The "Race XT" is $5,499 USD (American). Not cheap, but that's pretty standard for a top tier boutique brand. They are probably $$1,000 above some brands (like direct-to-consumer) on the frame only, but pretty in line with similar bikes like the Yeti SB150. The Specialized Enduro s-works is almost 10k USD. Clearly this is not the bike you want if you are looking for maximum value; maybe pick up a YT, or a Ibis Ripmo AF. If you don't mind paying a little extra for a bike you can buy from a shop, with all that comes with that, and a quality frame, the Switchblade is pretty awesome! I know I love mine. I wanted a bike with maximum standover, and this bike fits a ton in a compact package. When combined with the new Fox Transfer dropper this allows for excellent maneuverability, and the ability to stand over the bike when things go wrong.
As per another person, this has been the best review I’ve seen for this pivot bike. I’d be curious how it compares to a Yeti SB130 LR or the SB150, although the SB130 lunch ride is more equal to travel 160/137.
Not sure where you got $19,999 price point, the website says $12,399 for the XX1 AXS build kit. You might want to edit that out so you don't take all kinds of crap for that. With that said, great review, very informative on this one for sure. Not sure though at $6,700 for an XT build what Pivot is thinking! Yeti, who is usually known for having the most expensive bikes has been surpassed. You can get a SB130 (c2) with full XO1 for $5,999. I mean... Negatives I see with this: * Pivot still not offering a frame only purchase. * Rattling cable routing as other reviews have stated. * Cable routing on the head tube is far back that it rubs the finish off when making turns. * Still using that wide hub spacing that you need to purchase special hubs or wheels not compatible if you have other bikes at home. * No lifetime warranty. * Price point is really steep! Unaffordable for many of us, especially for non-lifetime warranty. * More affordable bikes that are proven to bring joy to you such as the Ibis Ripmo, SC Hightower, Yeti SB130. I can't believe I said Yeti is affordable compared to a Pivot. I think Pivot is taking a risk going in with this price but it may not work for them.
Travel the Narrow Trail it’s for Australian dollars their worth more then American or British pound. I do agree tho it’s way to expensive I wonder how many they will sell???
@@ellislowry6646 Ahh, I see on the price point. Thank you for helping me out on that and your right, not sure how many they will sell at that crazy price point. Time will tell... Ride on.
I got to spend a few days on one of these in Asheville NC and it was incredible. It’s the second best bike I’ve ridden on descents and the best climber. Only thing that beats it on the way down is my GT Force 29, which is a monster.
This looks like a well thought out bike, with some neat features, Wil. Most brands have similar cues now, and this one reminds me of a Yeti, but better (less to go wrong, so to speak). Plus, as all bike brands seem to be climbing higher with regards to pricing, the price of these models are about right in comparison (it’s a hellish amount of cash though). Anyway, another great review as always, and I look forward to more reviews in the coming weeks. And if possible, are there reviews regarding Santa Cruz bikes? I see Trek and a few others, but not Santa Cruz’s line up. Thanks as always.
@@stazorm1 Didn't think you'd have anything to add. Subtract your adolescent ad hominem attack and you have a Zero platform You're just a time waster, go bitch to the kids down the street
$110K for a Porsche? ''Nope, Toyota Camry it is''? $600k for a Tudor two story in a gated community? ''Nope, $135k double-wide 20 feet off the street for MY girls it is''? What's pathetic is when someone CAN afford something but they're too cheap to spend the money to treat themselves to true quality, instead compromising their life experiences so they can die with more money in the bank. (Donn)
It’s not 19k. The team xx1 Eagle axs with live valve is 12k. Without live valve it is 10.5k. If you compare to other xx1 Eagle axs models like s works enduro and Santa Cruz megatower the price is same. So this really isn’t overpriced.
Trying to decide between a Switchblade (Race XT) in small vs. the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT in medium. High praise on both bikes here, but anything you could say on compare and contrast?
I recently bought the Race XT and it’s incredible. I moved to the Pivot from a Canyon Spectral and the Pivot is a better bike in all phases. Good luck!
I am trying to decide between the Canyon Spectral CF 8 29 and the Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR. (Significantly more money, but is it worth the extra money) Because of the virus I am unable to test any of these bikes myself, and you have had the opportunity to ride both of them. There is no doubt the Pivot Switchblade is brilliant in every way, but is it neely twice as good as the Spectral? Which one would you spend your hard-earned cash on if could only have one bike?
Ibis is more playful, more flexy, probably not quite as stable on fast downhill unless you buy the newer AF Geo, this will outclimb the Ripmo and basically keeps up with the Ripley.
Awesome bike! I just got the pro xt /xtr. Expensive yes. Not getting any cheaper. Pivot and Yeti don't need to offer a budget build. They cater to people who want a top brand and will buy it. You don't buy it, someone else will.
Do you have the rider height? I'll be picking one of these up without having the chance to ride it, and I'm more or less on the line between size Small and Medium. The M looks really stretched out, so I'm looking for see how it fits for someone 5'6".
Hey there Douglas! I stand at 175cm tall (around 5'9" I believe), and the Medium frame size is what I tested. My BB-to-saddle height is 69cm, and I had plenty of room with the stock 150mm travel dropper post. I could almost run a 175mm dropper on there. At 5'6", a Medium might start to feel a bit too long in the cockpit, since the reach is pretty generous at 455mm. A Small drops that down to 430mm, which might offer a better fit. Hope that helps! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclips Thanks tons! That's super helpful, and also pretty much what I was thinking. 455mm reach is getting up there for my not-so-long arms and torso. Awesome review, keep it up!
Hey there Simon! I'm 175cm tall, which I believe is around 5'9", and the Medium was a good fit for me. My BB-to-saddle height is 69cm, and I had plenty of room with the stock 150mm travel dropper post. I could almost run a 175mm dropper on there. At 5'6", a Medium might start to feel a bit too long in the cockpit, since the reach is pretty generous at 455mm. A Small drops that down to 430mm, which might offer a better fit. Hope that helps Simon, but just sing out if you've got another question mate! [Wil]
Cheers Wil, thanks for the reply. You're kinda confirming where my thoughts were heading, I think I was just getting excited because I could finally fit on a medium with regards to seat tube length 😂
mtb supertroll . The trouble is nobody in the UK will have a small demo bike so there won't be an opportunity to throw a leg over one, it's a problem I've had every time I'm looking for a new bike. Crazy when you think about the money involved but shops sell more mediums & large so I kinda get it from their point of view, frustrating though.
I have a hard time understanding why this costs the same as a Yamaha 450 4-stroke Dirt Bike. High overhead and expensive manufacturing costs are what you are paying for.
The "Race XT" is $5,499 USD (American). Not cheap, but that's pretty standard for a top tier boutique brand. They are probably $$1,000 above some brands (like direct-to-consumer) on the frame only, but pretty in line with similar bikes like the Yeti SB150. The Specialized Enduro s-works is almost 10k USD. Clearly this is not the bike you want if you are looking for maximum value; maybe pick up a YT, or a Ibis Ripmo AF. If you don't mind paying a little extra for a bike you can buy from a shop, with all that comes with that, and a quality frame, the Switchblade is pretty awesome! I know I love mine. I wanted a bike with maximum standover, and this bike fits a ton in a compact package. When combined with the new Fox Transfer dropper this allows for excellent maneuverability, and the ability to stand over the bike when things go wrong.
The best review I've seen of this bike.
As per another person, this has been the best review I’ve seen for this pivot bike. I’d be curious how it compares to a Yeti SB130 LR or the SB150, although the SB130 lunch ride is more equal to travel 160/137.
Not sure where you got $19,999 price point, the website says $12,399 for the XX1 AXS build kit. You might want to edit that out so you don't take all kinds of crap for that. With that said, great review, very informative on this one for sure. Not sure though at $6,700 for an XT build what Pivot is thinking! Yeti, who is usually known for having the most expensive bikes has been surpassed. You can get a SB130 (c2) with full XO1 for $5,999. I mean... Negatives I see with this:
* Pivot still not offering a frame only purchase.
* Rattling cable routing as other reviews have stated.
* Cable routing on the head tube is far back that it rubs the finish off when making turns.
* Still using that wide hub spacing that you need to purchase special hubs or wheels not compatible if you have other bikes at home.
* No lifetime warranty.
* Price point is really steep! Unaffordable for many of us, especially for non-lifetime warranty.
* More affordable bikes that are proven to bring joy to you such as the Ibis Ripmo, SC Hightower, Yeti SB130. I can't believe I said Yeti is affordable compared to a Pivot. I think Pivot is taking a risk going in with this price but it may not work for them.
Travel the Narrow Trail it’s for Australian dollars their worth more then American or British pound.
I do agree tho it’s way to expensive I wonder how many they will sell???
@@ellislowry6646 Ahh, I see on the price point. Thank you for helping me out on that and your right, not sure how many they will sell at that crazy price point. Time will tell... Ride on.
AUS vs USD
I got to spend a few days on one of these in Asheville NC and it was incredible. It’s the second best bike I’ve ridden on descents and the best climber. Only thing that beats it on the way down is my GT Force 29, which is a monster.
How does the 2020 Pivot Switchblade compare to the 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper & Stumpjumper EVO.
Which one to buy in 2021?
This looks like a well thought out bike, with some neat features, Wil. Most brands have similar cues now, and this one reminds me of a Yeti, but better (less to go wrong, so to speak). Plus, as all bike brands seem to be climbing higher with regards to pricing, the price of these models are about right in comparison (it’s a hellish amount of cash though).
Anyway, another great review as always, and I look forward to more reviews in the coming weeks. And if possible, are there reviews regarding Santa Cruz bikes? I see Trek and a few others, but not Santa Cruz’s line up. Thanks as always.
I never had anything go wrong with my yeti sb130. Do you have a yeti?
No justifying that stupid price besides ripping the consumer off. 12k is brand new moto bike territory. The industry is really getting crazy.
This is just getting stupid...
Name one ''moto bike'' that can safely handle a 100KG rider at 80kph!
...oh yeah, and which weighs
@@caseywalker5015
That's a nonstarter. Who cares if it could handle a 100 kg.. It's still stupid..
@@stazorm1 Didn't think you'd have anything to add. Subtract your adolescent ad hominem attack and you have a Zero platform
You're just a time waster, go bitch to the kids down the street
@@caseywalker5015
I want your body
Starting at 9K for an XT base build, think I might pass on this one....
9k australian.
Only XT on the derailleur. The rest is SLX. I ride 4-5 times a week 20-25 kms per ride. I still couldn't justify this.
David XTR derailleur and the rest is XT.
Get a loan and make payments.
Is the same guy designing the front triangle for Yeti, Santa Cruz, specialized, and pivot?
Want... but $12k? Nope, can’t get my head around that. Giant Reign 29 Advanced 1 it is.
$110K for a Porsche? ''Nope, Toyota Camry it is''? $600k for a Tudor two story in a gated community? ''Nope, $135k double-wide 20 feet off the street for MY girls it is''?
What's pathetic is when someone CAN afford something but they're too cheap to spend the money to treat themselves to true quality, instead compromising their life experiences so they can die with more money in the bank. (Donn)
Man, you cased those doubles.
Great review !! can you tell me how much for a frame only ? Thanks
$ 19K.....funny.....really funny
19k..? 🤦♂️
less 10k is more realistic
You could buy a Hightower and a car to get it to the trails for that...
Either that or a new nice car
It’s not 19k. The team xx1 Eagle axs with live valve is 12k. Without live valve it is 10.5k. If you compare to other xx1 Eagle axs models like s works enduro and Santa Cruz megatower the price is same. So this really isn’t overpriced.
@@harryingd2674
either way its fuckin stupid
Good to see the new shock position. For a bike designed in the desert it should take a full size water bottle.
Trying to decide between a Switchblade (Race XT) in small vs. the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT in medium. High praise on both bikes here, but anything you could say on compare and contrast?
I recently bought the Race XT and it’s incredible. I moved to the Pivot from a Canyon Spectral and the Pivot is a better bike in all phases. Good luck!
@@NH-il6uc I’ve had my switchblade since last August and love it. Need to develop skills worthy of its ability now.
I am trying to decide between the Canyon Spectral CF 8 29 and the Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR. (Significantly more money, but is it worth the extra money)
Because of the virus I am unable to test any of these bikes myself, and you have had the opportunity to ride both of them.
There is no doubt the Pivot Switchblade is brilliant in every way, but is it neely twice as good as the Spectral?
Which one would you spend your hard-earned cash on if could only have one bike?
Climbing on this vs Ibis Ripmo any one?
Ibis is more playful, more flexy, probably not quite as stable on fast downhill unless you buy the newer AF Geo, this will outclimb the Ripmo and basically keeps up with the Ripley.
Awesome bike! I just got the
pro xt /xtr. Expensive yes. Not getting any cheaper. Pivot and Yeti don't need to offer a budget build. They cater to people who want a top brand and will buy it.
You don't buy it, someone else will.
Do you have the rider height? I'll be picking one of these up without having the chance to ride it, and I'm more or less on the line between size Small and Medium. The M looks really stretched out, so I'm looking for see how it fits for someone 5'6".
Hey there Douglas!
I stand at 175cm tall (around 5'9" I believe), and the Medium frame size is what I tested.
My BB-to-saddle height is 69cm, and I had plenty of room with the stock 150mm travel dropper post. I could almost run a 175mm dropper on there.
At 5'6", a Medium might start to feel a bit too long in the cockpit, since the reach is pretty generous at 455mm. A Small drops that down to 430mm, which might offer a better fit.
Hope that helps!
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclips Thanks tons! That's super helpful, and also pretty much what I was thinking. 455mm reach is getting up there for my not-so-long arms and torso.
Awesome review, keep it up!
@@DC-iu4qc Thanks mate - glad you found it useful! [Wil]
Hi Wil, nice review. How tall are you & in your opinion would a 5'6" rider fit the medium?
Hey there Simon!
I'm 175cm tall, which I believe is around 5'9", and the Medium was a good fit for me. My BB-to-saddle height is 69cm, and I had plenty of room with the stock 150mm travel dropper post. I could almost run a 175mm dropper on there.
At 5'6", a Medium might start to feel a bit too long in the cockpit, since the reach is pretty generous at 455mm. A Small drops that down to 430mm, which might offer a better fit.
Hope that helps Simon, but just sing out if you've got another question mate!
[Wil]
Cheers Wil, thanks for the reply. You're kinda confirming where my thoughts were heading, I think I was just getting excited because I could finally fit on a medium with regards to seat tube length 😂
mtb supertroll . The trouble is nobody in the UK will have a small demo bike so there won't be an opportunity to throw a leg over one, it's a problem I've had every time I'm looking for a new bike. Crazy when you think about the money involved but shops sell more mediums & large so I kinda get it from their point of view, frustrating though.
Looks like a Bright review to me...expensive though
They all look the same now. Bronson, norco optic, Saracen.
Only the canyons and specialized look different at half the cost.
Tony Parkin specialized enduro and Santa Cruz bikes now look the same and many bikes start at this starting price.
And YT
Hey Wil, how does the new SB compare to the Yeti SB130LR?
Good question Steven, though I've not ridden the SB130 myself, so I can't make a comparison. Sorry mate! [Wil]
Wonder what the final weight was?
14.06kg for the complete bike, without pedals. [Wil]
Beautiful, but that’s stupid money.
Pivot awesome! The accents kill it though! 😝😝
Nice bike! But 9 KKKKKK my jaw get chattery from that.
This bike is awesome but I can’t afford it.
What is Fox Live Valve? Is it a brain for a shock to disregard forces coming from a rider?
You could have simply typed the same thing into google.
@@turbine50 I'm banned at Google.
9k - 19k? Those are eMTB prices!!
You mean 1000cc super bike prices
Too expensive
Why are these bikes so EXPENSIVE considering I assume the people that make these bikes in Taiwan, Burma and others, are paid next to nothing?
@2:20 “super boost”......aight, I’m out ✌️
This is an overkill for a bike to cost that much
I concur 🤣
🤩 Me want
$$$ Demn!
Too expensive and every single bike seems to have a custom tuned shock on the rear. Rear end is too short.
MrLarrytherat not if you are like me, that wants that pop-e-ness in a ride
I have a hard time understanding why this costs the same as a Yamaha 450 4-stroke Dirt Bike. High overhead and expensive manufacturing costs are what you are paying for.
$5999? Or the almost $20k option?
I’ll buy a trail and a race bike from another manufacturer and still have enough to go on vacation. Stupid expensive stupid over priced
Only available in a Beverly Hills bike shop 😄🖕🏻🖕🏻
Hell No!
10,000GRAND HAHAHAHAHAHhahahahahahah HA!!!🤣
Michael Mitchell you left out one more HA
*Michael Mitchell* Cheat yourself, oops, I meant Suit yourself 🙄
First
real nice bike,just not for a working man
💵💵💵💵💵 nope
Stupid prices.. that’s a used 1000cc bike you can’t tell me a super bike that does 300kph cost less to design/engineer than a fucking pushie 😂😂😂😂
These reviews suck because you never offer any meaningful criticisms.
How does it perform compared to a YT Jeffsy at 1/4 of the price (Jeffsies go from 2500 to 5500)