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#2,082 ·
Tigersimmo said:
I'm looking for a bike on the slacker side of things so would probably run the 29er with 17mm cup or even go to 160mm fork but after a test ride of both the 29er and + I had a nagging feeling that the front end felt a little 'under' or steep. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I thought it might be the stem length but then I read Seb Stott's Bike Radar review where he wrote this: "also felt the 67.25-degree head angle could be slacker. While it sounds fairly slack, the mismatched travel results in a slightly steeper dynamic head angle when sagged. To compensate, we upped fork pressure to prop it up for steep terrain. This made it a touch harder than we'd normally run. We'd have liked to increase sag in the rear to slacken it out for steep descents, but this would exacerbate the slack seat angle on the climbs." Can some of you kind folk please elaborate on what he's talking about here?
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I have never used the 17mm cup and after 5 months + of use never seen a need to.160mm fork running both wheelsizes.Too many overthink slackness and can definitely effect steep SB climbs by wandering and front feeling underweighted by jacking the front up to much,160mm has been great overall without 17mm on both wheelsizes for me and yes an ocasional pedal strike but nothing not manageable. If your concerned about not slack enough I call BS,I have a 15 year DH background and trust me I have no fear or lack of confidence on the steepest terrain on the SB.
 
#2,083 ·
Not so much BS as inexperience on my part. I'm just a few years in to Mtb. I'm starting to do more technical downs and drops and perhaps I need to work on my skills first! Thanks for your comment. It's nice to hear from an experienced rider. Looking for just one bike here so it's this or the Wreckoning.
 
#2,084 ·
Anyone from New England riding the Switchblade around here?

Any complaints about the low bottom bracket when riding NE terrain?

I test rode a SB last summer with the 27.5x2.8 tires on it and the BB was WAY too low for my taste, but that was a one-ride impression at a Demo-Day so I didn't have a chance to make many adjustments. I'm hoping other folks who ride technical terrain have had a better experience...?

TIA.
 
#2,085 ·
RaptorAddict said:
Anyone from New England riding the Switchblade around here?

Any complaints about the low bottom bracket when riding NE terrain?

I test rode a SB last summer with the 27.5x2.8 tires on it and the BB was WAY too low for my taste, but that was a one-ride impression at a Demo-Day so I didn't have a chance to make many adjustments. I'm hoping other folks who ride technical terrain have had a better experience...?

TIA.
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Eastern Pa,we have significant rock chunder,exposed planted rock,etc. 160mm without 17mm cup for 29 and 27.5 +, working well with occasional hits but our area is known for crank arm beaters no matter your ride.
 
#2,086 ·
Tigersimmo said:
Not so much BS as inexperience on my part. I'm just a few years in to Mtb. I'm starting to do more technical downs and drops and perhaps I need to work on my skills first! Thanks for your comment. It's nice to hear from an experienced rider. Looking for just one bike here so it's this or the Wreckoning.
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Don't be thrown off, it is all personal and there is a reason that there are so many bikes on the market. If the bike doesn't feel right move on, you will know it when you find it. For me personally the slacker the better. My 29 setup is a 66 degree HA, 342 BB and 434 chainstays. @techfersure has a lot of skill from those 15 years of DH and you are a newer rider so different needs and preferences.
 
#2,087 ·
In the month of owning and riding my SB 29er at 150/135 (no 17mm cup), I haven't found any issues with the geo. This has included XC rides, big mountain rides, and a couple shuttle days following the big boys (Cat1 and 2 guys) on DH bikes. I am upping the fork travel to 160 only because I am using up every mm now on east coast rocks at speed and too many volume spacers have made for a harsh ride.

Don't get too caught up in info online about bike setup. I almost feel like it can do folks a disservice by getting them thinking in the weeds to much vs just riding (and this is coming from an engineer that has to live in the weeds!). The SB is in that happy window of not too slack/not slack enough for a bike that can pedal up and rally down.

I've only been riding MTBs regularly for 3 years now. I do come from a motorcycle road racing background where it is a similar deal in folks getting way too caught up in bike setup vs just riding, however. Go ride bike parks and DH trails with experienced folks and grab and abuse a DJ bike on everything to make worrying about a millimeter here or 0.1 degree there a non-issue. I learned A LOT just riding with fast folks that were more than happy to stop and session stuff with me, along with riding as many sub-disciplines that I could jump into.

The SB is a good bike for doing everything acceptably well.
 
#2,088 ·
It could be used for something easily enough but you'd need to come up with a quick & easy method of access Vs removing the bolts that hold the cover in place. Kinda has me thinking now... :idea:
yaced said:
Anyone thinks that the DI2 battery compartment can be used for something useful like a multitool or so or explored options to do so?
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#2,089 ·
oKayH said:
In the month of owning and riding my SB 29er at 150/135 (no 17mm cup), I haven't found any issues with the geo. This has included XC rides, big mountain rides, and a couple shuttle days following the big boys (Cat1 and 2 guys) on DH bikes. I am upping the fork travel to 160 only because I am using up every mm now on east coast rocks at speed and too many volume spacers have made for a harsh ride.

Don't get too caught up in info online about bike setup. I almost feel like it can do folks a disservice by getting them thinking in the weeds to much vs just riding (and this is coming from an engineer that has to live in the weeds!). The SB is in that happy window of not too slack/not slack enough for a bike that can pedal up and rally down.

I've only been riding MTBs regularly for 3 years now. I do come from a motorcycle road racing background where it is a similar deal in folks getting way too caught up in bike setup vs just riding, however. Go ride bike parks and DH trails with experienced folks and grab and abuse a DJ bike on everything to make worrying about a millimeter here or 0.1 degree there a non-issue. I learned A LOT just riding with fast folks that were more than happy to stop and session stuff with me, along with riding as many sub-disciplines that I could jump into.

The SB is a good bike for doing everything acceptably well.
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What he said! Highly recomend the RC2 air cartridge set at 160mm and tuned with ShockWiz,so sweet!
 
#2,094 ·
@kenbentit Like this? Wonder what could be fitted in, i'm spoiled by my friends SWAT trunk on the E29 :)

Btw. this is my Switchblade, just finished the build, very happy with the first ride, weight is at just under 30lbs in XL, with a X2 and the standard HR2 tires. Gonna get rid of the saddle, seatpost is a BikeYoke Revive in 160mm, loving it. Magura Brakes, standard Fox36 in 150mm with high headset cup installed.

Bike is flying on the downs, crazy speeds...

Image
 

Attachments

#2,095 ·
Yep! Probably the most secure thing with relatively easy access. I'd put something like a Twinkie in there, just because :cornut:
yaced said:
@kenbentit Like this? Wonder what could be fitted in, i'm spoiled by my friends SWAT trunk on the E29 :)

View attachment 1125421

Btw. this is my Switchblade, just finished the build, very happy with the first ride, weight is at just under 30lbs in XL, with a X2 and the standard HR2 tires. Gonna get rid of the saddle, seatpost is a BikeYoke Revive in 160mm, loving it. Magura Brakes, standard Fox36 in 150mm with high headset cup installed.

Bike is flying on the downs, crazy speeds...

Image
Click to expand...
 
#2,097 ·
pbbreath said:
Those of you who ordered the complete XO1 build who's gotten Next SL cranks vs XO1 cranks?

I see a lot with the Next SL but the more recent pictures show XO1.

I ordered mine already but it's on a slow boat to me here in Alaska...
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I ordered my XO1 on 1/20 and picked it up 2/18 and it had the Next SL cranks. Also the apparently new bars, grips and stem that Pivot is now featuring on the website.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#2,098 ·
yaced said:
Anyone thinks that the DI2 battery compartment can be used for something useful like a multitool or so or explored options to do so?
Click to expand...
Don't see why not. May be a bit difficult to undo the Allen screws by hand though. An extra tube though may be about perfect....

Damn... just read the thread and now the thumbscrew actually makes sense.
 
#2,100 ·
Hi,

Not sure if this topic was already there at some point, but Pivot has two exotic "standards" built in the Switchblade.

Hopefully someone can answer my questions concerning these:

I guess if I destroy the crank arms, can I simply buy crank RF arms somewhere, as the independent wider RF crank axle is the "non" standard here? I am a little paranoid when it comes to non-standards and possibly travelling over longer time or to more remote areas with a bike.
(Bad experience - since then I am one of the guys who has a derailleur hanger in the backpack...)

For the wheelsets, are they available individually and do I go through Pivot? In case I want the other size 27.5+/29 additionally. What about individual prices of the DTSwiss OEM wheelsets? Are the known?
What if I want a 30mm inner width 29er rim? Conveniently possible? Are the "super boost plus" hubs available at the aftermarket and can I, re. my LBS or a wheelbuilder order them and build a custom wheelset?


Thanks!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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