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nsmb's most 'experienced' tester |
I am writing this article for all the bros who just love to ride. There are thousands of us out there. We'll never hit the road gap or that 50' booter, and we get a burning feeling in our stomach eyeing up a wooden structure 20' above our freaking heads. We know our limits. Maybe we're just starting out, maybe progressing to the next level, or maybe you're as old as dirt like me. Whatever the case, Transition Bicycle Company has built a bike that will meet your needs.
Transition was created from the dream of two bros (who are cool enough to be Canadian, but live in Seattle), Kevin Menard and Kyle Young. These guys actually go out and ride the same stuff their customers do and they're damn good at it. Their goal was to produce bikes equal to or better than today's boutique brands, but at a lower price.
What you get with the company's top-of-the-line full suspension DirtBag frame is a solid freeride bike that does exactly what you need it to do, without throwing down a ton of cash - US$959 for a quality frame, CNC'd Dangerboy rocker arm plates and a Romic shock.
The Transition DirtBag in all its glory, sitting in Faja's backyard
just waiting to go hard
I'm on my second DirtBag and I have to say the improvement from 2003 to '04 is phenomenal - these guys listened to riders' input and created a sweet ride for '04. They upped rear-end travel to 6" and 7", which is the perfect amount of travel for freeriding (the 6" setting for ripping trails fast and smooth, and 7" for going big). The DirtBag also now comes standard with the Dangerboy rocker arms, custom made by another Canadian, Shant, over at Dangerboy CNC.
The official Transition photos - bike, head tube, BB pivot and
ISCG, and rear drop out
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The rockers are one-of-a-kind items made just for the DirtBag, and the craftsmanship is amazing. The suspension glides on sealed bearing on all pivots and it utilizes the modified four-bar design that has become the standard for serious freeride bikes. Improvements from '03 include burlier chainstays, a oversized 8mm-thick head tube, a custom CNC'd bottom bracket with ISCG mounts, and the ability to accept a rear tire up to 2.8". It's tough to review the frame and shock only without taking into consideration the bike as a whole, but here goes. The frame weighs in at 10.5 lbs. - about right for an aggressive freeride machine - but feels a lot lighter when you're out there. The cockpit on the Medium frame is adequate for a 5'10" rider and puts you in an upright freeride position with a short reach from the seat to the bars. The only negative thing about the bike was that the top tube was a little short for me, but that's strictly personal preference. |
 A sweetly machined head tube |
In the tight sections, the DirtBag feels more like a 5" travel trail bike and will inspire confidence to any rider's ability. It's extremely flickable. Point this puppy downhill and it's a blast. The bike has a light, predictable feel that will hold the line and the plush 7" suspension smoothes out even the harshest impacts.
Kevin Menard of Transition exploring the DirtBag's capabilities
on Tres Hombres in Eastern Washington
The DirtBag loves taking flight and even with my uber hackness, there is no
metal-to-metal clanking. It only takes a few runs on this bike to believe what
you are feeling: stutter bumps flatten out and rocks are launching ramps. And
if you don't want to launch, plow over them. With the right parts spec and a
younger rider, the DirtBag would climb like a billy goat. This bike was designed
as an all-purpose freeride machine and deserves that title.
For the price and riding purpose, this frame is amazing. I've ridden a lot of different brands and this one does it all, which saves you from having to buy three different bikes. You can freeride, jump, trail ride and abuse the hell out of this thing. The only big problem riding the DirtBag is trying to wipe the shit-eating grin off you face while motoring down your local hill.
 The Dangerboy rocker and Romic shock combo make for a smooth ride |
The Romic and Dangerboy combination rules. It feels so smooth at slow speeds that you'll sneak a peek just to be sure the rear end is moving. At full throttle, you know it's working, giving the bike an overall quick feel. I'm 190 lbs. and running a 700 lb. spring, and it seems to be purrfect. On my last DirtBag, I ran a 650 lb. spring but only had the stock rocker arms. Switching to the Dangerboy arms and adding an extra 50 lbs. in spring weight made this bike amazing. |
What I like best about the DirtBag is when you're riding, it's almost like it's not there. I have so much faith in the frame I don't think about it, only about the next hit or off-camber corner or how the hell I'm going to make it down the next rock face. I'm just an average rider who loves to get out whenever possible. With this frame, I can ride 99% of what's out there, just a lot slower than the young guns.
As you get older, you actually start to think with your big head and it usually tells me to go around that stunt and watch the bros hit it. I've had a few minor problems with the frame (machine tolerances on the rocker arms) but the boys at Transition had the problem fixed and parts out to me via FedEx the next day. Service sells, and Kyle and Kevin look after you 100%.
Kyle Young, the other half of the Transition team, going large
on the Groovula gap
Transition has a great line-up for '05 with the DirtBag, Preston and Trail-or-Park, all beefed up with some minor improvements for '05. A new matte black colour is making its debut and a secret colour will be released in January. (Sorry, no spy photos at this time). Fortunately for us Canucks, Transition has hooked up with a Canadian distributor, which will make it easy to get your hands on a new frame or complete build. There are also some new international distributors for you overseas riders.
Kevin has also informed me they are making a big push to have complete bikes and frames available in local Canadian bike stores, so talk to your LBS if you're in the market for a DirtBag.
Ride on everyone, ride safe. The season is over in the Loops (for this old dog) and it's time to hit the Peaks - it's snow time.
Check out the Transition Web site if you want more info. Kevin and Kyle will answer any questions you have.
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