I ride mostly @ Santos in Florida, I’m trying to decide between a Shadowcat and Trail 429. I mostly ride greens and blues, not looking to race or PR everything just really enjoy biking and riding with friends and my kiddo. I am 5’6 almost 5’7 with a longer torso, and shorter inseam (30”) demoed a Medium Shadowcat and Small Trail 429 @ the recent Fat Tire Festival and loved them both, but really enjoyed riding the Shadowcat a little more. I am planning to demo/test ride a Medium in the Trail 429 as the front cockpit of that bike in a small felt a little cramped to me. I’m coming from an older Giant Ladies Anthem with 26” Wheels. Pivot is the first 29er I’ve tried that actually made me consider getting one. Any suggestions one which might be better??
The 429 is a better trail bike for flatter trails and riding open single track in Florida. And yeah, a medium would be way better. The shadowcat tends to be more fun on tight twisty single track. That is my opinion and either will be fun, but the 429 will ride better overall I believe
Late to the party, but this was the most helpful review of this bike that I have seen. It's either this, a Yeti SB135, an Evil Offering, a new 5010 to replace my old 5010, or I just stick with my old 5010 because a bike that used to be fun to ride . . . is still fun to ride. And I don't know where that trail is that you showed, but it sure seems familiar...
I'm currently on a Switchblade (new version) but just picked up a Shadow Cat I had the first ride on it today and am very happy with it, in fact I think it may end up being the best all around bike for me and where I ride Heck, just being lighter than the Switchblade is a big difference I think your review is spot on to what I noticed I am now tempted to see what an even lighter Shadow cat would be like, seems like there are really only 3 areas to save weight on this bike, wheels, tires and cranks So, a couple questions 1. Not so sure I love the Dissector tires, you kind of implied you were going to try different tires, curious what tires you chose and how they worked out and if you saved any weight there 2. You mention trying different (lighter) cranks, wondering what you used and what kind of weight savings you got 3. You also mentioned going to carbon wheels, wondering what you chose to go with and what kind of weight savings you got thanks
1. I do not like the Dissector tire, it is terrible under braking. I went with a Nobby Nic from Schwalbe. 2. The EEwing would be a huge savings, but a raceface Next R or Sl would be nearly 1/2 lb I bet. 3. We Are One Unions, small weight savings, better riding bike. To save weight here go to the DT Swiss XM1200 carbon wheels. That will be a big change.
I wobbled between a 135 and the Cat. Chose the Cat and could not be happier. Thing is an absolute ripper! Fast, nimble and I hate to say it because so many others have…but it’s playful. It encourages you to let off, jib, dip and schralp. Great ride!
@@LoamRoamer still debating between the XL t429 enduro or the L Shadowcat MX 140/140mm. With the slack STA on the T429 seems like the seating position will be stretched out
How does this pivot compare to a stumpy expert or the 429? Seems like it's a good "one" bike but just wondering about the 27.5 wheels. Thanks and great video!
This is more about where you ride. It is similar to a stumpy, and the 429 but easier to toss around. If you ride more tight switchback singletrack, it is the one, but for full speed easier over the chatter and rocks, the 29er wins. Also, if you are a shorter rider it can be more fun. Hope that helped
@@LoamRoamer thanks for the reply. you do a great job with your videos. Riding the ripley AF now and am looking for something lighter also an older rider so
Great question. I think the 5.5 felt more plush and it used a trail oriented rear shock. The Shadowcat feels like a light and nimble 5.5 and is a better climber. I do believe if you changed the rear shock to an Ohlins TTX Air 2 you would have a batter overall bike in the shadowcat and it would descend well. That and get the tires changed. I feel it really came down to the shock as the rest of the two bikes was so similar.
This is a great question, right now it is my Norco Sight VLT as I can go ride crazy places up and down over big distances. But this bike is high on my last for a new analog trail bike for sure. Or the Switchblade. That thing was awesome also.
When you are quoting the frame weight, I can tell you are repeating Pivot's ad copy and you didn't weigh it yourself. So how am I supposed to tell what part of your opinion is yours and what is company boilerplate?
If I didn't, normally I say when I am sharing their info versus mine. As this was a short lived demo bike I had no way to do a full weight test for sure. I can say all the comments while riding it are definitely my opinion.
Love your bike reviews. I should hire you and your wife to help me find a new bike. At 5'4" I am on the smaller size and want something with a reach of less than 415 mm and this would work for me.
@@andreageller4804 Completely agree. This is the bike and the testing the XS that made me realize how much better smaller sized bikes are. Not sure I am will to pay the extra price for the "Yeti" factor. In the end I will probably go for the XS Canyon Spectral which has similar numbers.
@@stephenkrause6059 another bike i'm interested in (cause you gotta have a 29er lol) is the 2022 Stumpjumper. It's one of the few trail 29er's that is small enough! I'm not familiar with the Spectral, gonna look it up!
I ride mostly @ Santos in Florida, I’m trying to decide between a Shadowcat and Trail 429. I mostly ride greens and blues, not looking to race or PR everything just really enjoy biking and riding with friends and my kiddo. I am 5’6 almost 5’7 with a longer torso, and shorter inseam (30”) demoed a Medium Shadowcat and Small Trail 429 @ the recent Fat Tire Festival and loved them both, but really enjoyed riding the Shadowcat a little more. I am planning to demo/test ride a Medium in the Trail 429 as the front cockpit of that bike in a small felt a little cramped to me. I’m coming from an older Giant Ladies Anthem with 26”
Wheels. Pivot is the first 29er I’ve tried that actually made me consider getting one. Any suggestions one which might be better??
The 429 is a better trail bike for flatter trails and riding open single track in Florida. And yeah, a medium would be way better. The shadowcat tends to be more fun on tight twisty single track. That is my opinion and either will be fun, but the 429 will ride better overall I believe
@@LoamRoamer thank you so much!
It's on my list and I was thinking of mullet with it, 140 or 150. Thanks for the review against other bikes I know. I ride a ripmo v1 currently.
I keep thinking this is the trail bike the wife is getting and will be a mullett. I will go 140 to preserve geo.
Late to the party, but this was the most helpful review of this bike that I have seen. It's either this, a Yeti SB135, an Evil Offering, a new 5010 to replace my old 5010, or I just stick with my old 5010 because a bike that used to be fun to ride . . . is still fun to ride. And I don't know where that trail is that you showed, but it sure seems familiar...
I often use Sober Deer as a test trail. It is consistent and can be on video.
I'm currently on a Switchblade (new version) but just picked up a Shadow Cat
I had the first ride on it today and am very happy with it, in fact I think it may end up being the best all around bike for me and where I ride
Heck, just being lighter than the Switchblade is a big difference
I think your review is spot on to what I noticed
I am now tempted to see what an even lighter Shadow cat would be like, seems like there are really only 3 areas to save weight on this bike, wheels, tires and cranks
So, a couple questions
1. Not so sure I love the Dissector tires, you kind of implied you were going to try different tires, curious what tires you chose and how they worked out and if you saved any weight there
2. You mention trying different (lighter) cranks, wondering what you used and what kind of weight savings you got
3. You also mentioned going to carbon wheels, wondering what you chose to go with and what kind of weight savings you got
thanks
1. I do not like the Dissector tire, it is terrible under braking. I went with a Nobby Nic from Schwalbe.
2. The EEwing would be a huge savings, but a raceface Next R or Sl would be nearly 1/2 lb I bet.
3. We Are One Unions, small weight savings, better riding bike. To save weight here go to the DT Swiss XM1200 carbon wheels. That will be a big change.
I wobbled between a 135 and the Cat. Chose the Cat and could not be happier. Thing is an absolute ripper! Fast, nimble and I hate to say it because so many others have…but it’s playful. It encourages you to let off, jib, dip and schralp. Great ride!
Awesome!!
any update ? did you bought it ? mullet ?
I endud up on a Trail 429
@@LoamRoamer still debating between the XL t429 enduro or the L Shadowcat MX 140/140mm. With the slack STA on the T429 seems like the seating position will be stretched out
How does this pivot compare to a stumpy expert or the 429? Seems like it's a good "one" bike but just wondering about the 27.5 wheels. Thanks and great video!
This is more about where you ride. It is similar to a stumpy, and the 429 but easier to toss around. If you ride more tight switchback singletrack, it is the one, but for full speed easier over the chatter and rocks, the 29er wins. Also, if you are a shorter rider it can be more fun. Hope that helped
@@LoamRoamer thanks for the reply. you do a great job with your videos. Riding the ripley AF now and am looking for something lighter also an older rider so
not really flying downhill anymore. If Ibis made their carbon ripley ride downhill like the AF i would go that route. Anyway thanks again
You said you rode a Mach 5.5 for 2 years, how does the downhill capability of the Shadowcat compare to the Mach 5.5?
Great question. I think the 5.5 felt more plush and it used a trail oriented rear shock. The Shadowcat feels like a light and nimble 5.5 and is a better climber. I do believe if you changed the rear shock to an Ohlins TTX Air 2 you would have a batter overall bike in the shadowcat and it would descend well. That and get the tires changed. I feel it really came down to the shock as the rest of the two bikes was so similar.
Great review, what size would you recommend for someone who’s 4’5”
Thank you, an XS.
@@LoamRoamer An XS Shadowcat is going to be wayyyyyy to big for someone who is 4'5".
What’s your favorite bike
This is a great question, right now it is my Norco Sight VLT as I can go ride crazy places up and down over big distances. But this bike is high on my last for a new analog trail bike for sure. Or the Switchblade. That thing was awesome also.
When you are quoting the frame weight, I can tell you are repeating Pivot's ad copy and you didn't weigh it yourself. So how am I supposed to tell what part of your opinion is yours and what is company boilerplate?
If I didn't, normally I say when I am sharing their info versus mine. As this was a short lived demo bike I had no way to do a full weight test for sure. I can say all the comments while riding it are definitely my opinion.
@@LoamRoamer Thank you.
Do you think this bike could handle Sedona, Moab etc.?
Yes.
Nice review. Is the Mach 6 a better descender when things get steep and looser?
By a mile.
Be nice if ypu could actually see the bike
Where’s the bike? 😅
Back on the demo van where I got it.
Local price is 11k 😅😢😭🤣😂 for the slx
There is no doubt these bikes are expensive.
Love your bike reviews. I should hire you and your wife to help me find a new bike. At 5'4" I am on the smaller size and want something with a reach of less than 415 mm and this would work for me.
Thank you. This was a great bike. 415mm in a small huh? That is a good question.
extra small SB140?
@@andreageller4804 Completely agree. This is the bike and the testing the XS that made me realize how much better smaller sized bikes are. Not sure I am will to pay the extra price for the "Yeti" factor. In the end I will probably go for the XS Canyon Spectral which has similar numbers.
@@stephenkrause6059 also a great bike!
@@stephenkrause6059 another bike i'm interested in (cause you gotta have a 29er lol) is the 2022 Stumpjumper. It's one of the few trail 29er's that is small enough! I'm not familiar with the Spectral, gonna look it up!
The cheapest bikes in the us cost too much where i live
Bikes are insanely priced.
@@LoamRoamer well yea....here you gotta pay $900-1300for a walmart quality bike... i live in st lucia (caribbean) btw
over 21 minutes and not a single good image of the bike itself?
sometimes when you get a demo for 2 hours that is how it goes.
Get you a canfield my bro