TRANSITION PATROL

With 160mm of travel front and rear, and mixed wheel sizes, the alloyframed Patrol is what Transition describes as a ‘pure bred party animal’. It uses the brand’s familiar four-bar layout with Horst pivot and rocker link, but the shock now anchors to a pair of ribs that bridge the base of the seat tube and the down tube. Held within said bridge is a geometryadjust chip offering 0.5° head and seat angle variation and 7mm of BB height change. Stout pivots and muscular forgings abound, and the overall effect is of a seriously hench chassis.

And take one look at the geometry and you’ll be in no doubt about the intended use of the Patrol: a 63° head angle (slackest position), 333mm bottom bracket and size-specific chainstays indicate how hard it is straining at the reins. Throw in the option to run angle or reachadjust headsets, as well as dual-crown forks, and you’ve got a party that’s guaranteed to get wild.

Prices start at £3,699 for the Deore and NX builds and there’s a container-load of bikes due in the UK at the end of August. With strong pre-orders though, it’s still worth checking with your local dealer before setting your heart on one. transitionbikes.com/windwave.co.uk