Strengths: Bomb-proof construction and a good value (6" Frame w/ RP23 for $1,600) + Fox 36 = still less than most other 6" frames
Weaknesses: The only annoyances on this bike so far: Each wreck = Paint scratches (I ended up getting some of that clear wrap from an autobody shop & put in high use/crash prone areas).
Needs a top tube cable guide for the Reverb post (makes you run a lot of cable on the downtube and then route it up through the suspension). I got some sticker cable routing guides and used silicone to secure to frame on the under-side of top tube.
Some pedal strike issues in really technical sections & climbs.
Bottom Line:
I fall perfectly into the Transition Covert customer profile: I can only have one bike but ride single-track, climb, and aggressive freeride trails. My average ride is either 1,500-2,000ft of climbing w/ a 5-10 mile decent or 15+ mile technical rolling single track. I live the PacNW so trails are wet/loose, technical w/ a lot of rocks, tree roots, and manmade burms & jumps.
I switched over from FS to HT free-ride bikes about 4 years ago because: lower maintenance and cost, durability, skills/challenge, rear triangle stiffness, response, and climbing.
I was able to borrow a Covert for a quick ride at a Super-D race and I had a Covert in my garage a few weeks later. The Covert is one of the few bikes that had the same stiff and responsive feel I had grown to love on my HT. I also like the Covert because it looks and feels solid – delicate things and I don’t do well together!!
After only 6 rides on the Covert I entered a 7 mile /2,000ft Super-D. I was pleasantly surprised how in tune with the bike I felt after only 6 rides. I’ve got about 15 rides on it now and I’m right back to riding w/o thinking about my bike - it's "invisible".
For setup I spent about 2 hours reading through a few suspension blogs and Fox’s recommendations - I pretty much had it dialed in on the first ride.
So far it’s been great for all of the following: 2,000ft forest service road climbs, 3ft drops, railed 100’s of burms, plowed through rock gardens, took it to the local pump track & a skate park (it’s little heavy for this).
Bottom Line: I think Covert was dead on with their description as the Quiver killer. At 32lbs you won’t be the first to the top of the hill - but point it downhill and this thing rips.
I ride 2008 Covert since autumn 2010, it's so called "1,5 version". I'm 186 cm and frame is L size. Bike is good at uphill and great at downhill. It does tempt you to ride more agressive and really helps to improve riding skills.
Long top tube might be a problem for some people, but it lets to use short stem resulting in precise handling. I find suspension a bit progressive, it's quite plush and doesn't bottom out even on 1 m drops to flat.
Well, if you need a reliable and capable trail bike at decent price, that's the right choice :)
Similar Products Used: None, that's my first fs bike
Bike Setup: RS Revelation 140 mm, Fox Rp23, Sun Rims Eq27 rims on Hope Pro II hubs, 2x9 drivetrain, 50 mm Thomson stem & 710 mm Gravity handlebar, Sram shifters & deralleurs, etc.
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Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley, CA
Similar Products Used: giant reign, transition dirtbag, specialized pitch
Bike Setup: Fox float 32 150mm, fox rp23, full SLX 3x10, Transition 25 wheels and seat, sunline bars and stem.
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Submitted by
babu
a Weekend Warrior
from Astoria, NY
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2011
Strengths: Solid frame, good simple single pivot suspension design, loves being abused.
Weaknesses: None-it's perfect for what it was created.
Bottom Line:
The bike is great for the type of riding it was made for- that is all mountain in in its purest sense. I use it as my trail bike and I ride it aggressively. No worries about the frame, it can and it likes being beaten up. I climb everything on it and I only seldom use the pro-pedal on the RP23. The terrain here in NY/NJ is usually short, steep climbs followed by the same type of descents. The bike can go up and it can definitely come down. Also, I never felt the need for a travel adjustable fork. Actually, after playing around with the suspension pressures for the first 8-10 rides, I found the sweet spot for both front and rear and never touched them again. Transition is also great as a company and have communicated with them very well- down to Earth people who seem to enjoy riding just as much as I do.
Bottom line is if you need a bike with a simple suspension design that will handle anything you'll throw at it the V2 Covert is a great weapon of choice.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro, Stumpjumper, Iron Horse 6.
Bike Setup: Fox 36 Float R, Stan ZTR Flow wheelset with Hope Pro II hubs, Avid Elixir R, 1x9 set up with MRP Mini G chainguide. 30lbs with this set-up.
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Submitted by
emmaus28
a Weekend Warrior
from Earth
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2011
Strengths: Point it downhill and you become a rock star!
Weaknesses: Non really, not real fast on the climbs I guess.
Bottom Line:
This is for the V-1 model. Long wheelbase makes for a happy downhiller. Bike is scary fast on descents and you will get angry with your buddies for leading the group down the hill and holding you up! Going up it displays a very noticeable pedal bob that even with the RP23 cannot be tuned out. But that's cool, I'm in no hurry to get up a hill anyways.
Bike Setup: Two wheels and a handlebar with shifty and brakey things on them.
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Submitted by
mtbr41
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2010
Strengths: Awesome geometry, light, handles great, Blast to ride haha
Weaknesses: Paints a little cheap
Bottom Line:
Mines build to 31 pounds 8 ounces, easily climbs(front end is a little light) very stable and tracks well downhill. I got a discount on a specialized enduro comp and the covert frame so I did a switcharoo and sold extra parts to reduce costs
Bike Setup: Covert Frame with 2010 specialized enduro comp componentes
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Submitted by
mtbManiak
a Downhiller
from Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2010
Strengths: This review is for the new version of the Covert. Tough, light, plenty of travel, and extremely well thought out and designed.
Weaknesses: Paint isn't quite as durable as I would like
Bottom Line:
For the price, there isn't a better bike out there. And who doesn't like Transition? As a company they are super easy to work with, and they stand behind and ride their products! The covert pedals extremely well, especially when paired with the RP23 rear shock. When it comes to the downhill the covert performs so well that I almost don't realize I'm riding an All-mountain bike. I've ridden my frame solid for two seasons now, and haven't had a single problem. I ride trails, downhill, and have even done the occasional freeriding and hit a 15 step-down with a 35 foot gap! If you want a do-it-all bike, I definitely recommend the Covert! 5 Flamin' chilis all around.
Bike Setup: Covert V2 frame, Fox 36 float, RP23, Stan's Flow with Hope Pro II's
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Submitted by
ridin26s
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008
Strengths: All-mountain excellence, can rip uphill, downhill, and on flats too ( although there aren't many of those on Galby). Amazing value.
Weaknesses: Paint, but who really cares. Suspension can be sluggish. marzocchi 55 tst2 fork.
Bottom Line:
The covert is amazing. I had mine built up using the transition dual-ring build kit, a DHX, and a 6" fork for more downhill capability. Price is perfect for what you get, especially with the premium parts. After months of hammering it, the only drawback was the 55 fork, which seized up about 4 inches through its travel and gave a crappy ride. I took it to Marzocchi Canada and had it fixed but it seized again a couple months later, so I got the 36.
The large bike doesn't give up anything to fit someone taller like me, so that is a plus too. Full seatpost extension lets you put the seat all the way up for ripping up, then put it down for heading downhill. It's low standover height due to it's dropped top tube lets you throw it around. It does not feel 100% stable in the air, but lands well.
The Covert is perfect for my riding style, which is ride fast uphill then bomb back downhill, and is everything that is necessary to ride Galbraith. You could build up lighter for more xc steez but its way more fun with a burlier build. If you are looking for a 5.5" travel bike at an affordable price to ride everything, check out the Covert.
Bike Setup: Size large, Fox 36 float R ( originally Marzocchi 55 tst2), Fox DHX, Sram X.9, Hussefelt crank, Transition 32 Revolution wheels, Avid juicy7s. 35 pounds overall.
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Submitted by
bitflogger
a Cross Country Rider
from Middleton, WI
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2008
Strengths: The Transition marketing description about suiting rough stuff, jumps and keeping up with the XC crowd is right on. The Transition crew knows how to ride and this bike knows how to move along handling anything with confidence. The long wheelbase and posture are superb for long and hard rides and big grin turns, and an adjustable fork and platform shock makes it perfect for the tight stuff in a moment. You have to make sure others are out of your way anytime the going gets steep, rough or twisty. This bike came from the 2008 mid-summer batch and does not have any tire clearance problem.
Weaknesses: The paint is not the best I've seen, but this bike is not for country clubs, or trips to cafes.
Bottom Line:
This is the one bike if you want to ride about anything with confidence and not break the bank with boutique stuff or break stuff riding challenging trails. The low frame, stiffness and geometry make you laugh at debates over suspension design. Suspension and materials theorists/debaters and weight weenies need not apply. This bike is for railing the single track, low level flight, big grins, epic rides and riding like there's no tomorrow.
Similar Products Used: My wife and I share this and a previous generation Enduro. I tested many bikes $2000-5000 and this needs to be in your sights if you're looking at bikes like a Heckler, LT2 or want something between the trail and longer travel AM bikes from the major players.
Bike Setup: Hand built White Industries MI6 laces to DT 5.1 D, 2009 TALAS 32 and RP23, Transition build kit items, but drive train upgraded to X-0 and 11-34 cassette. The bike weighs 28.9 to 30.5 pounds depending upon setup where pedals and tires are the big factors.
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Submitted by
reelinfeele
a Weekend Warrior
from orlando
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008
Strengths: Finish, quality if welds
Weaknesses: Paint is more of a light coating than a painting. comes off very easily at cable rub areas, which is hard to avoid because of the room and routing.
Bottom Line:
Very nice bike. I would consider myself a clydesdale and bike shows no signs of stress. Once rear shock is set right the propedal feature is only needed for extended steep climbs. I got a great deal on great bike from a small company that might actually care. I called them for some set up info and was treated like one of the crew. I can only afford one bike and this is it.
Bike Setup: AM2, RP23, Stx/rc, Hope proII ubs, rhyno lites
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Submitted by
Bijan Fathy
a Downhiller
from Charleston, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2008
Strengths: Very aggressive "ALL MOUNTAIN" geometry, yet still manages to be a good climber, bombs downhill, bike is very well balanced.
Weaknesses: You sit a little to far behind the pedals, very similar more aggressive freeride geometries.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a bike that can almost do it all the Covert might be the one. With the Marzocchi ATA 55 on the front this bike really shines, bombs downhill and climbs back up pretty well. I have mine weighing 32 pounds and am quite happy with the set up.
Strengths: versatlity. climbing, decsending, Will do pretty much whatever is thrown at it. climbs whatever I can and is a blast to turn down hill. Loves corners and jumping. Predictable handling. durability, will take a beating like all Transitions.
Weaknesses: Paint quality. could be better
Bottom Line:
The perfect trail bike!!! At first I had this bike at 28.50lbs, now at 30.0lbs. Once I got everything dailed it was a match made in heaven.
Similar Products Used: Kona coil-air, Blur LT, Mongoose Teocali Super, Specialized Enduro.
Bike Setup: Talas 32 2007, RP23, juciy Ult. 160r/185f, all XT drivetrain. DT swiss 4.2d w/wtb lazer disc lite(1550grams!)
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2008
Strengths: Great company. It was cheap. Wasn't too heavy, climbed ok for what it is, and descended well.
Weaknesses: 2.35 Nevegal rubbed the seat tube big time, they claimed a 2.4 would clear with no problems. Cable routing could be better, I've got some pretty good cable rub marks. Rear end isn't exactly stiff. Oh yeah and it's cracking.
Bottom Line:
It's a pretty good bike don't get me wrong. However, they should have caught the seat tube tire rub issue, no real excuse for that. Mine cracked at the top of the upper shock mount, and I've seen at least one other do the same thing, with a skinny dude riding it no less. So to recap, if you're fat (me) or go big (not me) this isn't the bike for you. That said for the price it isn't a bad bike by any means but it needs a little refinement.
Similar Products Used: None, had a Kona Kikapu before this one.
Bike Setup: Small Covert, 36 TALAS, XTR/XT, Juicy 7s, blah blah
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Submitted by
LP
a Cross Country Rider
from Mililani, HI USA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2007
Strengths: Very well made, very good suspesion
Weaknesses: Had issue with deraileur hanger, had to tweak brand new hanger to get good shifting.
Bottom Line:
Very Good suspension, good paint, at a resonable price with good customer support. This is a very good all mountain frame that climbs well and downhills even better!
Similar Products Used: S-Works Enduro, Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup: Fox Talas 32 fork, Sram drivetrain, XT Cranks, Velocity Wheelset, Gravity Dropper seatpost, Hayes HFX Mag brakes.
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Submitted by
Keith
a Weekend Warrior
from Independence, MO
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007
Strengths: versatility, strength
Weaknesses: paint
Bottom Line:
Perfect bike for someone who does a little of everything. this bike wont roar up the climbs, but it gets you there without leaving toasted at the top. and it can be ridden all day w/o much noticeable extra effort. The only thing holding me back in any riding style is my lack of skill. other than that this bike will do it all. I think it should technically be in the all mountain forum, but it will take the abuse if you want to throw it off of stuff as well. Ride it where you want. i dont normally do 5 and 5 but this bike does everything i need it to do and was much more affordable than other models i was looking at.
Currently riding a Lenz Behemoth 120air RS fork RP23 Hadley/flows HS crank
I'm seriously considering the Covert. Recently tested a Pivot FB & didn't really care for it.
Can an Read More »
Hi!
I just wander if I could put 200mm shock on my Covert.
With offset mounting hardware (-6mm) it would be 4mm too long, so shouldn't be too much issue I think.
Did anyone tr Read More »
Hello all,
I am looking to buy a covert frame and have a had a short go on a small and it felt good but was not long enough of a ride to get a real feel for it. I'm 5'8 and have Read More »
Arriving this Thursday from Albuquerque with my dog, my wife and a new bike. Plan to ride Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Would love to ride with someone who knows the area. My wi Read More »
Hi!
This is my story.
My previous bike (Marin Mount Vision 2008) was a bit too short travel for me with not exactly the geometry I needed.
I wanted a bike that will pedal just Read More »
