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2018 Transition Smuggler Carbon- The worst POS I have ever ridden

27K views 40 replies 19 participants last post by  snowrydr01 
#1 ·
I can't explain enough, how much i hate this bike.

Pedaling platform and efficency is that of a 160mm+ bike

In the rough it bucks around worse than Mike Alessi in the whoops ( Ive had three different shops tune the shock).

The wheelbase is feels like I'm driving a limo or Joe Pecshi's Cadillac in Casino.

SBG is garbage. TURD ALL AROUND
 
#2 ·
I can't explain enough how much we hate you ss34x18.

Your pedaling technique and efficiency is that of a 5 year old child.

In the rough you get rag dolled worse than when you wife beats your rear end ( your 3 previous wives also abused you like a rusty tool)

Your competence on the bike is comparable a bad politician making fake news constantly like in Washington D.C.

You are Garbage ss34x18. Your a piece of Lawn Sausage ALL Around
 
#5 ·
The stock suspension components were problematic for me, as well.

I couldn't get along with the DPS, at all. It seemed harsh over small chatter, yet would bottom out really harshly on impacts that it shouldn't have. When climbing in open, it would seemingly sink into it's travel at really weird, unpredictable moments. I ended up replacing it with a Topaz, which provides a lot more support all around and seems to work a lot better. In retrospect, a DBCoil IL would have been another good option.

The fork, I've yet to do anything with, but the 34 is being problematic as well. It has bushing play and the rebound damping is massively insufficient. I am well below max weight at 215, yet I can't get the rebound damping slow enough, the high speed compression seems a bit soft and the HSR a bit fast. I'm not getting along with it, debating on sending it to PUSH, getting an Avy damper, or replacing it altogether. The Ribbon is an attractive option, so is the Diamond, but I'm not keen on dropping $1k on a new fork yet.

So yea, the stock suspension sortof lets the bike down, but I like it otherwise. Even with the 34 being a bit problematic, I've gotten used to it and it's manageable. I think it climbs really well, technical climbing is a lot easier on it for me because of the steeper SA. I don't feel like it bobs that badly, but I do find myself using the compression switch (which, tbf, I do with any horst derived bike).

My only other complaints are in the other thread, mainly design deficiencies in the tire clearance and cable routing, but nothing that was super important or problematic to me.
 
#6 ·
Tell us how you really feel!

Seriously though, this review seems contrary to everything written about the bike. Generally, the complaints have been about tire clearance, chain guides, etc.

Not really many complaints about the "performance" of the bike. I'd like to hear more about your issues.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I have a new Carbon Smuggler. So based on my experience on the bike, this thread is a bit weird (possibly a joke). This bike is super fast. The Fox34 is plush but maybe I could have gone for a Pike / Lyrik as it tends to run out of talent in the rough stuff. It also seems that I might have a loose steerer tube after 3 weeks... I already got a DVO Topaz but the DPS wasn't bad at all. This bike corners extremely well and feels like it has 10%-15% more suspension. Jumps well and feels very poppy off smaller features. Climbs like a dream. Only gripes - the paint job quality is crappy and some of the cable routing (as mentioned) is a bit tight and can chafe the paint, especially around the BB area on both sides. Finally, couldn't fit my 170mm Reverb Stealth, 160mm Bikeyoke just about made it. (Size Large, top of seat 785mm from BB). For me this is a pity as with the 76 STA the seat does comes a bit closer to your legs.
 
#16 ·
The OP is obviously clueless. The bike pedals like a 120mm bike which is exactly how it should be. To say it's like a 160mm bike in regards to pedal efficiency is a lie and he loses all credibility.

Regarding the DPS shock setup he complained about, I find it pretty amusing he said he's had 3 different shops tune his shock....which is basically doing nothing to the shock since it needs to be revalved to have any true benefits which a standard shop won't open up Fox products that need a Nitro Fill.

I doubt he actually knows about the 3 way compression adjust when in open mode thats independent to the Open/Firm/Closed position. That adjustment plays a large roll in how the shock deals with high speed hits and support.

Rebound should be the easiest adjustment he could have made to help settle the bike down off features and in chunk but I'm doubting the OP did anything.
 
#19 ·
My 34 has pretty bad bushing knock, as well. I kept trying to diagnose it between the headset and brake calipers, but it never really went away and I eventually found it was play between the lowers/stanchion. I serviced the lowers and there seemed to be sufficient oil in them, but not as much as specified by Fox.

I'm hoping that fixes it, because it's annoying. Between that and the damping issues I'm having, I'm really disappointed in the fork. I've had good luck with Fox stuff in the past, but this fork has been a pain.
 
#20 ·
With the progressive geometry you really have to dial in the shock settings. It's very sensitive to sag. When they say 16-17mm sag, they mean it. Too much sag and you will get harsh knocks over bumps. Take your time to get it right and the bike will reward you with incredible speed and cornering ability. I love this bike because I am so much faster downhill but it still climbs like a goat.
 
#21 ·
Skinneybex

In my opinion the bike does not pedal like 120mm bike. I’m coming from a 2014 Trek Fuel 29 (140mm 36 swap),which pedaled really well. I have been in park city Utah for the last 3 days will be here another 4. My orbital post may have been a little premature but the OEM suspension does not match this bike well. When I posted I had three shops tune it, I mean I had three separate shops adjust sag settings after I explained my problem / ride experience.

When you point this bike in a straight line it does fast and hold speed well, but in the rough or washboard the suspension doesn’t keep up with the bike or terrain.

I’ll ask you, at 181lb fully geared ready to go how would you set up this suspension?
 
#36 ·
Literally nothing the original poster says has any credibility. Anyone who goes to 3 shops to have sag set can't be trusted with such a detailed review. I'm not knocking people that need help from a shop, I'm just saying don't listen to a guy telling you about suspension characteristics when he goes to three shops to have his sag set. Also, it's possible that a single speeder just can't appreciate good, modern geometry. Also FYI, "sbg" is so normal now that it's the standard geometry on every new bike from pretty much every brand - so get used to it. It's better.

Skinneybex

In my opinion the bike does not pedal like 120mm bike. I'm coming from a 2014 Trek Fuel 29 (140mm 36 swap),which pedaled really well. I have been in park city Utah for the last 3 days will be here another 4. My orbital post may have been a little premature but the OEM suspension does not match this bike well. When I posted I had three shops tune it, I mean I had three separate shops adjust sag settings after I explained my problem / ride experience.

When you point this bike in a straight line it does fast and hold speed well, but in the rough or washboard the suspension doesn't keep up with the bike or terrain.

I'll ask you, at 181lb fully geared ready to go how would you set up this suspension?
 
#22 ·
190 PSI, 6 clicks rebound from fully closed and most importantly the small black 3 way dial should be set to the "1" position. I'd also remove all the air from the shock and then re-inflate by adding 25 PSI at a time while cycling the suspension a small amount 8-10 times until the positive and negative air chambers equalize.
 
#23 ·
I'd also remove all the air from the shock and then re-inflate by adding 25 PSI at a time while cycling the suspension a small amount 8-10 times until the positive and negative air chambers equalize.
This definitely. Mine came with the chambers not equalized and rode like complete **** until I fixed it. But even after that, it only rode a little less ****. the stock shock is just garbage and should be replaced immediately if you plan on doing any kind of hard riding.
 
#27 ·
I really wish the frame manufacturers would start offering frames w/o shocks or with options, at least.

Horst bikes are really sensitive to shock tune IMO, whereas linkages like VPP seem to be a bit more tolerant of crap tunes and shocks. That's pretty evident to me here with the DPS, which was more tolerable on another bike, but just wasn't working for me here.
 
#33 ·
Hi - apologies for the delay, I somehow missed your question. I am very happy with the Topaz. Although I use full travel a lot on this bike, I hardly ever feel like the Topaz bottoms out - something I did experience on the DPS. Feels a lot better in the rough parts and chattery sections and gives more support when you want pop the bike off a feature. It was really easy to set up and I've hardly touched it since installing it apart from a click here and there on redound.
 
#34 ·
Awesome, I have been tinkering with it some and ended up removing all the volume spacers, it seems fairly progressive even without them there. I more or less left the rest of the tune the same way.

I wish they sold that setup and not the POS build
My understanding is that the S/M frame sizes can't use a piggyback shock, it's close even on my large.

As for his fork, I agree, as I've said elsewhere, the 36 should have been standard from the start instead of starting in the 2019 builds.
 
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