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2018 Transition

SMUGGLER Frameset

A 29″ full suspension trail frameset.

Manufacturer Price

1999 USD(1719 €)
Weight4,0 kg (frame)  
SuspensionFull
Wheels29″
BrakesHydraulic Disc
Where to Buy
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Insights
Sizing
SM

154cm – 170cm

MD

164cm – 182cm

LG

175cm – 190cm

XL

184cm – 200cm

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

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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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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

BikeRadar
Transition Smuggler NX review

Jun 2018 · Russell Eich

The Smuggler NX chassis has loads of potential but is ultimately let down by its components. Buy if you’re a bigger, heavier rider who doesn’t want or need a ton of travel but still needs a durable, fun-to-ride bike

Highs
  • Fun to ride, more capable than travel suggests, stiff and durable

Lows
  • Heavy, poor performing components, slow to accelerate

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Singletrack World
Review: Transition Smuggler

Sept 2016 · Richard Lane

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

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Geometry
Specs
Build
Shock

210mm x 50mm

Bottom Bracket

73mm BSA Threaded

Headset

44mm Zero Stack (Top) / 56mm Zero Stack (Bottom)

Seatpost

31.6mm

TypeRigid

Groupset
Front Derailleur

No Support

Brakes

180mm Post Mount

TypeHydraulic Disc

Rider Notes
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First added 30 January

Last updated 30 January

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