2023 Transition

Smuggler Carbon GX Mechanical

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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MSRP$5,999
Weight31.1 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 130 / 140mm
ForkFox Performance Float 34
ShockFox Float X Performance
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetGX Eagle, NX Eagle
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Top Comparison
Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Smuggler Carbon GX Mechanical
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)

28 mph

Smuggler Carbon GX Mechanical

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Compare the full Smuggler model range

View Comparison
Sizing
SM

5'0" – 5'7"

MD

5'4" – 6'0"

LG

5'8" – 6'3"

XL

6'0" – 6'7"

XXL

6'2" – 6'10"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews
MBR
Transition’s new Smuggler will steal your heart, but the Santa Cruz 5010 is better value - MBR

Dec 2023 · Jamie Darlow

Transition has a new version of the Smuggler out, a bike that really should have been called the Spur LT. Or perhaps the Spur Lunch Ride. Transition reckons it’s made a bike to sit neatly underneath the hard charging Sentinel enduro bike in its range, but really it’s much closer in ride feel and pace to the brilliant Spur, the best down-country mountain bike to date. Transition Smuggler need to know 130mm trail bike, with an option to boost it to 140 via a shock spacer 140mm fork, 29er wheels and carbon and alloy frame options Internal routing, headtube cable entry, chainstay protector, proportional chainstays New aggressive geometry, and increased progression through the shock Alloy build is £4,499 with SRAM NX, up to £8,999 for XO SRAM AXS Perhaps it’s not such a stretch from the Smuggler’s roots then, a bike that really launched the downcountry revolution for us. When I first tried it back in 2014 it was a game changer for me, with short 115mm suspension AND slack geometry, a combination that had never been tried before. “I love that bike Muldoon,” I remember telling bike test taoiseach Muldoon. It was a glimpse into the future, before the Smuggler quietly dropped out of the range. The world wasn’t ready. Later the wonderful Transition Spur appeared and repeated the experiment, only better. Transition kept the travel short (120mm travel but we measured it at 116mm, just like the old Smuggler), the geometry relaxed even further, and we saw a lightweight chassis and flex stay suspension that wouldn’t have felt out of place on an XC race bike.  The latest version of the Smuggler is like a beefed up Spur then, it gets 130mm travel and a bigger 140mm fork with 34mm stanchions so it can handle the descents with more aplomb. But the frame looks remarkably similar. You can also step up the travel on the Smuggler to 140mm and further differentiate it. There’s a 5mm reducer built into the Fox Float X shock to adjust the stroke length, keep the eye-to-eye length the same and thus keep the bike’s geometry unchanged. Smuggler frame and suspension The SRAM GX AXS-equipped bike I tested uses a carbon fibre frame, but there are alloy options that add around 1,500g to the weight and lop plenty off the price. The Smuggler still uses the same four-bar GiddyUp suspension design it always has, and there’s still a Horst-link pivot on the chainstay meaning it hasn’t nabbed the flex stay design from the Spur.  I’m actually quite surprised about that, given how well the Spur’s suspension worked, and how reliable flexstay suspension as a whole now is. Just look at Merida’s One-Sixty enduro bike if you want proof of that. There’s internal cable routing, which slides in right at the front on the head tube, and it snakes its way through the bike via tube-in-tube routing. Unfortunately it doesn’t work very well, at least on my demo bike, which produced a deafening rattle. I …Continue reading »

Highs
  • • The Smuggler climbs brilliantly, it’s lightweight and taut on the descents and bags of fun.

  • • Easy to manual, wheelie and ride full stop.

Lows
  • • There’s no internal frame storage or geometry adjustments to be had.

  • • The internal cable routing is noisy.

Read Review

Pinkbike
Review: 2023 Transition Smuggler - The Little Ripper

Nov 2023 · Dario DiGiulio

The new Smuggler hits the sweet spot when it comes to travel, geometry, and capability.

Highs
  • Lively, energetic, and composed ride quality

  • Comfortable to ride, easy to get up to speed on

  • Impressively capable in serious terrain for such a sporty feeling bike

Lows
  • Premature bearing wear, dirt can get in around bottom bracket area

  • Suspension may be too active on climbs for some

  • Not the best value compared to equivalent bikes

Read Review

BIKEPACKING.com
Transition Smuggler Review: Seven Revelations

Oct 2023 · Logan Watts

In our detailed Transition Smuggler review, Logan shares why the long-awaited sequel was the only full-suspension bike on his radar for 2023

Highs
  • Ridiculously confident and fun going downhill

  • Corners better than any full-suspension bike I’ve ridden, with surprisingly nimble handling, traction to back it up, and well-balanced steering

  • Longer chainstay length, front-center, and wheelbase make it a super stable bike with excellent traction, both climbing and descending

  • Feels lively and poised while climbing dynamic and technical sungletrack

  • The ability to upgrade the bike’s travel to 140/150mm is nice

  • Linear frame aesthetic is better looking than previous curvy design, and Orchid color is hard to beat

Lows
  • Can feel slightly sluggish on slow climbs, particularly on gravel

  • Bottom of shock linkage can collect mud and grit

  • Non-drive side pivot bearing is prone to early wear

  • Requires careful attention to shock and fork tuning (not really a downside, but something to be mindful of)

  • Awkward cable housing entry/exit at head tube doesn’t jive well with a handlebar bag and rear brake/derailleur routing is tricky

Read Review

Singletrack World
Transition Smuggler: First Ride Review

Mar 2023 · Tim Wild

Tim Wild gets a sneak ride on the new Transition Smuggler before its UK release. Snozberry Spectacular! Due for UK release in early April.

Read Review

Bikerumor
Transition Smuggler Reborn as 130mm Carbon or Alloy Trail Bike

Feb 2023

The 2023 Transition Smuggler rises from the ashes as a 130/140mm travel 29" trail bike with aggressive geometry in carbon and alloy options

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Smuggler Carbon 130mm

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Tire Clearance2.5"

ColorsOrchid; Espresso

Fork

Fox Float 34 Grip Performance, (140mm)

Travel140mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Float X Performance, (210x50mm)

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

73mm BSA Threaded

Headset

FSA NO.42/48/ACB

Stem

RaceFace Aeffect R (40mm)

Handlebar

RaceFace Chester 35, SM(780x20) MD/LG/XL/XXL(780x35)

Saddle

SDG Bel Air V3

Seatpost

OneUp Dropper Post, SM(150mm) MD(180mm) LG/XL/XXL(210mm)

TypeDropper

Grips

ODI Elite Flow

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle

Crank

SRAM Stylo 6K DUB, (170mm x 32t)

Shifters

SRAM NX Eagle MMX

Cassette

SRAM XG 1275 (10-52t)

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle

Brakes

SRAM Code R

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

WTB ST i30

Spokes

Pillar Double Butted

Front Hub

Novatech D791SB/D902SB

Rear Hub

Novatech D791SB/D902SB

Tires

Front: Maxxis Assegai EXO+ (2.5), Rear: Maxxis Dissector 3C EXO+ (2.4)

Disc Rotors

SRAM Centerline (200/180mm)

Rider Notes
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Last updated March 23