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.
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 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.
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 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.
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!
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 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.
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 👍
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 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!
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!
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.
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 :)
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 !!
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.
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.
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 😀
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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 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
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 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...
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!!
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 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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
That's kind of what I suspect. Not so much Galbraith trails, but more sunshine coast steeps. It'd be nice to throw one around out there and see what I think. Just got back from Norcal/Sierra's/Northstar and I still much preferred a less long and slack design out there as well.
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’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.
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.
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.
good review, I love my sentinel V2 and find it to be very playful. Who knows, maybe region, style of riding and the terrain here where I live just gel with the bike.
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.
Hi there bro. Happy 2025. I was looking for info and stumbled on this video. I know it has been 2 years but.. I'm looking for some answers 😂 This is my story. I'm more a roadie than a mtb'r. But I do hit trails from time to time ( I used to ride mtb back in the 2002-2005's). Where I live, we do have most xc trails. But some of them are tricky and technical. I do ride a 100mm 26 inch HT😂. But I'm going to move on to 29. My question is.. Do you recommend me to go for a trail bike or a downcountry bike. I want to be able to keep the lightness and climbing abilities and also feel secure when descending. Thanks in advance. Greetings from Curaçao 🇨🇼 ✌🏽
The Stumpy Evo is a very similar bike with tons of setup options including Cascade link and a mullet link. Sentinel is pretty close to the Evo in it's low/slack setting.
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
It’s always better to let go of something you love if it doesn’t work! I might suggest to you the Orbea Occam or rallon. I personally have the base level occam, it pedals super well, it’s pretty playful, and even the entry level model with a 140mm bomber z2 and 140mm fox float in the rear handles drops and black diamond trails very well while still allowing you to take those sharp turns like you were talking about and have fun. Manualing the occam is insanely easy and I can throw it around under me. Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters in Blowing Rock NC stocks them and will let you test ride as well. I think I recognized a few sections of trail on your video somewhat close to the shop!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
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
Foreal😂
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.
Thanks!
You bet!
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.
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!! 🤘
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%? 😁
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.
Everything you just went over literally made me want your dream bike lol
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
The Transition Smuggler is a blast, and probably better suited to your riding style and area
Putting another vote in the ballot for Pivot Switchblade. It’s a super fun all-arounder and very comfortable to get along with
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!
Good call! I just got my dream bike and its better than I could have ever imagined. Keep searching!
Ripmo with a cascade link has been mint for my needs and preferences that match yours exactly!
Thanks for your honesty, makes sense about you being on the east coast
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!
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!
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!
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. 😉
I came off a sentinel for the same reasons. And got on a Rocky Mountain Altitude, and it’s amazing!!
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.
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!!
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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
The Nukeproof Mega is a great option! It is a little less slack but can also handle big hits and tight corners
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.
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.
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.
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 !!
Informative and honest, thanks for posting. Sorry it didn't work out..
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.
Pivot Firebird, although a long travel doesn’t pedal like one.
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.
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 😀
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
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!
Pivot Switchblade sounds like what you need!
Agreed
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.
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
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
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.
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 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
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 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...
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.
Head tube angle a bit too slack, this is demonstrated by the fact they steepened up the headtube angle for this years model.
1:19 Is that enduro southeast at rockcrusher?
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!
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.
Big ups to you for the Mt Pisgah comment. Lived in the Area forever and never knew. Ever hit the Lime KIln in Bolton?
Thanks! Haven't heard of Lime Kiln in Bolton, though there was a trail called lime kiln out here near Sedona.
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.
Check out the Devinci Troy! 65 HTA and 77 ST. 150 up front and 140 in the rear. Absolutely love it here in the PNW
is everything up to 0:24 White oak mountain?
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
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!
Sounds like you need the ripmo demo as your long term trail bike.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
Have you given any though to the patrol. It brings back a little of activity and corners really well in tight areas
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.
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.
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
Thanks for the good feedback about your experience! Since that bike was born and bred in the PNW, maybe that's the better spot for it...??
That's kind of what I suspect. Not so much Galbraith trails, but more sunshine coast steeps. It'd be nice to throw one around out there and see what I think. Just got back from Norcal/Sierra's/Northstar and I still much preferred a less long and slack design out there as well.
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.
Ever looked at or heard of a cima Highland?
Hey i would strongly recommend the pivot trail 429 great bike.
Propain Tyee. Check leverage ratio and active breaking stats. Good luck out there
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.
I can recommend the Orbea Occam.. so nice to ride... Very playful. Maybe the LT version could fit you very well
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.
So many bikes in this category
I look forward to your search
I live my Commencal Meta TR 2021, does quite well what you are looking for I think. It does for me for sure 🥰🥳
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.
good review, I love my sentinel V2 and find it to be very playful. Who knows, maybe region, style of riding and the terrain here where I live just gel with the bike.
Absolutely! There’s no “one style fits all”. Gotta find what works for us as individuals
I’m riding a 2018 sentinel and it rides great
i’ve got the spire, the sentinels brother on steroids and it’s amazing for the north shore riding here in vancouver
I can definitely see the Sentinel and Spire as being great bikes for the shore!
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!
Hi there bro. Happy 2025. I was looking for info and stumbled on this video. I know it has been 2 years but.. I'm looking for some answers 😂
This is my story. I'm more a roadie than a mtb'r. But I do hit trails from time to time ( I used to ride mtb back in the 2002-2005's).
Where I live, we do have most xc trails. But some of them are tricky and technical. I do ride a 100mm 26 inch HT😂. But I'm going to move on to 29.
My question is.. Do you recommend me to go for a trail bike or a downcountry bike. I want to be able to keep the lightness and climbing abilities and also feel secure when descending. Thanks in advance. Greetings from Curaçao 🇨🇼 ✌🏽
The Stumpy Evo is a very similar bike with tons of setup options including Cascade link and a mullet link. Sentinel is pretty close to the Evo in it's low/slack setting.
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
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.
It’s always better to let go of something you love if it doesn’t work! I might suggest to you the Orbea Occam or rallon. I personally have the base level occam, it pedals super well, it’s pretty playful, and even the entry level model with a 140mm bomber z2 and 140mm fox float in the rear handles drops and black diamond trails very well while still allowing you to take those sharp turns like you were talking about and have fun. Manualing the occam is insanely easy and I can throw it around under me. Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters in Blowing Rock NC stocks them and will let you test ride as well. I think I recognized a few sections of trail on your video somewhat close to the shop!
Try out propain, it sounds like their Pro10 suspension system would fit your style totally