"Regulators! Mount Up!"

Transition have a history of making very pretty bikes and the new Regulator is pretty easy on the eye. Super clean lines, classic 4 bar aesthetic and even though its packing some batteries the down tube is pretty well placed and not too girthy. Its a nice looking bike! 

Stepping onto the bike you feel very at home straight away with the large size giving a pretty standard 475mm reach which is super comfortable now for my 5'10" frame and very much my go to reach size these days.

The 150mm cranks are a little extreme and do actually make the 175mm dropper post too short for the bike which is a shame. I feel like the bike really needed either 155 or 160mm cranks or if the 150s are the way to go then couple that with a 200mm post to keep the pedal position normal. But these are all solvable minor issues that we are using to sorting for customer at Brink so no biggy! 

Another notable aspect is the size-specific chainstay lengths, with the large and extra-large frames getting 448mm stays, while the small and medium frames have 442mm stays. This attention to detail helps balance the front-to-rear center ratio, resulting in a more well-rounded and predictable handling character.

The Regulator CX also offers versatility in its suspension setup. While the bike comes equipped with a 160mm fork and 150mm rear shock, I can swap the rear shock to a 65mm stroke unit, effectively increasing the rear travel to 160mm. This allows me to tailor the bike's capabilities to my preferred terrain and riding style.

On-Trail Performance

I put the Transition Regulator CX through its paces on a variety of terrain, from flat cross-country loops to technical downhill trails and jumps. My initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive, with the bike's power and responsiveness standing out as key highlights.

Climbing and Flat Terrain

With the Bosch CX motor providing up to 85Nm of torque (now 100Nm with the new power update), the Regulator CX proved to be a formidable climber. I noted that the bike felt "extra powerful" compared to my previous experience on a Heckler SL, allowing me to tackle steep ascents with ease. The four-mode Bosch system, with the "full power" and "e-bike" (adaptive) modes, gave me the flexibility to choose the appropriate level of assistance for the task at hand.

On flat, cross-country-style terrain, the Regulator CX shone, enabling me to maintain high speeds with minimal effort. The responsive and precise Shimano XT drivetrain, combined with the powerful motor, made for a very fast shifting experience, zapping through the gears in the blink of an eye! XC on the CX was a hoot! 

Descending and Technical Trails

This test bike was sent to me with single ply, Schwalbe Albert Trail tires which are not the stock tyre on this bike and entirely the wrong choice. And although they were exceptional on the XC loop they did hamper the downhill performance of the bike significantly. The bike's heft would just roll the tyre casing in corners which was a little frustrating. tyres are are so important on an E-Bike! 

Tyres aside the bike felt very familiar straight off the bat with classic Transition handling that mirrors the Santa Cruz feel. Balanced, playfull and confidence inspiring. 

The bike's suspension setup proved to be well-suited for more aggressive descending. The RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock provided a plush and responsive feel and the rampy rear shock setup was particularly appreciated on jumps and other features in the bike park, where the Regulator CX felt stable and composed again despite the tyres rolling around all over the place! 

This bike is pretty light with the XT bike coming in at 21.5kg and it comes in a SX version with less power and less battery at 18kg which would certainly take this bikes descending prowess to another level if you are willing to push on the pedals a bit! 

Climbing Challenge

To put the Regulator CX's climbing prowess to the test, I took on the Chicksands climb trail challange that I had previously seen Ste tackle with impressive speed. Utilising the bike's Turbo mode for maximum power, I gave it my all, sprinting up the climb.

And would you believe it?! I beat Ste's time. Sure Ste wasn't on an E-Bike but thats just details! 

Comparisons and Considerations

Throughout my review, I frequently compared the Transition Regulator CX to the Santa Cruz Vala, which is maybe unfair due to Transition getting the jump on 4 bar E-Bike way before Santa Cruz, but the similarities in their four-bar Bosch motor and carbon frame designs were evident, leading me to conclude that the two bikes are definitely comparable in terms of their ride feel.

The adjustable travel on the Regulator sits it perfectly between the Vala and the Bullit which is a really nice place to be. Id love to ride it again with longer travel setting and proper tyres but as a first ride it did everything I wanted it to do and bridges the gap between the Levo and the Bullit.

The Regulator CX offers a unique alternative for those who may not want the "dentists brand" bike and wants something a little more "core". Maybe you have a moustache and a bum bag and can name every trail at bike park wales? Very TR! 

Final Thoughts

The Transition Regulator CX is up there with every top end E-MTB on the market. The similarities to the Vala or a Bullit or Norco etc are there but when you ride a Transition it does have a little sparkle. A little something that just makes it so much fun to ride and the Regulator is exactly that! Pure fun! 

The Transition Regulator CX is available in two main configurations - the Deore model at £6,999 and the XT model at £8,499. The review unit I received was the top-of-the-line XT version, which boasts an impressive component spec:

• Frame: Carbon fiber, adjustable geometry
• Motor: Bosch CX, 100Nm of torque, 750w Peak Power
• Battery: 625Wh, with optional 250Wh range extender
• Suspension: RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork (160mm), RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock (150-160mm adjustable)
• Brakes: TRP Slate T4 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes
• Drivetrain: Shimano XT 12-speed
• Wheels: DT Swiss H1900 Spline
• Tires: Schwalbe Albert Trail, 27.5 x 2.6"
• Dropper Post: 180mm
• Cockpit: One Up Components bars and stem

For those interested in the Transition Regulator CX, be sure to check out the full bike specs here

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