tat2dup

does anyone own a transition bike? Im a rookie to all of this, and just hearing about them now. Wondering about pros/cons

Maelstrom 

I own 2. They are standard bikes. Nothing exceptional (as in not vpp or the newest technology) about the bikes themselves (standard single pivots, good frames, steel hardtails etc...) but the company itself is freaking amazing. Good guys who actually ride. Great warranty.

dminor 

I own a brand new Gran Mal frame; not even built up yet - - give me a week or so.

Transition is a small company based in Ferndale, WA (outside Bellingham) started by two avid riders, Kevin Menard and Kyle Young. They have a strong commitment to quality and to value-for-your-dollar.

The designs may not look as sexy as some (straight tubes as opposed to curvy, highly-manipulated tubesets, etc) but the simplicity of the construction gives up nothing in strength and helps keep manufacturing costs down. Hence, you get a more economical bike that performs every bit as well as the fancied-up ones.

There are quite a few Transition owners on the Forums - - hopefully they will come out of the woodwork to give you more firsthand knowledge. I will say that I got to try a Preston FR Saturday and it rode like it was more than a 5"-travel bike. I was on it for less than 5 minutes before feeling completely at home on it.

tat2dup

thanks for the info. which models do you own?

dminor 

If I've got this right, Maelstrom has a Dirtbag and a Trail-or-Park. If you like hardtails, look at the Vagrant. It's stone-axe stout and it's got a very 'descending-friendly' slack head angle. It would make an excellent do-it-all build.

snakehunter

I have a dirtbag.... customer service is amazing... product is just as good....

mtnbiker66

I'm thinking about building up a Preston FR.

dminor 

But...but...but...there's no blue

But the transparent green is cool

scrublover

I've got a Covert, built up with a Lyrik up front. 140mm rear, 160mm front. It rocks.

No nonsense linkage driven single pivot suspension. Nothing fancy, but they work, and quite well for being a simple design.

A buddy of mine on a Moab trip last week broke his Preston chainstay. 06 model year, used, not original owner.

Transition sent him a whole new chain/seat stay assembly free of charge.

cryptid01

I'm thinking that'd be pretty cool.

scrublover

Doo it. The older ones are nice, but the 07 year is very much more refined. Better leverage ratio on the shock, more choice in rear shocks to run. Only a pound heavier than the Covert, given the same build. It was a tough choice!

nmn25

I got a double. I think it is one of the best lookin bikes (as well as most fun to ride) I have ever seen. And, you actually talk to the OWNER when calling (or at least I did everytime). Get a bike from them, you COULDN"T be dissatisfied if you tried.

scrublover

The double looks nice.

I'll echo that about the CS of the Transition guys. They answered some questions I had via e-mail. Super fast, and very cool guys.

Sorta' cliched, but the bang for the buck with Transition seems to be pretty damn good.

MattP.

I had a Vagrant, nothing too special, but what impressed my was the company itself. Super cool guys and pretty good prices.

cr45h

my buddy just picked up a trail or park. haven't had a chance to ride with him yet, but damn it looks hot. says it rides more like my p2 than his old stp, but i have no opinions on the ride or quality since its not by bike. i want one now though

KiLO

I've got a Trail-or-Park, and I love it.

I am saving up to get a Bottle Rocket sometime in the near future.

As the others have said... Transition is a great company.

arboc!

ive got a trail or park and a dirtbag. both bikes are super sexy, but most of the stock builds are damn heavy.

wheelhot

hmm...Im wondering, how light can u build the covert? without any carbon components. and Its a single pivot?

scrublover

About 30-32# is pushing the low end for the Covert, to still have it useable/durable for the purpose it's intended for. It ain't a race bike.

wheelhot

somehow the Covert looks like a simple, clean, strong bike with no fancy bling bling's . Hmm, is it a 4 bar? And how well does it pedals?

scrublover

go check out the transition website. do some research of your own, for once. please. search the web. emptybeer has several threads about the covert for you to go and read before asking questions that are answered in the threads...

C Law

I think you may be asking too much from this particular forum member.

scrublover

Based on past posting history, you're probably right. But, it was worth a shot...