Review: Transition Blindside
Check out our review of the 2008 Transition Blindside. We did a build article on it previously but now you can see our full thoughts about it inside.
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I just built up my Blindside and honestly, couldnt be happier. Ive been an avid Transition owner and now have another one of their creations in my stable. I got the Blindside through their Grassroots Sponsorship program and am thrilled to ride for them!
Im going to have to disagree with your rear end criticism - Im running a 12×135 Hadley hub (must run a 12 through axle with floater) and its bomber, but more importantly, a 10×135 is a cheaper hub to come by which widens the Blindside’s audience. In my opinion, it was a smart move. Potentially a dropout kit could address this issue, but clearance would definitely be a factor.
I DO agree with the rear end stiffness - on fast, rough sections, I did notice a little sloppyness in the rear end, but, that could be remedied with some upper seatstay bracing.
Anyhow, good review and props to Transition and the Blindside!
Hey Brendan,
Cheers for the feedback. It is a good bike indeed. I think the small criticisms can often overshadow the good aspects of the bike as often people want to just think that because something we may say is not 100% positive they take it as negative or harmful.
You disagree with the rear end criticism, then sort of agree with it?
A 12×135 wheel is strong yes. No denying that. The issue is that in a 12×135 wheel, the wheel is under different tension than a 12×150. A 12 x 150mm wheel uses the same length spokes, and evenly tensions the wheel on both drive and non drive side. Perhaps that wasn’t clear?
In addition to having a better tensioned wheel, it will also last longer typically in my experience. In the end, its a trade off as the 135mm setup does have advantages (such as the ability to use 10mm/qr). But in the end I had to say that this is a downhill bike, and while the reasons/benefits of going with a more adjustable setup, we’d often take the stronger setup on a downhill bike. Not to say that 135/73 isn’t strong but 83/150 is a better option on a full on dh/fr rig in our opinion.
Back to back I would be hard pressed to even notice a difference with a solid 12×135 wheel like the Industry 9 and a 12×150mm wheel, but the issue was more about the limitations of the 135mm wheel in general and its shortcomings on a dh/fr bike. A 83mm setup also would allow a wider welding area for the main pivot which would make it stiffer.
Thanks!
The Blindside is a wet noodle and since they came to market I have thought they do not match the stoutness of the rest of the Transition line up. In fact, they feel “cheap”.
Oh and the bike you’re asking for through the “Suggested Improvements”, Transition already made one, it was called the Gran Mal, a bike they should have never done away with in order to try to shave some weight…
I didnt take your criticism as negative or harmful at all! Its excellent to have an unbiased opinion on a bike. I know that it was aimed at showing what could be improved on this bike. More constructive criticism like yours is needed in the industry (rather than most of the needless banter and bashing that exists already…)
I suppose my criticism was geared more toward the “average” user. Granted, a bike like the Blindside isn’t necessarily a average user’s bike, but with the spec they have used, it opens the bike to a wider market.
I DO agree with your point that a 83/150 is more ideal for a full on DH rig. (Wheel dish, general 150 hub strength etc. ) which is exactly what im using the bike for, but thanks to the 73 bb spec, I was able to swap over my Saint crankset from my Transition Dirtbag with no issues whatsoever - so that was definitely a bonus for me.
Like I said, I think using the 73/135 keeps the bike open to a broader component range (albeit a more inexpensive range as well.) That was my main point of praising that spec.
As far as the rear end stiffness - A friend was able to do a bit of FEA on the rear end with a ’slight’ augmentation to the upper seatstay and we think we may have found the answer to the issue. Ill definitely show you what we’re able to come up with.
Thanks again for being a great resource to the community!
-Brendan
Yea the 73/135 setup does make it easier for Transition to spec parts/build kits without a doubt and generally will help a cross-over rider (from say a Bottlerocket/dirtbag) be able to move their parts directly across. But that convenience comes at a sacrifice (win / loose).
Everything is about compromise and the buyer is the one who ultimately makes the decision as to what compromises they want to make.
Would love to see your data once you get it all done (I’m sure Transition would as well).
in your review you didn’t really get into how the bike rode with the single crown totem fork.
i’m thinking of a blindside on a 66…. is that gonna work out for me?
p
The geometry was nearly identical as the 1.5″ headset gave the totem essentially the same ride height as a boxxer and zero stack headset. The bike gained some playfullness as the single crown lets you turn tighter corners easier (maneuver freeride features like skinnies) and do x-ups etc. The single crown didn’t feel as stiff (or point and shoot) as most dual crowns but is certainly capable at handling most all terrain without much of an issue if you’re not looking to get down the hill the fastest.