A glance at the websites of the two competitors makes it clear that there are two opposing marketing tactics at work here: Rotwild.de is rather sober and factual. No faces, but "German Engineering" as the main selling point. Transition, on the other hand, celebrates its "Rider Owned Company" with Hallodri photos of the staff and casual product descriptions.
The bikes also consistently convey this image. Red deer doesn't even try to put a funny name on the tube: R.G1 27.5 FS Gravity is the name of the new downhiller with larger wheels. The characteristic four-bar design with angular rocker and straight lines looks slim and technical despite the bright colour. The geometry is state-of-the-art: long reach, slack steering angle, significant bottom bracket drop. The 5600 euro bike is very well equipped with a high-quality Saint groupset and slightly cheaper Fox Performance suspension elements as well as DT Swiss wheels. The test bike was fitted with a 40 Factory fork, which is available for an additional 600 euros, although if in doubt we would have preferred Zee components and a higher quality fork/shock combo. The weight is surprisingly low: less than 16 kilos for a classic aluminium bike is not much - German engineering! Part of the weight advantage comes from the folding version of the Conti Kaiser tyres.
Also Transition does not have a casual name for its new downhill bike - which is not typical for the company. TR 500-1 could just as easily be the order number for a car spare part. The equipment of the dynamically curved frame is almost perfect: the Americans combine the high-quality Fox Float 40 Factory and the DHX2 Factory shock, which is adjustable in all parameters, with a mix of Race Face parts, SRAM X01 drivetrain and wheels with rather affordable Joytech hubs. With a list price of a good 6700 euros, we would have expected a more illustrious brand name for the wheelset. 16.8 kilos with real downhill tyres is only average in this price range, but still a good value overall.
We were surprised by the rather short geometry. We ordered the bike in size L to get a reach of just under 420 millimetres. In M it is almost 3 centimetres shorter. The basic set-up for both bikes was quickly found. For the first time, Fox offers a clear adjustment table for the new shocks on the homepage. You only need to know the shock size, stroke and spring rate to arrive at the recommended number of clicks for rebound and compression. Very good, because the DHX2 Factory shock with separate high and low-speed rebound and compression stages is very complex.
We took three set-up descents on the almost 5-kilometre-long test track in Bolzano with each bike to optimise the suspension. On the fourth descent, the duel was then fought - with Strava
split times and all the bells and whistles.
The Rotwild impressed us right from the start with its confidence-inspiring geometry and agile handling. The long bike runs straight and stable and positions the rider nicely in the centre above the wheels. You don't hang too far back when cornering, but still feel safe on steep sections and far enough behind the front axle. However, we were unable to achieve a perfect balance between the very potent fork and the somewhat simpler Performance DHX2. The rear was not quite as planted on the ground as we had hoped. We would have liked to have made the rebound even faster, especially on fast hits, so that the rear end was more active in the stroke and could follow the ground better, but without a variable high-speed rebound, the grip didn't come close to the level and the confidence the fork conveyed. Even at top speeds, it still offered a perfect compromise between comfort and traction. The characteristic curve is very successful: linear and sensitive in the first two thirds of the stroke and sufficiently progressive towards the end. The segment analysis of our Strava measurement showed that the Rotwild is very fast despite the limited tuning options for the shock: In fast, less rugged sections of the test track, we managed some best times with the R.G1 in direct comparison to the Transition. However, we felt that we were already riding beyond the comfort limit.
The tyres were annoying. We didn't manage a single complete descent under full load without a puncture. The 1-kilo version of the Kaiser is simply too thin and prone to punctures for real downhill speed in rocky terrain.
It took us a little longer to set up the Transition. This was mainly due to the many adjustment options on the frame. We rode the bike with both a short and a long rear triangle. It was only afterwards that we learnt that this is officially only possible with a 26-inch frame. However, we had no problems during the test and found the short setting quite comfortable on very steep sections. We spared ourselves the steep head angle and short travel. The TR 500-1 offers a good compromise between composure and manoeuvrability even in the low geo setup. It soon became clear that the suspension was superior to that of the Rotwild. Already very plush in the basic set-up, we were able to optimise it bit by bit over the course of the test and ended up with a pretty perfect balance between front and rear.
With little LSR, the rear suspension reacted quickly and sensitively and, in combination with the adjusted HSR, never felt like it was reaching its limit. As a result, the Transition was always the clear winner of the duel in the heavily rugged middle sections of the now very bombed-out Kohlern trail. Only in intermediate sprints did it seem sluggish, because pedalling movements tighten the rear triangle and the bike pumps strongly. Then it falls behind the Rotwild, which is much lighter and sportier. However, thanks to the combination of plush suspension and a high feeling of security, the Transition is clearly the faster bike in this comparison. The option of less travel and steeper angles also makes it interesting as a park bike with a 180 mm fork - a real added value for customers who are not only focussed on competitive downhill racing.
CONCLUSIONThe Rotwild is a very good bike, but limited in direct comparison by the somewhat simpler shock. The suspension of the Transition can be fine-tuned, is firmer, more secure and therefore faster. The frame adjustment options are also a plus. However, the price difference should not be forgotten. For 1150 euros, a Rotwild customer can easily build up the frame kit with identical suspension elements. But duels are not fought in the subjunctive. That's why the Transition is our clear winner.
Rotwild R.G1 27.5 FS Gravity
Manufacturer information
Distribution ADP Engineering GmbH, www.rotwild.de
Material/sizes Aluminium/S, M, L
Price/weight without pedals 5599 Euro/15.9 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/200 mm
Rear suspension system Four-bar linkage
Equipment
Fork/damper Fox 40 Float Factory/Fox DHX2 Performance
Cranks/gears Shimano Saint/Shimano Saint
Brake system Shimano Saint
Impellers DT Swiss FR1950 system wheels, Maxxis Continental The Kaiser Project 27.5x2.4
STRENGTHS Geometry, handling, lively acceleration
WEAKNESSES Chassis at high speed
Performance
Bike park 5 out of 6 points
Downhill 5 out of 6 points
Transition TR 500-1 (test duel winner)
Manufacturer information
Distribution Trail Toys, www.trailtoys.de
Material/sizes Alu/S, M, L, XL
Price/weight without pedals 6749 Euro/16.8 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/180-203 mm
Rear suspension system support Single-joint
Fork/damper Fox 40 Float Factory/Fox DHX2 Kashima
Cranks/gears RaceFace Atlas/SRAM X01
Brake system SRAM Guide RSC
Impellers Joytech hubs, Stans Notubes rims, Maxxis Highroller II 3C DH Casing 2.4 tyres
STRENGTHS Chassis, adjustment options, handling, smooth running
WEAKNESSES slow start
Performance
Bike park 6 out of 6 points
Downhill 6 out of 6 points
