Transition Smuggler Review

Transition Smuggler
Shockingly Capable Bike for only 120mm
We test it out at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, CA
I compare this bike primarily to the Yeti SB130
A big thank you to Rhythm Bikes for the test ride!
www.rhythmbike...
/ rhythm_bikes

[@desdoolan5781]

Appreciate this channel so much, keep up the awesome work dude

[@mrpercussive]

Remember seeing you that day with that bike... Glad to hear your thoughts on it!

[@Shepski15]

I run a 2.3 Aggressor rear on my Smuggler without any issues but ya... not a ton of clearance back there. I love mine and run a 27.5 on the back for DH laps and really like it in a mullet config! It pedals really well with the stock DPS on it. I have no problems on long steep climbs.

[@ziobersan]

Cant wait for your SB140 opinion. I got a similar purpose bike and I am curius how that top of the line bike is compare to my funbike.

[@csparksnc1]

YA bring on the 140!

[@dav31078]

I'm liking the quick review format. 👍

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Nice review. I have a2018 Smuggler and love it. I do flip the climb switch often and it is a great bike.

[@tamserenity]

I have that problem with my bike too. Hitting the chain stay with my heal. I put some mastic tape on mine.

[@m00nchildblues]

Thanks for feedback alex. Funny how I say the same of my HD4 thinking it's too heavy,not poppy,sluggish,etc. But comes jeff kendleweed who completely says it's the rider on the hd4, jeff pops like a jackrabbit anything he rides. I see the average weight of a expert rider is 130-160lbs..maybe I need to lose 20 lbs? lol

[@RyanBoardman234s]

I agree. Sounds just like a mini Sentinel.

[@leonidassparte8101]

An another great video ! Keep up motivation ! A cuckoo from France !

[@tommasomoncini]

Congratulations for the video ... how do you feel this bike in the most challenging climbs and on the pedalable plains?

[@BrianVaughn]

That rear tire clearance is a big flaw. I really wanted one of these but the local dealer dropped Transition so I went elsewhere.

[@KeanuSwayze]

Hi Brian - I own the Smuggler and run a 2.4 DHR on the back with no clearance issues on the Minnesota trails. But yeah, it's a bummer there are no Transition dealers around here.

[@BrianVaughn]

@@KeanuSwayze yeah, I run 2.6 tires on my 5010. I was really hoping to give that one and the Scout a try.

[@KeanuSwayze]

@@BrianVaughn Ah, won't fit a 2.6 in the rear. I have seen a 2.5 Aggressors on Smugglers. The Scout will fit 2.6 though. 5010 is a great bike! I had one last season.

[@anikmariejacques]

Great review. Very usefull. Can you please review and give your thoughts on the Trek Fuel EX and Norco Optic 2020. Looking forward to it.

[@jnichols959]

any chance you might end up reviewing a devinci django or norco optic? both bikes have slightly longer chainstays (based on size) and are in that 120/125 x 140 travel range. i'd love to hear your thoughts compared to this bike and the sb130. love your reviews. keep up the great work.

[@ScottDougherty96]

They come with that Fox 36 stock.

[@stevendaniels233]

Will we see a specialized enduro review?

[@alexthemtbr]

Steven Daniels There will probably be a large channel update coming soon ...

[@elipage2665]

@@alexthemtbr YUH

[@roik.6694]

Man,I saw people shred this bike like if it was a full on enduro.

[@alexthemtbr]

roi k. It honestly rides exactly like the sentinel. The speeds you can go are just insane. But why does it pedal so poorly :/

[@roik.6694]

@@alexthemtbr same reason it shred so well, suspension kinematics designed with minimum anti squat and of course extreme geometry.

[@sohaibyounus]

Can you try out the 2020 Trek Fuel Ex and compare ot to the SB 130, and the Smuggler. Really interested to see how would it stap against these similar travel bikes.

[@xpaullywogx]

The dpx2 completely transforms this bike.

[@MTBEH]

Awesome video

[@collinboy3402]

WOW THATS CRAZY!!!

[@wookiebmx]

Tallboy review next mate 👍

[@alexthemtbr]

MTB Wookie I’m trying for that one! Honestly has to be one of the best bikes of the year

[@wookiebmx]

@@alexthemtbr yeah i have a Mega XTR on order, Tallboy would compliment it as XC/Trail bike

[@realornot6460]

My smuggler pedals great

[@alexthemtbr]

Kevin Mcleod I wish I had more time to try different sag values and compression settings. Just 2 rides :/ If I pedaled well, this would be one of the rowdiest Trail bikes out there!

[@KeanuSwayze]

Mine does, too

[@Krigloch]

Not being able to put a 2.5 on a boost rear end is really dumb. Isn't every trail rider running 2.4-2.5 tires nowdays?

[@pbls43]

You definitely need to try a Sentinel

[@cheekykent]

or a patrol! its a beast

[@JGD444]

Or a spur

[@pbrenneman5]

Do you think we'll see a surge toward shorter travel bikes soon? Seems like the industry swung way to the long, low, slack extreme so I wonder if we'll see a correction once people realize those bikes ride like crap

[@alexthemtbr]

Paul Brenneman spot on my dude!! Glad other people realize that

[@pbrenneman5]

Alex Chamberlin likewise! Been riding a 180mm enduro bike for the last year but finally said “screw it you all are wrong about this long low and slack bs” and bought a 5010... loving having the pop and play back in the ride again!

[@mtbboy1993]

thx, it does not seem to be the bike for me. but I rather have it than my bike.

[@ogden99]

Title says Sentinel, bud.

[@alinghi008]

thought I was crazy when I saw the notification and then later opened it on my laptop :P

[@alexthemtbr]

posted at 3:00AM, my apologies

[@Montezuma0]

I’d consider this bike if the Transition logo on the down tube didn’t look like it belonged on a $300 Walmart bike

[@christopherwalden8378]

I don’t think Fox makes that fork in 140mm of travel.? Could be the reason the bike didn’t ride as well for you.

[@alexthemtbr]

Christopher Walden the bike rode great! As I said In the review. And yes, fox sells reduce travel air shafts to lower the fork

[@christopherwalden8378]

Ok. I meant it as far as the climbing goes because I own that bike and I feel like it climbs pretty good but I only can compare it to the bikes I have ridden.

[@alexthemtbr]

Christopher Walden I’ve ridden so many bikes at this point, I would say I have one of the better grasps on the current market and bike performance at this point. This bike does not compare to even bikes of much more travel when It comes to climbing. That is very normal for a bike with Horst link suspension.

[@OG_SQUID_MTB]

The Knolly Fugitive destroys the Smuggler.

[@alexthemtbr]

Ben Cipollina would love to try one out some day

[@thecount1001]

i would not want to ride 50 miles on a mountain bike. period.