I’m thinking of buying a Bandit frame and want peoples opinion on what its like? I would be moving all the bits from my NS Surge, 150mm Revs etc. I ride a mix of stuff around S.Wales, Cwmcarn and that.

i got my daughter a bandit . she loves it. rode glentress and inners and local xc too.

Yep, I’ve got one. Very happy with it.

And perfect with 150mm forks too. Go for it. 😀

Awesome bike,I use mine for all day rides,mini down hill events and play days out,pedals real good,

As good as any other 5 inch trail bike and better than most,check sizing though,I normally ride a medium (5″10 ) but the transition guys recommended a large and I agree feels great

I have a covert and am so impressed with it I’m tempted to get a bandit frame as well because I have all the parts spare to build one up. 2011 models are very cheap on the transition US site even with delivery charges.

2011 models are very cheap on the transition US site even with delivery charges.

Just remember to factor in import duties.

@chopchop – us websites usually quote prices without sales tax(vat) as in the us if you buy goods ipfrom a different state you don’t pay sales tax. As above to import to the uk you just pay duty and vat.

As an aside the cross over between bandit and covert seems quite great 150 vs 160 with the covert being branded as the all round bike. Nirvana have a demo bandit 29er and they’ve been riding and jumping it. Not sure if anyone on here harps demoed it. I rode the covert and liked it a lot fwiw.

You might like to check the transition owners group on facebook (they post here too) they had some offers and may have a demo.

I thought Bandit was 130mm travel?

18 bikes in Hope have a Bandit demo bike.

I do like the look of the bandit. I think it’s 130mm rear and 140mm front when bought standard.

Does anyone know what the customs duty percentage is on a bike or frame from the US? HMRC website says you’d have to pay this duty and then import VAT of 20%.

IIRC its about 4% for frames and parts. + the VAT + the handling charge from the courier (typically ~£10).

Worth checking on warranty situation, a mate has had good service on a UK-bought Covert from Transition (crash replacement) but you cant expect support from the UK importer and most brands have regional warranties (Eg. US, EU) managed via importer/distributor.

Bandit is 130mm travel and designed for forks between 140-160mm. I find mine perfect at 150mm.

Covert is 150mm travel (new one is 160mm) and really wants a beefy 160mm fork – something like Fox 36s or a Lyrik. Wouldn’t be ideal with Revs, so OP would need new forks.

I’ve found my Bandit plenty tough enough anyway. Transition tend towards making their bikes tough rather than super light, so unless you really want more travel then I’m sure you’d be fine.

puncturo – check here for a calculator – http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

This is the duty –

Bicycle Frame has an import duty rate of 4.7% and VAT rate of 20%

Postage from the US can be crippling too…I paid nearly £200 for a frame! It was something I couldn’t get over here though, I wouldn’t mail order anything from over there if you can buy it in this country.

Cheers for the info chaps. I think I’ll take the hint and stick with the UK distributor!

Hi Minzo – Nols here from the Transition UK owners group.
Not sure if they’d actually send you one direct from the USA to be honest anyway. You’d have to ask Sam, but I reckon you’d just be pointed in the direction of Surf-Sales. We’re trying to get some deals on new old stock 2011 stuff for members of the owners group, as we’re being supported by Surf-Sales. Keep an eye on the Tr.OG facebook page. We’re getting stuff together for Friday 13th. Various demo bikes, stuff that was warrantied for paint defects etc that Transition USA have approved for resale and new old stock from 2011… Saying that, there’s only one small and one XL bandit frames available from 2011 with Surf-Sales – so not a lot to choose from.
http://www.facebook.com/Tr.OG.UK