Starting to do a bit of research for my next trail bike and keep being drawn towards the Tranny Sentinel. I already have a Transition Spur which does everything I need for local door-to-door riding, flowy trails, big XC days out etc and that will remain my main bike for 90% of the time but I haven't owned a longer travel bike for a while now and looking for something more downhill-focussed to compliment the shorter-travel bike.
Preferably looking for:
Alloy frame
150mm-160mm front / 140-150mm rear travel
Good climber
Not too bothered about weight as its going to be a winch and plummet bike but would like to keep it around 15kg if possible
Drawn to the Sentinel as its the only one I've had a chance to have a spin on but open to any brand. Vitus / Nukeproof / Commencal look decent value.
I ended up with an Ibis ripmo af after thinking about a sentinel but couldn't find one in my size at the time .
I've had the Ibis about a year now and I've been quite happy with it . I would say it's more of a long travel trail/enduro than an all out enduro bike . I've been really impressed with how well it pedals and the grip with a coil shock fitted .
"I would say it’s more of a long travel trail/enduro than an all out enduro bike" this is exactly what I'm looking for really. Will add the Ripmo to the list. Thanks!
I’ve got an alloy Sentinel v2 that I built up from a frameset. It’s flipping ace. Not a light frameset - but built with a Lyrik ultimate / xm481 rims on Hope rear, Bitex front hubs / medium sort of casing tyres, codes, xt 12 speed with sram carbon cranks, carbon bar, cascade link, Kitsuma coil rear shock I think it’s 34-35lbs ish.
Pedals pretty efficiently for the travel and it’s mega downhill. Still happy to pop off lips etc - although it does really flatten pedally flat flow trails.
I also considered:
Ripmo AF
Santa Cruz Hightower
I was originally looking for something shorter travel - but if I hadn’t I’d also be looking at Nukeproof Mega - there have been some excellent deals on them either frameset only with ext coil shock or as a whole - a mate has the 297 carbon elite and that’s very plush. I’d say a bit more travel / a bit more plush and ground hugging than the Sentinel.
Sentinel alloy owner here too, would buy another one in a heart beat. They do work a lot better with a coil IMO. Really surefooted, climbs amazingly, heavy but not noticeable when on the bike.
A mate has an alloy nukeproof mega, they are very good value, but not sure they are quite as good quality as a transition.
<p>There are some good deals on ripmo AF’sin the link Hannah posted if you are that far through the process.</p>
I reckon a Banshee Prime (135mm rear but feels like more, can be run with 140-160mm forks) or Banshee Titan (155mm rear travel) would be worth a look.
I have a Prime and it's epitome of sturdy Trail/All Mountain/Enduro allrounder.
Not alloy but I am slightly drawn to the Forbidden and Deviate high pivot bikes at the moment - and also a little
bit the Atherton AM150. I think that latter bike is a bit less slack HA than I’d like and might be seatpost insertion limited by the link in the seat tube.
The thing about the Sentienl is that at 5’9 I can run a full 210mm drip Oneup post in it and the slack headangle really adds confidence when tipping it into steep tech / chutes etc. I’m still quite ‘middling’ in terms of skill level but the Sentinel has given me more confidence to tip into stuff I previously wouldn’t have done.
Worth a test ride on a Propain Tyee too, fantastic bikes. 🙂
I also really rate the new mega, pedals well and very confident on the downs!
Stumpjumper Evo Alloy. Hugely flexible in terms of geometry settings, decent size specific chainstays, good dropper insertion, frame storage & no issue with trunnion shocks.
New Trek Fuel EX seems like an excellent, very adaptable option as well.
Like the Stumpy Evo, the looks are a bit divisive though. And it's spendy.
For value, those Ripmo AF or the Vitus look very good - and could be tweaked slacker with an angle headset.
Likewise if Bird have any of their mega cheap AM9 frames left, I'm sure one of those would be awesome with a -2deg headset.
Privateer 140? Be on my list for a similar style of bike or even the bigger 160.
I have a carbon sentinel and it is an absolutely amazing bike. Like joe says it makes you want to jump off of everything but it still has your back in the rough stuff
I’m only riding my hardtail at the minute so have out my sentinel frame up for sale. If it doesn’t sell though I would be happy to build it up again.
Can’t speak for the alloy one though.
Only other bike that has been as good was my cotic rocketmax. That was a bit more of a big bike though. It just attacked! Would love to own another
Privateer frames look sound but I’d be very torn between the 161 and 141
The privateer price / kit looks ok, but I can’t help but feel they’re a bit rougher round the edges than the Sentinel. But then something like a Santa Cruz has better pivot hardware than the Transition from what I hear. So it all comes down to budget.
Bird AM9 / Aeris 9 with the 160mm link probably worth a look too for good value alloy frames. Lots of build options there too.
I had a similar brief a few years ago, and it was between Sentinel (heart) and Ripmo AF (head)
Went with the Ripmo, and don't regret it at all. It's not a looker, but it's an absolute riot to ride. Poppy, playful, and feels way more capable than I am. Happily batters through blacks with a clumsy idiot on board, and pedals surprisingly well as well.
Only complaint is that I've had to strip the link and clean a few times when it got a bit squeaky, but other than that, solid bike.
If still have the Transition if it wasn't so much more, though 😀
The Sentinel is quite a good looking bike. I prefer it with a coil and the black Cascade link but it also looked ok with the standard blue link and float x that it came with.
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This is very pretty too - although
I’m not sure how hard work the Forbidden Dreadnought is in terms of pedalling big days. Love the colour scheme though:
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Id stick with Transition
Currently riding a Spur also but in the past ive had a Scout, Patrol and TR500
The Scout, Sentinel and Patrol all fit your bill (Patrol does have 10mm more rear travel than your asking) all availible in alloy, the Scout comes with 27.5 wheels front and rear, Patrol is mixed and Sentinel is 29er
Id be pushed more towards the Patrol, mixed wheel, good amount of travel, avalible in all colours for the alloy version
My only gripe with Transition's is the cheap Raceface Affect wheels they all come with (unless you buy the top spec with carbon wheels) and the One up dropper (had 2 faulty ones straight out the box!) i swapped the wheels out for DT Swiss and the dropper for a FOX one and its been spot on
@escrs I'm a tall guy so definitely sold on 29 wheels front and back. I had a look at the Patrol but not so sure about mullets.
If you can pickup the alloy frame on the Sentinel frame only (as I did) it was relatively good value at the time.
Left me free to build without any dodgy components I didn’t want.
On the flip side to the above poster I’m happy with both Oneup posts I’ve got. They need a periodic strip and clean / re-grease but it’s relatively easy. A refresh kit (new brass guides / new top cap with bushing / new seal and a couple of other white plastic bushings) is only about £20. If the cartridge blows inside I think it’s about £50 for a new one and it just bolts in.
Fox seem like they work well until they don’t, then it’s a very expensive dealer service to put it right. Same as a reverb for me - too difficult to service at home.
@joebristol my local Transition dealer does Sentinel alloy frames for €2,499. That's with a Fox X2 which I've seen aren't that great and tend to explode worryingly often. I can get a full build alloy with GX, DT wheels (1900) and Fox 36 for €5.999,00.
Transition aren't particularly good value in the UK / Europe any more when compared to direct to consomer brands or even Commencal / Orbea, especially with the lousy exchange rates.
SLX Ripmo AF with Marzocchi I can get for €5,048,00 but they're really not the best looking bikes that Ibis have put out over the years.
If I was back in the UK at the moment I'd be utilizing the credit card and grabbing one of those Merlin Cycles Ibis bargains (if they had one in my size).
20twenty store have over a grand off the GX alloy sentinel at the moment.
Although with a Spur in the collection I’d be looking at the Patrol. I love my Sentinel but it feels like a big trail bike, rather than a small enduro bike. Same shop above have £1400 of carbon Patrols.
Edit - ah, not UK. You posted just as I was typing.
That one at 20twenty seems pretty decent tbh - Fox 36 with a grip 2 is good / the float x seems to be more reliable then the X2 (as well as lighter) even though technically it’s lower in the range, GX eagle good etc. Never tried those trp-DH brakes but I think they’re well reviewed.
I agree I’d give the X2 shock a swerve on a trunnion mount bike - seems even the normal mount ones cavitate quite quickly - and the trunnion mount seems to cause even more problems for them.
Just to add with the standard linkage and float x I’d say the sentinel is borderline long trail trail / light enduro, but with the coil and cascade link it is fantastic through chunk.
I've got nothing to add to original question of alternatives because I can't see past the Sentinel. I'm going on two years on my (carbon) frame and I'm still struggling to say what I'd replace it with. It's a great blend of being good enough on trails and burly enough for more downhill heavy days. I've been running a coil shock pretty much since I got the frame and have added a Cascade link a few months back to stretch the rear travel to 165mm in anticipation of an Alps trip.
Buy one, you'll love it!
@appltn what coil are you using? Kind of tempted by one, but put off faff of getting correct spring rate.
New Rock Shox with the externally adjustable HBO is quite tempting though. Float X could really do with a full service.
@appltn what coil are you using? Kind of tempted by one, but put off faff of getting correct spring rate.
New Rock Shox with the externally adjustable HBO is quite tempting though. Float X could really do with a full service.
Ohlins TTX which I was lucky to find at a good discount. There’s a few coil shocks with large reservoirs that don’t play well with the smaller frame sizes I believe so whatever you go with it’s a good idea to check it at bottom out with no spring before riding it.
So those of you running a cascade link did you reduce shock stroke or just run it at 165mm? Did you leave the fork at 160mm? I should have bought one a few months back. They only have purple left and it’s not a good colour 😂
I’m running a ttx coil also bought on discount. Thanks to a tip! @appltn 😂
It’s always been great and never bottomed out heavily or felt weird. Just cascade curious I think
Stealth ad - but i've got a brand new Tyee XL in the classifieds.
Personally I wouldn't touch the current generation of Nukeproof Mega. Seen too many going back for warranty.
I love the look of Transitions and a Spire will definitely be in consideration for my next bike.
I shortened my shock stroke to 57.5mm with the cascade link - you have to do that on the alloy one apparently. It’s only the carbon one where you have the option to keep the stroke the same and run 165mm rear travel.
I’ve got both a shortened float x and the Kitsuma coil at 57.5mm. The float x feels a bit wheezy vs the Kitsuma which is really plush, but still poppy somehow.
That forbidden is about the only bike I slightly fancy as an alternative to the Sentinel really. And I’m not due a new bike - so I reckon the sentinel will be here for a few more year at least.
So those of you running a cascade link did you reduce shock stroke or just run it at 165mm? Did you leave the fork at 160mm? I should have bought one a few months back. They only have purple left and it’s not a good colour 😂
I’m running it at 165mm. I originally thought I’d go cascade link for big days, regular link most of time. I find the cascade to be a big improvement for descending (much more active) and a tiny bit worse for climbing (a bit more bob) and I can’t see myself bothering to swap back given that I only really climb to get to the descents.
I’m running a ttx coil also bought on discount. Thanks to a tip! @appltn 😂
🫡 that was a hell of a deal! I’ve never seen such a good price since.
Oh and yes, the fork is still at 160. The link doesn’t change the static or sagged geometry (that I can notice) so a 160 fork feels right. I had an idea I’d run it with a 170 fork but haven’t felt the need.
Anything that comes with a coil shock!
So those of you running a cascade link did you reduce shock stroke or just run it at 165mm? Did you leave the fork at 160mm? I should have bought one a few months back. They only have purple left and it’s not a good colour 😂
Im running a cascade link on my carbon sentinel and had the same dilemma. I also moved to a coil so actually went for a 60mm stroke DHX2 which gives about 160mm travel in the rear (still with a 160mm fork upfront). DHX2 is easy to remove the stroke spacers so can always make it 62.5 if I wanted to, but feels great as it is. Like others I do think it feels a lot better with this set up (I also have a Transition Spur for longer rides / rides from home - its a great combo).
Sorry this has turned into a bit of hijack!
Ordered the purple cascade link. Seen some bits about oven cleaner removing anodising so may give that a shot.
Think my ohlins coil was 65mm stoke reduced with a 2.5mm spacer. Guess I could add another spacer if I needed to
Cheers all
In summary, buy a sentinel! 😂
Ordered the purple cascade link. Seen some bits about oven cleaner removing anodising so may give that a shot.
I've done this on a GX crankset to pretty good effect although I did have to go over them with wet & dry paper after stripping to get them looking clean. You might be in for a bit of extra work if you want a polished finish but I like the brushed look so stopped there.
Think my ohlins coil was 65mm stoke reduced with a 2.5mm spacer. Guess I could add another spacer if I needed to
Assuming the reservoir isn't hitting the frame, I don't really see the point in reducing the stroke with a spacer. Just run a slightly firmer spring rate if you want it to feel like it has shorter travel and keep the last few mm in reserve.
Without wanting to derail the thread, if you run a stiffer coil then you’re going to reduce your small bump sensitivity so that wouldn’t be the route I’d be looking to take personally.
If you go 170mm front / 165mm rear you’re pretty much in Spire territory.
I only went cascade link to get more ramp up for the coil - I think I’m quite ‘rear heavy’ the way I ride and the coil shock I went for doesn’t have heavy damping. I think the ohlins or ext options are perhaps better for the standard link than the Cane Creek is.
Canyon Spectral seems very well-priced and good geometry now too...
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral/29/
Does Jesse Melamed race the EWS on one, I think?
@appltn was that with oven cleaner? Looks sick, I’m not much into polished parts so that would suit me fine!
My only concern was shock getting near the frame but if that doesn’t happen then will just stick with the 165mm travel. I never bottom out too heavy so wondering if I could drop a spring rate to make it more subtle thanks to the extra ramp up the link gives. Maybe a lighter spring would be too light though
Sorry op, back to the topic a little, the raaw Madonna looks tidy! Maybe considered a posh sentinel?!
Sorry OP, it seems you can't stop a thread derailing once it starts.
@appltn was that with oven cleaner? Looks sick, I’m not much into polished parts so that would suit me fine!
Yep, oven cleaner and then finished with wet & dry paper. There's more photos in this thread including how how they looked before sanding.
I never bottom out too heavy so wondering if I could drop a spring rate to make it more subtle thanks to the extra ramp up the link gives. Maybe a lighter spring would be too light though
Because the cascade link increases the leverage ratio (more travel from the same stroke shock), you actually need to increase your spring rate, they have some recommendations here.
For me I went from the Ohlins 434 to 480 spring and it feels softer at the top of the travel and supportive deeper in the travel which is pretty much exactly what you'd hope for from a more progressive link.
@chakaping got to say that Spectral looks stonking value. The GX / Ohlins aluminium build is only 3,500 quid. Will have to do some more research.
The only thing with Canyon is the remote and often criticised service. Same with YT.
Their bikes do look good (like the look of the Spectral 125), but lots of comments online that suggest that once you’ve purchased they can seem quite disinterested to help with any issues.
Just playing with the Bird bikes builder you could have a ‘Blurple’ Aeris 9 with Formula Selva R fork, my23 Super Deluxe shock, Pro5 hubs / DT Swiss EX511 rims, full deore 12 speed, Formula Cura 4 brakes, Maxxis tyres, long dropper, bash guard etc for £3654.
Don’t know whether the specific link to the build I made will work:
https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-9-shimano-12-speed/#configuration
I’ve had 2 Bird bikes before but don’t have one at the moment. They are very helpful with customer service.
Yeah that caught my eye too.
The AL 5 with 12sp Deore, Fox 36 Rhythm and Float X for £2.25k is also an impressive package.
Could pop a Marz coil conversion in the fork.