Powered by Outside

Which Transition?

PB Forum :: Transition
Which Transition?

 Post Message | Latest Comment
Author Message
flag Daray
O+ FL
Posted: Nov 11, 2021 at 14:07 Quote
Hi all, I"m looking to possibly replace my Specialized Enduro with another do it all long travel bike. I've got a "down-country" bike as well. So this would be for when I'm hitting the more rowdy trails. I like to do the occasional enduro race and I like to ride steep and rough trails and pretty big jumps I've really enjoyed the Enduro, but I do feel like it is a lot of work to corner sometimes. I've been eyeing the transitions and wondered if any of you have had experience on the Sentinel, Patrol, and Spire? All three look fantastic and pretty similar. Which would you recommend?
flag Dragonfly-
Posted: Nov 11, 2021 at 14:12 Quote
The Sentinel is much more of a very aggressive trail/lightweight enduro bike. I'm not sure I would replace an enduro with it, especially if I had a downcountry bike too. I love my sentinel, but it's my only bike, so I use it for everything. I've also ridden an enduro a bit as my brother used to own one. It definitely does not feel like as big of a bike.

honestly, I love mine, but it sounds like the patrol or the spire would be more suited to you.
flag Daray
O+ FL
Posted: Nov 11, 2021 at 15:57 Quote
Thanks- I’m leaning patrol to be a bit more playful- but I’m super curious
flag ahus220
Posted: Nov 12, 2021 at 18:37 Quote
Daray wrote:
Thanks- I’m leaning patrol to be a bit more playful- but I’m super curious

I've been riding a new Patrol for the last few months. At 5'10" I am between M and L sizes. I went with the M per Transition's advice. The reach is about the same as the Large 2014 patrol I've been riding.

All that to say, I was delighted by how playful the patrol feels compared to what I was expecting. I go for little jibby jumps way more now than I used to. And it feels surprisingly controllable even when sliding.
I love how much room I have out back because of the smaller wheel. I think that also adds to the playful/agile feeling for me.
I do think I'd enjoy some lighter duty tires for the most of my local trails.

I think the current carbon Scout feels even more agile and playful, especially with how much lighter it feels under me. Riding a large, It felt like riding a speeder bike from star wars as I weaved through the trees. I just don't like how much 27.5 wheels slow down in the chunky stuff. That's another bike worth considering, though. You just might wish you had more squish if you ever take it to the bike park. And since you already have a spur, you might want to go bigger.
flag ExMotoGuy
Posted: Nov 15, 2021 at 11:22 Quote
I can’t speak for the others but I picked up a patrol xt a couple months ago and it’s been phenomenal. Previously was on a 2020 enduro and it was a great bike but more often than not I felt like the bike was riding me. It would plow through the rough without blinking an eye but it seemed like I was just along for the ride. The patrol is completely different and I feel much more in control even in extremely rough sections. My corner speed has increased dramatically while jumping better and having that poppy feel that everyone talks about. For a long travel bike that eats up chunky trails yet is still playful I think you’d be hard pressed to beat the patrol.
flag Daray
O+ FL
Posted: Nov 15, 2021 at 12:29 Quote
ExMotoGuy wrote:
I can’t speak for the others but I picked up a patrol xt a couple months ago and it’s been phenomenal. Previously was on a 2020 enduro and it was a great bike but more often than not I felt like the bike was riding me. It would plow through the rough without blinking an eye but it seemed like I was just along for the ride. The patrol is completely different and I feel much more in control even in extremely rough sections. My corner speed has increased dramatically while jumping better and having that poppy feel that everyone talks about. For a long travel bike that eats up chunky trails yet is still playful I think you’d be hard pressed to beat the patrol.

That's a fantastic point of view. So relevant- thank you for responding. I've got the patrol on order and it looks like I could get the frameset as early as December. Not sure I'll get to ride much before March anyway, but I'm looking forward to it. Curious what size your enduro was and which size you went with on the patrol? I'm right between sizes on the patrol so I could go Med, or Large. Reach on my Enduro sits right between them.
flag Daray
O+ FL
Posted: Nov 15, 2021 at 18:17 Quote
ahus220 wrote:
Daray wrote:
Thanks- I’m leaning patrol to be a bit more playful- but I’m super curious

I've been riding a new Patrol for the last few months. At 5'10" I am between M and L sizes. I went with the M per Transition's advice. The reach is about the same as the Large 2014 patrol I've been riding.

All that to say, I was delighted by how playful the patrol feels compared to what I was expecting. I go for little jibby jumps way more now than I used to. And it feels surprisingly controllable even when sliding.
I love how much room I have out back because of the smaller wheel. I think that also adds to the playful/agile feeling for me.
I do think I'd enjoy some lighter duty tires for the most of my local trails.

I think the current carbon Scout feels even more agile and playful, especially with how much lighter it feels under me. Riding a large, It felt like riding a speeder bike from star wars as I weaved through the trees. I just don't like how much 27.5 wheels slow down in the chunky stuff. That's another bike worth considering, though. You just might wish you had more squish if you ever take it to the bike park. And since you already have a spur, you might want to go bigger.

Thanks for the reply- I’m leaning away from carbon but I’ve considered the new alloy scout as well at 150/160
flag ExMotoGuy
Posted: Nov 15, 2021 at 19:21 Quote
Daray wrote:
ExMotoGuy wrote:
I can’t speak for the others but I picked up a patrol xt a couple months ago and it’s been phenomenal. Previously was on a 2020 enduro and it was a great bike but more often than not I felt like the bike was riding me. It would plow through the rough without blinking an eye but it seemed like I was just along for the ride. The patrol is completely different and I feel much more in control even in extremely rough sections. My corner speed has increased dramatically while jumping better and having that poppy feel that everyone talks about. For a long travel bike that eats up chunky trails yet is still playful I think you’d be hard pressed to beat the patrol.

That's a fantastic point of view. So relevant- thank you for responding. I've got the patrol on order and it looks like I could get the frameset as early as December. Not sure I'll get to ride much before March anyway, but I'm looking forward to it. Curious what size your enduro was and which size you went with on the patrol? I'm right between sizes on the patrol so I could go Med, or Large. Reach on my Enduro sits right between them.

Nice, you’re gonna love it. I’m 6’4” and had an S5 enduro so I went with an XL on the patrol and it fits perfect. The patrol does feel a touch smaller than the S5 probably due to the reach and seat angle. But this has actually been something I’ve really liked, although I know it probably doesn’t help your decision. I would say don’t base your size choice on cornering as the XL patrol corners substantially better than a similar S5 enduro. It seems more common than not these days that people tend to size down when they’re in between for the extra comfort in the corners. However coming from a dirtbike background the size really doesn’t bother me and honestly I’d rather have it more composed on the chunky, steep, gnarly terrain than just rip flattish corners.
flag stonedbiker420
Posted: Dec 24, 2021 at 10:12 Quote
Hi there i in the same situation, i have a broken 2020 specialized enduro. I will get a warranty but i wanna go back to Aluminium. I can't decide between the spire and the patrol but i leaning more to the patrol because on steep trails i hit my ass on the big wheels and i really like steep trals. But in the chunky terrain the 29er are a dream. So cuurently i have an s3 with 464 reach and 1246wb. I don't know if the medium or large patrol i am 178cm tall. I want something longer than the s3 but not too long because i dont wanna loose corner agility. 1266 seems ok with the smaller wheels. I am more of a fast racer and not a jibber so the large would be okay. What you guys think?
flag mcooksley
O+
Posted: May 5, 2022 at 22:04 Quote
I have demoed all three of those bikes in the last year. Patrol is at the top of my list right now (along with Bronson MX). Spire was more bike than I need/seemed to almost ‘complain’ if I rode at moderate speeds. Sentinel seemed like a real quiver killer but I’m not looking for that. Need something to improve handling and stability with playfulness as a bonus for areas like Tiger and RR when it gets steeper/rougher. Been MTB riding for nearly 40 years. Never had so much fun on a MTB than when I rode that Patrol at Galbraith!
flag trannylover
O+
Posted: Jun 8, 2022 at 9:24 Quote
I recently traded up to a 2022 sentinel alloy from my 2017 alloy patrol. Had mixed feelings at first, it feels really big compared to my old patrol - but now I love it after taking it to a few different types of terrain. It really shines in the steep and the chunk and is surprisingly flickable for how long and slack it is. Went with a size large and I am 5'11". The reach feels very appropriate for me, although I do like the feel of a bigger bike.

I'd say if you are shorter than 5'10" go for a scout - I have ridden my buddies and they are very playful, I was on the fence about buying a scout myself. If you are pedaling a lot, it seems like the long travel spire and patrol may be overkill, but I havent ridden these new models so can't attest. I also like the feel and durability of alloy frames but that is just personal preference.

Disclaimer - I am a bit of a transition fanboy, but IMO Transitions are built to rally and make you feel like a better rider than you actually are. I'd say go for it.
  • Previous Page
  • Next Page

 
Active Forum Threads
1 hours ago Raaw madonna owners
4 hours ago The Sexiest AM/FR/Enduro Hardtail Thread (Please read the opening post)
6 hours ago Is a Z1 Coil damper upgrade worth it?
8 hours ago Who’s still here rocking 27.5?
9 hours ago 100 (or more) days of biking in 2026!
11 hours ago Trailforks Can't Count
11 hours ago Anyone still running 27.5 in 2026?
17 hours ago Looking for both softer springs and stiffer springs for the older DJ1 and DJ3
18 hours ago Report Scammers on Pinkbike HERE *Read 1st Post* then contact 'captainbringdown' directly
19 hours ago Kona stinky's the king of the free-ride for kids :) - need some suspension help on the old 2-4
19 hours ago Old Riders....But not "Old School"
19 hours ago PLEASE HELP! Shock size for kona stinky 2-4 2008
21 hours ago Need help for my 2006 specialized stumpjumper fsr expert
22 hours ago RATE MY RIDE DH - Rate the bike posted above you.
1 days ago bikes
1 days ago Stuck through axel front fork
2 days ago BOMBER DJ how to set it up
2 days ago Trailforks.com Bug Reports
2 days ago Post Your Road Bikes (Read 1st post for guide)
2 days ago Show your all mountain bike
2 days ago Mechanics Quick Question Thread [Ask Questions Here]
2 days ago Boxxer Ultimate 2024 Problems Please Help
2 days ago DB Release 5C 2018
2 days ago Designed my own shock lever after losing the stock one — curious what other riders think
2 days ago Got Any DH Questions? Ask Them Here

Your subscriptions
no posts



Copyright © 2000 - 2026. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.008616
Mobile Version of Website