I Bought a Transition After Doing This Review | Transition Relay in Depth Review

[@jokermtb]

I rode a ton of different e-mtb's this fall, to see if I liked full-power, super lightweight, medium power type bikes. I've been mtb'ing since the late 1980's, and was an early adopter of full suspension, so as I got older, my interest in e-mtbs grew to the point that at 57, my wife and I were looking at adding two e-mtbs. Fast forward, we ran into two Transition Relay's (alloy for me, carbon for her) on sale at a bentonville bike shop and we snapped em both up right then an there (after spending a whole week riding different brand e-mtb's). I love the way the Relay rides and handles, and it's low-medium power output still makes it pedal like a regular bike (not have to manage the bigger power bubbles of the full power bikes - the lunging of higher power motors like EP801's and Bosch CX motors can be a bit too much to manage - I prefer a little assist). It's definitely in that inbetween zone of regular meat-powered bike and a full-fat emtb. You do have to pull a bit different to get the front end up for jumps and wheelies with the battery weight (I don't have any problems bunny hopping it or popping off sidehits), but for the most part, it mimics a heavyweight enduro bike trail feel. It's definitely different from most brands, but I really like what transition has done here - not your typical e-mtb.

[@Projectnortheast]

@jokermtb agreed... i really liked the relay. The fuel exe was nice as well but not nearly as capable as the relay. Id honestly like to see a full 29er version as I think the 27.5 is fine for with the battery bit the full 29 would be better to keep speed without the battery for instance when hitting jump lines etc.

[@billycarroll4230]

@@Projectnortheastthey do have a full 29er version it’s in my garage. Borrow it if you want to try it 😂

[@Projectnortheast]

@@billycarroll4230 you have a repeater?

[@billycarroll4230]

@@Projectnortheast no a full 29er relay 160/160

[@Projectnortheast]

@billycarroll4230 oh dang! That must ride better without the battery cuz that was my main issue as it would slow down with the 27.5 wheel on studder bump jumplines

[@YngveSjo]

Great honest review 👍 I did a 2400ft climb on 30/60/10 tractor road/step trail/pushbike on full power, had it in eco down and still had 43% left. Also, if you have an inverter in the car, or have an EV with V2L/V2G, you can charge the battery during the commute between trails and lunch break 😁

[@Projectnortheast]

@@YngveSjo great honest reviews are my thing... 😁

[@JJ_MTB_15]

Great review. You should try to swing a leg over a Repeater PT or Propain Ekano 2 with the Sram Brose motor, it's the most natural feeling one i've felt, no lunging and the power management makes it ride like a regular bike. I find the full powers are so damn plush but they're equally as hard to slow down at places like arrowhead or hurricane mountain. Never intended to be a replacement for a "pedal" bike IMO but they do supplement them well for 5,000' days.

[@Projectnortheast]

@JJ_MTB_15 yeah I've tried some smoother motors for sure... the treks are way smoother that's why I mentioned it as a con for this bike. I think if the power delivery was smooth I don't think I would have any cons other than the battery door! I see an ebike for me for those consecutive ride days... I'll routinely do a 5k day but if I wanted to ride the next day that's where I could see the ebike coming into play for me

[@livefreeandshred9818]

For me it’s full power e bike, in boost or trail the whole time. Because I’m probably short on time or running out of light. I get the 2 bikes in 2 thing for sure. I don’t mind the weight to be honest

[@Projectnortheast]

@livefreeandshred9818 I think its because you are a dirtbiker turned mtber that you don't mind the weight much. I actually really think you'd like this bike and too bad I didn't have it for longer so you could compare. The battery life was MUCH better than the fuel exe and would easily last your average ride in it's highest mode...

[@OverTheHillMTB]

first, very balanced review. i think that uphill motor engagement is just an e-bike thing if you have a modern motor w/ 40-60nms on regular mode. i have only ridden 3 e-bikes, not this one and the thing i had to teach myself the first time and every time i try one is going up a climb trail, in particular, w/ berms and how to position the bike and pedal consistently through the turn, first time i kept blowing through the berms or you get stuck and then reengage and "boom" you are off trail...otherwise the motor engagement on Specialized, Pivot and the Intense i have ridden are awesome on techie climb bits and perfect on the bermy climb trails once you adjust your technique. i can hear the haters, i don't want to have to adjust my technique...we have been adjusting our technique all for the better since the invention of mountain bikes, so shhhhhh.

[@Projectnortheast]

@LexZolnir haha true... I would say the initial engagement of the motor is definitely harsher and more noticeable than the motor the treks use like the fuel exe and the slash +. As I said in the video I found it actually enjoyable once I got used to it ... but the thing that worked best was climbing tech out of the saddle in eco as it kept the power going and kept traction. I know it sounds funny to say to do this with an ebike but if you attacked the climbs it was WAY better than trying to sit and spin and letting the motor do all the worm

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Transition e-bikes are the most overpriced bikes on market.

[@Projectnortheast]

@ondrejjanoska660 which ones arent?