For 2018 Transition Bikes has revamped its entire MTB model range. "SBG" is now the magic word for the bikes of the Americans from Washington. This stands for "Speed Balanced Geometry". Sounds radical, but is far less extreme than the Geolution concept from Nicolai or the geo of the Pole Evolink. SBG simply stands for modern, progressive geometry, as is currently found on many MTB full-suspension bikes on the market.
Transition SBG - the facts
- longer reach
- Shorter stem
- steeper seat angle
- flatter steering angle
- Suspension forks with shorter offset
- Longer wheelbase
Transition has rolled out its SBG concept across all trail bikes for 2018. Fox and Rock Shox offer special forks with a shorter offset (Rock Shox 42 mm/Fox 44 mm). These geometry changes should mean that the rider sits more centred in the bike, the bikes climb better, have more grip, the suspension can work more effectively and you can hurtle downhill more safely. As part of the introduction of the SBG geometry, Transition has given its bikes five millimetres more travel at the rear for 2018, and all models feature suspension forks with one centimetre more travel.
Transition Smuggler Carbon
At Eurobike 2017, the new Sentinel, a 29er bike with a 160 mm fork and 140 mm rear travel, was on show for the first time at the Transition stand. Now the Americans have presented the 29er trail bike Smuggler as a carbon version and even at first glance you can see the similarities between the two carbon fibre bikes. The Smuggler has a 140 mm fork at the front and 120 millimetres of travel at the rear. The new carbon frame - main frame, rear triangle and rocker made of carbon fibre - is designed to be more robust compared to the Aluminium smuggler be a good kilo lighter and weigh 2950 grams including the shock. Boost wheels and shocks with metric installation lengths are fitted. There are Enduro Max bearings in the rear triangle and space for a large water bottle in the front triangle. Transition specifies the tyre clearance for the Smuggler Carbon as 29x2.3 inches. The frameset is expected to cost 3000 US dollars, euro prices are not yet available. In Germany, Transition bikes are available from Trailtoys.
