Transition Scout - what's the fuss about?

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Provocative title / question I know.
I'm in the market for an agile fun rig, I've a 140mm Pike to put on it and see the Scout reviews well.
Is it all sunshine and rainbows? It also seems a little costly for something that isn't VPP / DW link especially in Carbon. What am I missing?
I'd be after an XL for the reach as I'm 1.93m tall.

I'd love some perspective from any current or past owners.
Thanks!
 

Ultra Lord

Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
You read into their perfomance too much, it's all about the tranny jokes. They actually ride like shit.
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
You read into their perfomance too much, it's all about the tranny jokes. They actually ride like shit.
It's confusing... the reviews are excellent in the main (almost everything is..) but I'm scratching my head over it. It's difficult for me to demo them too which doesn't help.
 

Ultra Lord

Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
The reviews are pretty spost on. I love mine to bits.

It's not the lightest bike out, mines an xl aluminium. Compared to otheres in the travel range there not as good pedalling out of the saddle, but its an active rear end so is better heading down. They run deep in the sag, but are very poppy so getting airborne is stupid easy. I tried to make that as impartial as I could hahaha. There are more efficient bikes out but thats not the point of this bike.

I've also put a 150mm fork on, which I prefer to the 140mm. And doing so won't void warranty, transition allow 10% overforking/shocking.
 

Mywifesirrational

I however am very normal. Trust me.
Provocative title / question I know.
I'm in the market for an agile fun rig, I've a 140mm Pike to put on it and see the Scout reviews well.
Is it all sunshine and rainbows? It also seems a little costly for something that isn't VPP / DW link especially in Carbon. What am I missing?
I'd be after an XL for the reach as I'm 1.93m tall.

I'd love some perspective from any current or past owners.
Thanks!
I currently own an 2017 Alloy XL (2k extra for carbon to save 500g, yeah nah), with a Nomad Mk3 having just left the stable. The nomad was great, but it was overkill for 60% of my riding which was trail riding, then generally for shuttling, I'd use a DH bike. A shorter travel bike designed to be fun and lively made a lot of sense.

190cm tall reach is spot on, would prefer the STA a little steeper, but it doesn't sag as much as a longer travel bike so its steeper than say a 160mm bike at the same STA.

Its a fun snappy bike, jumps and corners well, gets a bit out of its depth it the roughest stuff, its a lot faster on flowing undulation tracks and anything trail/xc, it jumps better, and doesn't 'dilute' trails and make them boring.

The suspension is great, much better than the Nomad MK3 with its retarded suspension curve, although I miss the coil on the rear.

I haven't been bothered doing any shuttle days this winter... may regret only having 125mm in the rear in that regard, but its a fair trade off.
 

Big JD

Wheel size expert
Hey Rev,

I just sat on a Devinci 29er at Summit. It was XL but huge for lovely tall gents like us. I believe they are well specced for the $$$ but i was seriously surprised at it reach. It has DW link which you know and love.
Mondraker are seriously long as are Kona Process, fun but perhaps alittle heavy- could build it up light. Canyon are amazing value for money but dont strike me has overly fun and flickable.
Transitions look great and review so well. $2 grand for 500 grams I think not (that would take the fun out of it).
Is this to replace the Trek Fuel or to add to the fleet- your fuel would be all fast and serious and this one fun and playful- sounds like a tinder date.......
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
The reviews are pretty spost on. I love mine to bits.

It's not the lightest bike out, mines an xl aluminium. Compared to otheres in the travel range there not as good pedalling out of the saddle, but its an active rear end so is better heading down. They run deep in the sag, but are very poppy so getting airborne is stupid easy. I tried to make that as impartial as I could hahaha. There are more efficient bikes out but thats not the point of this bike.

I've also put a 150mm fork on, which I prefer to the 140mm. And doing so won't void warranty, transition allow 10% overforking/shocking.
Thanks for this, it's interesting to me to hear the reality of how well they pedal (or not). I'm trying also to not get caught up in the travel #'s as I know this can be deceiving. I like that it gets airborne easily though, that's something I'm after in the next purchase.
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I currently own an 2017 Alloy XL (2k extra for carbon to save 500g, yeah nah), with a Nomad Mk3 having just left the stable. The nomad was great, but it was overkill for 60% of my riding which was trail riding, then generally for shuttling, I'd use a DH bike. A shorter travel bike designed to be fun and lively made a lot of sense.

190cm tall reach is spot on, would prefer the STA a little steeper, but it doesn't sag as much as a longer travel bike so its steeper than say a 160mm bike at the same STA.

Its a fun snappy bike, jumps and corners well, gets a bit out of its depth it the roughest stuff, its a lot faster on flowing undulation tracks and anything trail/xc, it jumps better, and doesn't 'dilute' trails and make them boring.

The suspension is great, much better than the Nomad MK3 with its retarded suspension curve, although I miss the coil on the rear.

I haven't been bothered doing any shuttle days this winter... may regret only having 125mm in the rear in that regard, but its a fair trade off.
I know! that pricing had me scratching my head!! It certainly looks nice to me but at that price I'm not sure I could stomach it. Whilst I certainly do want something that is more capable in rougher terrain than my 140mm/120mm Fuel, not to the point of dulling it completely.
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Hey Rev,

I just sat on a Devinci 29er at Summit. It was XL but huge for lovely tall gents like us. I believe they are well specced for the $$$ but i was seriously surprised at it reach. It has DW link which you know and love.
Mondraker are seriously long as are Kona Process, fun but perhaps alittle heavy- could build it up light. Canyon are amazing value for money but dont strike me has overly fun and flickable.
Transitions look great and review so well. $2 grand for 500 grams I think not (that would take the fun out of it).
Is this to replace the Trek Fuel or to add to the fleet- your fuel would be all fast and serious and this one fun and playful- sounds like a tinder date.......
Thanks JD, this would be to complement the Fuel. I've put 140mm 34's on it and 2.4" tyres front and rear. She's more fun than she has a right to be but I feel something with more travel but a little more agile would be the way forward.

I should go up to Summit, they've some interesting bikes there. I'd set my mind on a 650b to make sure there's not too much overlap between the bikes. (Focus and Pivot have been sold).

Considering a Remedy too but I can't say I'm feeling passion for it like I did the Fuel. As ever, for the taller riders like us, getting on an XL to at least sit on is difficult. :^(

How's the Tallboy LTC treating you btw?
 

toodles

Wheel size expert
Thanks for this, it's interesting to me to hear the reality of how well they pedal (or not). I'm trying also to not get caught up in the travel #'s as I know this can be deceiving. I like that it gets airborne easily though, that's something I'm after in the next purchase.
I'm 177cm and I've got a medium alloy Scout (still lusting after a carbon, but $/gram is savage). Absolutely love it - most fun and versatile bike I've owned. Mine is over-forked to 150mm which matches up with the feel of the rear suspension nicely. It is very poppy and fun to ride - I find it clears trail obstacles and jumps a lot easier than any other bike I've owned.

I've used it for everything from short course XC racing, to multi-lap events (Armidale 12 hour and QLD State 4 hour series) and even did the 96km Epic on it a couple of weeks ago. I've raced it for Enduros and at the Lumberjack Stage race near Hobart. They're really brilliant little bikes. They're not super light (carbon would help), but they climb well enough with good tyre/wheel choice. Descending they run rings around bikes with more travel, especially rocking the bigger fork.

I've got a Patrol as well, which I recently acquired for getting more serious about Enduros and I prefer the feel of my Scout for everything but the roughest stuff.

If you're still not convinced, the other contenders that are similar would be the Process 134, or perhaps the Evil Calling.

*edit* also the devinci Troy and Banshee Spitfire

*edit* oh and the Whyte T130
 
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shmity

Likes Bikes and Dirt
To add another spanner in the works, I was looking for something exactly along your lines. I went with a Commencal Meta TR and its pretty excellent. A very capable peddler, descends like its got more than the 130mm it has and is absolutely playful when you want it to be. Modest pricing for a complete bike and the XL is certainly in your reach range as well (although it doesn't look like there are any XL in stock so you would have to talk to Pushys to see when/if they were coming in, I spoke to them a few weeks ago they had more stock arriving ~6 weeks)
 

Big JD

Wheel size expert
Thanks JD, this would be to complement the Fuel. I've put 140mm 34's on it and 2.4" tyres front and rear. She's more fun than she has a right to be but I feel something with more travel but a little more agile would be the way forward.

I should go up to Summit, they've some interesting bikes there. I'd set my mind on a 650b to make sure there's not too much overlap between the bikes. (Focus and Pivot have been sold).

Considering a Remedy too but I can't say I'm feeling passion for it like I did the Fuel. As ever, for the taller riders like us, getting on an XL to at least sit on is difficult. :^(

How's the Tallboy LTC treating you btw?
Tallboy is great- fits well (its XXL- wouldnt fit on a XL) and is a great allrounder- "one bike"- to have. I have a carbon HT which is all serious so the Tallboy slots in nicely. I wouldnt call it agile in that it is too long. It isnt the most fun bike Ive had due to its size or the most capable in the chunk but what it does do - it does very well. It goes up and down very well for an old bugger like me.

Certainly consider an alloy frame for your fun and playfull rig so you aren't too precious about it. You have the fuel for the weight wennie inside- light and fast. I like the idea of a 27.5 to really keep things fresh. If you are keen to spend $4000+ on a carbon frame then there are heaps of options from the usual boutique suspects. If you consider alloy then you might have to look at more main stream brands- Specialized, Trek, Kona. What about a Specialised Enduro or a Kona Process?

There was an XL Mondraker 27.5 Spicy? alloy for sale on Facebook recently- Buy Swap Sell forum.

I was considering selling the HT for a 100mm fun playful FS and beefing up the Tall boy. Perhaps you could lighten up the Fuel and beef up the new rig

Its all fun looking though..................... i can look through you

Always been a fan or Transition Smuggler and Kona Process 111 for a fun and playful rig..
 
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The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
If you're still not convinced, the other contenders that are similar would be the Process 134, or perhaps the Evil Calling.

*edit* also the devinci Troy and Banshee Spitfire

*edit* oh and the Whyte T130
High praise indeed! The Spitfire would be an excellent contender if not for the comically short warranty. I'm also not sold on how I'd get on with the weight.
Thanks for the POV!
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
To add another spanner in the works, I was looking for something exactly along your lines. I went with a Commencal Meta TR and its pretty excellent. A very capable peddler, descends like its got more than the 130mm it has and is absolutely playful when you want it to be. Modest pricing for a complete bike and the XL is certainly in your reach range as well (although it doesn't look like there are any XL in stock so you would have to talk to Pushys to see when/if they were coming in, I spoke to them a few weeks ago they had more stock arriving ~6 weeks)
Interesting left field suggestion and one I've not considered, thanks. I've not got a strong opinion on Commencal so will take a look. I'm not sure I want to wait that long before even seeing one although I'm trying not to rush any decisions.
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Tallboy is great- fits well (its XXL- wouldnt fit on a XL) and is a great allrounder- "one bike"- to have. I have a carbon HT which is all serious so the Tallboy slots in nicely. I wouldnt call it agile in that it is too long. It isnt the most fun bike Ive had due to its size or the most capable in the chunk but what it does do - it does very well. It goes up and down very well for an old bugger like me.

Certainly consider an alloy frame for your fun and playfull rig so you aren't too precious about it. You have the fuel for the weight wennie inside- light and fast. I like the idea of a 27.5 to really keep things fresh. If you are keen to spend $4000+ on a carbon frame then there are heaps of options from the usual boutique suspects. If you consider alloy then you might have to look at more main stream brands- Specialized, Trek, Kona. What about a Specialised Enduro or a Kona Process?

There was an XL Mondraker 27.5 Spicy? alloy for sale on Facebook recently- Buy Swap Sell forum.

I was considering selling the HT for a 100mm fun playful FS and beefing up the Tall boy. Perhaps you could lighten up the Fuel and beef up the new rig

Its all fun looking though..................... i can look through you

Always been a fan or Transition Smuggler and Kona Process 111 for a fun and playful rig..
Good to hear the SC is still working well mate. I'd rather not spend all that on a frame, and maybe I do need to consider that an aluminium frame might be better suited. I've been spoiled the feel of carbon and forget they're also pretty damned good too!

Yep, it's certainly fun looking about to see what could be chosen... I'm open to other suggestions.
Specialized is not something I've ever really looked at (despite owning a Trek). I should open my choices and try on!
 

Ultra Lord

Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
I'll save you the trouble, just buy a bloody scout haha. Carbon's not the be all in a bike, and frame weights aren't as significant as wheels/tyres.

2.4hr2 front, 2.3 aggressor rear, stiff wheels and you'll thank me later.

One thing I didn't mention was how stiff the frame is. Moreso than the 2015 reign I came off.
 

waldog

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Norco Optic?

Can only comment on the 29er, and only from a very days perspective, but wow!
 

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I'll save you the trouble, just buy a bloody scout haha. Carbon's not the be all in a bike, and frame weights aren't as significant as wheels/tyres.

2.4hr2 front, 2.3 aggressor rear, stiff wheels and you'll thank me later.

One thing I didn't mention was how stiff the frame is. Moreso than the 2015 reign I came off.
Hahahah! I thought I'd get the "just get it bought" message eventually! :^)
The thought of an alloy frame and possibly nicer wheels is now getting into my head. Totally understand what you mean about carbon. It has its benefits but I've had issues with them too.
I'm still wincing at the cost of the carbon frame. It's like they need to put their kids through college off every frame sold!
 
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