These "categories" of gravel bikes are in error... it is actually funny. Racers on gravel are moving towards larger tires, 50 mm+, and even 2.1 or 2.2 MTB tires are common for racers. So a "race" gravel bike needs to accommodate larger tires. Actually, the ability to accommodate larger tires is probably the most important feature for a "race" gravel bike! Aero is appreciated as well, and the new Vault addresses this by being able to be built with full internal cable routing. So the categories you define here are way off of the reality. Build up a Vault with a full internal integrated bar stem with a longer stem, light carbon wheels, and one has a "race" bike.
Thanks for the feedback Barrow. I'm pinning this comment because it does a good job of explaining things. "Race" is probably the wrong use of words. I should have said "Road" gravel which means closer to road geometry. I've ridden a lot of other gravel bikes that have that "Closer to Road" geometry and that always gets a bit sketchy on loose, chunky gravel. However, it does seem we have three categories of Gravel bikes. One that is closer to road geometry, one that has a more slack geometry for stability, and one that leans towards MTB hard tail geometry. So, would you classify gravel bikes in to categories like the MTB community does with XC, Enduro, AM or just leave it alone? My first thought was Race, Endurance, and Monster but there could be a better way to do it.
@@gograva Yeah, things are changing so rapidly in gravel bikes, and gravel racing, that it is hard to "classify" anything accurately. Personally, I prefer not to classify things which are moving so rapidly! But I do understand the desire for people to create classifications to make it easier to understand for the average rider, I guess... the gravel "race" thing is funny, because relatively recent "race" gravel bikes have missed the mark in terms of tire clearance (Canyon Grail, and Trek Checkpoint, I am looking at you, oops!). The new Ridley ASTR RS and ASTR are good examples of bikes which hit the mark a bit better, with clearance for up to 52 mm tires. To me, a lot of companies' "Adventure" bike should be their race bike! Certainly it is their race bike for Ultras.... To the new Vault: Pivot makes a single gravel bike, that to me, would be great race bike when set up with fully integrated routing, a bit longer stem (or better, integrated bar set up), a low bar height, and racy components. The Vault has a moderate head angle, and a bit longer wheelbase, but it is nowhere near as MTB like as, for example, The Stigmata v4. Racing is fast, and going fast on loose surfaces is easier with a bit more stability in the geo. I am not sure anyone really needs a short, steep, bike for Gravel Racing-I think this short steep thing started when manufacturers wanted to think it is OK to have a Cross bike and a gravel bike be the same thing, when they are entirely different. Cross bikes are for short circuits, at mostly slow speeds, with sharp corners, and quick changes of directions, and races which last maybe 40 minutes at the most. Gravel races are on long courses, with less technicalities (for the most part) and are generally 4 hours to much, much longer-the bikes need to be very different. For me, two categories are enough: Gravel bikes, and drop bar MTBs. A drop bar MTB is the Salsa Cutthrout. And then there are the specific Cross bikes, which are a different thing altogether-Canyon makes a cross bike, and so does Cervelo. Anyway, a savvy shopper should really pay close attention to tire clearance and geo, and probably internal cable routing, if looking for a "second generation" gravel race bike. Aero is nice, but an aero frame is not really gong to matter significantly in a gravel race, given that large tires are making the air flow around the frame turbulent-rider position, and clothing is the significant concern for gravel racing.
True, we were all using Cross bikes for Gravel before Gravel became a thing which is significantly different geometry. At this point, I think it's better to test ride your gravel bike unless you are very knowledgable on geometry.
I have Pivot Mtn bikes and they are strong and well made. This looks like a good bike for a lot people. It would be nice if they some bosses on the forks. Does it have rack or fender mounts? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and showing the difference between last year’s model.
Thanks for this review. I'm wondering about sizing accuracy. I'm 6'1" and "on paper" I'd get the LG. But if it's anything like Cannondale's sizing... I'd really want a MD. Thoughts based on your experience?
I do a lot of touring and have been looking at gravel as an alternative to my touring bike. A lot of them seem to be spec'd out for competition racing. This one looks far more practical as a bikepacker. Now I need to find a shop in Japan that has them🤣
Great review, I find today Pivot make new Vault😊, great. Is this colour good looking in real, black could be too black, they should choose better colour😅. I am on the bike market looking new gravel bike, looking Diverge Comp, new Checkpoint sl6 gen.3 and now this new Vault. Maybe problem at Vault could be short seat tube in XL is 540mm, since I am 193cm, long legs with 96cm inseam, so need app 855mm from BB to top of saddle. I am curious which two bikes by your oppinion could be perfect😊.
The bicycle is fast on gravel and trail roads, but it is not designed to be fast on the road. It is not slow on the road, but it's designed for fast gravel riding. Same for a road bicycle, fast on the road but not so great on Gravel.
@gograva do you still have size L on stock? Is it somehow possible that you measure the distance from middle BB to the top of the saddle with maximum seat post extension? Would be greatefull.
i am not sure this is a review that Pivot riders want to see....i had the prior Vault (2023) the things i hated about it was the toe overlap and the sizing. It appears Pivot fixed that, however, if this is no longer a race level bike....many riders are going to pass on this and get an ENVE Mog or similar bike. I get this feeling that Hanna Otto doesn't like her new Vault....she isn't talking about it and nor are any other pro rides riding this bike. Very concerning. Cant decide if Pivot wanted to get out of Gravel Racing and select a different segment or hope that Gravel racers are going to hold their nose and ride it anyway.
When I mention racing, it’s that mixed geometry between road and gravel. This bike would crush long distance races when you need to plow through long courses with rough terrain. It’s a diesel for a diesel engine.
Do not worry! I am a gravel racer, and am building a new bike for my 2025 season. So far the new Vault is my first choice. One: I want to be able to run big tires when necessary, gravel racers are finding that bigger tires are faster, and 50mm/2.0" tires are becoming common at gravel races. Two: Aero matters, but the main factor in gravel aero is the handlebar and fork, you need full internal routing to have an aero front end, and the new vault allows for this. On handling, I do not believe road bike geo is wise for racing on dirt, it is sketchy, and relatively unstable at speed. A bit more stability is appreciated for riding at high speeds on loose gravel. My current bike, a V3 Stigmata, has a short wheelbase and a 72 degree head angle-this bike works, but one has to be perfectly on it to keep the rubber side down at speed, the new Vault's longer wheelbase, and slightly slacker head angle allows for more stability-this is especially important late in races when fatigue may affect one's bike handling.
These "categories" of gravel bikes are in error... it is actually funny. Racers on gravel are moving towards larger tires, 50 mm+, and even 2.1 or 2.2 MTB tires are common for racers. So a "race" gravel bike needs to accommodate larger tires. Actually, the ability to accommodate larger tires is probably the most important feature for a "race" gravel bike! Aero is appreciated as well, and the new Vault addresses this by being able to be built with full internal cable routing. So the categories you define here are way off of the reality. Build up a Vault with a full internal integrated bar stem with a longer stem, light carbon wheels, and one has a "race" bike.
Thanks for the feedback Barrow. I'm pinning this comment because it does a good job of explaining things. "Race" is probably the wrong use of words. I should have said "Road" gravel which means closer to road geometry. I've ridden a lot of other gravel bikes that have that "Closer to Road" geometry and that always gets a bit sketchy on loose, chunky gravel. However, it does seem we have three categories of Gravel bikes. One that is closer to road geometry, one that has a more slack geometry for stability, and one that leans towards MTB hard tail geometry. So, would you classify gravel bikes in to categories like the MTB community does with XC, Enduro, AM or just leave it alone? My first thought was Race, Endurance, and Monster but there could be a better way to do it.
@@gograva Yeah, things are changing so rapidly in gravel bikes, and gravel racing, that it is hard to "classify" anything accurately. Personally, I prefer not to classify things which are moving so rapidly! But I do understand the desire for people to create classifications to make it easier to understand for the average rider, I guess... the gravel "race" thing is funny, because relatively recent "race" gravel bikes have missed the mark in terms of tire clearance (Canyon Grail, and Trek Checkpoint, I am looking at you, oops!). The new Ridley ASTR RS and ASTR are good examples of bikes which hit the mark a bit better, with clearance for up to 52 mm tires. To me, a lot of companies' "Adventure" bike should be their race bike! Certainly it is their race bike for Ultras....
To the new Vault: Pivot makes a single gravel bike, that to me, would be great race bike when set up with fully integrated routing, a bit longer stem (or better, integrated bar set up), a low bar height, and racy components. The Vault has a moderate head angle, and a bit longer wheelbase, but it is nowhere near as MTB like as, for example, The Stigmata v4. Racing is fast, and going fast on loose surfaces is easier with a bit more stability in the geo. I am not sure anyone really needs a short, steep, bike for Gravel Racing-I think this short steep thing started when manufacturers wanted to think it is OK to have a Cross bike and a gravel bike be the same thing, when they are entirely different. Cross bikes are for short circuits, at mostly slow speeds, with sharp corners, and quick changes of directions, and races which last maybe 40 minutes at the most. Gravel races are on long courses, with less technicalities (for the most part) and are generally 4 hours to much, much longer-the bikes need to be very different.
For me, two categories are enough: Gravel bikes, and drop bar MTBs. A drop bar MTB is the Salsa Cutthrout. And then there are the specific Cross bikes, which are a different thing altogether-Canyon makes a cross bike, and so does Cervelo. Anyway, a savvy shopper should really pay close attention to tire clearance and geo, and probably internal cable routing, if looking for a "second generation" gravel race bike. Aero is nice, but an aero frame is not really gong to matter significantly in a gravel race, given that large tires are making the air flow around the frame turbulent-rider position, and clothing is the significant concern for gravel racing.
True, we were all using Cross bikes for Gravel before Gravel became a thing which is significantly different geometry. At this point, I think it's better to test ride your gravel bike unless you are very knowledgable on geometry.
Nice review and scenery. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
I have Pivot Mtn bikes and they are strong and well made. This looks like a good bike for a lot people. It would be nice if they some bosses on the forks. Does it have rack or fender mounts? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and showing the difference between last year’s model.
Yes, they have stealth fender mounts. No fork mounts, but that’s usually the last place I put gear when I’m bike packing.
Thanks for this review. I'm wondering about sizing accuracy. I'm 6'1" and "on paper" I'd get the LG. But if it's anything like Cannondale's sizing... I'd really want a MD. Thoughts based on your experience?
I'm 6'1" and the large fit me perfect. You have to remember that the Effective Top tube is longer but they compensate with a 30mm shorter stem.
I’ve taken my steel Poprad with 35c tires up there on Neversink a few times. But many years ago.
I do a lot of touring and have been looking at gravel as an alternative to my touring bike. A lot of them seem to be spec'd out for competition racing. This one looks far more practical as a bikepacker. Now I need to find a shop in Japan that has them🤣
Go for it!
Great review, I find today Pivot make new Vault😊, great. Is this colour good looking in real, black could be too black, they should choose better colour😅.
I am on the bike market looking new gravel bike, looking Diverge Comp, new Checkpoint sl6 gen.3 and now this new Vault. Maybe problem at Vault could be short seat tube in XL is 540mm, since I am 193cm, long legs with 96cm inseam, so need app 855mm from BB to top of saddle.
I am curious which two bikes by your oppinion could be perfect😊.
Also is this bike ok and fast on pavement, asphalt roads also?
The bicycle is fast on gravel and trail roads, but it is not designed to be fast on the road. It is not slow on the road, but it's designed for fast gravel riding. Same for a road bicycle, fast on the road but not so great on Gravel.
I can not find data regarding maximum allowed system weight (bike plus rider plus clothes plus all bikepacking gear). You maybe know this data?
No, I am not sure.
@gograva Do you think is less then 120kg? Maybe the same as old Vault, do you maybe know for old?
@gograva do you still have size L on stock? Is it somehow possible that you measure the distance from middle BB to the top of the saddle with maximum seat post extension? Would be greatefull.
Why are there not more reviews on this bike? Weird
They probably have a small marketing budget.
i am not sure this is a review that Pivot riders want to see....i had the prior Vault (2023) the things i hated about it was the toe overlap and the sizing. It appears Pivot fixed that, however, if this is no longer a race level bike....many riders are going to pass on this and get an ENVE Mog or similar bike. I get this feeling that Hanna Otto doesn't like her new Vault....she isn't talking about it and nor are any other pro rides riding this bike. Very concerning. Cant decide if Pivot wanted to get out of Gravel Racing and select a different segment or hope that Gravel racers are going to hold their nose and ride it anyway.
When I mention racing, it’s that mixed geometry between road and gravel. This bike would crush long distance races when you need to plow through long courses with rough terrain. It’s a diesel for a diesel engine.
Do not worry! I am a gravel racer, and am building a new bike for my 2025 season. So far the new Vault is my first choice. One: I want to be able to run big tires when necessary, gravel racers are finding that bigger tires are faster, and 50mm/2.0" tires are becoming common at gravel races. Two: Aero matters, but the main factor in gravel aero is the handlebar and fork, you need full internal routing to have an aero front end, and the new vault allows for this. On handling, I do not believe road bike geo is wise for racing on dirt, it is sketchy, and relatively unstable at speed. A bit more stability is appreciated for riding at high speeds on loose gravel. My current bike, a V3 Stigmata, has a short wheelbase and a 72 degree head angle-this bike works, but one has to be perfectly on it to keep the rubber side down at speed, the new Vault's longer wheelbase, and slightly slacker head angle allows for more stability-this is especially important late in races when fatigue may affect one's bike handling.
Pretty sure the 50c tires causing the sluggishness. 😉
Yep, they are a big contributor on the turns.