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2018 Transition

SMUGGLER GX

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

$3,999
Weight31.5 lbs  
FrameAluminum
SuspensionFull, 120 / 140mm
ForkFox Performance Float 34
ShockFox Float DPS Performance Elite
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetGX Eagle, Truvativ Descendant
BrakesSRAM Guide R Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
SMUGGLER GX
Other Trail bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

26 mph

SMUGGLER GX

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

5'0" – 5'7"

MD

5'4" – 6'0"

LG

5'8" – 6'3"

XL

6'0" – 6'7"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews

Summary

The Transition Smuggler is a trail bike that defies expectations with its short travel, offering a fun, energetic ride that's more capable than its specs suggest. It's praised for its well-thought-out geometry, providing a nice blend of stability and snappiness, though some note its weight and component choices as drawbacks. The bike excels in both climbing and descending, making it a versatile choice for a variety of trails.

Pros
  • Fun to ride

  • More capable than travel suggests

  • Well thought-out geometry

  • Versatile and fun to ride

  • Stable and confidence-inspiring in steep terrain

Cons
  • Heavy

  • Poor performing components

  • Expensive with not the best value spec

  • Limited rear tire clearance

  • Aggressive riders may need to run less sag to avoid bottoming out

Key Quotes
Hitting the correct sag turned the Smuggler from nervous to fearless.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
The Transition Smuggler climbs up steep and winding trails with ease and comfort.
Enduro Mountainbike Magazine logoEnduro Mountainbike Magazine
Believe the hype, this bike is very good!
off.road.cc logooff.road.cc
This isn't your usual short-travel trail bike - the Smuggler's geometry allows it to shine in terrain typically reserved for longer-travel machines.
Pinkbike

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BikeRadar
Transition Smuggler GX review

May 2019 · Mick Kirkman

More playtime than a kindergarten from this lip-boosting, corner-shredding play bike

Highs
  • Descends like some 160mm bikes and packs way more pop

  • Reduced-offset/long-reach ‘Speed Balanced Geometry’ is all it’s cracked up to be

Lows
  • You’ll want to flick the shock into ‘trail’ mode for extra tightness on flowy flatter trails and climbs

Read Review

BIKE Magazine
Tested: Transition Smuggler Carbon GX

Apr 2019

Normal conventions don’t apply to the Transition Smuggler Carbon, and that’s kind of the point.

Read Review

Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Transition Smuggler NX Alloy Review – American History

May 2018 · Valentin Rühl

What does the Transition Smuggler Alloy NX and NASCAR have in common? We'll tell you how Transition’s most affordable model follows an old tradition of American history, and why it's perfect for smuggling moonshine.

Read Review

Pinkbike
Transition Smuggler Carbon - Review

Apr 2018 · Mike Kazimer

The latest version of Transition's short travel 29er is longer and slacker than ever - does that mean it's better?

Highs
  • Extremely fun, energetic ride

  • Well thought-out geometry

  • Threaded BB, room for a water bottle

Lows
  • Not the lightest option in this category

  • Limited rear tire clearance

  • Aggressive riders may need to run less sag to avoid bottoming out

Read Review

off.road.cc
Transition Smuggler X01 Alloy

Mar 2018

The Transition Smuggler is the trail bike of your dreams, it’s agile and nimble yet retains the ability to plough through the rough. It makes you climb like you are the best version of yourself and is an absolute hoot downhill. It’s a little on the hefty side but when a bike is this versatile and this much fun to ride, you really won’t care. First Look - Calibre Bossnut Evo - is this is the best value full susser ever? Review - 7Mesh Inc Revelation Jacket Get the facts straight The Smuggler is a 120mm 29er that uses a 140mm fork.

Read Review

MTBR
Transition Smuggler coming soon in carbon

Jan 2018 · Mtbr

Transition fans rejoice. The new carbon Smuggler will be here very soon. Like its alloy sibling, the carbon version of this capable 29er trail bike will have 120mm of rear travel and 140mm up front. - Mtbr.com

Read Review

MBR
Transition Smuggler 4 (2017) review - MBR

Jun 2017 · Jamie Darlow

There's nothing logical but something magical about the Transition Smuggler. On paper it shouldn't really work. On dirt it's a different story.

Highs
  • - The first ride — great riding position, great suspension and any doubts blown away.

  • - 100% reliability, no nasty or potentially expensive surprises, no fiddly workshop jobs and no lost riding days.

  • - Unleashing the Smuggler’s potential, by growing the fork 10mm and feeling the bike really rip.

Lows
  • - Hefting the bike onto the scales and seeing the digits flick up to a mighty 35lb.

  • - Jealousy — riding a YT Jeffsy at nearly the same price, with carbon frame, wheels, drivetrain.

  • - Feeling just a smidge under biked at a steeper, more nadgery riding spots.

Read Review

Singletrack World
Review: Transition Smuggler

Sep 2016 · Richard Lane

Rich takes the Transition Smuggler out on the trails and discovers just how capable this 115mm travel 29er really is

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Aluminum

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Fork

Fox 34 Float Grip Performance 140mm

Travel140mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox DPS Performance Elite

Travel120mm

Bottom Bracket

73mm BSA Threaded

Headset

FSA No.57E

Stem

RaceFace Aeffect R (40mm)

Handlebar

RaceFace Aeffect R (780mm x 20mm)

Saddle

ANVL Forge Stealth Cromo

Seatpost

RockShox Reverb Stealth

TypeDropper

Pedals

N/A

Grips

Velo Single Clamp

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle

Front Derailleur

No Support

Crank

SRAM Descendent 6K (30t, 170mm)

Shifters

SRAM GX Eagle

Cassette

SRAM XG 1275 (10-50t)

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle

Chain Guide

N/A

Brakes

SRAM Guide R, Rear: 180mm Post Mount

TypeSRAM Guide R Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

SRAM Guide R

Wheels
Rims

E*Thirteen TRS 30mm

Front Hub

Novatec D711SB & D462SB XD

Rear Hub

Novatec D711SB & D462SB XD

Tires

Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR II 2.3 EXO Dual

Disc Rotors

SRAM Centerline (180mm)

Rider Notes
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First added January 30

Last updated April 14

Not listed for 2,967 days