Dubbed “The Mountain Bikers EMTB,” the new Transition Relay aims to bridge the gap between an eBike and a pedal bike. It’s not just a lightweight, long-travel eBike, it offers an analog experience with a removable battery. It just might be the first eMTB that truly goes everywhere. Let’s dive into the key features.

First of all, the Transition Relay comes in both alloy and carbon frame options with either 160mm of travel and 29” wheels (Relay) or 170mm paired with an MX setup (Relay PNW.) The latter also comes with a burlier Fox 38 and coil shock while the former offers a lighter-weight build with a 36mm fork chassis and air shock. Both feature the long, low, and slack geometry we’ve come to expect from Transition. The head tube angle is 64° or 63.4° depending on the build. The seat tube angle ranges from 79.7° on the small frame to 76.3° on the XXL frame. The reach is on the long side ranging from 410mm (S) to 535mm (XXL.) The chainstays are size specific and appear to be on the longer side, offering more stability and a better body position on the bike.

Now let’s get into the fun stuff. What makes the Transition Relay the “Mountain Bikers EMTB?” First of all, it’s lighter and less powerful than the big dogs. It clocks in at 42.5 lb with the battery installed. Using a tool-free removable battery, you’re able to drop the weight to 37.5 lb. That’s on the heavy side, but some of the big enduro bikes these days weigh around that without a battery or motor. The beauty of the removable battery is twofold. The first pro I see is being able to ride where eMTBs aren’t legal. Pull the battery and now you have a full human-powered ride. Your favorite bike park doesn’t allow eMTBs (looking at you Park City), pull the battery and now you should be able to get that bike on the lift for laps with the crew. The second benefit I see is that the Relay might be the first bike I could own that would replace both an ebike and a pedal bike. I can remove the battery and go pedal with all my non-eMTB friends, or I can power up and hit the trails with the ebikers.

The Transition Relay uses a Fazua Ride 60 drivesystem. As the name implies it has 60NM of peak torque as well as 250 Wh continuous power, 450 Wh peak power, and a 430 Wh battery. The drivesystem integration is pretty sleek with a small, unobtrusive controller on the handlebar and an LED indicator on the bike’s top tube. Using the Fazua app you’re able to fine-tune the drivesystem to meet your needs. Whether you prefer a high-power experience or a longer-lasting ride, the app should let you get those settings dialed in.

The Relay comes in six different build kits ranging from the NX Alloy at $6,799 to the Carbon XX1 AXS at $12,499. For those interested in the PNW version of the Relay, it’s offered in both an alloy and carbon build. See all the builds and options on Transitions website.

Stay tuned for a full review of the new Transition Relay as well as when floor bikes and demos will be available.