Sounds like there is a tradeoff between 10mm of extra travel (but then some lost with SAG) vs. a straight up 17 more mm raise in the front end to get more BB height. Then throw into the mix the weight of the rider and the terrain. My concern with keeping the 17 mm spacer in at 150 of travel would negatively impact the handling of the bike. I wonder what Pivot would say? Is there such a spacer that is less than 17mm? Maybe a 10mm spacer which would still give positive rise for the 29er but not as much as the 17mm.

 

Guess they liked it over at Vital MTB:
2016 BIKE OF THE YEAR - Vital MTB Shreddy Awards - Mountain Biking Videos - Vital MTB

 

Yes! Congrats Pivot!

 

Well deserved award.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

The bottom bracket isn't that low even with the fork at 150. I actually wished it was lower. Problem is with the 17mm cup it made the front end to tall in my opinion

 

I agree, except I wouldn't want the BB any lower. Set up is very personal, like saddles, grips and tires.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

First ride in mountain with the switch
Greaaaatttt !!!
This bike go fast and always ask to go faster !
I find it very security in steep terrain, stable at high speed but fun in ride and easy in turns, a demonic play bike !
Climbing is good also.

I ride with 160 fox, little spacer on the head tube, not the 17mm and X2.
No issue with pedal strikes for the moment and I don't find the BB is too low
For me, I prefer ride without the 17 mm spacer and 160 fork than with this spacer and 150 fork.
The last time that I had fall in love with a bike It was ten years ago with the Yeti 575, It would be a new love story...

 

First ride with the X2. Much better shock. Set up in the past for my 429A and 429C was dead easy. Set up for DPS on my 429T was more of a chore. My 429T now feels right. My SB with the DPS felt better with a spacer addition. I had a larger spacer which felt awesome on the downs but felt harsh everywhere else. A smaller spacer was a better compromise but I lost the small bump compliance my 429T has. I followed Fox's current recommendations regarding set up then tweaked per Pivot's recommendations. Riding around the neighborhood, I was worried about too much bob, but on the trail the X2 is so much better. Better mid stroke support. Better small bump compliance. High speed chop is improved although I might back off HSR a little. Efficiency feels the same which means it's pretty good, but it's no XC whip. I was worried the shock would be too complicated to set up which means I know just enough to screw things up. It's also stupid expensive and heavier. My DPS would heat up on the downs here in the summer and I wondered if performance would deteriorate out west on an extended run. The DPS is not a bad shock, it's just that the X2 is a better AM shock. I wear a hydration pack so the lost bottle space is not really an issue, but could be an issue on a long hot day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

First ride with the X2. Much better shock. Set up in the past for my 429A and 429C was dead easy. Set up for DPS on my 429T was more of a chore. My 429T now feels right. My SB with the DPS felt better with a spacer addition. I had a larger spacer which felt awesome on the downs but felt harsh everywhere else. A smaller spacer was a better compromise but I lost the small bump compliance my 429T has. I followed Fox's current recommendations regarding set up then tweaked per Pivot's recommendations. Riding around the neighborhood, I was worried about too much bob, but on the trail the X2 is so much better. Better mid stroke support. Better small bump compliance. High speed chop is improved although I might back off HSR a little. Efficiency feels the same which means it's pretty good, but it's no XC whip. I was worried the shock would be too complicated to set up which means I know just enough to screw things up. It's also stupid expensive and heavier. My DPS would heat up on the downs here in the summer and I wondered if performance would deteriorate out west on an extended run. The DPS is not a bad shock, it's just that the X2 is a better AM shock. I wear a hydration pack so the lost bottle space is not really an issue, but could be an issue on a long hot day.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I agree for the X2, great ! For the moment, I m with the set up purposed by Fox, it s fine for the moment. I have just close lsc two clics more.

Happy New Year and Happy rides guys !!!

 

Must be an optical illusion. I could swear the front wheel looks smaller than the rear. Maybe the angle of the picture!

 

Must be something in the camera/lens. I agree with you. And look at the pedal and front and rear wheel in the second pic. Distortion much? Maybe a wide angle lens?

 

2 questions.


1) What length dropper does the XL come with?

2) X2 is clearly the better shock when things point down and get rowdy, but does it wreck the pedaling on these bikes vs the DPS?

 

I think the X2 and the DPS pedal the same.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

I'd agree with this with the added bonus of being able to dial in the climbing traction even more with the X2. It's very responsive to 1 or 2 clicks of LSC/LSR, both of which will influence traction & stability on climbs. Well worth the investment if you like to have full control of your setup but the stock DPS is great for most riders. [/U]

I think the X2 and the DPS pedal the same.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

I did a test ride of a large 29er Switchblade in Finale Ligure on EWS trails last week. Before that the bike was not on top of my list but the ride was so good that I'm basically sold on building one to replace my Trail and Enduro bikes.

Planning a large black frame with X2 shock and 160mm 36 fork. Saint brakes, XX1 drivetrain and custom carbon wheels.

 

I have ride a more difficult spot thuesday. ..I'm really in love with this bike ! 😊
In rock gardens I feel like crossing rocks instead of hit them, I can keep more speed.
In steep terrain is the same thing, I feel more confident.
In tight turns it keep easy and reactive.
In flowy and faster single he is very fun.

 

More Switchblade videos:

Continue to love this bike! Recently upped front travel to 160mm and it's even more beastly! Just received 2.6" Schwalbe rubber too, looking forward to mounting them up! In just over 6 weeks it's time to head to New Zealand for the Trans NZ Enduro! Weeeeeeeeee....

I'm due to post an updated build pic, I'll do so soon!

 

Is that you on the Switchblade in the first video? In the orange? I noticed you have the same problem on the SB as I did and you may not realize it. It's very nose heavy when lofting it. Almost every time you jump, you land front wheel first.

 

Rock trap on SB that damages the frame.

I love my SB but I am OCD and there is one spot that collects rocks and damages the frame. Any ideas on how to protect this area? It's located at the bottom of the wish bone near the dw link. On the demo models I noticed a lot of wear in this area and want to prevent it on mine. I have photos but don't know how to upload them.
Thanks

 

I love my SB but I am OCD and there is one spot that collects rocks and damages the frame. Any ideas on how to protect this area? It's located at the bottom of the wish bone near the dw link. On the demo models I noticed a lot of wear in this area and want to prevent it on mine. I have photos but don't know how to upload them.
Thanks

Here are the pics. After adding stickers

After 1 ride

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

Here is an idea from the Spec Enduro Thread:

 

Here is an idea from the Spec Enduro Thread:
View attachment 1114094

Thanks. I will give it a shot.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

You could try Helicopter Tape as well.

 

I used to be able to eat off my bike, but now I rarely wash it. I am fanatical about chain maintenance. My frame has more little chips than any frame I've had in the past.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

I do put helicopter tape on my carbon mountain bikes just for some extra protection. My trails have a ton of loose rocks so this helps. And, in some heavy hit areas I double up the tape. Easily removed and replaced.

 

Thanks for the ideas.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

I made this piece out of aluminum but I'm concerned about it striking the frame when the bike flexes.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

The most effective way that I found to keep sand grains out of the lower linkage is a block of dishwashing sponge stuffed on top of the linkage. It compresses as the linkage moves and the mud dumped on top of it doesn't get into the links. Unfortunately, it is way ugly.

 

I would be concerned about any material that could not flex with the suspension. Unless you provide enough clearance so when it moves it does not bind in the pivot. How are you securing it?

 

I'm going to zip tie it to the dw link arm. I let all the air out of the rear shock and simulated bottoming out to see if it would hit. It did slightly so I'm going to cut a little more. I don't like the concept of metal possibly touching the carbon so I have another idea that I will try today with rubber. I will post it when done.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

Maybe better to make it out of thick rubber

 

Trying to decide between Switchblade and SB5.5c. Technical climbing/descending e.g. Moab, GJ, probably some enduro racing. Have scoured the forum posts and reviews but looking for additional perspective.

The SB5.5c looks to be the fastest enduro racing bike, how would the Switchblade 29er compare for racing?

Tested the Switchblade 27.5+ a couple times and had trouble keeping the front end down on steep climbs, which is confusing because it's purported to be among the best technical climbing bikes around. Maybe just a setup issue, but pretty sure that was with zero stack lower cup. How much would the SB5.5c give up on uber technical climbs?

Will be building from frame/fork, have all other components and front wheels (29, 27.5+) already. Would build both size rear wheels for the Switchblade of course.

This bike is intended to complement Fatillac (26 Fat and B fat, for snow and mixed conditions) and 29er hardtail race bike.

Thanks for any insights.

 

Was the bike one of our demo rigs? Those get switched from 29 to 27.5 pretty often so we just leave the 17mm cup in the frame.

Trying to decide between Switchblade and SB5.5c. Technical climbing/descending e.g. Moab, GJ, probably some enduro racing. Have scoured the forum posts and reviews but looking for additional perspective.

The SB5.5c looks to be the fastest enduro racing bike, how would the Switchblade 29er compare for racing?

Tested the Switchblade 27.5+ a couple times and had trouble keeping the front end down on steep climbs, which is confusing because it's purported to be among the best technical climbing bikes around. Maybe just a setup issue, but pretty sure that was with zero stack lower cup. How much would the SB5.5c give up on uber technical climbs?

Will be building from frame/fork, have all other components and front wheels (29, 27.5+) already. Would build both size rear wheels for the Switchblade of course.

This bike is intended to complement Fatillac (26 Fat and B fat, for snow and mixed conditions) and 29er hardtail race bike.

Thanks for any insights.

 

Can't comment on the Yeti as I have no experience on it, but I can't stress enough how perfect I think the Switchblade is for the areas you list (I live/ride there) and what you want to do with the bike.

I feel like I can climb anything on the Blade.

A video posted by noahsears (@noahsears) on Jan 1, 2017 at 6:08pm PST

Also, the short chainstays are hilarious fun.

 

Still have a switchblade medium frame only for sale with x2 shock for anyone looking to build one up

 

Good luck with the sale. I'm surprised that there isn't more pent up frame only demand since you can't buy a new SB frame/shock from Pivot yet.

 

One was from the demo fleet in Bentonville. The bike rode well there on the Back 40, but not a lot of steeps either. Another time was from a Fruita shop, lots of fun on Ribbon/Lunch Loops but the front was more difficult to keep down on steep climbs than usual.

Both were 27.5+, can't remember if the 17mm cup was installed either time (derp) but would imagine so or the bb would have been noticeably low and I would have had more pedal strikes. Maybe needed to adjust bar height.. General concensus is that the Switchblade is an excellent technical climber.

Will try to demo the 29er version, a riding buddy has a Large frame, although at 5'10.5" I thought the Medium fit well.