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Followers of Transition Bikes will probably be happy to see a rebirth of the as soon as discontinued Transition Smuggler. Nonetheless a 29″ path bike, the Smuggler boasts 130/140mm of rear wheel journey paired with a 140mm fork, and it now is available in Carbon or Alloy. Transition say it’s their go-to bike for any path pointed up, down, and throughout.
2023 Transition Smuggler

The Transition Smuggler final graced the PNW model’s lineup in 2018 when its carbon body bore 120mm of rear wheel journey. Now, it rises from the ashes with extra journey delivered by its tried and examined Horst-Hyperlink structure, slotting into the vary between the Spur and Sentinel.
- Bike: 2023 Transition Smuggler
- Intention: Path Using
- Body Materials: Carbon or Alloy
- Wheel Dimension: 29″
- Fork Journey: 140mm
- Rear Wheel Journey: 130/140mm
- Claimed Weight: 3kg (6.6lbs) in MD Carbon w/shock
- Beginning Worth: $3,699 USD Carbon Frameset w/shock
The Smuggler is up to date to the trendy silhouette we’ve come to anticipate from Transition, with tremendous clear traces giving this mid-travel bike a chiseled, athletic look about it. A BB drop of 35mm and a 65° head angle are separated by a attain of 485mm on the Massive body. Whereas the precise seat tube angle is 72°, Transition quote an impact seat tube angle of 78.1° on the massive, measured at a saddle top of 720mm.

Attain ranges from 430mm to 535mm throughout the SM-XXL dimension vary. Whereas the SM and MD sizes share a 437mm chainstay size, the LG, XL and XXL body see that develop to 443mm in a considerably proportional method to geometry (full chart beneath).

Transition say the kinematic of the Smuggler is just like that of the shorter-travel Transition Spur, with general development at 27%. A 210mm x 55mm shock damps the Smuggler’s 130mm of rear wheel journey, although the inventory shock’s travel-reducing spacer may be eliminated to spice up journey to 140mm.

From a upkeep perspective, a key replace for the 2023 Smuggler is seen on the headtube which now has built-in bearing cups, not requiring headset cups to be pressed into the body. It’s pleasing to see that cable usually are not routed via the headset; as a substitute they enter through ports on the entrance of the headtube, and are totally guided internally, exiting briefly above the underside bracket shell earlier than re-entering the stays.
It’s additionally out there on this Orchid Pink colorway…

Different Notable Smuggler Body Particulars
- 148mm Enhance Spacing
- SRAM UDH
- Carbon Body Headset: IS42 / IS52
- Alloy Body Headset: 44mm / 56mm Zero Stack
- BB Shell: 73mm BSA Threaded
- Seat Put up Diameter: 31.6mm
- Chainline: 52-55mm
- Most Chainring Dimension: 34T (at 52mm Chainline)
- Most Tire Dimension: 29″ x 2.5″




Pricing & Availability
As a frameset, the 2023 Transition Smuggler is barely out there in Carbon, retailing at $3,699 USD or $4,999 CAD. It comes with a Fox Float X Manufacturing facility Shock.
For now, there is just one mannequin of the Smuggler Alloy; that’s the NX construct (not pictured) priced at $3,999 USD or $5,399 CAD. That cash will get you a Marzocchi Z2 Fork, a Fox Float X Efficiency Shock, SRAM Code R Brakes, SRAM NX Eagle 12 Velocity Drivetrain, a OneUp Dropper Seat Put up. WTB ST i30 rims on Novatec hubs are fitted with a Maxxis Assegai/Dissector combo in EXO+ casing.
Subsequent up the ladder is the Smuggler GX Carbon at $5,999 USD or $8,999 CAD. A Fox Float X Efficiency Shock is paired with a Fox 36 Efficiency Fork and its GRIP damper. Right here, the drivetrain is upgraded to SRAM GX Eagle.

The costlier fashions of the 2023 Smuggler get digital shifting. The Carbon GX AXS retails at $7,299 USD or $9899 CAD, and options its namesake GX AXS digital shifting 12 Velocity drivetrain. This time, a Fox Float X Efficiency Elite Shock is paired with a Fox 34 Manufacturing facility Fork with GRIP2 Damper, with the chassis rolling on a RaceFace Aeffect R wheelset. Brakes transfer to the extra highly effective, extra adjustable SRAM Code RSC possibility. This mannequin sees and improve from RaceFace cockpit parts to the aluminum providing from ANVL, Transition’s in-house element model.
Topping the vary is the $8,499 USD ($11,499 CAD) Smuggler Carbon XO1 AXS Mannequin. You guessed it; this one is pushed by the SRAM XO1 AXS 12 Velocity Drivetrain, and rolls on a Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro Alloy Wheelset boasting an Trade 9 1/1 hubset. It too will get SRAM Code RSC brakes however a small improve is seen right here within the change from Centerline rotors to HS2 rotors (200mm Entrance, 180mm Rear). Right here, the Fox Float X Manufacturing facility Shock is paired with a Fox 34 Fork with GRIP2 Damper. This one is completed with an ANVL 40mm stem too, although right here it’s mixed with a OneUp Carbon Bar.