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Stolen Transition Bikes: UK Frame-Number Check (Free)
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Quick answer
Transition frame numbers are underneath the bottom bracket or on the underside of the down tube, positioned away from the suspension linkage. Check both before deciding the code is missing. The shock, fork and pivot bearings all carry their own separate numbers. Run the frame code through Cyclesite's free lookup for an instant UK check against a stolen-bike registry and rider-filed theft reports.
Where Transition stamps the frame number
Two places, and it is worth checking both properly: the bottom bracket shell, and the underside of the down tube where the code is moved on the full-suspension Sentinel, Patrol and Repeater because the linkage crowds the shell. Pivot bearing codes are stamped on the hardware and are not serials, and the shock and fork carry manufacturer numbers of their own, which on a bike like this are frequently swapped anyway.
Transition on the UK used market
Transition is a Washington State brand with a committed UK following in enduro, sold through a small dealer network and traded heavily between riders. High-value full-suspension bikes are usually stolen to be stripped and sold as parts rather than moved on whole, so a complete Sentinel or Patrol at a suspiciously low price and without purchase history is the pattern worth pausing on.
FAQs
- Where is the frame number on a Transition?
- Under the bottom bracket, or on the underside of the down tube away from the suspension linkage. Check both.
- Are the pivot bearing codes part of the serial?
- No. Those identify the bearing hardware. The frame number is the unique alphanumeric code stamped or etched into the frame.
- What should I ask a Transition seller for?
- The frame code, a clear photograph of the area it is stamped in, and proof of purchase. Check the number before you arrange to travel.
Police datapolice.uk releases
Most stolen bikes are never traced back to anyone
Police recorded 28,531 bicycle thefts across 44 UK city centres over three years. A suspect was identified in 10.1% of closed cases, and 1 in 33 reached a charge. Pick an area for the local picture.
Jun 23Down 25% in three yearsMay 26
- 8,221
- thefts recorded in 12 months
- −12%
- change on the year before
- 10.1%
- of closed cases had a suspect identified
data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0