Absolutely freakin' love this bike- from all i've seen and heard, this appears to be the actual ride-all do-all bike...
Any worthy alternatives to it that are a little more budget-conscious?
If so, I can turn my drool into reality...


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I thought Transition is the budget-conscious version .

I thought the frame was like $600? That's what I want, too.

IBTJS (In Before The Jamis Suggestions)

Ha! Beat me to it.

Ragley blue pig?

man, you guys are right about the price... i gotta stop basing my pricing off of Jenson and bartering! transition is really turning it up when it comes to their bikes, and i think i'm destined for one in 2012!

The boys in Ferndale have always been about delivering well-designed, fun-to-ride bikes at a more affordable price point, And they've come a long way from their somewhat-utilitarian, straight-tube offerings of their earlier days - - but still giving solid value (IMO). Plus, they are not so much a 'company' as still just a group of guys who love to ride and with a good sense of customer support. Hope you do get that Trans, mp - - I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

I wouldn't have suggested it. I think there are other frames more comparable. The Komodo would work, but it's not steel and it's a bit on the burly side.


Just b/c the frame is a hardtail doesn't make it budget conscious. I don't see the TransAm as an inexpensive frame at all when compared to the $275 On One 456 Summer Season.

https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO456S...ail-frame-2011


Or the $233 On One 456:

https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO456/...ail-frame-2011



A $600 hardtail frame is toward the upper limits of the price range IMO. Look at the Sinister Ridge...it's was going for $750 until CRC started closing them out for $460. I mean really...you can buy a Heckler frame with Fox Float RL for $1050. There's more design / r&d in it, moving parts, damping circuit in the shock, leverage ratio...and you're going to charge $600 for a TransAm or $750 for a Sinister Ridge? Bleh!


I guess when it's all said and done...it's monitarily worth what you'll pay for it. If 1000 people will shell out $750 for a Ridge or $600 for a TransAm...then I guess it's technically worth it. On One is a little more down on my level though.

I stand by my earlier statement. Transition has always delivered 'boutique maker' quality at closer to a catalog-frame price. Yes, the Trans-Am lists at $570. But, as you point out, the Sinister Ridge lists for $130 more; Santa Cruz Chameleon is $80 more at $650; and, although there's no Yeti equivalent to the TA, an ARC frame lists for $750. Shucks, even the lowly ol' Azonic Steelhead - - old-school epitome of a bargain-build AM/FR hardtail frame in its day - - was pushing $400 list price.

Granted, that's all pretty heady stuff from my perspective too - - I'd have a real hard time dropping $5-700 for a hardtail frame - - but kept in context, not out of line.

I'm getting to be a cheap, cynical, grumpy old man.

Oh I hear ya, ed. I just spent $80 at the LBS for a short-cage X9 RD, to replace the one I destroyed at Whistler a couple weeks ago. And this one, too, has a composite cage .

I thought there was supposed to be a short-cage version of the X5 this year.

there's nothing wrong with cynical and grumpy