Transition Bikes?

The Kalmyk

The Kalmyk

Well-Known Member
Does anyone on here own one? What model do you have and how do you like them? Im getting something new and these seem like a really nice option but havent seen a lot of the out there.

Thanks
 
Well, actually… I do. It’s a V3 (2023 to current) Smuggler (140/130) which I picked up second hand about a year or so ago. I knew I liked it the first time I threw a leg over it, but surprisingly it took several months to get it perfect. It’s a Horst link bike which was the only suspension design I hadn’t had before and thus the need for an extended tweaking period. Transitions are long bikes; wheel base, reach, front center… you get the point. They like carving turns and going fast. The faster you go the happier they are. They are VERY plush in the rear, which I expected to be a negative climbing and efficiency wise but it pedals and climbs awesome. The super steep seat tube angle keeps you really centered pretty much anywhere. It’s unexpectedly nimble given the length and begs you to pop up, over and off of anything and everything on the trail. So it’s perfect, right? Well??? Did I mention it’s plush in the rear? These Horst link bikes seem to spend a disproportionate amount of the ride in the mid-stroke area. I have buddies with stump jumpers and they have the exact same experience. Regardless of sag, rebound, compression or volume spacers utilized. Sooo, if it’s high speed tech, the bike will kill it. Low speed tech? You better be running shorter cranks and speeding up the rebound a click or two if you don’t want the ride to be Pedal Strike Appaloosa.

Hope this is helpful.
 
You don't see them because it's regional. Does anyone in NNJ sell them? (Actually just looked, only shop that I know is Tenafly)

I see a ton of them here in WNC because one of the more popular shops sells and rents them along with them being well suited for the type of trails here.

Spur is on my short list of next bikes.
 
Any word on the the ease of warranty support and the ability to purchase small parts (proprietary parts for the frame / linkages / bearings, etc.). I have found that to be a key decision point when looking at new frames as you can really get jammed up if you can't get some of those things.
 
I rented a Transition on a multi day trip out west, i forget whether it was a smuggler or sentinenal. My first reaction the first couple miles was Oh Shit, this thing bobs harder than your mom for apples and the front center felt longer the hood of an old Jag--this thing is gonna suck pedaling around for the next few days! Turns out, i was wrong. While that active 4 bar rear was super plush and willing to dip deep in its travel, it did bob a lot but it also articulated like the mars rover over everything up those steep slickrock climbs and never once did i have a lack of traction. And that long, slack front end made it very stable for the steep, rocky descents. So while i dont think i would choose that brand as a general trail bike here in NJ with big blend of XC and rocky trails all over the state (i prefer something with a little more anti-squat platform), it rocked out west.
 
stb222 said:
Any word on the the ease of warranty support and the ability to purchase small parts (proprietary parts for the frame / linkages / bearings, etc.). I have found that to be a key decision point when looking at new frames as you can really get jammed up if you can't get some of those things.
Click to expand...

I’ve been punishing a 22’ sentinel for 3 years now. Picked up as a barely used frame from pinkbike but still not original owner. Had an issue with some play in the main pivot on the chainstay side. After sending a quick video, no questions asked transition shipped out a brand new rear triangle. Also had some issues with the early version of the fox x2. Once again transition contacted Fox and got me a brand new 24’ X2 replacement.

I have swapped all the bearings last year purchased direct from transition. All are widely available enduro max bearings which I’d assume their newer models use as well. Before this bike I would get a different frame every year. This winter will be four years with no plans to sell. It all just works (for my riding style anyway). Does EVERYTHING good. Not just excel at one and suck at another. It is long, it is very slack, it has a low bb, but that seems to be their style and I dig it because it matches mine.
 
I've ridden the Spur a bunch, it's a great bike. Very easy to work on (external rear brake), no weird parts. Definitely isn't an XC bike (a positive for some I'm assuming). Definitely beefy and well suited to taking a beating. It's way more short travel trail bike than XC.

I strongly considered going Smuggler for my mid travel trail bike for a while too.
 
stb222 said:
Any word on the the ease of warranty support and the ability to purchase small parts (proprietary parts for the frame / linkages / bearings, etc.). I have found that to be a key decision point when looking at new frames as you can really get jammed up if you can't get some of those things.
Click to expand...
Basically, everything is listed and available on their website. The nice thing is… they also provide the torque specs for everything you buy on their website in same listing. See example below.
IMG_0808.png
 
The Kalmyk said:
Does anyone on here own one? What model do you have and how do you like them? Im getting something new and these seem like a really nice option but havent seen a lot of the out there.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not sure of sizing and where you ride, but you are more than welcome to throw a leg over mine. I know the newer sentinel geo is dialed back a bit but will give you an idea of their ride feel.

Large V2 Sentinel
 
We were super close to carrying them, but my visit to spain with mondraker made a tough choice a bit easier. I decided that one spanish brand wasn't enough so now we carry MD and Orbea.


I have nothing bad to say about TR. They make sick bikes too. If you want one, go visit Tenafly and Tell Shep I sent yA!
 
jredone said:
I’ve been punishing a 22’ sentinel for 3 years now. Picked up as a barely used frame from pinkbike but still not original owner. Had an issue with some play in the main pivot on the chainstay side. After sending a quick video, no questions asked transition shipped out a brand new rear triangle. Also had some issues with the early version of the fox x2. Once again transition contacted Fox and got me a brand new 24’ X2 replacement.

I have swapped all the bearings last year purchased direct from transition. All are widely available enduro max bearings which I’d assume their newer models use as well. Before this bike I would get a different frame every year. This winter will be four years with no plans to sell. It all just works (for my riding style anyway). Does EVERYTHING good. Not just excel at one and suck at another. It is long, it is very slack, it has a low bb, but that seems to be their style and I dig it because it matches mine.
Click to expand...

I love good customer service stories. I was hoping someone would share a warranty experience. Thank you


ChrisG said:
None currently in stock, but Belmar Bike Shop can order Transition.
Click to expand...

This makes logistical sense for me. Thanks Chris
 
I was going up to kingdom trails a couple years ago and was going over the bike. I found my main pivot bearings were all crunchy and the bike was just a year old. I called them up to buy some new ones. Talked to Ken and explained I needed the bearings before the weekend and he sent them next day free of charge. I was really impressed with that.
 
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