I love everything about this bike. For me it's more about is it better for me than my Following as my main bike or not. I'll change if... I'd like the Following to be lighter, it's similar to the SB in weight but still respectable. I think the diff between the SB and Following is the SB is designed to run more front sus and more aggressive, the Following is similar but just runs a bit less travel. I run a 140 Stage on mine most of the time. Same terrain, different takes both have slightly different tendencies.
No doubt in my mind that this bike will climb well with little fuss!

 

Sent you a pm

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the switchblade has a considerably better climbing position then the following and it also has considerably better bump performance. i have ridden both and honestly the following does one thing. ramps up at the bottom for hitting jumps and drops

 

I've owned both and basically it's a Following with more travel, stiffer chassis, and less slack STA. It's a better bike IMO, but I suspect the frame cost is going to be much higher and the hub standard solution is expensive. I liked the Following a lot. I love the SB. MY 429T does feel more efficient on basic trails but the SB pedals so efficiently, I don't notice the difference. If I remained in the Midwest it would be 429T all the way. It's so freakin rocky here, the plush eases the repetitive kidney punches especially with b+ tires. As far as it being worthwhile to go from a Following to a SB, I would say yes if
1. Your significant other doesn't mind or will eventually get over it.
2. It you love the downs, but the Wreckoning might be too much as a one bike quiver.
3. If your financially able to do so without damaging the bank account or you just don't care[emoji12]

The Following is a fine bike and if it makes you smile which it typically does for people who have ridden it, I would then say keep it.

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Got some more miles in today, this time in more appropriate terrain: South Mountain in Phoenix. Did a short-ish loop I often do when short on time or when it's hot as blazes, as it was again today. Up Javelina, up Mormon Loop, down National and back down Javelina.

It's only about 7 miles and not super-technical by Phoenix standards, but no shortage of our normal features (loose flat turns, big ledges, rock gaps, drops, etc.).

Couple things to note. This is a fine-looking bicycle. I tend to prefer more industrial aluminum over carbon, but this rig looks nice. Pivot really sweats the details. Everything works together, the engineering looks and feels spot on. The bike just feels well-built and substantial.

Over mid-size drops (3-ish feet to sketch tranny) the suspension feels deep and plush, but the frame itself is stiff.

I'm about 190 pounds in riding gear and pack. Today I ran 195psi in the shock and it was dialed. I dropped a couple psi in the fork, down to about 72 and the 36 felt much, much better and more balanced front to rear. I did use all the travel in the back, but the O-ring still shows a good inch remaining up front.

The bike's rear is REALLY short. Mostly this is a good thing; it's poppy, happy to get in the air and really pleased to head to the inside of a turn. Conversely, on the steepest of pitches while climbing, the SB really wants a radical weight shift forward (gooch on pointy part of saddle). Doesn't bother me as I feel the good outweighs the bad, but it's worth noting.

Too early to have a lot of thoughts on the B+ tires. I have had a 29+ previously, but this is my first B+ rig. I've read some horror stories on tire longevity, which is always an issue here. So far so good. Running 19 rear and 17 front and they feel stable. Toward the end of the ride, I intentionally landed a couple drops a little sideways in the rear, with no issues.

That said, the tires do feel somewhat ponderous while climbing. The traction is awesome, but they don't have that sort of war-machine efficiency that a 29er does for me. Super-pleased on the downs, though. It feels to me, at this stage, that 29ers do a lot for energy conservation while climbing.

I'm interested to see how this B+ thing progresses and I plan to stick with it. However, I'll likely pick up a set of 29er wheels, too, to switch out for certain days.

IMG_1002 by dbozman1173, on Flickr

 

Hey man, good review! Thanks for quantifying things. It sounds like I'd imaging it would ride. Dam it! All these great bikes coming out lately. Especially this one.[emoji106]
Do you still have the E29 with the Ohlins?

 

Nice blatant. It's almost comical how fast you can descend with the plus set up isn't it? It honestly almost makes it to easy. The traction and the way they fly over the square edges and rough terrain is amazing

 

Was able to get out on an hour long demo ride on a large Swithblade last weekend and have a few observations to share. Bike was set up with 29" wheels, 17mm spacer under headset, 150mm 36 fork and 740mm bars.

The front of the bike felt very tall and narrow to me. I am fairly sure removal of the 17mm spacer and bars closer to 790mm would improve the feel more to my liking.

Overall, my impression of the Switchblade is a positive one. Riding position is very comfortable and I would be happy to do long rides on this bike. The 29" wheels did their thing by holding momentum and speed as I expected. One thing I did not expect is how playful the Sb was on flow trail and medium speed chunk. The front wheel feels like a 29, but the back feels like a 27.5. Jumping and landing had a very interesting feel, like I was standing "in" the bike. Direction changes were easy and fun to make.

The only negative I came up with had to do with the rear suspension. I am guessing this was due purely to a bad set up with the o-ring on the shock not showing full travel. With the shock open, I found the Sb to be harsh on high speed hits. I expected it to feel like more like the Mach 6 I rode for two days in Sedona. Anyone else have this issue?

Earlier someone did some comparing of the Following to the Switchblade. After only doing demo rides on both at the same trail, my take is: The Following handled like it was on 26" wheels. At times things got a little sketchy at the extremes and the bike fit was average. The Switchblade bike fit was excellent and handling was great, without feeling like I was going to crash at the edge.

Two cents.

 

Went for the first real mountain ride yesterday. The Switchblade is amazing! This bike is so nimble and easy to climb I was a little worried for pointing it down a really technical rocky decent I had planned. But once I pointed it down, opened up the suspension and the bike just ate everything I threw at it. The bike is glued to the ground when you want it to and just eats up the chatter, but it is still easy to pop off of things.*

I cannot remember the last time my face hurt from smiling the whole ride. Ups, downs, wood features, drops, rock gardens, I was impressed with everything. This is by far better than my previous Giant Reign and Trek Remedy!

 

Went for the first real mountain ride yesterday. The Switchblade is amazing! This bike is so nimble and easy to climb I was a little worried for pointing it down a really technical rocky decent I had planned. But once I pointed it down, opened up the suspension and the bike just ate everything I threw at it. The bike is glued to the ground when you want it to and just eats up the chatter, but it is still easy to pop off of things.*

I cannot remember the last time my face hurt from smiling the whole ride. Ups, downs, wood features, drops, rock gardens, I was impressed with everything. This is by far better than my previous Giant Reign and Trek Remedy!

I've been riding a MK 2 aluminium Nomad for 4 years and think its high time for a new bike. So far this looks to be the ONE. But before this bike was announced, I was leaning towards a bike with a suspension design like the Remedy. Any particular comments as to how the Switchblade trumps the Reign and Remedy?

 

intense needs a new carbine 29 and t275c as well. id also like to swing a leg over the new spider 275c

 

Agreed, I think they are ramping up some on new designs. The S275c looks like a nice bike and if they translate those traits into the S29 it'll be a great bike. The Carbine might fall out of the mix but that speculation on my part. The T275 needs an update with the new iBox short lower link.

 

do it man. i'm actually trying to get a set of the reynolds 29 wheels to go with my plus wheels from pivot. i'm sure it's awesome with the 29s. the bike rips

 

Nope, I moved the E29 along. Currently, it's the Switchblade and a built Banshee Phantom.

 

Nice short travel, long travel. Do you plan to put 29er wheels on the SB?

 

Wow. Just ... wow.

This morning at South Mountain, Phoenix. Just missed the "dawn patrol" hours. It was about 90 degrees and super-humid at 6 am when I pulled into the trailhead. Kinda overcast, though, so that helped.

IMG_1005 by dbozman1173, on Flickr

Rode up National Trail to the Buena Vista saddle, then back down, peeling off to drop down Mormon Loop for a change of pace.

I can't find much to complain about, other than the slightly draggy feel of the wheels/tires from a 29er guy. I'm not setting any climbing speed records at this point, but the weather is brutal here and I imagine my body will acclimate to the wheels. Did have a few pedal strikes I wasn't expecting. And I actually did slip a tire, which was unusual (for locals, first big step-up climbing up the Upper Waterfall).

That's really all I've got in the "bad" department. This bike is frickin' dialed. Not gushing yet, but it may actually be the best technical climbing bike I've owned. In Phoenix, particularly on South Mountain, we have a lot of big square ledges, often series of them that require finesse, some ratchet pedaling, track stands, etc.

I don't know what it is -- a combination of unusual frame stiffness, plush initial suspension and lots of traction -- but I actually cleaned every obstacle climbing Lower National today. For some superheroes, not a big deal, but for me it is.

Descending is a no-brainer and super-sorted. Definitely used up all the suspension on some of the bigger drops to flat on Upper National, but the rear ramps pretty nicely.

I'm getting some chain noise at high speed on successive hits, so may try to fiddle with the clutch. That's one area I think Sram beats Shimano is rear derailleur clutch action. Also, I still don't really trust these tires. But to be fair, I rode them exactly like I ride any other tire here and they're still alive, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I think Pivot has a winner here. Super-fun bike. I can't wait to give it a whirl with a 29er wheelset.

IMG_1007 by dbozman1173, on Flickr
(at the Waterfall on National Trail, South Mountain, Phoenix)

 

I think Pivot has a winner here. Super-fun bike. I can't wait to give it a whirl with a 29er wheelset.

I'm glad the bike is working out so well for you.

I'll be keen to hear what you think of the 29er wheels. That's the format I'm most interested in.

Regarding the unusual wheel slip you had with the 27+ tires...my own 29+ experience has been that some situations where you need the tire to penetrate a slippery surface [ie. mud or dust/sand on rocks, etc...] the lower pressure of a bigger tire can actually work against you for getting traction. You've got more tire, but less force on any one part of the tire trying to get down through the surface.

 

Headed up to Oakridge, OR last week and was absolutely ecstatic to see the Pivot demo truck pull into the parking lot. Within 15 minutes I was pedaling around on a medium Switchblade leaving my large Mach 6 with the demo driver.

I must say I was very, very impressed with the bike. Stiff, beefy, and very capable. Had to adjust my riding style a bit back to my 29er riding days to get the longer wheelbase and bigger wheels around tight switchback but this thing just wanted to pop off everything, roll over roots, and rail flat or off camber turns.

 

Please OP close this thread, can't resist to buy one.

 

Medium XTR 29er build on order, should be here Friday. I've got a separated ac joint, but may not be able to resist!

 

I knew you'd get one, Toby! I got one a couple weeks ago but haven't ridden it yet. Hernia surgery and family trip to Seattle. Mine's black/red with the XTR and 29'er wheels, what'd you go with? I wanted the blue/red, small's were all gone in that color. I put a 120mm Fox 34 on my 429Trail and it's a better bike now for the trails around here; quicker and lower with a better seating position.

 

Kent: To be clear, I cleaned all the obstacles (not including the gatekeeper), but didn't link them. Needed a couple breathers on the way up.

And for all the success on lower, I definitely dabbed a couple things on upper National that I normally clean. Get some, give some.

Based on the heat/humidity and a pretty good digger I took about 10 days ago, I have to give a lot of credit to the bike as I wasn't feeling particularly good.

I really like the fitment. Although it's not a small rig, it FEELS compact and tight. I feel IN the bike perhaps moreso than any other frame I've owned.

 

The SB is way more lively than either of my previous bikes. I had the remedy 27.5 and it was alright for climbing, but if you got out of the seat the suspension would wallow and I had trouble clearing sections. The SB I found to be a more fun descender then the reign. The reign was very planted but it also was so long that it was a lot of effort to do any technical switchbacks down or up. I never got on with the maestro as I found it to be super plush and required serious terrain and speed to bring out any smiles. The SB however has me smiling all the way to the top and back down, I've smashed my previous times on some local downhills and have also been able to climb must faster and with less effort

 

Are any of the folks running the SB in 29er mode using the 15mm lower HS cup?

 

I'm running 29er but I am using the 17mm cup. I can switch it out and run the 15mm but I won't be able to ride until this weekend

 

There are two cups?? A 15mm and a 17mm? The Pivot product page talks about a 15mm cup....seems pointless to be adjusting the bike's A to C by 2mm.

 

If/when I get a set of 29er wheels, I plan on leaving the lower cup installed just for ease of swapping back and forth.

Onto another tangent (this may have been addressed already): RF Next cranks? Workie? No workie? These are the "normal" Next cranks that are currently on my Phantom.

 

The RF Next SL's with the RF ring have a wide-ish 51mm chainline and the chainring can be flipped to make the chainline even wider. Given I find the 51mm chainline too wide for a XX1 cassette on my Mach 6 I think you'll be fine with your cranks.

 

Theres only one cup. You either use it or you don't.

 

Sorry I was mistaken with the cups. I currently have the cup installed and am using 29er. I like the feel of the slacking headtube angle and haven't found climbing to be a problem. The bike does like you to shift weight forward on the saddle to climb strep technical stuff but it is much less forward than the reign required so I am fairly used to it

 

Note on chainguides....

So, in building up my fiancee's 'Blade last night I noticed an incompatibility I hadn't noticed on my build - Race Face Aeffect cranks, flipped Cinch rings, and chainguides don't really play too well together.

Basically (I should have taken pics), the upper guide contacts the back of the crank arm when it is aligned correctly with the ring. This is using a standard 32t RF Cinch DM ring (flipped). I used a 32t OneUp Boost Oval ring ring (flipped) and its slightly narrower chain-line and requisite higher upper guide positioning cleared, but only barely.

So, AFAIK, riders who plan to use Aeffect cranks with 32t (or smaller) DM rings with 56mm (or wider - this would include our Wave DM rings which will be 57mm when flipped) chainlines AND chainguides may have fit issues that'll require some Dremel handiwork.

 

Which dropper post came with your bikes? I was told I would most likely get a fox (fingers crossed).
I ordered di2 1x 29". Do different build kits come with different dropper posts?

 

Mine came with the KS lev. Xt/xtr 1x 29". I'm in Canada though so we get ours through a supplier and not directly from pivot

 

Canada here too. Was told it should be fox on the di2 build.. Just trying to confirm so I can preorder a 1X remote for the post

 

Fingers crossed for more Kashima goodness!

 

pretty sure it would be the performance and not factory post though.
One can hope though!