Transition Sentinel: All-Mountain Showdown 

Do you still have it?

Hey, are you still riding the Sentinel? I'm currently on a 27.5 Rocky Mountain Altitude and am looking at the Sentinel for my next bike. Curious to know which build you went with and if you found it took awhile to adjust to 29" wheels.

@@joseph-the-seventh I am still on it! I went with the GX carbon build but have by now changed the suspension, brakes and some other components. Mostly because I just like to test stuff. It didn't take me long to adapt to the bigger wheels at all when it comes to comfortably charging trails but I'm 6'2 and that might make it easier. Like I originally said though, it did take me a while longer to figure out how to ride it playfully. It isn't as flickable as a typical 27.5 unless the speeds are much higher, then it starts feeling like how a 27.5 feels at medium speeds which is awesome

@@Coerced Nice! I've narrowed down my bike selection to a Sentinel or a Santa Cruz Bronson MX which has the mixed wheel setup. I'm also 6'2 so would probably be fine on 29" wheels, though I'm also thinking mixed wheels could be a fun setup. Hard to go with a bad bike these days!

@@joseph-the-seventh never rode a SC but got some time on a buddy's latest generation Patrol which is a mullet. It's a very similar bike but it doesn't really add much for me tbh. It hops a bit faster but doesn't corner like a 27. In fact, it just felt like my bike but rather unsettled. Thinking about it, I actually think I felt the downsides of both wheelsizes rather than the best of both worlds. It's like the back end wants to tip but the front is slowing it down, and the front end wants to charge but the rear is rattling. I don't feel like it does much for people our size but I might just be missing the charms. I'm just one guy. Good luck with your decision!

Glad you liked it!

Wow, thanks!

So good!

Stoked! It’s pretty amazing.

Thanks for the kind words! Stay tuned.

Hey thanks!

GoPro effect. It’s all lies.

I think they're all strong options depending on your preferences and style.

@@bikersedge that's right, I've tried the ripmo after bought my Hightower, still no regrets, love my bike, but for me the ripmo ist just refined, I'm pretty happy with my bike and even if wanted to buy the ripmo is means a lot of time waiting. Thanks for the answer, and keep with great content you have been doing. 👍

@@helderlopes3863 try switchblade too!

Hey thanks!

Agreed! I rode XL so I usually prefer a little longer chainstay. Fees more balanced on a bigger bike.

You’re going to love it!

How you liking it now?

Sentinel is amazing. You’ll love it.

This bike is in a league of its own. It's honestly hard to trust in all of its talents for me because I keep being sceptical about it really being this good at everything haha. You've got an amazing bike coming your way! Great choice.

@@Coerced yeah I’m super excited for it, except for the expected arrival date in February :(

@@crispy2255 I don't know where you are, but call and check with your local Transition dealers often (if you have any). There are still dealers getting in orders they placed last year of bikes that either aren't claimed or the buyers backed out. I was lucky enough to find one an hour away from me 2 months ago. Good luck, it's an amazing bike and will be worth the wait!

@@vonrunner unfortunately the dealers around me have to wait for a few months before placing another round of orders so I’ll be waiting but it’ll be worth it!

Downhill shredder is an apt description.

You and BE have the best reviews. Love both.

That is definitely the weight, the RAF is anything but light, but pedals just as well as the V2

@@carymcreynolds7503 you should check out freehub magazines RU-vid channel his review of the sentinel really shows it’s ability

@@carymcreynolds7503 Thanks Cary, appreciate your support. Working to get on BE's level.....I got a long way to go lol.

@@mrvwbug4423 The DW link really is magic on the climbs. Our RAF was 36lbs but didn't feel cumbersome. I would love to try out the V2 Ripmo. Ibis and Transition really know how to make amazing bikes.

The sentinel is so rad. You’re going to love it.

I wouldn’t stand a chance against you.

Glad you like them. We don’t carry specialized so I wouldn’t be able to get one for a review.

We don’t carry Marin at the shop so I won’t be able to compare it.

You're not wrong. It's the fighter jet of MTB.

Oh yeah. It’s fast. Like danger zone fast.

It’s one of my favorites too!

Still curious about steepening the HTA but I'm still adapting to the slack angle now. Giving it time before I change anything. How much do you notice the heightened BB?

Blackburn Grid!

I kept the travel at 160 but I feel like the Zeb makes a big difference. The Sentinel deserves a Zeb.

Utah has some pretty amazing trails. St. George has some of my favorite winter rides.

Ha! We're heading to St. George this weekend to check out neighborhoods and properties. Summer visit to experience the heat

Enjoy the heat! Don’t melt!

@@bikersedge ,....Well coming from North Phoenix, I don't think the heat will be a problem. But, I would like to have a little cooler climate than Phoenix. Trying to ride here in the summer is pretty rough. There is literally no shade anywhere. Do you think northern Utah is worth moving to for the mountain biking? I am assuming that there is more of a year around riding season in St. George? Albeit pretty hot in the summer months. One other thing is, I think there are less hikers on the trails in Utah? In Arizona, the biking trails are filled with hikers and they hate bikers.

@@Flacojandro ,....My wife and I have been there about 5 times now trying to find something. It is pretty difficult, everything is way overpriced. If you like beer, have you been to Zion brewing in downtown St. George? It is a great little place. I will keep[ my eye open for you. ;-)

Those trails are overgrown and high speed. Getting too close to trees is a common occurrence. Can’t say much about the Canyon. It’s not a brand I’m familiar with or have ever ridden. We don’t carry them at the shop.

We don’t carry Specialized. Won’t be able to include it in the test.

It’s a Blackburn saddle bag held on with the wolf tooth b rad bracket.

Just bought a Spire. When it shows up I’ll be making a video for sure.

Has it shown up yet?

@@jorcor78 no. Most likely February

Park city for this video. So good.

100% put a Zeb on your sentinel. It matches the Sentinel's capability really well.

Just change the air spring on the Lyrik to 170. Way cheaper than buying a new fork.

@@minds4game I kept my Zeb at the same travel (160mm). Adding 10mm of front travel isn't the same as buying a bigger, stiffer fork.

@@bikersedge ah good to know. I got the GX build so it was a cheaper option for me. Maybe down the road I'll upgrade to a ZEB.

@@minds4game GX is where it's at! Best value build IMO. The Zeb is an amazing compliment to the Sentinel if you can swing it down the road.

I don't think it's really going to feel much different with a similar application air shock. I ran 30% sag.

Park City!

Not really. Then again, I don't really have many issues with those on any bike. I'll tag a pedal on some of the techy stuff from time to time is all.

It’s a wolf tooth components B-rad bracket with a Blackburn saddle bad strapped in there.

@@bikersedge thank you!

Yeah. The climb switch always makes a bike more efficient but it comes at the expense of travel and control.

@@bikersedge Agreed. But at least it's there for those long gravel roads and smooth trail climbs. thx.

yeah it's a B Rad strap with a blackburn saddle bag. There's a tube, plug kit, CO2 and tool in there.

@@bikersedge brilliant thank you ! do you know what exact the model is? theres lots of blackburn ones out there and its limited space so dont want order the wrong one

We don’t carry specialized. Won’t be able to do a showdown.

Sure thing. I just bought one for myself. When it comes in I’ll be filming it for sure.

I’m a dad too and I can’t get enough of the sentinel at the moment. It suits my riding style really well. From what I understand, NC trails can be a little tighter than our trails out here in Utah. A hightower might be a bit easier to maneuver in that case. Honestly think you’d be stoked on either one.

@@bikersedge thanks for the quick reply. That checks with what I’ve been thinking. If your crew ever find themselves out this way- let me know. Happy to show y’all around! Cheers

I’ve been wanting to ride Pisgah! Look rad out there.

@@bikersedge COME ON! Beer and tacos on me

Don't tempt me with a good time.

The others each have their strengths, but I'm beyond stoked this one lives in my garage.

Lots of multi direction trails in our area. I ding it around blind corners or when I come up on hikers. Nicer than head on collisions or yelling.

@@bikersedge Agree! I use one here on the CO Front Range and get very appreciative "thanks" from other trail users.

As soon as I can get one. Looks like February.

No comment.

@@bikersedge that's a bummer. Isn't this a review page?

​@@dustinbjohnson Ha! We don't carry Specialized at the bike shop. I was in desperate need of some tires and had these laying around. They're not bad tires.

Yeah. Black Forest and Mojave

Blackburn grid held on with a wolftooth b rad bracket.

Man. Different strokes for different folks I guess. I love mine!

Hey man, good to hear that so do you think this bike is an all rounder? I'm this much to pull the trigger on the Sentinel. Btw! is going to be my 1st full squish.

@@jitodiaz Did you get it what do you think

@@LastAphelionhey man, nah! I bought an Orbea Occam H20LT. 150mm front and rear....very happy with my new rig. Cheers!

Yeah this channel kind of underestimates bikes, they’ve done so a few times.

I just looked through the top 50 ews riders. No sentinel. Who’s on one? I’m not saying you can’t race enduro on it. But I stand by it not being an enduro bike. It’s an all mountain bike.

@@bikersedge Alex McAndrew and John Richardson, pretty sure the latter has had some pretty solid finishes. Anyway, its just semantics but I get it, its not a single crown dh bike which is what most people refer to as "enduro" now a days

Pretty sure at least John raced the Spire in the most recent round. Agreed, that it's probably just semantics at this point. And as always it's tough to put bikes into nice, neat little categories. I mean look at the Ibis team racing the Ripmo in the EWS. It's also a case of "the archer not the arrow"

@@bikersedge Oh really? I thought I saw a bike check with him on the Sentinel but I could be wrong. I think we're just on two sides of the same coin, all mountain bike that descends well and enduro bike that climbs well are the same thing I guess lol

I’m 6’2” (188)

The Spur is SOOOO much fun. I own one.

Ouch. That’s a mega bummer.

Park City Ut

@@bikersedge I'm so booking a trip to the USA for riding in those amazing silver birch trees - the contrast with the greens and the dirt is amazing. I'll make sure I come say hi :D \m/

@@bikersedge awesome videos btw - great reviews.

@@chrismakin1482 If you make it out this way, hit us up! The riding is pretty awesome.

Blackburn grid held on with a wolftooth b rad bracket.

@@bikersedge TY

Similar. It's been to long since I've ridden an SB150 to make a fair assessment.

It’s on a whole bunch of trails in park city.

I leave out a lot of geometry and specs because it’s easy to look up and I’m trying to keep these videos as short as possible. All the offsets on these bikes are “short,”

@@bikersedge makes sense. I recently changed from 51mm to 42mm fork offset and as you know, it may as well be a completely different bike.

I can tell a bit of a difference for sure going back and forth between the two. I think it may have been overhyped when it first came out though. When I go back to a bike with a longer offset, it's not the end of the world for me.

@@bikersedge I ride a tallboy iii as a 24.5 lb marathon xc build with a 68 degree head tube. It takes less attention to weight the front to go fast through turns… much easier to go fast with the 42. I was curious if the offset had as much impact on those slacker bikes you’re testing. Sounds like maybe not.

6’2”

@@bikersedge Thanks for the answear. I'm 6'5" and will go for the XXL. :)

I am 6'3 on the XXL it's all inseam dependent. I like the Long Reach

Tough call. Your best bet is is to try them both in person.

I'm 6'2 on an XL. At 6' I'd no doubt get the L. It's made for your body height. This bike is plenty stable as is - L will do everything for you. XL will be a fast-and-open-track specialist.

I'm 6' on a L. Bike fits great.

Sentinel. All day.

We don't carry Specialized. Won't be able to make that happen.

@@bikersedge gotcha, thought that may have been the case. Great videos tho!

Hey thanks for the kind words!

I spent most of the video explaining why it’s fits better with these bikes than the enduro bikes.

Size XL. I’m 6’2”

@@bikersedge at 6’1 I’m right in between and haven’t been able to sit on one let alone ride one. Any input?

I steer clear of size advice over the internet. It’s a crapshoot without seeing someone on the bike. We are dropping a video soon that will help people know what to expect with a bigger frame vs smaller frame.

It’s still not the best way to size someone on a bike. Hopefully it helps people decide though.

False. It’s an all mountain bike. No battle.

@@bikersedge that false from u guys i dont know y u guys pushing yeti as all mountain bike .Are they sending u free stuff ? I am not saying it’s down county bike it good trail bike it doesn’t matter what company clams mostly are not true.so people buy stuff on ur reviews so i will say be honest like my self i bought Occam when u reviewed it . If its really all mountain bike make a whole separate video n show y its all mountain with less suspension.

I'm not trying to push it as something it's not. I honestly believe it's an all-mountain bike. It's far more capable on the DH than the trail bikes. I've ridden one of the nastiest double black diamond trails in the state on a standard SB130. I wouldn't be stoked to ride that same trail on a Tallboy, Ripley or Spur. I feel like the SB130 video I just published, goes to show it's an AM bike and not a trail bike. you don'r have to believe it, but I doubt you've ridden all these bikes back to back to actually know for yourself.

If you’d prefer I can use: boingy, round, rolly, bikey, dirt, stick, rock, grabby parts, rubbery parts and sitty bits.

This is gold 😂😂

We don’t carry Marin. Won’t be able to make it happen.

@@bikersedge bummer, you guys should carry Marin as they make affordable bikes.

We carry 10+ brands as is. Tough to add brands at this point. Plus we've got a solid lineup with some of the best brands in the business.

Sorry. It got a little out of hand on this one. I went full RU-vid. Never go full RU-vid.

Nah.

Hahah. Never noticed that.

I’m still waiting on a spire to try some back to back riding with my sentinel. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

Yeah throw a cascade link on the sentinel, maybe even a 170mm air spring and it’s an even closer comparison.

I feel like I defended my position very well. It doesn’t belong with the enduro bikes. Ride one back to back with the all mountain bikes and then the enduro bikes. You’ll see.

@@bikersedge I totally agree. I have had a Sentinel V2 since May 2020. Initially I thought it would be an enduro sled, but instead found it to be an amazing all arounder. I ride it everywhere! Xc trails, flow trails, bike parks, shuttle mountains, it is the do it all - all mountain bike. I eventually upped the fork to 170 and put the cascade link on to make it a bit more enduro feeling, but it hasn’t lost much of its all mountain roots. Such a versatile bike.

@scott Finally! Someone who doesn't think I'm crazy for calling it an AM bike. Most people who have ridden one end up feeling the same it seems. Way more versatile than it looks on paper.

@@bikersedge Hey, first off just wanted to say that I'm a big big fan of your videos. Love the production quality, the interesting dialog, and the great bikes reviewed. You're doing it right. I just wanted to leave a comment to say that sometimes bike reviews can get a tad bit confusing. It seems like a vast majority of reviews use the words "slightly" or "a little bit" to differentiate bikes and on the same token categorize bikes that may seem similar differently. An example of this is when you say that the Sentinel is a "little bit" up the burly scale over the Spur, but then say that the Sentinel is an all mountain bike but not an enduro bike. But I bet if the sentinel just had 10mm more travel ( "slightly" more rear travel) to 160 it would classify as an enduro bike thru and thru - nearly same specs, actually more aggressive than something like a megatower. I own both a Spur and Sentinel, and can definitely that they are worlds apart. I think what I'm getting at is that maybe when reviews use words like "slightly " or a "little bit" it may confuse some people, because to me those words means a "very small" or "negligible" difference. Anyways, keep doing what you're doing. Just wanted to throw that out there.

@@CCWclassic Thanks for the kind words! That's some really good feedback too. Not sure I've said the Sentinel is only a "little bit burlier" than a Spur. I've owned both and the Sentinel is way burlier than the Spur. Compared to the other bikes in this test, though, it is a "little bit" burlier. Hopefully that clears things up.

Only the rear brake is external. Honestly, that's probably the best option. You can remove the rear brake without having to cut the line and bleed it.

Don't knock it till you try it.

👆🏼 exactly. Only too slack if you haven’t ridden one.

Been riding one for 2 months. Thought so too at first until lately I've finally started to adapt. As said in the video: really lean the bike into the corners rather than steering and it's as nimble as any bike with a bit of speed with much more composure. Only when really moving slowly do I ever feel like it's any more work than a 65 HTA bike to move around tight 'n windy trails.

@@SpencerBaum Ever eat raw chicken?

@@Nate_K111 that analogy doesn't work due to the fact that you can actually get sick from raw chicken and it isn't good for you. A super slack bike like this won't hurt you, it's just different than what your currently riding. It's basically like saying, I love cooked fish but I hate sushi because it's raw and I've never tried it