Transition Announces The Carbon Sentinel Engineered To Party

 

For those of you who have been Sentimental over our new Sentinel but only ride carbon, the wait is over. Available in S, M, L and XL sizes and boasting all the same great features, hardware and parts kits as the alloy model. Coming in at a modest 6.83lbs / 3.1Kg this carbon beauty is a true rocketship. The Sentinel continues to receive praise as the bike that can truly do everything well. So if you like going up, over and down mountains the Sentinel is the bike for you. Available early 2018.

Transition Sentinal Geometry

The Sentinel was designed for 29er haters. A bike so capable, playful and fun that even the most staunch 29er naysayer will instantly convert. With our reverse mullet suspension configuration, the Sentinel stays responsive and playful while delivering incredible downhill monster truck capabilities. Our new Speed Balanced Geometry is our crown jewel that unlocks 100% of the potential of this bike. With SBG you get total confidence when it comes to cornering and climbing that really sets this bike apart from the crowd.

Transition Sentinel Features

Features

▪

Carbon

▪	Speed Balanced Geometry

▪	Boost 148 Dropout Spacing

▪	Trunion Metric Shock Sizing - 205mm X 57.5mm

▪	Enduro Max Sealed Bearings

▪	Threaded Bottom Bracket

▪	Molded Rubber Downtube & Chainstay Protection

▪	New Rattle Free Internal Cable Port Covers

▪	External Rear Brake Routing

▪	180mm Post Mount Brake

▪	Collet Main Pivot

▪	Water Bottle Storage Inside Front Triangle

▪	Tire Clearance up to 29" x 2.5"

▪	6.83lbs / 3.1Kg Frame w/shock and hardware

▪	$2999 USA MSRP / Frameset

▪	$4999 USA MSRP / GX build

▪	$5999 USA MSRP / XO1 build

Transition Sentinel Build Kits

Sentinel Frame Details

Transition Sentinel Video

When dreaming up what to shoot for the Sentinel, we couldn’t narrow it down to one style of riding, so we shot four locations/riders. All of which found the Sentinel to be right at home. Enjoy!


Music in order of appearance:
Odesza - Boy
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
The Geek X Vrv - Chinese Morning
The American Spirit - Sons and Daughters
Macklemore - Willy Wonka (Instrumental)

Find Out More About The Transition Sentinel Here

Santa Cruz Nomad Announced

The Nomad's reputation is built on consistently pushing the envelope of how DH a bike can get while still remaining usable on most trails. With each iteration we nudge the travel and geometry further towards the outer limits, and each time we surprise ourselves at just how completely rideable the end result remains.

The fourth generation design sees a dramatic shift to the lower-link mounted shock configuration. This is the first time that learnings from years of V10 development have translated across to one of our trail bikes.

Nomad Build Kits

The shock rate is now almost completely linear—which means feather-light small bump sensitivity right off the bat, a supportive midstroke and overall progression that you'd normally only experience on a DH bike. To keep the gravity vibe going we've ensured the Nomad can run both standard metric coil shocks and lighter air units to suit any preference.

Full shock compatibility creates challenges when trying to cram everything into the precious bottom bracket area. But the continued evolution of our carbon tech means we're able to create a svelt, strong, swingarm/front triangle combo that's as much art as it is engineering.

We even managed to squeeze in a flip-chip feature on the lower link too. Think of the high setting as "regular", the way the bike's mostly meant to be ridden, and the low setting as being closer to full on DH status.

To handle all this new-found capability the geometry has adapted too. It's longer and lower-slung than ever to ensure maximum stability and confidence on absolutely everything.

The whole package is crowned with a raft of subtle yet essential details. Bolt-on downtube protectors and shuttle guards act as a helmet for your frame—a replaceable front line against abuse. An integrated shock fender has also been added to keep crud out of the suspension.

The crowning glory of the Nomad, however, has been in the making longer than the frame itself: the all new Santa Cruz Reserve carbon wheels.  Spec'd exclusively on the Nomad for now, you can read more about how these wheels came into being right here.

Santa Cruz Nomad Features

• 148mm Rear Axle Spacing
• 170mm VPP™ suspension
• 27.5" wheels
• Angular contact bearings maximize stiffness
• Bolt-on shuttle guard and downtube protector
• Collet axle pivots lock in place without pinch bolts
• Double sealed pivots for long bearing life
• Forged upper and lower links
• Full carbon frame and swingarm
• Internal carbon tubes ensure precise and hassle-free routing of derailleur and seat post cables
• ISCG-05 tabs for chainguide compatibility
• Molded rubber swingarm and downtube protection
• Recessed lower link protected from rock strikes
• Single grease port on lower link for swift and easy maintenance
• Threaded Bottom Bracket

Santa Cruz Nomad Features

Santa Cruz Nomad geometry

Santa Cruz Nomad V4

Ibis Mojo HD4 Announced

The Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team*--currently the #1 team in the Enduro World Series standings--has been giving us feedback and recommendations for the last couple of years on what they want to see in a next-generation enduro bike. Our engineers, mechanics and designers have been working with the team to realize these goals, and we are pleased to announce the 4th generation of the Mojo HD, which we're dubbing the HD4.

• The HD4 features a completely redesigned geometry with a focus on stability and speed
• You can expect excellent big hit performance through increased progression in the shock tune
• After much experimentation and real-world testing, we've landed on a 64.9 degree head tube angle
• Reach has increased across the board (up by 4mm on small, to 34mm on XL)
• Compatibility with the longest droppers
• 30% stiffer upper link, 40% stiffer lower link
• Refined carbon layup yielding greater frame stiffness overall
• Features dw-link v5 kinematics, Dave’s most efficient system to date
• 27.5" wheels, up to 2.8" tires
• Available in Fireball Red, or Añejo Silver & Lime

"The new bike is inspiring to ride. I felt like I knew what it was going to do as soon as I hopped on it for the first run. When the trail points down hill and things get steeper, the bike is easy to move around, giving me that extra bit of confidence. After testing the bike for months, I am so happy we finally get to race it because it loves to go fast!"

Features 

• Accepts 27.5" tires in 2.3", 2.5", 2.6 and 2.8" Plus size
• dw-link suspension, as always
• Boost 148mm rear/110 Front axle
• 6” (153mm) of rear wheel travel
• Carbon fiber monocoque frame and swingarm
• 160mm Travel fork recommended, approved for 170mm
• Weight for the frame and shock, size large, gloss finish: 6.6 lbs (2.98 Kg)
• 64.9º head angle
• Standard Shock: Fox Float 7.875x2.25" with custom damping settings (full specs on June 13)
• Upgrade Shock: Fox Float X2, with climb switch, 7.875x2.25", rider-tunable damping settings
• ISCG 05 compatible with removable adapter is available
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Super versatile internal cable routing including internal dropper routing
• Included polycarbonate down tube cable guard
• Chain stay length: 16.9"
• 160mm post mount, 203mm maximum rotor size
• Tapered Head Tube and Steerer
• Dual row angular contact bearings on the drive side of the lower link. Large 28mm x 15mm x 7mm radial bearings on the non-drive side for stiffness and long wear
• BB height with tire sag is the same with 2.3 - 2.8 tires

Suspension technology, drivetrain performance, materials technology, carbon frame construction techniques and especially wheel and tire technology have all enjoyed tremendous technological advances in the last few years. All of us who ride have benefitted greatly. All the technologies found in the HD4 are built to currently accepted state-of-the-art standards.

Specs

• Seatpost Diameter 31.6mm
• Front Derailleur Direct Mount
• Bottom Bracket 68mm (BSA) English Thread
• Rear Shock Specification 7.875" x 2.25"
• Rear Axle 12 x 148mm BOOST
• Rear Brake 160mm Post Mount
• Chain guide compatibility ISCG 05
• Max Rear Rotor 203mm
• Headset Mixed Tapered (ZS 44 upper / ZS 56 lower)

Progessive Geometry

One of the design goals of the HD4 was to enhance the bike's handling capabilities over rough and steep terrain. The Mojo HD and Mojo 3 have had a lot of overlap and geometry similarities, with the new HD4 we are interested in separating the two bikes and growing the HD4's capabilities. We have been riding geometry testing mules for almost a year now, sampling different angles and lengths to determine the right feel for this bike. We've test ridden extensively in Santa Cruz, Downieville, Northstar, and in the high Sierras to get a feel for different terrains and traction conditions and the particular needs of each. 

In dialing in the geometry, we gave ourselves free reign to figure out what would work best. Instead of choosing a geometry by committee or based on other companies' bikes, we chose our geometry based on what worked best when we rode the steepest and gnarliest trails we could find. In our testing, we were able to see what each geometry dimension actually did to help the rider. For example, by trying a number of head angles back to back to back, with all other geometry dimensions held constant, we were able to pinpoint some desirable characteristics. The obvious one is that with proper trail measurement, the bike’s ability to steamroll through rough terrain is greatly enhanced. Less intuitive, but borne out by testing is that reducing the head angle will allow the bike to achieve higher lean angles before slipping out. This change also makes the bike more stable as the trail transitions to off-camber, meaning it’s less likely to slip out or get pushed down by the trail. On the Mojo HD4 we set the head angle at 64.9 degrees to maximize the stability in off-camber sections, increase our maximum lean angle and allow us to carry great speed through the chunder.

Ibis Mojo HD4 Geometry

Reach

We have seen many consumers buying bikes that were a size larger than we anticipated, indicating that we wanted to grow the reach of the Mojo HD4 by at least that much. We rode bikes with different reach numbers and were able to find a nice balance between being long enough without going too long. Compared to the Mojo HD3, size by size we increased reach by one whole frame size then added a little more. This longer reach combined with the slacker head angle greatly increases the wheelbase and gives a very stable ride for the roughest terrain.

Droppers

Like most people who ride aggressively on their trail bikes, we have really enjoyed riding with longer and longer dropper seatposts, especially as the terrain gets rougher and steeper. We recognized that having the seat completely out of the way made all the difference when things got really hairy. So we set out to give compatibility with the longest dropper posts available today, with enough room for adjustment to fit everyone. Compared to the HD3 we lowered the tops of the seat tubes roughly one size, so that a Large frame now measures 17.5" center to top. We also ensured the internal bore of the seat tube was deep enough. This allows riders to use the longest seatpost possible and still get their correct saddle height. On the Medium, Large, and X-Large sizes, almost everyone should be able to use 170mm dropper seaposts, while 150mm dropper seatposts should work for almost all Small size owners.

DW-Link

From the suspension standpoint, we absolutely love how the current Mojo HD3 pedals. We didn't want to mess with such a dialed suspension design so we left the kinematics the same for the Mojo HD4. What we did do, is engineer more progression into the shock leverage curve, allowing for more big-hit capability in very rough terrain. The travel went up a tiny bit, and it now has 153mm of rear travel. The bike is intended to fit a piggy-back rear air shock while still fitting a 22 oz water bottle in the frame. Coil shocks are not recommended, due to the clevis shock yoke extending the eye-to-eye too far to give a good bushing overlap ratio.

Travel

We think 6” of travel is right for most people's riding needs, we felt it struck the best balance for a climbable enduro style bike. With a longer travel bike comes the temptation to put 180mm forks on them, thus requiring heavier frame construction and moving the bike into a different category.

Variable leverage rates and shock tunes can make a 6” bike feel it’s got much more travel, or it can be the other way around. Since our dw-link bikes tend not to get stuck in the middle of their travel and have a very linear feel to them, the available travel feels consistent, predictable and more usable.

Another advantage of sitting a bit higher in its travel is that we can lower the bottom bracket height, making for a better handling bike, while not being prone to pedal strikes.

Linkage

With continued refinement, we've managed to eek 30% more stiffness out of the upper link as compared to the last iteration of the HD. This upper link is backward compatible to the HD3. The HD4's lower link's stiffness is increased by 40% compared to the links on the Mojo HD3 and is unique to the HD4. 

Find Out More On The Ibis Mojo HD4

YT Announces the New Jeffsy 27

Not even one month after presenting the new 2017 bike range YT is at it again, rolling out another trail bike – the JEFFSY 27.

It was only last year that YT appeared in the all-mountain market, where they made quite an impression. This segment now sees further growth with the arrival of another model: The JEFFSY 27 is the right choice for those seeking an even more agile and playful bike than the JEFFSY 29 – already one of the most fun-loving 29ers on the market. When it comes to getting aggressive, JEFFSY 27 follows in the footsteps of its big brother, too: in giving it a little bit extra travel, the developers made sure this 27.5” bike won ‘t get hung up on rough terrain. It is available with 160mm of travel on the top of the range model, and 150mm on the rest of the line-up. When it comes to suspension travel, the 160mm JEFFSY CF Pro Race is most suited for racing applications, where in addition to pedaling efficiently the bike also needs to have a tad more gravity potential. YT team rider Bryan Regnier will use JEFFSY for several Enduro World Series races this season.

"When choosing the right wheel size for you, your personal preferences, your riding style, and of course also the terrain you ride all play an important role in the decision. Everybody should decide for themselves which wheel size is most appropriate for them. At the end of the day, it’s not about numbers but about how much fun you’re having on your bike. Everything is what you make of it.”
Markus Flossmann, CEO"

Technical Data

The carbon frame weighs in at a scant 2300 grams, while its aluminum counterpart tips the scales at 2900 grams. Just like on the JEFFSY 29, a Flip Chip lets you dial in your ride: in the low position, you get an aggressive, 66-degree head angle and a significant BB drop (15mm). Those who climb a lot might prefer the high position, which yields a 75.5-degree effective seat angle. Naturally, YT’s highly acclaimed V4L suspension layout is also used on JEFFSY 27; it provides great small-bump sensitivity, good mid-stroke support and significant end-stroke progressivity. The BOOST standard was used for the rear axle spacing and the crank in order to provide more space between the chain ring, chain stays, and tire. An E-Type mount makes sure you can always install a front derailleur, even on the single chain ring models. Last but not least, the protectors on the stays help keep drive train noise to a minimum, whilst the discretely integrated alloy “chain suck guides” protect from damage caused by a fallen chain.

The Carbon Models

The JEFFSY 27 is available in four carbon versions: CF Pro Race, CF Pro, CF One, and CF Two. The top of the line JEFFSY 27 CF Pro Race features only the very best parts, which makes it an ideal choice for racers and pro riders. It is also the only bike in the range that offers 160mm of travel, ready to get rowdy. The Kashima coated FOX Factory suspension components were designed for aggressive trail riding and serious enduro racing, and they are both ready to mix it up with the best. Drivetrain wise the choice felt to e*thirteen being a very reliable and robust cassette for racing with its perfect range of gears. Carbon wheels, crank, and handlebar help keep JEFFSY’s weight really low, this rocket weighs a mere 12.4 kg. The JEFFSY 27 CF Pro is also a convincing package with extraordinary specs: The FOX Performance Elite suspension shines with top-class responsiveness on aggressive downhill sections as it comes with exact the same damping cartridge as the big brother Factory Series. In fact, the only difference between the Performance Elite fork and the Factory Series are the hard-anodized stanchions. Another eye-catcher on the CF Pro: the SRAM Eagle transmission which with its twelve gears makes the front derailleur superfluous. Those who prefer RockShox suspension will find themselves in great company with the JEFFSY 27 CF One or CF Two. The CF One offers a crisp, 11-speed SRAM transmission while the CF Two provides 2x11 gears via Shimano’s XT group.

The Aluminum Models

When it comes to aluminum, YT offers a choice between the JEFFSY 27 AL One and AL Two. Neither have anything to envy their carbon colleagues, since they are both based on the same frame platform. The user-friendly suspension components are easy to set up and adjust, even for beginners. Both bikes offer 150mm of ready-to-rumble suspension travel front and rear: A RockShox Pike RC fork and Deluxe RT shock on the AL One, and a RockShox Pike RC and Deluxe R on the AL Two. The biggest difference between the two aluminum models is the drivetrain: the AL One features a SRAM X1 1x11 transmission while the AL Two goes 2x11 with SRAM GX.

All models come in S, M, L, and XL sizes and are available to order as of today on the website www.yt-industries.com. At the end of April YT’s Rolling Circus will once again head out with all the different JEFFSY models on a huge test tour of Europe’s trail centers and bike parks. The exact dates and places will be published in March.

JEFFSY 27 or JEFFSY 29: it doesn’t matter which wheel size you believe in, it’s what you do with it that counts. Size doesn’t matter. Ace Hayden and Bryan Regnier checked it out lately in Squamish. Now online on YouTube. Size doesn't matter – it’s what you do with it.

Andrew Neethling Leaving Polygon UR Team

Looks like Needles is leaving Polygon UR for 2017. Any guess as to where he will go?