Transition Days part 1

Aug 9, 2008

A few days ago I had the pleasure of attending Transition Bike Days down in Ferndale Washington. Transition is having two showings for their dealers and invited media to go over the changes that will be coming up in their model runs. That and to show everyone that they ride the bikes they make and the local trails that they ride those bikes on.

Here is my first update from Transition Days:
Transition bikes designs their own frames and makes refinements on a to do basis, not on a yearly basis like the majority of bike companies that follow a manufacturing cycle have too. If something needs refined, changed or scrapped, they do it right now and implement it into the next run of frames for that model. This makes them able to stay on top of things and flex with what is happening in the market to better make their bikes better suited to the end buyers that are riding them.

The first part of the get together was used to talk about what changes we can all expect to see in the line up and to see some of the new bikes that are coming out in the months ahead. I'm going to tell you a bit about bikes and a bit about the riding each day, so sit back and enjoy.

A bit of Transition history:

The Blindside, the Bottle Rocket and the Double are all part of the same series of bikes and will all be undergoing similar changes for the next model runs. The front shock mount will be a universal piece on all 3 models. A single extruded piece of aluminum will be CNC machined for a clean look and is proving to be stronger across the board. Bearings at all the pivots will be universal too to keep things simplified from a hardware stand point.

Blindside:



Old front shock mount:
New one piece machined mount:

Bottlerocket:


The Bottlerocket featured here does not have the new bearings or the new front shock mount.

Sticking with the Pabst Blue Ribbon theme, here is Transition's newest DJ saddle in all its glory. The PBR logo'd Park n' Ride Jump Saddle will be a favorite among street and DJ riders, but they are limited edition, so yours soon.


Enough talking guys, it's time to ride these bikes! Everyone loaded up for an afternoon of riding on Galbraith and Chuckanut mountains. Galbraith is the closest riding to town and you have to earn your turns on that hill-pedal up to bomb down. Here is where the group got divided-spinners and hikers (I fall into the latter category), but we all met up at the top to enjoy the descent together. Chuckanut is just a little further out and is a full on shuttle where gravity is your friend. Instantly I learned that yes the workers at Transition can obviously ride well, but that the dealers can rip it up too on the descents.


Riding on Mt.Galbraith and Chuckanut:

Once we got back from a great day on the trails it was time to fire up the grill and watch the DJ's and Pump Track get sessioned. The jump session went on until it just too dark to see and the crew were throwing down some really solid tricks:

The Jumps and Track:

The Session gets going:

Day one was fun as hell and I learned a lot about the crew that builds the bikes and the dealers that sell them. Day 2 should be a blast as we're off to ride in Glacier.

Check back in a few days for the rest of my Transition Days coverage.

http://www.transitionbikes.com

-Tyler "Brule" Maine

| More

Link to News Story for Forums and Blogs:

Hottest News This Week

39 Comments

  • + 9 props
flag konad (Aug 9, 2008 at 0:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
that blindside and those jumps are off the hook
  • + 3 props
flag i-ride-on-dirt (Aug 9, 2008 at 8:50) (Below Threshold) show comment
that blindside looks so upgraded, it amazing, but then i saw the bottlerocket, and i just loved it, well amazing bikes, can't wait to see next years models!
  • + 3 props
flag talhaslam (Aug 9, 2008 at 11:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
transition bikes kill it!!!!
  • + 1 props
flag dray (Aug 9, 2008 at 11:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
im a happy transition bike owner
  • + 3 props
flag audeo03 (Aug 9, 2008 at 13:24) (Below Threshold) show comment
The Bottlerocket looks ill! I especially like the Lyrik. If you got the cash and want 6 inches, this is the ONLY option.
  • - 3 props
flag cannondale3chaser (Aug 9, 2008 at 14:51) (Below Threshold) show comment
im a happy bottle rocket owner... with lyrics
  • + 0 props
flag OregonsOwn (Aug 9, 2008 at 17:43) (Below Threshold) show comment
im a happy bottlerocket owner as well and i just realized that i saw you at blackrock one day ^^^
[Reply]
  • + 12 props
flag dirtbikerjackson (Aug 9, 2008 at 0:20) (Below Threshold) show comment
i love the PBR bottlerocket
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag FreerideFreak26 (Aug 9, 2008 at 0:21) (Below Threshold) show comment
Transitions are such nice bikes...This is a great article, lots of good pics and vids...Its so funny when that guy go's strait over the berm and almost crashes into the camera guy..."Whoa Jesus!!"
  • + 0 props
flag doubledeuce (Aug 9, 2008 at 8:30) (Below Threshold) show comment
LOL.
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag dillonchamberlain (Aug 9, 2008 at 0:23) (Below Threshold) show comment
ive already got my PBR seat.
  • + 0 props
flag zdinki18 (Aug 11, 2008 at 7:17) (Below Threshold) show comment
Where do you buy that at? The website?
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag transitiondj (Aug 9, 2008 at 3:06) (Below Threshold) show comment
i dont but i want it badly
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag prana425 (Aug 9, 2008 at 7:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
Transition Bikes are sooo sick....Cool group of guys too, I got to meet kyle at the new warehouse.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag lcstay10 (Aug 9, 2008 at 8:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
i would kill for the white blindside, and the pbr bottle rocket
awsome job guys, great review
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag sk8erstrt (Aug 9, 2008 at 9:40) (Below Threshold) show comment
aha that mountain has the funniest name aha i just heard about that from a buddy last week and he didn't even realize how funny it was......chuck-a-nut....come on ppl!
  • + 0 props
flag CaptainBLT (Aug 11, 2008 at 23:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
Its a native name for the area...I'm sure the Lummis weren't aware of the amusing double entendre when they named it.
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag southboston29 (Aug 9, 2008 at 9:48) (Below Threshold) show comment
If could afford a fully it would have to be a bottlerocket. I have talked to Metzger before and he is such an awesome dude. Transition makes great bikes and they are the best people to do business with. SICK!!!
  • + 0 props
flag mchong1228 (Aug 9, 2008 at 11:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
Transition, I enjoy riding my Trail or Park, but when i snapped the frame you guys were a bitch to deal with. I am not getting my hardtail for another month... good service???
no

transition could do better
  • - 2 props
flag audeo03 (Aug 9, 2008 at 13:25) (Below Threshold) show comment
Their hardtail is kinda crap. Get a steel frame people!
  • + 3 props
flag ragdoll (Aug 9, 2008 at 14:24) (Below Threshold) show comment
audeo03- this is straight off the transition website "4130 Butted Chromoly Tubing"....theyve done a steel frame for a long time. get your facts right before you speak.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag ds68698 (Aug 9, 2008 at 10:03) (Below Threshold) show comment
ooo look at carl getting dirty on the dirt jumps
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag biker2stud (Aug 9, 2008 at 10:25) (Below Threshold) show comment
Transitions really looking to be one of the bigger bike company's in the future I can see it competing with Kona. They make good priced bikes that are equal or better than the competition.

I ride kona though, but when I go for a new bike Transition might be where I look
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag Brebert (Aug 9, 2008 at 10:46) (Below Threshold) show comment
ill keeop it short
nice bikes
nice riders
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag freerider7434 (Aug 9, 2008 at 11:16) (Below Threshold) show comment
how come they didnt show all their models or bikes they should of i ride an 07 dirtbag its AMAZING!!!!! hit everything on it wen you get on one of these transition machines ur confidence just goes way up^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  • + 0 props
flag brule (Aug 9, 2008 at 12:22) (Below Threshold) show comment
THe guys went over the all the models, but some aren't under going changes soon, while other models are. I'm guessing though that from the 2007 model you run to the 2008 there were some changes, but for the next run, not much was covered. On MOnday I have some info on the new hardtails.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag guywhowantsabike (Aug 9, 2008 at 13:52) (Below Threshold) show comment
i want a transition double.
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag poissonpilot38 (Aug 9, 2008 at 14:13) (Below Threshold) show comment
I have a Transition Double and it's really great ! My first dirtjumps was made with this bike ! 7 years without any jump ! I bought a Double and now .... woww !!
I have a Blindside too, and I love it !
All my fears disappear !! I feel confiden, I'm surprised at my own abilities with these bikes ...
Next bike : Covert !!! (for after season training :-)
;-)
MANY THANKS TRANSITION !!!
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag Hombre3000 (Aug 9, 2008 at 18:22) (Below Threshold) show comment
Excellent coverage of a wonderful company.
Two thumbs up.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag primodevil01 (Aug 9, 2008 at 19:15) (Below Threshold) show comment
blindeside is freakin sexual
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag zzoot (Aug 10, 2008 at 1:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
transition is takin it to the top must be one of the best selling bike companies for sure, or maybe evan tha best.
[Reply]
  • - 2 props
flag SIDESHOWBOB (Aug 10, 2008 at 1:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
my friend as a bottle rocket it very nice but i feel my banshee wildcard just as the edge imo
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag bikerfafe (Aug 10, 2008 at 8:01) (Below Threshold) show comment
nice
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag kiwi-22 (Aug 10, 2008 at 16:36) (Below Threshold) show comment
sweet!!'
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag rewster (Aug 10, 2008 at 18:50) (Below Threshold) show comment
proud to be a card carrying member of the tranny mafia...good work, yo!
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag lcstay10 (Aug 10, 2008 at 20:22) (Below Threshold) show comment
i have that seat!!!! got it for 30 bucks today
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag MountainMorals (Aug 10, 2008 at 21:23) (Below Threshold) show comment
everythings sweet but pabst sucks, dark beer all the way.
[Reply]
  • - 1 props
flag foreplayMX (Aug 11, 2008 at 0:24) (Below Threshold) show comment
why would anyone get such an expensive bike with pbr cans all over? stupid.
[Reply]
  • - 1 props
flag CaptainBLT (Aug 11, 2008 at 23:12) (Below Threshold) show comment
seriously. If you want to decorate your bike with cheap beer labels, do it yourself, don't pay a premium
[Reply]

Post A New Comment
Bold Italic Link