[Bike_Tyson]

I'm seeking advice from the braintrust here. I'm planning my next build/buy and I'd like to look at a capable short-travel trail bike. I'm currently looking between the Pivot 429 Enduro and the Banshee Phantom. I've demoed the former and really liked it. The Banshee seems close in characteristics, but I have no way to throw a leg over it where I live.

Can anyone that has knowledge and/or experience with either (or both) give me any tips or insights?

I mostly ride in the Midwest with trails that are more XC oriented, but have sections of tech/chunk and occasional flow trail elements. I'm not a huge jumper/hucker, but ride relatively fast compared to the average rider in our area.

Many thanks in advance for your input...

 

[eb1888]

Looking at the Phantom I'd be going for a lighter bike for your terrain and location. Even a lot lighter like a Spec Epic Evo or Spur.

 

[Bike_Tyson]

Looking at the Phantom I'd be going for a lighter bike for your terrain and location. Even a lot lighter like a Spec Epic Evo or Spur.

I considered a more XC style bike, but I did have a Giant Anthem in the recent past and it was stiff, almost uncomfortably so. I'm thinking that 120mm rear travel is never going to be super plush, but was thinking something a little more on the trail side might feel a little more comfortable.

Are the Spur and Epic Evo fairly comfortable?

 

[eb1888]

That's a tuning challenge for the build for every part. Light and meeting your needed level of compliance for your terrain. A Mara or Mcleod shock. Berd spoke wide rim wheels. Plus tires. Can be fun.

 

[coachxtaylor]

can i ask if you would ever consider a ranger over the other 2?

 

[Bike_Tyson]

Sure. I also recently added the Transition Spur and the newer Rocky Mountain Element into consideration. I likely won't pull the trigger until supply opens up a bit next year. How does the Ranger compare? It's hard going off the limited reviews and staring at geometry charts only gets me so far.

 

[coachxtaylor]

i think the revel is gonna be slightly more xc oriented than either of the other two. i have owned a banshee titan and i currently own a pivot mach 6, and while both pedal platforms are amazingly efficient, they do get slightly hung up over square edge technical climbs. whereas the ranger just plows over that stuff due to the CBF platform. the rangers 115 also feels quite bottomless - even with a sid luxe set to 25% sag. the phantom will have much longer chainstays than the ranger and the trail 429 which for me, makes a difficult bike to maneuver through tight stuff. i ride the ranger on a variety of terrain and i bought it for more xc oriented rides but i ended up riding it down everything i ride my enduro bike on if that can speak to its capability. if i can recommend anything do NOT judge the bike of its geometry numbers. it rides much more aggressively than those suggest.

 

[Bike_Tyson]

I've definitely read many positive reviews on the Ranger, so I'll add that to my shortlist. I appreciate you sharing those details. Thanks!

 

[Rocket88R]

Bike_Tyson,
What did you end up with?

 

[Bike_Tyson]

I ended up with the Pivot 429 Enduro. Main reason was that I didn't have a way to demo the Banshee. A buddy has a different Banshee that he likes but had some challenges dialing it in. That may have weighed in on my decision a bit too.

I only have a few rides on the Pivot so far and am still getting suspension and cockpit all dialed in, but I think it will be a great addition to the "fleet". About half of our local trails are pretty much XC trails, and my other two bikes are overkill, so I feel like the Pivot can make those feel a little more fun and still be capable enough on our more techy trails with a little more rider finesse.

Another buddy is potentially going to get another bike and he's looking between the 429 or the Ranger, so I think the feedback from earlier in this thread is a good assessment on great candidates in this space. The RM Element looks pretty great too, but I didn't like the 2 piston brakes.

Happy to answer any questions about the 429 in the future for anyone considering it.