Conclusion
Form follows function, or is it function that follows form? Either way, Transition’s Spur is so adept at converting calories into speed, it encouraged us to do numerous old-school XC rides and reignited a treat previously gone sour as most trail bikes have gained weight in their drive to be more capable.
It’s also the only bike ever taken on a long enduro ride with pals on e-bikes where we’ve not wanted to kill ourselves. This is because, despite similar geometry to an enduro bike, at 11.25kg (24.8lb) the Transition Spur is a completely different proposition, at least in terms of energy expenditure.
It’s not simply the weight reduction that makes it so efficient though, the perfect shape with a stretched-out riding position delivers a damn good reason to stomp on the pedals.
What’s more amazing though is, despite a distinct lack of mass, the Spur still cannonballs with ever-increasing pace once you get off the brakes. No other lightweight, short-travel bike descends as quickly with so little trade off. So rather than feeling under-biked, Transition’s dialled machine offers a buffer, for those moments when you forget that you’re not quite as good a rider as you think you are.
If the Spur is the best down-country bike we’ve tested, where does that leave the Evil Following? With more pop than a Dualit toaster and an ability to square off corners better than a good carpenter, the Following is an enormous load of fun. It’s also three pounds heavier than the Spur, so it doesn’t surge under power as ruthlessly. The extra weight does mean that the
Evil can charge harder before reaching mechanical limits of chassis and components though, so full-on enduro terrain feels like fair game for the V3 Following especially if you increase the fork travel. So it’s less down-country and more enduro-trail, and excels in the kind of terrain where jamming brakes on in an emergency doesn’t contort the frame and fork, as hard-chargers might experience on the Spur.
Ultimately, both bikes are exceptional. For mellower terrain not demanding heavy braking and simply prioritising arriving everywhere early, the Transition Spur is the perfect companion. The Following’s synchronicity between front and rear suspension will have you giggling like a kid though, and it’s hard to imagine ever tiring of slicing turns and mysteriously increasing speed without actually doing anything.
It’s got more pop than a Dualit toaster and squares off corners like a carpenter