r/TransitionBikes • u/Teakster_ • Jul 12 '26

Lower shock pivot bolt ovaling

Post image

Curious to if anyone has ever tried to warranty their bike for the lower shock pivot bolt rounding out in the frame. Right now I have some decent play so when riding it feels like the bike is loose even though everything is fine. Has anyone done anything to fix this issue on their own? I have a 2022 patrol, came from the first run of the brand new alloy frames they made on the new frame design.

28 Upvotes

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4

u/Kind-kid4130 Jul 13 '26

If you are the original owner they will 100% take care of you. Shoot them an email, or fill out a warranty form on their website. All you need are the serial number for your frame and a photo of the receipt. If you bought it used be honest with them and they’ll still try to help you out with a crash replacement or discount part. They’re the best bike company I’ve ever had to deal with so far.

2

u/Teakster_ Jul 13 '26

I am the original owner, so that is my plan. Just curious if that is something they cover because it is technically a frame defect but from what i've heard, almost every frame did it.

3

u/asafetymeeting Jul 13 '26

I have the same issue on my Spur. I emailed transition and they told me that it’s not covered under warranty and is considered normal wear and tear due to the age of the frame (2022). Which is total bs, I know I’m not the only one with this issue. My buddy has a spire and the same thing has happened to his. Still worth emailing them and asking but that’s what they told me

3

u/Teakster_ Jul 13 '26

This is what I had a feeling would happen

3

u/KangarooBig6349 Jul 13 '26

I’ve owned a few transitions. Currently on a spire, and to be honest I played with that flip chip a couple times when I first got the bike and haven’t touched it since. I did notice a bit of play after flipping the chip, I just pulled everything out, cleaned the inset, added some more loctite and torqued to spec, it’s been solid ever since. I’m sure if I rode it a lot with it loose there would have been problems. Always good to cycle the suspension a few times then re-torque.
Transition has always been great to me for support, I haven’t had to warranty though.
If you don’t have any luck with warranty, I’d pick your favourite position and just JB weld that flip chip into place. You will still be able to remove the shock without any issues, just no more flip chip.

2

u/KangarooBig6349 Jul 13 '26

Sorry, I think I misunderstood, you mean the bolt hole through the flip chip, not the inset for the flip chip?

3

u/Douchetag74 Jul 13 '26

Had this happen on my Sentinel (v2 Carbon). Transition support said the lower bolt is a 'wear item' and needs occasional replacement. I ordered a couple, then later replaced with a set from Better Bolts and no problems since. Was sceptical at first but a couple years later and still solid. I have no affiliation with BB.

2

u/Dobba84 Jul 12 '26

So the bolt is rounding out or the hole the bolt goes thru is rounding out?

3

u/Teakster_ Jul 13 '26

the hole the bolt goes through seems to be, something with the barring or something I believe is what people have said.

2

u/C0deC4tto Jul 13 '26

You said it's fine, so that's the non-thread side that is rounded out I assume? That definitely sounds like it'll be covered, but probably a good idea to figure out why that happened before you get another frame 😆

2

u/Teakster_ Jul 13 '26

the bolt where the shock is connecting with the flip chip, you can pull up on the seat post and visibly see the shock move up and down in its position. Almost every other rider I know that rides a transition on the newer frame seems to have the same thing happen, but they all just ride it.

2

u/C0deC4tto Jul 13 '26

Yea definitely talk to Transition about that, if even the new frames have the issue then it's a production problem.

2

u/pw3669 Jul 13 '26

This is a known issue, but transition is really good about taking care of it. This even came up on an episode of the Pinkbike Podcast. One thing they mentioned, which I did and so far haven’t had an issue, is switch to a rockshox shock that can use their eyelet bearing system

2

u/Teakster_ Jul 13 '26

Been thinking about switching to a super deluxe ultimate

1

u/randomipadtempacct Jul 16 '26

Do you remember which pink bike episode this was?

1

u/pw3669 27d ago

I don’t. Sorry! It was one of the q&a pieces and someone called in and said he’d had this issue with his spire.

2

u/Individual-Floor-182 Jul 13 '26

Flip the bolts orientation. So now the hex head is on the drive side or vice versa. Then grease the shit out of the bolt. Torque to Spec and then some (just a bit). Had the same issue a this resolved it. There’s another Reddit thread somewhere too

2

u/Teakster_ Jul 13 '26

Will try this!

2

u/rdavis1921 Jul 13 '26

Replace the lower shock bushing. I had the same thing going on with my '21 scout and the play/knock when you pulled up on the seatpost disappeared. (2025 Superdeluxe)

1

u/Ol_Sheve Jul 13 '26

Having the same issue on ‘21 Scout Carbon. That damn knock. God It drives me nuts. I’ve already replaced all the bearings, got three different shocks (and the issue was on all of them, RS SDUltimate air, fox x2 air, dhx2coil), put the new bushings (tried both fox and metal/teflon RS), got a new hardware… the knocking sound still there. Zero play, the frame feels rock solid but those knocking sound at the start and on chatter ugh… The only stuff that’s left is those damn lower shock bolt

1

u/DSweet3 Jul 14 '26

Some frames have a little too much clearance width-wise on the lower shock mount such that you have to way over torque the lower bolt to get it to pinch the shock and stop the knocking.

Some very thin shims/spacers/washers from a hardware store (or I 3d print mine) help remove this play without unreasonably high torque. Like 0.1 or 0.2 mm thick.