BMX Term
Transition
Transition is the curved surface of a ramp that connects flat ground to the top edge, and it is often shortened to tranny in BMX and skateboarding.
Updated 2 min read377 words
Transition is the curved part of a ramp that joins flat ground to the top. It is the surface a rider travels up and down on a quarter pipe, a bowl or a half pipe. Riders often shorten it to "tranny".
Meaning
A transition is shaped like part of a circle. At the bottom it is almost flat. As it rises it gets steeper until it reaches the coping at the top. The curve is what lets a rider turn forward speed into height, and then roll back down.
The size of the curve is described by its radius. A larger radius makes a longer, gentler curve. A smaller radius makes a shorter, steeper one.
| Type | Feel |
|---|---|
| Tight transition | Steep and fast to rise. Less time to react and the top comes quickly. |
| Mellow transition | Gentle and long. More forgiving, but needs more speed to reach the top. |
A tight transition can feel intense, because the rider is pushed hard into the ramp as the curve rises. A mellow one is easier to learn on, though riders may find it slows them down. Most beginner parks use mellow or medium curves.
Origin and usage
The word comes from the idea of a surface that changes direction, in this case from horizontal to vertical. It was used in skateboarding for ramps and bowls, and BMX borrowed it. The exact first use is not clearly documented.
"Tranny" is a long-standing slang short form, used widely in skate and BMX talk. Many riders now prefer to say the full word, which is also the clearer choice in writing.
Transition riding is also a name for a style of riding. A rider who is "good on tranny" is comfortable on ramps, bowls and vert, as opposed to street. Skills such as pumping are central to it.
Examples
- "This quarter has a tight transition, it takes a while to get used to."
- "The mellow transition is a good place to learn airs."
- "He pumped through every transition in the bowl and never pedalled."
Related terms
- Quarter pipe: a ramp with one curved wall.
- Coping: the edge at the top of a ramp.
- Pump: generating speed without pedalling.
- Spine: two quarters back to back.
- Flyout: a ramp used to launch onto a deck.
Frequently asked questions about Transition
What is tight versus mellow transition?
A tight transition has a small radius, so the curve is steep and rises quickly. A mellow transition has a large radius, so the curve is gentler and spread over a longer distance.
Why is it called a transition?
The curve transitions the rider from travelling along flat ground to travelling up a steep wall. The word describes that change of direction.
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