Mountain Bike Online

The TRANSITION Double is an all rounder of a play bike, designed for those wanting a bike that will ride cross country, downhill and enjoy a few loops of a jump track too.

The Double is Transitions slalom style bike. It is available in two sizes, a long or regular size and the Double name gives reference to the 2 travel settings on offer 80mm or 100mm and it’s easy to switch using the lever on the Fox shock.

The frame uses a tapered head tube which is reinforced at the head tube joint. Cable routing is on the top side of the down tube to keep it neat and tidy.

The Double is kitted out with Fox’s 831 fork which is great at handling the trail no matter how hard to ride. Tyres are Maxxis Minion 2.5 inch.

The bike is stable in the air and due to it’s low and short frame is fast to change direction. It’s a great bike for those who like to mix it up a bit.

Cost is over £3k for the full bike, more details can be found on Transitions website.

Specification of the TRANSITION Double Mountain Bike

Truvativ 32 (Included with crankset)
e.thirteen SRS+
Truvativ Holzfeller 40mm
Kore Torsion Race 800mm x 20mm
Cane Creek Tapered
Truvativ Holzfeller 1.1 RG 170mm
Truvativ Howitzer Team 73mm
Avid Elixir CR 6″
Maxxis Crossmark 26×2.25
Welterweight
Transition Stepdown
Truvativ Hussefelt
Transition Park n’ Ride
ODI Ruffian Lock-on
SRAM PG950 11-26
TBC Revolution 32
SRAM X9
SRAM X9
KMC X9.93

The WHYTE E-120 S mountain bike retails at £2,700 and is a full suspension mountain bike with Rock Shox Reba SL forks and SRAM groupset – a mix of X-7 and X-9 parts.

PROS: Well spec’d for the money, good forks. Very agile on singletrack and great fun. Light weight at 28lb.

CONS: Firm feel to the suspension, and the high bottom bracket might not be for everyone. Brakes are a little crude.

The SPECIALIZED Enduro SL Expert is an All-Mountain Bike which uses a M5 alloy frame with a Fox RP2 Boost Valve rear shock with 160mm of travel. The SPECIALIZED Enduro SL Expertis fitted with Rock Shox Lyrik IS fork with an adjustable 115-160mm of travel – the whole lot weighs in at 30.7lb and retails for £3k.

PROS: The rear suspension works better than previous models, and the low bottom bracket helps speed up handling. Uses a 3 positon Command Post – which makes on the fly adjustment easy.

CONS: Some have reported problems with the Lyrik forks.

The ROCKY MOUNTAIN Element Team RSL has been designed to be nearly 100% carbon, and every part of the bike has been designed with weight saving in mind. The ROCKY MOUNTAIN Element Team RSL runs a Fox RP23 shock and Fox 32 F100 terralogic forks. Obviously full XTR groupset and every single component has been chosen for it’s weight saving.

The ORANGE Alpine 160 is an aluminium all mountain bike using Reynolds tubing, the popular Fox RP23 Boost Valve shock and Fox 36 Float R 160mm travel forks. The ORANGE Alpine 160 is one of the best air sprung mountain bikes on the market. The Alpine 160 uses Hope’s Pro 2 hubs built into Mavic EN321 rims.

PROS: Great all mountain ride, with superb all day appeal. The ride is superb and makes you grim from ear to ear.

CONS: Not much at all – superb bike.

Sizes16,18
Frame Monocoque/6061-T6 Reynolds Custom Butted Aluminium
Rear wheel travel 160mm
Colour Cosmic White
Fork Fox 36 Float R 160mm
Rear Shock Fox Float RP23 R
Rear Derailleur SRAM X9 Medium Cage
Front Derailleur Shimano SLX Double
Shifters SRAM X9
Chainset Race Face XC Evolve Double X Type
Cassettte Shimano HG50
Brakes Hayes Stroker Trail V8/V7
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic EN321
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
Tyres Continental Mountain King 2.4
Headset Headset FSA Chisel
Stem Truvativ Hussefelt Comp
Seatpost Truvativ XR
Saddle SDG Bel Air
Handlebars Truvativ Hussefelt Comp
Pedals Flat

The LAPIERRE Spicy 516 is an all mountain bike with an aluminium frame, Fox 36 Talas R forks giving the rider an adjustable travel from 100mm to 160mm. The rear shock is a Fox RP2 unit giving 160mm. The LAPIERRE Spicy 516 comes with a Shimano M776 XT wheelset which are more beefy than others – but weigh in a little heavier.

PROS: A great bike that is build for all day riding with long, hard decending. Solid wheelset helps it’s downhill rating – this tied with the great Formula brake set make for a solid performer.

CONS: The LAPIERRE Spicy 516 is let down by it’s price a little, together with the short stem and the forks that can dive under extreme load.

Frame :     SPICY 516 Alloy 7005 SL OST 160mm
Shock absorber :     FOX Float RP2 High Vol. Boost valve 216×63,5
Fork :     FOX 36 Talas R Open Bath 160 Black
Headset :     Alu S-Integrated Cartridge Tapered
Bottom Bracket :     Shimano SMBB70
Crankset :     SHIMANO SLX FCM665 36×22 BashG 175mm
Stem :     FUNN Crossfire 31.8x65mm
Seatpost :     THOMSON Elite 31.6x367mm Black
Handlesbars :     Funn Fatboy 15×710 Black
Front derailleur :     SHIMANO SLX FDM665E5X
Rear derailleur :     SHIMANO SLX RDM662GS 9S
Brakes :     FORMULA RX1 180mm Black/Blue
Shifters :     SHIMANO Deore 2x9S
Saddle :     FIZIK Goby XM Black/Blue
Wheel :     FULCRUM Red Zone 20/12×142
Sprocket :     Shimano HG61 11X34 9S
Tires :     CONTINENTAL Rubber Queen UST 26×2.20
Weight :     13.7kg
Size :     42-46-50

The COMMENCAL Meta 6 is a full suspension all-mountain mountain bike, using the NUTS aluminium frame with a Fox RP2 Boost Valve air can 160mm rear shock. The COMMENCAL Meta 6 comes with Fox 36 Talas forks giving the rider an adjustable 100-130-160mm of travel. The retail price is around £3,299.

PROS: A refined and stiff frame using the superb pro pedal set up for all day riding. Great wheels as standard. Uses an adjustable Crank Brothers seatpost for on the fly adjustability.

CONS: Weight stands at 34lb which is heavy. The forks and rear shock could be better.