Transition TransAM Steel Hardtail Review - A Modern $2600 Steel Hardtail from the PNW
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- 2023 Transition TransAM Hardtail Review. The 2023 Transition TransAM is BAAACK. I'm thrilled to be able to review the Transition TransAM today and put it through its paces. 50mm travel, slack head angle, long reach, and short stays mean this thing should party. Where would you ride this thing?
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Good to see you feel better, Steve! Another Transition Fanboy here, never owned a Trans Am but do own a Throttle, 27.5 wheeled carbon HT that I absolutely love. It surprises me you never reviewed that one, it still rips!
The Throttle was a rare bike I think, my local Transition dealer ran one as a demo but I'm not sure he sold more than one frame in the years it was out. Lovely frame and built up to a great bike but mud clearance was a bit poor for UK.
My 26" TransAM was the bike that got me hooked on hardtails. I had a 1st gen NS Surge before that, but the TransAM was truly a do-it-all hardtail. Comfy for pedaling all day, fun on jumps, and could handle some serious jank too. Glad to see Transition is continuing that legacy!
My buddy just got one of these frames in chrome. He set it up as 27.5 rear 29 front with a 140mm fork, and is really pleased with how it rides as a mullet.
I got one of these frames after test riding a large, I was intimated to ride significantly larger bike on paper then my previous Fuse Comp L. It felt just fine though! It’s such a fun experience just learning what new geo is all about, and how to wrench on bikes along the way. I’ve been loving this bike for riding here in the PNW, where it’s not as tech based, but definitely fast with long descents. The short seat tube let me run a 240 dropper! Been having a blast with it so far, and it plays and pops along great for me, and feels like my previous full-sus capability wise. If this is vanilla, then I can’t wait to try something with some spice to it one day haha, but seriously, no buyers remorse at all, love this bike! Stoked to see you getting in some rides Steve, you rip! Thanks for putting in the work 😊
Stoked to hear you're loving yours. I know there are a lot of happy TransAm riders out there. Enjoy!
Hope your health is improving. I appreciate riding the bikes as specced but would also like to see part of the review/riding impression where you put your preferred tire combo on each bike. Keep the reviews coming, Happy New Year.
I Wish I had the energy to swap different components in the middle of these reviews, but as it is right now, im lucky if a reciew generates $100. These take 10-50 hours to film, edit, and release. Adding a tire swap would take considerably more time, and it wouldn't produce enough income to juatify it.
the amount of
Steve, thanks so much for the video. As a Transition fanboy I was really anxious to see a proper review of this bike, and you are just the guy to do it. I kicked you some coffee for your efforts, always looking foward to your content.
hey Steve, good to see you out shredding the TransAm. fyi your video description needs to say 150 travel not 50. $799 is a great deal i paid that for my used BeFeMax. sticking on that one for a while yet, i like the long and non adjustable wheelbase. TA looks lovely though!!
Love the blue color, excellent review per the norm!
So good seeing you out on the trail doing what you love💯Great review I’ve been waiting for your ride review on this bike💪🏾
Oh, I forgot to say - really nice review! Nice trail, great riding. Very enjoyable to watch, thank you for that.
Hopefully you are getting better Steve your own health is really important, out of all the steel hardtails this is my main favorite, and the Pine Mountain 2 is second main choice. I would love to ride the TransAm just once get a feel.
Hey Steve hope you are feeling better, it is good to see you riding again and hope it doesn't take too much out of you. Appreciate the review of this bike. I have been looking at it as a potential next build and you made some compelling points. I live in the PNW on the East side of WA so we tend to have long flow and fast tech more than anything else so this sounds like a good fit for the majority of my local riding.
I've been waiting for this review. Not so 'waiting' that I didn't already buy a bike, but interested.
Pretty wild that they basically did the exact same geo as on my custom Axial. Well done Transition, perfect for Colorado.
Ditching the DHR/DHF for a Rekon/Eliminator combo made it significantly zippier, and I think I could put I zippier tire in the front.
I'm a huge fan of Transition but I think by and large they err on the side of too burly with their tire choices.
@@bkranichto be fair i think that comes with their playful/rugged influence. Putting a rekon and dissector in 2.4” in their XC bike is a bold move for them, but for Bellingham, it would make sense.
@@Atxcmtb true, I’m an east coast guy and our trails are a lot different. Still, tires are an easy swap. Love my Spur with a Rekon/Ikon
I went with a 2.6 ikon/rekon super fast
I would love to see a video about the most “magical” comfort steel or Ti for all day rides. As you often saw , many bike frames are overbuilt for warranty or other reasons. But what about the frames that are designed for FEEL and push those limits?
Take a look at his vid for the Stanton Sherpa steel. That vid pushed me over the top to buy one and its a dream ride for all day / bikepacking long distance stuff.
@@CustomGamer I’ve watched that review(s) Steve does an amazing job of comparing the Reynolds 853 to 4130 Chromoly and also reviews the Ti Sherpa and compares that to the steel. I’m only 155lbs, 150 and lower in the summer and getting a frame that feels good is my priority.
@CustomGamer I'm looking at the geo chart and the seat tubes lengths are crazy long and stacks are low. No good for my purposes, unfortunately
@@VelkePivoIf it's too lOnG loW sLaCk,just put a high rise handlebar and a short stem on it,it's really not that deep
Man....was so excited about this review to see how it compared to my Honzo ESD.... wanted this frame in chrome but sold out so quick!!! But, after seeing this review, I'm sooooooo happy I bit the bullet and went with the Spur.... couldn't pass up the price! Still, that chrome frame is rad, but disappointed in the "vanilla" feel of the steel.... hats of to Kona for designing a bike with that "special sauce" that is still relevant today!
GREAT video! COncerning the stapler effect: have you ever tried a coil fork with a harder coil for your weight, to keep the support very high, but having small bump compliance? I have cane creek helm with a hard coil on a honzo esd, it rides really high but is still gentle on my wrists. I believe it's what an agressive hardtail should have.
I am glad that I decided to build one of these from the frame up with a z1 coil. Sounds like the ideal hardtail for an above average sized, vanilla rider in the pnw! Had a friend break an esd frame at out local enduro zone, so a little overbuilt sounds good to me! 😅
Shout-out to BHam!
Well…I’m not sold for a SS build. I think I hear a Middlechild calling my name. Thanks for the info, hope you’re feeling better. Happy New Year!
Looks awesome! Also, awesome to see riding again! Keep strong, man!
Thanks for the review! Ended up buying one🤘🤘
Maybe a good bike to get experimental with? 🤔 Swap in a lighter wheel setup to see if it comes alive for you. Thanks, your videos rock!
The steel 29in TransAm I had few years ago was great. Literally a BMX with big wheels. The only downward was the HTA at 68°. I should have kept it to stick a minus 2° angleset.
Thanks Steve for another great review!!!! Great break down of the bike and you showed us that steel can be heavy and not alway that magical supple ride. However overall price was on point and a good bike 👍👍!!!!
I got my transam last week I enjoy it a lot
Congrats on a cool bike. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it
Great review! This bike seems a lot closer to the Norco Torrent then the ESD.
Nice bike! And it's great it allows the longer dropper. Thanks for the review!
If you still have the bike, swap that 29 for the 27.5 in the rear and take it back out. Try it with the dropouts all the way forward and then all the way back. It will change impression on the "slugishness" feel. I started with mine as a mullet. Swapped out for 29 and only made it a 1/2 mile before I turned around and to put the 27.5 back in. There is a such a difference. This is coming from a guy who viewed mullet as a fad a year ago. It's no race bike or even speedy climber. But the smaller rear end brings the pep..
agree - had mine built with a 27.5 rear ( 2.6 DHR) with drop outs forward-swapped to a 29 rear ( with a 2.6 DHR as it fits fine) last week-nite and day difference - now back as a mullet and ill keep it that way unless im doing a 60plus km flat single track ride.
I have been considering doing this with mine. Did you prefer the dropouts all the way back or forward?
@@BrandonFowler-si7uq Depend on how you like to corner. All the way forward and the bike starts to trun on it's own. feels very flicky. All the way back and it feels more stable. Handles speed a bit better but more effort to turn.
I prefer all the way back. 27.5..
Been waiting for this review. I am between this and a steel RSD Middlechild. Thanks for another great review!
If I want to go just down, I would ride a DH bike . I like hardtail who can do everything and works excellently in every field. By that I also mean the road because somehow I have to get to the forest 😂
Damn, those are some big hits for someone with joint pain! I was wincing sitting in a chair in front of my computer. Take care of yourself
Great review as always. Thx Steve!
"Hardtails should be accessible for most people."
I gotta be honest, most people won't think of a $2000+ mountain bike as "accessible".
Agreed, but sadly this is where we are today
Great Video! I would like to see you on more European bikes like the Orbea Laufey, Canyon Stoic, a Rose or a Cube. Greetings from Germany!
Laufey and Stoic are reviewed in earlier videos.
I briefly had one of the originals, it was a fun bike.
About to find out for myself 🤙🏻
Blue beauty!
Nice review. Still can’t beat the price on a Cotic hardtail. I know you reviewed the Solaris Max in a medium some time ago. For your size, I wish you had ridden a small for that review. I own one and it is the best bike for the money that I’ve ever owned in almost 30 years of riding. I’m amazed at what they can do and the frame price shipped is around $800 (and they are beautiful).
Not anymore…
@@af9810-x7lshoot. Just checked and they did raise the prices. Seems the Cotic would be around $1600 shipped now (frame).
Seems to me like the Size SMALL would be the only one you could actually get a nice 50/50 weight balance between the front and back wheels on. The geo pendulum desperately needs to start swinging back.
For me the 2017-2019 era of trail bikes is my favorite geo.
@@jeffpower6473 I agree. I'm 6'1", my old hardtail with a 439mm reach is still my favorite bike in terms of basic trail riding comfort.... Never once did that front tire wash out on me.
I think it depends in where and how you ride. This is a big factor i take into consideration in my bike consultation.
Wow, you were going fast. I had to look at the playback speed to see that it was normal. Fastest guy on a Hardtail! I'm coming to Sedona this week, infact today for 3 days.
With that weight and downhill focus, it kind of begs the question of if a FS bike wouldn't be better for the application?
How did you find this compares to the Radical Chilli Dog? Curious as I haven't ridden both. (PS, love the channel)
Seems like it's close to the Norco Torrent that you reviewed.
Good onservation. They're similar on paper, and in the same vein, but a little different flavor when riding.
Seems like you liked the Torrent just the cable routing and weight was the big thing. I have a Torrent based on your review and really like it.
@@alexlogan9279I have to say for their geometry and weight being so close I think the torrent S models are a better buy. The transam seems a bit overpriced IMO for having only a z2 and nx drivetrain. Both the torrent S1 & S2 have better drivetrains than that and the torrent S1 is only $400 more than the transam but you get a lyrik ultimate. It seems like a no brainer to buy a torrent over the transam unless you want sliding dropouts but even if you do you’d be better off with an ESD.
Hi Steve, how do you compare the transition with the pipedream sirius s5.
Can you do a review on the newer model Ragley Mmm bop and Big Al ?
😅 the Stapler is real and can hurt you😄 my Nordest Bardino 2 ltd has a 170mm Fox 36, and I would rather have the high stack/Geometry but with a 140mm fork
I would love to see you test a Marino bikes cabala. Mostly because I want to know how mine compares to other bikes. I'm running a yari 160mm fork.
Been following your channel for a couple of years now, and always appreciate your input on all the bikes reviewed. Any chance you could try and get your hands on a Kona Unit (X) sometime? I've been on the fence about getting one for a while and would love to hear your thoughts! Cheers
I bought a Kona Unit back in 2021. The Dusty Rose Metallic had me sold from the first second I saw it.
I've kept it rigid, which many of my riding buddies think I'm insane. I don't have any problem keeping up with them.
You do have to learn to ride light and pick great lines or you'll suffer. I often out climb them, did I mention it's a single speed 32x21 gearing. Where I ride here in the Fingerlakes Region of western NYS it seems to be a perfect choice.
My previous bike which the Kona replaced is a Transition TransAM 26".
Both companies are from Bellingham, Washington State.
Depending on your terrain and riding style the Kona Unit could be a really great option for you. I love mine.
@@shawnpritchard366 Thanks for the input mate! It certainly is only pushing me closer to getting one as soon as the new batch for 2024 is in stock :) I'd also be transitioning from an old rigid 26er, a restomodded 1990 Rockhopper with SX Eagle to be exact, so I believe it would make for a relatively smooth transition to something a bit more up to date.
1700 for the chrome frame here in Aus... Not so cheap.
But i neeeed those dropouts.
How much dor the blue one?
$1600 for the blue.
The exchange rate for the chrome puts it at about $1300, so I was surprised at the price.... the extra $400 must be the Australian bike tax 🤷
@@hugolio_81 man, thats wild!
Not too keen on the extra wide angle of newer videos. Different camera setup?
With you on that, I don't need to see Steve's elbows, would rather see trail details larger.
Get experimental with the bike and put slightly faster/lighter tires with a cane creek helm?
Will we ever see a Kinesis FF29 on the channel?
Can you do a review on the nordest britango?
For some reason i haven't been able to convince them to send one for review.
Thats unfortunate :")
Have you thought about getting a drone to get some nice profile video while riding? Spice it up please.
How would you compare that to the Norco Torrent?
You should review the revel el jefe and the canyon grand canyon
The grand canyon doesnt have thru axles in the US. That's a deal breaker for me. I hope to get a jefe soon
Steve, reminds me of a Ragley Blue Pig...what do you think?
Minus wheelsize...
Is any bike with an Assegi a zippy climber? Would be interesting to swap just the tires with something less aggressive and heavy. You could easily shed a LOT of weight while maintaining its intent
could be if its light and has less aggressive geo.@@jmdrstv
Hey Steve what do you think is better nimble 9 from Canfield or this?
Thats the type of question i handle over on patreon. It really depends on your goals, trails, and riding style.
Does it seem like it has clearance for 29x2.8’s?
I have one, I think on the front, not rear. 2.6 is probably as big as I’d go on the rear
I think I'm the only person who can climb just fine on this bike 😂
Agreed! I have been setting PR’s on all my local climbs after switching to this bike. I think it goes up as well as it goes down!
Keep in mind I'm comparing it to 100 other hardtails. It'll climb, but compared to what else is available, there are much better climbers
Is 26 hundred really that praise worthy of a price? Legit seems very expensive :(
Cool bike but Heeeeaaaaaaavvvvyyyyy
Great review as always.