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I snapped my Airdrop last week so I'm after a new frame, want a Transition (open to other ideas) and was going to go for a Patrol but the more I look into the Smuggler and Sentinel the more I like them, I'm just worried that the Smuggler won't like me going big on it in bikeparks and the Sentinel won't like being threaded through trees in the local woods.
My local riding is standard singletracky stuff, some fast, some tight, plenty of little lips and jumps spread around. But I ride uplift/bikepark stuff quite alot and enjoy that most, obviously! Reviews seem a bit misleading, whilst the Patrol seems to get a good allround press some reviewers seem to think the Sentinel is great but still a bit of a handful, and the Smuggler more capable than its 120mm, but still a trail bike.
Also, to make it worse I'm 6'2" and right between L and XL!
I want to demo some, but demoing 3 bikes in 2 sizes isn't that practical, so was hoping some advice on here from owners, or people who demod a couple could help me narrow it down a bit, especially sizing advice from anyone my height.
Any advice greatly appreciated!
Patrol would be my choice if Airdrop Edit was your initial answer.
Cant you get a warranty / crash replacement for the Edit?
If other bikes are in scope then the Bird Aeris 145lt might be a good option for you....I tested the Edit and Aeris and thought the Aeris was more lively. Lifetime frame warranty too.
I guess the Capra could also be a good option now they’ve modernised the geometry and they have both 27.5/29” options.
Would probably also look at the Radon Swoop and Nukeproof Mega.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/new-bike-week/
I have a smuggler 2018 and it rips. Love the combo of short travel and 29er wheels, great trail bike, finale was a blast on it, done enduros on it and ride park with it quite a lot here in Sweden. Ok black DH tracks I miss my DH bike but machine built stuff it’s actually more fun. I am 185cm and nearly got an xl but went large. I’d probably go xl if I was you.
I can help a bit. I'm 6ft 2 and have an XL sentinel on order after demo'ing one. The reach numbers etc are misleading due to the steep seat tube but then works really well once the seat is dropped. I wouldn't want smaller.
I wanted a sentinel as I was finding my orange segment gets out of its depth on rougher stuff. Good bike though. I've enjoyed it but like you wanted to do uplifts etc more often. Gave the sentinel a good couple of days test and it's much more capable. Felt like a little DH bike compared to the segment and climbs very well. Didn't notice the extra weight at all.
Slight problem with sentinel at the moment is though they've ran out of fox 36's for them. 😐 Apparently more land at transition in August so I'm expecting September by the time they get here.
Don't think it's an issue if you choose rockshox or buy a full bike.
I had a little go on a L Sentinel, I'm 6ft and it felt a bit small although it had a few spacers under the stem.
On paper it has the same reach as my Kona Process but it felt shorter.
XL would be the right size. I’m the same height - I had a large Smuggler and always wished it was an XL.
Its a very very capable bike for the travel. I wouldn’t have had any worries at all taking it to a bike park. Pretty sure a few guys used the previous generation Smuggler on the EWS which is probably a good enough endorsement for me.
Sentinel looks great too and I’m sort of considering one but haven’t ridden one yet. I’d definitely be going XL though...
Is there not a certain type of bike you fancy, trail, enduro, whatever, rather than it having to be a certain brand? Ignore me if you get deals on em from a bike shop! 😊
Thanks for the advice, XL might be the way then by the sounds of it, I was more inclined towards a large so that's good to know.
The Edit was my initial answer, but not necessarily the right one! How is the Sentinel in tighter stuff? I just can't get my head around that massive wheelbase! The reach kinda makes sense then, as the L is the same as my Edit, but if you think it feels smaller than on paper the XL should tot up about right
I'm after Transition because I like the brand, get a good deal in the local shop and I like the SBG concept, seems like they're pushing things forward more than most, shows that they sweat every detail of the geo. But I'm very much open to alternatives, they are just the first I'd like to try.
Anyone have an idea on 2019 availability?
Not a clue on availability. A patrol was initially what I wanted but thought they were a bit expensive for what you got.
My medium long Aeris has a reach of 481mm I think - the XL must be huge - but they all have short seat tubes so you can pick the size on length.
With long bikes you get used to them and how they turn. I find the faster you are going the better to turn in and you need to ride with your weight just front focused. If you do the front wheel just grips and grips and locks into turns and you can play with the back a bit.
I’ve recently got more into steeper off piste stuff (although I mostly love flow trails that are fast with big features) and week by week I get more used to getting the bike turned in on steep / sharp hairpins.
So I wouldn’t be put off long / slack geometry at all. But you do need to relearn how you ride a bit - they appreciate aggressive riding I reckon.
I'd go for a scout
Had a Scout a Patrol and a TR500
Snapped the Scout (Fixed asap under warranty, excellent warranty service) sold the TR500 (overkill for the south of England) kept the Patrol for 2 years
The Patrol is a good all round bike, great for trails, climbs well considering its 160mm, handles BPW with ease, i was quite pleased with it until i tried an E-MTB lol
Scout
Snap!!!!!
Patrol
Tr500
Bikeactive (where I bought my Patrol) have a bundle deal on the Sentinel/36’s with the correct offset. They usually offer a further 10% off
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I’d say go XL. I’m 5’ 9” on a L Patrol and for me feels like a medium. </span>
I've a smuggler, fantastic bike. Mine is built with 160mm pikes. It flies downhill. No problem on very rocky lake District trails (quicker/way better riding than the 140mm 26 inch bike that came before). It is also fine for pedaling in the more xc type woodsy single-track locally.
I'm 6'3" on an XL and I definitely wouldn't want smaller. Would say XL is probably best for you too.
I would guess March next year for 2019, based on this year. But no idea really!
A Klunker 😉
Not at all practical, but great fun, and confuses bike nerds.
I had someone shout after me yesterday - 'Oi mate, is that really a Transition?'
Bikeactive (where I bought my Patrol) have a bundle deal on the Sentinel/36’s with the correct offset. They usually offer a further 10% off
That's a good deal really if you want the carbon frame.. Saw someone else on a sentinel with those forks on. 2019 fox stuff must have come in early to silverfish and they are getting them from them instead of windwave who are waiting on transition to restock them with forks. I'm fine waiting though as I actually want the black performance version that comes with the frame kit. Suits the bike better I think.
I love my 2016 Patrol - makes me smile every time I ride it. I’m 6’ 1/4” and ride a large, but at 6’ 2”, I would go XL.
My mate recently bought a 2018 carbon Smuggler from Pedals after upgrading from the alloy frame. The first time out it got chipped badly in many places, and the rear 2.35 tyre rubbed away the paint finish on the inside of the chainstays even though it was Invisiframed. There is not enough tyre clearance on the carbon Smuggler in comparison with the aluminium version so limiting use to 2.1-2.2 tyres.. Pedals agreed to fully refund my mate and he bought a carbon Jeffsy Instead. Hats off to pedals bike care for that and a big thumbs down to Transition for poor rear wheel clearance and crap finish.
That Sentinel deal looks pretty good, but I have no way of demoing an XL currently and that's still alot of cash to drop on a bike blind..
I had read about the carbon Smuggler tyre issue, which is a big enough a deal for it not to be on my list
Leaning towards an XL Patrol now, think I'll try Patrol in L and XL first, decide on size then try to right size Sentinel for comparison. I'm guessing no hope of getting a 2019 soon, shame as the new colours are awesome
Thanks for all the advice!
I've got a 2018 Patrol - awesome bike. Not light by any means but comparable to other big alloy bikes like the new nomad etc. It can feel a little plodding if you're not giving it some beans but if you can open it up it works so so well. It's not just a monster truck - it can but, but it feels great on flow trails too. Has the typical 'Transition feel'. The shorter travel versions aren't any lighter but do you really need a 170/160mm bike? I've not ridden a Scout but I reckon it'd be a weapon and plenty bike for most places and people. FWIW the Sentinel and Patrol sizing is the very similar if not the same. 450mm reach on both iirc. They don't feel huge when you ride them but anything shorter now feels tiny for me. I'm 5'7 and get on great with the medium.
The paint does suck though, get it wrapped asap if you buy or accept that it chips more easily than it should. I'm happy to live with it, but I know a lot of folk wouldn't be.
Yeah the reach is the same between bikes, so if I figure out what size I want for one I shouldn’t need to try other sizes of the others.
Good to hear they don’t feel huge, that’s my main concern. Paint is a shame if it’s not perfect but I can live with that, I might be waiting for a 2019 one, and getting a second hand Meta or something in the meantime
Good thing with Transition is the low seat tube & stand over. I Am 6ft & ride a 2017 Smuggler in XL with 150mm dropper no issues. Reach is 483 on 2017. 495 seat tube. I was advised to get a large! Am glad went XL, as I have a longer torso. A Scout you could transfer parts from the Edit.
Hi there,
I had a 2017 patrol which was ace and currently have a 2018 Scout. the bike is a weapon the geometry really does makes a super capable machine that still rides well on easier less steep trails, I'm 6ft and the large is spot on size wise the newer SBG models are much roomier than pre 2018. My scout is up for sale due to injury and 29er curiosity. If your after 2019 some models are available, speak to your local dealer With more due October
I would like to see a picture of the snapped airdrop. Not heard of any issues with them before & they feel bulletproof, but obviously not.
Double post
A bit of research confirms that 99% I should be on an XL, I’ve spoken to the LBS who can get me alloy frames for 2018 Patrol or 2019 Sentinel now or 2019 carbon in October, but there are no XL demo bikes. Really want to get a Sentinel but I’m not going to commit to a bike like that without having a go first so I think I’ll be getting a secondhand stopgap frame and waiting for October. I can get it through my bike to work scheme then as well
I’ll see if I can sort some pics of the Airdrop, it snapped just rearward of the toptube/headtube weld along the bottom of the toptube, about 75% of the way around the tube circumference. So no, they aren’t actually bombproof
Just seen D&D cycles have 2 XL Sentinels in stock. Not a Transition but think D&D did have an XL Orbea Rallon as a demo similar size to Transition
I snapped my Airdrop last week
Apologies OP, I've no views on Transition bikes (other than they look like great bikes, and I reckon any of them would be ace fun) but...I've an Edit, just out of interest, can you expand on what happened to yours? Just out of a curiosity?
The first time out it got chipped badly in many places, and the rear 2.35 tyre rubbed away the paint finish on the inside of the chainstays even though it was Invisiframed.
And I'd like to see pics of this! sounds unlikely to me
I’m watching this as an airdrop owner! What happened? where did it break? Have you contacted Ed about it?
I was about to buy a transition patrol before my edit, medium felt real small and large felt big but I think I would have gotten into it. Carbon patrol is out in October..
Can't say exactly what happened as I found it when cleaning the bike before loading into the van after a week in Morzine, which was quite frustrating as I flew out to Colorado 2 days later and am now here with no bike... It did get ridden off some big stuff but that's kinda supposed to be the intention of these bikes
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Just booked a demo for Monday on a L Sentinel and L Patrol at Steamboat Bikepark. No XLs anywhere!
Most (all?) bike can break. Its how the manufacturer deals with it that differentiates them. Good luck with the transition anyway.
Definitely oldtalent, I'll give them the chance to sort it before I comment but I will say that I am now in the third week sine it broke and have not had a solution proposed yet. It is out of warranty and on crash replacement, they were quick to point that bit out