Transition

Of all the bikes in this year's Test Sessions, Transition's Relay presented a unique proposition. It might use the same compact yet powerful Fazua motor as the Santa Cruz Heckler SL and Ari Bikes' Nebo Peak, but it's the only bike that encourages riding without assistance if desired. Highlights Carbon frame (alloy models available) Two travel configurations: 160mm rear wheel travel (air) // 160mm fork (tested) 170mm rear wheel travel (coil) // 170mm fork Mixed or dual 29-inch wheels GiddyUp suspension design 60 Nm Fazua Ride 60 motor 430 Wh battery 63.3/64-degree head tube angle Size-optimized...

Over the last few years, I feel I've drifted away from my prior love or pedaling and trail riding and ended up just craving shuttle days and ebiking fire roads. This bike reminded me how enjoyable it is to get way out in the woods and be rewarded for putting some effort in. Plus, when things did get gnarly, this bike was able to handle just about everything I would do on my 160mm+ travel bikes. So pumped I pulled the trigger and so grateful to have my love of pedaling back!

During the past few years as a Vital editor, I've gotten pretty good at refraining from drinking the marketing Kool-Aid spilled throughout press releases. I rarely bite at claims of more-better-optimized-everything, but when Transition launched the Relay, they got my attention. Joining the ever-evolving lightweight e-bike category, its promise of two-bikes-in-one thanks to a small drive unit and easily removable battery was anything but status quo. You're telling me I only have to sell one organ to get a mountain bike and an e-bike? Where do I sign? Fast forward through seven months of...