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Hi.
I know this is a bit 'first world problems' and a little 'how long is a piece of string' but I'm stuck between the new Transition Sentinel and the Evil Offering.
I've got a Mk1 Following and love it but looking for something with more travel (and steeper seat tube). I've also had a Transition Patrol and loved that too, but sold it as I wanted a 29" wheel bike with (roughly) that sort of rear travel.
Will mostly be used for Surrey Hills and the occasional trip to Wales (more Coed Y, that BPW, but that will also be on the cards at some point), so must go up pretty well, as well as down.
Has anyone ridden both and could share opinions on the differences ? The Evil is most definitely more a 'trail' bike, with the Sentinel sitting a bit on the fence between trail and Enduro.
Any thoughts ?
Cheers
Michael
Both are my favourite brands, for me it was patrol or wreckoning, went patrol as it just felt a little bit more natural on the downhill stuff, but the evils are nice, very nice!
If i was to have the same choice as you, then the new sentinel looks very nice, great geometry and seems to be like a 29" patrol on many ways, and with the newer shape and lines. Wouldn't say no to either though, i'm only going with what i have known over the last year on the patrol, guessing those on a wreckoning or offering will go for that, and doubt they'd have a bad argument for it!
The Evil is a lot lighter and more fun to ride... If that matters? 🤷🏻♂️
I’m selling my medium sized Offering in the immediate future, frame only or as a build to suit... Only reason is that I e tried and fell in love with a Geometron G1!
If you go Evil, look at going frame oh at least.
Don't want to be lumped with a 6.5k bike dripping with Sram and E13...
Look at the equivalent spec Geometron or Transition wise...
Sentinel by a mile. Look at it!
Yup, would go frame only which ever one I bought. Building it up is half the fun ! Plus, I've already got most of the bits, Newmen A30 wheels, Hope brakes, RF bars etc.
Its a great problem to have but I've got bad decision paralysis aaarrrggghhhh ! :0/
Sentinel obviously!
Both 140r/160f if you want, lifetime warranty etc.
I'm on my third Offering frame in less than a year but they've been good, so have Transition for mates who've had issues.
If you are up North at any point happy to go for a ride.
I'm plagued with the thought that the Evil is mega flexy in the back end but it's the shit wheelset. Spent an evening on a SB6, which was sweet, but worse than the Offering for being flexy. Mate loved mine, said it climbed really well without locking the shock out.
Demo'd Sentinel, certainly not as good a going uphill...
For the riding you describe, the Evil looks the better fit.
But I'd probably look at something like the Ripmo, Stage 5 or Jeffsy as well.
Sentinel is A LOT of bike for an all-rounder, but from what I've heard it is super capable and lighter on it's tyres that you'd think looking at it on paper. To be fair for the riding you describe, I'd be looking more along the lines of a new Following or Spur with up to date geometry than either the Offering and Sentinel though. Would definitely consider sticking with short travel bikes, unless you absolutely want a bike that will suck up mistakes. For most folks, a 120/130mm bike is what suits best, but the longer travel bikes seem to have a lure for some because they just do the work for them.
The Evil is a lot lighter and more fun to ride… If that matters?
The frame weights are almost identical now (Sentinel is actually slightly lighter).
The V2 is an interesting bike, the V1 geometry was amazing, the back just couldn't keep up with the front & the V2 is meant to have addressed that. It's a big bike in that respect & I would argue way too much for the SH & the odd trip to Wales.
The Offering is probably more suitable, it's considerably steeper & shorter. If I lived in Wales, then I would say Sentinel, without a doubt. Well, actually I wouldn't - as i've had my fingers burnt way too many times by poxy little bike brands like Transition, Evil, Yeti, etc where the support is really lacking when you need it the most.
Of all the poxy bike brands out there, Ibis with the Ripmo is probably the best for that use. Or a new Hightower.
Love my Offering with 160 fork and it's plenty capable for welsh trail centres. I've never ridden a Transition so can't offer a comparison, but it does feel a little flexy at the back end compared to previous Santa Cruz 27.5 bikes... but that could be seen as a plus and doesn't affect my enjoyment of it! The only issue I've had is with the integrated chain guide which doesn't seem to be very effective at preventing a dropped and trapped (behind the chainring) chain!!