The Smuggler is a classic 29-inch trail bike with 120 millimetres at the rear and 140 at the front.
It boasts the Transition SBG system - a unique philosophy in terms of bike geometry. This means that a long reach is matched to a 40-millimeter stem, paired with a slack steering angle (66 degrees) and a shortened fork offset of 43 millimeters. This puts more pressure on the front wheel, which results in a lot of agility when riding slowly and should provide stability at high speeds.

Equipment

The parts installed are solid and proven. Gears are shifted with SRAM GX Eagle. A "Guide R" helps to slow down the speed again. You could do with a little more braking power from time to time. Thanks to the well-tuned Fox suspension, the bike sits firmly on the ground and the "DPS Performance Elite" shock and the "Float 36 Grip Performance" fork harmonize perfectly. The Americans rely on Race Face components and equip the Smuggler with the "Stans Arch S1 Team" wheelset.

Processing & details

The appearance of the Transition is impeccable and tidy. The cables are routed in the frame, except for the rear brake line. The cables are optimally shortened and nicely routed, only the seatpost cable is a little too long. The workmanship of the frame and the details is flawless. The Smuggler shines with good solutions such as the generously dimensioned chainstay protector.

On the flat

The riding position of the bike is pleasantly central, the handling is agile and it is light-footed thanks to good propulsion. The Smuggler is no lightweight, but it still accelerates well and pedals efficiently.

Up the mountain

The Transition likes it rough and rough uphill, the rear suspension really sticks to the ground. Even the steepest ramps or high steps don't upset it. Ideal for technical uphills

Downhill

Downhill, you won't feel much of the light-footed mountain goat. Chain right and full throttle is the order of the day. After a few meters, you forget that you only have 120 millimetres of travel at the rear. As mentioned at the beginning, the bike really sticks to the ground and pulls through the bends as if on rails. The Smuggler is easy to control and you're often on the road faster than you'd like.

Conclusion

The SBG geometry from Transition is more than just a philosophy, it's a proof of concept. The makers are known for their creative marketing, but also for bikes that don't shy away from rough terrain. The Smuggler underlines this.

Recommendation

The Smuggler is made for alpine terrain and is an ideal bike for single trail lovers who have everything from long day tours to shuttle rides on their agenda. And always put the pedal to the metal.

Specifications

Manufacturer/distributor

www.transitionbikes.com / www.magicdownhill.com

Test report published in issue 02/2019 of Ride magazine