2018 Bikes... why so heavy?

[ATXZJ]

Sentinel CF is online. 1.1 kg lighter than alloy

Source?

[Ganderson]

Source?

Transitions website




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[carlhulit]

That is interesting but I think the alloy frame with a nice wheel upgrade (burly carbon) would ride better than the carbon frame with stock wheels.

[coolhand80]

That is interesting but I think the alloy frame with a nice wheel upgrade (burly carbon) would ride better than the carbon frame with stock wheels.

For what reasons?


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[vikb]

That is interesting but I think the alloy frame with a nice wheel upgrade (burly carbon) would ride better than the carbon frame with stock wheels.

I'd just get a carbon frame/fork and build it up the way I wanted.

[aussieprime]

Do the wheels included in the transition build kits come with tubes installed or are they tubeless ready?

Just wanting to know if there is a small weight saving if the wheels are converted to tubeless.

[1996cc]

My Patrol had/has tubes.

[aussieprime]

Thanks for letting me know

[rad3144]

Mine came with tubes but was tubeless ready, I just took out the tubes put in a valve and went. Tape was already installed


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[Ivan the Terrible]

I purchased a 2018 Smuggler on December 22 and was able to head down to Sedona, St. George, and Flagstaff to break it in. Overall I got about 75 miles on the bike over the trip. Mine, the XO1 build, came in at a hair over 31 lbs. with pedals on it. I changed out the stock bars for some carbon Anvls because they were already cut to my liking and I was pressed for time when I built the bike.

In my opinion 31 pounds for an alloy 29er is not unreasonable. The bike pedals great due to the steep seat angle and the spec'd wheels feel light enough to probably help with this. On the downhill the frame is really composed and exhibits no perceptible flex. Perhaps the extra weight contributes to this bike feeling so great on the fun parts. The new geometry is fantastic and the bike feels incredibly capable.

To each their own when buying a new bike but I wouldn't let the weight scare you away.

[sbd]

I purchased a 2018 Smuggler on December 22 and was able to head down to Sedona, St. George, and Flagstaff to break it in. Overall I got about 75 miles on the bike over the trip. Mine, the XO1 build, came in at a hair over 31 lbs. with pedals on it. I changed out the stock bars for some carbon Anvls because they were already cut to my liking and I was pressed for time when I built the bike.

In my opinion 31 pounds for an alloy 29er is not unreasonable. The bike pedals great due to the steep seat angle and the spec'd wheels feel light enough to probably help with this. On the downhill the frame is really composed and exhibits no perceptible flex. Perhaps the extra weight contributes to this bike feeling so great on the fun parts. The new geometry is fantastic and the bike feels incredibly capable.

To each their own when buying a new bike but I wouldn't let the weight scare you away.

I had a similar experience on my demo ride.

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[BaeckerX1]

Transitions already have a terrible resale.... now the whole direct too consumer thing makes that even worse.... half the reason I bought a patrol was based on i felt transition was done with the bad mistakes.... and yet now i will practically give my partrol frame away and move into another brand.... it's always another half thought out idea with this company ..


The whole sbg things makes these bikes soo proprietary it kinda gets away from what I thought the brand was about


Simple no bs bikes..... but hey that's my opinion.... but just go check out what transitions are selling for 2nd hand and that sums the brand up sorry to say

Let me know if you want to sell your Patrol frame.

[ATXZJ]

XL Sentinel: 33LBS w/o pedals
XTR drivetrain and brakes
Carbon bar & hoops
185mm dropper

[adrian.bee]

XL Sentinel: 33LBS w/o pedals
XTR drivetrain and brakes
Carbon bar & hoops
185mm dropper

Dang, nice build! What size tires? They look chunky.

[ATXZJ]

Dang, nice build! What size tires? They look chunky.

Thanks, building it for a friend. 2.35 hans damph in back and 2.35 magic mary up front on 30mm internal rims.

[gerryl]

XL Sentinel: 33LBS w/o pedals
XTR drivetrain and brakes
Carbon bar & hoops
185mm dropper

Nice. I hope you will give us a ride report? As a process 111 guy, trying to figure out my next bike (smash, sentinel, snabb 150?).

[marcoton21]

Why are they heavy? I think it's simple: all fames likely use the same custom tubeset drawn for Transiton by the factory. Since the Sentinel needs to widstand a serious beating, and all other framess get heavy as well.

[captainb]

I bought the frame and fork option with a Pike. Built up mostly XT with carbon bars. Came in at 32 pounds. Yes its heavy. I was worried because once I built it I couldn't get out on it for a month due to the weather. So it weighed heavily on my mind. I was coming off a Rocky mountain carbon element that was at 27 pounds with a 140 pike. So this was a 5 pound gain right away. I now have 3 rides on it and can say for certain that I don't notice the weight at all! This bike climbs so much better than my Rocky and that was a good climber. It handles the rocky New England trails perfectly. The SBG is no gimmick, the confidence when it gets steep and fast is amazing.
So far I have no complaints or regrets in building this bike.

[sbd]

I bought the frame and fork option with a Pike. Built up mostly XT with carbon bars. Came in at 32 pounds. Yes its heavy. I was worried because once I built it I couldn't get out on it for a month due to the weather. So it weighed heavily on my mind. I was coming off a Rocky mountain carbon element that was at 27 pounds with a 140 pike. So this was a 5 pound gain right away. I now have 3 rides on it and can say for certain that I don't notice the weight at all! This bike climbs so much better than my Rocky and that was a good climber. It handles the rocky New England trails perfectly. The SBG is no gimmick, the confidence when it gets steep and fast is amazing.
So far I have no complaints or regrets in building this bike.

What model?

Pics!!!

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[captainb]

LG Smuggler. Can't post pics from my phone. I'll try tomorrow.

[big0mike]

I weighed my Sentinel the other day. Stock GX Alloy build. 35 pounds.

I could probably drop a little if I didn't put so much sealant in my tires but I'm not sure where else I can lose weight. Tires are as light as I would dare and the wheel set is about the same as a decent set of Stans. I wouldn't trust a carbon frame, I sure don't want carbon rims.

But, the plus side is that it does not pedal like a 35# bike. I'm in horrible shape and I've been PRing climbs on it so I'm not losing too much sleep that it's such a piggie.

[BluePitch]

I thought the weights of the Transitions were on the heavy side until I looked up my old Santa Cruz.



I just bought a Scout GX alloy which comes in at 31.6 lbs according to their website. For what its worth the weights are not all that bad. Yeah its gonna be 2 pounds more for my Scout........but I'm not exactly sweating the weights now.

[sbd]

I thought the weights of the Transitions were on the heavy side until I looked up my old Santa Cruz.



I just bought a Scout GX alloy which comes in at 31.6 lbs according to their website. For what its worth the weights are not all that bad. Yeah its gonna be 2 pounds more for my Scout........but I'm not exactly sweating the weights now.

I don't know if you've seen the new Vital MTB long travel Enduro test but the aSentinel was 1)the only alloy in the group 2) not the heaviest bike 3) fast

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[BluePitch]

I don't know if you've seen the new Vital MTB long travel Enduro test but the aSentinel was 1)the only alloy in the group 2) not the heaviest bike 3) fast

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Yes, I saw the Vital video. I guess the carbon version wasn’t ready for the Sentinel. I still don’t think the weights for the aluminum builds are all that bad. Yes they are overbuilt and weigh more than traditional alloy frames but they are not so heavy that people should rule them out for consideration.

I pulled the tubes out of my Scout build and went tubeless and saved 14oz....nearly a pound by this simple switch.

[zhendo]

Yes, I saw the Vital video. I guess the carbon version wasn’t ready for the Sentinel. I still don’t think the weights for the aluminum builds are all that bad. Yes they are overbuilt and weigh more than traditional alloy frames but they are not so heavy that people should rule them out for consideration.

I pulled the tubes out of my Scout build and went tubeless and saved 14oz....nearly a pound by this simple switch.

Word - if you look at the weights of the Sentinel compared to the other bikes in the Vital review, it really isn't materially heavier than any of them. Granted, it sounds like the bike could use a tire upgrade, and several of the other bikes are running coil shocks...but weight savings can be chased down in other areas if it means a lot to you.

[Transition Bikes]

I don't know if you've seen the new Vital MTB long travel Enduro test but the aSentinel was 1)the only alloy in the group 2) not the heaviest bike 3) fast

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Also the cheapest as tested!

[BluePitch]

Also the cheapest as tested!

If they had a Carbon XO1 build it would still be cheaper then two of the builds.

You may have beat the Orbea in the "Relative Performance Ratings" if they had the carbon version.

I really like that comparison, one of the better ways to test bikes!

[sbd]

Also appeared to be the only bike the we're whooping and hollering on!

Now if my LBS will just get the plastic Smuggler I ordered...

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[skiahh]

Also appeared to be the only bike the we're whooping and hollering on!

I heard that, too.

Since the results were that close, that whooping has got to count for something in the big picture!

[DubC]

Got my Carbonious Sentinal last week. 7.6 lbs for the large. That is lighter than the Wreckoning it is replacing by a hair and I would consider it totally reasonable for a frame designed to take bike park abuse.

Still waiting for my proper offset fork...but got the first lil break-in ride with the 51mm offset I already had. Damn Skippy....first impressions are REALLY good. Gunna hopefully get on some rowdy stuff this weekend.

I'm a bit stunned that people are worried about the weight swing equivalent to a descent sized morning poo. Personally, I think focusing on an indestructible alloy bike at a good price and a more weight conscious carbon option is a great way to go about things.

[BluePitch]

Short version of the Vital review


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CleqWSApX5A

[BluePitch]

2018 Scout GX build in large. Stock except for the grips, crank arm boots, fender, tires are tubeless, and it has 3m Scotchgard. No pedals.

Transition site says GX build is 31.6 which I believe is the medium frame?

I used a luggage scale to get 32.32 lbs.