Transition Sentinel 2019 on test: A 29er to shoot?

Test / MTB: In the last few weeks we had the opportunity to test the second generation of the Transition Sentinel Carbon XO1. The Americans categorize the Sentinel as an "All Around Trail Bike". We would like to put that to the test. It ranks between the Transitions Enduro, the Patrol, and the Transition Scout with 130/150mm. However, the key data of the Sentinel almost reminds us of those of an enduro. In the test we wanted to find out whether it really is an all-round bike and whether it can meet our correspondingly high expectations. 

The North Americans have been building mountain bikes for 18 years now and are one of the few bike companies that can still call themselves “rider owned”. The Transition Sentinel has only been around since last year, the second generation of which is available in five instead of three trim levels. Aluminum was chosen as the frame material for two models and carbon frames were used for the rest of the selection. A carbon frame is completely new to the Sentinel; until now, the all-rounder was only available with an aluminum frame. From €3299 for the cheapest aluminum variant to the tested top model for €6399, there should be something for everyone. Hobbyists have also been thought of - frame kits are also available for both frame materials. The designers and painters did a great job with the colors Gunmetal Gray and Pinot Noir available for the Transition Sentinel. Both colors look classy and immediately catch the eye. The weight of the tested Transition Sentinel Carbon XO1 was about 13,8kg. For comparison: the entry-level model weighs almost two kilos (!) more at 15,7kg.

Frame, geometry and features of the Transition Sentinel

frame and geometry

With 160mm at the front and 140mm at the rear and the 29-inch tires, the Sentinel should definitely be a very potent all-mountain. The long and fairly flat "Speed ​​Balanced Geometry" gives our Transition, in size L, great, safe handling, especially on steep terrain. According to Transition, the slack 64° steering angle, a short 40mm stem and a suspension fork offset that has been shortened to 43mm lead to better balance on the bike. Anyone who has dealt with Transition before will find that they like to get creative with the naming of their systems. Like the Sentinel with the Giddy Up 2.0HH suspension system, which above all promises a simple setup. You will receive all information about the brand and its specially developed systems here.

Equipment

At €6399 for the tested variant, no compromises were made with the Transition Sentinel. When it comes to equipment, the bike brand from Bellingham in the northwest of the USA relied on the tried and tested. The suspension elements come entirely from Fox with the 36 Grip 2 Performance Elite and the DPX2 Performance Elite damper. Rock-solid and very sensitive are the two attributes that best apply to the built-in chassis. Delayed was a Sram Code RSC, which was able to score points with its braking power, but was somewhat undersupplied with a 180mm Centerline brake disc on the front wheel. The Sram XO1 Eagle circuit did its job very reliably and stood out above all due to its wide range thanks to the XG 1275 (10-50t) cassette. Also in the Sram package was the RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost. With a stroke of 170mm, it is perfectly tuned for me personally. Good rolling behavior, more than enough stability and the best grip thanks to the Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR combination - just like the Stans Flow MK3 Team rim. The package was rounded off by an Anvl cockpit and Anvl Forge Ti saddle.

The Transition Sentinel on the trail

But enough of the theory - let's get into practice. It was tested in the Geißkopf bike park and on local trails in the Bavarian Forest. I was very excited from the start and couldn't wait to explore the limits of the Sentinel. Right at the beginning of the test, it was noticeable that the Sentinel takes its rider to the trailhead very comfortably and purposefully. Even on longer climbs, the trail bike worked quite efficiently and there was hardly any bobbing of the rear triangle. I would only have wished for a little more liveliness on steep passages or short, crisp climbs, as the Sentinel often seemed a bit sluggish in such situations. All in all, the Transition climbed in the usual good 29-inch manner and consistently brought me to my goal.

It quickly became clear that the Sentinel was in its element, especially going downhill. It was best able to prove its abilities on steep, fast single trails and only then did it really start to feel good. The GIDDYUP 2.0HH Suspension System needed some ground speed, but once you got there the suspension worked absolutely great. The ground was literally sucked up and you could build up even more speed in almost all situations. Despite the 29-inch wheels, it was very easy to steer in the air and literally invited you to pull off even the smallest edge. What was also clear after just a few descents is that the Sentinel needs a very agile and aggressive riding style. On flatter flow trails it needed quite a bit of input to fire it explosively through the trail. However, if you gave it this, it became a total fun machine on the Flow Country in the Geißkopf bike park, for example. According to Transition's motto "Party in the Woods".