Transition Electric Bike Review:Transition Ebikes - Anyone Have One? If So, How Do You Like It?

When you type “Transition ebike Review” into a search bar, you are not just typing a few keystrokes to download a list of specs. You’re an informed rider who’s been around the block a few times, and you probably know the history of Transition and how they made an impact on the mountain bike scene, so you’re asking the question that needs to be answered: have they taken the legendary “rider-owned” attitude and colorful, aggressive ride attributes into the first generation of e-bikes? You want to know if these bikes still ride like a Transition, only better. You're trying to ascertain if the motor and battery that have been added haven't watered down the brand's soul. That's what this review is meant to answer, by delving into the ride feel, design intent, and practical implications of what will decide whether a Transition electric bike is the answer to unlocking the next step of your riding game. We investigate the differences of their models, the experience on the trail, and what sets them as a top pick in a competitive market.

Transition’s e-bike offerings are tight and focused, which seems to be paying off when it comes to taking pride in the product over pushing product. They're not a huge, bewildering spectrum—instead, they're focused options for different types of aggressive trail and enduro riding. Here is a catalog of their current line-up of electric bikes:

Repeater

(unlimited power, Downcountry pedal duel e-bike)

Repeater Powertrain

(Still the same frame with the new integrated SRAM Eagle Powertrain system)

Relay

(Mid power, dual use "two bikes in one" concept e-bike)

Relay Powertrain

(The SRAM Eagle Powertrain equipped)

On the Trail

On the trail, aboard Transition’s flagship models, the Repeater and the Relay. This is not about rattling off specs; it’s about the impression you get, the sense that you’re staring at, touching, and riding the thing when you’re out there with the tires gnashing the dirt or the gravel. The Repeater is a beast. It communicates its point from the minute you swing a leg over it. It is a big bike, and that means it offers amazing stability and confidence on descents. Point it through a rock garden, and it just plows through it with the composure of a monster truck. Its 170mm of GiddyUp suspension, stout carbon frame, and the low-slung mass of the Shimano EP801 motor system create a planted feel that encourages ditching the brakes and letting the bike ride. The real magic, though, occurs on the uphills. This is when the “Repeater” name starts to make sense. The Shimano motor’s powerful 85Nm of torque makes technical climbs a breeze. Rather than a necessary evil, climbing is just another part of the ride to savor, and the long descents can also be lapped long after your legs or the sun say it’s time to quit. It feels less like a bike with help from an outside source and more like you were born with the legs of a World Cup racer, pushing you over and up anything in your way.

The Relay provides a totally different, if not opposite, experience. It’s the solution for the rider who’s “e-bike curious” but is afraid of losing the fun, poppy feel of their analog bike. The first thing that strikes you about the Relay is the shape; it’s considerably sleeker, with a more traditional enduro bike appearance thanks to the compact Fazua Ride 60 motor and slender downtube. The sensation on the trail is all about nimbleness. The 60Nm of torque that the Fazua system produces is also more subtle and less immediate than a Shimano or Bosch motor's assistance. It doesn’t blast you up the hill like the Repeater, but it also just feels like you’ve got a constant, major tailwind at your back. It’s a “you but stronger” feeling. This lighter touch and reduced overall weight make the bike feel ultra-nimble. It’s easier to pop off side hits, manual through rollers, and flick through tight corners.

Twin Personality Behind the Relay

The Relay's real genius is its dual-personality. In just a few minutes, you can unbolt the 430Wh battery and stick a blanking plate (sold separately) in place, then you have a full-on, 160/170mm travel enduro bike that is only a few pounds heavier than its non-electric equivalent. The Relay is a game-changer for the rider that travels or wants one bike that can do it all, from bike park days with the battery installed to remote backcountry missions using the bike to the utmost. It straddles the line between e-bike and mountain bike better than anything else available.

What to Know Before You Buy

Before you buy a Transition e-bike, it’s important to think beyond the ride. These are the things that define the ownership experience and help you verify whether their philosophy matches what you need. Firstly, understand the target audience. Transition makes bikes for mountain bike enthusiasts, pure and simple. Their Speed Balanced Geometry (SBG), which offers a longer reach, slack head angle, and shorter offset fork, is influenced by their desire for confident-inspiring steering and maximum traction on demanding descents. If you want a beach cruiser to putz around the bike path on, look elsewhere. This is a high-end product for aficionados. Second, it is of the highest build quality, and the quality of components used are not only exceptional but at the top-end of the scale. Transition doesn't cut corners. From the full carbon frames to the meticulous selection of the suspension from Fox and RockShox, through the reliable drivetrains from SRAM and the high-quality finishing kit. This dedication to quality is a big part of what makes them desirable. You are paying for durability and performance. Lastly, consider the motor systems. A foundation decision is made between the Repeater’s Shimano EP801 or the Relay’s Fazua Ride 60. The Shimano unit has proved itself time and time again to be a raw and reliable unit for work and is supported by a huge worldwide support network. For the purist, the Fazua system provides whisper-quiet assistance, zero drag through the drivetrain, and the impressive versatility of its removable battery. It will more or less determine what your e-bike experience will be like (either with maximum power for lapping or natural-feeling assistance and versatility), so it’s important to choose based on how you want to ride most of the time.

An Alternative for Different Adventures

Transition is doing an excellent job of serving the high-performance mountain bike aficionado with its dedicated machines, but the electric world is a big world with different tools for different jobs. For city-cruising explorers or people who need utility and maneuverability for commuting and all-terrain trekking, a brand like ENGWE is an interesting alternative. Their ENGWE EP-2 Boost, for instance, is made for an entirely different reason. It’s a foldable electric bike, folding up for super easy storage in apartments or easy transport in a car! Big 20 x 4.0-inch fat tires are made for cruising on pavement to easily riding over grass and gravel — and anything in between. Its intelligent torque sensor feels refined and predictable, following your lead just where you want it, while making your pedaling feel natural and easy. For steep climbs or when you need a burst of power, the Boost button provides a full 55Nm of torque at the push of a button. With a huge 120km maximum range from the detachable 48V 13Ah battery and a sturdy rear rack and 150kg payload capacity, the EP-2 Boost is a proper utility workhorse – whether for deliveries, trips to the shops, or exploring the city without worrying about range. It is something that is about access and ease and all-road capability.

Transition E-Bike Model Comparison

5 Common Questions About Transition E-Bikes

What does the weight of a Transition electric bike actually feel like to ride?

This is the usual and reasonable one. On the Repeater, the weight is apparent when mired in a bike-lift scenario, but it offers unmatched stability in the dirt. The low CG keeps the bike glued to the earth, particularly on high-speed chatter and chunky rock sections, and it feels unbelievably surefooted. On the Relay, it is much less of an issue. It rides more like a burly, modern enduro bike than a heavy e-bike, so it’s easier to muscle around and make it feel “playful.” The key takeaway is that Transition has addressed the weight well, tuning their suspension kinematics (GiddyUp) to feel in balance with the added mass all around, and the capper result is a manageable ride through and through rather than a slow slug of one.

I’m torn between the Repeater and the Relay. Which one is right for me?

It really comes down to your fundamental riding philosophy. Opt for the Repeater if your motto is “more is more.” You’d like to minimize your effort to spin away climbs and maximize runs, but also want a bike that feels bombproof when battling the roughest lines. It's your personal shuttle. Go for the Relay if you prefer a slightly more old-school trail feel and versatility. You want help that feels natural, a bike that’s as flickable as can be, and you think it would be cool to own a bike that can be a mid-power e-bike one day and a dead-set analog enduro bike the next. It’s for the purist who likes a little help.

Do I actually ride the Relay with the battery out? What does it feel like?

Yes, absolutely. This is one of the Relay’s standout qualities. You buy an additional “downtube storage caddy” to fill it in where the battery would insert. With the battery out, the bike is much lighter. The Fazua Ride 60 system is engineered to be virtually drag-free, so when you pedal it without power assist, it feels exactly like a regular bike, and not like you’re heaving through a sluggish gearbox. It feels like a very competent modern enduro bike with good geometry, if also a few pounds heavier than what you’d get with a clean-sheet analog design (like the Transition Spire). It’s an outstanding choice for riders who may not want or need to use the motor on every ride.

How does maintaining a Transition electric bike compare to a typical mountain bike?

Maintenance is essentially the same for most parts: You still have to take care of your suspension, brakes, tires, and drivetrain. And then there is the electric system. But Transition went with proven, well-supported systems from Shimano and Fazua that are more or less self-contained and in need of care only in keeping them clean and asking you to update firmware periodically on their respective apps. (The main thing to be aware of is that the extra power and torque may also wear out your drivetrain—your chain and cassette may wear more quickly, so you’ll want to keep them clean and lubed and check for wear more often.)

There are other fantastic e-MTB companies around, why should I consider Transition?

You select Transition for the ride quality and company philosophy. By purchasing one, you’re investing in a “for riders, by riders” philosophy that runs through the design of their bikes. Their SBG geometry and GiddyUp suspension aren't marketing tactics; they're tried-and-true systems that result in a well-rounded, confidence-inspiring ride. When you purchase a Transition, you are investing in a bike designed by people who are just as dedicated to riding trails as you are. The result is a finely tuned, durable, and loads-of-fun machine made for aggressive riders who need a bike that not only performs but possesses a soul.

At the end of the day, a Transition electric bike is more than just an e-bike; it’s a Transition, amplified.