Transition TR450

[the law]

Thinking of getting another DH bike. Does anyone have any experience with this frame?

[Carraig042]

I hear they are nice bikes, but I personally do not have experience on one. here is a review on Sicklines, and I am sure there are lots more out there.

-Brett

[toodles]

What particularly do you want to know? I've had two now, the original model and the 2012 model. Awesome bikes, good geo, good suspension, simple to maintain with standard bearings on the pivots.

Only negatives I've found - the rebound dial on the RC4 is a pain to reach while the shock is in the frame and the chainstay chips on the new frame make wheel changes fiddly. I've only had the 2012 for a month or so now, but I rode the 2010 model for about 2 years and loved it.

[the law]

How is the durability? It is a single pivot suspension design, right? So, how does it feel bump absorption-wise? It's been a while since I rode single pivots and I am curious about how they ride nowadays.

[ianjenn]

The TR rides awesome, very lively does not feel like a 8" DH bike. Easy to get into the air. They seem bombproof. All of our testers liked the one we had.

[jackalope]

I have a 2010 model, and toodles pretty much nailed it. I don't have a whole lot to compare it to, as the only other DH bike I've spent significant time on is a MkII V-10, but needless to say the 450 is superior to that bike in basically every way (IMO). It's a rate modified single pivot with the main pivot approximately inline with a 36 tooth chain ring, so it strikes a nice balance between pedaling efficiency and bump absorption. It's got a progressive stroke, so it ramps up nicely for good bottom out control, and overall I'd say it has a more playful ride quality versus just plowing. I certainly suspect there are several bikes out there with better square edged hit performance, but it's not a real problem in my experience. For me, it's a nice change from the old V-10, as I'm able to better jump/hop over stuff and change direction quickly.

To my knowledge, the frames are very durable, perhaps at the cost of overal frame weight, as it's not the lightest out there (say 11.3 lbs with shock). Since this is RM, I'd be stoked if it had a fender, but I actually was able to rig up an Spesh Enduro fender on there. But in the end, you should buy it because Transition has awesome trucker hats.

[rpet]

i love mine

[Dogboy]

I'm able to better jump/hop over stuff and change direction quickly.

Do you have any pics of said maneuvers?

[the law]

Thanks for all the comments. They are very helpful.

[jackalope]

Do you have any pics of said maneuvers?

Normally, you could only throw this kind of steeze on an AM/trail bike, but I can now pull this sh!t on my DH bike...Winning

[rpet]

Your TR450 looks different than mine.

[NwRider]

So I've been on my 2012 450 since April almost every weekend and absolutely love it. First off its a very comfortable feeling bike, very balanced and "natural", they nailed it on the geo. My first run and I felt at home. I came off a 2012 Wilson and the first thing I noticed was the TR's ability to change lines with ease and kind of hop around. The bike will really reward you the faster you go, it almost feels like it starts riding "on top" of the trail rather than "through" stuff once you hit a certain speed. Really a cool feeling. Seems like everyone has summed up its jumping capabilities, very balanced in the air. Every bike does have its downside, though the 450's is negligible. It is slightly rougher on square edge hits than other bikes such as V10, Wilson, etc. And the rebound knob is kind of annoying to get to as well. Oh, and its sexy as f*ck Hit me up with any other questions, i'll try my best to answer!

[the law]

So I've been on my 2012 450 since April almost every weekend and absolutely love it. First off its a very comfortable feeling bike, very balanced and "natural", they nailed it on the geo. My first run and I felt at home. I came off a 2012 Wilson and the first thing I noticed was the TR's ability to change lines with ease and kind of hop around. The bike will really reward you the faster you go, it almost feels like it starts riding "on top" of the trail rather than "through" stuff once you hit a certain speed. Really a cool feeling. Seems like everyone has summed up its jumping capabilities, very balanced in the air. Every bike does have its downside, though the 450's is negligible. It is slightly rougher on square edge hits than other bikes such as V10, Wilson, etc. And the rebound knob is kind of annoying to get to as well. Oh, and its sexy as f*ck Hit me up with any other questions, i'll try my best to answer!

One thing I care about is turning. I really like feeling as if I am in the bike when turning. You know when the front or rear looses traction and its easy to get them back in line with body English. Conversely, I hate feeling like I am on top of a bike no matter how plush it is. Not sure if that makes sense, but I'd love to get some feedback on its cornering, I guess.

[NwRider]

I know exactly what you mean, this is the issue I had with my Wilson, both frames were mediums but the wilson had a shorter top tube putting me in a more upright position (resulting in feeling "ontop" of the bike), where the 450 TT is longer allowing you to get over the front in a more aggressive postition to really whip it through corners. Like I said they really nailed it with the geo. Hope that helps!

[manhattanprjkt83]

Normally, you could only throw this kind of steeze on an AM/trail bike, but I can now pull this sh!t on my DH bike...Winning

from where i am standing it looks like you are cargo short 'steeze'ing' your way into a full blown nose dive flat landing on a bike that has nothing to do with the OP's post? but hey who am I.

I have been riding a TR250 for the past 2 seasons and absolutely love it. It's really a no nonsense abuse handling machine with very easily attainable parts. I have mine set up low/slack/long travel so it's basically a 450. Riding wise I ride east coast rocks, flowy bike park stuff, whistler, highland...kind of all around and no complaints at all. Well the comment about shock adjustment is valid...Other than that go for it...