Of course the Trance and the Spire do not have the same tires, horses for courses and all that. As pointed out above, the Spire has almost the same build as my Bold had before, and while the Bold did not climb as well as the Trance (maybe a 2 minute difference on the same climb, if that), there is a significant difference between the Bold and the Spire.
The alloy frame is not light (at least according to the bike builder on Fanatyks website, I have weighted neither the frame nor the complete bike).
I don't see how the frame could be responsible either, OTOH, I don't see anything else (the shorter cranks, maybe?). Wanted to try a different rear tire last weekend, but it didn't hold air (for once, not my fault, according to the LBS).
FWIW, I felt the same about a Sentinel I demo'd three or four years ago. Traction on steep stuff like a fat bike, but quicker climbs were not enjoyable (or possible). Maybe something about the Transition geometry that doesn't work for me, although I didn't notice it on the demo Spire or the demo Spur.
Feb. 16, 2022, 10:43 p.m. - Bagheera
Of course the Trance and the Spire do not have the same tires, horses for courses and all that. As pointed out above, the Spire has almost the same build as my Bold had before, and while the Bold did not climb as well as the Trance (maybe a 2 minute difference on the same climb, if that), there is a significant difference between the Bold and the Spire. The alloy frame is not light (at least according to the bike builder on Fanatyks website, I have weighted neither the frame nor the complete bike). I don't see how the frame could be responsible either, OTOH, I don't see anything else (the shorter cranks, maybe?). Wanted to try a different rear tire last weekend, but it didn't hold air (for once, not my fault, according to the LBS). FWIW, I felt the same about a Sentinel I demo'd three or four years ago. Traction on steep stuff like a fat bike, but quicker climbs were not enjoyable (or possible). Maybe something about the Transition geometry that doesn't work for me, although I didn't notice it on the demo Spire or the demo Spur.