[N_E_X]

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

 

[vikb]

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.

 

[Blatant]

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.

 

[NoahColorado]

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

 

[vikb]

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.

 

[godfather]

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.

I believe you've got to change out the spindle for the Next cranks to work. The spindle is available individually from Race Face.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[N_E_X]

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

 

[vikb]

I believe you've got to change out the spindle for the Next cranks to work. The spindle is available individually from Race Face.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes. Good catch. You'll need to order a new spindle.

 

[Flat Pedals]

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?

I don't think there is a 29er that exists with as stiff as a rear end that the SB has. I have the 29er version XT/XTR pro build 2x with the Reynolds Carbon wheel upgrade. I had a Mach 6 and I also have a Trail 429. This bike is more akin to the Mach 6 in terms of stiffness and pedaling. That means it's a extremely efficient pedaling bike given it's all mountain manners and so stiff it feels like the earth is yielding to you. The DW link has amazing traction in slow punchy uphill technical as well as gripping corners while braking and not washing out. I wouldn't compare the Reign as it's not a 29er. The Remedy is probably on par in terms of capability but you are not getting the level of obsessive boutique craftmanship that Pivot offers. I'm going to take a bet that this bike is stiffer than the Remedy. Also, you've got Pivot offering real aftermarket components on it's kits for the same price as Trek which cut corners on OEM gear. The geometry on the SB is also very progressive. The Remedy is now 3 years old. I've rented an aluminum Remedy 27. 5 for a few days riding some really tech trails in VT. It was great. Good pedaling, do it all, stout bike that afforded me a few days of awesome riding. Though it's no where near as stiff or as efficient as the SB.

 

[NoahColorado]

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.

 

[KRob]

Kent,

The SB wins...period. Fastest bike I've ridden up National by far. The 2 rides I have been up National in 29er form I cleaned all the tech spots first try. I can't say the same in 275+ form, but the tires I was running were really heavy and very sticky. With those tires, the bike lacked the quick, snappy feel of the 29er. To be clear I was not on the Recons the bike comes with.

The SB is really a 29er version of the M6 with newer geometry and in a more efficient package. It is the perfect all day bike. It is more bike that the 429 Trail. I find the 135mm of travel to be the perfect one bike quiver. I do find the M6 to have a deeper feeling to the travel and ultimately will be a better bike on Geronimo, Viejo, Alta, etc due to the travel and the snappy, quick handling 27.5 wheels.

The SB in 29er form really has me thinking it's time for a new bike.

Thanks Brandon. I figured you'd have some input on the SB and hoped you'd chime in. Of all the really cool bikes out right now (High Tower, Riot, Following, TB3, Mojo 3, Warden C etc) this is the one that interests me the most. Can't wait to get a ride on one. Excited to see what Noel is cooking up in the 29er category as well.

Like you said, a 125-140 travel 27.5 or 29er with the right updated geometry, good pedaling position, and decent weight (27-30lbs) really makes a great all-around bike. So many good options right now.

 

[BmanInTheD]

My wife doesn't know how much the bikes are but she can count so I got to keep the number in the garage close to 5! The Trail just never delivered for me, I wanted it to be an enduro race bike (not BME, but local Texas and Arkansas races), but it always just felt like a heavy xc bike with a dropper to me. I'm almost as comfortable descending on my Czar with a total xc setup. I'm not sure if it was the short reach on the Trail, but I think back to my Mach4c and I think I was actually more comfortable descending on that bike. If my SB weighs what yours does (I'm on a medium) then my SB will be the same weight or maybe even under my Trail so I'm hoping for a better race bike that will also be something I can live with on local trails.

Yeah, the Med Trail was prob short for you. When I put the 120mm fork on mine it basically increased the reach by half an inch and the 85mm stem puts me in a similar position to my 429SL. So now it's my 25.5 pound all-around fun/XC bike. Still heavier by a pound than my Mach 4c with similar build so I dunno. I ride faster on the Mach4 but better and have more fun on the Trail.

And my wife knows not to say **** about my bikes lest I bring up her closet and/or jewelry cases. lol

 

[Flat Pedals]

Kent,

The SB wins...period. Fastest bike I've ridden up National by far. The 2 rides I have been up National in 29er form I cleaned all the tech spots first try. I can't say the same in 275+ form, but the tires I was running were really heavy and very sticky. With those tires, the bike lacked the quick, snappy feel of the 29er. To be clear I was not on the Recons the bike comes with.

The SB is really a 29er version of the M6 with newer geometry and in a more efficient package. It is the perfect all day bike. It is more bike that the 429 Trail. I find the 135mm of travel to be the perfect one bike quiver. I do find the M6 to have a deeper feeling to the travel and ultimately will be a better bike on Geronimo, Viejo, Alta, etc due to the travel and the snappy, quick handling 27.5 wheels.

The SB in 29er form really has me thinking it's time for a new bike.

Completely 2nd this gentleman's assessment of the SB 29er. Think it's really important to point out where you ride the 3 bikes: M6, Trail429 and SB 29. M6 likely has an edge in SW desert chunk where acceleration, in the punchy step ups, and the deeper travel can save you. I've spent a week in Sedona on the Mach 6 and it felt like the right bike Trail 429 I found to be a perfect Bay Area or big climbing backcountry buff high alpine stuff. Like the light package to get up and it can charge on the way down but it doesn't mow the trail down. You gots to work it. It even raged on some uber rooty techy stuff like Larch Mountain in Oregon but wood and baby heads with loam are softer than slabs of rock. The SB 29 I debuted with at Downieville and not just shuttles. We did a day climbing up Pauley Creek from Butcher to the fire road up to Big Boulder then descending there plus 2nd divide. This is where this bike shines. Big technical, high speed mountain riding and some for real uphill slogs. It accelerates when mashing pedals and that damn long wheel base just floats you over the stuttery parts. It is the best all arounder. I'll likely keep my 429 Trail until they reboot the front end of the M6 for SB type geometry. Expect them to eventually stiffen up the Trail 429 as well as the rear end could be beefed up and they sorely need to start spec'ing all mountain wheel sets with wider rims on the M6 and T429. DT M1700 is too narrow and trail oriented. Pivot bikes allow you to cash big checks on the trails and the wheels should follow suit Loving the Reynolds Carbon BTW.

 

[frostedfrank]

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?

 

[N_E_X]

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

 

[frostedfrank]

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

 

[N_E_X]

Fingers crossed for more Kashima goodness!

 

[frostedfrank]

Fingers crossed for more Kashima goodness!

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

 

[Blatant]

Mine is the Fox non-Kash. Seems to work pretty well.

 

[frostedfrank]

Mine is the Fox non-Kash. Seems to work pretty well.

Nice.
Which build kit did you get?