at these sorts of numbers - getting any longer or slacker has diminishing returns, and reduces the fun-factor.

Along with steeper seat angles (77 degrees on average - they vary on each size - up from 76.4), an un-interrupted seat-tube allows riders to run extremely long seat-post droppers. A 5’9” rider can now run a 200mm post on a medium frame, and small and extra small riders can run seat-posts longer than 100mm.

Details
Small details like in-set, ribbed chainstay protector and updated, more weather resistant pivot hardware speak to the attention to detail that Transition has put into this frame.

Sporting almost full Tubes-In-Tubes technology, (now WITH internal routing), it’s an extremely clean looking frame. Transition has opted to leave the rear brake external, which we are grateful for. Having to uncouple a brake hose from your lever body to change it is a major pain. Other minor items, like full size water bottle fitment and the ability to run up to 2.6” tires are sure to keep even the most discerning rider completely happy.