Vital MTB's Transition Patrol Carbon Test Bike 47

@bturman are you still riding the Patrol? don´t you feel that the 0.6 spacer gives a harsher ride? have you tried without spacers and more air?

Yes, I am still riding this bike as a platform for component reviews.

The first new gen carbon Patrol models came with a 0.4 spacer, and Transition updated their shock tune to include a 0.6 spacer for 2019 as well as some key tweaks to the damping. I've tried both versions. With the FOX shocks installed I always found it best overall at the low end of Transition's suggested sag range.

The latest tune is a good middle of the road because it addresses one of the Patrol's shortcomings of staying a little squat out back for an extended period of time on berms and jump faces. In general, riding chunky, consistently rough stuff with a more progressive air spring can feel a bit harsher, so there's a *little* loss of performance there.

I've since moved to a RockShox Super Deluxe with a MegNeg air can, which helps keep the ass end up much better. The bike feels more balanced than ever.

Looks like the casing on that rear tire is getting destroyed. What pressure are you running? Looks like a combo of low pressure and hard packed. I am running the same bike, same rear tire in WT 2.4 and use a Cush Core. After 10 solid days my tire isn't hacked like yours.

The rear tire has a hard start to life. It was originally used to get a few bikes through Vital's Test Sessions in Tucson, Arizona, which is notoriously rough on tires.

Why such a short offset fork? do you guys really notice a slower steering with the longer offset? Glad to see am not the only one that finds those "ride or die" stickers cheesy.

Dig in: https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Speed-Balanced-Geometry-Transitions-Approach-To-Creating-Better-Mountain-Bikes,1861

Paired with the right geo, benefits include calmer cornering, less deflection, more direct control, and better braking on the steeps.

...and more weight on your front tire, a boon for us tall guys on giant front centers...

Well that's a rad and no expense spared build. Good stuff.
Are these cranks any better than X01s? Can you tell a difference in flex when riding?

Titanium cranks and suspension bars.
#killlist

Man that thing looks mean

Running that exact tire combo right now and it's killer!

Would probably be riding one of these if I didn't have the nomad, shame Rockshox doesn't have a super deluxe for this frame

I'm running this tire combo too! Just the 2.5 aggressor double down...with cushcore (my Sentinel is 35 pounds...)

To be honest, I'm not sure this bike is a good candidate for a coil. The Sentinel isn't, though MT is running one on his. Its pretty flat as far as progression goes. Needs an air boinger IMO.

I was running that combo (aggressor in EXO) and liking it, but switched to a 2.3 minion in the rear and like it better. Don’t notice the rolling much except spinning it up. Thanks to @jeff.brines long chainstay sermons, i was theorizing that one reason might be that at 6’2” and on an XL Process 134 w a 426mm chainstay that i end up cornering with more input on the rear wheel and so am enjoying the extra side knob bite? Thinking I’ll run cushcore in the back next season rather than going to a DD casing.

Is that ghetto tubeless or some kind of rim strip that is overlapping the rim edge?

That's just a raised rubber ridge on the tire. Regular ol' tubeless with Stan's Race sealant.

How do you have a 37mm offset red fork?!

they... sell them? in bike shops....and on the interwebs.....

"Ride or die" on the top tube, but ROBOTS are curious if Turman's killed anyone yet. Doubtful.

I think my favorite part of the bike is the O-ring knocked off the shock. I own a Patrol and I know how hard it is to do that, lol.

Really? I had to run max volume spacers on mine, Deluxe RT shock though.

How much travel do your bars have? is something I never want to be asked

Heh. You're the first to mention travel!

Very info-filled bike check...curious if the mastic tape on the chainstays helps with the noise. Been tempted to try that myself. Maybe I'll give it a go tonight.

makes a huge difference, just have to be smart with placement

It helps quite a bit. Silenced this rig nicely.

I use mastic tape the exact same way on my chainstays. It's makes the bike dead silent. Just go through your cassette and see where the chain would impact on each ring then put the tape there.

Well sweet, I'll definitely give this a go then. I love my bike, but I get the occasionally really loud chain slap.

What's with the valve stems? Also, why no 170mm dropper?

I want to know too. Sick of Presta and want to Schrader.

The valve adapter is produced by Clever Standard. It has some flats in there to double as a core remover. Pretty handy. I agree that actual tubeless Schrader valves would be pretty sick.

150mm is very close to the height difference between my pedal bike in the up position and preferred DH bike saddle position. It's very rare that I'll need any additional room, even on the steepest bits.

Cool, thanks

I found these but not sure they are long enough?
https://www.jensonusa.com/Stans-NoTubes-MTB-Schrader-Valve-Stem

I have used the Stans Schrader valves for years and they work great.

Thanks, I'm gonna give them a try.

Damn, I can not wait for my carbon Sentinel to show up this week! That Patrol is damn good looking!

This is one of the best looking bikes, evar.
I want to hear how those bars ride as well!

I'm legitimately intrigued by the Fasst bars. Looking forward to seeing a review.

Laser etched levers, team issue red code calipers, ride or die on the top tube? The wins the award for most kook ride ever.

That's "Rice or Die". BT's a big fan of the Japanese cuisine.

Lol, right? Turman is a better rider than most journos but SRAM giving out custom parts to media guys seems a bit lame.

I missed the icing on the cake. Battery bottle! #Kooksforlife

A real kook's bike would say "Ride or Don't"

What in the actual heck are those bars about!?

must not have been able to find a NOS softride stem or girvin flexstem.

You can read about the Flexx MTB bars here: https://fasstmtb.com/products/flexx-mountain-bike-enduro

Fasst has been producing Flexx moto bars for years, and many off-road racers swear by them. MTB is a recent addition to the lineup.

I am interested to how these bars may provide $300 (+/-) more performance than the best possible carbon bars out there.

Bike of the Day October 8, 2018!