Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX Review
- Price: $7,799
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 27.5″/ 29″Aluminum
- Gear: 1×12
What we like about it: An electrically assisted mountain bike with powerful, reliable performance on climbs and descents.
What we don’t like about it: The high price may not fit everyone’s budget.
Rating: (4.9/5)
The Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX is a lightweight modular mountain bike designed for long-distance travel. It is a bike that offers both electric and non-electric riding options within a single frame. Without a doubt, it provides a lightweight, efficient, and quiet ride with enhanced capabilities for mountain terrain.
Now, let’s analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX. In the second half of this article, we will also compare it with several other top bike models. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, stay tuned!
Riding Experience
The Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX has excellent geometry, thanks to its Fazua Ride 60 motor, which delivers stable, reliable performance and powerful energy output. It effortlessly handles both uphill climbs and downhill descents.
To test it out, I took the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX to a nearby mountain bike park, where I had booked a hotel with IHG in advance. The route included gravel roads, loose terrain, winding trails, berms, and various types of jumps with different drop-offs.
Climbing
As I embarked on the ascent to the mountain peak, the Fazua Ride 60 motor of the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX provided me with 60Nm of torque, making the climb much easier. This motor offers smooth, seamless power delivery, ensuring a comfortable uphill ride.
Furthermore, the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX’s excellent geometry allowed me to maintain a stable center of gravity during the climb. The bike hugged the ground, efficiently converting more power assistance into upward distance.
Lastly, the bike’s front and rear Schwalbe 2.4-inch tires provided excellent traction, keeping me firmly grounded and maximizing the energy transfer during uphill climbs.
In summary, the climbing ability of the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX is undoubtedly excellent. With the assistance of the Fazua Ride 60 motor, my uphill rides were significantly more effortless.
Descending
The Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX showcased impressive performance during descents. As an electric full-suspension endurance race bike, it boasts a lightweight design, ensuring agility and maneuverability.
When landing on some drop-offs, the combination of the Fox Float 38 Performance Elite front fork and Fox DHX Coil Factory rear shock with 170mm travel absorbed almost all impacts, providing a smooth and safe landing.
When riding on gravel terrain, the bike’s slack geometry and 29-inch front wheel maintained stability, while the SRAM GX Eagle rear derailleur ensured reliable chain tension during intense descents, preventing chain drops.
Finally, as I ventured onto winding trails, the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX’s 27.5″ rear wheel provided agility, allowing me to navigate through the trails with ease. The TRP DH-R EVO brakes, combined with the TRP R1 2.3 (front 223mm, rear 203mm) rotors, delivered powerful, top-level braking performance, allowing this beast to rapidly decelerate and come to a stop.
These features of the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX make it an exceptional bike for both climbing and descending, offering a smooth and controlled riding experience in various terrains.
Specifications
The Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX is available in 6 sizes (XS-XXL) with an aluminum frame featuring internal cable routing for a clean and tidy appearance. It is suitable for riders with heights ranging from 4’8″ to 6’10”, catering to a wide range of riders.
The GiddyUp suspension kinematics ensure a well-balanced bike with excellent support and sensitivity to small bumps, specifically designed for electric bikes.
Furthermore, the combination of a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel provides both superior traction and agile handling on narrow trails.
The Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX is a versatile bike that offers both electric and non-electric riding experiences within a single frame, providing a diverse range of riding options.
Video
Other Versions
The Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX, with its slack geometry, is an electric endurance race machine. It excels in both uphill climbs and downhill descents, making it an outstanding full-suspension electric endurance race bike.
To cater to riders with a more generous budget, we also offer another model from the same brand. The Transition Relay PNW Carbon X0 AXS features a lighter carbon fiber frame and upgraded drivetrain components, delivering even more powerful riding capabilities.
Transition Relay PNW Carbon X0 AXS
The Transition Relay PNW Carbon X0 AXS utilizes a lighter carbon fiber frame. Combined with the excellent Fazua Ride 60 motor, it provides smooth power output.
For suspension, the bike features a Fox Float 38 Grip 2 Factory front fork and a Fox DHX Coil Factory rear shock, offering strong support. The SRAM XO AXS Eagle electronic drivetrain ensures efficient gear shifting with crisp and precise operation. The electronic shifting setup is also exceptionally smooth.
In terms of braking, the TRP DH-R EVO brakes paired with TRP R1 2.3 (223/203mm) rotors provide powerful stopping performance, making them my personal favorite.
Below, we will provide detailed specifications of the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX and list some similarly priced full-suspension electric endurance bikes from other brands for your reference.
What do we like about it?
- A lightweight modular mountain bike designed for long-distance travel, offering various riding options.
- Internal cable routing throughout the bike for a clean and tidy appearance, as well as simplified cleaning.
- Bluetooth connectivity for complete customization of motor settings in all assistance modes.
- Rear chainstay protection reduces chain slap noise during rides.
- Combination of a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel for excellent traction and agile handling on narrow trails.
- The Fazua Ride 60 motor provides excellent engagement and natural power output.
What don’t we like about it?
- The high price may make it difficult for budget-conscious riders to make a decision.
FAQ
- Does this bike require tools to remove the battery?
It features a tool-free removable battery, allowing for quick and easy removal without the need for any tools.
- What wheelsets are used on this bike?
The front wheelset is the Nukeproof Horizon V2, 29″, 6 Bolt, 110x15mm, while the rear wheelset is the Nukeproof Horizon V2, 27.5″, 6 Bolt, Shimano Microspline Driver, 148x12mm.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here we have a sizing chart for you. Of course, it doesn’t always have to be followed, and the best way to find the perfect size is to try it out.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 4’8″-5’3″ | XS |
| 5’0″ – 5’7″ | S |
| 5’4″ – 6’0″ | M |
| 5’8″ – 6’3″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’7″ | XL |
| 6’2″ – 6’10” | XXL |
Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX Specs
Build
| Frame | Relay Alloy 170mm Colors: Tr Blue; Oxide Grey |
| Fork | Fox Float 38 Performance Elite, (170mm) |
| Rear Shock | Fox DHX Coil Factory, (205x65mm), XS/SM(350lb) MD(400lb) LG(450lb) XL(500lb) XXL(550lb) |
| Headset | FSA No. 55R |
| Stem | ANVL Swage (40mm) |
| Handlebar | ANVL Mandrel Alloy 35, XS/SM (800×20) MD/LG/XL (800×30) XXL (800×40) |
| Saddle | SDG Bel Air 3 |
| Seatpost | OneUp Dropper Post, XS(120mm) SM(150mm) MD(180mm) LG/XL/XXL(210mm) |
| Grips | ODI Elite Flow Lock-On |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Crank | Praxis Alloy ETOR, (165mm, X-Small 160mm) |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle Single Click |
| Cassette | SRAM XG 1275 (10-52t) |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Brakes | TRP DH-R EVO |
Wheels
| Rims | RaceFace Aeffect R |
| Spokes | RaceFace 2.0/1.7/2.0 |
| Front Hub | RaceFace Trace 28H |
| Rear Hub | RaceFace Trace 28H |
| Tires | Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary, Super Trail, Soft 2.4, Rear: Schwalbe Big Betty, Super Trail, Soft 2.4 |
| Disk Rotors | TRP R1 2.3 (223/203mm) |
Electric Components
| Motor | Fazua Ride 60 |
| Battery | Fazua Energy 430 Take Out |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Travel | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Trek Rail 9.7 Gen 4 | Click View | 150mm rear, 160mm front | Carbon | Shimano M6120 | 1 × 12 |
| Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL Comp | Click View | 170mm rear, 170mm front | Carbon | SRAM Code R | 1 × 12 |
| Orbea WILD H10 | Click View | 160mm rear, 160mm front | Carbon | Shimano M6120 | 1 × 12 |
| Scott Ransom eRIDE 920 | Click View | 180mm rear, 180mm front | Aluminum | Shimano BR-M7120 | 1 × 12 |
Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX vs Trek Rail 9.7 Gen 4
When comparing these two bikes, the front suspension of the former has a longer travel, which provides better performance when tackling more challenging terrain and landing from big drops.
Additionally, the front suspension on the former, equipped with Fox components, offers better support.
In terms of drivetrain components, the former features SRAM GX, which provides a more crisp and responsive shifting experience. The second bike, equipped with a Shimano XT and SLX mix, offers smoother shifting. However, I prefer the crisp shifting experience of SRAM.
Regarding braking performance, the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX with TRP DH-R EVO brakes provides more powerful and reliable braking compared to the Trek Rail 9.7 Gen 4 with Shimano M6120 brakes.
Overall, between these two full-suspension electric endurance bikes, I would recommend the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX. It offers a higher level of component selection.
Learn More: Is Trek Rail 9.7 Worth Buying? [Trek Rail 9.7 Review]
Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX vs Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL Comp
These two bikes have the same suspension travel. However, the former is equipped with a Fox 38 fork, which has a thicker stanchion diameter and a larger air chamber volume, providing better support.
Both bikes use the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, ensuring good transmission efficiency and a powerful rear derailleur with stable chain performance.
In terms of braking capability, the former is equipped with the TRP DH-R EVO brakes, while the second bike has the SRAM Code R brakes. Both are known for their aggressive braking power. They offer quick responses and can bring the bike to a halt instantly.
In conclusion, both bikes are excellent options. However, considering the similar price range, the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX is the more recommended choice.
Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX vs Orbea WILD H10
These two bikes feature different motor systems, with the first one utilizing the Fazua motor and the second one using the BOSCH motor. Both motors deliver smooth and consistent power output.
In terms of drivetrain, the former is equipped with the SRAM GX drivetrain, offering efficient power transmission and crisp shifting. On the other hand, the second bike features the Shimano XT combined with SLX components, providing lighter and smoother shifting.
When it comes to braking performance, the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX with TRP DH-R EVO brakes outperforms the Orbea WILD H10 equipped with Shimano M6120 brakes, delivering stronger braking power.
Regarding suspension capability, both bikes are equipped with the Fox 38 fork. However, the former has a longer travel, providing an advantage for tackling more challenging terrains.
Ultimately, I prefer the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX with its longer suspension travel, as it offers a more thrilling experience for downhill riding.
Learn More: Is Orbea WILD M-LTD 20mph a Good Choice? -[Orbea WILD M-LTD 20mph Review]
Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX vs Scott Ransom eRIDE 920
On the suspension system, the former is equipped with the Fox Float 38 Performance Elite fork, providing better support and ensuring smoother landings on terrains with large drops. The second bike features the RockShox ZEB fork, offering a more sensitive initial stage, making it suitable for continuous rough terrains with scattered rocks.
Regarding the drivetrain, the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX with SRAM GX components delivers precise and crisp shifting. The Scott Ransom with Shimano XT mixed with M6100 components may not be as reliable but provides a smoother and more fluid shifting experience.
In terms of braking capability, the TRP DH-R EVO brakes on the former offer more direct and aggressive braking performance. The Shimano BR-M7120 brakes on the second bike provide a more linear braking feel.
Ultimately, the former has more advanced components, showcasing superior riding capabilities.
Summary
Above is my review of the Transition Relay PNW Alloy GX. In our opinion, it is a high-quality full-suspension electric endurance bike with outstanding overall performance. That’s why we gave it a rating of 4.9.
Of course, if you’re interested in other full-suspension electric endurance bikes, we also review a wide range of bikes with various price points, and they are equally fascinating. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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