Released February 16

The Transition Smuggler is Back!
Overview

Builds

4

Price Range

$3,999–$8,499

Wheels

29″ Aluminum

Suspension

Full / 130mm rear, 140mm front

Frame Material

Aluminum, Carbon

THE TRUSTY TOOL FOR ANY TRAIL

Like the reliable tool you grab for every job, the Smuggler is the go-to bike for any trail pointed up, down, and all around.

With dual 29 inch wheels, 130mm rear travel and 140mm front, the Smuggler may just be the most versatile bike in our lineup. A highly progressive leverage curve and comfortable, confidence-inspiring geo make it eager to keep going mile after mile while remaining surefooted in even the most technical terrain. Sitting squarely between the Spur and Sentinel in travel, geometry, and capability, it shares qualities of both. Inspiring and rewarding to hammer on your favorite singletrack, while never holding you back when the trail gets steep, the Smuggler will make sure you enjoy it all.

Photo Credit: Transition Bikes

The highs and lows of this model family

Compare the Smuggler Range
MSRP$3,999$5,999$7,299$8,499
Spec Level
Weight34.5 lbs31.1 lbs
FrameAluminumCarbonCarbonCarbon
ForkMarzocchi Bomber Z2Fox Performance Float 34Fox Performance Elite Float 34Fox Factory Float 34
GroupsetNX Eagle, Truvativ StyloGX Eagle, NX EagleGX Eagle AXSX01 Eagle AXS, SRAM
Drivetrain1 × 121 × 12Electronic1 × 12 Electronic
Where to Buy
$3,999

At Transition

$5,999

At Transition

$7,299

At Transition

$8,499

At Transition

Estimated Spec Level

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

Spec level →$0$2,000$4,000$6,000$8,000
Alloy NX
Carbon GX Mechanical
Carbon GX AXS
Carbon XO AXS
Geometry
Wheels29″29″29″29″29″
Stack599608617627636
Reach422452477502527
Stack/Reach Ratio1.421.351.291.251.21
Top Tube Length547580609637662
Seat Tube Length375390430460490
Seat Tube Angle79.378.678.177.677.3
Head Tube Length100110120130140
Head Tube Angle65.065.065.065.065.0
BB Drop3535353535
BB Height340340340340340
Front Center746780809839868
Chainstay Length429429435435435
Wheelbase1,1731,2071,2421,2721,301
Rake4444444444
Trail126126126126126

🐐 Measurements listed in millimeters and degrees

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

Feb 16, 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

From Transition

Inspiration

We went into the Smuggler project with the intention of creating a bike that had the quick and high-energy feel of the Spur, but with a bit more travel front and rear. What we ended up with was a perfect blend of the Spur and Sentinel in geometry, travel, capability, and weight. It's not all downhill in the PNW; there's plenty of singletrack, technical trail, and meandering connective routes. The Smuggler is perfect for a day when your path comes across all of the above.

Progression In All The Right Places

The kinematics are similar to the Spur with a little over 27% progression. This provides a bottomless feel in a mid-travel package. Paired with the Fox Float X shock, the Smuggler can be set up to suit any rider's preference. Looking to increase rear travel? Simply remove the travel reducer in the shock to bump the travel up to 140mm. Looking for a bit more progression? Just add a larger volume spacer. All of this equates to a super lively, active, and forgiving rear suspension feel in any terrain.

Frame Design Evolution

The Smuggler exhibits a few frame design features that further our push to have clean aesthetics while remaining easy to service. The most notable is the headtube area that provides better functionality and serviceability. The new headtube has integrated bearing cups and no longer needs headset cups pressed into the frame. This allows the frame to have super clean cable ports at the front of the headtube with fully guided internal cable routing from the headtube to the port above the bottom bracket shell. From there, cables cleanly enter the rear triangle hidden from view.

GiddyUp Suspension


We want to make it as easy as possible to experience great rear suspension performance. The GiddyUp suspension system is designed to behave intuitively across a broad range of setup. Because, we get it, sometimes you just want to grab your bike and GiddyUp, without checking your setup. When you do, it will always feel good.

With 27% of progression and a consistent linear rate of change, the Smuggler has an excellent balance of support and small bump sensitivity. Anti-squat is tuned to enhance pedaling performance and acceleration but doesn't get in the way of the suspension working when it's needed.

A wide usable sag range of 25 - 35% allows the rider to tune the feel of the bike; from firm and snappy, to more supple and active. Wherever you end up, you can focus on the trail without remotes, levers or knobs. Just grab your bike and GiddyUp.