The colour alone makes the Transition Patrol Mullet CF GX an eye-catcher in the test field, but the frame is also beautifully shaped. The brand from Bellingham, Washington (USA) already introduced the aluminium model of the Patrol in 2021. Since last autumn, the Carbon version available as a frame set, now also in two complete bike variants. The Patrol is the only mullet bike in the test with a small rear wheel. Clever: the chainstays "grow" with the different frame sizes.
Transition Patrol Mullet: The right equipment - suspension brings a trail bike feeling
The equipment with Fox Performance suspension, TRP brakes and Schwalbe tyres looks harmonious. However, only the "small" Float-X shock is fitted at the rear. This gives you that trail bike feeling from the very first few metres: The bike steers directly and lively, despite the slackest steering angle. "The party boat in the test field", joked one tester.
However, when the trail gets angry, the ride on the Transition also gets angry. You wouldn't expect that with the rather massive chassis. The suspension gets bogged down more quickly on bumps, bounces more and loses grip earlier than the competition. At the same time, the front and rear feel harmonious and respond sensitively. However, towards the end of the suspension travel, the chassis reacts erratically and lacks reserves. No amount of tuning helped. As a result, we all hit the brakes the earliest on the Patrol.
Annoying: the loud rattling on the descent - play in the lower shock mount; it couldn't be fixed. When touring, the Patrol's steep seat angle makes it pleasant to pedal uphill. The rear suspension does bob noticeably, but there is an effective platform here too.
Conclusion Test Transition Patrol Mullet GF GX:
The Patrol is a lot of fun with its mullet construction. It rides very intuitively, but has to admit defeat to the competition downhill - despite the generous suspension travel; nominally: 160 millimetres in the front and rear. The Patrol should be seen as a light enduro bike rather than a downhill machine for the Enduro World Cup. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Technical data and notes Transition Patrol Mullet CF GX
Manufacturer information
- Price: 7699 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S, M, L, XL(tested in L, 43 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 15.18 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 2617 g
- Weight of wheels: 5555 g
- Handlebar width: 800 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Fox 38 Float Performance Elite Fit Grip 2
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Front/rear suspension travel: 160/158 mm
- Crank: Sram GX Eagle DUB
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Brake system / Disc (front / rear): TRP E 23 / 203 mm / 203 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: One Twoten / 200 mm / 31.6 mm
- Wheels: Race Face Aeffect R30-
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary ; SuperTrail TL easy EVO Addix Soft 29 x 2.40; Schwalbe Big Betty; SuperTrail TL easy EVO Addix Soft 27.5 x 2.40
Ease of maintenance: good
PLUS: brakes; geo; easy to maintain
MINUS: Rear tyres prone to punctures; limited suspension; play in the rear triangle
FREERIDE test judgement: 8 out of 10 points
¹BIKE measured values
²with pedals (350 g)
³without shock absorber, possibly with rear thru axle
⁴with tyres, cassette and brake discs.
The measurements were taken on a test stand at the Zedler-Institut.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
