2018 Transition Sentinel X01
(discontinued)

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Vital Rating:
Discontinued
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Review - 2018 Transition Sentinel X01 from Vital MTB Test Sessions
Transition's fresh approach to geometry results in a bike that handles incredibly well, encouraging you to get after it that much harder. It's portly but built to last.
Rating:
Vital Review

During the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions, the Transition Sentinel went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Sentinel. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more.

Highlights

  • Aluminum frame
  • 29-inch wheels
  • 140mm (5.5-inches) of rear wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork travel
  • GiddyUp 2.0hh suspension
  • Trunnion style 205x57.5mm Metric shock
  • Shorter 44mm offset fork
  • Molded rubber chainstay and downtube protection
  • Rattle-free internal cable port covers
  • External rear brake cable routing
  • 180mm rear brake post mount
  • Collet main pivot
  • Enduro Max sealed bearings
  • Threaded bottom bracket with ISCG05 mounts
  • 1X-specific drivetrain
  • Boost 148mm rear spacing with 12mm through axle
  • Measured weight (size medium, no pedals): 32.4-pounds (14.7kg)
  • Three year warranty
  • MSRP $5,000 USD

Strengths

Transition has come up with an excellent combination of geometry and handling that makes low and slack viable in almost all trail conditions – just a few years ago long and slack almost certainly meant not that good at slow speed maneuvering. The Sentinel really excels when trails are fast, swoopy, jumpy, and anytime there is a change of direction. Leaning into turns feels incredibly natural.

It is happiest when pointed downhill, but can go uphill surprisingly well considering its girth. The bike is efficient and keeps its speed well – so well we were often speed-checking ourselves so as not to over-clear jumps. It is great at communicating what is going on with the tires thanks to slightly less rear travel and a stout rear end.

Handling feels fast and direct, but curiously never unstable. Our trust in the bike inspired us to go for some riskier but faster lines. It really must be experienced. We also appreciated extra room to move around the bike provided by the 170mm RockShox Reverb dropper post.

Weaknesses

The Sentinel's handling qualities gently bring you up to warp speed in no time, and the 140mm of not-so-progressive rear travel can get used up quickly when that happens in the rough. This can feel like the rear end is getting a little overwhelmed, making for a more jarring ride at times compared to many of the other bikes in our test.

The finish wasn't the most durable on our Sentinel, showing several paint chips after just a handful of good rides. At a frame weight of 9.3-pounds (4.2kg), it's a good deal heavier than most. There is no getting around the fact that you will not have the lightest bike out there on the aluminum Sentinel.

Suggested upgrades for a few hundred dollars: A meatier front tire and 200mm front rotor would go a long way on this ride. We'd also add some chain slap protection to the inside of the seatstay and some 3M vinyl all over to keep the paint fresh.

Geometry

Suspension Analysis

Using the bike industry's leading linkage analysis software, André Santos was able to determine a close approximation of the Sentinel's kinematics for the purpose of this review. Though they don't always tell the full story, these charts provide great insight into several key factors that impact how it rides.

André's Observations:

  • The Sentinel is a slightly progressive bike at 11%, meaning that it’s relatively easy to use full travel. You may experience some harsh bottom-outs on heavier impacts.
  • Great pedaling efficiency with 110% anti-squat values on most rear cogs for a 30-tooth chainring.
  • The amount of chain growth and pedal kickback are less than normal for the segment.
  • Quite low anti-rise values at near 40%. This means that the suspension is relatively unaffected by braking forces, but there is still some geometry preservation under rear braking.
  • Overall, the Sentinel is a slightly progressive bike with very good pedaling efficiency.

Vital's preferred suspension settings for a 175-pound rider on stock components: 33% (19mm) sag // LSC - 4 clicks from full firm

What's The Bottom Line?

Transition's Sentinel is an exceptional ride. Despite being heavy, short on rear travel, and having the smallest tires in the test, it just oozes fun and confidence. The front and rear balance is good and trail feel is spectacular – until it gets super chunky, that is, when others in its class outshine it a little. The shorter rear travel aids with climbing efficiency and makes it better suited to a wider range of trails than full-on brawler long-travel 29ers. A skilled rider will get along with this bike really well, while riders gaining more experience will be able to progress quickly because of how communicative it is. Can the Transition get you into bad situations? Sure, but when you're at the limits, the Sentinel will let you walk that line extremely well. If you can afford more, we'd suggest investing in the carbon frame and saving 2.5-pounds.

Visit www.transitionbikes.com and the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions feature for more details.

Vital MTB Rating


About The Testers

Steve Wentz - Age: 33 // Years Riding: 21 // Height: 5'8" (1.73m) // Weight: 174-pounds (78.9kg)

"Despite what it looks like, I'm really precise and calculated, which I'm trying to get away from. I'm trying to drop my heels more and just let it go." Steve is able to set up a bike close to perfectly within minutes, ride at close to 100% on new trails and replicate what he did that first time over and over. He's been racing Pro DH for 15+ years including World Cups, routinely tests out prototype products, and can squish a bike harder than anyone else we know. Today he builds some of the best trails in the world.

Brandon Turman - Age: 31 // Years Riding: 16 // Height: 5'10" (1.78m) // Weight: 175-pounds (79.4kg)

"I like to have fun, pop off the bonus lines on the sides of the trail, get aggressive when I feel in tune with a bike, and really mash on the pedals and open it up when pointed downhill." Formerly a Mechanical Engineer and Pro downhill racer, Brandon brings a unique perspective to the testing game as Vital MTB's resident product guy. He has on-trail familiarity with nearly every new innovation in our sport from the past several years and a really good feel for what's what.

Photos by Luca Cometti // Video by gordo with assistance from Suspended Productions

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Specifications

Product
Transition Sentinel X01
Model Year
2018
Riding Type
Enduro / All-Mountain
Trail
Rider
Unisex
Sizes and Geometry
S
M
L
XL
Wheel Size
29"
Frame Material
Aluminum
Frame Material Details
Internal rear derailleur and external rear brake cable routing
Rear Travel
140mm
Rear Shock
FOX DPX2 Performance Elite, trunnion style metric shock
Fork
FOX 36 Float RC2 Performance Elite
Fork Travel
160mm
Head Tube Diameter
Tapered
Headset
Cane Creek 40 Series, zero-stack
Handlebar
Race Face Turbine R 35, 800mm width
Stem
Race Face Turbine R, 40mm length
Grips
ODI Elite Flow
Brakes
SRAM Code RSC calipers, SRAM Centerline 180mm rotors
Brake Levers
SRAM Code RSC
Drivetrain
1x
Shifters
SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-Speed
Front Derailleur
N/A
Rear Derailleur
SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-Speed
ISCG Tabs
ISCG05
Chainguide
N/A
Cranks
SRAM Descendent Carbon, 170mm length
Chainrings
SRAM 30 tooth, narrow/wide
Bottom Bracket
Threaded 73mm
Pedals
N/A
Chain
SRAM GX Eagle
Cassette
SRAM XG-1275, 10-50 tooth
Rims
e*thirteen TRS+
Hubs
e*thirteen TRS+
Spokes
 
Tires
Maxxis Minion DHF | Maxxis Minion DHR II, 29" x 2.3" EXO 3C
Saddle
ANVL Forge Stealth Cromo
Seatpost
RockShox Reverb Stealth, 1x remote
Seatpost Diameter
31.6mm
Seatpost Clamp
Standard, single bolt
Rear Dropout / Hub Dimensions
12mm x 148mm
Max. Tire Size
29" x 2.5"
Bottle Cage Mounts
Yes
Colors
TR Blue, Blackpowder
Warranty
3 full years for original owners from the date of purchase against material defect and manufacturing quality
Weight
32 lb 6.9 oz (14,710 g)
Miscellaneous
Molded rubber chainstay and downtube protection
Rattle-free internal cable port covers
External rear brake cable routing
180mm rear brake post mount
Collet main pivot
Enduro Max sealed bearings
Price
$4,999.00
What do you think?
Where To Buy
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
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