AutomaticJack wrote:
The Transition used center pull brakes. You will not be able to transfer the brakes.
As far as I know all Transitions came with a 130 BCD crank set. If you look above you will see someone posted that he got chain rub with a 36 inner ring. I'm running a 52/38 130 BCD front end and the chain comes very close to the top of the rear arm when I'm on the 38/12 (where your aren't supposed to be anyway), so I would guess a 34 would cause even earlier rub.
As far as wheels go there should be no problem with what you have on the other bike. I have Flo Wheels running a 26c tire and although it is close and the adjuster screw is backed a long ways out it does not rub and works fine. 23c on any rim should be a walk in the park. The front brake has lots of adjustment to get out of the way. The OEM back brake has to be disassembled and washers removed to fit the wider rims. Not a big deal considering you are going to build the bike to start with.
Otherwise, there is nothing you need to be warned about for that frame, assuming its a later (newer than 2009) model.
You didn't ask, but that bike will take a standard saddle. The clamping system is standard. The post has to be cut to size and it has limited adjustability after that, so measure twice cut once. There were 3 seat posts available for the Transition - a setback, and neutral, and a set forward. Most came with the setback seat post and the other 2 posts take some work to find if you need one. The cockpit was also lacking, but since it has a standard fork and stem there are lots of reasonably priced options that fit.
Lastly, the frame run large. I'm 6ft and ride a 56 Allez that is on the edge of too small, but I ride a medium Transition and it is on the edge of too big for me.
Thank you for all this great info! The stack/reach numbers for medium don't seem too crazy large but that's good to know and hear from someone who has one.