[Metamorphic]

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/transition-bikes-introduces-sbg-speed-balanced-geometry.html

Maybe I am a sucker to their marketing, but I don't have the same head scratching when Lars tells me something versus when Chris Porter tells me something.......

 

[Olly]

Yeah, does this mean the murricans are doing it right now?

See also: https://www.pinkbike.com/u/TransitionBikeCompany/blog/transition-bikes-introduces-sbg-speed-balanced-geometry.html

 

[Sandwich]

very interested in this. Also interested that dcamp sez not all fork manufacturers are building 51mm offset DH forks. I hope that means non-MTBRd 29er forks will come down the pipe. Handling is simply better on MTBs with shorter offset at speed. I'm not sure I've found a situation where that isn't true, except for very slow speeds.

 

[Metamorphic]

she looks good, at least that is confirmed.

Assuming 175mm cranks, you can measure out about 178mm of exposed stanchions...so likely this puppy has a 170 36 bolted up to it. Sweet. Will be watching for rear travel and more deets.....

 

[jstuhlman]

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/transition-bikes-introduces-sbg-speed-balanced-geometry.html

Maybe I am a sucker to their marketing, but I don't have the same head scratching when Lars tells me something versus when Chris Porter tells me something.......

so are you saying you clunk, bro?

 

[Electric_City]

So basically they brought their bikes up to date with "modern geometry" and implemented Gary Fisher's "Genesis geometry" from 1996 on the fork.

 

[Sandwich]

I think that's the opposite. G2 genesis geometry gave us 51mm offset 29er forks, which makes the bike handle fast, or "nimbly" but that huge offset contributes to wheel flop and feels fucked up at speed. what tranny is doing is shortening the offset so bikes don't feel retarded anymore, even though that's how Gary Fisher and MTBR want them to feel.

that's my takeaway. I remember going from an avalanche 65mm offset fork to a boxxer (38mm?) and the difference was amazing. So much more control, so much less wheel flop. the head angle went down at the same time, so that's why i don't think I noticed the change in steering "Speed"

 

[Kevin]

I mean i really like their bikes and my next bike is either gonna be a Bronson or a Scout, but that video was about as cringe as it gets

 

[Westy]

Would this be considered AGRESSIVE geometry?

 

[StiHacka]

Geometry schmeometry, did you see their bikes now have C.O.C.K.@B.A.L.L.S.?
(they also have T.I.T.S., sounds like a true Bangkok experience)

 

[Metamorphic]

well don't Vital just love this thing....

http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Speed-Balanced-Geometry-Transitions-Approach-To-Creating-Better-Mountain-Bikes,1861

 

[kidwoo]

very interested in this. Also interested that dcamp sez not all fork manufacturers are building 51mm offset DH forks. /QUOTE]

Isn't fox the only one that IS?


Big offsets on forks work well climbing but compromise dh. Just like bigger wheels.

 

[Nick]

she looks good, at least that is confirmed.

Assuming 175mm cranks, you can measure out about 178mm of exposed stanchions...so likely this puppy has a 170 36 bolted up to it. Sweet. Will be watching for rear travel and more deets.....

I can't be sure from that picture, but he appears to be utilizing a new Enduro Wrist Strap® on his wrist to carry a package of Taco Bell hot sauce.

It's the latest trend in transition stage nutrition.

I've said too much....

 

[Sandwich]

Isn't fox the only one that IS?


Big offsets on forks work well climbing but compromise dh. Just like bigger wheels.

I dunno. Of the two that seem to actually bringing 29er dh forks to market, his quote was that not "all" were bringing high offset forks. So I guess that means that the RS DH fork won't be 51mm.

 

[StiHacka]

It's the latest trend in transition stage nutrition.

Ahh, the new S.H.I.T.T.E.R. body accelerator?

 

[Electric_City]

They should put the dropouts behind the fork! I knew Girvin was ahead of its time!

 

[djjohnr]

I can't be sure from that picture, but he appears to be utilizing a new Enduro Wrist Strap® on his wrist to carry a package of Taco Bell hot sauce.

It's the latest trend in transition stage nutrition.

I've said too much....

Actually that's pretty close to the truth - http://www.teamhotshot.com/

 

[Electric_City]

well don't Vital just love this thing....

http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Speed-Balanced-Geometry-Transitions-Approach-To-Creating-Better-Mountain-Bikes,1861

After reading that article, there's no reason to buy another bike. It's like this is the end-all, be-all of bikes.

 

[kidwoo]

I dunno. Of the two that seem to actually bringing 29er dh forks to market, his quote was that not "all" were bringing high offset forks. So I guess that means that the RS DH fork won't be 51mm.

I'm not talking about theoretical, yet to be available forks, fox 40s for 27.5 forks are 52mm. Given their apparent thinking on offsets for wheelsizes, those 49 forks must be like 109mm.

The 27.5 boxxers are something like 48, so not far off.

 

[dcamp29]

I've done some switching between an 51 and 42 offset fork on the same bike...


the good:
-calmer steering (like Lars says)
-better front wheel traction (I think because the wheel is closer/more underneath you, similar to running a longer stem)
-more stability all around

the bad:
-heavier/floppier steering on climbs (I can deal because my arms are super strong )
-much harder to ride with no hands when going slow and trying to eat or put on a jacket

It's definitely an improvement- the cornering is awesome.

 

[kidwoo]

the bad:
-heavier/floppier steering on climbs (I can deal because my arms are super strong )
-much harder to ride with no hands when going slow and trying to eat or put on a jacket

This is what's making me roll my eyes a bit at those press releases *ahem* I mean 'articles'.

Everything, literally everything about that 'system' is making the bike calmer at speed, which in turn is going to make the bikes super laggy at 4mph up steep switchbacks etc. They're claiming bike bikes handle better going uphill but it could only be a product of steeper seat tubes. The actual steering is still going to suck.

I've mismatched a ton of 27.5 and 26" stuff the last 4 years, dh and trailbikes. I actually LIKE the way greater offset forks climb because they sharpen up at really low speeds.

I'm glad someone's getting away from this exponential offset growth with wheelsize though. The dh forks have suffered.

 

[Westy]

well don't Vital just love this thing....

http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Speed-Balanced-Geometry-Transitions-Approach-To-Creating-Better-Mountain-Bikes,1861

"We never realized just how nervous-feeling steering was"

 

[dcamp29]

I've mismatched a ton of 27.5 and 26" stuff the last 4 years, dh and trailbikes. I actually LIKE the way greater offset forks climb because they sharpen up at really low speeds.

so you're saying you want an on-the-fly adjustable offset fork? hahaahaha

 

[Westy]

This will not be a problem when we get e-bikes with power steering.

 

[kidwoo]

so you're saying you want an on-the-fly adjustable offset fork? hahaahaha

I figure an eliptical cam in the dropouts should do it. Just kick the wheel when you get to the top of a hill.


Actually what I want is for pinkbike or vital to be honest about what's being done.



Equal chances of either happening.

 

['size]

I figure an eliptical cam in the dropouts should do it. Just kick the wheel when you get to the top of a hill.

if we're going to do this, do it right. add it to the remote that simultaneously raises and lowers your saddle and adjusts your suspension settings. three birds...

also i don't like the shape of the rocker on this bike.

 

[Electric_City]

A flip-chip sort of thing like a lot of companies do with the rear suspension that changes bb height/STA. The chip can be flipped to fore/aft positions! Brilliant!

 

[Westy]

if we're going to do this, do it right. add it to the remote that simultaneously raises and lowers your saddle and adjusts your suspension settings. three birds...

also i don't like the shape of the rocker on this bike.

I've got the patent filed...

 

[Cerberus75]

very interested in this. Also interested that dcamp sez not all fork manufacturers are building 51mm offset DH forks. I hope that means non-MTBRd 29er forks will come down the pipe. Handling is simply better on MTBs with shorter offset at speed. I'm not sure I've found a situation where that isn't true, except for very slow speeds.

Even at slower speeds, I'm naturally going to react slower, 51 still feels fast, I just orders a 46 offset crown to solve this. Right before this article came out. I'm on a Riot and the twitchy steering at speed is my only complaint.

 

[maxyedor]

Most people suck at climbing anyway, HTA, fork offset, seat tube angle, and sluggish steering make no difference when pushing your bike.

Not getting nearly as pumped on marketing hype as they'd like me to be, but I love the steeper seat tube angle. That's the dumbest shit the lizard people have done, especially with the advent of dropper posts. I don't want me effective top tube to grow and shrink by a foot simply because you failed at suspension design and put a 45 degree seat tube on the thing.

 

[Westy]

Most people suck at climbing anyway, HTA, fork offset, seat tube angle, and sluggish steering make no difference when pushing your bike.

Not getting nearly as pumped on marketing hype as they'd like me to be, but I love the steeper seat tube angle. That's the dumbest shit the lizard people have done, especially with the advent of dropper posts. I don't want me effective top tube to grow and shrink by a foot simply because you failed at suspension design and put a 45 degree seat tube on the thing.

You rang?

 

[Beast]

Actually what I want is for pinkbike or vital to be honest about what's being done.

Equal chances of either happening.

Come on meow, woosef. I wouldn't steer you wrong.

 

[kidwoo]

steer

Oooh good one!

Come on man, you really saying those bikes don't steer slow going slow uphill? I'm all about what they're after with forks but they didn't call it slow speed balanced geometry. I'm not bummed on it at all, I think it's rad but it's hard to swallow that it's BETTER climbing as far as steering. I don't doubt it feels better being further forward over the BB, but with steering alone.........better? That front end is still getting pushed forward with the headangle and longer front center, regardless of a few mm of fork offset.

 

[Beast]

Oooh good one!

Come on man, you really saying those bikes don't steer slow going slow uphill? I'm all about what they're after with forks but they didn't call it slow speed balanced geometry. I'm not bummed on it at all, I think it's rad but it's hard to swallow that it's BETTER climbing as far as steering. I don't doubt it feels better being further forward over the BB, but with steering alone.........better?

What I said is what I experienced: "Pointed uphill, tight switchbacks often present a challenge for many riders. SBG's smooth arcs once again came into play here, never once flopping. Depending on the turn, if it does start to dive in it seems to gently guide you in the direction you wanted to go. We found it easier to maintain balance even at slow speeds while pedaling uphill."

And do you of all people honestly give a damn about riding at super slow speeds? Maximize the fun, baby.

"Switchacks = woodland based crimes against humanity"

 

[kidwoo]

Oh god no, I'm stoked on this kind of stuff because it prioritizes what matters....descents.

But when I hear 'smooth arc', that sounds an awful like super slow steering that you need to fall into the turn to keep the bike upright. I've pedaled long 63 degree headangle bikes uphill before that most certainly are not 'better' climbing than something shorter in the front end and way steeper........ and that's what it sounds like you're describing.

You've ridden the whole package, I haven't. I just have a hard time believing that the climbing aspect of these bikes isn't compromised when we're talking JUST about steering itself.

 

[Beast]

Oh god no, I'm stoked on this kind of stuff because it prioritizes what matters....descents.

But when I hear 'smooth arc', that sounds an awful like super slow steering that you need to fall into the turn to keep the bike upright. I've pedaled long 63 degree headangle bikes uphill before that most certainly are not 'better' climbing than something shorter in the front end and way steeper........ and that's what it sounds like you're describing.

You've ridden the whole package, I haven't. I just have a hard time believing that the climbing aspect of these bikes isn't compromised when we're talking JUST about steering itself.

I'll do some shitty back-to-back climbs for comparison in our next feature, just for you.

 

[kidwoo]

I'll do some shitty back-to-back climbs for comparison in our next feature, just for you.

When checking out a new system, isn't that kind of the point?

Comparisons?

I'm not bagging on ya man, I'm just you know....discussing vital content.

 

[ianjenn]

When checking out a new system, isn't that kind of the point?

Comparisons?

I'm not bagging on ya man, I'm just you know....discussing vital content.

That is exactly what stop watches are for. It is proof that cannot be argued. But it may anger some industry types in the long run.

 

[kidwoo]

I don't know, even that's not bulletproof. People get tired/better at riding a section after a few times etc.....

Personally, I don't even care about times climbing really, I already know these bikes are an improvement descending because I've swapped in this kind of stuff on my own bikes, including forks with different offsets. It's just that every one of them compromised climbing when they benefitted descending. Scooting the rider further forward certainly helps though. Something like a scout with this setup would be rad.

 

[Jm_]

I'm looking for static balanced stability for the ultimate in track stands while I wait at stoplights.