The fact that you can get everything that you wanted but realized it isn't what you needed, quoting the Stones, shows you are being honest with yourself about your riding. Keep looking, that is half the fun, enjoy.
I find that many riders get aggressive bikes when their riding is more trail oriented. You can see them slowing down on fast, thin, singletracks because they can't keep the line. Or missing switchback turns. On the other hands, I've seen very aggressive riders that still prefer the XC superfast and agile climbs and still manage to hit some scary stuff although not as fast.
Anything Evil is what you’re looking for. It’s perfect for me riding in PA. A dream with a Push coil, slightly steeper HA (but can throw an angleset in for slacker), reasonable wheelbase, efficient pedaling.
Have tried Ibis Riomo, Niner Rip 9, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Evil Offering, Kona Process 134 and Bold Linkin 150 Pro. Linkin is the best of the bunch, with the Kona and Evil close behind. Any three of these would be a great choice.
I primarily ride the V2 Sentinel in the PNW, and agree with your assessment. As you wisely note, it just doesn't fit your quiver/style. I feel lucky that it is a perfect match for my quiver, geography, and the type of riding I do most. Between the Sentinel and my Hardtail (Giant Fathom) I feel 90% covered. Great video!
Same here. In Vancouver->Pemby it's great, especially with steep jank. I can pedal to the top comfortably, and still take it whistler a couple times a year. Looking at the low angle, rolly rocky stuff in the video, it's definitely not the right bike for that terrain (particularly with a ZEB and a coil). If you're riding stuff that wouldn't be boring on a DH bike, but still have to pedal to the top, then the Sentinal is right for you. Otherwise, probably look somewhere else.
It’s the thrill of the chase. More fun to research, analyze, compare, dream, buy the best parts/bikes than it does to actually own and ride it. I have that addiction and it’s cost me about $10k in buying/selling/buying/selling.
I have owned one of these for nine months now, I get you on a few things in that this bike wants to go fast all the time and can feel awkward if not being pushed. I ride mine on everything from tight tech stuff here in Stockholm to the first three EWS rounds this season and it was definitely more at home on long tracks in the mountains. The tighter stuff just took some adjustment to my riding to get right now it feels grand. Shame it didn't work out for you man, good luck with the next build!
What you described fits with my thoughts and ultimately my decision to go for a Revel Rail 27.5 over a Transition Patrol. UK trails are generally pretty tight and techy too. Sometimes you can get lost in the research and need to come up for air and a sense check to try and think about ‘what’s right for me’. Hopefully demo days will be coming back soon.
Patrol is not Sentinel though. Seems like some adjustments on that build are specifically address some of the downsides in this vid, for example the 27 rear wheel
I found the switchblade to be a perfect balance for my riding. It has enough travel to get stupid and enough trail manners to pedal on the more mellow stuff. It can handle out of state riding as well. The stumpjumer evo is another bike that has those characteristics.
Switchblade is the bike he should’ve bought imo. It does it all and it just works! Excellent bike that I look forward to jumping on a few days a week at the moment.
@@threeinchesoffury Nice! Me I put a Fox Float X2 in the rear and did -1 degree headset to make it 65 HTA. I made these changes to accommodate descents more. But even before then it was already awesome. My next step might be to put the Grip 2 damper on the fork because mine didn't come with one. Bike is super zippy all around. Happy riding to you!
Have you considered fitting an angle adjust headset to sharpen the head angle and trim the wheelbase a little? With that and an air shock set up for more pop it might suit you a whole lot better.
its still the same front end felling, i hated my sentinel so much - its trying to be something its not. I put a +1 headset in it and it almost exactly the same but still kept Slipping that front wheel if you wernt riding double black features... the suspension is also weird, its poppy but has a weird tendency to "sit back" and reduce overal frontward weight. believe it or not the Cascade link helps keep the rear end up more and makes the bike actually better. I've Demo'd most of transitions bikes, the spire is even worse, like considerably. Im seriously Not sure if Transition Know how to build a bike... they got the external brake part right, but quality is very poor as half the frames never line up to themselves, the paint is shiiiiit and they dont that great. Here in NZ they are considerd botique so we get ripped off on them in the first place.
I would also add some lighter faster-rolling ties. Maybe 2.4 Minion DHR front and 2.4 Dissector rear. Would make a great for great video---Enduro to Trail bike conversion.
@@MrSupermugen I also added a 2.6 dissector to the rear to bring up the rear end. Now the HT Angle is a bit more than 64 deg. The bike turns and climbs way better. Also running a 550 spring when I’m rated at 500. Seems to solve all of my original complaints.
@@MrSupermugen I think theres more to it than this though, from what you've written it sounds like it just doesn't suit your style more than the bike itself. Sure for me its not super comfortable on the really tight stuff but I adjusted my riding a bit and its all good now. I've never had too many issues with the front end going out on me. I just did the first three rounds of EWS on mine and the bike comes alive in the big mountain tracks!
Cool. Unfortunately for me, I'll never know the feeling of riding a full suspension. I ride a hard tail. Here in Hawaii we simply don't have the trails you guys have. But we manage to have fun. Safe riding everybody! Aloha
you can find stuff to hit full squish on even in the flats of Florida. Just a matter of thinking outside the box. I hear hawaii has some pretty good mountains though.
I demo’d a Sentinel and thought it rode well/ similar to the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo that I went with. The Stumpy is the only bike that I’ve ever ridden where I swapped to the high bb setting and removed the -1 degree headset cup after a few rides. My first trip on the bike was Pisgah and ride mostly on the more rocky trails on Monte Sano.
I was standing between a TR Sentinel and a Pivot Switchblade and hearing your "downside" points on the sentinel, I´m more than happy that I chose the Switchblade. I could ride it forerver, no difference in going up or down, steep or flat, rowdy or mellow. Just one of the best bikes I´ve ever ridden :D
I've got a switchblade as well and I couldn't be happier. It's shrugged off some surprisingly heavy drops and hucks to flat. Gapping stair sets is too much fun.
Same, I’m also on a Switchblade and it’s a super fun bike. That’s a great description - can ride it forever and no difference whether up or down. I put a Float X2 in the rear and it’s made it even more planted on the chunkier descents. Super satisfied purchase 👍
This proved the point I’ve made since I’ve been riding. We guys always want something new. It can be watches, bikes, cars etc… bike doesn’t need to cost an arm & a leg & you can still have fun.
I too fell into the same boat. I ride 3x a week, day 1 trail ride, day 2 mega easy trail long miles and day 3 weekend adventures enduro rides. With that said I bought a bike -Propaine Tyee- thinking it was a jack of all trades. It wasn’t. The 2023 Sentinel is a bike I’m thinking of building next, sure it might not be as peppy on the “fat burner rides” but I think it will serve me well on those mini and long adventure days.
Take a look at the stumpy evo! I live in Knoxville and ride one and it has been great for me. There is so much geometry adjustment that it can completely change character. Go anywhere from 63 to 65.5 degree HTA with three position head tube angle cups and a high/low BB height adjust. I’ve had this bike about a year and it is a great all rounder for our area
Evo pedals badly and like the Sentinel needs to be pushed hard to be enjoyable. The Ripmo probably suits what he's looking for better, a big bike that still feels like a trail bike when not riding at full send and is quite playful at full send.
Sizing down and trimming the bars is the way to go. Most people ride bikes too big for them. I know I did. A lot of bike companies have garbage sizing guidelines, but I feel transition is spot on. I’m 5’9 ish and I tried a medium and large sentinel on the exact same enduro test loops and the large was waaay to big. I live in NM and ride a lot of tight and technical stuff. I have an S3 enduro and shortened the stem and cut my bars down to 760 and it’s great.
I feel like average height men between 5’9”-6’0” always are between medium and larges from manufacturer recommendations. It should be recommended at a specific size not the top and bottom range of two sizes.
You should check out the Bronson MX, climbs very well but plows on the downhill while still being very playful with the smaller rear wheel. I believe SC endorses coil on it and the cascade linkages can basically make it into a mullet Nomad. Also its not overly slack like many enduro rigs are now.
This year I went to the Nomad coming from a 2022 Bronson MX. long story short, I should have stuck with the Bronson. I enjoyed that bike much more for all around trail riding and it was quite a bit more capable in the slower techy terrain that dominates the Northeast where I ride.
I’ve been getting back into biking and I was going through the same type of debate. I ended up going with the Siskiu D7 over the more aggressive T line. I’ve ridden both at this point and I have to say the more playful one (the D) was definitely the right choice for me. It’s so much more fun day-in and day-out. What I lose in a few hard downs I more than make up for the other 95% of the time I ride.
Enjoy watching your vids and have helped me in the past. I’m the owner of a V2 Hightower and my son has the transition sentinel. Both similar bikes now I cascade linked it. Think your vid is a little misleading as you open by saying you bought the sentinel as you wanted a more enduro race capable all mountain bike but ultimately that’s the reason you’re getting rid of it! Suggest you buy another HT. Ultimately the expensive answer is a capable enduro rig and a playful trail bike! N+1!
Sorry you felt it was misleading. I tried to get across that it did the things I'd hoped it would do, but compromised in other areas more than expected for my personal riding style. It just didn't gel, and I like to be transparent and honest about these things with my audience. Cheers.
I have owned 10 bikes in the last 15 months and the Pivot Switchblade is the best quiver killer on the market. I owned the 2020 Hightower and it is noticeably more fun to ride
If you're at Windrock for the Go Nuts race in a couple of weeks, take a spin on my Fezzari La Sal Peak. I love it, and it sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.
I live in Georgia and own the Revel Rail, I love it. it’s a great all mountain bike that loves eating rocks and roots and peddles up the long climbs great.
Went down the same road with my sentinel! Yes, it's great at charging through stuff and it rails corners exceptionally well. It's surprisingly capable going up. However, it only comes alive at medium to high speeds and for someone who values nibleness and poppyness over raw speed... I ended up swapping it for a smuggler.
@@SemiSendy as long as they have the spur, i doubt they'll resurrect the smuggler. Its a super fun bike, punches way above its 120mm travel, but Its also hefty for a 120 bike and feels more like a capablr trail/AM bike. In which case, it might as well have 130-140mm of travel to match its' geo. Having said that, I love it- fun factor is through the roof.
@@SemiSendy yeah i agree- just wondering if the gap is massive enough for them to stick another model in there without stepping on any toes. We'll see. I think the sentinel might as well go balls out as an enduro rig, leaving room for ab aggressive 130-140mm travel trail bike. I somehow doubt they will revive the 120mm bike but its pure speculation. Anyway, I share your opinion on the sentinel. It was tough for me to admit that such a sick bike is too much for me :)
Honestly, I have ridden almost all big brand enduro bikes and a few 'boutique brand' ones too, as I work at a bikeshop. I think a PYGA Slakline will suit you perfectly! It is an amazing race-bred but still playful bike and it won't break the bank.
Isn't Pyga something like a GG but in alloy? I know GGs feel totally dead at anything less than full send (I ride the front range, so lots of GG fanbois around here). I did a bunch of demos this May and noticed a few standouts too. The real surprise was how playful the RM Altitude is when in progressive mode and went uphill like a trail bike, the Commencal Meta SX was even more playful but is not a bike I'd want to pedal uphill at all.
@@mrvwbug4423 Good question, the PYGA looks similar, but it is the most playful fully I have ever ridden (to my surprise) but it is a bruiser that is capable and playful
I was debating between the Sentinel, which a few friends ride, and the Ripmo. Ended up with the RipmoAF based on price, component spec and availability and am really happy with it. 65 degree headtube angle, slightly shorter wheelbase and reach vs. the Sentinel and the DWLink adds a little bit of responsiveness under pedaling load. I have mine set up with a coil shock and it absolutely rips the downhills while still being a decent climber. Definitely worth a look and would love to see you do a video on it.
I know ripmo af is perfect for me but I'm just not sold on the dvo it comes with I hear mixed stuff about it not feeling as good or holding up as well long term
@@LastAphelion I only have 3 months on the DVO stuff, so I can't speak to long term durability. The fork has been flawless although more difficult to set up with all the options. Once you get it dialed it feels very similar to the Lyrik 160. I'm running the coil and it is butter smooth, but I can't speak for the air version.
@@LastAphelion DVO is amazing, i dont hv a ripmo, only a giant reign sx 2019, but man the fork and coil shock has been sooooooo good. give it a try once dialled and you'll never go back to RS or Fox
As someone who's been riding the V1 Sentinel for over 2 years. I would have recommended cutting your handlebars down from 800 to 780mm and/or swapping to the Ergon GD1 grips. I've found that just cutting the bars down slightly really make the bike come alive. Grip position has a huge impact on bike feel and is often overlooked.
I've two bikes I currently own and have had for about a year or so. One in particular delights and confounds me in equal measure. Neither of them were instant love at first ride. I've had a couple of bikes in my past that just felt right from the first pedal stroke. These two, many many dollars later still are not 100% right and I'm tempted to ditch them both. It's so frustrating, because even with a demo (rare now, and always a problem as I need XL / XXL) one cannot expect to get a decent view from a couple of hours at best on the demo bike. Now one considers themselves lucky to get to see it in the size one is looking for and ride it on pavement outside the store. Hope the next bike works for you!
From 2019 spez sj to 2018 gt sanction pro back to a 2021 spez sj. Now using a 2017 banshee rune v2. Modern geo doesn’t always mean better. It all comes down to what bike fits you well and of course your riding style. Literally, the quest for “the one do-it-all dream bike” is eternal
I find the Pivot Switchblade and Firebird to be a great balance between fun leisurely rides and have plenty to push things to the rowdy areas. Good luck with you journey!
This is when you pick up a slack hardtail. I intend to keep my upgraded Fuse as my local bike and a longer travel trail bike for the big and fast days.
I’m unknowingly following in your footsteps. I bought a Hightower V2 last year. I love it. But I just bought a Sentinel V2 for riding in Southern Utah (where I visit frequently). I wanted something sorta similar to the HT, but also kinda different. It’s going to be a fun experiment. Most of the terrain seems fairly open compared to the tight switchbacks you’re riding.
I know the Big Red S is hated by many but there is a reason you so many Stump Jumpers. I'm not loyal to any brand in particular and I've had a few different bike from different brands. I built up my 2022 Stump Jumper Evo not too long ago and it is the most amazing bike I have ever been on. The adjustable geo is a game changer. You can take it from 65.5 degrees to 63 degrees in a matter of minutes. I've got a Zeb on mine and I truly feel it is the perfect do it all bike. Its a bike I will have for the next three or so years. Good luck with your search.
Ilove my Sentinel , the grey colour helps ;-) It may be seen as over biked for a fair amount of my riding but that’s fine with me , it still rides well and I prefer to have some in reserve so I can hit the gnarly stuff when given the opportunity. Like many I suspect, I can grow into most new bikes and don’t have the money to swap bikes very often for nuances or marginal gains, but that’s fine if you can. Really like the balanced and clear articulation of all your reviews and advice - which is an increasingly rare thing to find in all facets of life !!
Get a we are one arrival . With the 2 linkage options you have zero compromises going from the 152 and 170. Ditto with rocky mountain instinct/altitude
Looked at the Sentinel ended up with a Ripmo. It does everything pretty well and definitely works well with tight east coast stuff but it's definitely happiest going down. My only complaint is it's a bit heavy for days where you need to pedal a lot.
Know what you‘re talking about. I came from a Jeffsy to a Nomad to a Megatower (more travel, more bike park and Finale Ligure, more racing) but for local riding I was not happy. Now I am on a Stumpy Evo with Cascade and mainly EXT Storia V3 but change to the DPX2 for fun cruising. Most versatile Bike I ever had. So I kept it for 2 years and will keep it - totaly uncommon for me.
I recommend the specialized status 140 or 160, or a propain. I went from a yt capra to a status 160 and the trails feel much more lively. It also corners really well. As for propain, they have such good kinematics and climb incredibly well for their travel classes.
Every person I've ever talked to that has ridden the Status says it climbs like crap but is a blast downhill so not a great all arounder. My experience demoing a Propain was that the stack height was weirdly low for the travel, it felt like a big travel XC bike (very over the front rather than centered), pedaled and cornered very nicely though
Interesting. I feel the opposite. My Meta TR is super aggressive and yet I want more. The geo is perfect, but mostly I want way more travel. Of course that's because me and Cory are more into free riding and we care more about sessioning features. Handling at lower speeds and pedaling is on the bottom of our list. I really want a Spire. Hope it comes back in stock soon. Great vid. 👍
love my spire, it’s a brute on long climbs. After i learned to just slow down and spin i’ve gotten used to lugging it up the long climbs. But it is the same way if not more so than the sentinel. It’s long and awkward at slow speeds and tight switchbacks here in eastern tn make it tough. But when you finally get to point it downhill it comes alive. It’s amazing how fast you can confidently ride it.
@huckenhurley3435 I have had a Spire for year now. Coming from a 130/120 short wheelbase downcountry bike and 120mm hardtail. I don't have any issues with the Spire at low speed or tight switchbacks. It needs more effort at times, but still capable of it all.
I had the same cross country bike since 2016! Norco revolver... Most of it was replaced over time because I'm rough. This bike was the best thing I had ever ride in my life. I did the 2019 world masters with it... 3 weeks ago I bought a Canyon Lux. I'm now faster while climbing and descending but it will be gone at the end of the next season! I understand exactly what you are talking about!
Love the honest update! Seems like a lot of channels are only focused on positive reviews. Looking forward to seeing what you try next. BTW, I’m pretty excited about the updated Santa Cruz line (Mega and Hightower) and hope to see one in my local shop this year.
Great video! It's so easy to get caught up in "the latest trends" (longer, lower, slacker). Especially East Coast riding can punish you if you go too much to the extreme. I was between sizes on my current ride (M versus L). Definitely glad I sized down for the kind of riding a lot of us do out east. Good reminder that most of us need an "all round" bike because we don't have a full stable to choose from.
I agree with you on this 100%, My first top spec bike was my 2021 Sentinel X01 build. I previously had a pretty crap (in comparison) spec Whyte S-150s alloy (a 150mm travel all mountain bike) and after owning the sentinel for over a year now. I feel like I was more comfortable on the Whyte.
Good video! I've been in your shoes. On my second "dream" build I rarely had time to ride and didn't set up the suspension properly. While doing a jump I crashed and tore my ACL. When I got back into riding I stayed on my other bike until, six years after my crash, decided to get back on the second dream bike. While riding I stopped with the help of a tree, gashed my inner thigh open bruising my femoral artery. While my buddy was driving me to the ER I asked if he wanted to buy my bike for a ridiculous fraction of what is was worth and he did. I didn't care about the loss because there is to this very day, no question in my mind that had I endured a third crash on that bike, it would have killed me. Sometimes you gotta listen to the spirits LOL! Best of luck with everything.
I'm a fellow east coast rider(north carolina) and I personally think VPP is a great platform for a do it all bike in this area. Coming from scott going to intense was unreal 🤙I can ride pisgah and the pump track just by changing shock psi
I live in eastern Pennsylvania and ride a lot of tight technical trails. I own a XL sentinel (6’3”) I absolutely love the bike. I can pull up and hop it whenever I want, even in the middle of a rock garden. It turns incredibly well and once you get used to pushing it, it can be agile and snappy. It rewards you when you are aggressive and that’s why I ride. Any bike can feel like a pig on certain days and on certain trails. This bike loves a rider like me who likes to climb, manual, jump, shred turns and roll rocky tech. It’s a aggressive all rounder 🔥 My 2 cents 🤟
Hell yeah I'm psyched to hear it from a fellow PA-ian, I'm southeast and I haven't been able to wrap my head around what geo to go with. It's all tight techy rock strewn so I think I want something agile, but all I have to do is walk to the edge of our hills in any direction and then I immediately want the slackest beast lol. Our descents have scared me all my life, the rare roadies that come through are either insane or didn't know what they were in for. If it wasn't all private property you could make lethal trails here, there's 30 foot cliff drops. Still probably gonna wait to see if there's a new Smuggler to try though my hand keeps hovering over buy on the only Sentinel in stock every single day!
Thank you! This is exactly the problem with bikes and the narrative these days. We don't all need modern geo. I ride in the north east where the longest decent is maybe 5 minutes? No need for that kind of stuff. We need bikes for tight technical stuff too. Heck maybe bring back those high bbs while we are at it. I'm wondering if there should be a new classification of bikes to help people make better decisions. Currently riding ripmo v2. It's been a blast but I know the yoke design doesn't play nice with all the shocks out there.
Good for you for owning the fact that it isn't your favorite and acting! I went through two bikes during the pandemic prior to landing on a 3rd. You nailed it....one really needs to ride a new rig for a month with your own specific tweaks before really understanding if it is for you. Demos can't achieve this end. I did the same thing with snowboards this year....although way cheaper. I had 6 or 7 in the rotation and time on the mountain had my favorites rise to the top...the rest go up for sale....it's a pain in practice...but pretty simple in theory 😀
Hello my names Ross from England 🏴. I have a 2021 ns fuzz 1. 29” I really like the bike and what it dose for me. If we all had the same taste life would be so boring. My bike has had a lot of money spent on suspension but again works well for me and it’s a great looking rig. Thanks for your video I found very interesting, just shows some top brand bikes like your transition don’t always do it for everyone.👌🤙 don’t rush in to buying just keep observing. Thanks buddy Ross uk
Nice insight, can totally relate. Would recommend a Propain for you (spindrift or tyee) they come with 64.5 HA and 435-445mm chainstays, so they are more on the conservatory side of things.
I feel ya, I went through 4 dream builds until I finally landed back on an EVIL Offering. Same sentiment, needed something that was fun at slower trail speeds as well as fully pinned stability. Its hard if you cant demo...
Revel rail 29! Have a Rascal with lyrik 150 that I use in the trails and lift access bike park where I live. Since that´s plenty capable i´m sure that Rail 29 will tick a lot of boxes for you, shorter wheelbase, conservative HA etc that todays OTT bikes have... The CBF suspension is something else for sure, my 130mm rear feels just as plush as my previous Hightower och techy climbs are next level.
It'd be nice if I could get an opportunity to ride one. Sadly demo/review Rail 29's haven't been possible for me to get a hold of. I love the CBF on my Ranger. Reminds me a lot of the DW on the Ripmo's I've reviewed recently.
It is so funny how these things vary from person to person. My experience is the opposite here. I just had your exact experience with a Revel Rascal..... Covid build, no demo, and the internet said it's my dream bike. Full custom build, all in, and I HATED IT even after countless hours of tweaking and swapping parts for a year. I live in the southeast as well (I saw you at Beech a few weeks ago) and just picked up a Sentinel V2 a few months ago in the same color and it is the most fun I have ever had on a bike, and is perfect to me in every way. I saw you were on a Ripmo at Beech, if that is the replacement they are fantastic too but the extreme slack Transition geo brings so much confidence for me that Ibis does not have. It sounds like that is exactly what you do not like. All of this stuff is almost intangible until you get out there, and is a real shame demos are so few and far between these days..... we are all wasting so much time and money finding "our" bike.
Exactly! A lot of what I try to convey in videos like this one, is that these things are subjective. Too often people get hung on the idea that if they don't like a bike (or component) then that means it's terrible for everyone. That's simply just not true. I do my best to talk about the individual details of why things do or don't work for me so that people can take the details as reference points to consider with their own personal style, wants or needs. Glad you're stoked on your V2, Denny!
What didn't you like about the rascal? I found a shop near me that rents revel ranger, rascal, pivot trail yeti 130 etc, was going to give them a spin soon. I'm hoping I have the same experience as you not just because my heart was set on sentinel/relay but also because my wallet, all those other brands like santa cruz you're in like the $7-10k builds before you even see the better parts but a gx transition gets you like everything good you need almost nothing you don't and I could still upgrade wheels and be less than the other options.
@@LastAphelion Long answer made very short, it didn't work for me at all. The think the geo is too conservative and it is a short bike. I never felt right on it and had no confidence, crashed more in that year than any on a bike. The frame quality otherwise is very good though and the CBF is very nice...
I felt the same way on the geo of my large sb130 lr and ended up sizing down to a medium and man as an all around bike that thing is mint. Added a zeb and superdeluxe shock and have taken that bike everywhere from tight ne trail to windrock. These bikes just keep getting longer and longer so I always size down.
I was in a similar situation. I had the transition patrol and at first loved the ploughing nature of it, but overtime I missed having a poppy bike, and needed up going from an xl on that to a s4 Stumpjumper evo and I am LOVING it. Check the stumpy out in your quest i race it for enduro and it’s totally enough while still being playful
Sorry to hear. OTOH... I was driving thru Chattanooga the other day and found a slightly used Sentinel in a dumpster. I couldn't believe my good fortune!!
try a norco sight its a really solid all rounder and availanle at a great price also, the shock spacer of the C2 model can be removed to increase the rear travel from 150 to 157mm and with a 170mm air shaft in the front you can have more bike, if you need it...
As a Sight owner, I think he might be better on a Rocky Instinct or Altitude depending on the setup. I love my Sight, but it is better for the PNW or North Shore imo, which is not what he's riding.
@@rrolleman4879 Meh, bike set up? Wheels tyres and shock tune...But hey maybe your right. I live/ride Whakarewarewa Forest in N.Z. and its is a little like the PNW but probably drier and ridable year round. I get to ride a lot of client bikes as I fix frames for a living so can say with honesty I do rate the bang for buck of my sight and is it very handy but,..... I also own/ride a trek fuel ex 9.8 custom too. Cause somethimes more bikes does mean more versatility. The trek is amazingly capable for a trail bike and together are I think a pretty good pair.
Transitions marketing and rowdy videos on the Sentinal NEVER under delivered what the bike was intended for. You basically had a Pit Bull for a frame on your dream build, and dressed it up with a sweater.
I recently got a Scout, which is a great fun bike. But I sometimes think I should have gone for the Sentinel for the long days with long climbs. But after watching this, I think maybe the Scout was the best Choice - I wish I could have both! 27.5 for Fun & 29 when the climbs and downs are long.
Va Rider here, and the best bike I have ridden in a while on our tight twisty single track. VITUS ESCARPE 29... 66 degree HA. 150 / 140 travel. 29 inch wheels. Stable Enough at Speed yet slipperry enough on the tight stuff. But Good Luck! My Son is Stealing My Bike and I now have to get a new one. And Vitus is sold out.
Funny timing on this video as I’m going through the same thing with my Sentinel. It’s a great bike but it’s just downright boring to ride on my local trails. Features that used to be a mild to moderate challenge are nothing on the Sentinel as it just plows over everything. Riding places like Thunder Mountain and Killington it absolutely rips downhill but even still has its downfalls. An ideal downhill setup would make the bike absolutely miserable for normal trail riding. I think I’m going to sell it and just get a dedicated DH bike and a down country bike down the road.
Bronson 😏 I've got the V3 with a Cascade Link and DVO Onyx 170mm front/Topaz T3 rear. Even with a huge amount of travel this thing is awesome on all sorts of terrain. The V4 just like every other Santa Cruz these days has reduced the anti squat a bit and modified the linkage to work with a longer stroke shock.
Trance X carbon frame with the components of your choice will deliver a shorter more playful wheelbase and a smooth fast approach up climbs and extreme tech
For a new bike I would recommend the specialized stumpy evo because it’s super playful and adjustable. For more gnarly ride you can set the head angle to from 64.5 and 63 but for more chill rides you can have it between 64.5 and 65.5. I love mine and the in frame storage is another plus.
Look into Revel. They are amazing bikes with geometry that would suit your kind of riding 👍🏻 Also, NS Bikes Define could be a real contender as well. A bit hard to get a hold of, but great bikes none the less!
Agreed, the Rascal is an amazing bike and way more capable than the geo and travel suggest it would be. My buddy rides his everywhere from all day pedal adventures to every weekend at the bike park.
I had a sentinel and had some of the same concerns you state, I went to a Spur and love it, but there a few times I would like a bit more travel. Looking at the new Smuggler as my sweet spot bike.
Your probably never going to find the perfect bike or "quiver killer". I've got multiple bikes and always wanting another one. Keep looking though and good luck. Love your channel
I get it 🤙 it does happen, sometimes a bike or 2 like this helps us truly understand what we love or gives us the ability to see that. After 2 seasons on the specialized enduro and so many changes and tweaks I’ve come to the conclusion I don’t love it.
You should check out the Merida one twenty line up they are fun playful and perfect geometry for stable riding but good in the corners would 100% recommend
This actually happened to me when I was in a cross country team. I’m sure everybody knows about the Scott spark rc pro, the brand new bike that’s got hidden suspension and everything. I got it thinking it was the perfect bike for me but 6 months straight of riding it just made me realize it wasn’t the bike for me even though lots of other people love it. I did fix the problem by buying a Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 and I’m soon selling the spark
@@LastAphelion sometimes it was just a pain in the ass for me, since it’s a new model there’s no replacement parts for it yet. And for other sparks 900+ all have the same problem with the suspension lock mechanism and I had to get mine replaced. Since there’s no replacement parts, I had to get Scott’s last year suspension lock fitted on it. 2nd, because it’s new (again) not a lot of people really know how to work on it so I cant fix it myself without needing some help. 3rd they really focused on weight more than performance, they made the seat dropper really bad where the only two options are all the way up or all the way down AND only a 100mm of seat travel. It uses the rock shox Sid on the front and it is meant to be really light, but extremely fragile. I can’t even sit on my bike without the fork making freaking sounds. The “carbon wheels” and spokes will also mess up my wheel just by getting a little bit of airtime. and yes I do take care of it a LOT and it still is a pain
I recently went with a wreckoning over a spire for basically the same reasons you're getting on about. The spire was way to much of a point and shoot sled that plowed over features and felt like whipping a yatch. The wreckoning is incredibly capable while still being super fun and playful.
I’ve had my Sentinel V2 for just over a year, I was coming off of a Megatower and I could not agree with your assessment more. However! The Cascade link fixed everything and made it my favorite bike I’ve ever owned.
@@John-shreds The stock suspension only comes alive when you’re pinned. It’s really lifeless on smaller, flat terrain. Everybody geeks about the increase in travel with the Cascade link, but it’s just an added bonus. The real magic is the increased progression. It makes the bike feel snappy and lively but it takes big hits even better. It sounds like voodoo and it might actually be.
Friend of mine was having the same feelings towards his 170mm enduro bike. Dropped the front travel down 20mm and did the same at the rear. Loving the bike now! Best of all the changes can be reversed if needed. Maybe give it a try?
@@SemiSendy It is. Most all reviews and head to head comparisons are done in areas that don’t apply to our area. Our trails are tight and steep, so the ultra slack bikes just don’t handle as quickly as we need. I enjoy riding my XC race bike for this reason.
Really interesting video- you've gained a subscriber from me. I've gone from a xc hardtail to a full suspension enduro, and whilst amazing on fast descents, you really notice how it's less nimble on technical terrain when going slow. Once again, great video.
Great video as usual! It makes me feel better about passing on the Sentinel for the Stumpy EVO Expert. I just picked it up about a month ago and it's been feeling great. It's a bit of a change from my 2019 Yeti SB130 which ended up being too trouble prone and expensive to keep up with. I live in Mills River, NC where Trace and Spencer are my back yard trails and the Stumpy seems perfectly built for this area.
You should have gotten the grey one, it handles way better than the mustard color one.
El Oh El...great comment. 😛
So I hear. LMAO
😆
Getting the right color bike always leads to better riding
The fact that you can get everything that you wanted but realized it isn't what you needed, quoting the Stones, shows you are being honest with yourself about your riding. Keep looking, that is half the fun, enjoy.
Sounds like he had a growth moment.
I find that many riders get aggressive bikes when their riding is more trail oriented. You can see them slowing down on fast, thin, singletracks because they can't keep the line. Or missing switchback turns. On the other hands, I've seen very aggressive riders that still prefer the XC superfast and agile climbs and still manage to hit some scary stuff although not as fast.
Anything Evil is what you’re looking for. It’s perfect for me riding in PA. A dream with a Push coil, slightly steeper HA (but can throw an angleset in for slacker), reasonable wheelbase, efficient pedaling.
I just snagged a used Push 11 6 for my 2019 Evil Insurgent and I feel like I'm on a brand new bike. It's a fine piece of engineering.
Second to go Evil ◣◢
Yep Go EVIL OFFERING V2
Another 2019 Insurgent owner with a Push, it’s soooo much fun and incredibly capable
Have tried Ibis Riomo, Niner Rip 9, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Evil Offering, Kona Process 134 and Bold Linkin 150 Pro. Linkin is the best of the bunch, with the Kona and Evil close behind. Any three of these would be a great choice.
I primarily ride the V2 Sentinel in the PNW, and agree with your assessment. As you wisely note, it just doesn't fit your quiver/style. I feel lucky that it is a perfect match for my quiver, geography, and the type of riding I do most. Between the Sentinel and my Hardtail (Giant Fathom) I feel 90% covered. Great video!
Same here. In Vancouver->Pemby it's great, especially with steep jank. I can pedal to the top comfortably, and still take it whistler a couple times a year. Looking at the low angle, rolly rocky stuff in the video, it's definitely not the right bike for that terrain (particularly with a ZEB and a coil). If you're riding stuff that wouldn't be boring on a DH bike, but still have to pedal to the top, then the Sentinal is right for you. Otherwise, probably look somewhere else.
What do you need to cover your other 10%? 😁
It’s the thrill of the chase. More fun to research, analyze, compare, dream, buy the best parts/bikes than it does to actually own and ride it. I have that addiction and it’s cost me about $10k in buying/selling/buying/selling.
I have owned one of these for nine months now, I get you on a few things in that this bike wants to go fast all the time and can feel awkward if not being pushed. I ride mine on everything from tight tech stuff here in Stockholm to the first three EWS rounds this season and it was definitely more at home on long tracks in the mountains. The tighter stuff just took some adjustment to my riding to get right now it feels grand. Shame it didn't work out for you man, good luck with the next build!
What you described fits with my thoughts and ultimately my decision to go for a Revel Rail 27.5 over a Transition Patrol. UK trails are generally pretty tight and techy too. Sometimes you can get lost in the research and need to come up for air and a sense check to try and think about ‘what’s right for me’.
Hopefully demo days will be coming back soon.
I went with the Rail 29 am loving so far.
Patrol is not Sentinel though. Seems like some adjustments on that build are specifically address some of the downsides in this vid, for example the 27 rear wheel
@@roomathousandyearswide I didn’t mention the Sentinel as I decided that wasn’t for me.
I found the switchblade to be a perfect balance for my riding. It has enough travel to get stupid and enough trail manners to pedal on the more mellow stuff. It can handle out of state riding as well. The stumpjumer evo is another bike that has those characteristics.
Switchblade is the bike he should’ve bought imo. It does it all and it just works! Excellent bike that I look forward to jumping on a few days a week at the moment.
I'm riding a Switchblade also, absolutely loving it. Right when I hopped on it at the bike shop parking lot it just felt like the one
@@mtbjoser I have the push 11 6 and the fox 36 converted to the acs3 coil spring and it's way better now! She is dialed!!¡!
@@threeinchesoffury Nice! Me I put a Fox Float X2 in the rear and did -1 degree headset to make it 65 HTA. I made these changes to accommodate descents more. But even before then it was already awesome. My next step might be to put the Grip 2 damper on the fork because mine didn't come with one. Bike is super zippy all around. Happy riding to you!
@@threeinchesoffury I've been hearing a lot of great things about coils, I might also look into that in the future. Thanks for the insights!
Have you considered fitting an angle adjust headset to sharpen the head angle and trim the wheelbase a little? With that and an air shock set up for more pop it might suit you a whole lot better.
I did that with my New Patrol 63.5 is just a bit too slack.
its still the same front end felling, i hated my sentinel so much - its trying to be something its not. I put a +1 headset in it and it almost exactly the same but still kept Slipping that front wheel if you wernt riding double black features... the suspension is also weird, its poppy but has a weird tendency to "sit back" and reduce overal frontward weight.
believe it or not the Cascade link helps keep the rear end up more and makes the bike actually better.
I've Demo'd most of transitions bikes, the spire is even worse, like considerably.
Im seriously Not sure if Transition Know how to build a bike... they got the external brake part right, but quality is very poor as half the frames never line up to themselves, the paint is shiiiiit and they dont that great.
Here in NZ they are considerd botique so we get ripped off on them in the first place.
I would also add some lighter faster-rolling ties. Maybe 2.4 Minion DHR front and 2.4 Dissector rear. Would make a great for great video---Enduro to Trail bike conversion.
@@MrSupermugen I also added a 2.6 dissector to the rear to bring up the rear end. Now the HT Angle is a bit more than 64 deg. The bike turns and climbs way better. Also running a 550 spring when I’m rated at 500. Seems to solve all of my original complaints.
@@MrSupermugen I think theres more to it than this though, from what you've written it sounds like it just doesn't suit your style more than the bike itself. Sure for me its not super comfortable on the really tight stuff but I adjusted my riding a bit and its all good now. I've never had too many issues with the front end going out on me. I just did the first three rounds of EWS on mine and the bike comes alive in the big mountain tracks!
This just shows that different people like different things, and that’s great, it’s better to know that and to have a bike that you love
Cool. Unfortunately for me, I'll never know the feeling of riding a full suspension. I ride a hard tail. Here in Hawaii we simply don't have the trails you guys have. But we manage to have fun. Safe riding everybody! Aloha
Having fun is the single most important thing. Aloha!
@@SemiSendy brew delta link or knolly.
you can find stuff to hit full squish on even in the flats of Florida. Just a matter of thinking outside the box. I hear hawaii has some pretty good mountains though.
Putting another vote in the ballot for Pivot Switchblade. It’s a super fun all-arounder and very comfortable to get along with
I demo’d a Sentinel and thought it rode well/ similar to the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo that I went with. The Stumpy is the only bike that I’ve ever ridden where I swapped to the high bb setting and removed the -1 degree headset cup after a few rides. My first trip on the bike was Pisgah and ride mostly on the more rocky trails on Monte Sano.
I was standing between a TR Sentinel and a Pivot Switchblade and hearing your "downside" points on the sentinel, I´m more than happy that I chose the Switchblade.
I could ride it forerver, no difference in going up or down, steep or flat, rowdy or mellow. Just one of the best bikes I´ve ever ridden :D
I absolutely love mine. Super fun on the blues up to double blacks. Zero regrets after spending my hard earned coin.
Exactly…but the majority think they need that slack and long enduro bike when in reality 90% of us just need a great trail bike.
I've got a switchblade as well and I couldn't be happier. It's shrugged off some surprisingly heavy drops and hucks to flat. Gapping stair sets is too much fun.
Same, I’m also on a Switchblade and it’s a super fun bike. That’s a great description - can ride it forever and no difference whether up or down. I put a Float X2 in the rear and it’s made it even more planted on the chunkier descents. Super satisfied purchase 👍
The Switchblade is definitely awesome! I haven’t yet had a chance to ride the latest version.
This proved the point I’ve made since I’ve been riding. We guys always want something new. It can be watches, bikes, cars etc… bike doesn’t need to cost an arm & a leg & you can still have fun.
I too fell into the same boat. I ride 3x a week, day 1 trail ride, day 2 mega easy trail long miles and day 3 weekend adventures enduro rides.
With that said I bought a bike -Propaine Tyee- thinking it was a jack of all trades. It wasn’t.
The 2023 Sentinel is a bike I’m thinking of building next, sure it might not be as peppy on the “fat burner rides” but I think it will serve me well on those mini and long adventure days.
Take a look at the stumpy evo! I live in Knoxville and ride one and it has been great for me. There is so much geometry adjustment that it can completely change character. Go anywhere from 63 to 65.5 degree HTA with three position head tube angle cups and a high/low BB height adjust. I’ve had this bike about a year and it is a great all rounder for our area
I have thought about this myself, and actually going to a smaller frame size
Evo pedals badly and like the Sentinel needs to be pushed hard to be enjoyable. The Ripmo probably suits what he's looking for better, a big bike that still feels like a trail bike when not riding at full send and is quite playful at full send.
@@mrvwbug4423 The Ripmo always pops up as a bike that can do pretty much anything.
The Ripmo definitely ticks off all the boxes!
Sizing down and trimming the bars is the way to go. Most people ride bikes too big for them. I know I did. A lot of bike companies have garbage sizing guidelines, but I feel transition is spot on. I’m 5’9 ish and I tried a medium and large sentinel on the exact same enduro test loops and the large was waaay to big. I live in NM and ride a lot of tight and technical stuff. I have an S3 enduro and shortened the stem and cut my bars down to 760 and it’s great.
I feel like average height men between 5’9”-6’0” always are between medium and larges from manufacturer recommendations. It should be recommended at a specific size not the top and bottom range of two sizes.
@@andrewsteavpack9079 I agree. Some mediums I’ve seen have a 475 reach which is way to big for me being 5’9
You should check out the Bronson MX, climbs very well but plows on the downhill while still being very playful with the smaller rear wheel. I believe SC endorses coil on it and the cascade linkages can basically make it into a mullet Nomad. Also its not overly slack like many enduro rigs are now.
Love my Bronson! But it’s the one of the worst spec values on the market if you don’t get deep discounts.
Agreed- bronson is awesome- but the cost is too hard to justify
This year I went to the Nomad coming from a 2022 Bronson MX. long story short, I should have stuck with the Bronson. I enjoyed that bike much more for all around trail riding and it was quite a bit more capable in the slower techy terrain that dominates the Northeast where I ride.
100% - Friken love my Bronson MX... Its soo much fun, capable and can turn on a dime if you stamp on the outside foot hard enough!!
Good call! I just got my dream bike and its better than I could have ever imagined. Keep searching!
I’ve been getting back into biking and I was going through the same type of debate. I ended up going with the Siskiu D7 over the more aggressive T line. I’ve ridden both at this point and I have to say the more playful one (the D) was definitely the right choice for me. It’s so much more fun day-in and day-out. What I lose in a few hard downs I more than make up for the other 95% of the time I ride.
Enjoy watching your vids and have helped me in the past. I’m the owner of a V2 Hightower and my son has the transition sentinel. Both similar bikes now I cascade linked it.
Think your vid is a little misleading as you open by saying you bought the sentinel as you wanted a more enduro race capable all mountain bike but ultimately that’s the reason you’re getting rid of it!
Suggest you buy another HT.
Ultimately the expensive answer is a capable enduro rig and a playful trail bike! N+1!
Sorry you felt it was misleading. I tried to get across that it did the things I'd hoped it would do, but compromised in other areas more than expected for my personal riding style. It just didn't gel, and I like to be transparent and honest about these things with my audience. Cheers.
So what are you going to go for? Love my Hightower.
@@edbackes2234 haven't pulled the trigger on anything else yet. So far the Ripmo V2 tops the list though.
I have owned 10 bikes in the last 15 months and the Pivot Switchblade is the best quiver killer on the market. I owned the 2020 Hightower and it is noticeably more fun to ride
Agreed
If you're at Windrock for the Go Nuts race in a couple of weeks, take a spin on my Fezzari La Sal Peak. I love it, and it sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.
Thanks, Jay! Congrats on the DHSE overall by the way!
I live in Georgia and own the Revel Rail, I love it. it’s a great all mountain bike that loves eating rocks and roots and peddles up the long climbs great.
Went down the same road with my sentinel! Yes, it's great at charging through stuff and it rails corners exceptionally well. It's surprisingly capable going up. However, it only comes alive at medium to high speeds and for someone who values nibleness and poppyness over raw speed... I ended up swapping it for a smuggler.
The Smuggler is such a sweet bike. You know, rumor has it....just might be coming back.
@@SemiSendy as long as they have the spur, i doubt they'll resurrect the smuggler. Its a super fun bike, punches way above its 120mm travel, but Its also hefty for a 120 bike and feels more like a capablr trail/AM bike. In which case, it might as well have 130-140mm of travel to match its' geo. Having said that, I love it- fun factor is through the roof.
@@finkelmann the Spur is pretty capable, but there's a massive gap between it and the Sentinel in their 29er range.
@@SemiSendy yeah i agree- just wondering if the gap is massive enough for them to stick another model in there without stepping on any toes. We'll see. I think the sentinel might as well go balls out as an enduro rig, leaving room for ab aggressive 130-140mm travel trail bike. I somehow doubt they will revive the 120mm bike but its pure speculation.
Anyway, I share your opinion on the sentinel. It was tough for me to admit that such a sick bike is too much for me :)
@@finkelmann if they bring it back, my guess is that it would be a 130/140 bike. 😉
Honestly, I have ridden almost all big brand enduro bikes and a few 'boutique brand' ones too, as I work at a bikeshop. I think a PYGA Slakline will suit you perfectly! It is an amazing race-bred but still playful bike and it won't break the bank.
Isn't Pyga something like a GG but in alloy? I know GGs feel totally dead at anything less than full send (I ride the front range, so lots of GG fanbois around here). I did a bunch of demos this May and noticed a few standouts too. The real surprise was how playful the RM Altitude is when in progressive mode and went uphill like a trail bike, the Commencal Meta SX was even more playful but is not a bike I'd want to pedal uphill at all.
@@mrvwbug4423 Good question, the PYGA looks similar, but it is the most playful fully I have ever ridden (to my surprise) but it is a bruiser that is capable and playful
I was debating between the Sentinel, which a few friends ride, and the Ripmo. Ended up with the RipmoAF based on price, component spec and availability and am really happy with it. 65 degree headtube angle, slightly shorter wheelbase and reach vs. the Sentinel and the DWLink adds a little bit of responsiveness under pedaling load. I have mine set up with a coil shock and it absolutely rips the downhills while still being a decent climber. Definitely worth a look and would love to see you do a video on it.
I know ripmo af is perfect for me but I'm just not sold on the dvo it comes with I hear mixed stuff about it not feeling as good or holding up as well long term
@@LastAphelion I only have 3 months on the DVO stuff, so I can't speak to long term durability. The fork has been flawless although more difficult to set up with all the options. Once you get it dialed it feels very similar to the Lyrik 160. I'm running the coil and it is butter smooth, but I can't speak for the air version.
I believe he has done a video on the AF and I recently saw Rich and crew at Beech Mtn and he was riding a Carbon Ripmo V2
Just got a Ripmo AF and it's stellar. Way more capable than I am as a rider 😂
@@LastAphelion DVO is amazing, i dont hv a ripmo, only a giant reign sx 2019, but man the fork and coil shock has been sooooooo good. give it a try once dialled and you'll never go back to RS or Fox
As someone who's been riding the V1 Sentinel for over 2 years. I would have recommended cutting your handlebars down from 800 to 780mm and/or swapping to the Ergon GD1 grips. I've found that just cutting the bars down slightly really make the bike come alive. Grip position has a huge impact on bike feel and is often overlooked.
Interesting. What do you like about the GD1 grips?
The Nukeproof Mega is a great option! It is a little less slack but can also handle big hits and tight corners
I've two bikes I currently own and have had for about a year or so. One in particular delights and confounds me in equal measure. Neither of them were instant love at first ride. I've had a couple of bikes in my past that just felt right from the first pedal stroke. These two, many many dollars later still are not 100% right and I'm tempted to ditch them both. It's so frustrating, because even with a demo (rare now, and always a problem as I need XL / XXL) one cannot expect to get a decent view from a couple of hours at best on the demo bike.
Now one considers themselves lucky to get to see it in the size one is looking for and ride it on pavement outside the store.
Hope the next bike works for you!
From 2019 spez sj to 2018 gt sanction pro back to a 2021 spez sj. Now using a 2017 banshee rune v2. Modern geo doesn’t always mean better. It all comes down to what bike fits you well and of course your riding style. Literally, the quest for “the one do-it-all dream bike” is eternal
I find the Pivot Switchblade and Firebird to be a great balance between fun leisurely rides and have plenty to push things to the rowdy areas. Good luck with you journey!
This is when you pick up a slack hardtail. I intend to keep my upgraded Fuse as my local bike and a longer travel trail bike for the big and fast days.
I’m unknowingly following in your footsteps. I bought a Hightower V2 last year. I love it.
But I just bought a Sentinel V2 for riding in Southern Utah (where I visit frequently).
I wanted something sorta similar to the HT, but also kinda different. It’s going to be a fun experiment. Most of the terrain seems fairly open compared to the tight switchbacks you’re riding.
Pivot Firebird, although a long travel doesn’t pedal like one.
Such a great video Rich! I love my V2 Sentinel but felt a lot of the same things you did on the V1 and it just wasn't for me! Thanks for sharing
Hey dude, but the v2 is even longer and slacker, aren’t this issues amplified?
Thanks, Josh!! 🤘
Hightower V3 just dropped, but I’d give the Stumpy Evo a try. You can adjust everything about it. Make it fit you perfectly.
I'm moving from a stumpy Evo to a high tower.
I know the Big Red S is hated by many but there is a reason you so many Stump Jumpers. I'm not loyal to any brand in particular and I've had a few different bike from different brands. I built up my 2022 Stump Jumper Evo not too long ago and it is the most amazing bike I have ever been on. The adjustable geo is a game changer. You can take it from 65.5 degrees to 63 degrees in a matter of minutes. I've got a Zeb on mine and I truly feel it is the perfect do it all bike. Its a bike I will have for the next three or so years. Good luck with your search.
Pivot Switchblade sounds like what you need!
Agreed
Ilove my Sentinel , the grey colour helps ;-) It may be seen as over biked for a fair amount of my riding but that’s fine with me , it still rides well and I prefer to have some in reserve so I can hit the gnarly stuff when given the opportunity. Like many I suspect, I can grow into most new bikes and don’t have the money to swap bikes very often for nuances or marginal gains, but that’s fine if you can. Really like the balanced and clear articulation of all your reviews and advice - which is an increasingly rare thing to find in all facets of life !!
Get a we are one arrival . With the 2 linkage options you have zero compromises going from the 152 and 170. Ditto with rocky mountain instinct/altitude
Looked at the Sentinel ended up with a Ripmo. It does everything pretty well and definitely works well with tight east coast stuff but it's definitely happiest going down. My only complaint is it's a bit heavy for days where you need to pedal a lot.
the ripmo frame is lighter than the sentinel.
@@androostuart the ripmo is definitely light for what it is but compared to a shorter travel bike it can be a bit heavy
Heavy? Just the lightest frame in its class basically. Haha. I do 2500+ vert rides on a weekly basis on my alloy Ripmo.
My Switchblade handles all the big stuff and still zips uphill while remaining lively in the corners. Also you can mullet and throw a coil on it.
Know what you‘re talking about. I came from a Jeffsy to a Nomad to a Megatower (more travel, more bike park and Finale Ligure, more racing) but for local riding I was not happy. Now I am on a Stumpy Evo with Cascade and mainly EXT Storia V3 but change to the DPX2 for fun cruising. Most versatile Bike I ever had. So I kept it for 2 years and will keep it - totaly uncommon for me.
I recommend the specialized status 140 or 160, or a propain. I went from a yt capra to a status 160 and the trails feel much more lively. It also corners really well. As for propain, they have such good kinematics and climb incredibly well for their travel classes.
Every person I've ever talked to that has ridden the Status says it climbs like crap but is a blast downhill so not a great all arounder. My experience demoing a Propain was that the stack height was weirdly low for the travel, it felt like a big travel XC bike (very over the front rather than centered), pedaled and cornered very nicely though
@@mrvwbug4423 my status climbs great with the climb switch on...it is a heavy bike though
Interesting. I feel the opposite. My Meta TR is super aggressive and yet I want more. The geo is perfect, but mostly I want way more travel. Of course that's because me and Cory are more into free riding and we care more about sessioning features. Handling at lower speeds and pedaling is on the bottom of our list. I really want a Spire. Hope it comes back in stock soon. Great vid. 👍
love my spire, it’s a brute on long climbs. After i learned to just slow down and spin i’ve gotten used to lugging it up the long climbs. But it is the same way if not more so than the sentinel. It’s long and awkward at slow speeds and tight switchbacks here in eastern tn make it tough. But when you finally get to point it downhill it comes alive. It’s amazing how fast you can confidently ride it.
@huckenhurley3435 I have had a Spire for year now. Coming from a 130/120 short wheelbase downcountry bike and 120mm hardtail. I don't have any issues with the Spire at low speed or tight switchbacks. It needs more effort at times, but still capable of it all.
I had the same cross country bike since 2016! Norco revolver... Most of it was replaced over time because I'm rough. This bike was the best thing I had ever ride in my life. I did the 2019 world masters with it... 3 weeks ago I bought a Canyon Lux. I'm now faster while climbing and descending but it will be gone at the end of the next season! I understand exactly what you are talking about!
Love the honest update! Seems like a lot of channels are only focused on positive reviews. Looking forward to seeing what you try next. BTW, I’m pretty excited about the updated Santa Cruz line (Mega and Hightower) and hope to see one in my local shop this year.
I appreciate that!
Great video! It's so easy to get caught up in "the latest trends" (longer, lower, slacker). Especially East Coast riding can punish you if you go too much to the extreme. I was between sizes on my current ride (M versus L). Definitely glad I sized down for the kind of riding a lot of us do out east. Good reminder that most of us need an "all round" bike because we don't have a full stable to choose from.
I agree with you on this 100%, My first top spec bike was my 2021 Sentinel X01 build. I previously had a pretty crap (in comparison) spec Whyte S-150s alloy (a 150mm travel all mountain bike) and after owning the sentinel for over a year now. I feel like I was more comfortable on the Whyte.
I came off a sentinel for the same reasons. And got on a Rocky Mountain Altitude, and it’s amazing!!
Good video! I've been in your shoes. On my second "dream" build I rarely had time to ride and didn't set up the suspension properly. While doing a jump I crashed and tore my ACL. When I got back into riding I stayed on my other bike until, six years after my crash, decided to get back on the second dream bike. While riding I stopped with the help of a tree, gashed my inner thigh open bruising my femoral artery. While my buddy was driving me to the ER I asked if he wanted to buy my bike for a ridiculous fraction of what is was worth and he did. I didn't care about the loss because there is to this very day, no question in my mind that had I endured a third crash on that bike, it would have killed me. Sometimes you gotta listen to the spirits LOL! Best of luck with everything.
That sounds brutal! Glad you're ok.
Ripmo with a cascade link has been mint for my needs and preferences that match yours exactly!
I'm a fellow east coast rider(north carolina) and I personally think VPP is a great platform for a do it all bike in this area. Coming from scott going to intense was unreal 🤙I can ride pisgah and the pump track just by changing shock psi
I live in eastern Pennsylvania and ride a lot of tight technical trails. I own a XL sentinel (6’3”) I absolutely love the bike. I can pull up and hop it whenever I want, even in the middle of a rock garden. It turns incredibly well and once you get used to pushing it, it can be agile and snappy. It rewards you when you are aggressive and that’s why I ride.
Any bike can feel like a pig on certain days and on certain trails.
This bike loves a rider like me who likes to climb, manual, jump, shred turns and roll rocky tech. It’s a aggressive all rounder 🔥
My 2 cents 🤟
Hell yeah I'm psyched to hear it from a fellow PA-ian, I'm southeast and I haven't been able to wrap my head around what geo to go with. It's all tight techy rock strewn so I think I want something agile, but all I have to do is walk to the edge of our hills in any direction and then I immediately want the slackest beast lol. Our descents have scared me all my life, the rare roadies that come through are either insane or didn't know what they were in for. If it wasn't all private property you could make lethal trails here, there's 30 foot cliff drops. Still probably gonna wait to see if there's a new Smuggler to try though my hand keeps hovering over buy on the only Sentinel in stock every single day!
Thank you! This is exactly the problem with bikes and the narrative these days. We don't all need modern geo. I ride in the north east where the longest decent is maybe 5 minutes? No need for that kind of stuff. We need bikes for tight technical stuff too. Heck maybe bring back those high bbs while we are at it. I'm wondering if there should be a new classification of bikes to help people make better decisions.
Currently riding ripmo v2. It's been a blast but I know the yoke design doesn't play nice with all the shocks out there.
Good for you for owning the fact that it isn't your favorite and acting! I went through two bikes during the pandemic prior to landing on a 3rd. You nailed it....one really needs to ride a new rig for a month with your own specific tweaks before really understanding if it is for you. Demos can't achieve this end. I did the same thing with snowboards this year....although way cheaper. I had 6 or 7 in the rotation and time on the mountain had my favorites rise to the top...the rest go up for sale....it's a pain in practice...but pretty simple in theory 😀
If I was in the dream bike market I’d look at the Pivot Mach 6 or Firebird. I’ve never been disappointed by owning a Pivot.
Hello my names Ross from England 🏴. I have a 2021 ns fuzz 1. 29” I really like the bike and what it dose for me. If we all had the same taste life would be so boring. My bike has had a lot of money spent on suspension but again works well for me and it’s a great looking rig. Thanks for your video I found very interesting, just shows some top brand bikes like your transition don’t always do it for everyone.👌🤙 don’t rush in to buying just keep observing. Thanks buddy Ross uk
Nice insight, can totally relate. Would recommend a Propain for you (spindrift or tyee) they come with 64.5 HA and 435-445mm chainstays, so they are more on the conservatory side of things.
I feel ya, I went through 4 dream builds until I finally landed back on an EVIL Offering. Same sentiment, needed something that was fun at slower trail speeds as well as fully pinned stability. Its hard if you cant demo...
Revel rail 29!
Have a Rascal with lyrik 150 that I use in the trails and lift access bike park where I live. Since that´s plenty capable i´m sure that Rail 29 will tick a lot of boxes for you, shorter wheelbase, conservative HA etc that todays OTT bikes have... The CBF suspension is something else for sure, my 130mm rear feels just as plush as my previous Hightower och techy climbs are next level.
It'd be nice if I could get an opportunity to ride one. Sadly demo/review Rail 29's haven't been possible for me to get a hold of.
I love the CBF on my Ranger. Reminds me a lot of the DW on the Ripmo's I've reviewed recently.
That's exactly why I installed a Wolf Tooth GeoShift headset on mine(+1 degree), to match it up better with VT and East Coast riding.
It is so funny how these things vary from person to person. My experience is the opposite here. I just had your exact experience with a Revel Rascal..... Covid build, no demo, and the internet said it's my dream bike. Full custom build, all in, and I HATED IT even after countless hours of tweaking and swapping parts for a year. I live in the southeast as well (I saw you at Beech a few weeks ago) and just picked up a Sentinel V2 a few months ago in the same color and it is the most fun I have ever had on a bike, and is perfect to me in every way. I saw you were on a Ripmo at Beech, if that is the replacement they are fantastic too but the extreme slack Transition geo brings so much confidence for me that Ibis does not have. It sounds like that is exactly what you do not like. All of this stuff is almost intangible until you get out there, and is a real shame demos are so few and far between these days..... we are all wasting so much time and money finding "our" bike.
Exactly! A lot of what I try to convey in videos like this one, is that these things are subjective. Too often people get hung on the idea that if they don't like a bike (or component) then that means it's terrible for everyone. That's simply just not true. I do my best to talk about the individual details of why things do or don't work for me so that people can take the details as reference points to consider with their own personal style, wants or needs.
Glad you're stoked on your V2, Denny!
What didn't you like about the rascal? I found a shop near me that rents revel ranger, rascal, pivot trail yeti 130 etc, was going to give them a spin soon. I'm hoping I have the same experience as you not just because my heart was set on sentinel/relay but also because my wallet, all those other brands like santa cruz you're in like the $7-10k builds before you even see the better parts but a gx transition gets you like everything good you need almost nothing you don't and I could still upgrade wheels and be less than the other options.
@@LastAphelion Long answer made very short, it didn't work for me at all. The think the geo is too conservative and it is a short bike. I never felt right on it and had no confidence, crashed more in that year than any on a bike. The frame quality otherwise is very good though and the CBF is very nice...
I felt the same way on the geo of my large sb130 lr and ended up sizing down to a medium and man as an all around bike that thing is mint. Added a zeb and superdeluxe shock and have taken that bike everywhere from tight ne trail to windrock. These bikes just keep getting longer and longer so I always size down.
I was in a similar situation. I had the transition patrol and at first loved the ploughing nature of it, but overtime I missed having a poppy bike, and needed up going from an xl on that to a s4 Stumpjumper evo and I am LOVING it. Check the stumpy out in your quest i race it for enduro and it’s totally enough while still being playful
Sorry to hear. OTOH... I was driving thru Chattanooga the other day and found a slightly used Sentinel in a dumpster. I couldn't believe my good fortune!!
LOL!
try a norco sight its a really solid all rounder and availanle at a great price also, the shock spacer of the C2 model can be removed to increase the rear travel from 150 to 157mm and with a 170mm air shaft in the front you can have more bike, if you need it...
As a Sight owner, I think he might be better on a Rocky Instinct or Altitude depending on the setup. I love my Sight, but it is better for the PNW or North Shore imo, which is not what he's riding.
@@rrolleman4879 Meh, bike set up? Wheels tyres and shock tune...But hey maybe your right. I live/ride Whakarewarewa Forest in N.Z. and its is a little like the PNW but probably drier and ridable year round. I get to ride a lot of client bikes as I fix frames for a living so can say with honesty I do rate the bang for buck of my sight and is it very handy but,..... I also own/ride a trek fuel ex 9.8 custom too. Cause somethimes more bikes does mean more versatility. The trek is amazingly capable for a trail bike and together are I think a pretty good pair.
Transitions marketing and rowdy videos on the Sentinal NEVER under delivered what the bike was intended for.
You basically had a Pit Bull for a frame on your dream build, and dressed it up with a sweater.
Check out the Ibis Ripmo. I’ve done a few of the GoNuts races on mine and for me it’s the perfect balance of race bike and southeast trail bike.
The ripmo is a great bike, if you can find one in stock!
Ripmo AFs are 25-30% off right now. Not a exactly dream bike frame, but a good deal
@@christiandruan They're not hard to find right now
@@mrvwbug4423 I waited a whole year for my large XT carbon version.
Try an evil! They are very playful, stable at speed and overall unique. Delta suspension feels absolutely crisp.
I recently got a Scout, which is a great fun bike. But I sometimes think I should have gone for the Sentinel for the long days with long climbs. But after watching this, I think maybe the Scout was the best Choice - I wish I could have both! 27.5 for Fun & 29 when the climbs and downs are long.
The Transition Smuggler is a blast, and probably better suited to your riding style and area
Va Rider here, and the best bike I have ridden in a while on our tight twisty single track. VITUS ESCARPE 29... 66 degree HA. 150 / 140 travel. 29 inch wheels. Stable Enough at Speed yet slipperry enough on the tight stuff. But Good Luck! My Son is Stealing My Bike and I now have to get a new one. And Vitus is sold out.
Hello thankyou for reading my message. Ross and for shortlisting me🤞
Funny timing on this video as I’m going through the same thing with my Sentinel. It’s a great bike but it’s just downright boring to ride on my local trails. Features that used to be a mild to moderate challenge are nothing on the Sentinel as it just plows over everything. Riding places like Thunder Mountain and Killington it absolutely rips downhill but even still has its downfalls. An ideal downhill setup would make the bike absolutely miserable for normal trail riding. I think I’m going to sell it and just get a dedicated DH bike and a down country bike down the road.
Thanks for your honesty, makes sense about you being on the east coast
Bronson 😏
I've got the V3 with a Cascade Link and DVO Onyx 170mm front/Topaz T3 rear. Even with a huge amount of travel this thing is awesome on all sorts of terrain. The V4 just like every other Santa Cruz these days has reduced the anti squat a bit and modified the linkage to work with a longer stroke shock.
Trance X carbon frame with the components of your choice will deliver a shorter more playful wheelbase and a smooth fast approach up climbs and extreme tech
For a new bike I would recommend the specialized stumpy evo because it’s super playful and adjustable. For more gnarly ride you can set the head angle to from 64.5 and 63 but for more chill rides you can have it between 64.5 and 65.5. I love mine and the in frame storage is another plus.
Look into Revel. They are amazing bikes with geometry that would suit your kind of riding 👍🏻
Also, NS Bikes Define could be a real contender as well. A bit hard to get a hold of, but great bikes none the less!
Was going to say the same thing. Revel rail. I ride a ripmo, but this bike seems to be the closest thing
He had a revel!
Agreed, the Rascal is an amazing bike and way more capable than the geo and travel suggest it would be. My buddy rides his everywhere from all day pedal adventures to every weekend at the bike park.
@@pq5022 true...it was a Ranger tho. I'm thinkin' a RAIL 29 should be on the demo menu.
@@Jt3az for sure. I don't want to see another youtuber on a ripmo lol
You should give the Evil Offering a shot! You can't ask for a better compromise for descent and playfulness, it's the dream
I had a sentinel and had some of the same concerns you state, I went to a Spur and love it, but there a few times I would like a bit more travel. Looking at the new Smuggler as my sweet spot bike.
Your probably never going to find the perfect bike or "quiver killer". I've got multiple bikes and always wanting another one. Keep looking though and good luck. Love your channel
I get it 🤙 it does happen, sometimes a bike or 2 like this helps us truly understand what we love or gives us the ability to see that. After 2 seasons on the specialized enduro and so many changes and tweaks I’ve come to the conclusion I don’t love it.
Its a lot of bike and that can dull the feeling. These days I lean towards my trek fuel instead of my other big bike (Norco Sight)
You should check out the Merida one twenty line up they are fun playful and perfect geometry for stable riding but good in the corners would 100% recommend
Another thing is the suspension design makes for a lovely ride on any terrine but plush all round
I can recommend the Orbea Occam.. so nice to ride... Very playful. Maybe the LT version could fit you very well
This actually happened to me when I was in a cross country team. I’m sure everybody knows about the Scott spark rc pro, the brand new bike that’s got hidden suspension and everything. I got it thinking it was the perfect bike for me but 6 months straight of riding it just made me realize it wasn’t the bike for me even though lots of other people love it. I did fix the problem by buying a Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 and I’m soon selling the spark
What didn't click for you?
@@LastAphelion sometimes it was just a pain in the ass for me, since it’s a new model there’s no replacement parts for it yet. And for other sparks 900+ all have the same problem with the suspension lock mechanism and I had to get mine replaced. Since there’s no replacement parts, I had to get Scott’s last year suspension lock fitted on it. 2nd, because it’s new (again) not a lot of people really know how to work on it so I cant fix it myself without needing some help. 3rd they really focused on weight more than performance, they made the seat dropper really bad where the only two options are all the way up or all the way down AND only a 100mm of seat travel. It uses the rock shox Sid on the front and it is meant to be really light, but extremely fragile. I can’t even sit on my bike without the fork making freaking sounds. The “carbon wheels” and spokes will also mess up my wheel just by getting a little bit of airtime. and yes I do take care of it a LOT and it still is a pain
@@kapperr2340 Wooooow
@@LastAphelion yeah😅
I recently went with a wreckoning over a spire for basically the same reasons you're getting on about. The spire was way to much of a point and shoot sled that plowed over features and felt like whipping a yatch. The wreckoning is incredibly capable while still being super fun and playful.
I’ve had my Sentinel V2 for just over a year, I was coming off of a Megatower and I could not agree with your assessment more. However! The Cascade link fixed everything and made it my favorite bike I’ve ever owned.
Hey 👋. I’m curious how it changed the bike? Could you share your opinion?
Thx!
@@John-shreds The stock suspension only comes alive when you’re pinned. It’s really lifeless on smaller, flat terrain. Everybody geeks about the increase in travel with the Cascade link, but it’s just an added bonus. The real magic is the increased progression. It makes the bike feel snappy and lively but it takes big hits even better. It sounds like voodoo and it might actually be.
@@brandonperez2267 Gotchya thanks. If it kept the stock travel I’d be interested. But the fact that it adds travel is something I’m not interested in.
Informative and honest, thanks for posting. Sorry it didn't work out..
Rail 29 is what you need!!
Friend of mine was having the same feelings towards his 170mm enduro bike. Dropped the front travel down 20mm and did the same at the rear. Loving the bike now! Best of all the changes can be reversed if needed. Maybe give it a try?
It's the geo, not the travel in this case.
Sounds like you need the ripmo demo as your long term trail bike.
Great video, from a fellow East Coaster, I appreciate your thoughts on what we need for a bike.
Glad it was helpful!
@@SemiSendy It is. Most all reviews and head to head comparisons are done in areas that don’t apply to our area. Our trails are tight and steep, so the ultra slack bikes just don’t handle as quickly as we need.
I enjoy riding my XC race bike for this reason.
Really interesting video- you've gained a subscriber from me. I've gone from a xc hardtail to a full suspension enduro, and whilst amazing on fast descents, you really notice how it's less nimble on technical terrain when going slow.
Once again, great video.
Welcome aboard!
Try out propain, it sounds like their Pro10 suspension system would fit your style totally
Great video as usual! It makes me feel better about passing on the Sentinel for the Stumpy EVO Expert. I just picked it up about a month ago and it's been feeling great. It's a bit of a change from my 2019 Yeti SB130 which ended up being too trouble prone and expensive to keep up with. I live in Mills River, NC where Trace and Spencer are my back yard trails and the Stumpy seems perfectly built for this area.