Transition Covert V2

Transition released the Covert V2 this last season, and it's time for us to review it and tell you what we think! Initially we were really impressed with the Covert solely based on aesthetics, it looks so much better than the old version; it's truly a sexy bike! As transition released the numbers for the geometry we got really excited. First off, travel has been bumped up from 5.5 inches in the rear up to 6 inches, making the bike more capable. Next, the new covert has a tapered steer tube, this decreases weight from running a 1.5" steer tube, but making it virtually just as stiff. The head angle has also been slackened out a bit, making this bike at home with high speeds and steep descents. Transition went with their own proprietary tubeset which produces those sexy lines, but also serves several engineering purposes. For one, the new tubeset is lighter and stronger, and it has also allowed them to pay attention to some little design features like being able to run the rear derailleur cable internally through the chainstay. Now, that's all well and good, but how does it ride?!


Well, we had two Coverts at the shop this last season that got plenty of riding time and we feel pretty well qualified to give a review on how amazing they are! Since this is an all mountain bike, and coming off of riding a downhill bike, I'm going to start by describing how the Covert does on the steep stuff! First off, wow. Wow! The covert feels like a miniature downhill bike! It's very stable at high speeds, it's light, it's fast, responsive, flick-able, and way too many other adjectives to list! My covert was set up with the new 2010 Fox RP23 large volume rear shock and the 2010 Fox Float 36, both of these shocks compliment the Covert perfectly and I would definitely recommend them. We also had Coverts set up with Marzocchi and Rock Shox suspension, and both also felt amazing. As a rear shock I would still recommend running the RP23 large volume, as Transition designed the frame around that shock and the new Boost Valve system is amazing!

As with any all mountain bike, going downhill is only half of the equation. An all mountain bikes' ability to go back up is where an all mountain bike proves itself. Partnered with the RP23, which has an amazing ProPedal feature, the Covert climbs like a dream. With the flick of a switch the covert turns into a billy goat on steroids, mellowing even the most gnarly of uphills.

I had the chance to ride Moab in October, which is an all mountain bikes proving grounds. The ultimate all mountain trail is Porcupine Rim. From the normal trailhead, Porcupine is about a 12 mile ride and takes most people 2-3 hours to ride. I started from the Kokopelli trail which adds on about another 8 miles for about a total of 20 miles of all mountain bliss. I rode the 20 miles in a record (at least personal record) 2 hours and 3 minutes, woo! The first 10 miles or so is smooth and fast single track riding over boulders and coming within feet of a 2000 foot cliff that falls into Castle Valley (most incredible views ever!) This section is pedal-y with downhills followed up short uphills. The covert was incredible, the beginning of the trail is pretty technical, but the covert is confidence inspiring. I felt completely comfortable going down hairy descents and rolling over boulders and then hammering up the next short uphill.

The further down porcupine you go, the more open and rocky it becomes. The value of 6 inches of travel front and back then becomes apparent and the Covert really shines! After a few uphills you finally reach the point on Porcupine where virtually the last 5 miles or so is just downhill. I lowered my seatpost about an inch, and then opened the Covert up. I got in the hardest gear, and just mashed the pedals for the next 5 miles. I flew by GROUPS of people on downhill bikes struggling to make it down, and the Covert literally plowed through rock gardens like they were nothing! I'm not the kind of person that takes it easy on a bike, I dropped the Covert off every possible drop on the way down. I hit drops ranging from 5-8 feet onto off-camber, rocky, or just completely flat landings and the covert didn't even hesitate and I didn't once feel off balance or sketchy riding it. In conclusion, the Covert just flat out rocks! It loves the uphills and the downhills and will take anything you throw at it, and it's just plain mean! Transition really hit the nail on the head with this bike.

The pictures of the Covert that have been in this review are of a bike that we recently built for a customer, and it's amazing! It came out at 30.68 lbs, and could easily weigh less with a few minor changes! We built up his covert with a Rock Shox revelation fork, Fox RP23 rear shock, the Transition AM wheelset, the new Avid Elixir 5 brakes, and SRAM drivetrain.