2018 Transition Bike Specs and Geometry!

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2018 Transition Bike Specs and Geometry

For 2018 Transition Bikes have redesigned and re-engineered their complete range. Customers can choose from 4 bike designs, including one brand new model. New technology gives you a line up that is longer and slacker with stability for steep descents. The use of SBG makes the bike more than capable enough to climb all day. This is improved with a more centered riding position.

We will run you through some of the big and smaller changes made to Transition Bikes Range for 2018.

 

2018 Transition Sentinel Alloy

The biggest new from Transition for 2018 is their new Model, The Sentinel. For this model, we see 29″ Wheels, 160mm Travel Fork & 140mm Rear Travel. Personally, we think the Transition Sentinel will stand out from others due to the playfulness and fun they can put into a bike.

 

There will be two color ways available on each model of the bike along with 3 complete bike options. One of the best things about Transition is they do not limit your color choice to a certain spec model. For 2018 you get to choose between the colors and build options you want. There will be 4 Bike builds options as well as a Frame only and Frame and Fork. Due to the offset of the Fork use, we would recommend Frame and Fork if you are looking to build your personal spec bike.

 

 

Geometry wise we see a slack 64-degree head angle paired up with the shorter offset fork. The Balanced Geometry comes into play here by making the seat tube steeper and an offset fork helps to improve the grip of the front wheel. The grips are vastly improved by the way the front tire tracks, also known as Trail.

 

How SBG Improves Grip

The trail is the distance from the center of the tire’s contact patch to the point where the steering axis hits the ground. (the blue laser lines you can see going through the center of the fork and the second line going vertically towards the ground). The trail is only one part of the equation that determines how a bike will handle, but the general rule of thumb is that a higher trail number. Higher trail numbers can lead to more stability as speeds increase but at the cost of increased wheel ‘flop’ at slower speeds. This same concept is used on all four models for 2018 so you’re not going to miss out on this new concept!

 

 

 

2018 Transition Patrol Alloy

Following on from last year the 2018 Transition Patrol keeps its name but not much else. We see a jump in the fork and shock travel making this bike even more capable than before. One thing Transition Bikes are known for is how playful they can make a bike feel due to their careful choice of geometry and sizing.

 

 

If the whole 29″ wheel long Travel thing isn’t for you then the Patrol will tick all the boxes. Out of the box, this thing is ready to race with complete bikes starting from £2999.95. When people start asking for a do it all bike it’s hard to point them toward one bike. There is always some sacrifice to be made whether it’s when you’re climbing or descending. With Transitions Speed Balanced Geometry this bike will climb better than its predecessor giving you a very capable bike for the Fast, Steep and Technical trails with a good climbing position. It’s hard for a bike to tick every box but this comes bloody close!

 

The Patrol is our choice of bike for the Rider that wants to go that little bit faster and jump that little bit further down the trail. From Trail to Downhill tracks the bike won’t disappoint giving you that extra confidence needed to go faster.

 

 

 

2018 Transition Scout Alloy

Throughout 2017 we saw a lot of people putting a 150mm Travel fork on the front of the scout to give you a slight slacker head angle Funnily enough, for 2018 Transition has done it for you! Along with the shorter offset Fork, you will get a slacker head angle, more grip without losing the playfulness of the bike.

 

 

A personal favorite for us with the local trails we ride in the South West. The Scout is for a Rider that wants to ride trails all day. The bike will do occasional bike park trip but doesn’t fancy the bigger steeper tracks. If you want to hit the steeper, harsher tracks then the Patrol would be better suited for the job. If you want a bike that’s a bit more capable for climbing, trail riding and wild at the bike park, the Scout is the one.

 

We see a bigger change in the head angle for 2018. Last years model came with a 67-degree whereas now we have a 65-degree head angle. The bike is going to be more stable and trail friendly. There are several smaller changes to the 4 bikes which will all be listed at the bottom.

 

 

 

2018 Transition Smuggler Alloy

The Smuggler, Transitions first dive into the 29″ wheel market a few years back. The previous models were designed around having a 130mm Travel Fork up front and 115mm rear Whereas For 2018 We see the jump up in travel, Slacker head angle and a more centered riding position.

 

 

The bike now has 140mm Travel Fork and the back end increased to 130mm. Where the travel is needed on more aggressive tracks the bike will be more capable. The seat tube angle gets steeper by around 1-degree through all 4 frame sizes to help with pedaling efficiency. Now with a 66-degree head angle, 1.5 degrees Slacker than before. This combined with the 44mm offset fork (7mm less offset than a standard 29″ fork). You get the benefits of a longer bike without the issues you get in tighter corners and climbing.

 

 

Now for some of the more subtle changes.

  • One thing we had several customers ask us about was ‘how do we stop the cables rattling inside the frame?’ Well… As a result of Transition listened and for 2018 We see all 4 bikes come with new Rubber Cable port covers, to help keep the cable more centered and tensioned inside the frame.
  • Boost rear dropout spacing is now seen through out the whole range, but don’t worry, if you have a set of 142×12 and 100×15 wheels you can’t bring yourself to sell we do offer the HXR Components hub adaptors that can be found HERE.
  • There’s still room for a bottle inside the front triangle to help you stay hydrated on the trail.
  • Increased Seat post insertion to allow for a longer dropper seat post.
  • Rear brake post mount has been upped to a 180mm standard instead of the previous 160, no one runs a 160mm anymore, do they?
  • Enduro MAX bearings used throughout the frame to ensure a longer bearing life

 


More Information
For more about the specs and prices on the 2018 Transition Range please see the links below:

 

Don’t just take our word for how good these bikes are going to be.

Check out what the owners of Transition Bikes have to say!