Transition TR450
The Transition TR450 is designed as a dedicated downhill racing machine. It doesn’t replace the Blindside. Factory rider Lars Sternberg, along with other select riders, will be rallying the frame all season. Transition expects production models to be ready sometime early winter 2009 for the 2010 race season. Check inside for more details.
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- 9.5″ x 3″ shock (placed low in the frame for lower center of gravity)
- 2.75 : 1 leverage ratio
- 8.25″ of travel
- Linkage actuated
linkage detail
- internal cable routing for the rear derailleur
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- frame takes an integrated 1 1/8 IS style, orbit IS integrated style up top and 1.5″ lower cup
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- ISCG-05 tabs (BB/ISCG tabs are one machined piece)
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The bike is still in prototype phase so don’t expect it this summer (aiming for late fall 09 / early 2010)
Current prototype geometry
- Wheelbases right now on it is 45.5 (S), 46.5(M) and 47.5(L)
- Chainstay length is 17.5″
- Head angle is 64 degrees
- 14″ bottom bracket height
- 31.6mm seat post
- 83mm BB / 150mm rear
- Alloy rear axle
There are large cartridge bearings at all pivot locations, with an absolute monster of a bearing used at the main pivot for durability and frame stiffness. All bearings are pressed directly against machined bearing seats inside the linkages, eliminating misalignment that can occur when bearings placed at outer edges are “pinched” together
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Custom tube shapes were developed and the downtube has a tooled reinforcement rather than a traditional weld on gusset. This thicker section reinforces the underside of the downtube/headtube junction without the stress riser created at the edge of a weld on gusset. The front triangle features double welding, which creates a thick but smooth weld and yields a significant increase in strength for high stress areas.
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Mud shedding was a key concern in the design of the frame. Excessive pockets were avoided and many parts, like the dropouts and rear triangle yokes, are hollowed from the inside and smooth on the outside so mud won’t collect in hard to reach places.
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Transition was not setting out to create an ultra light fragile pro-only frame; this is intended to be a dependable bike that riders can trust race after race. That being said, the TR450 frame is not an overbuilt tank either. The painted medium prototype frame weighs in at a respectable 11.6 pounds with a DHX RC4 (with steel spring), aluminum rear axle and all frame hardware. Lars’ complete bike weighs in at 39.5 pounds as pictured here. Retail pricing has not been announced, but customers should expect a great value with amazing performance for the price.
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