Pacific Northwest mountain bike brand, Transition, has revealed the second-generation of its Sentinel.
When the brand’s original long-travel 29er debuted in 2017, it set new standards for geometry, with a notably slack head angle and short offset front fork option.
The 2021 model year Sentinel features a completely redesigned frame, which is full carbon and traces more angular, instead of flowingly organic, lines.
For riders in the long-travel 29er market, numbers are more important than appearance and the Sentinel sees a 10mm suspension function gain, up from 140- to 150mm at the rear.
Transition recommends a 160mm front fork to balance the Sentinel’s geometry, which turns on a 63.6-degree head angle, followed by relatively short 440mm chainstays, which are a slight 5mm longer than its predecessor. Reach numbers are not overly radical, with a size large Sentinel stretching to 476mm.
Although the suspension travel could qualify it as an enduro bike, Transition’s engineers have strived to ensure competent climbing ability too, and a sense of agility, in the frame’s overall blend of geometry and riding feel.
To ensure excellent high-speed rear-axle tracking stability, especially through rocky and rooty terrain, the Sentinel now has room for 2.6in tyres, spinning on 148mm Boost spaced hubs.
Even if riders don’t intend using the generous 2.6in tyre width classification, knowing that Transition has increased clearance at the back, will make the Sentinel nearly immune to mud-clogging issues on winter rides, when rolling 2.4- or 2.5in tyres.
Frame and rear shock weight rates at 3.2kg and customers who desire only this option, to complete their own build, will pay $3,199.
Transition is offering three build kits for the new Sentinel, with Sram drivetrains. The entry-level NX Sentinel weighs 14.44kg and prices at, $4,499. Next is the mid-range GX, at $5499 and a weight of 14.21kg. For riders who opt for a Sentinel with XO1, mass drops to 13.94kg and pricing settles at $6,599.
Ti Grey and Loam Gold are the two frame colours on offer with Transition’s new Sentinel and there are five sizes, from SM to XXL.
