Coming May 31st, according to Pivot website. Any ideas what it is?
My old Titus Switchblade was one of my favorite bikes ever.
My old Titus Switchblade was one of my favorite bikes ever.
Pivot Switchblade
BmanInTheD
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Own a Blade and ridden the 5.5. Both very similar bikes in feel and fit. From my short time on 5.5, seemed a bit more plush/plowable on the DH than a SB but I suffered a bit more on the climbs. Honestly I could have been happy with either but Yeti's are like Subaru's around here...everyone's got one. Aside from some bike park blacks, I haven't found a trail where I felt I needed more bike and that's probably more a lack of balls on my part.
I'm also looking for a single, new bike to do everything out here in Oregon. I've done some very small demos to find a good fit but it's hard being 6-4. Yeti SB5.5 felt a little short in reach. The Hightower LT XXL had a more comfy reach (a bit long) but dang the big felt huge and just wasn't agile. I'm going to do some demos but noticed the Blade had a much longer reach in the XL.
I did however really love that Switch Infinity with DPX2. Especially on the smaller bumps. Climbed well too! Regarding some specifics how does the Blade compare in this regard? I didn't like Hightower VPP, it was harsh until it hit hard... but was only on the DPS shock I think (if that makes a difference). I like the idea of the Switchblades short chainstays as I'm new to 29ers and not great at manualing but def need too.
You felt like the switchblade also climbs better than the Yeti? That's damn good news, and impressive. Was it only on smooth climbs because it was firmer or techy climbs too? Yeti was awesome on bumpy climbs, switch infinity was locked to the ground.
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I like the DPX2. The Float DPS was either too firm or not progressive enough. The X2 was plush and soaked up chunk but lacked the squirt ahead feel of my 429. It was definitely better than the Float. The DPX2 is a smidgen less efficient than my 429 but I’m also running more aggressive tires on my SB.
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Interesting observations as I have read others that rode both stating the SB is slightly better going down than the Yeti 5.5 but not quite as good climbing. They may be close in both areas and bike setup explains the differing experiences...just a thought.
As an SB owner I can tell you I have never ridden a 29er with a laterally stiffer and more planted rear end. Likely the extra wide axle has something to do with this. That alone sold me on the SB but the short chainstays help it feel super snappy at the same time....just love it!
I'm newer to the bike specs game so forgive my ignorance but what does all the extra stiffness get you? Does an average rider notice it? I'm def interested in those short chainstays
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To me the extra stiffness gives me better corner feel and confidence. I felt the bike hooked up better and held the line better in curves. I am experienced in riding and mechanical bike work but no pro. I rode/demoed many bikes and notice the stiffness difference by comparing them. It's really the only way to know but of course you can't ride them all.
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I love the stiffness. My old EX9 and 429C were pretty stiff but the SB takes it to a new level. Of course my impressions are subjective.
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Absolutely could have been the bike setup and perhaps how I was feeling that day. Both very close. I've also ditched the stock dps for a dpx2 and it was a big improvement in charging the chunky downs as well as staying glued while climbing...once I got the volume right for me. As far as stiffness, I hear you. The trails here are far from smooth and the SB just cuts through them with very little deflection.
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SB doesn't have very stiff rear end.
It's stiff enough but there's side to side flex when you put on the pressure on the pedal, at least on the floor.
Less than with 429T, but there's quite a bit of flex. It doesn't impact performance, it's probably even better to have it there since it tracks better and doesn't deflect as a very stiff rear end, but for instance Giant Trance has much stiffer rear end.
Super boost is there to make the rear wheel stiffer and stronger, but the rear triangle does flex, probably more so with 157mm axle as the wheel has more leverage over the rear triangle.
If you look at the bike from the top, there's huge tapering from front to back of the rear triangle, and there's simply not enough material and support on the front of the rear triangle to resist flex.
It's stiff enough but there's side to side flex when you put on the pressure on the pedal, at least on the floor.
Less than with 429T, but there's quite a bit of flex. It doesn't impact performance, it's probably even better to have it there since it tracks better and doesn't deflect as a very stiff rear end, but for instance Giant Trance has much stiffer rear end.
Super boost is there to make the rear wheel stiffer and stronger, but the rear triangle does flex, probably more so with 157mm axle as the wheel has more leverage over the rear triangle.
If you look at the bike from the top, there's huge tapering from front to back of the rear triangle, and there's simply not enough material and support on the front of the rear triangle to resist flex.
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Based on what numbers? Or is this just your opinion?
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What?
That Trance has less flex? Based on real world observation when applying a load on the cranks of both bikes.
Same as observing how Fox 36 is stiffer than Fox 32, or noticing how tire with 1 bar of pressure is softer than 2 bar. You don't have to have precision instruments for that.
As for the wide axle meaning more leverage it's simple geometry.
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Where are you getting a Trance in this?
So you're just making sh!t up then. Got it.
You do realized it's considered one of the stiffest bikes?
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Front end is quite stiff as is the main triangle.
Rear not so much, wheel with 157mm hub is stiffer then other 29 diameter wheels with narrower hubs.
"Considered" is not proven or tested.
Stiffness that was mentioned in reviews comes partly from marketing as there are very few objective reviews out there and from Pivot's claim that 157mm rear end provides stiffer wheel (which it does).
However, some people mistook that for stiff rear end which is not true for SB.
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You're hilarious. It's funny that you take many reviews and discount them because you don't agree, yet tout your own review as the real deal. I take them all with a grain if salt. I will say that you are the ONLY reviewer who thinks it isn't stiff. That means you are an outlier and your review can basically be ignored.
I don't own the Switchblade. It was on my short list of bikes to buy but it was actually too stiff.
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I don't think this is the place to argue whether mine is stiffer than yours BUT with that said, mine IS stiffer than yours. I'm 235lbs and I know for a fact that the Switchblade is the stiffest bike I've ridden. I've ridden a lot of bikes, all the latest and greatest and the SB shines in every respect.
The frame's stiffness was one of the main reasons I bought my bike because it was the first full suspension bike I've felt like would handle my weight and that it feels like it's meant to be ridden by a bigger guy.
Fact.
Stiffness is not the be all and end all though, I realise this and have bikes that flex laterally that still ride well. But to say the SB is not stiff seems a little bit ill-informed to me.
The frame's stiffness was one of the main reasons I bought my bike because it was the first full suspension bike I've felt like would handle my weight and that it feels like it's meant to be ridden by a bigger guy.
Fact.
Stiffness is not the be all and end all though, I realise this and have bikes that flex laterally that still ride well. But to say the SB is not stiff seems a little bit ill-informed to me.
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