Pivot Switchblade | INSANE Suspension & Price, But Compromised Spec
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- Pivot’s do-it-all trail bike come enduro rig, the Switchblade, was last updated in 2016. Since then, times have moved on and the trend for longer, slacker and more aggressive geometry is even more prevalent.
Like the outgoing model, the latest iteration is built around the premise that one bike can, and should, do many different things - hinted at by its name.
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Would you try out the Pivot Switchblade? Or is the price too hard to stomach?
I am picking up my 1st dream bike next week the trail 429. I was torn between the 429 and switchblade. 429 is a 2019 so it was 15% off and ive demoed it 3 times. It just feels solid and right. If the switchblade feels anything like the 429 yes i would buy it for sure. Surprised u didnt like the xtr brakes i have used xt single piston and they are the best ive used, didnt like sram guide felt squishy and didnt inspire confidence. Cant wait to throw a leg over my new bike pivot makes a very stiff solid robust feeling bike that trek, giant and specialized bikes ive riden just dont compare. I have a 2017 trance and love it but it doesn't feel like a pivot!
I have a 2 year old Evil The Offering and I'm eyeballing the new Pivot Switchblade and Yeti SB 130, maybe even stepping up to a Yeti SB 140 depending on where I'll be living this summer. I love the Pivot but a $9k in this spec it's too much. I could build a better spec for less cash. I did see on their website here in the States that their base model Switchblade is around $5800 for the "Race XT" build and that's still pretty steep. I like the idea of buying a complete bike to jump on and go, but you gotta drop a lot of coin in order to do so....Time to break out the tool kit I guess.
@@Peanutdenver if u got the knowledge to build ur own i say go for it, im not that mechanically inclined. I think u can get a frame only switchblade just make sure ur rear hub is 157.
@@nicksknives7777 That's right thanks for the heads up. I've only built one bike and it was my Evil. It took me quite awhile to do so and a lot of trial and error. Especially routing cables the correct length where I triple checked because I didn't trust myself. I didn't have a vise to cut the steerer tube to the right length and that was a little tough, but I did save some money doing it myself(the build that is). Everyone I know is so happy with their Pivot and that's what drove me to check them out. The Switchblade seems like a great do it all bike as well. I really give credit to guys like Gee Milner who can throw a bike together with their eyes closed, it truly is a skill.
I’ve demo’d several different bikes and manufacturers and I bought a 2020 Switchblade and got it 2 weeks ago. By far this is the best bike I’ve ridden for my style.
I'm sorry, I don't know what you were *on* that day but it was more than a mountain bike!
- In our little group of 14 riders who ride Tahoe, Santa Cruz, etc, after riding my 2020 Switchblade, 8 of 14 are going in on each getting one together to save money because the UNANIMOUS conclusion is it's the best climber anyone has ever ridden, except one who rides a Ripley and who admits it's just as good.
Maybe the frame of the one you rode had accidentally been filled with water. lol
this^^ I lost all respect for this reviewer when he said you need to flip a climb switch....WTF, there is no reason to ever use the climb switch. This bike shoots you forward with every pedal stroke.
@@chrispobanz5058 Agree 100%
@@usmanvaliante Absolutely. Best climbing bike I've ever owned.
I have a trail 429 and it also climbs great especially with uphill rock gardens!
Every review this guy does is out in left field. Total moron.
Ya I’m not super sure why u think it climbs poorly... cause umm it’s the best climbing 140 mil travel bike I’ve ridden... better than the Hightower, ripmo, etc. and if u put the x2 on it you’d definitely flip the climb switch because the x2 bobs way more than the dpx2. So I’m confused as to what you would like to see for a spec. And the xtr brakes are good enough for many ews riders so again I don’t know what u want for a spec... you rode the best shimano has to offer. Maybe a little too picky???? I think so.
Only review that knocked how it climbs...all other 20 plus reviews rave about it.
the internet hates the placement of your Garmin....arrrrgh! seriously: you are the first person, reviewer, alien from another planet that doesnt think this is the best climber in the category, perhaps of you ride it on the rt side of the trail you'll feel what we Yanks feel!
Suspension design is a balancing game, you cant have everything. Just flip the climb switch its not a lot of work.
No but it is a pain in the ass constantly trying take ur hands off the bars and fiddling for a swithch when riding.
@@nicksknives7777 How many times a ride do you flip your climb switch?
@@obi-wankenobi9871 on my trance very little it feels kinda harsh even in the middle of 3 settings. I usually set it and forget it to open.
climb switches are a pain in the butt. it was a nightmare to even get to on my marin hawkhill (sold now) it seems like a little thing but its very nice not having to hit the climb switch
Lol mine climbs with unnoticeable bob, and awesome power transfer. And that is in the open position. I never feel the need to flip to firm position just to climb because the difference isn’t really noticeable. The dw link design stiffens more as the climb gets steeper, when you need to mash the pedals harder. Maybe if I was doing a longer, smoother, lower grade climb, I’d flip it to firm and lock out the fork….a long point a-b climb before opening everything up and shredding down.
First review that did not rave about climbing ability. Interesting.
Yeah, I want to see how it compares to the Yeti SB130. The SB130 climbs incredibly well
Pivot is in my home state of Arizona... I would love one of their bikes, but man they are serious money.
I can't wait to demo it around PHX, or on Mt. Lemmon
How can you run a coil when the air shox needs to be very progressively tuned? Most coils are linear and presuppose a progressive frame design.
the linkgage curve is proggressive
Wow. I've never heard such negativity for this bike from anyone.
I demoed a switchblade today on my local trails. Some of the points made I'd agree with ie cable rattle!.
I found the bike climbed really well! Once you point it downhill it's a very capable bike for only having 142mm of rear travel... It will easily keep up with 160mm "enduro" bikes.
Very impressive high end bike and a supremely well made frame.. Well done pivot
doesn't climb well? Sounds like the suspension set up wasn't done proper.
I second that comment!
I have the 2020switchblade and it climbs so well.
I third that- Riding the switchblade it climbs like a short travel bike!
It's the right one for me. I've had mine for about 3 weeks now and love it. I find it very easy to climb, btw. I don't have tons of bikes to compare it to, but I certainly don't experience this an issue. I have the Pro XT/XTR build. No cable rattle and the brakes are awesome. I suspect the build of your demo wasn't done very well.
Same, I ended up with with Pro XO1 build and it climbs anything. Code RSC brakes are fantastic as well.
Same! Climbing is primo and no rattle and I have the same build.
Versus the Ibis Ripmo?
It will depreciate faster than bitcoin
lol. yeah I would never buy a mountain bike for an investment. It's a healthy, joy inducing, fun machine!
Overpriced AF
Are those brake and pad problems universal or bike specific?
Sound like your demo had a pretty bad build, i've been riding a Firebird 29 XTR team for a year now and apart for the ocassional bleeding the brakes have performed flawless and BTW i have never been bothered by the rattle of the brake pads, just my toughts
With the pedal that centered under midfoot, it's like you're pushing the saddle back at least another 60mm, which is like 5 degrees of STA worth.
This guys the worst reviewer ever
Had a mach 5.5 . Snapped it 3 times enduro ridding.
Idk about this bruh haha
I wouldn’t recommend it lol.
agustin alvarez you wouldn’t recommend mach 5.5?
Sounds like he wouldn’t recommend any pivot!
Do we need to "bridge the gap"? 🤔🤣 new bike category 👉 TRAIL+ (plus) 🙄😆
The only thing I agree is the rattling brake cables .. I know I own one ..everything else is BS .
Not sure there are many scenarios where you can say this, but save your money and buy a Yeti SB130 instead.
So you can use the unlimited frame warranty? Snap!
I’m seriously considering going to my local bike shop and ordering a green one in the XT build today. Great riding in the review!
Man, i wonder what kinda stuff their product manager is smoking...
My god..... that's expensive af
Nothing like the S-works price
I’d rather have code RSC’s or Saints on a bike that expensive...the Code will definitely have better modulation and consistent bite point.
Have you tried the new 4-pot Shimanos from SLX to XTR?
EWS riders chose those XT/XTR over Saints...
You can get them with the x01 build $6300 iirc
Bite point changes are typically due to air in the system. The pad rattle can be fixed by different pads. I love Shimano systems. So. I'm biased, but you may like SRAM. Switchblade is bank but maybe the best trail bike on the planet.
Spending this much on a bike that you might wreck at any moment just because of what you do with it.
I wreck every other time i ride and these bikes in carbon are tough never had one break.
such a blasphemous amount of money for a bike with rattling cable routing? i would not even want a demo ride. there is just no excuse for it. on any bike really.
How is mine the first like? This is a great vid
Congratulations! Have a heart and one billion gold stars from your friends at BikeRadar.
"The Tiny Tiny Switchblade..." 0:33 - lol, I had to play it 4 times before I stopped wondering why you were calling it "Tiny". It's "2020" - lol!
All those negative points at this price point is ridiculous
It’s upgrade time in my stable, and this is definitely on the list. But as a frame only build. All the reviews says it’s a great frame, so why not outfit a frame yourself. That way you get the best outfit for you.
I wouldn’t want this bike for rocky rough terrain, or steep terrain. Rather have an enduro that’s so much more comfortable at speed and rough terrain. Enduro bikes these days peddle well also. This bike and geo seems still in the moderate “trail” category. If you are going to by this to ride rough terrain at speed why get beat up if you don’t have to. It’ll just wear you out. And 9k????
How does it compare to the NEW Ibis Ripmo v2?
Stefan Kühnen MTB yum yum has series of top notch reviews of these bikes.
I'd like to know this against the Ripmo as well please
The Switchblade feels like a stiff brute compared to the Ibis being more poppy, and stable descending. I think aggressive riders might like the Switchblade but for most riders the Ibis is a more enjoyable ride.
Are you doing a Trail 429 review?
Nice looking bike but not at that price point.
HOW MUCH????????
How would this bike compare to a yeti 5.5?
My wife has the Switchblade XT/XTR build, which is in a really good place in their line-up. It's about 6700 out the door with a respectable set of parts. I ride an SB5.5 and I've tooled around on hers a couple of times (it's too small for me, so maybe take this with a grain of salt). The Switchblade feels really planted and the geo puts you over the BB on steeper climbs, so it does feel like a better climber than the 5.5. I don't know about the descending capability, as taking a smaller bike like this on big descents would be a bad choice on my part. My wife, though, has gained an entirely new level of confidence since throwing a leg over this bike. I'm going to be switching to the Switchblade sometime this winter, and I'll be going with the same build she has. It's a fantastic bike.
**It comes with DT Swiss M1700's, so I'll likely get a pair of i9 305's with Hydra hubs instead...maybe more for the bling-factor than any real performance gain. I run the 54t ratchet on my DT Swiss rims (which the 1700's can accept as well) and can't imagine a higher engagement hub would make that much difference...but they're just so pretty!
@@x3r0x0ul ive rode a 54t ratchet and Raceface Vault. RF is twice the engagement but I didnt feel like it was enough of a difference to get me to open up my wallet over. I liked the 54t alot.
Why do I care if my frame feels the same as a different size frame that is not mine?
i don't know how you guys don't wipe out on those trails , man. i would crash for sure. the roads keep twisting, they are narrow and the surface is unpredictable. i'll stick to asphalt ! bravo, though.
people crash all the time, the sponsor prob not allow them to show crashes
Trump 2020!!!
overpriced, incompetent build. wow.
When you are running XTR you are placing an emphasis on weight savings which comes at a price.
Thorough review, this bike appeals to me but in theory, but it seems to have a few too many glaring issues for something at that price point. So many dialed bikes on the market right now, Pivot might have a hard time moving these.
Just the Shimano build there are no issues with their top Sram build. The bike is awesome the one I rode was 28 lbs it does everything so good!!!
@ Glad to hear it, definitely a contender!
They are 95% sold out in the us once u ride one you'll understand very stiff solid bike.
Perhaps the most ignorant comment here.
Pivot has so much promotion with so much boasting its like enough already for a basic average middle of the road design. Its no IBIS or Yetti that's for sure. always such a freaking brag fest.
Please explain in detail why you made this comment ? Back it up
No its not a yeti...the frame hasn't broken yet.
No way, too much money. Go consumer direct.
Whoa! A Switchblade that doesn't climb well? That's new... 😳
10k and Pivot can't be bothered to put a noise dampening sheeting around the internal cables? Jokes