Posts
8
Joined
4/16/2019
Location
Seattle, WA, USA
Edited Date/Time
5/1/2019 1:43pm
The overlay isn't perfect, but there are definitely differences between Tahnee's bike and the TR11 that Transition currently has for sale. Seat tube/bb junction is definitely different and the shock mount looks like it has moved forwards on the front triangle. 
Has anyone spent any time on the 2026 TR11? It's like a desert out there when it comes to reviews... Looking at the XL TR11 as an option to replace my R3 Session (mullet & -1° cups). Mostly riding steep, reasonably fast, technical shuttle trails.
I'm a bit under 6'2 so I'm kinda in between sizes. I've bounced around on a couple larges and they felt way too small, so thinking XL with the short cups and slack setting
Anyone have any experience with this bike?
There's not alot as official reviews, but there some pretty good info here. This will most definitely be my next downhill bike when my Supreme v4's frame cracks.
I've noticed alot of bike companies are releasing new bikes and not doing big press camps on them anymore. I believe its just based on the money in the industry right now.
Thanks! Hilarious that pretty much the only real world discussion on this bike is buried deep in a thread about whistler bike park!
I had the opportunity to ride the new TR11 (size XL) for a day at Angel Fire this summer. Loved it! Had a similar ride feel to my old Spire, but with more travel. I didn't mess with the CHIPS and SALSA features.
I will likely grab a used one before next park season.
So I did a run today on a large in the stock reach with +5mm chainstay chips and the low & linear setting. It was too small for me for sure, but I could tell it's a pretty dialed bike. Nice neutral riding position, high stack, and smooth, fluttery suspension were my main take aways. It's intuitive to ride and definitely felt like it could snap around if needed it to. Reminded me a bit of the supreme v5 in the high linear setting, but with a slacker HTA (which felt too steep on the supreme for our local trails in my opinion). It didn't feel dissimilar to my Trek session, but perhaps a bit more composed with the high stack and slightly longer rear end.
I'd go for an XL personally and run some stiffer pressure in the suspension, but it's definitely a capable DH rig.
Well, I've owned the new TR11 now for a couple weeks and I've ridden it enough to jot down a few words for anyone who is looking for more info on this bike...
Me, I'm 6'2" / 200lbs. I'm coming off a Trek Session so that is my main point of reference, but have also recently ridden the current V10. I'm predominantly riding steeper, technical, natural DH trails. Lots of roots, steeps, compressions, chutes, and slappy corners. I haven't had a chance to get it in a bike park yet. My current set-up is:
The XL seemed pretty big on paper, but I tried the Large previously and it was way too small. The new bike is a bit stretched out compared to the Session, but I'm quickly getting used to it. With the high stack and low BB, you can just kind of stand there and tilt the bars and the bike initiates & holds a nice turn. The chainstays are ~10mm longer than the Session, so I've definitely noticed improved front end grip, despite the sky-high stack & bar height. It seems to favor a more upright neutral stance compared to the more attack position i was previously using on the Session. It's probably a combo of the high stack/low BB/ longer rear end?
One characteristic I really like is when the back end squats down and digs in under heavy pulses of braking. The Trek did this really well. The Transition definitely does it too which is awesome, but probably not quite as well as the Session. I am glad to have some chain dampening/pedal kickback devices on here. The bike definitely has a bit of pedal feedback in those slower, high braking moments, but between the o-chain & sidekick it's totally fine. I'm curious to try increased settings on both devices to find that happy spot. I've always wanted more than the 12 degrees my o-chain provided... I'm at 18 degrees combined now, and curious if I can go bigger. I'm also glad I've got the shorty cranks, because @ 344mm in the low setting, this BB is a bottomfeeder.
It's definitely a big bike that wants to go fast and feels best doing that, but I've been pleasantly surprised how maneuverable it is in tighter sections and how hard it can slap a G'd-out tight turn. Overall, it's a bit longer than the Session and I think this translates to being a tad more unweildly in tight spots, but it's by no means bad, and is very possibly something that I'll continue getting used to and improving upon. It's got nice fluttery suspension and feels surprisingly like my Session when up to speed plowing through choppy stuff & compressions. Perhaps the TR11 has a little more feedback (no high pivot/ less rearward axle path) or perhaps it's still an air shock / shock tune issue? (see comments below). I tried the Linear setting out first for a few days and it was good, but I was pretty happy when I switched to the progressive setting as it gained so much traction with a nice ramp-up.
My main complaint so far has been the shock. Admittedly, I'm extremely air shock skeptical, and this Vivid does seem alright, but I don't think Transition got the right tune for bigger, heavier, harder riders. I've got this thing absolutely maxed out and every once in a while, I still get an unsettling spike when I blow through the rest of the travel unexpectedly. This has fully sent my body position into chaos the handful of times when it's happened. Maybe the bike has just made me so fast that I'm not used to the speed & forces? Haha ya right, this shock just isn't cutting the mustard. Needless to say, I'll be coil shock shopping over the winter and hopefully can get an appropriate tune sorted out.
In terms of contemporary bikes, I'd buy the the TR11 over the V10 in a heartbeat. The V10 was awesome, but holy hell it's expensive in comparison & has no mullet option in XL. I'd also say the TR11 has a few more trophy truck-like qualities that suit me better than the V10, and it seems every bit as maneuverable. The Mondraker was the other bike I was considering, but unfortunately they are hard to come by & I never managed to throw a leg over one. With respect to the Session, the TR11 gives up a little in a few places, but it gains a lot in others. I'm happy with the bike and consider it a solid upgrade on my Session.
Sorry for the long spiel, but I was really struggling to find any info on this bike for months so hopefully this will be helpful to anyone who is considering it!
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