Video: Transition Bikes Revisits 2007 on an Original Bottlerocket

Jan 28, 2020 at 18:21
by Transition Bikes  
Kyle Rides the Bottlerocket

by TransitionBikeCompany
Views: 10,876    Faves: 41    Comments: 9



The infamous Bottlerocket. The bike that put us on the map. At a time where bikes seemed to fit into more distinct categories, the Bottlerocket broke those barriers, and opened up a new category of bikes that could do it all. It was low slung like a slopestyle bike, with the travel and geometry of a freeride bike, while still being able to pedal. Our product launch video for the original Bottlerocket is still our most ever viewed video we have made, so we thought it would be a fun idea to grab the PBR edition Bottlerocket, and head back to the woods of Maple Ridge, B.C. and find out if the Woodlot trails were just as magical as they once were.

Follow along with Kyle (TR co-owner) as he revisits some of the old stunts he hit in 2007, and rides some of the revamped trails people are still riding.


Kyle Rides the Bottlerocket.
Kyle, executing a 10/10 Schleyble-top.

Kyle Rides the Bottlerocket.
A mixture of old and new. We were surprised to see much of the trail had a fresh coat of dirt. Some cool things going on in those woods.

Kyle Rides the Bottlerocket.
The reach on a 2009 Bottlerocket is only 8.5mm longer than our current XS Scout.


Bike build details: When we dreamed up making this video, we originally had planned to build a new bike with the last Bottlerocket frame we have in stock. Alas, the difficulties of finding the parts needed amounted to be more than we wanted to get into, so we hopped on the Pinkbike BuySell and found this PBR beauty for sale in Maple Ridge for $600 bucks. We got it back to the HQ, swapped a fresh set of Juicy 7's on it (thanks to TR Product manager Sam who still had a set), some fresh Kenda H-Factor tires, and away we went. Although slightly small, Kyle was right at home within a couple turns.


Kyle Rides the Bottlerocket.
Freeride lives!


Video/Photos: Skye Schillhammer

Author Info:
TransitionBikeCompany avatar

Member since Feb 17, 2009
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130 Comments
  • 80 6
 Good CGI effects in the vid. It's not possible to send it like that on 12 year old tech. The wheels would have shrunk to at least 20" by now. Aluminum from the mid-2000's was iffy stuff. There have to be a few holes in that frame by now.
  • 3 0
 HAH HAH !!!!!!!!
  • 4 35
flag grnmachine02 FL (Jan 30, 2020 at 7:06) (Below Threshold)
 Not sure if serious.....
  • 21 6
 26" wheels shrink at the same rate of the balls of folks buying 29ers just because Levy said so. So yeah, 20" sounds about right.
  • 30 0
 I lusted after the Bottlerocket when it came out. I was in college and all my friends and I rode was mini-dh style trails with manmade jumps and features. It was the exact bike I needed at the time, I just couldn't afford it.
  • 15 17
 Difficulty finding the Parts?
Fox stills sells the fork and shock.
Im sure they have a translation 32 wheelset.
A lot of companies sell 26 inch wheels too.
The same goes for the rest of the build.
Seems to me that , either they got too lazy to do it , or want to spread rumors that 26 inch slopestyle bikes don't exist.
  • 4 9
flag just6979 (Jan 30, 2020 at 7:24) (Below Threshold)
 @endurocat: Hardest thing to find would be good tires. Sure, Maxxis, Kenda, and others still make some 26" tires, but the selection (online and even worse in stores) is pretty slim, especially if you're trying to find strong (but not DH) casings with good rubber (talking 3C or such, not Single Compound or "Sport" hard crap) that aren't relatively smooth slopestyle treads
  • 17 0
 @just6979: Maxxis and Schwalbe have a yuge selection of 26" tires with good casings and compounds
  • 3 0
 @mnorris122:
Agreed.
  • 2 0
 @just6979: Most stores should be able to order those Maxxis tires in. They still make the DHF, DHR II, and Highroller in 2.3-2.5 with various casings (3C MaxTerra and MaxGrip) among other tires in 26".

Fox doesn't seem to have any 26" 36 forks besides the 831 on their site though, so that'd be more difficult to find.
  • 3 0
 @coaster156: Use 27.5 forks. The difference is only 12.5mm (half-inch) in crown height. (559 vs 584 diameter)
  • 48 0
 @endurocat: Ha, definitely not spreading rumors that 26 bikes don't exist. When we were dreaming up this project, we really wanted to jump on a bike that actually felt of the time, not an all new Bottlerocket built from brand new parts. We tried to search around for old parts in our HQ and everyone's garage, but couldn't get the necessary components to make it period correct. So we did the next best thing, and hopped online and found one with some solid wear and tear from 10 years of riding, and snagged it up. After a tune up and a couple replacement parts to make it functional, we were ready to go. Now the bike from the video hangs on the wall in our showroom.
  • 5 1
 @TransitionBikeCompany: Just give us the new Scout!!!!! Its basically a 2020 Bottlerocket!
  • 2 0
 @just6979: I have at least 3 sets of original high rollers on various casings and mostly new or slightly used kicking around my shop... and I doubt I’m the only rider who could say this.
  • 1 0
 @robwhynot: finding tires in your hoard is different than be able to buy them.
  • 2 1
 @coaster156: even the maxxis website doesn't have all 26" sizes and types: only one high roller 2, about half the DHRs, etc. Sure, dhf tr/dd 3c-terra is available right now, but for how long?
  • 3 0
 @just6979: www.chainreactioncycles.com/tyres/mtb-tyres?f=2247,4294957536,4294941712
Took less than 2 minutes
  • 1 0
 @coaster156:
www.tftuned.com/air-shaft-assembly-2019-36-float-lc-na-2-1287/p3415
  • 1 0
 @just6979: make me an offer Wink
  • 32 4
 Back when bikes were maneuverable
  • 9 10
 And slow.
  • 2 5
 And awkward
  • 1 1
 And broke
  • 23 2
 Do a limited edition! With some modern bits like dropper post compatibility, modern headtube, 148*12, maybe alility to run 26/27,5... I'll be happy to ride Bottlerocket again
  • 29 4
 soo basically make a Patrol out of it?
  • 3 1
 @wowbagger: I have a Patrol and love it. I also loved my Double.
  • 2 0
 @wowbagger: guess you don't know the size of a patrol chainstay
  • 4 2
 That's not a limited edition, that's a whole new frame.

Also, "dropper post compatibility" is a useless term. Perhaps you meant "internal dropper routing", but there are plenty of great externally routed posts (Fox, PNW, KS, just to start) so there is nothing stopping you from putting a dropper on that frame as is.
  • 2 0
 @DirtMcGuirk07: OP wanted 27" compat, so chainstays on this hypothetical new frame are going to be longer than the 26"...
  • 1 1
 @DirtMcGuirk07: that's not the point - with all mentioned changes you might as well say "i'd marry you if you were 10cm taller, had a wider pelvis and your feet 2 sizes smaller." we're just not talking about the same thing anymore.
  • 1 1
 @just6979: sorry, I messed up everything Smile I meant internal routing and I meant 26" frame with ability to run 27,5

And I know about externally routed posts, I use Brand X Ascend II XL post on my old Banshee Scythe
  • 8 0
 Give it 2007 pricing and I’ll definitely buy one
  • 15 0
 I own and ride a few 26" bikes Smile
  • 8 1
 Heretic! You're going to make my new bike worse by riding and enjoying that old fashioned junk! I can't believe you would subject the rest of the world to your disgusting tiny-wheeled obscenities. Think of the children!
  • 5 0
 I wish I owned and could ride a few 26" bikes. I started just as 275 got big and I've been on them and 29. I need more small please
  • 12 1
 Yes! The BR is a great bike and has its place on the trail.

Mine is trail converted (light wheelset, Angleset puts the HA to 66 deg, reamed seat tube that allows a 30.9 dropper post, Pike fork and Monarch shock... under 32 lbs, 46 tooth rear cassette). For sure the most nimble bike I have (feels a bit nervous when fast... so I don't... lol!).

www.pinkbike.com/photo/18100019
  • 4 0
 Nice rig, Nothing stops you to have fun on it, Partially I do understand n+1 thing, however for the park / recreational jump ride such type of bike serve absolutely well without frame upgrade for years
  • 12 1
 The Bottlerocket still remains as one of the funnest bikes I’ve ever owned.
  • 11 1
 TRANSITION BRING IT BACK!!! BOTTLEROCKET FOR LIFE!!! Still have my PBR edition on the wall!!!
  • 1 0
 What would a new Bottle Rocket be like? Kinda like a patrol with a little less rear travel for "sportiness", a little shorter reach, and even shorter chain stays? I lusted after this bike at the time. Was so cool. However, I'm pretty happy with my current Transition.
  • 1 0
 @snl1200: The new Bottle Rocket is the Scout
  • 10 0
 The mini DH era.......
  • 8 1
 Or slopestyle plus
  • 5 0
 @chriskneeland: plusstyle! Slots into the gap between bmx and downcounty
  • 6 1
 @dreamlink87: I was thinking more between slopestyle and FEST. Maybe mini-FEST. That'd be a good test. Can a Bottlerocket handle the FEST series. Send one to Nico.
  • 9 0
 Bars wider than wheelbase.
  • 9 0
 Needs 680mm handlebar.
  • 4 0
 I still have a small PBR Bottlerocket that I've owned since new. It's still in great condition too in it's new life as a spare park bike. Man, I used that bike for everything. Gruelling climbs while exploring Whistler valley trails, but the downhill was always worth it. Years of ripping the bike park, and the skate park too. Granted, I was 10 years younger myself. le sigh..... kickass throwback content though!
  • 4 0
 I want to see a revisit of the OG Dirtbag. I have an 04 Dirtbag with a Z1 FR sitting in the garage and a Prototype TransAM. I have over 6000 miles on my Patrol. I have only cheated once with a Norco Sight.
  • 3 0
 The bottlerocket still killing it!
One of my favorite bikes for sure, the first trail I rode on it, I knew it was a keeper!
It had short travel but would eat up drops and jumps without hesitation!
RideOn BottleRocket!
www.pinkbike.com/photo/4331606
  • 2 0
 yeah man great stuff! I used to ride the woodlot in maple ridge, good memories all the way Big Grin
also really like the oldschool bike revival, just got myself a small weeled bike again one week ago, so much fun ^^
  • 5 1
 Still got my Bottlerocket! Don't ride it but cant get myself to ever want to get rid of it.
  • 3 0
 My Preston fr was a monster too. It did everything pretty well! I spent way more time riding Galbraith on my Evil hardtail in mid 2000s. Danger is exciting!
  • 3 0
 I owned that bike & raced crankworks Dh on it, such a fun, playful bike. Had that tshirt too ha. Thanks for bringing the memories back!
  • 4 0
 Major props to Kyle for the bike skills! How many other company owners can ride like that???
  • 4 0
 Do I sense a new product on the horizon?!?!? A re-designed bottlerocket?!?!
  • 1 0
 There were some bikes that just captured the ethos of the time. The Bottle Rocket was one of them for sure. It's probably a personal list but others I'd add would be the SC Bullet and RM 7- both still have a nostalgic excitement and represent how exciting the progression in the sport felt at the time. I've never owned a Bottle Rocket but remember heavily debating between it and a Nomad. Both cool bikes at the time and also represent the movement of the sport.
  • 4 0
 The world needs more Bottlerockets.
  • 2 0
 My Bottlerocket was the first high end MTB frame I bought brand new, got it custom painted to match the orange Z1s I'd been using on my previous bike. It served me well!
  • 4 1
 One of the best and most fun bikes i have ever own. This was my second Bottlerocket www.pinkbike.com/photo/1647846
  • 1 0
 That thing is sex
  • 1 0
 @NorCalNomad: It was.
  • 4 1
 Does this mean Transition will come out with a new 26" single crown freeride bike???
  • 4 0
 Still have mine! m.pinkbike.com/photo/5273503 Wink
  • 1 0
 Yeeuusss same here Smile Might have to throw a new rear coil on it and get some new brakes
  • 3 0
 Has the playful feeling of a BMX with the solid feeling of a DH bike. Nothing but fond memories of the Bottle Rocket .
  • 3 0
 They should make the bottle rocket again. I still have mine and I would love a new one.
  • 3 0
 Tomorrow, Transition releases the 2020 Bottlerocket with 27.5 (retro) wheels.
  • 2 0
 Man the bottlerocket is still a great looking bike, hell I'd say it still looks as modern as any of the other alu-framed bikes currently being made.
  • 4 0
 Damn...used Bottlerocket prices on BuySell just went up 500%
  • 3 3
 Dirtbag put them on the map years before the bottlerocket. It was the least expensive freeride frame available for a while. The first gen bottlerocket really sucked. Second gen not much better with a huge coil mounted as high as possible on the frame and the t-rex reach, they encouraged poor bike handling, such as the schleyble top, but everyone had one.
  • 2 0
 I witnessed Brad Walton send the absolute living shit outta a BR for years. Bike was ahead if it's time. Or was it Brad......?
  • 1 0
 Watching Brad ride scared me. Still have a pair of his Spectrum Techwear shirts laying around somewhere
  • 1 0
 @slayersxc17: I have some spec tech still kickin too! He's still a Savage, but tries to act like he's old and responsible : )
Wyld Willy lives on!! #hickhucksters
  • 1 0
 Hickhucksters!!! Yesssss.
Followed in some of those footsteps when I lived in Boone! @dirtbagluvin:
  • 4 1
 loved mine! www.pinkbike.com/photo/15593003
  • 3 0
 @imkreisdreher

Dude, you and I have bike twinsies! Do you still have it? Looks beefier tho... how much does it weigh?

www.pinkbike.com/photo/18100019
  • 2 0
 @microfiz: unfortunately I sold it 2018 because I was looking for something I could pedal better
  • 2 0
 Sweet! Always wanted one of these and/or a Blur 4x... have a 4X but still want a Bottlerocket!
  • 4 0
 Run what you brung.
  • 2 0
 just an observation but didn't the NS Soda bear an awfully striking resemblance?
  • 1 0
 bought an 07 bottlerocket in 09, loved it and rode it on absolutely everything until 2013, then sold it to my buddy and he still shreds it!
  • 2 0
 There were some gems in there “It’s got levers”
  • 3 1
 Good old time ! My first real bike, I even got my pinkbike name from it Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Juicy, Elixir, Guide....turns out ABS brakes never got out of fashion at Sram
  • 2 0
 The only bike I really, really regret selling.
  • 1 0
 If anyone in Scotland is needing to get rid of one of these, IN ANY SIZE, please get in contact with me Smile
  • 1 0
 I owned a BR for a while. It was sweet. I was sad when they discontinued it.
  • 1 0
 I still cant get past how narrow handlebars were 10+ years ago. It just makes every video from then look hilarious now.
  • 1 0
 light that fuse @TransitionBikeCompany and bring that sucker back. Or a Transition Beer branded bike!
  • 2 0
 That was awesome....kudos to Kyle on some great stuff!
  • 1 0
 They should make a slopestyle bike that looks exactly like that but with ss geometry
  • 1 0
 My BottleRocket is in pieces in the garage waiting to be built up for my kids.
  • 2 1
 Loved my bottle rocket, it still lives with a friend!
  • 1 0
 My Dirtbag lives with a friend. At least it’s still in the fam!
  • 2 1
 Can I get that last bottlerocket, please?
  • 2 1
 Just figured what 'bottlerocket' actually means and now I want one!
  • 2 0
 Yeah me too, alcoholic astronaut.
  • 1 0
 Trivia... It was actually named after Wes Anderson’s first movie.
  • 1 0
 Fancy editing to make the bars look super narrow...
  • 3 3
 this must be the first time i've heard someone say that Talas forks are good (or were at any point)
  • 1 0
 Yeah, that comment about how awesome the talus felt had me laughter out loud. I put a talus on my 08 heckler because I thought fox was supposed to be the shit. That fork sucked so bad. Slightly better than the stock rs recon, but not really.
  • 1 0
 My thought exactly. My old Talas was horribly stiff and that open bath would turn it into a pogo-stick after only a couple miles of decent.
  • 1 0
 I must have the world's best talas haha. It has never not felt buttery smooth, it's handled everything I've thrown at it. It is on my wife's Banshee Spitfire right now, still going strong. But the only time I drop the travel is for putting it in the car.
  • 2 0
 Looks like NS slope
  • 1 0
 No road gap on Blood Donor, Kyle?
  • 1 0
 He thought about it! But decided it was probably a better idea to hit that when someone who knows the speed is around. Bummer it was destroyed, we had planned to go back and ride it.
  • 1 0
 @TransitionBikeCompany: Why did you have to buy this bike? Don't you have one on display at your store?
  • 2 0
 @microfiz: This is mentioned in other replies above, but they only had a frame and finding parts from the era was difficult (didn't want to throw a bunch of brand new bits on, which I totally agree with), so they bought a used complete and put on some decent tires, etc.
  • 1 0
 @gemma8788: They had a fully built bike on display at their store this summer.
  • 3 0
 @microfiz: that was the bike from the video!
  • 1 1
 Looking at the old video compared to now, why did it take soo long for 780-800mm bars to be used?
  • 1 0
 I hope they also rode PBR on the PBR edition
  • 2 1
 Where's the updated 27.5 Bottlerocket already?
  • 1 0
 Love 26in this bike is sweet i ride an old giant similar to this
  • 1 0
 I have a Yeti 4X... 100mm more reach and she'd be sweet. lol
  • 1 0
 "It's got levers and stuff."
  • 1 0
 I can't help but want a Bottlerocket. It looks like such a fun bike.
  • 1 0
 "I could go up three sizes" lol that made me smile.
  • 1 0
 Had the grey speckled one shipped over to italy back in the day. Loved it!
  • 1 0
 love that saddle!
  • 5 5
 "while still being able to pedal" agree to disagree
  • 9 0
 Not modern pedalling, but people pedalled the bejeezus out of these bikes back in the day.
  • 3 0
 @skerby: I pedaled/pushed my 46 pound Azonic DH bike up 2500 foot climbs too back in the day, doesn't mean it was a good idea
  • 2 0
 I rode my BR on XC trails, it was a revelation compared to long travel bikes of the day.
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: I rode it for 7 years with a 36t chainring and a 11-36 9sp cassette.
  • 1 0
 @TheLongMan: oh the folly of youth
  • 1 0
 Sweet, sums it up!
  • 1 1
 Heckle and heckle







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