Photos: Transition Bikes

American company Transition Bikes have launched four new bikes for 2015 and they all feature their amusingly titled ‘Giddy Up Link Suspension’.

Transition say they developed the suspension platform with the aim to provide bikes that provided good pedalling performance but still retained the neutral and comfortable feel that they reckon their bikes are known for. They’ve opted for a four-bar configuration with a rocker activated shock that it says is “tuned with a moderate amount of chain growth which is highest at the sag point and decreasing deeper into the travel.”

Says Transition: “The ride feel of our Giddy Up Link bikes will be familiar for any previous Transition rider, but with a big improvement in suspension performance. Our new models are designed to be active while climbing; increased compression damping or rear shock platforms are not required with the Giddy Up link. The suspension remains free to smooth out the trail, improve traction and control without sacrificing any efficiency. ”

Patrol

So, the new bikes then. There are four of them, we first saw the new Patrol at Eurobike, a 155m travel bike with 27.5in wheels and using the new Giddy Up Link suspension, which is essentially a short rocker linkage pivoting off the seat tube and driving a vertically orientated shock.

Geometry is described as ‘progressive, long, low and slack’ and in numbers that means a 65 degree head angle, 430mm chainstays and 1210mm wheelbase on the size large, with four sizes available including an XL. Frame weight for a medium with a rear shock is a claimed 7.85lb.

Says Transition Bikes: “The all new Patrol gives you the control of a downhill bike perfectly balanced with a lively and jumpy personality for a comfortable, efficient and fun ride in almost any trail condition. ”

Suppressor

Showing they’re not entirely wed to the new wheelsize, the Suppressor roll son traditional (is it too soon to call them that?) 26in wheels, with the same 155mm travel as the Patrol courtesy of the same general frame design and suspension linkage.

The Suppressor also shares the same geometry as the Patrol, with a 65 degree head angle and 1210mm wheelbase on the size large frame. Again four sizes are offered. The frame features an E2 Low Direct Mount front derailleur and has ISCG05 chainguide mounts and takes a full size water bottle inside the front triangle, ideal if you don’t use a hydration pack.

The all new Suppressor is the 26″ brother of the Patrol and gives you the control of a downhill bike perfectly balanced with a lively and jumpy personality for a comfortable, efficient and fun ride in almost any trail condition.

Scout

Back to 27.5in wheels and the new Scout with its 125mm rear wheel travel and capacity for a 140mm fork, looks like a good match for the Trek Fuel or Santa Cruz 5010.

“The Scout has the character of a slopestyle bike blended with the comfort to pedal big mileage in any terrain,” says Transition Bikes. “Taking mid travel to all new places, the Scout is equally at home slashing turns deep on backcountry trails or cranking out laps on the local trails. The playful nature of the Scout begs the rider to play around with new lines on the trail.”

So it uses a similar frame design to the longer travel Patrol with the same Giddy Up linkage and Collet Style main pivot hardware, with similar slack geometry. A 67 degree head angle and 1176mm wheelbase and 425mm chainstays on the size large sound good on paper. the company claims a 7.28lb frame weight with a low 29lb build possible.

The frame uses a regular 73mm threaded bottom bracket, cables are internally routed and there’s a Syntace X12 142mm rear axle, ISCG05 chainguide points and a direct front mech mount.

Smuggler

The final addition to the company’s 2015 range is the 29in Smuggler. The frame packs 115mm rear travel and is designed for a 130mm fork up front, and uses the same general frame design, features and of course suspension platform as the other three bikes we’ve talked about already.

“The all new Smuggler takes the 29er in a new direction with a short travel platform that isn’t short on versatility,” says Transition.

Numbers look good, with a 67.5 degree head angle which is certainly very slack for a 29er, and with 435mm chainstays and a 1188mm wheelbase on the large size frame.

More at Transition’s website and importer Windwave‘s.