Transition Bikes has revamped its short-travel trail bike, the Smuggler. The brand titles the bike to be a versatile, lightweight bike at home on climbs, technical descents and singletrack trails alike. 

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The all-new Smuggler comes with 29-inch wheels, and 130mm rear and 140mm front travel, making it one of the most versatile bikes in Transition’s range. It sits between the brand’s Spur and Sentinel models in terms of travel, geometry and capability and has borrowed bits from both. 

2023 Transition Smuggler bike2, by Transition

The Smuggler claims to have a progressive leverage curve and comfortable, confidence-inspiring geo that keeps things easy even on technical terrain. The bike is offered in four different configurations, one with an alloy frame and the rest rocking an all-new full-carbon frame design that is available in two colours. Transition says size MD frame weighs 3kg without a shock. 

The headtube now comes with integrated bearing cups which saves you from pressing cups into the frame and offers sleek internal cabling; with the Smuggler’s cables all now hidden from headtube to bottom bracket and then to the rear triangle. 

2023 Transition Smuggler front, by Transition

Transition Smuggler geometry

Transition compares the Smuggler’s kinematics to the Spur, with a little over 27% progression, saying it provides a "bottomless feel in a mid-travel package". The Smuggler can easily be customised to the rider; if they want even more rear travel, the travel reducer can be taken off increasing it to 140mm and the progression can be increased by adding a larger volume spacer. Transition says these aspects make the Smuggler's rear suspension lively, active and forgiving on all terrain. 

2023 Transition Smuggler bike, by Transition

There is clearance for up to 2.5in tyres and the bikes come with size-specific chainstays, ranging from 435mm for size SM to 440mm for XXL. Size large frame gets a 78.1-degree effective seat angle and a 65-degree head angle across the sizes. 

Transition Smuggler components

2023 Transition Smuggler kinematics, by Transition

All four Smuggler models come equipped with SRAM shifting and brakes, ranging from NX on the alloy model to X0 AXS on the top model. 

The two lower tier models get a Fox Float X Performance shocks and Fox Float 36 Grip Performance fork on the carbon model and Marzocchi Z2 on the alloy. The two top models get Fox Float X Performance Elite 2 and Fox Float X Factory 2 shocks and Fox Float 34 Grip Performance Elite and Factory forks. 

Tyres are Maxxis Assegai EXO+ at the front and Maxxis Dissector 3C EXO+ at the rear. 

We don't have UK prices confirmed but the US ones should give some indication of what to expect: 

• Frameset Carbon w/shock $3,699
• NX Alloy $3,999
• GX Mechanical Carbon $5,999
• GX AXS Carbon $7,299
• XO AXS Carbon $8,499

Check out the full details of the models from the Transition Bikes website. 

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