Today we present you a real enduro machine – the Transition Sentinel Carbon. Our favourite trail weapon is plain in colour but still a real eye-catcher. Wide handlebars, wide tires and flat angles guarantee a downhill performance of a different kind.
The striking orange Fox lettering on the fork is the color highlight on the otherwise gray-black wheel
The modern Enduro geometry
The frame is in size XL and has an extremely modern, almost revolutionary, geometry. The particularly flat steering angle creates an uncanny smoothness. This makes the Sentinel very stable and controllable even at high speeds. In addition, the Transition gives the rider so much confidence, especially in steep passages the handling is extremely pleasant and really fun. The rather steep seat angle provides the necessary propulsion uphill. So it makes with the right tires really fun also longer tours with bike to drive.
Full over roots, jumps and drops with the Fox chassis
The suspension on our Transition Sentinel comes from Fox. The shock is the Fox Float DPX2 Elite, the fork is the Fox 36 Factory. With 160mm of travel up front and 140mm, we couldn’t push the bike to the limit on our home trails. After initial difficulties with the settings, we were able to find a very good setup. On the one hand, the suspension elements respond sensitively to roots, stone fields and braking waves and yet retain sufficient reserve for jumps and drops – exactly what we need. Even though we have not yet made it to a bike park in connection with Corona Pandemic with this, we have no doubts that it would perform to our expectations there as well.
Everyday suffering – the XTR Trail pedals already look a bit battered
The Mudcatcher Enduro must not be missing – inconspicuous it protects against the roughest dirt
stop and go
Whoever brakes later is faster for longer. In order to be able to afford this on the trail, you have to be able to rely on the material used. This is definitely the case with our Transition Sentinel. Equipped with a SRAM Code RSC and 200mm brake discs (front and rear), precise deceleration is always possible. This combination is also convincing on longer descents – no overheating.
But in order to accelerate properly again afterwards, you also need a reliable drivetrain. The SRAM XX1 Eagle groupset definitely offers this. With a bandwidth of a staggering 510%, it offers sufficient scope for all requirements. No matter if steep climbs or fast flat passages. You can always find the right gear here. The only criticism, for XC racers, this group lacks a bit of gradation, but for us it is just right.
You can do without a power meter on the Enduro. On the one hand, the options here are still limited – apart from Stages and Quarq, there are actually no MTB power meters available – on the other hand, there are no real advantages. Even in enduro races, only the times on the individual downhill days count – these go downhill, as the name suggests, so it’s not performance but rather riding technique that determines speed.
A carbon crank is not necessarily the first choice for the enduro bike, but stylish and well protected with SRAM Crank Boots.
Wheels and tires
We trust in the usual quality of the wheels on the Sentinel. Syntace W33i. Anyone who has used these wheels in trail and enduro riding will appreciate the incredible high quality and handling. For us worth every euro, in more almost 10 years we have experienced with Syntace so far no broken spokes, broken rims or defective freewheels.
With the tires one remains as so often the agony of the choice. Especially in the trail and enduro area, there are now countless offers from more manufacturers than one would like. Our experience has shown that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Because even if you read another comparison test, this often does not provide clarity but even more confusion, since many results and opinions contradict each other. Personal preference and driving style play a big part in whether you get on with a tyre or not. We decide just on the rear wheel of a not so grippy tire with a little less rolling resistance. With the right riding technique and a little less air pressure, even those can often still be controlled well and are more fun on the way from trail to trail – so you end up riding more.
A very grippy front tyre, on the other hand, has rather less influence on the rolling behaviour of the bicycle. The high traction conveys a lot of security, the line selection is easy. Puncture safety is not a big point of discussion on MTBs from our point of view. Who is not yet tubeless on the road should switch immediately. Even if the assembly is a bit awkward at first, once you get the hang of it, it works flawlessly and allows air pressures around 1.5 bar and lower. Grip is taken to a new level.
With us come the tires for the Transition Sentinel Carbon from WTB. With the combination Vigilante 2,3″ on the front wheel and Ranger 2,25″ on the rear wheel you have an ideal combination for trails and more. But we have also had good experiences with tires from Continental, Schwalbe or Maxxis and most manufacturers offer suitable alternatives.
Transition Sentinel Carbon – Custom bike with potential
All in all, the Transition Sentinel is a sporty enduro with bike park potential. Domestic trail tours but also events like the TrailTrophy should not be a problem. If you like to ride fast – even uphill – you should be careful with your choice of tyres.
Rides
