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I see Transition just announced that they are releasing an alloy version of the Scout (and Sentinel). I really liked the look of the latest Scout when it came out as a one bike for everything (mostly trail riding and the odd uplift day and Enduro race), but didn't want a carbon frame.
So, 2020/2021 Scout owners, can you tell me how you have found the (carbon) Scout? What are it's strengths and weaknesses and how has the maintenance been? I want some real user opinions (I have read the website reviews) and want to see if it matches up to what I want from my next bike.
Finally, anyone used a coil shock on theirs? How does it compare to air?
Absolutely love mine.
Previous bikes were a 2017 alloy Scout and 2018 alloy Patrol. Sold both to buy the carbon Scout.
For me, the new bike is better than both - very capable bike but also lots of fun on easy trails. Climbs better than my old Scout, descends better than my old Patrol.
Carbon is lovely but probably only adds a little to the bike. I would have no hesitation getting the alloy bike if that was my budget. I would definitely choose a high spec alloy bike over a low spec carbon.
I do wonder if the Spur would have worked for me. It would have been ace on my local trails but wasn't available at the time I was ready to buy.
interesting you think it descends better than your patrol. Any particular reason? are both the same size?
Absolutely love mine.
Previous bikes were a 2017 alloy Scout and 2018 alloy Patrol. Sold both to buy the carbon Scout.
For me, the new bike is better than both – very capable bike but also lots of fun on easy trails. Climbs better than my old Scout, descends better than my old Patrol.
Carbon is lovely but probably only adds a little to the bike. I would have no hesitation getting the alloy bike if that was my budget. I would definitely choose a high spec alloy bike over a low spec carbon.
I do wonder if the Spur would have worked for me. It would have been ace on my local trails but wasn’t available at the time I was ready to buy.
Thanks for the great feedback. Are you running the stock 150mm front/140mm rear?
Yes - I run mine stock 150 / 140.
I have a DVO Diamond fork so can easily up that to 160 and might try that sometime. I reckon it would be awesome as a 160 / 150 bike but it’s perfect for my local trails as it is.
I wonder if the reason I prefer it to the Patrol is that I never managed to ride the Patrol quite as hard as it needs to be ridden to really shine. The Scout certainly suits me personally much better and I can get down stuff that I never cleared on the Patrol. The geometry is spot on - relaxed enough to be confidence inspiring when the trail gets steeper but also poppy and fun and really good climbing. The really low seat tube and long dropper are also a real plus.
I’m conscious that I’m a huge Transition fanboi but I do really love this bike as a go anywhere, do anything trail bike.
Transition alloy = hefty, they won't even state the alloy patrol frame weight, the medium alloy Scout frame is half a Mars bar off 9lb, so adding a coil shock would push it into steel frame weight category.
The alloy frames are hefty, but seem decent value. You're giving up around 1kg compared to the carbon (though for some reason on the full bikes the difference is closer to 1.5Kg, which I find odd given the spec is basically the same aside from the fork/shock).
I've had a Spur for nearly a year now and it is by far the fastest and most fun bike I've ridden. Given how agile it feels, it makes me question the need for 27.5 wheels unless you're a Josh Bryceland type of rider who really, really wants to and can throw a bike around. I just find modern 29ers are faster, just as fun and in my mind better all rounders.
Despite that though, if you went the 29er way with a Sentinel or 27.5 Scout, you'll love either, Transition are on a roll at the minute and the bikes are just plain awesome!
I'm currently on a 27.5 and all my parts fit the Scout, so I'd be looking to get the frame and shock only.
Frame weight doesn't bother me too much, my build will be a little lighter as I have Pikes instead of Lyrics and trail wheels and tyres. It's more about the ride characteristics for me.