Pivot's new Trail Cat SL & LT: THIS is a trail bike!
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- See all the specs, geo, and pricing on the new Pivot Trail Cat SL and LT models over at Jenson USA here: jenson.sjv.io/... Not only did Jenson USA sponsor this video, but anything you purchase from that link will help support my channel. Thanks to ALL of you for the support!
Pivot was kind enough to loan me this Trail Cat LT, and they also brought Logan and me down to Phoenix, AZ, for a few days to hang out, ride the new bikes, and enjoy some of Chris’ favorite dining establishments.
If you’re not aware, I worked at Ibis Cycles from 2008 until 2015. At the time, Pivot was a smaller company than Ibis, though we certainly held them in very high regard. Today, Pivot is actually larger than Ibis, and is organized and ran in a slightly different manner. Both are excellent, but it’s really neat seeing how they differ! I have a ton of respect for both Hans at Ibis, as well as for Chris at Pivot. Seeing the inner workings of Pivot on this trip, I learned about a lot more than just bikes.
The TrailCat replaces the Trail 429 as Pivot’s all around short travel trail bike. The Mach 4 is lighter, and more XC race purpose built, and the Switchblade is slightly bigger, built for a 160mm fork.
Trail Cat SL is a 120/140mm travel bike, using a Fox 34 fork and 165mm Float shock.
Trail Cat LT is a 135/150mm travel bike, using a Fox 36 fork and 185mm Float X shock.
Pivot uses different upper links and lower shock mounts to alter the suspension and geometry for each configuration. It’s the same carbon bits for both bikes, and the same two color combos are available for each variant.
I preferred the LT (over the SL) by a large margin. This bike felt right between the Ibis Ripmo V3 and Ripley V5. It’s not a “point and shoot” enduro slayer, but instead it’s a nimble bike that can be ridden with an aggressive hand. It responds great to pumping, and it’s a VERY predictable jumper. The re-working of the rear suspension was a HUGE improvement! I focused on the LT version for most of the video, and the new rear suspension is so much better that I really, really dug the short back end.
I hardly made any parts swaps. I did have to switch out tires: the Stock EXO and EXO+ tires needed 30+ psi to avoid flatting in Arizona. Double Down tires from Maxxis, High Roller III MaxxGrip up front and a 2.4WT DHRII MaxxGrip in back. jenson.sjv.io/...
I also installed ODI Elite Pro grips: jenson.sjv.io/...
Head to www.DrinkLMNT.c... to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
Big thanks to Reilly for helping edit this! And filming our PNW riding: / reillykintzele
Also big thanks to Logan for helping to film this! Logan just launched his own RUclips effort, give him a follow here: / @loganpatricknelson
Big thanks to Shimano for sponsoring me in 2024! Check out the XT groups I use here: jenson.sjv.io/...
Big thanks to Endura! In much of this footage, I’m riding in the Singletrack jersey and MT500 pant: jenson.sjv.io/...
And finally, a big thank you to all the local mountain bike advocacy groups:
www.wmbcmtb.org/
www.fvmba.com/...
nsmba.ca/
www.sorca.ca/
www.worca.com/
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00:00 Chapters
0:39 Intro
2:15 What is the Trail Cat?
3:38 Why this matters
5:15 Gorgeous lugged prototypes
5:53 Trail Cat SL
8:12 Trail Cat LT (the one I prefer)
11:06 Trail Cat LT in the PNW
13:42 Conclusion
Haha, "shame on buyers for being suckered into novelties!" 😂Amazing. Great riding with you Jeff.
Fun to hang out with ya, Drew!!!
This is the most detailed trailcat review to date. Awesome
Thanks for watching, Rek. I tried to ride the bike a bunch once I got it home.
This is the first time I have almost regretted buying the new Switchblade that LT definitely has my attention
Trail Cat - Love the name!
I’ve got a ‘24 Shadowcat and ‘24 Switchblade. Both are so fun, but I definitely grab the Shadowcat more often! Thanks for the stoke and info!
mix them together and get a shadowlynx ;) put a 29er up front, best of both worlds
Great review... You seemed a more emphatic in your opinions than is sometimes the case. Too often you voice a criticism only to then walk it back somewhat so as not to offend the bike's manufacturer... Ditto with praise, again so as to not overly put down competitors... But in this review you spoke your mind, and left it at that.. I find this directness a lot more useable in my decision making as to whether to buy or say bye...
completely agree.
Thanks Train, I appreciate your feedback over the years. The Cat (LT version) is pretty much spot on for what I want in an all around bike. The SL wasn’t my jam. But it’s a nice improvement over the 429. I’m excited to get more LT rides in this winter and spring, it’s refreshing to have a stiff, good riding bike that still feels like a short travel whippet, but also doesn’t have a 66+ head angle!
There really isn't nothing with that style of reviewing. To make a good review, you have inform the public on the products flaws and drawbacks, but not be overly critical so as to come off as harsh (while also explaining that these flaws might even be minor gripes/nitpicking; whats a flaw to me might not be one to you), and then let everyone know about it's strengths, but comment in a way as to not come off as biased towards that manufacturer.
@@JeffKendallWeed Yep, thanks to your insightful review, I'll be buying a TrailCat LT just as soon as they make their way over to my distant land... Thanks.
My dream geometry and travel 135/150. The LT just went to the TOP of my next bike list.
** Just heard about the "Shimano" sponsorship pause. Heck this gave me "pause". You know bike companies are struggling when you put Jeff Kendall-Weed on "pause". I was SRAM for a decade until my last XTR Pivot. - Thanks Jeff for the Shimano nudge.
Shimano may be struggling but there is also rumor flying around they are about to release updated MTB groupset, probably electronic. Maybe they are pausing for the official launch and letting JKW to ride them later.
Thanks for the note, C! Just to clarify, I paused the deal, not them. I can’t commit to riding only their parts, as too many complete bikes spec other brands for me to feel confident I could say with full certainty that every bike I ride will be full Shimano. We will work together again soon in some capacity, stay tuned. And I may work more with SRAM as well. It just takes more planning on the front end to get a program like that going that’s all good with all parties. I will say I don’t like the Mavens on a sub 30 lb trail bike tho!
@@sampah89I heard 13s coming. But not sure by who 1st
I really like your objectivity in these reviews.
Thanks Alex!
This is my favourite category of bike. I love my 5010 so much fun to ride.
I hope the Tall Boy gets refreshed soon, that would be fun to compare to the Cat here!
Great review, love the enthusiasm. 👍🏻
Thank you Rob!
Funny thing is this reminds me of my 2019 knolly fugitive lt. same exact travel 135/150 same head tube angle same seat angle and even superboost, maybe I’ll stop thinking my bikes becoming outdated
Always honest, always spot on Jeff. I too have never enjoyed Sram......anything really. Shimano all day, every day. Loved seeing you ride DV, especially the bridge (overpass) Dustin and I built (you rode the black line so you didn't ride my wood step down on the blue. Cheers Jeff, stay warm out there!
Thanks Mike! That's a spot I really enjoy riding. I appreciate the higher altitude until its covered in snow!!!
@15:57 When you're thanking Pivot for bringing you down to Phoenix, and you mention Logan too... but then you point at the woods... Dooooes Logan live in the woods behind your house?!? (sorry, great review, really like the 429 comparison)
😂 no but great observation!!!
I have a Mondraker Raze with 150/130 travel with almost the same geometry as the LT. these are bad ass to ride brother.
Also mostly ride a Raze, never met anyone else with one
Cool to see other Atherton style frames being made.
Cool seeing the BCPOV trail in the video. YUKANDOIT
That’s the trail!! He’s busy riding Una Moto now!
I love Jenson! I get everything from them. They also sell through Amazon 🎉
Your riding my home trials in mesa . Wish I would have seen you out there. Great video!!
Here's a whole video I did about your trails in Mesa: ruclips.net/video/K_pLj_5GIHk/видео.html&ab_channel=JeffKendall-Weed
I'll 100% in for the LT version. I probably called it "Trail Mix" since that what I bring as snacks on my rides. LOL
Hell ya Trail Mix crew unite! I tend to bring Kirkland Signature- gotta support our local businesses!
Jeff always coming with the fun videos..
The LT is my kinda bike! I'd like to see a Ripley with a float x and 36 build compared to the trailcat LT
Right on Zach! I'm torn on that. I'm thinking a ripmo vs trail cat would be fun. I wanna keep comparison bikes generally stock-ish.
@JeffKendallWeed I can understand that but who leaves their bikes stock tho?
@JeffKendallWeed also when we gonna get some short travel high pivot action on the channel. That new Norco Optic with the Vivid air is pretty impressive 👌🏼
Great video! I have a Shuttle SL and have been debating on the best analog version so it’s like you made this one for me, thank you. I’m more of a dog lover so I’m not big on the Trail Cat name but Trail Cavapoo or Trail Chihuahua don’t sound great either. Trail Hawk would be my pick if trail has to be in the name but Jeep has already claimed that one.
Great riding dude! I have a 429E and a new Switchblade. I absolutely love the 429E..but after watching your video, I will be looking into the LT! Cheers
Why would you do that ...keep your bikes and save the money.
Still rocking the slack seat tube angle paired with low bb expecting the DW link to do all the work of getting you up technical climbs. I wish they would soon start to offer bikes that aren't made for the super easy fast rolling terrain they offered on the press release, so it would cater more to actual terrain that most people have on tap.
great video ! need to try the LT 😊
So the Trailcat is no Traildog! Always fun to watch you ride and present. .. So what up with the difference between the fork and shock travel getting bigger, when "over-forking" and then going back to same front and back I realized that I really like that balanced feel.
Great review 👍 whacked what mtb still cost now a days knowing the market is so saturated.
Both Trailcats look super cool. I have both current 2024 generations of the Switchblade and Firebird - so my dance card is full - however, the Trailcat LT does look very interesting to consider when it’s time to retire my Switchblade. I’ll always have a fresh Firebird in my quiver.
Don't retire your Switchblade ,the Lt is the same thing!
I'm a big Pivot fan with a Firebird and a Mach 6 mullet currently. Would have been interested here if the the Trail Cat was a Spur-killer, but looks like the SL prioritizes sharp handling over descending. What would really get me frothy is a high pivot DW6 enduro bike as the next Firebird. Pretty please Chris!
Jeff, great review. This Trailcat LT reminds me of the previous Hightower v2 in geo and f/r travel range 150/140mm. How does the HT v2 compare?
Jeff : as the owner of a Ripley v5 couldn’t agree with you more when you say trail bikes are right where they should be. I think Ibis nailed it (prefer it over the new Ripmo. I believe you had said the same). I’m running mine with a 36 fork, still at 140mm. Think that set up would make for a REALLY great comparison with the LT.
Does this also come with 9 lives? I think Trailcat is just the right name for the rig, agile and still familiar.
Just compared the geometry to my my18 Hightower LT. Pretty much solves the slack seattube angle, but the rest is pretty similar.
Guess I bought my bike with foresight 😆
As for in frame storage... If done right I like it. It adds weight to the bike, but relieves weight from my back.
Would LOVE to get a comparison between this, sb140, and a ripley!
SB140 uses a 160 36 fork, so it's one to compare to Ripmo and Switchblade. Yeti's SB120 would compare to the SL version of the Cat. But I haven't tried the SB120 at all, so yeah, eventually!
Good to see you, one of my favorite bike currently also !
Great review Jeff! You never mentioned the rocky mountain instinct you recently reviewed. That bike and the trailcat LT seem to be quite similar in the geo and suspension travel. How would you compare them?
Switchblade all day, everyday🤘🏻
So Santa cruise front triangle is pivot?
Shame that the "best feeling suspension on a stock Pivot bike" won't feel like that on a stock Pivot bike on account of them shipping with the .4 volume reducer instead of the .7. The last two bikes I purchased new (a Kona and a YT) both came with extra volume spacers for the fork, but not the shock - and both required additional/larger reducers in the shock. Would be nice if brands included some in the box.
Mtb 🤡
When I heard the sax 🎷 stop at 0:30... I just knew.😉
Hahaha Reilly’s call on the smooth jazz 😂
So is the current switchblade too close to the Trail Cat LT?
I bought a commencal tempo a couple weeks ago and wish the trail cat lt was out 😭
Looked at the Geo, not gonna be replacing my T429 with a Pivot I guess. Ah well. Time to try a Trek perhaps.
Great video and really like your take on the bike. I have a 429 and love it but very interested in this new one. How does the weight compare to a 429 or switchblade? Thanks
I like the LT, but there are many 150/140 trail bikes in the market already... ie the Switchblade. This bike launch is about cost and efficiency with shared frames, just like Ibis w the Ripley/Ripmo, and Rocky Mountain Instinct/Altitude until the 2024 Altitude reboot. Spesh went w slimming down the Stumpy lineup to save costs. The Industry is having to adapt after the pandemic overreach. I think it makes sense and will be good long-term.
I hate super boost, but pivot is probably making the best mountain bikes. I see myself on a LT in the near future.
Why hate on SB? With all the sales, wheels are only a few hundred bucks these days, and SB makes for bikes that ride so much stiffer and predictably.
@JeffKendallWeed Compadablilty, I totally get the engineering, but I have like 4 grand in boost wheelsets. If I was a racer or a true sender I'm sure I would notice the difference. Planning on getting to low spec version LT and upgrading slowly
Another great video Jeff.
is the LT a replacement for the swicthblade
Love if they changed switchblade to traildog
The cat sounds... Hahahaha
How does it compare to the SB 140? I have the trail, not the lunch ride, so the travel is very similar along with the head angle as well.
Awseome nice bike
Nice vid, I have a Shadowcat and really enjoying it. Is the Trailcat SL similar to like a Santa Cruz Tallboy?
I haven’t spent much time on a TB, but they are indeed competitors
Is it possible to have the Trail 429 shock re-tuned for more mid range support?
Sure, but IMO it's not worth it. With only 120mm of travel, the returns of suspension re-working are not as worth it (as compared to longer travel bikes).
Cats are badass. So are dogs and other pets. Animals treated well are almost always better than animals that are treated poorly. Anti-cat people are weird.
Jeff what size were you running on the sl and lt im 5’9 debating on a small or medium and leaning more toward the sl for my local trails , thanks
Why did you go longer stem on SL? You said you felt too much weight on front and then you added more! I think you should have tried shorter, no? Did I miss something?
On steeper head angle bikes, you can slow the steering and better embrace the whole "upright cornering while turning the bars" riding style they need by using a slightly longer stem. A 55 isn't super long. But I just prefer the feel of the LT over the SL.
The 120mm should be the TrailCat and the 135mm should be the TrailDog.
I think Trail Cat is a great name for a bike. Kinda reminds me of Hellcat. But if a bike was named Hellcat, it would need to be fast, but heavy and not able to corner well at all...
You mean it would need long chainstays?
Dang… the Trail 429 and Switchblade are legendary. I have both, and can’t imagine how to make them any better (for how I ride). Now you’ve given me cognitive dissonance. I’m not buying the TrailKitty because… uh… lesseee… um…. yeah… I don’t like purple. That’ll do it for me now. 😅
Still doing some dirt biking or splitting that to a separate channel?
I’ve been pedaling more in the last year. I deferred my Silver King’s entry to 2025, so I’ll start training for that again soon. Moto is so fun, but MTB is the true passion!
Trail dawg
How does it compare to the Occam LT?
this is much better because it's a pivot and an occam is an orbea 🤮😂
So do you get both linkages just in case you want to convert back and forth? No? That's not very customer friendly.
😂 just get the LT and live happily ever after
@@JeffKendallWeed Fair enough. I'm probably not the SL type of guy anyways. It looks like a fun bike though and having ridden a lot of LT bikes lately, the SL might offer a change in riding that I (and many others) might want.
@@thetrailnomad buy a Switchblade , this is a money grab from the fan boys.
@@pebbleinspector I have enough bikes to ride and with the Kavenz a bike that can go 120-180.
Who do we need to email at Shimano to sponsor you again? Ah, I see your message in the comments that you were required to only ride Shimano all the time. For a tester and tinker-er of swapping stock bike parts, that seems sort of unreasonable...good on you to look to renegotiate. I hope that goes well.
should've called it the Trailjeff
trail cat lt or evil offering?
Dear Pivot, I’d likely be riding your bikes if you made them in my size. Sincerely, a 6’8” rider with a Pivot LBS < 10 min from work.
I put a 140mm fork air shaft on my 2023 Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 120mm rear. Actually, no don't tell me, the SL bike blows it away.
It doesn't , Trance Advancce pro is great bike.
"Trailbird" didn't cross your mind? 😂
If you have a Switchblade, Trail 429 or 429 enduro save your money. This is a money grab from the fan boys .
Or sell those, and get this much more fun and balanced rig. I prefer the Trail Cat over all existing Pivot analog bikes.
Lets all ride a trail bike like it was an enduro. Maybe you should go get an enduro, and let someone who rides trails like it's a trail test the bike.
I wpuld buy the bike just for the name
second jeff!!
Sram drivetrains makes bikes instantly $1000 more expensive, it's really burning me out.
This seems like a really great bike. I can't exactly justify the entry level unit being $7000usd, though. Good luck with that. I'd probably buy a Yamaha instead.
edit: hell, it's 10k CAD. I can buy a KTM (if they survive. man, something doesn't seem to be working out well in the sports industry). Not to be overly negative, and it's not direct at the reviewer by any means.
A YZ125 msrp is less- but good luck not having a dealer ram $1000 of set up fees down your throat. I can’t stand all the BS fees moto dealers try to tack on. MSRP should be MSRP. I’ve bought two brand new motos, not sure I’ll ever do that again. Moto dealers suck.
@@JeffKendallWeed I can't argue with you there! At least the dealership "delivery fee cut" hasn't made it's way through MTB yet. It'll come though.
7k for performance suspension and DB8 brakes is not it 🥴
Looks at his Orange Stage Evo with same geo and travel as this.... Nothing new under the sun.
$6,200-$13,200 for a short travel manual bike. Not the direction I'd like to see the industry headed.
Love the riding but more kitties please!
Moar kitties!!! Cute cat’s compilation is in editing now.
Awesome video. You should try a top fuel! Amazing short travel trail bike similar to this.
Trek is so welfarian….
at least it is not a "dog of a bike" aka traildog!
Evil offering is still better
Wow. That’s a hot take! Sounds like you own an Offering?
Offering is an amazing bike and it pedals so well. First ride on my old Offering was 22 miles and felt like much less. It obviously left an impression.
much uglier though
@ I'm full of them! Want to hear more? Yes i do
FIRST!!!!!!!
Using the same frame for "2" bikes without actually offering conversion kits is simply laziness. It's the worst trend in MTB right now.
Meow
Seriously meow
Thanks Denis!
@
Hey you in Sedona anytime soon ?
Here meowt, the…
Pivot Pss Pss Pss
Oh yeah, super objective
Your wheelie popping ain't what it used to be😢
Jeff, the SL has same suspension as trail429Enduro model, 140/120. Is there enough ride quality difference to justify getting the SL model and selling the 429Enduro?
Pivot read the room? Still with PF92 and stupidboost? Pass.
The SuperBoost makes sense and ist not the Problem. PF is also basically working well. I have also bikes with threaded BB and also there can be problems if they are not manufactured precisely.
@@RideTheAlps SB solves nothing and PF92 is neither lighter nor stiffer nor does it solve any problem compared to better bb systems.
@@trentvlak You need to understand they did not have a goal of picking the best pressfit BB. The BB choice is simply determined by going the superboost route, so it's important to understand that they want the advantages of superboost, and no matter what we choose in life there is ALWAYS tradeoffs. Whether pressfit is a tradeoff or not will also be up to each and every one to decide, and personally I'd like threaded if I could decide, but I also have had no issues with the pressfit on my Switchblade, so... If the first BB change goes smoothly for me, then I won't be so skeptical in the future.
I'd focus more on the geo, which I personally should've done a better job at before I purchased. I say that because it's very evident they design these bikes for the terrain they ride where they live, and the slack seat tube paired with a low bb is pretty bad in technical terrain, also add in mud and roots and all that jazz that you won't find where these bikes are made. The bikes are more made for shredding than tech is what I see, and that is important to know.
@ The bb choice has nothing to do with superboost. PF92 is ok with DUB and 24mm but not 30mm.
PF92 is code for "Giant manufactured this bike."
Trail Cat is ok... definitely better than 429 Trail.
Ok? It’s gonna be one of my main bikes for a while now! Right in the sweet spot.
Not really in a sl.
Love pivot bikes but theit color choices are just gross. Lol
can pivot sell me a real cat
Adopt, don’t shop
Not sure why you hate on frame storage so often, maybe because you film on all your rides and require a more substantial storage solution for equipment? Frame storage is amazing. Had it on my past 2 bikes, it can hold a spare tube, tools, and patch kit with out me having to lug around a pack. It only requires me to fill a water bottle and feel much more free on the bike. Wearing a pack of any kind can throw off balance when jumping and adds fatigue to the lower back over longer rides.
Or you can use a $3 Velcro strap to hold the tube to the frame, mount the pump alongside the bottle, and put the tool in your pocket. Frame storage adds weight- Pivot said it’s about 50 grams heavier, most other brands admit it’s really about 100-200 grams, and the development cost is substantial. This is a big part of why frames are now so heavy and expensive. I am a fan of the simpler solution.
@@JeffKendallWeed I don't fully disagree with you, but most bike brands have figured out how to do it correctly now and it looks way cleaner. Sounds like pivot just doesn't want to put the R&D in. You add most that weight back with your work arounds mounting stuff externally. I would argue it's more simple for the rider to stash inside the frame, while not having to worry about your $3 velcro coming undone or that you forgot to put your tool in your pocket. Keeping it in the frame, you never have to worry about forgetting something. Most bikes that have frame storage aren't on frames where people need to shave grams.
@@Twisted_Biscuitnever had a Velcro strap come undone In 40 years. ..nice try
@ looks like someone is missing the point of the discussion, but if you want to get petty.. show me a strap for $3 that would hold securely on a bike. Ready go..
Was that THE Matt Beer in the background?