I'd get the gray color.

 

Interesting they went steeper with longer chainstays and nice to see both, as the prior version was to me too slack (threw an angleset in to steepen it up 1 degree and help it turn at low speeds). Hopefully they are using paint that is a bit more durable. I have to comment on Transition’s customer service. My friend broke his V2 alloy and had a replacement in 10 days (including the 4th of July in the middle). Transition responded quickly and was incredibly pleasant.

 

Yeah I was hoping actually more like 64.5 but they are transition. I like longs stays but the previous were fine. The thing is it is as long as a Spire now. More or less my gripe with the Smuggler. I also was hoping for it to not grow. But more than anything I want it to pedal like the Spire does.

 

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but as an XXL rider, I'm really disappointed in the lip service to "size specific chainstays". From Small to XXL, there is a 4mm change in one jump. To me, that screams "ticking the box" rather than a considered engineering choice.

 

B.O.O.M. BOX In frame storage with supplied frame storage bags on carbon models!

 

Oh man I wish my smuggler and spire both had in frame storage!

 

Sawzall or a plasma cutter and you are good to go.

 

Contrarian take - In frame storage is a big minus. I'm ready for this trend to end.

• The covers of these storage boxes often rattle on downhills.
• The contents often rattle too.
• The amount of storage is quite small in practice.
• Getting the tools out to make a trail side repair or adjustment is laborious and fiddly.
• Accommodating the hole requires an increase in frame weight and stiffness, not to mention requiring a larger downtube than is otherwise necessary.

Nice to see the slightly steeper head tube. I still wish Transition would consider glossier paint and more stack.

 

Contrarian take - In frame storage is a big minus. I'm ready for this trend to end.

Couldn't agree more. Just from a pure aesthetics/vanity standpoint, the addition of the internal storage throws off that very slim, angular downtube profile (and definitely contributes to the conspiracy theory about brands attempting to conflate e~bike motors with meat-bike downtubes!). Every bike I've owned with in-frame storage has ended up with mold growing in the compartment, too -- either from lack of weather-proofing or from my own laziness of not drying the compartment out after a wet ride. Give me a sealed downtube any day and I'll happily carry a lightweight hip pack or vest.

Pretty thrilled about the $6kish, Shimano XT/Rockshox Ultimate-level spec on the v3 Sentinel -- I have to applaud that choice. Still a pricey option, but it's about the only trail/all-mountain bike on the market these days that I'd buy as a complete. The wheels leave a bit to be desired -- 370 hubs are better than they used to be, but you'd think Transition would up-spec to something like a 350 EXP or Raceface Vault, ideally -- but any reprieve from the tyranny of GX Transmission is laudable.

 

Agreed, the availability of the Shimano build made me happy.

 

FWIW, the max rear tire width on the Smuggler is 2.4" and over two years of ownership I've had constant struggle with tire rub on both stays running 2.4" tires from Kenda and Michelin. It got to the point that I actually cut some custom stainless steel plates and mounted them at the wear points with 3M tape to protect the frame.

 

I just love this bike.

Look forward to seeing some of the builds.

 

My experience with the rattling is with the Santa Cruz implementation of the idea. I haven’t tried the SWAT box. My attitude is that if you still need to carry a hip bag anyway for your tools etc, the tradeoffs in the frame construction (and potential rattles in the SC case) don’t seen worth it to me. But that’s just me.

I do like the way some brands like Forbidden have implemented frame storage - top tube bottle bosses for a Wolf Tooth bag or other similar solution of the rider’s choice, plus a small cavity underneath the downtube that is really only for storing a spare tube. But I do also own a frame with a Glovebox - I’m just not thrilled with this becoming a mandatory feature.

 

My glovebox never rattled. you might want to talk to SC about it.
Also idk how much stuff youre carrying in a hip pack but i fit an absurd (to me) amount of things in my glovebox. two different tools, tube, co2, patch kit and plug kit, an airtag, an emergency glow stick, zip ties, a masterlink, about ten packs of welch’s gummies, sometimes a light jacket, and a couple granola bars.

 

Anyone know why the front triangle geometries are slightly different between the carbon and alloy? I’m sure it’s not an issue, it was just curious to see the slight differences.

 

Headed over to the Transition site to check out the new Sentinel. Looks like the Scout is no more. Am I the only 27.5 enthusiast left? lol

 

Who much should frame cost?

 

$2,199 alloy
$3,399 carbon

Both with Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate

Size XS-XXL. XS is 27.5 rear wheel only. The rest are 27.5 or 29 using the flip chip adjustment.

 

Shop local to me has a purple one on the floor. Looks great! Kinda cool that the shock decal matches the frame color.

Edit to add that the storage door locks down pretty well.

 

Am I blind od do they not sell standalone carbon frame? I can only see aluminium on the product page.

 

 

I'm struggling to not off my Smuggler frame for this...

 

I can see the temptation! But then I think you'd want a Spur-class bike (Epic 8, Top Fuel, Element, etc.) to bracket the more XC/hard-pedaling end of the quiver. The Smuggler is a nice middle-ground between the XC-ish bike running 900g tires and the modern "all-mountain" bike which, as seat angles get ever-steeper, feels more and more awkward on flat ground.

 

I appreciate the refinements Transition made for the V3. It would be more appealing with a higher stack.

The MX option is a gimmick. It basically puts the geo in line with the V2. Shorter stays with a 27.5” wheel is not the move.

 

Medium carbon frames in white are delayed... 😭

Sitting on a box of parts ready to mount!

 

I saw on the sentinel exploded view that they revised this port, seem there is rubber to avoid trail debris

 

thanks for your reply, other question, cable port around the Bottomb bracket is really a pain to routing cable and plenty of trail debris
I saw on the sentinel exploded view that they revised this port, seem there is rubber to avoid trail debris

Can you post/link the port image you saw?

Edit: also found this in the PB article: "Cable routing is internal without guides; the hose and cable now pass from the front to the rear triangle near the main pivot via soft plastic trim pieces to protect them from any friction associated with linkage articulation."

 

Glad to hear that it is stiffer (probably stiffer than the spire see it weighs more).

But downer on the rear tire clearance. I am assuming that the chainstays grow due to the pivot location on the main triangle. Maybe it's just them being concerned? I really need true 2.5" clearance.

Any Intel on that front?

 

That alloy frame is pretty tempting. The increased ETT/slacker seat tube is actually a positive for me, and it's great that they're appealing to min/max riders by offering the cheaper frame with an Ultimate level shock.

 

For those who have had the opportunity to see IN PERSON the new Sentinel - what is your take on the White and Purple colorways?? Not really interested in the grey and will be ordering one sight unseen

 

The purple looks good IMO. Shop did not have a white one to compare

 

Alta,
The white looks really nice, it’s a glossy finish.

Clint Gibbs on YouTube has a review,
I rode with him that Day, and I make a 3 second appearance in the distance in that video. It’s a beautiful bike for sure!

 

What Clint misses is that the climbing performance difference between the Sentinel vs. the Spur, is 95% in the drivetrain (i.e. wheels/ tires) and frankly it's like 85% in the tires alone.

I tested this some years back by doing a timed XC loop of my own Spur vs. my SJEvo. Swapping the drivetrains swapped the speeds of these 2 bikes almost perfectly.

The tire clearance issue is a S or M problem because of the shorter CS length. If I rode those sizes I'd go to MX wheels for various reasons, and clearance is one of those reasons.

 

Those are all excellent points sir!

Clint discussed the rolling resistance and wheel weight effects, in person on our ride.
He’s aware but probably didn’t mention it in this video. Either way the sentinel is a compelling and good looking bike for sure.

Best,
Ezra

 

Got my V3 built up today! Just about to take it on it's maiden voyage. Really stoked with how it turned out!

 

So hot, looooove all the silver bits!