Transition Relay Review - Vital's SL eMTB Test Sessions

[@kangsterizer]

1) Relay is heavier than many SL bikes but it's also a bigger bike.... specially with the PNW build, but even without. The two that compare are the Kenevo SL (smaller battery) and the new Moondraker AFAIK. IMO this bike only makes completely sense with the PNW build either way. I suspect its how they tested and built it too, so 170m 38 and 170mm dhx coil shock. 2) Removing the battery isnt just about biking without battery.. you can .. swap the battery with a fresh one and do more laps! that's MUCH more interesting IMO. It takes a lot to do on the other bikes (unscrew things, sometimes modify the frame even), this one is a 20s swap. Shouldn't you be the ones pointing that out? ;) 3) You can't dim the lights. Doesn't bother me, but, yeah. 4) I don't have any rattle from the battery mount/interface, it's the cables and the battery cover. its annoying to fix on an expensive bike, you should not have to - but once you do, no more noise. You'll find everyone says this in forums too... Why I'm taking the time to write this? There's no equivalent SL bike - I find - and that's probably part of transition's fault - reviewers haven't fully figured it out - such as the fact that you can lap 2h full speed if you want and .. swap battery boom another 2h full speed (or 4h mid speed). I also don't think transition should have offered the non-PNW build . The other SMALLER SL bikes are arguably better in these categories. Hope this helps someone.

[@DougDorsey-d9h]

I think you guys missed the point of this bike, at least for what I was looking for. As an older rider, I would like a little help getting up some of the long climbs, but didn’t want the bike to do all the work. I actually use this with the motor turned off for the first few climbs and that’s what the battery still installed. As the ride goes on and I start getting a little tired, I then rely on the bike to help me. I think this is a great idea for a bike in between a standard mountain bike and a full power mountain bike.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

lol, that's what the eco/low power settings are for, and the entire reason the 'SL' category of bikes exist.

[@luigimassello4357]

Having recently ridden the relay at beacon hill in Spokane courtesy of rental from hub I agree with some of the points made but I found this bike amazing and appreciate the fact that you have to work to ride it. I’m old mx desert now Kauai dirt bike rider who also rides mtb. Having been a hater of e-bikes in general because of obvious fitness benefits of peddling an seeing so many fluffy types riding them. Well after having an absolute blast I realized that if I want the kind of power you guys prefer I will just ride my dirt bikes but that’s not the case here because besides the cheesy control switch this Fazua/Porcsche motor inspires confidence along with beautiful matching power not overwhelming power.

[@skipro561]

This is premier sniveling of rich white guys. I can’t believe the incredibly small stuff they are whining about. The Relay kicks ass. Love the help riding up in breeze or river and on the DH the 160/160 suspension is awesome. I’m able to double all kinds of stuff I couldn’t clear before and setting all kinds of PRs. The motor is super quiet and I don’t even hear it. Never noticed the lights being bright or maybe I’m just looking where I’m going and enjoying being outside! Ride as much as I want and can’t get the battery under 60%. The Relay is absolutely sick. Total game changer. Couldn’t be happier with the price point and bang for the buck on my first E-bike. So happy I went and bought a Transition Sentinel for my son.

[@parker6711]

Are you serious? This is a bike review. Reviewers are obligated to be meticulous about every detail; otherwise, it wouldn't constitute a proper review. Regardless if the review was subpar, this is their job, and to suggest it has anything to do with economic status or race is not only baseless but also reflects a lack of critical thinking.

[@syncbox]

Nice that it comes in xxl too

[@dhmad0069]

Removing the battery for bike park seems a good idea.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

Meh. I'd just leave it in. Like I do with your m0m

[@mikes.8305]

I rode this bike in mullet form with the flip chip. It was really fun! Ugly AF with that beer can head tube though. I ended up buying the heckler SL though. Better looking and almost as capable DH. More fun on mellower or jump trails. Also I don’t want to take the batter out to charge it every time. I have a house with outlets on the ground floor. Cool option for people though.

[@UCmbcOzJtKHxMdL71j19JVDA]

Nice to see some JMP trails!

[@harleyharrison9180]

And the top of gen ed for the bike b role

[@applicablerobot]

Is the USB port limited to 1 amp? Almost pointless if that's the case

[@kevinc7632]

It said somewhere in bike docs its not for charging anything. Only to hook bike to a computer for changes/information.

[@applicablerobot]

@@kevinc7632 ahhh, that makes sense. It's a shame more ebikes don't come with the ability to charge a phone. Would be a nice safety backup, especially for lights like the outbound models that support passthrough power. In terms of circuitry it's pretty simple

[@kevinc7632]

@@applicablerobot i end my avg ride with %40 battery so it could have but prob not done to limit failures.

[@applicablerobot]

@@kevinc7632 my bet would be cost cutting and the trappings of proprietary systems. Electrically it's just a buck converter and usb-c power delivery chip (same thing that's in modern cars), but that takes testing, qualification, and a bunch of other stuff to be able to sell it