I was gonna say, that stuff looks fun and wild. Granted I have only been in Bellingham a few months, I haven't been invited to these ones. Otherwise, I think the Smuggler would be a pretty perfect Galby bike.
I run my rocky mountain element with a 140 fork and 120 rear, can hold 2 bottles in the spacious triangle. The 120 rear handles above its weight class, feels almost like 135. Pedals great. You need to try one.
Great review. I honestly have to argue with the build spec though. Code R brakes not RSC. Standard Grip damper not Grip 2 and it’s a priced together GX drivetrain that they advertise as a GX build. I demoed this bike recently too and fricken LOVED how it rode but, for $6k it doesn’t keep up with other brands build specs. But then again, other 140 bikes don’t ride like the Smuggler.
Thanks! I agree, specifically compared to direct to consumer companies like YT and Propain. However, if you compare it to brands like SC, Evil or Trek the price is in line.
Using the NX shifter almost feels sneaky. From the riders' perspective surely the money saver move is GX shifter and NX derailleur, the other way round is surely just to look better in advertising photos.
Thanks for the review. I ride a Spur, but am in the market for a new bike this coming year. I love my Spur and I ride more blues than what is seen in this video. Trying to decide to stay with the Spur or maybe changing it up just a bit with the Smuggler. Looks like I'll have to demo this bike. Do you have any insight on how the Smuggler compares with a yeti sb130?
The Smuggler definitely fells like a newer bike, because it is. The climbing position is more comfortable and it descends more confidently. If you fell comfortable on the spur, i think you’ll just feel better on the descents on the Smuggler. It’s overall stiffer and more capable. If you want a better descender it is, but if you want more, a Fox 36 can take it up a notch.
Little late to the party. Live in the South East so while we have 1000+ foot descents, not many outside of Windrock and Ride Rock creek are too crazy. Thinking about getting this instead of a Sentinel to compliment my XC bike. I'd put a 150mm 36 or Lyrik on it and remove the spacer to get the rear to 140mm. Thoughts on going the more sentinel leaning smuggler route vs just getting a sentinel instead?
At this moment, I would recommend the Smuggler over the Sentinel. Especially the way you're talking, setting it up 140 with a 150 fork. Once they update the Sentinel I may feel different. I had the Sentinel for almost 6 months and the frame was noticeably less stiff.
Nice review. Do you have any experience with an Ibis ripmo v2? How do these 2 compare? I currently have the ripmo but interested in replacing it with one of these as I'm wanting to go a little less travel and lighter. I had a ripley v4 before the ripmo and wanting something in between the ripley and ripmo. Always been interested in the transitions. Thanks!
I don’t have a ton of experience on Ibis. I do think it would be a pretty awesome in between since it has slightly more travel than the Ripley and a more modern geometry with a longer reach and similar headtube angle to the Ripmo.
I would have to lean toward the Fuel EX. It has better braking manners and in the stock configuration will be better suited to help you get better on the downhills.
@NICADV OK last question, would the Trek Top Fuel be a better choice over the Fuel EX if I am climbing and going down on blues. I realize surgery is free in Canada but from my experience it is not the best use of my time.
@@michaeljohncox3898 the Top Fuel definitely emphasizes efficiency over grip and comfort. I would rather climb the Fuel EX and it’s not going to beat you up on the downhill.
I would generally pit the Offering against the Sentinel rather than the Smuggler. Overall the Offering is noticeably more capable even on the steeps where the Smuggler has a slacker head tube. I think you could build a Smuggler to a comparable level but for the price the Offering is ready to go.
I am 5'11 and I recently rode the large and kept thinking I could go Medium but the seat angle made it feel smaller than states on the specs. I was just curious how you felt the sizing lined up even to other bikes like the spur, which in large feels bigger. Such a fun bike, I am torn over this and the Evil Offering.
At 5' 11" I really like the size large. My saddle height is 74cm which is 2cm over the "saddle height for effective ST angle" on Transition site. That would put me 8cm over the size medium's 66cm recommendation. I think the higher stack height on the Smuggler over the Spur helps to make it not feel as big even with the longer reach. As far as the Offering vs Smuggler that is a hard one. You could set the Smuggler up to be nearly as burly as the Offering but if you want a burly bike out of the box I think the Offering wins.
Always ride with no gloves? Just wondering as i really like riding with gloves especially in the heat. Dusty and loose is sketchy even in the blues I ride, that looked very sketchy.
That is a hard one as I reviewed the Rascal (written) back in 2020 and really liked that bike. The CBF suspension is a standout and I think the 66° head tube angle fits the 130mm of frame travel well. That is where things get mussy comparing a bike from 2020 and 2023. The reach on the Rascal is much shorter than anything I have ridden in awhile and the 75° seattube angle works well with the suspension but requires more rider input on switchbacks and when things get steep on the climbs. Overall the Rascal is a super fun bike and I am excited to see where it goes from here!
I will be using progressivity as the primary metric of interest in buying new bikes
Correct!
Nice review- curious what trails those are at Galby- they look awesome- I’d like to hit some next time I’m there
Those aren’t Galbi, that’s Lookout
He's right, you can always ask the Transition team or if I'm in the area I maybe able to help
@@NICADV thanks man those trails look awesome
@@danielray1558 🤘
I was gonna say, that stuff looks fun and wild. Granted I have only been in Bellingham a few months, I haven't been invited to these ones. Otherwise, I think the Smuggler would be a pretty perfect Galby bike.
I run my rocky mountain element with a 140 fork and 120 rear, can hold 2 bottles in the spacious triangle. The 120 rear handles above its weight class, feels almost like 135. Pedals great. You need to try one.
Agreed, I am always looking to tryout something new. That sounds like a fun ride.
Videos about the transition smuggler and you want to yap about your completely different model from a completely different company. Lmao.
Great review. I honestly have to argue with the build spec though. Code R brakes not RSC. Standard Grip damper not Grip 2 and it’s a priced together GX drivetrain that they advertise as a GX build. I demoed this bike recently too and fricken LOVED how it rode but, for $6k it doesn’t keep up with other brands build specs. But then again, other 140 bikes don’t ride like the Smuggler.
Thanks! I agree, specifically compared to direct to consumer companies like YT and Propain. However, if you compare it to brands like SC, Evil or Trek the price is in line.
Using the NX shifter almost feels sneaky. From the riders' perspective surely the money saver move is GX shifter and NX derailleur, the other way round is surely just to look better in advertising photos.
@@crankshoptv agreed
Thanks for the review. I ride a Spur, but am in the market for a new bike this coming year. I love my Spur and I ride more blues than what is seen in this video. Trying to decide to stay with the Spur or maybe changing it up just a bit with the Smuggler. Looks like I'll have to demo this bike. Do you have any insight on how the Smuggler compares with a yeti sb130?
The Smuggler definitely fells like a newer bike, because it is. The climbing position is more comfortable and it descends more confidently. If you fell comfortable on the spur, i think you’ll just feel better on the descents on the Smuggler. It’s overall stiffer and more capable. If you want a better descender it is, but if you want more, a Fox 36 can take it up a notch.
Little late to the party. Live in the South East so while we have 1000+ foot descents, not many outside of Windrock and Ride Rock creek are too crazy. Thinking about getting this instead of a Sentinel to compliment my XC bike. I'd put a 150mm 36 or Lyrik on it and remove the spacer to get the rear to 140mm. Thoughts on going the more sentinel leaning smuggler route vs just getting a sentinel instead?
At this moment, I would recommend the Smuggler over the Sentinel. Especially the way you're talking, setting it up 140 with a 150 fork. Once they update the Sentinel I may feel different. I had the Sentinel for almost 6 months and the frame was noticeably less stiff.
Nice review. Do you have any experience with an Ibis ripmo v2? How do these 2 compare? I currently have the ripmo but interested in replacing it with one of these as I'm wanting to go a little less travel and lighter. I had a ripley v4 before the ripmo and wanting something in between the ripley and ripmo. Always been interested in the transitions. Thanks!
I don’t have a ton of experience on Ibis. I do think it would be a pretty awesome in between since it has slightly more travel than the Ripley and a more modern geometry with a longer reach and similar headtube angle to the Ripmo.
Compared to the Fuel EX which would be a better one bike for everything. Blue rider. Like the climbs and wanting to get better on the downhill. Thanks
I would have to lean toward the Fuel EX. It has better braking manners and in the stock configuration will be better suited to help you get better on the downhills.
@@NICADV Have you ridden the stumpjumper evo? The Fuel Ex and stumpjumper Evo look to be very similar bikes for geometry and adjustability.
@@michaeljohncox3898 I have not but the guy I am often following in my videos is currently running the Evo and is getting along just pretty well.
@NICADV OK last question, would the Trek Top Fuel be a better choice over the Fuel EX if I am climbing and going down on blues. I realize surgery is free in Canada but from my experience it is not the best use of my time.
@@michaeljohncox3898 the Top Fuel definitely emphasizes efficiency over grip and comfort. I would rather climb the Fuel EX and it’s not going to beat you up on the downhill.
NIck - how did the Smuggler compare to the Offering LS?
I would generally pit the Offering against the Sentinel rather than the Smuggler. Overall the Offering is noticeably more capable even on the steeps where the Smuggler has a slacker head tube. I think you could build a Smuggler to a comparable level but for the price the Offering is ready to go.
I am 5'11 and I recently rode the large and kept thinking I could go Medium but the seat angle made it feel smaller than states on the specs. I was just curious how you felt the sizing lined up even to other bikes like the spur, which in large feels bigger. Such a fun bike, I am torn over this and the Evil Offering.
At 5' 11" I really like the size large. My saddle height is 74cm which is 2cm over the "saddle height for effective ST angle" on Transition site. That would put me 8cm over the size medium's 66cm recommendation. I think the higher stack height on the Smuggler over the Spur helps to make it not feel as big even with the longer reach. As far as the Offering vs Smuggler that is a hard one. You could set the Smuggler up to be nearly as burly as the Offering but if you want a burly bike out of the box I think the Offering wins.
You rode the Chief on a tiny bike. Nicely done. 🤙🏻
@@damianpullar8688 Thanks dude, the bike can handle it, but the fork did not like it😂!
Always ride with no gloves? Just wondering as i really like riding with gloves especially in the heat. Dusty and loose is sketchy even in the blues I ride, that looked very sketchy.
I prefer it, but when it gets real hot or wet I’ll wear gloves.
I would like to know how it stacks up to my Revel Rascal. I notice the reach is longer.
That is a hard one as I reviewed the Rascal (written) back in 2020 and really liked that bike. The CBF suspension is a standout and I think the 66° head tube angle fits the 130mm of frame travel well. That is where things get mussy comparing a bike from 2020 and 2023. The reach on the Rascal is much shorter than anything I have ridden in awhile and the 75° seattube angle works well with the suspension but requires more rider input on switchbacks and when things get steep on the climbs. Overall the Rascal is a super fun bike and I am excited to see where it goes from here!
Curious how this would stack up to the Forbidden Druid V2
Agreed, I’ve been trying to get one for review. No luck so far, I may need to make a trip to Cumberland.
@@NICADV Come on down to St. George, UT and put mine through its paces 🤙