TRANSITION BIKES and FMD Racing Development Join Forces to Create 'Transition Factory Racing'

"Having spent a good few days testing and having fun with Transition, it has been so refreshing to see how passionate and involved they are with our sport. I strongly believe that FMD and Transition are an amazing match and together can make big steps in the right direction. They are eager to help us develop as a team and do anything they can to help, which is such a positive feeling going into the season. Let the journey begin!"
 - Tahnée Seagrave / Transition Factory Racing

"2011 was the last year a Transition Factory supported team competed in the World Cup circuit. And I am absolutely psyched to have these guys representing us and how our partnership has come together. From the first instant I spoke with Tony, it was apparent to me how parallel our motives and expectations were. Having just returned from a week in Wales working with the full team, I'm amazed and inspired by their passion for racing and all things related. It already feels like they're an extension of the Transition family.

Being able to work so closely with their mechanics on their race bikes and assure they have absolutely everything they need for success was invaluable. Working directly with the mechanics and athletes is as streamlined as it gets. There are so many nuances involved with equipment and race-craft at this level, and being able to tap into my racing and inner bike geek eliminates all communication barriers as we're speaking the same language. I have no doubt it is going to be an exciting year and I can't wait to see what they're going to do on the TR500!"-  Lars Sternberg / Transition Bikes

"For the first time in FMD Racing's history, we have been able to work closely with our main sponsor - Myself, the mechanics & riders have just had Lars spend a week at 'FMD Towers'. He was able to visit MoJo whilst the mechanics and riders were setting up their TR500's with their new Fox suspension and was also on hand to advise and assist at testing the following day... Lars' input has been, and will continue to be, invaluable. We also found out he sucks at karting!

We are so stoked to be part of the Transition family - the whole FMD team wanted to partner with a company that believes in what we are doing and where we are going. After speaking to several companies, there was one company who's enthusiasm stood out, a mutual respect followed and a new 'bromance' was formed. This partnership allows us to continue our development of young riders so we can ensure there is a proper structure that gives the correct support and opportunities.

Tahnée tested several bikes at the end of 2015 and the Transition TR500 - straight out the box - was the only one that instantly had her grinning. I will not say "the bike is faster, the company is awesome" like everyone else but what I will say is that the riders love the bike and the company is full of people that truly love to ride bikes - all bikes. This love gives them the ability to build the bikes everyone wants to ride.

The 'stoke' factor is mutual and long may it continue!." - Tony Seagrave / Transition Factory Racing

Continuing FMD's development heritage the team consists of two programs; World Cup and Development. Tahnée Seagrave and Neil Stewart make up the Transition Factory World Cup Racing roster. While Kaos Seagrave, Joe Parfitt and Jamie Edmonson comprise the Transition / FMD Development Racing roster.

2016 Transition Factory Racing & Transition / FMD Schedule

• 02-03 April - BDS Round 1: Ae Forest, Scotland
• 9-10 April - WC Round 1: Lourdes, France
• 20-24 April - WC Round 2: Cairns, Australia
• 14-15 May - BDS Round 2: Fort William, Scotland
• 28-29 May - BDS Round 3: Rhyd-Y-Felin, Wales
• 4-5 June - WC Round 3: Fort William, Scotland
• 11-12 June - WC Round 4: Leogang, Austria
• 15-19 June - CrankWorx Europe: Les Gets, France
• 25-26 June - BDS Round 4: Moelfre, Wales
• 9-10 July - WC Round 5: Lenzerheide, Switzerland
• 6-7 August - WC Round 6: Mont Sainte Anne, Canada 
• 27-28 August - BDS Round 5: Revolution Bike Park, Wales
• 3-4 September - WC Round 7: Vallnord, Andorra 
• 17-18 September - BDS Round 6: Llangollen, Wales

Transition Factory Racing supported by

• FoxHead Europe
• Shimano Pro/Saint/Zee
• DT Swiss
• Ergon
• Schwalbe Tires
• Crank Brothers
• Fox Suspension
• More to be confirmed...

Transition TR500 Press Release

The TR500 represents the latest innovation and evolution of Transition Bikes' downhill program. Starting from the huge success of the TR450, our goal was to create a lighter and stronger bike, improve the suspension kinematics, and update sizing options for modern trends. All this in a totally redesigned frame where no detail was overlooked. The result is a bike that sheds 1.2 lbs with increased strength in key areas, easier tuning and lighter spring weights, with a sexy new look.

To make your buying decision easier, we wanted to create two bikes in one. No more TR250 versus TR450 decision making. With simple and effective travel, geo and chainstay adjustments the TR500 can switch between a dual crown world cup racer to a single crown bike park-shredding machine in no time.

SUSPENSION

The TR500 uses all new suspension kinematics that have been updated to keep the rider higher in the travel for more available wheel travel all the time. Less progressive than the previous models with just the right amount of bottom out control. Riders can expect to use full travel without noticing any harsh bottom out. With an even more predictable suspension feel, you can make the most of the adjustment range in your rear shock for more tuning range. The TR500 is easy to setup, comfortable and familiar from the first ride.

DESIGN

The design goals of the TR500 were simple: make it stronger, lighter and sexier. This sounds simple, but a massive effort went into making these goals a reality. Every tube is custom hydroformed to achieve the clean aggressive lines. We pushed our manufacturing capabilities with details like a unified seattube/toptube gusset  utilizing a series of extremely complicated processes.

Every part of the bike has been sculpted to achieve maximum strength and shave weight while creating a distinct design language throughout. Every yoke, rocker and upright has been forged allowing us to create more complex shapes and push the design further than with a typical CNC process. The internal cable routing is complimented by a custom cable entry point with a rubber integrated fork bumper.  The result of all of these details is a perfect balance between form and function. 

ADJUSTABILITY

The TR500 comes with the ability to adjust chainstay length, bottom bracket height, head angle, and travel from 200mm to 180mm. Simplified adjustments and easier access make trail side and course specific changes even easier. We encourage riders to play around with the adjustments to find their perfect settings. The TR500 was designed for 26" wheels in any setting, or 27.5" wheels in the low bottom bracket height and long chainstay settings. 

SIZING AND GEO

The TR500 comes in 4 sizes (S, M, L, XL) to cover a broader range of rider heights and preferences than ever before.

Transition TR500

Hold onto your hat for the all new Transition TR500 DH bike. The TR500 is the true evolution of design and performance coming together to take Transition's DH program to the next level. The TR500 is lighter, stronger, sleeker and packed full of new features. All new geometry, more size options including a new XL, improved suspension kinematics for better small bump sensitivity, ability to run lower spring rates and a smoother leverage curve for easier tuning of the shock. The new TR500 can be run as a world cup class DH setup with a dual crown or throw it into the lower travel setting with short wheelbase and a 180mm single crown fork to create the ultimate bike park freeride shredding bike.

Transition Announces TR500

The all new TR500 has been designed from the ground up to be lighter, faster and stronger. All new suspension kinematics keep the bike higher in the travel for more available wheel travel and improved small bump and big hit sensitivity. We have simplified the adjustment options for easier geometry changes and no spare parts to lose. Proven and comfortable geometry with a new XL size for the tall guys or anyone looking for a little more length in their ride.

Now with two travel settings, the TR500 is our most versatile TR bike ever. Single crown or dual crown builds work equally well with the 180mm and 203mm travel options. Geometry settings for high speed stability and control on technical, steep downhill tracks or a nimble and playful feel on machine built jump and flow trails. With the TR500 you have all the options you need to dial in your bike for your unique riding style.

Long Travel Geo

Find out more on the TR500