[First look] Transition Patrol Carbon

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For the summer season we were lucky enough to be sent a Transition Patrol Carbon to test at our Punta Ala test base.  The idea is for us to use it as a base frame for some of the parts we’ll be testing over the next few months.


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Nice place to show all the curves on the beach after its first ride in Punta Ala.

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For the first parts build we wanted to take an entry level approach and test some parts that have seen little coverage so far, including SRAM’s NX 11 speed 1X drive train, and their entry level “Level” brakes.

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The NX drive train : a 1x 11 cassette which uses a standard 10 speed/HG driver rather than the XD driver typically required for 11 speed SRAM groups.
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No fuss Level brake levers, Sram Level TLM.
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When building the bike we setup our stack first before we cut the steerer tube to match our seat post height nicely
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The Level two piston calipers with the same bleeding edge technology bleed port from SRAM.

We have mounted a Renthal 35mm cockpit and will be trying different combinations within their line.

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A Renthal Carbon 800mm Fatbar with a 35mm bulge.
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We have a full range of Renthal grips to try, we mounted the Kevlar version first.
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A 35mm diameter Apex stem in a 50mm length.  The bar clamps use a zero gap clamp on the bottom, thus reducing stress risers on the bar.

Suspension for our first tests has been supplied by Rockshox with a Pike on the front with one token installed, and a Monarch+ RC3 on the back which came with the frame.

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Rockshox Pike up front, 160mm travel fork with normal 100mm hub spacing.
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The rear shock is the specifically tuned and set by Transition.

Our rolling parts are taken care of by SRAM Rail 40 wheels and  Michelin Enduro tyres the Wild Rock’r and Wild Grip’r in 2.3″ widths. The idea was to go for a entry level wheel set that puts the magical weight : price : strength ratio at the forefront.

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Michelin Wild Rockr tyre up front which is perfect for Punta Ala’s trails.
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The SRAM rail 40 wheel set uses asymetric rim profiles to reduce dish and balance the stress on the wheel from the drivetrain and brake forces.

Lastly we installed a 170mm travel Reverb seat post that fits perfectly through the frame’s internal routing.

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Slammed, that’s a 170mm long seat post! Despite first looks the Patrol seems to have room for everything.
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At full extension the seat is actually a tad high on flat sections, but on steep sections this extra travel helps with pedal position. The Patrol in large size is a long bike and after a bit of fiddling we found what we thought was an ideal body position.

Mechanic @ Punta Ala Trail Center
Bike @ Transition Bikes by Tribe
Parts @ SRAM , Renthal

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