Introducing the Bandit

[Transition Bikes]

Check it out everybody!

All New Transition Bandit

[Damienp]

oh heck yes!

[noremedy]

yes please

[noremedy]

can we can get some build kit info?

[MqtRider]

why not produce an AM 29er? I love you guys, but I think you're missing the boat, or a big chunk of the market place, the 29" crowd, which is growing faster than any other single segment of bike lines. Even holdout YETI has put one in the stable, and dang near every other company is on board. It's like holding on to the BETAMAX standard when everyone else got on board with VHS.

To all the 29er haters that will chime in, nobody's trying to take away your 26" bike. There is always a place. I'm just saying to Transition to diversify their line and bring MORE people into the flock. The argument that frame manufacture's are being held up by the fork companies has merit, but it's going to take more companies to start pushing FOX and Rockshox for a 36mm long travel 29er fork. You push them by showing them a frame that needs a fork and guaranteeing RS or FOX fork sales. $$$ makes it happen.

Intense, Niner, Lenz have commited to a 5.5" travel bike, and more are on the way. Marzocchi, Manitou and WB's have stepped up to the plate in the mean time to offer forks for this segment.

[Vorar]

why not produce an AM 29er? I love you guys, but I think you're missing the boat, or a big chunk of the market place, the 29" crowd, which is growing faster than any other single segment of bike lines. Even holdout YETI has put one in the stable, and dang near every other company is on board. It's like holding on to the BETAMAX standard when everyone else got on board with VHS.

To all the 29er haters that will chime in, nobody's trying to take away your 26" bike. There is always a place. I'm just saying to Transition to diversify their line and bring MORE people into the flock. The argument that frame manufacture's are being held up by the fork companies has merit, but it's going to take more companies to start pushing FOX and Rockshox for a 36mm long travel 29er fork. You push them by showing them a frame that needs a fork and guaranteeing RS or FOX fork sales. $$$ makes it happen.

Intense, Niner, Lenz have commited to a 5.5" travel bike, and more are on the way. Marzocchi, Manitou and WB's have stepped up to the plate in the mean time to offer forks for this segment.

I don't think you need to convince them. They've been testing one.

[troublemaker]

looks fun, clean, and sexy in black

[53119]

why do 29" people try so hard to convince the world? easy on the kool-aid. yes, glorified betamax hybrid bikes with knobbies do have their market share. I prefer a slimmer waist as opposed to buying larger pants. take this new Bandit for example..

[euroford]

that thing looks sick, and i'm not going to get preachy about it, but something like that with 29" wheels would definitely get me thinking about re-prioritizing my financial plan!

[petey15]

ETA?? Standover? Colors?

[ride_nw]

why do 29" people try so hard to convince the world? easy on the kool-aid. yes, glorified betamax hybrid bikes with knobbies do have their market share. I prefer a slimmer waist as opposed to buying larger pants. take this new Bandit for example..

If you asked me two years ago, my response would have been the same as yours.

But after buying one to try (had to see if I was justified in making fun of them or not), I really like it. The bigger wheel size doesn't make sense everywhere for everyone on every ride, but it's a great option in a lot of places. If you only ride jumps and bike parks and DH, then no, pretty sure you won't want one. If you have something like this in your quiver.. you might be inclined to like the 29er too.

Canfield has a sick 29er right now (never thought I would utter those words)... Banshee has one on the drawing board.

I definitely don't want to be known as one of those guys who pushes 29ers because they are better at everything and 26" is dumb (you know the type of person I am talking about), I don't mean that at all. The 29er has a lot of unrealistic hype attached to it but it also has bad reputation as being an old man's hybrid xc bike which isn't necessarily true either.

[53119]

If you asked me two years ago, my response would have been the same as yours.

But after buying one to try (had to see if I was justified in making fun of them or not), I really like it. The bigger wheel size doesn't make sense everywhere for everyone on every ride, but it's a great option in a lot of places. If you only ride jumps and bike parks and DH, then no, pretty sure you won't want one. If you have something like this in your quiver.. you might be inclined to like the 29er too.

Canfield has a sick 29er right now (never thought I would utter those words)... Banshee has one on the drawing board.

have given them an honest go. Had a Soulcraft Holy Roller for a while. Decided to try them cuz I rode my cx bike so much in the trails it made sense but didn't translate for me. grew up on bmx and moto so ride style and like you said terrain makes a difference. I'm in Texas so these days when you roll up on a 26 everybody stares at you like you're on a horse! til it get's fast and techy. the difference to me between the two is mindset.

[singletrack]

Reincarnated Preston?

Is the frame going to fail every 6 months like a Preston?

[mtg7aa]

The Preston was a freeride bike, this is a light weight trail bike. Reincarnation? Not likely.

Anyway, the Bandit looks awesome. What's the ETA on complete build pricing info and availability?

[singletrack]

From a retail perspective, TBC should offer this as a complete bike with a sub $3k price point.

[singletrack]

The Preston was a freeride bike, this is a light weight trail bike. Reincarnation? Not likely.

I was mostly kidding.... but one could say the the Preston was just a very heavy trail bike, actually "FRing" one invariably ended in tears. I bet this is spot on with Preston geo, but without the pork.

[pspwesty]

Ohhhh, me likey! The geometry and sizing looks spot on for me ( med. is almost identical sizing to a med. TransAm at a quick glance). And I'm thinking that since this is TBC making the bike that it should still be pretty tough. Can't wait to see some ride impressions and then the inevitable comparisons to other stout short travel trail bikes.

[in the trees]

Do I spy adjustable seatpost cable guides on the top tube?

[ebxtreme]

I don't think you need to convince them. They've been testing one.

Yes, but it's very early.

Reincarnated Preston?

Is the frame going to fail every 6 months like a Preston?

Yo Joel, I think we both know that the Preston was billed as a FR bike, yet didn't have the travel or necessary bulk to really handle bigger riding. Hence, you needing a replacement every 6 months!

I don't see them promoting this bike in anyway, shape or form like the Preston was previously touted. This is a XC/trailbike....not supposed to replace a Covert or any other model.

Cheers,
EB

[kali]

very nice !
this is what should be done on the Covert, straight toptube without gusset
very interested to see the colors chosen

[Jet Fuel]

I like it. A lot

[gunt pimp]

Do I spy adjustable seatpost cable guides on the top tube?

I think the proto covert had them also? I wish mine had them!

[JMH]

I like it.

JMH

[Chad_Money]

May is the likely in the shop date so you have plenty of time to drool. Also, New Bottlerockets due in February/March so get your preorder in!

[Kyle509]

Geo is different than a preston. Looks like a nice little trail bike to me.