Transition

Of all the bikes in this year's Test Sessions, Transition's Relay presented a unique proposition. It might use the same compact yet powerful Fazua motor as the Santa Cruz Heckler SL and Ari Bikes' Nebo Peak, but it's the only bike that encourages riding without assistance if desired. Highlights Carbon frame (alloy models available) Two travel configurations: 160mm rear wheel travel (air) // 160mm fork (tested) 170mm rear wheel travel (coil) // 170mm fork Mixed or dual 29-inch wheels GiddyUp suspension design 60 Nm Fazua Ride 60 motor 430 Wh battery 63.3/64-degree head tube angle Size-optimized...

During the past few years as a Vital editor, I've gotten pretty good at refraining from drinking the marketing Kool-Aid spilled throughout press releases. I rarely bite at claims of more-better-optimized-everything, but when Transition launched the Relay, they got my attention. Joining the ever-evolving lightweight e-bike category, its promise of two-bikes-in-one thanks to a small drive unit and easily removable battery was anything but status quo. You're telling me I only have to sell one organ to get a mountain bike and an e-bike? Where do I sign? Fast forward through seven months of...

The Smuggler has been a staple of Transition’s line up for a while, but the very latest generation had us waiting for it as Transition took their time giving it the same refresh as the rest of the range. When the Smuggler finally returned for 2023 it featured the new design language also found on most of the other Transition bikes, along with the mandatory longer and slacker treatment. Sporting travel numbers that puts it squarely in the “trail bike” category, we were excited to make it our daily driver to figure out what it’s made of. Keep reading to find out, or watch the review in video...