Transition Rapture — first look

Transition Rapture — first look

New geared and singlespeed-compatible steel 'cross bike

The Rapture is Transition's first cyclocross rig. The frame with matching steel retails for US$599 (UK pricing TBA)

Courtesy

Josh Patterson

Published: January 10, 2014 at 12:00 am
The Rapture is Transition's first cyclocross rig. The frame with matching steel retails for US$599 (UK pricing TBA) - Courtesy
The Transition Rapture is available in a more subdued black and blue in addition to bright neon green paint scheme - Courtesy
The Transition Rapture has swinging dropouts, allowing it to be run geared or as a singlespeed - Courtesy
The dropouts can be swapped, depending on the rider's desired drivetrain - Courtesy
The rear brake line is routed through the top tube for easy shouldering - Courtesy
Frame geometry is middle of the road by cyclocross standards: not too low and slack; not too high and steep - Courtesy
Transition's Rapture test riders appear to have a firm grasp on proper cyclocross etiquette - Courtesy

Transition Bicycle Company may be better known for its heavy-hitting dirt jump, gravity and trail bikes, but the staff of this small Ferndale, Washington-based company also knows how to have a good time between the tape of a cyclocross course.

The Rapture is Transition’s first cyclocross offering. The disc-specific frameset can be run geared or as a singlespeed thanks to interchangeable, rockered dropouts.

The frame is constructed from butted 4130 chromoly tubing and features a 44mm head tube for compatibility with tapered steerers. The rear brake line is routed through the top tube for snag-free shouldering and the downtube-routed derailleur cable guides are removable for a clean look in singlespeed mode.

The transition rapture has swinging dropouts, allowing it to be run geared or as a singlespeed: the transition rapture has swinging dropouts, allowing it to be run geared or as a singlespeed - Courtesy

Transition’s Rapture is offered in four sizes. The frame with matching steel retails for US$599. (UK pricing TBA.) Claimed weight for a size 55cm frame is 4.7lb/2.14kg. Claimed weight for the matching fork is 2.2lb/1kg (with an uncut steerer).

Perhaps the best thing about the Rapture is Transition's promotional video, which includes a wealth of coaching advice from reigning Singlespeed Cyclocross World champion Adam Craig.

Check out this video of the transition rapture in action

For more information visit www.transitionbikes.com.

Josh Patterson

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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