With the Bottlerocket 2026, the US label is sparking a freeride revival that smells of fat airtime and big stunts. The former cult bike with 140 millimetres of travel and 26-inch wheels is back - as a modernised aluminium racer with 27.5-inch tyres, a choice of 180 or 200 millimetres of travel and a good dose of "no-nonsense" charm. The rocker arm and yoke connections are forged and the down tube is protected by a bolted shuttle guard and a solid rubber protector against stone chips. Also good: Depending on the area of use, you can choose freely - single crown or double crown fork, each with up to 200 millimetres of suspension travel. This means that Transition is aimed precisely at the niche between downhill and enduro bikes - where airtime, style and control are more important than traction, precision and high-speed performance.
"Chips & Salsa" - fine-tuning with a wink
Of course, it wouldn't be a modern transition bike without a pinch of nerd humour. The Americans call their adjustment systems C.H.I.P.S. and S.A.L.S.A. - and are quite serious about it. About C.H.I.P.S. ("Changes Height Independently of Progression Setting"), the kinematics can be configured in four variants: High or Low, linear or progressive. If you like it playful, go for the poppy park setup - if you like it smoother and smoother, choose the downhill mode.
S.A.L.S.A. ("Super Awesome Length Stay Adjusters") extends the concept with three chainstay lengths (0, +5 or +10 mm). Instead of simple flip chips, the dropouts are completely swapped.
The geometry of the Transition Bottlerocket
Four sizes (S to XL), two main set-ups (high/low):
- Steering angle: 64° (High) or 63.6° (Low)
- Reach: 425-500 mm
- Seat angle (eff.): 77-79°
- Chainstays: 436 mm (standard), optional +5/+10 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,191-1,279 mm
If you only look at the geo-data, the Bottlerocket looks confusingly similar to a modern enduro bike. At first glance, the head angle, chainstay lengths and reach values raise hopes of a balanced downhill bike rather than a super compact, playful freerider. This means you can confidently take the Transition to the downhill track in the park - because the bike will not lack smoothness. The Bottlerocket delivers the necessary dose of playfulness for jumplines and stunts with the small wheels at the front and rear - a good compromise, in our opinion.
Equipment and prices
- Frameset (from 2,499 USD)
- Single-Crown Build with 180 mm (from 4,699 USD)
- Dual-Crown Build with 200 mm (from 5,199 USD)
Both complete bikes roll on E*Thirteen Grappler Core wheels with Novatech hubs and are decelerated by SRAM Maven Base brakes with 200 mm discs. The single-crown version uses a SRAM Eagle T-Type 12-speed setup, while the dual-crown model utilises a SRAM GX 7-speed drivetrain. Schwalbe Magic Mary tyres at the front and Big Betty tyres at the rear ensure optimum traction.
Design: Snowstorm & Disco Flamingo
Anyone who lived through the 2000s will get goosebumps at the sight of the colour variants: "Snowstorm" quotes the 2009 original with white frame and rocker link, while "Disco Flamingo" in bright pink gloss is reminiscent of flashy lift tickets, Vans mixtapes and 26-inch jumps.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE editor
The new Bottlerocket is not a marketing gimmick, but a homage to an era in which style, airtime and fun were more important than Strava segments. Transition brings back this spirit, wraps it in modern geometry and solid technology - and delivers the most authentic freeride statement in years.
Max Fuchs
Editor
