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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So you would pedal this up 4-5 thousand feet of climbing over say something like a Mach 429 Trail?
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Probably depends on where you ride.
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Not really, 20mm diff, back ends tighter, sure it's heavier but your not wasting anything in the sus, so buck up and have fun shredding![emoji106]
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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!
No doubt in my mind that this bike will climb well with little fuss!
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
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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
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
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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.
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.
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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!
![Image]()
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!
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Thanks invol2ver, You make good points. I'm a huge Pivot fan having owned an original Mach 5 and 429. I know you owned the Insurgent and weren't totally happy with it but riding a Following and owning one is very different. The Following to me is more versatile in that I can build it in a marathon 120 RS-1/120 build at 26.5 lbs. 67.8 deg HA and 74.5 deg STA. Then build it with a 140 Stage/ 120 build at 27.5 lbs., 66.8 deg HA and 74 deg STA. Both of these in high setting, then I can swap to low with those bennies and downsides. In the marathon build its an excellent climbing and very fast trail bike that's still very capable. In the slacker LT mode it's probably giving up the climbing position and of course depth of rear travel to the SB, no doubt there.
I don't think the Switchblade leans towards a marathon type build and I also don't think it'll build up as light as I've built my Following, that's one way they are different. You also have the b+ mode but I'm not as interested there. I have a 29+ bike also and I understand their great traction benefits. The Following does load up well in the rear which I like and it's playfulness.
I really like this SB and maybe I'll own one.
Thanks Don! I won't own both bikes same time. I've been leaning towards a lighter but slack hardtail as a compliment to the Following. Either the EPO or the new Honzo carbon. This Switchblade would make that separation even greater and it might more sense to have a very light full sus and the other bike to the SB.
I really like this Switchblade, I know the quality and attention to detail is there so I'll wait for the frame only option. Intense is preparing to relaunch the new Spider 29 soon and it'll be good to see that bike and compare them. I've had 3@ DW Link bikes and I'm a huge fan of DW.
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Sorry Don, I saw that but I've had to work some today. Busy week ahead. I'll respond tonight.
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3,177 Posts
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]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.
Do you still have the E29 with the Ohlins?
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3,177 Posts
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.
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