mountain bikes: Test: Transition Patrol NX 2018 – bike park oriented enduro with freeride genes

Test: The Transition Patrol NX 2018 is the youngest American enduro machine. The bike forge founded in 2001 is 100% in the hands of passionate and active mountain bikers. The catalyst was a friendly table tennis match 16 years ago, which gave rise to the idea of ​​building bikes that are suitable for everyone and promote skills with every ride. A bike should be fun from the first pedal stroke and invite you to continue to develop your skills, according to the freely translated philosophy of Transition. The Transition Patrol NX is aimed at bike park-oriented enduro riders and, according to the philosophy, promotes your downhill skills, but also demands a lot from you on the climbs due to the heavy weight.

The Patrol is available in three factory versions. The top equipment with X01 Eagle drive and Fox suspension for €5.499, the middle class with GX Eagle drive, Fox damper and Rock Shox Lyrik for €4.399 or the entry-level version with NX drive, Rock Shox damper and Rock Shox Yari for €3.399. Alternatively, a frame kit is available for €2.099. The frame of the current Transition Patrol is currently only available in the aluminum version with a weight of 4,22 kg. We tested the entry-level model Transition Patrol NX in size M for €3.399.

Transition Patrol NX 2018: Stable, downhill-oriented, first impression!

At first glance, the Transition looks stable and well thought out. Many current standards can be seen, including Boost Standard with a Syntace X12 148 axle, trunnion mount top on the shock and enough space for tires up to 2,8 inches wide. The Speed ​​Balanced Geometry (SBG) is reflected in the slack 64° steering angle, among other things. The SDG delivers increased front-wheel traction but also brings a level of agility and playfulness at low speeds. 160mm travel on the rear wheel and 170mm travel on the front wheel show what terrain the Transition Patrol is built for and as soon as it gets rough, the chainstay is already protected with a rubber coating ex works.

With the exception of the rear triangle joint, the gear cable is routed completely internally, as is the cable for the Vario seat post. Ideal for hobbyists, the brake line is attached to the frame on the outside, so a closed brake system can be changed without any problems. Due to the arrangement of the damper, there is still enough space in the frame triangle for a larger drinking bottle. The separately sealed bearings are also very practical, which should also offer better protection against water and corrosion when using cleaning agents and high pressure. All in all, the Transition Patrol NX 2018 looks very tidy with simple but solid equipment.

Transition Patrol NX 2018: Long and Flat!

The geometry is properly tuned to the area of ​​use, even with a tendency towards a little more downhill. The five (!) different sizes, from XS to XL, are particularly nice when it comes to the frame size, so there is the right frame for every rider. With a rider height of 180cm we chose the frame size M and even that seemed big to us. With a reach of 450mm, the reach to the cockpit is relatively far, the effective top tube length is correspondingly longer at 583mm. Supported by the long wheelbase of 1209mm, these factors have a very positive effect on the smooth running of the enduro machine.

The slack head angle of 64,0° across all sizes is also downhill-oriented, and the bottom bracket height of 340mm runs through the entire size range of the Transition Patrol. In order to bring some agility into the piece of sports equipment despite its massive dimensions, the chainstay could have been made a little shorter than 430mm.

Transition Patrol NX 2018: Rock solid but saved on important points

At first glance, the Transition Patrol NX in "Ponderosa Green" looks solidly equipped, but on closer inspection crucial details catch the eye. But let's start from the beginning, in the truest sense of the word. A 780mm wide RaceFace Aeffect aluminum handlebar mounted on a 40mm RaceFace Aeffect stem forms the basis of the cockpit unit. The Velo Single Clamp handles are screwed on one side, which is enough for them to twist while riding. The trigger of the RaceFace Aeffect seat post, which is attached below the handlebars, is comfortable and easy to operate with your thumb and adapts well to the tidy cockpit.

The trigger of the SRAM NX 1×11 drive is on the right side, framed by the brake levers of the SRAM Level T. This is exactly where the equipment does not match the area of ​​application. A more powerful model would cut a better figure for an enduro that also cuts a fine figure in the park. Packed with luggage and protective equipment, a high total driver weight is quickly reached, which can demand a lot from the two pistons of the SRAM Level T. A SRAM Centerline 203mm rotor is installed on the front wheel and a SRAM Centerline 180mm rotor on the rear wheel, which in turn fits in this combination and can be found on most enduro bikes in this combination.

The ponderosa green sports equipment is driven by a RaceFace Aeffect crank (170mm) and a 30T chainring. In combination with the 11-42T cassette also suitable for longer and steeper ascents. The SRAM NX 11-speed front derailleur shifts rock solid, but the overall NX drive system does not necessarily contribute positively to the overall weight of the Transition Patrol NX. Which is specified as over 15kg(!) (without pedals). The RaceFace Aeffect dropper telescopic post has a stroke of 150mm on which a very comfortable WTB Volt Comp saddle is mounted. The 160mm rear end is dampened by a RockShox Deluxe RT shock with trunion mount and the installation dimensions 205mm x 65mm. Impacts on the front wheel are absorbed by a RockShox Yari RC Solo Air with 170mm travel. Solid fork, but if you like to pack your bike in the trunk without a front wheel or even have a roof rack with axle mount, you will quickly be annoyed by the bolted axle without a quick-release system. Despite the different spring deflections on the front and rear wheels, the chassis is well tuned and appears balanced.

The freewheel of the Novatec wheel hub is acoustically unobtrusive. Mounted on it are 27,5 inch (650B) WTB STPi29 rims with - as the name already suggests - 29mm inside width. Maxxis Minion DHF or DHR 2.3 EX0 Dual tires form the link to the ground. Although there are no major blunders in the equipment list of the Transition Patrol NX, overall it is more in the "solid" category - a little disappointing given the price of almost €3.500. On the other hand: The frame kit alone is over €2.000 - that puts the price of the complete bike into perspective again. If you still opt for the entry-level version, we advise you to invest in stronger brakes, a thru-axle with a quick-release system and a lighter cassette.

Transition Patrol NX 2018: Better downhill than uphill

But now enough of the technical details and off to the slopes, in the truest sense of the word. Because the Bavarian Forest in the dead of winter is less dominated by mountain bikers than by winter hikers and cross-country skiers. But apart from the groomed trails, one or the other tire tracks can be seen in the mud and snow. The Transition Patrol NX Enduro takes you up first on tarred and forest roads and you are immediately positively surprised by the climbing properties. The very slack steering angle of 64° is noticeable, especially in steeper passages, but not in the proportion that was feared. The 2-hour ascent was easily manageable on the WTB saddle even without padded shorts, only the weight pulled me steadily down the slope - even if only mentally. 15 kg is a bit much, even for an enduro.

Passing snowfields and ski slopes, one thing was already clear in advance: the first trail meters have to be mastered on a white surface. In combination with wet leaves and slippery stones, it should be treated with caution. After the "snow line" had broken down, it was time to take a deep breath and do a first check. Is everything still in the right place? Are all screws still tight? It fits! The first driving impression, long, stable and extremely true to track. Through the snow-covered and slippery stone passages, the bike gives you security and tempts you to tickle even higher speeds out of yourself.

We continue through wide, fast forest passages that are mastered with a big grin with the Transition Patrol NX. The planer is incredibly fast and extremely smooth-running, but loses some of its agility and sensitivity. As the trail meanders through the trees and tight bends appear, the bike reaches its playful limits, work is the order of the day here. But with a lot of strength and technique it is also possible to cheat the mountain bike here. The end of the trail including the target jump in sight, which the Transition Patrol NX masters cleanly and stably in the flight phase. When you land well, you have to grab your irons hard.

As suspected, the SRAM Level T is simply not snappy enough and in this case only decelerates satisfactorily. The test ride confirmed the assumptions from the technical details relatively well. The climbing properties were surprising and the high expectations of the geometry were absolutely fulfilled on the downhill.