With the new PBJ, the American bike manufacturer Transition Bikes presents a completely redesigned dirt jump bike that has been developed from scratch. The most important innovation is the switch to a hydroformed 6061 aluminium frame which, according to the manufacturer, enables the integration of modern features that meet the requirements of today's dirt jump riders. Particularly exciting are the extremely short chainstays and low standover height, which should ensure maximum freedom of movement and control. The model is specially designed for riders who want to find their flow on dirt jumps, in the skate park or on the pump track and need a bike that is optimised for these areas of use.
Another new feature is the availability in two different sizes - "Short" and "Standard" - to cater for different rider preferences and body sizes. The "Short" version of the PBJ was not only developed for smaller riders, but is also aimed at bikers who are looking for particularly precise handling that allows maximum creativity. With a chainstay length of 377-395 millimetres and a reach of 395 millimetres, this size is designed to help you land rotations, boost out of quarter pipes or master tricky manual lines. The low frame offers sufficient space for body movements and contributes to control in the air.
The "Standard" size, on the other hand, is designed for riders who want to improve their skills on the pump track or prefer a more stable geometry for bigger jumps and higher speeds without having to sacrifice the playfulness of the short rear triangle. This version has the same chainstay length of 377-395 millimetres as the "Short" version, but combines this with a longer reach of 420 millimetres for smoother running at higher speeds.
The new PBJ frame is made of hydroformed 6061 aluminium, which is known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. The compact design with low standover height is intended to give the rider better control with sufficient freedom of movement. A special feature are the integrated chain tensioners, which allow easy fine adjustment of the chain tension and at the same time ensure correct alignment of the rear wheel in the frame. These work with all 10x135 millimetre hubs and are easy to adjust thanks to the tool-free design. The frame also offers the option of routing the brake cable either internally or externally.
The PBJ is available in various versions, including as a complete bike or frameset in the sizes "Standard" and "Short" as well as a special 24-inch version for younger riders. The 26-inch PBJ complete bike is equipped with a Marzocchi Bomber DJ fork with 100 millimetres of suspension travel. The tyres are Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tyres with a width of 2.25 inches. Deceleration is provided by a SRAM DB4 brake, which is only mounted on the rear wheel, with a 160 millimetre SRAM Centerline brake disc.
According to the manufacturer, the PBJ complete bike in the "standard" size weighs 11.44 kilograms, while the frameset alone weighs 2.21 kilograms. The 24-inch version is specified at 9.84 kilograms as a complete bike and 2.18 kilograms as a frameset. The PBJ complete bike is priced at 2,099 US dollars, while the frameset is available for 749 US dollars. The 24-inch version is slightly cheaper at 1,549 US dollars for the complete bike and 649 US dollars for the frame.