2020 Transition Sentinel V2 | Overview & Review| Time Attack

[@fueledbycoffee1455]

Awesome review mate. There’s only few reviews of the sentinel and I definitely considered your review before buying one. Just got a custom build as well. Not crazy custom but an NX build with an upgraded lyrik ultimate in boxxer red. Coming from a patrol 2016 that I rode for 5 years, this bike fits like a glove when I tried it.

[@RideEatWander]

Awesome you are able to get a bike in these times! That fork upgrade will be well worth it. Enjoy your sentinel!

[@jeffg8243]

Enjoyed your Sentinel review. I might pull the trigger on an XL 2020 Sentinel which I rode recently. Being 6'2" --I seem to be lined up well on the Transitions size chart but can't help but wonder how the XXL would ride. I did not feel jammed up with reach and maybe the stack height might have been only slight lower than preferred on the XL, but you mention stability and now second guessing sizing up to XXL. Still growing as well, might be taller in a year from now. Thanks

[@RideEatWander]

Absolutely! Glad you found this helpful!

[@mtbboy1993]

I like the new channel name, probably much easier to remember.

[@RideEatWander]

Thanks Johannes!

[@billw_mtb3220]

Great review! I’ve always wanted to try a transition bike.

[@RideEatWander]

Thanks Bill. I really like the lines of the newest fleet

[@vadimdenishenko1907]

Curious about your comparison of Sentinel V2 vs. Megatower!?

[@RideEatWander]

Hi Vadim, as objective as possible I would break it down this way. Climbing efficiency: Equal Climbing performance: sentinel (how it tracks the ground climbing with a tight chain) Downhill performance: Megatower Playfulness: sentinel Adjustability: Megatower If you want me to break it down even further just let me know but these are the quick reactions I had to riding them both.

[@vadimdenishenko1907]

@@RideEatWander thanks! Yeah, any other insights you have on those two would be helpful. I am getting one of them next spring (coming off 19 Jeffsy pro race) but struggling to make a pick. I demoed Mega last yr but prob won't be able to demo Sentinel as im looking at XXL size (bike shops don't carry that in stock). Looking for do it all bike for local trails and Enduro racing

[@RideEatWander]

I think with enduro in mind the megatower is the one to get. It will accept a 170mm fork easily and be more comfortable and handle big bike parks easily. With mods from cascade components you could even make it as big as a 180mm bike.

[@TheJollyElf]

Cool review...any other bikes in the hill climb/downhill timed gauntlet test? Also, curious how you would compare to the HTLT since looks like you had one...asking as I had an HTLT and loved it so its a good point of reference for me...such a light bike for 150mm of travel. cheers.

[@RideEatWander]

Demo bikes are hard to find these days. Most shops are selling anything they can get their hands on. I hope next year is better for demos. The Hightower LT was a great bike but I would have to go with the Sentinel especially this version. The geometry numbers are far more comfortable and confident and the suspension platform it rides on performs better than the version of VPP the LT rode on.

[@peanutbutter2182]

Nice review, what size do you ride? I am 187cm height, I am considering L or Xl.

[@RideEatWander]

This was the large bit I would probably go XL for you for all purpose riding.

[@aleszverca]

Hey loved the review of the Sentinel, you mentioned it's a large right? How tall are you and what's your inseam? With my 5' 10.3" with a 32" inseam. Have a 1" longer wingspan than height. So with my height I'm between a medium and a large...

[@RideEatWander]

I’m 6 foot with a 32” inseam as well. The bike felt smaller with a super short stem and 760 bars. I reckon with a 40mm stem or longer plus maybe wider bars it would feel really balanced. Medium if your trials are right and technical but a large if they are faster and flow better.

[@aleszverca]

@@RideEatWander thanks that gives me a good insight on my decision, keep up the reviews and happy riding on the Sentinel ✌😃

[@RideEatWander]

Thanks man! Cheers!

[@CCWclassic]

Curious why this new sentinel would be less stable than the previous... is it just the more progressive suspension? The geo numbers are nearly identical?

[@RideEatWander]

It’s hard to pinpoint. I’ve talked with others, lbs friends and they all say the same thing. When the sentinel first came out, transition really lead the way with the new geometry changes with the less offset, slack head angles and steeler seat angles. It really felt different compared to other 29ers of that time. Fast forward to now and we have all been riding these kinds of bikes so it doesn’t quite have the revolutionary feeling like it once did. Couple that with the frame being much lighter than the previous generation and I think that’s why it didn’t feel quite the same. Sometimes lighter isn’t always better but in this case it made for a more balanced package.

[@CCWclassic]

@@RideEatWander cool, thanks for the insight!

[@RideEatWander]

You are welcome!

[@braaap690]

Why did you change the channel name Andrew?

[@RideEatWander]

I think it was a good time to change some things around after a long break. I liked the creativeness of my original name but it was hard to say or spell for a lot of people. This is a lot easier to recognize in my opinion but I’m sure it’s a split decision.

[@samstabinsky93]

What would you pick between the sentinel and a Santa Cruz bronson

[@RideEatWander]

Man they feel similar. Pretty playful and Pedel well. Your question will become more if you want to ride a 29er or 27.5. The sentinel was pretty playful and climbed well so I would almost say the sentinel checks all the boxes. The Santa Cruz has their VPP which I think is a love hate but if you love the feel than it will work for you. You could also try a mullet conversion with the Bronson.

[@samstabinsky93]

@@RideEatWander rn I’m riding on a 29er but I’m debating with 27.5 because I’ve heard it’s more playful. When u ride the sentinel does it have a poppy feeling? And do u think it’s jump inspiring?

[@RideEatWander]

The sentinel is more playful than other 29ers I have ridden and it definitely has some pop. What are you on now?

[@samstabinsky93]

@@RideEatWander right now I’m on a salsa horsethief. It was my first full sus and I got it for a good price but now I’m looking towards upgrading for a more aggressive bike to ride. I was thinking around the 140-160mm of travel range.

[@RideEatWander]

Your options are almost endless. Geometry on all wheel sizes has become very good and any bike these days is capable. If you want a fun 29er I would like at like maybe a trance x, evil following, sentinel as we have been talking about, stump jumper evo. Do you have the ability to try and demos?

[@davidgunther1282]

I find it confusing as to why you would compare this bike to a SC Nomad mullet bike, one, because of the rarity of off-the-shelf mullet bikes and two, the fact that the Sentinel is not one.

[@RideEatWander]

Well the concern was the trope that 29ers are not playful and handle really slow. Going all in on a new bike is an expensive endeavor just to realize it’s not for you. The suggestion was if someone was curious about a 29er but had a 27.5 bike they could try a mullet to start and see how they like the half way there feel.

[@davidgunther1282]

@@RideEatWander ah. I get it now. Cool.

[@Richardsnot]

just a tip, it makes no sense to say you built it frame up then use the phrase "you're gonna get a" I.e no sentinel will come with that spec. it was rough to listen to, no harm meant.

[@RideEatWander]

Thank you for the feedback! Always appreciated.

[@Richardsnot]

@@RideEatWander cheers dude

[@xhead86]

Wash your bike son!

[@RideEatWander]

Ha! Mud is a badge of honor!

[@joejoemtb8011]

@@RideEatWanderor a sign of laziness! Just kidding!

[@RideEatWander]

It’s not a bad hypothesis