Well, when we posted our recent “News And Rumors” post, we told you there would be a lot of reveals and sneak peeks on the way! Here we see the first 29″er from Transition Bikes, a company noted for their Down Hill, All Mountain and Trail 26″ers.
Image courtesy of Transition Bikes site.
One of our astute readers recently commented that the Kona Satori we just reported on looked similar to this bike. Certainly they have some shared features, like 130mm rear travel, a tapered head tube, and the slacker geometry that should be ideal for trail riding. Of course, neither bike is wearing its final livery here, so they will look a lot different, we’re sure, when final production models are shown.
Image courtesy of Transition Bikes site.
Here we have the modified single pivot type suspension with a swing linkage mounted from the top tube resulting in a claimed 130mm of rear travel. The rear damper spec’ed will be a Fox RP23 BV model. Provisions for a dropper post are here. Transition shows the bike with a Rock Shox Reverb post, but a specific build kit has not been announced as of this posting.
Image courtesy of Transition Bikes site.
Here is a look at the tapered head tube with a Fox shock mounted. Transition says the Bandit 29 is designed for 140mm travel forks, and claims a “slack head angle”, although no specific geometry numbers are listed on the site yet.
Image courtesy of Transition Bikes site.
The 142 X 12mm through axle is here, and a mighty beefy drop out with the seat stay pivot above. Transition’s site also lists an optional 135 X 10mm option as well. The frame is “custom hydro-formed” 6061 heat treated aluminum.
Three sizes will be offered: Medium, Large, and “X Large”. Claimed weight for a medium without rear shock is 5.5lbs. The frame will also feature ISCG 05 tabs. No word yet on pricing or availability.
Looks sweet!
Slender-looking frame. Looks more like an XC-racer than an AM-bike, almost like my old 2008 GF HiFi.
The Satori is a lot burlier looking.
Looks very promising, the 29er AM category is getting a lot more interesting.
I am suspect of the 5.5lb frame and shock weight. I am guessing it should read 6.5 or even 7.5lb.
I bet we will see a Salsa Big Mama replacement that looks almost exactly like this minus a seatstay pivot… I’d love to finally see a Salsa offering in this category. We’ve seen enough Ti / adventure bikes already…..