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Transition Sentinel v 2.0 Thread

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#1,321 ·
Sasquatch1413 said:
I tried to use search but couldn't find a direct answer. Have a XXL Sentinel on the way and wondering if I can run a 65mm stroke shock. I have a Manitou Mara I'd like to use and can put in a spacer to limit to 62.5mm but will run it at 65mm if I can. Anyone tried it?
Click to expand...
I tried a 65mm stroke shock on my xxl and the seat stay bridge hit the seat tube at full compression
 
#1,322 ·
Coming together nicely!
Bonus points if you can spot the "issue".....it's not something that is missing.

Image


After going from Enduro->Spire->Claymore->back to Enduro over the past few years, I think this could be the perfect race bike. Less is more is the conclusion I have come to. Big bad 170mm bikes might be fun, but they really aren't necessarily the best enduro race bikes.

The SC Hightower in 160mm mode was good, but wouldn't fit a coil.
 
#1,323 ·
ARider said:
Coming together nicely!
Bonus points if you can spot the "issue".....it's not something that is missing.

View attachment 2064806

After going from Enduro->Spire->Claymore->back to Enduro over the past few years, I think this could be the perfect race bike. Less is more is the conclusion I have come to. Big bad 170mm bikes might be fun, but they really aren't necessarily the best enduro race bikes.

The SC Hightower in 160mm mode was good, but wouldn't fit a coil.
Click to expand...
Nice one (y) ... who needs a chain ;)
 
#1,326 ·
Traditional shake down loop on the new ride.
Impressive speed over rolling terrain, feels like the bike is pounds lighter than the Enduro.

Does not ride like a traditional slack and long bike, still quite nimble and responsive.
It's like the Spire I was always hoping for. 😁

Coil shock (62.5mm stroke), Cascade link, 160mm Pike, XT 4 piston brakes, Sramano drive train (XO AXS with 10-45 XT cassette), I9 stem, OneUp alloy 35mm bars, WAO rims w/ I9 1-1 hubs, Praxis Girder cranks w/ O-Chain.

Image
 
#1,328 ·
ToiletSiphon said:
Anyone tried a longer stem (50 or more) on this bike? Any negative effect on the handling?
Click to expand...
I just put a 50mm stem on mine, both to bring my weight forward and give myself a little more stack. I’m 6’7” so every bit counts.
I’ve only had one ride on it so far but it seemed fine. Tight switchbacks were as doable as they ever are. I’ll report back after I get to ride more.
 
#1,329 ·
asollie said:
I just put a 50mm stem on mine, both to bring my weight forward and give myself a little more stack. I’m 6’7” so every bit counts.
I’ve only had one ride on it so far but it seemed fine. Tight switchbacks were as doable as they ever are. I’ll report back after I get to ride more.
Click to expand...
I ran a 60mm stem on mine, also 6’7. No issues with handling
 
#1,332 ·
Hi All,

Could you please help me. Currently I am riding YT Jeffsy 2020 (Mk2).
It is great bike for beginner like me.

Most of the time i have to pedal uphill. On downhill in near vicinity there are short steep sections and some are a bit technical, everything else can be done on hardtail. I ride everything up to reds. If there are any sections that are out of my skill level, I'll walk them.
Few times a year I go to BikeParks.

My skill level is more like beginner to maybe intermediate. I ride some small drops, don't know how to jump (learning slowly) etc.

I put in my mind that in 1-2 years I would get enough skill to ride some easier enduro tracks, maybe some race and maybe attend MegaAvalanche.

I dont have space or money to have two bikes, so I was thinking that Sentinel would be like allround bike for riding 3-4 hours, bike parks and some racing.

Should I stay on YT Jeffsy until I skill up or should I get Sentinel and learn on it? From my understanding Sentinel requires more active riding and loading front end in corners.

P.S. I am 40 years old

P.S. Sorry for the long post.
 
#1,333 ·
I think the Sentinel can be a good choice for the purposes you describe. I have the Sentinel V2 set up mainly for my rare bike park visits and trips to the Alps and overall rougher terrain and it works very well there (although I might prefer 650b or Mullet in the bike park alone). Even on my home trails, which I usually ride on my short travelled bike, the Sentinel rarely feels like "too much bike" - but does, when you ride it too “inactively”. And in my opinion, that's the con, maybe even more for beginners. I don't think it's an intuitive bike (predecessor was a Hightower, which was very easy to predict), but it took me some time to understand how you should ride it. Of all the very positive reviews, I found this one the best, because it totally sums up, what I love about the bike, but also, why this took more time than expected: enduro-mtb.com/en/transition-sentinel-xt-2021-review

P.s.: I’m 41 - no excuses!
 
#1,334 ·
What was the hardest or most difficult to understand riding sentinel comparing to other bikes?

PerPerroni said:
Even on my home trails, which I usually ride on my short travelled bike, the Sentinel rarely feels like "too much bike" - but does, when you ride it too “inactively”. And in my opinion, that's the con, maybe even more for beginners. I don't think it's an intuitive bike (predecessor was a Hightower, which was very easy to predict), but it took me some time to understand how you should ride it. Of all the very positive reviews, I found this one the best, because it totally sums up, what I love about the bike, but also, why this took more time than expected: enduro-mtb.com/en/transition-sentinel-xt-2021-review

P.s.: I’m 41 - no excuses!
Click to expand...
 
#1,335 ·
I think the HA and reach make it a bike you need to be somewhat aggressive on to really go fast.

As in more weight over the front to get the traction. If you sit back and kind of cruise it, the front will tend to push in the turns. Ironically for the typical Transition short stem spec, a longer stem can actually help with this.

Shorter reach, steeper HA bikes like the Hightower don't have this requirement. I had a Hightower setup with a 170mm fork, and the front center on the Sentinel (with 160mm fork) is still almost 20mm longer.
 
#1,336 ·
Yeah, that’s exactly what I wanted to explain. The V2 Sentinel rides well in a straight line on any terrain. On more varied trails that aren't super steep - especially when it gets tight and twisty - I think, too, that you have to be very careful to change your balance frequently and put a lot of pressure on the handlebars or the front wheel so that the bike doesn't understeer. This is mainly due to the head angle, which is very slack even for a bike in this suspension travel class. Coming from the Hightower V2, this was a big change for me. But that is of course a very subjective opinion. Getting to know the bike better, I really started to like exactly that character which puts me back into a more active riding style, I used to have long time ago :)
 
#1,337 ·
begginer said:
Hi All,

Could you please help me. Currently I am riding YT Jeffsy 2020 (Mk2).
It is great bike for beginner like me.

Most of the time i have to pedal uphill. On downhill in near vicinity there are short steep sections and some are a bit technical, everything else can be done on hardtail. I ride everything up to reds. If there are any sections that are out of my skill level, I'll walk them.
Few times a year I go to BikeParks.

My skill level is more like beginner to maybe intermediate. I ride some small drops, don't know how to jump (learning slowly) etc.

I put in my mind that in 1-2 years I would get enough skill to ride some easier enduro tracks, maybe some race and maybe attend MegaAvalanche.

I dont have space or money to have two bikes, so I was thinking that Sentinel would be like allround bike for riding 3-4 hours, bike parks and some racing.

Should I stay on YT Jeffsy until I skill up or should I get Sentinel and learn on it? From my understanding Sentinel requires more active riding and loading front end in corners.

P.S. I am 40 years old

P.S. Sorry for the long post.
Click to expand...
Get the Sentinel. It's the perfect do it all bike. Throw on a +1 angleset and it'll do a little better in the tight twisties. I ride mine anywhere and everywhere.
 
#1,339 · (Edited)
PerPerroni said:
Yeah, that’s exactly what I wanted to explain. The V2 Sentinel rides well in a straight line on any terrain. On more varied trails that aren't super steep - especially when it gets tight and twisty - I think, too, that you have to be very careful to change your balance frequently and put a lot of pressure on the handlebars or the front wheel so that the bike doesn't understeer. This is mainly due to the head angle, which is very slack even for a bike in this suspension travel class. Coming from the Hightower V2, this was a big change for me. But that is of course a very subjective opinion. Getting to know the bike better, I really started to like exactly that character which puts me back into a more active riding style, I used to have long time ago :)
Click to expand...
I am 5’-9” (almost 5-10 ;)) 200lbs on a medium Sentinel. My last bike was a large V1 Scout. I don’t experience any of what you stated. I get around switchbacks better than any bike I have ever ridden. And rail berms like on tracks. Flat turns no problem. If the Sentinel feels unwieldy, I would recommend trying the next size down. Also, I am almost 49yo so ymmv as I can’t stand to be stretched out over the top tube anymore.
Have fun!
 
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