PIVOT & Value?!?! Pivot Switchblade Review Brunch Ride
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- Опубликовано: 7 июл 2024
- #loamwolf #mountainbike
Not many people associate Pivot Cycles with being a great value buy. However with their recent introduction of the Brunch Ride builds, that all changed! The Pivot Switchblade Brunch Ride may just be the best performance to value ratio bike on the market right now, and we tell you why in this video. Yes, there are more affordable bikes and they'll ride very well, we're not taking away from the fact some people do not need to spend $5k on a bike. But if you're looking for pro-level performance, when you dig beyond what parts are bolted to those other value-focused frames, Pivot's Brunch Ride is unmatched when it comes to top-shelf luxury at a $5,000 price point.
I’ve been a fan of the Pivot Switchblade long before this beautiful green machine showed up at our shop. In fact, I first hopped on a Switchblade at the official launch in Phoenix back in 2020. Since then, when friends, industry acquaintances or anyone else has asked me “What’s your favorite do-it-all bike?”, the Switchblade was always on my list. While it was on my list for performance, I didn’t exactly love the thought of dropping $8-10k on one myself. With the introduction of the Brunch Ride spec series, I can wholeheartedly say that I would no longer just pick this as my go-to bike if it was given to me. At $4,999, the Pivot Switchblade Brunch Ride reviewed here, is now at a price point that I would be willing to step up to and drop my own money on. But that’s just my opinion, read on to see why the rest of our crew now thinks this may just be the best value bike in the do-it-all mountain bike category.
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00:00 Introduction
00:25 About the Bike
05:13 Ride Impressions
10:47 Final Thoughts 
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They put the money where it should go.
Factory suspension and SLX groupset is very good combo in my opinion.
Not far off from Canyon or YT in pricing.
With dealer support and a far superior frame as well.
And yet another Taiwan frame. Suckers
I mean, I guess? I don't know why you'd want factory over performance elite other than for the looks. you'd save more weight and have better performing pairs by putting that money towards better cranks, brakes, rims, etc.
Agreed. I think there's a strong argument for performance elite suspension to squeeze out another $100 or so but yeah I like the idea.
@@tvanb ya can't tell a difference in the kashima coating but I do think they look nice
I have had a switchblade for almost 3 years and love it. If this build was available back in 2021 I would have gotten it. Totally a great deal!
Thanks for sharing. We agree this is a bread and butter build! And one we’d buy!
I’ve tested the Mach 6, Switchblade, Firebird, Shuttle SL, LT, & AM. I say all this to say all of them have been amazing bikes. Your reviews are spot on. 🔥🤟🏼
Thanks for sharing
My Mach 4 SL has been amazing. I got a Point DJ bike which has been great as well.
Agree, I bought my Switchblade almost two years ago, and would’ve gone for this spec build in a minute. Then it wouldn’t have felt so painful to tell my wife I was adding a carbon mullet wheelset on top of that.
Just pulled the trigger on a blue medium. I have some SC Reserve wheels 30 SL. Very happy to get rolling next spring.
Enjoy it
We say the Frame is the soul of the bike. You can change all parts but the frame is the think you not change! I love my 429!
Love my Switchblade
I think once you ride a Pivot you're screwed and won't ride anything else haha and now they got even cheaper. Waiting for the long term review of the shuttle AM :)
It really is a different experience! It’s like driving an entry level Mercedes or a fully loaded Toyota Camry. Both nice cars with similar prices, but the difference is undeniable.
I just got my first Pivot, a 2023 Shuttle LT. I have never felt some confident going down steep, technical, gnarly trails. Such a great bike!
Man, I would have bought this one instead of the $9,000 one in a second.
I got my brunch ride. Love it. Only thing I changed was the hub gears to the 53 tooth or whatever it was.
Picked up a used Pivot Mach 5.5 live valve a-little over a year ago. Paid just over $3k. Would’ve never considered a bike in the Pivot “price range”, but I’ve been converted. I absolutely love everything about it and if I were to ever switch bikes, these brunch rides would certainly be top on the list.
Thanks for sharing and glad to hear you enjoy the bike.
I bought the new switchblade xt 2020 model for 5200 bucks which has the same specs but didn't have the factory suspension...this is an Amazing deal! The switchblade is the best bike I have ever ridden...this bike flies through the fn air...it does not like to stay on the ground!
This is clearly a great deal on a very well spec'd bike. But honestly, let's call it what it is. It's not just a manufacturer trying to offer the consumer a better deal, it's a manufacturer trying to get rid of frames before the next version is released. I've actually been a big Pivot fan over the years but purposely avoided the SB due to it's dated geo, and yes I've ridden both the V1 and V2. I have confidence that the upcoming V3 will have more modern geo!
You won't see a V3 for a long time...this bike is perfect in every way
V3 is coming soon!@@colbyblasenak1770
I dont think the geo is that bad. Imho... just get a -1 degree angleset and a cascade link if that's possible
$5K is still a bit more than my budget so I ordered a YT Izzo Core 4 on sale which I hope I don’t regret. This Pivot is a bigger bike in terms of travel but also perhaps bigger than I need for most of the riding I do. Looks tempting though! Thanks for the reviews, really appreciate it.
The YT izzo is a great bike all of Their bikes are good
Right on thanks for commenting. We appreciate you watching.
If I had an extra 5k$ I’d definitely buy this bike quick fast pivot is one of the best bikes brands in my opinion I absolutely love pivots bikes I’d take this bike with the stock components and be happy all day with no complaints
Couldn't agree more!
An impressive value, especially for a pivot. To get factory suspension on an SB, it would have been thousands more previously. Only thing this needs is an xt shifter, for bang for buck.
It really is. The SLX shifter performed just fine.
@@TheLoamWolfI had an slx shifter on my bike but found the xt had a better feel and could upshift I think 4 at at time, instead of 3, but the main thing is, you can downshift 2 in a click, vs 1 gear on the slx. To me, it makes the whole system feel a step higher with having an xt shifter, personal preference really.
Awesome bike
Now it’s Santa Cruz’s turn. That R and S build really gross me out and need to go.
Santa Cruz are having year end flash sales for almost all their framesets or builds. Check with your local SC dealer 🍲
Ive got this its a great bike
❤
They are coming out with the new frame design next year for the switchblade from what I ‘heard’ great deal
It was just released. A very minor refresh in my opinion.
That’s a crazy good deal.
I've been wanting to buy a switchblade for a while but the price was too high, i already have a trail 429. The Lunch Ride is a game changer and Pivot is going to clean up at this price point. great vid
As the new gen arrived this year that should open a nice window for spare stock on the previous gen. There's not too big changes between the two bikes, so saving a big chunk of dough could be a better option.
Great review. How does it compare to WR1 Arrival or Transition Patrol.
The Ripmo is a bit more but you get a bit more with their XT build but a great bike to compare it to
The Ripmo is why Switchblades have typically languished on Pivot dealer sales floors. Ripmo is cheaper than a normal Switchblade build, with better geo to boot. The Firebird is Pivots top seller so they don't need a cheap spec of that one, since that's the bike that out-Ripmos the Ripmo in every way.
Competitive Cyclist has some huge discounts on some other Pivot models too. If I hadn’t just bought my SC Tallboy I would be grabbing one.
So hs2 rotors and an xt shifter and it's good to go? Not bad.
Expensive but worth it. Love my Switchblade.
I have the PRO XT/XTR build in the same electric lime color. As it is winter 8 months of the year where I live, and last year we had floods and what not to narrow that window down even further, I'm glad I invested in that bike when I did. I see they released the renewed version today, which of course would be interesting to try, I just don't have that kind of change lying around too often.
The only upgrade I will make this year is 165mm cranks instead of the stock 175mm.
For me it's just a no go to sell a bike like this because you loose so much of the value so quickly. I'm just gonna keep it and maintain it. It's just nice to know you got a proper ripper lying around for when it's time to hit the trails again.
Honestly, we consider doing the same thing if we were spending our money too!
Why wasn't this build for this $ available long ago? Consumers rule the day and the Industry is feeling the squeeze. Stand pat "bumblers" w your current bikes and let the cost of all the R&D come down. There are millions of bikes in boxes on racks.
Well said. Make em squeal!!!
There base model was $6300 and ran Fox elite suspension. The other components were higher end though, especially the wheels. This was a smart move by them. Lots of people (including me) would love to own a Pivot and since the bulk of the cost is frame and suspension most people would be ok with some of the other parts being lesser and eventually swapping them out
@@tracymcmanus550 Pivot has too much frame inventory. Gotta unload new/old stock launch the 2024 lineup.
I don’t mind SLX, I don’t mind Code R. I do mind when manufacturers choose a wheelset with low engagement hubs. Give me hub with at least 100 points of engagement and weighs less than 2000grams
Fair points thanks for sharing!
At least if its a DT hub you can upgrade it. Rocky did the same thing with the Altitude, wheelset had DT hub but only 18pt engagement. IMHO 54t should be standard in all DT hubs.
I'm guessing the switchblade is about to be redesigned and they're just trying to liquidate the last of the outgoing gen frames. Though a Brunch Ride build for the Firebird would rock, but Firebirds are notoriously hard to find even now and most dealers are sitting on Switchblades that won't sell because of their dated geo (why spend Pivot prices on a bike with worse geo than the Ripmo).
"Worse" is an interesting word choice... We like to think it's useful when brands offer different geometries for different types of riders and regions. We're thankful not every company is chasing the PNW geometry trend which would pretty much handicap every bike on the market when you get it into multi-use trails in other parts of the country or world.
@@TheLoamWolf To be fair once you get outside of the PNW/BC, the rockies and bike parks 142/160 travel is pretty overkill. The switchblade would be a perfect Colorado bike with a 65 degree HTA.
Haha, fair enough! We are pretty West Coast specific so for us a 140/160mm bike is a great compromise, but...that brings us back to trying to not say "best or worse" and instead offering reference to types of trails and regions where bikes excel or don't.
What’s the weight and does it have the DW link suspension?
Looks like they did a brunch ride version of the Mach 6 as well, complete with mullet configuration.
That is correct they did.
What’s your thoughts on the 66 HTA? IMO seems out of date. 65 or even 64 (which is what my Norco has) would make it more modern.
I just want to say that with a lot of bike brands prices through the roof it’s getting really ridiculous now more than ever so for pivot to keep things for the average consumer that doesn’t have the dentist budget lol 😂 they are doing the right thing with this new bike
It's good to see - more people enjoying quality bikes.
Its a great value for the current industry pricing. How did you guys find the head angle handles on the steep? Would you run an angleset to get it down to say 65?
Slacker head angle would certainly make for more confidence at speed, but in the stock configuration it gives a nicely rounded bike.
@@TheLoamWolf It would be a great bike at 65 HTA, I think the reason why Switchblades aren't selling is because it's a comparable bike to the Ripmo, but more expensive with dated geo.
I agree, however I have a feeling that next year we will see the geo of the shuttle sl coming to the switchblade
Great video, awesome bike, how much does it weigh?
I’d do it in a heartbeat if I didn’t have one already
I just put money down on that exact bike. I was after more of a fox 38 or longer but this felt to good
It is a ripper! Hope you enjoy it.
@theloamwolf can you tell me about that frame pump set up?
Yeah it’s a @oneupcomponents piece.
I’m in the market for a bike like this my only hesitation is I have a neighbor that broke two frames from Pivot and at least on the frames. I saw the carbon work inside is very sloppy. For that kind of money it should be perfection inside and out.
How would you compare this to the yeti sb150 or previous gen sb140 that are on sale for similar prices
Each bike has it's own, distinct feel and strengths...For our crew, we'd pick the Pivot. We've enjoyed the newer Yeti's quite a bit, and argue that they pedal a bit more efficiently, but, we like a slightly more supple, traction enhancing and smooth feel off the top, the Pivot offers that while still being very poppy and playful!
Great deal. I wish Pivot sold frame only options though
It would be good to see, though likely wouldn't be much cheaper than these Brunch Ride builds...
They did a few years back and even has AL versions of a few frames.
Maybe check with your local Pivot dealer, *just saying* 😉
At least here in Germany they are throwing SB frames out the window at KL Bikes at ~1700$ incl. factory shock...
Yeah for sure. This year will be no different @@Dorthiven13 , pretty sure dealers will accept special frame-only orders. Got my Shadowcat as a frame-only... 🤫, but pretty sure the SB's and Mach 6's will easily meet quota for frame-only. They really are trying to move them quick
Love my Pivot Switchblade but paid close to $7K for mine 2yrs ago. Only complaint is the dropper post.
Gonna say i have tge shadowcat now, in my testing the money has gone to a much better fit and finish than say cannyon or YT with a better tuning and ride characteristics. Yes you pay a premium for that but you have it and you love riding its worth it
With regards to sizing, what height are you guys and was the Large about right?
Drew is 5’11 and Sean is 6’2. We both like the large for our style.
Has anyone tested the Pivot Mach 6 Brunch ride? How does it compare to the switchblade brunch ride?
We haven't tested it the Brunch Ride version, but we have tested other models. Its certainly an awesome bike and better suited for rougher terrain and even some bike parks, just gives you a bit more confidence when you want to charge hard. The Switchblade is plenty capable as well, but can be unnerving when things get choppy and chaotic. -Sean
Thanks Sean!
My switchblade has only been bested by my new Yeti sb140. My switchblade was poppier than any bike I have ever ridden
It's a fun one for sure.
The only real downside is the wheels. It would have been great if the could have used a lower end wheel with more than 18 points of engagement. Other than that this is an excellent build
I definitely appreciate the effort, although I wonder why they didn't go with Performance Elite level suspension if they were aiming for a value focused build.
Honestly, though, they lost me at the name "Brunch ride." In what universe is that not a blatant rip off of Yeti's "Lunch ride" models?
Performance Elite would have likely been a nice call but our guess is that Pivot was already sitting on a lot of Factory suspension since their other builds all use that...
As far as blatant rip off....We view it more as fun poking and two similar boutique brands not taking themselves too seriously. Most people we've talked to laughed and found it funny, as did we.
Turner called, they want their 2016 Burner geo back. Seriously this bike is sick but damn the numbers are getting dated. 66deg HTA on a 142/160mm "trail/enduro" LOL. Hopefully on the next one they'll steepen the seat tube and slacken the head angle. A lil more chainstay or at least a flip chip to lengthen the rear end would nice too.
It has a flip chip.
@@aaront879read again, he’s talking about the chainstay
Yea sure, whatever. I need that shirt!!!!!!
We have a very limited rerun for holidays only and likely won’t bring it back again.
@@TheLoamWolf, thanks! I will keep checking the site!
Seen it for $4500 recently.
Love the Pivot brand but wallet says buy an Ibis
For $5k you get a 2023 Enduro expert eith axs shifter, 1295 cassate and better components.
Having never ridden one it's hard to understand this bike. It looks on paper like it's a trail bike designed for tight, twisty, slower singletrack. But then it has a whole bunch of travel that largely wouldn't be beneficial for that kind of riding? Its weird and I want to try one. Haha.
I put a 1 degree angle set on mine. Killer bike. I have it with a cascade link and extended air shaft and now sits at 150-170 with a 65 degree head angle with the flip chip in the high setting. Excellent gnar smasher without added weight.
Works great for me in the Rocky Mountains. Great climber and a monster on the descents. It's ideal for backcountry riding or old school hand built trails. Certainly overkill on the machine built dirt carpets proliferating these days.
Hahaha. #makemountainbiketrailsrawagain
Every Pivot that isn't the Firebird has seemingly dated geo. The Switchblade would be a great competitor to the Ripmo, Hightower, Sentinel, etc. if its geo wasn't more like a modern XC bike than a Rowdy trail or AM bike. Not sure about the Switchblade, but the slack seat tube on the Trail 429 is a deal breaker on that bike, you're sitting on the back wheel.
@@mrvwbug4423 You have to understand the geo on a DW link (at least for the seat tube) can be less steep because the bike sits high on its travel. So a trail 429 would comparable to a 76-77 seat tube angle from other brands.
“Objection your Honor, counsel is leading the witness”
Good interviewing skills though, really.
Haha thanks very much.
How tall is the rider? Cheers!
Drew is 5'11 and Sean is 6'2
5k is still too much, i paid less for my Camry, which still runs.
You can’t compare an MTB to a Camry lmao, it’s more of a Tacoma or a jeep wrangler
Anyone else seeing YT crazy prices right now?
I know people love Pivot, and Chris Cocalis, as well; however, Titus was never really any good, and if you want a DW Link bike, Ibis just does it better. Out of the Pivots Ive ridden, none have ever given me the feeling that an Ibis does. I think Pivot is just a very average bike that is over hyped.
Yeah this is bullshit..hate when brands do this..then the new one comes out..can I trade..haha
Value😂😂😂. Shite has been so high lately, any drop in price just makes it seem like a deal. More lies from the industry!
Lifetime warranty is next…,
Oof... Pivot is hurting along with other bike manufacturers.
I doubt, more like new SB incoming
@@gnar_tar Specs are wonky and and why the Deore M6100 cassette? On a $5K bike? I think they got a deal on some of these components so they are unloading their frames to help balance the books.
I would take xt rear mech, deore cassette and slx shifter all day before that sram crap entry level (mix and match of GX NX). Good set of wheels and suspension with a super dialed frame and suspension kinematic worth every penny of that 5K$@@netposerx
only thing i would change asap is code R brake and slap TRPs. I would do that on any other bike tho@@netposerx
I hate the biking industry now
Man I hate to say it with this video feels so biased
Well, we're not sure how to answer this but, we really really like this bike?? How do we not sound biased if we love a product?
Open to feedback.
Thanks,
Drew
@@TheLoamWolf there are sales everywhere right now that provide killer prices on new bikes and it just seems like a sales pitch for pivot. The bike industry is taking a hit and I know the switch blade is a good bike with the DW link etc but I agree with the other people where they're doing the smart thing and pumping it up with factory shocks to clear out their inventory and you guys are helping with that. I don't disagree it's probably a great bike it just seems like you are helping pivot sell their bikes rather than doing the reviews that you guys normally do more so
Thanks for sharing. We appreciate constructive feedback always.
We have been putting out reviews on bikes every week, and have more planned in the coming weeks. Some of them are bikes that are on sale, others that are not...While we can see your skepticism due to the non-stop barrage of marketing BS in this industry, we always try our best to be as up front, trustworthy and honest as possible! People work hard to drop thousands of dollars on this hobby and we wouldn't feel right saying we liked something if we didn't believe it.
We were not paid, get no commission or any other compensation for making our bikes reviews, we simply try to review as much and whatever we can, as the opportunities arise.
Hopefully that helps share a bit of perspective from our side as well. We love helping people out and spreading the stoke.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts in a positive, and helpful manner! We're always trying to improve.
Drew
@@TheLoamWolf life is a challenge and reviewing MTB products is fun but tough gig. Not easy to please everyone, and you guys have validity in the field. What would be a great video would be you guys listing off your favorite MTB geo , parts, etc....like building the grim donut but real.
Brunch Ride?! Really?! Thats sooooo lazy. Come up with your own name
sorry to say but there isn't a such thing as a best value when you talk about pivot bikes. All of them are 20 to 30% more expensive then they should, without adding anything extra to make up for that huge difference in price to other bike brands.
Cheap peeps should not comment or even watch the video. There's plenty of surly videos.
Heh. Live with one for several years and you’ll understand where your money went. Sorry you’re such a miser.