Relay 2025

The Transition Relay 2025 is a long-travel lightweight carbon eMTB from Bellingham brand Transition, built around the Fazua Ride 60 motor and a 430 Wh removable battery. Headline numbers: 170 mm of fork travel, 160 mm at the rear, 60 Nm of torque, an exceptional 19.27 kg claimed weight, a 63.3 to 64 degree two-position adjustable head angle and the broadest reach progression in the segment: 405 mm on XS to 535 mm on XXL across a 12-configuration size matrix. The community framing is strong: @jever98 documents a full XXL 29er build with Mezzer fork, Vorsprung coil, Reserve carbon wheels, X0 AXS and TRP brakes, while @TCFlowClyde calls the swappable 430 Wh battery "stealthier" as a category differentiator.

Drive system and range. The Fazua Ride 60 motor delivers 60 Nm of torque, 250 W nominal and a manufacturer-claimed 450 W peak from a 1.98 kg unit. The Fazua Energy 430 Wh battery is removable, which is unusual in lightweight eMTBs and a real win for spare-pack riders. @downunderdallas bluntly notes the Relay's motor and battery capacity "insufficient to match Amflow riders' climbing ability on 1100 m+ vertical rides", which is the reality of the lightweight category: this is not a full-power tool. The Fazua optional 210 Wh range extender lifts total capacity to ~640 Wh for genuine long days.

Geometry and handling. Two-position adjustable geometry: the Low setting drops the head angle to 63.3 degrees and lifts BB, the High setting sits at 64 degrees. Reach is exceptional: 405 mm on XS, 410 to 422 mm on SM, 452 to 460 mm on MD, 477 to 485 mm on LG and reaching 535 mm at XXL. The XS-to-XXL range covers riders from approximately 150 cm to over 200 cm. Size-tuned chainstays grow from 436 mm on XS to 448 mm on XL. Wheelbase 1167 to 1341 mm. @jever98's XXL configuration with full 29er setup confirms the platform handles the bigger sizes properly.

Build and value. Two trims. Base at £6999, 19.27 kg, and the PNW (Pacific Northwest) at £8599, 20.7 kg, with the upgraded burlier spec. For £6999 you get an exceptional 170/160 mm chassis at 19.27 kg with the Fazua Ride 60 motor and a removable 430 Wh pack. Transition's chassis is from the same workshop as their analogue Patrol and Spire, so the geometry and ride DNA are pure Transition. Suspension settings are well-documented: @ehfour shares precise Fox Float X and Fox 38 GRIP2 settings for a 187 lb rider.

Community-verified strengths. Three things owners praise. Removable 430 Wh battery is a genuine differentiator for daily riders: most lightweight eMTBs integrate. The 170/160 mm long-travel chassis at 19.27 kg is genuinely exceptional for descent capability at this weight. And Transition's chassis tuning earns repeated praise: the Relay shares ride DNA with the highly-rated Patrol and Spire analogue platforms.

Caveats and known gripes. Three honest flags. The Fazua Ride 60 motor has known durability issues. @Natch documents motor noise, rattling and intermittent power-cut failures within months of purchase requiring motor and battery replacement. @Suns_PSD reports a controller failure after motor warranty replacement causing 3-4 random shutdowns. @Tmae reports chainstay bearing play developing at around 7300 km, requiring upgraded double-row bearings for longevity. @Mr Tonka documents that direct-to-consumer Relay bikes ship pre-packaged from Taiwan rather than built up at Transition HQ: QC may be variable, so factor in a thorough check-over on delivery.

Verdict. The Transition Relay 2025 is for the rider who wants a properly descent-focused 170/160 mm lightweight eMTB with a removable 430 Wh battery, the broadest size matrix in the segment (XS to XXL) and Transition's renowned chassis tuning. Be ready to live with the Fazua Ride 60's known motor durability risk and direct-to-consumer QC variability. If you want a more reliable motor ecosystem or full-power assistance, look at a Specialized Levo SL, Orbea Rise or Trek Fuel EXe. Production status is current.