I managed to finally get out and ride my new Sentinel that I bought back in Dec 2018 for the first time yesterday and as such thought I would post my feelings on it.
The bike is a 2018 Sentinel alloy NX model (so bottom model)in XL
Compared to my last bike ( Codeine 29er) its 30mm longer in ETT and a whopping 80mm longer in the reach, however due to a steeper seat angle and an inline post it doesnt feel the much longer if that makes sense. Im certainly glad I got the XL over the L.
So, my first ride was freeminers at FOD, this was my first ride for around 4 months due to work and a car crash injury so I will admit Im not in the best shape !!
First impressions of the bike...... you cant get away from the fact its a heavy beast, its heavier than the codeine but I cant pin specifically where the actual weight is.
It climbs very well indeed and I felt no discernible bob from the rear suspension even with the shock fully open. I was quite surprised at how well it did climb and also cope with tight turns on the way up the free miners trail. A lot of people have said that it would be a pig in tight situations as its so long and also slack at the front but I honestly didn't find that to be the case.
On the first section where the trail heads down there are a row of jumps (4 I think) and yesterday was the first time I've ever felt confident enough to actually try and jump them. This bike flatters my riding ability so much and it just eggs you to go faster.
The suspension is really good, The Yari up front feels a lot stiffer than my old Pike and the rear Deluxe RT seems to be a capable shock.
Ive never ridden a bike that just feels so composed in all situations. I literally cant wait to build up some fitness again and actually give it a good ragging.
The only negatives for me are the SRAM gears, I appreciate its personnel preference but I just cant get on with SRAM shifters so will be swapping back to shimano. The other is the Maxxis tyres, dojt understand why but I cant gell with them and much prefer Specialized tyres.
I think I need to look at losing some weight from somewhere, I know this bike is designed for full on enduro etc but I m sure I could lose a couple of pound from somewhere as I feel this would make it even better.
Glad you got out on it, 4 months is quite a wait for a first ride.
I wouldn't make too many changes given you admit you are out of shape, and given you need to ride a bike a fair few times I think (personally) to see what else you might want to change.
No idea of your weight but that would be the best and easiest weight saving. Get out on the bike more regularly and you'll notice that 100 times more than changing tyres etc.
You may find with different tyre brands you need to try higher or lower PSI's, worth a try before swapping the tyres.
Im certainly glad I got the XL over the L.
We all are so we don't see photos of ill fitting bikes 😉
but I cant pin specifically where the actual weight is.
Everywhere I'd imagine, but as you point out, probably you for the most part so start with that before throwing money at it.
The suspension is really good, The Yari up front feels a lot stiffer than my old Pike
It is stiffer than a Pike but, having just made the some change, the damper is pretty rotten.
As keith says above, tyres aren't just blow up and forget. Have a play with the pressures and see what difference it makes.
Given it’s the base model I’m guessing the wheels are going to be fairly plump? Also NX, alloy bars, tubes etc not to mention The Yari over your previous pike fork. Personally I wouldn’t chase my tail trying to lose weight from it until I was happy with everything and spent some time on the bike. Once I had run it for a few months I may start the inevitable upgrades. However no transition full suspension alloy frame has ever been a weight weenie first choice, they are heavy frames so no amount of bolting carbon and expensive bits on is going to change that fact
Given the weight of the frame, you're never going to build a light Sentinel.
I imagine however, the wheelset is going to be pretty lumpy as a good starting point.
Always liked the look of the Sentinel but given my Smuggler was heavy I'd not imagine a light Sentinel build... especially with the NX groupset which is fairly heavy. AFAIK Maxxis make the Specialized tyres too so as others mentioned have a play with pressures. But the main thing is that it sounds as if you like the bike so that is great news!
I weighed a large sentinel in a shop at 4.4kg with air shock. no reason that style of frame has to weigh that much, apart from lazy engineering.
Cheers for all of the replies.
I appreciate its never going to be a light bike as that's not what it was designed for.
However with a few choice upgrades I'm sure I could lose a pound or two from it.
I think the wheels are the biggest thing i could lose some weight from. They are wtb st i29 rims on novatec hubs with maxxis dhf and dhr exo dual tyres.
Wheels won't be light but are not terrible.
Only upgrade if buying really nice ones IMO.
If you do upgrade, change to XD freehub and GX cassette at same time to shed more weight.
No idea on weight comparative to others but I do like the wtb i29 rims
I'm not going to jump in and change anything apart from the gears as I just prefer Shimano stuff.
Need to get myself bike fit again and then see if I still feel the same.
Also ...... 28t front chain ring.... It's like being in a granny ring everywhere !!
Nice review renton, I've been thinking of getting one since demoing one last year. I really loved what I rode of it and didn't mind the weight at all!
The heavy frames is not lazy engineering but more making a strong frame, but I am sure it’s done more to make a bigger difference in weight between their ally & carbon frame to sell more carbon frames. 2017 large Smuggler frame weighed 7.3 lb 2018 medium 8.8
Also own a Smuggler (might be selling it - stealth ad) and yeah it's heavy though i've never weighed it to find out exactly how heavy. Rides ok for a heavy bike though, i'm sure they could have knocked the frame weight down a bit but Transition don't make lightweight frames do they.
OP, how tall are you?
Cheers
I'm just over 6 foot.
Regards
Steve
I can get a very, very good deal on a Sentinel frameset, but always get doubtful about sizing (I'm 184).
May I ask why have you chosen the XL?
Yes mate..... I went XL after speaking to a few guys on here that have owned sentinels and also there is a massive thread over on mtbr that discusses sizing quite often.
Plus I had a quick scoot on a large and it felt smaller than my previous bike.
I think the general consensus is that despite the new longer lower and socket geometry they don't feel as long as the numbers suggest.
Where abiuts are you mate ?
Thanks mate.
Currently in Finale Ligure...
I tried a L from a friend which had a -5mm reach headset and 50mm stem, it felt on the short side.
My fear with the XL is that it ends being unbalanced with the 435mm chainstays