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Transition Bikes
20th April 2005 - James
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Recently we're seeing a lot of companies getting rider owned distributors over here, people who want to offer brilliant customer service, good prices and just have a laugh out on a bike.
Now Transition Bikes were a little known quantity, but Jamie Whitfield wants to change all that, he's bringing the bikes into the UK, and we can see the DirtBag being hugely successful over here, its £1799 for a full build.. with the exit of a few ranges of bikes at this price, the market is wide open!
We asked Jamie a few questions to get the idea behind the company and why he's bringing them in...
FTMB: We haven't seen Transition Bikes much over here, what makes them so different to all the other freeride bikes out there?
Well for a start, the price, but certainly not to the detriment of quality and effectiveness! I was really pleased when I was able to offer the UK customers the same level of value that our US customers experience, this was my number one priority.
We are proud to say that our bikes are designed for riders by riders, we are a small home grown company owned and ran by Kyle and Kevin in the US and myself here in the UK.
There are tons of differences really, we consider ourselves to offer the best service full stop, from ordering with the ability for the customer to spec the correct weighted spring from the offset, to the delivery, and any warranty work. Unfortunately that's not something you often see in this industry. We steer clear from the big bike co. corporate politics and concentrate on producing what we consider to be the best bikes in their class.
We offer 3 distinctly different bikes, the Preston FR, our short travel (4-5") freeride bike which can be built up as a designated hucker right down to a 27lbs all day rig if the mood takes you! This is my favourite bike in the range, it's perfect for the UK riding conditions and the most versatile in the range, it lets you hit the trails hard and fast whilst still having enough travel to soak up what you can give it.
We've also got the DirtBag which is a 6-7" rig for more extreme FR and DH duties, this will be popular on the UK downhill circuit as its got just the right amount of travel and pedals very well, but it also remains at it's best as a medium weight FR rig.
Lastly the Trail-or-Park chromo hardcore hardtail is suitable for all types of riding from dirt jump to urban FR!. I've even got one on the way as a bit of an all round play bike!
We also offer the bikes with three different ways to buy; buy as a frame only and spec it up how you want, buy as a frame and Marzocchi/Manitou Fork combo where you can choose our hand selected forks from their ranges deemed best suited to our bikes. Lastly we offer our full built up bikes, in both single and dual ring for the Preston FR and the DirtBag with the option of a single, dual ring or single speed for the Trail-or-Park.
There's some awesome US riders on transition, like Mike Metzger, any plans for a UK team yet?
Yeah definitely! I will be doing a bit of talent scouting myself in the next few months after the company is a little more established. I'm looking for up and coming riders full of potential to ride our frames and represent Transition Bikes UK.
Where are the bikes made?
The bikes are part made outside the US, with the custom linkages made by Dangerboy in the US. They are assembled in the US where the Romic shocks are fitted with the rider weight determined springs.
Where have you guys come from to sell them over here? What background?
At the moment there's just myself, I've been riding since 1992, and it was always important that the company stay true to its' home grown rider owned image, I have never labelled what kind of rider I am, I just ride to have fun!
In my eternal quest for the ultimate soul bike, I've spent stupid amounts of money on various top end bikes, and received poor customer service for the privilege! When I found Transition Bikes, it rapidly became apparent that I didn't need to spend a lot of money anymore to have the soul bike I was looking for, and the service really was second to none, that's what attracted me.
My personal background includes a degree in Business and I've owned various other businesses. I had been looking at entering the MTB market for a long while, I'd played with supplying parts etc, but always wanted my own bike company, a friend of mine introduced me to Transition Bikes, and they were the exact company I wanted to be a part of. It wasn't easy but I proved myself and the rest is history, or is that the future?!
Are there any plans for a Transition DH rig?
At the moment we kind of consider the DirtBag to be a bit of an all rounder in terms of FR and DH, these bikes afterall, were designed by a couple of huckers (sorry Kyle and Kevin! ;) ), so that's the main priority, however the DirtBag does its rounds in both the US and the UK in DH competition so at the moment we're really happy with that, and it does well but we are keen to develop Transition Bikes into all areas in the future, so who knows?
What are the plans for the future over here? What can we look forward to?
At the moment, the main thing is to get the name about, make Transition Bikes UK a household name. One thing that has to carry on is the home grown, rider orientated service that our company offers. I want to develop a team of young and talented riders, and I want to continue to offer the highest levels of service in the industry. My other plans involve learning to ride a bike like the other two guys so I'm worthy! ;)
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell you about Transition Bikes UK, please keep an eye on our website and ordering facility at Transition UK for the latest info!
Happy Trailblasting!
Jamie Whitfield - Owner Transition Bikes UK uk@transitionbikes.com T 07803 205121 F 01642 308278
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