Continued to be impressed with the Switchblade with 27.5+ setup. It is a great technical climber and very composed on loose surfaces. Still need to fine tune bar height and suspension tuning. Should have a 29er wheelset next week to add to the mix.

Planning to install a 28t oval cinch chainring. Want to maintain optimal chainline. Boost version or regular? Flipped? OneUp Switch Cinch Superboost sounds great but not available till June.

Worth it to bump up travel to 160? Would it adversely affect steep climbing? Maybe go to the zero-stack lower cup then? Interested to hear others' experiences with different wheel sizes, fork travel, headset.

 

DOES ANYONE NEED AEFFECT CRANKS FOR THEIR SWITCHBLADE?

I upgraded to Next SL, but the stock aeffects have a longer spindle for the SB so not a huge market to sell them... will sell them cheap if a fellow SB owner needs a replacement for some beat up cranks or something. 175mm

Also, I'm two rides in after swapping to a CC DB air IL shock. Very stoked on it so far. I'm sure it won't hang with the X2 for long descents and big hits, but the feel and tun-ability already blows the DPS out of the water by a long shot. Getting much more traction, while also getting much more support and pop. And tons of water bottle room

 

the stock aeffects have a longer spindle for the SB so not a huge market to sell them...

I thought that Pivot used a stock Aeffect crank with the ring flipped? Or at least that is what they referenced during product rollout/announcement PR.

 

I'm guessing the wider Aeffect cranks with non-boost rings would be not to far off the chainline for Boost 148 bikes. You might be able to sell them off cheap to a non-fussy buyer.

As I needed 170mm cranks, I bought a pair of stock Aeffect cranks and I'm running them with flipped standard chainrings. Works perfectly too.

 

I have had the bike two months now and finally got everything dialed in as I like. Read the info from this forum so I'll show some pictures back.
And here is even more pictures taken during the evolution of the bike.

https://goo.gl/photos/6hQFmfQqi9pTnaL36

 

^^^^ NICE! Love the red saddle and your eschewing of the obligatory riser bar. I think they look dumb even though mine has one. But you need a dropper post to get the full enjoyment out of that bike! Any reason you don't have one, especially as you said you have it dialed in now? Just curious, maybe you just don't like 'em...

 

Thanks! I left the dropper post at the shop. Several reasons: My terrain is quite flat, no big mountains, riding style I like is long distance trails and bike camping adventures, old habits as I have been riding 25 years with rigid seat post already, carbon post is a lot lighter and reliable and last my left hand thumb is a bit invalid which makes pressing the dropper post lever unpractical.

So, my goal was to make the bike as light and reliable as possible. It has to be able to ride in every possible condition or trail surface with relatively ease and comfort, even with 10-14 kg of gear and food in a ruck sack. So far I feel the the goal has been achieved though I haven't done any overnighters with my Pivot yet because it has been winter and fatbike season here.

 

I got hurt and i have a 27.5+ SB for sale if anyone is interested. close to new and i am selling pretty cheap also has few upgrades, PM me if interested and I only want to sell local to the PNW.

 

Any updates on the DW-Link protector Pivot is said to be working on? I think it was mentioned a while back in this thread.

 

Would be nice to have mine is getting pretty chewed up

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Anyone else experience some clinging/grinding under hard pedaling? Almost sounds like the spokes are rubbing or sand in the cassette. Thought maybe the one-up ring was wearing and moving a bit but it does it in all gears under high load. Washed it well and tore down the hub to check the pawls and everything looked good. Was gone for the first part of my next ride but starting to come back again. Trails here are rough on wheels so perhaps the bladed spoke tensions are off and rubbing when hammering up hill? XTR 11x build with Reynolds Carbon. Any thoughts?

 

Pretty sure this dude is riding a switchblade...shreddy wap

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/no-bs-mason-bond-video-2017.html

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Change suspension settings for 29er?

Swapped out the 27.5+ wheelset (XM551, Dirt Wizard front/rear) for a 29 wheelset (Derby rims, High Roller front, DHR rear)

Really transforms the bike handling.

Recommendations on how to tweak the suspension to accommodate the new wheelset? Front feels kind of poppy. Maybe slow the rebound?

Also interested in front/rear tire choice. High roller washed out a few times but maybe I have just acquired bad habits from the Dirt Wizards.

 

Swapped out the 27.5+ wheelset (XM551, Dirt Wizard front/rear) for a 29 wheelset (Derby rims, High Roller front, DHR rear)

View attachment 1132419

Really transforms the bike handling.

Recommendations on how to tweak the suspension to accommodate the new wheelset? Front feels kind of poppy. Maybe slow the rebound?

Also interested in front/rear tire choice. High roller washed out a few times but maybe I have just acquired bad habits from the Dirt Wizards.

Another DHRII or a DHF would be a better match for the front. You might even consider swapping the current set you have (front to rear).

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27.5 plus all the way!!!! ;-)

 

Valid point on the lower BB in plus mode. On the SB the X2 rides lower in the stroke than the DPS does when in middle or lock-out mode. I went back to the DPS to help with BB height even though it's less plush on the DH. Pedal strikes suck!!

 

Super great insight. I keep thinking I should have an X2, but you just sold me on the factory DPS. Cheers.

 

Also, the Rekon's are about 1/4" shorter than the DHF or High Roller II plus tires...

 

Ya once the rekon are done with I'm moving to a different plus tire. I was able to get a 2 for 1 on these tires so it was a lesser expensive route to get me rolling on plus size tires. I may try the schwable route next or some of the maxxis tires in 2.6. Right now all my plus tires are 2.8

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matrix311, thanks for your response. I live in Crested Butte, where terrain can be rocky and I very much enjoy those trails, but the perdomant trail feature is tight, and I mean tight, singletrack. I currently ride a Bronson with 2.5 tires and love the fat tire there, but even though .3in doesnt sound like a lot on paper, I am guessing the 275+ format is going to feel a lot different. The tight singletrack makes me think plus isnt where I want to be and I wish I could demo up here, but trails are still snowed in. In the end, I am sure one can grow to love either option in whatever wheelsize they have.

 

I have an opportunity to sell my XL 429T, add some money and get Switchblade in L.
However, after reading this review
Pivot Switchblade Pro 29 review - BikeRadar

Not so sure anymore. Apparently effective seat tube angle was just 72° and that's on XL frame. Reviewer is few cm taller than me and my saddle height on Trail is around 83cm which means my seatpost would be extended 6.5cm more than on Trail.

He also mentioned that top tube was just long enough. All this leads me to question whether or not it's a good idea or that SB in L can replicate 429T in XL or would it feel shorter and more slacked out on climbs.

 

I'm 6 foot even with a 6'3" arm span. I felt completely at home on a Large 429T. However, a Large Switchblade just felt too short in the cockpit. I demo'ed a L and an XL at a demo day and was completely more comfortable on the XL Switchblade, so that is what I bought and I'm very happy with my choice. I'm an engineer and can totally get wrapped up in geometry, dimensions and tech, but I've ridden long enough to trust that how I feel on the bike is most important, especially from a confidence inspiring point of view. All I can tell you is find a way to throw a leg over a couple of sizes to be certain about what you want...

 

I'm 6' as well, maybe a slightly shorter wingspan. I really enjoy my Large 429T, but I don't like the short reach or the somewhat slack seat tube. Lots of folks recommended that I size down to a Medium in the SB, including the Pivot factory demo driver. I really preferred the fit of the Large SB.


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I'm 6' as well, maybe a slightly shorter wingspan. I really enjoy my Large 429T, but I don't like the short reach or the somewhat slack seat tube. Lots of folks recommended that I size down to a Medium in the SB, including the Pivot factory demo driver. I really preferred the fit of the Large SB.

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My Trail is an large and my SB is an medium. However, I'm 5'11" with a 35in inseam. My 429T has a zero set back post and my SB has an 25mm offset post. If you are more typically proportioned I would think an large with a shorter stem might work for you. Hang a plum line on your current bike and go from there. I really screwed up the fit of my Following when I set it up based on assumptions. It shocks me that many shops don't keep demo stems in stock. Personal preference shouldn't be discounted. I prefer smaller frames if I'm between sizes.

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I don't think 29x2.6 will fit the rear of the bike. I run a 29x2.35 maxxis aggressor in back on 25mm Internal width rims and I cannot get a finger between the tire and seat tube. 29x2.4 would pretty much max it out for sure

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Just curious about how Pivot does its bike refreshes, the Switchblade has been out for about a year now, does that mean that the 2018 will be out soon?

Or do they have a tendency to keep models around longer and just refresh components? For instance Fox just refreshed its suspension line, we will see these updates on the current switchblade in the coming months?

I am heavily considering getting a SB, thanks for everyone who posted to this forum.

 

Just curious about how Pivot does its bike refreshes, the Switchblade has been out for about a year now, does that mean that the 2018 will be out soon?

Or do they have a tendency to keep models around longer and just refresh components? For instance Fox just refreshed its suspension line, we will see these updates on the current switchblade in the coming months?

I am heavily considering getting a SB, thanks for everyone who posted to this forum.

Pivot keeps models and colors around longer than a year. As far as components and build kits, these get regular updates as suppliers introduce new units.

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I was advised that the current model is good through May '18.


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Just picked up my new SB earlier this week. I am putting it together this weekend and have run into a few problems. I've got RF Next SL cranks. I swapped the supplied 30T chain ring for a 34T but am running into problems with clearance with the chain stays. Right now I have it flipped around to bring it closer to the BB. Has anyone else swapped to a larger chain ring and run into issues? I also want to install a MRP Amg guide, as of right now it looks like I will need 3/4" spacers to bush it out to align with the chain ring. Anyone have experience with installing a guide on the SB? I feel like they should provide some model specific instructions when it comes to these 2 areas because it doesn't seem straight forward, even though they recommend the Amg on their site. Any insight would be very much appreciated.

 

After a couple of months of decision making, selling my previous full sus and waiting to see what Sea Otter was to bring I finally pulled the trigger on a blue Team XX1 29 build with X2 in large this morning! It should arrive in the next couple of weeks with the build kit to follow.

I'm just piecing together some parts for it at the moment, a one up guide, Absolute Black oval ring and a couple of bits and bobs including some sort of frame protection (probably Frameskin). But I'm wondering what bottle cage is going to work with the X2 on a large frame? Will I need a side loading bottle cage? Any suggestions please?


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After a couple of months of decision making, selling my previous full sus and waiting to see what Sea Otter was to bring I finally pulled the trigger on a blue Team XX1 29 build with X2 in large this morning! It should arrive in the next couple of weeks with the build kit to follow.

I'm just piecing together some parts for it at the moment, a one up guide, Absolute Black oval ring and a couple of bits and bobs including some sort of frame protection (probably Frameskin). But I'm wondering what bottle cage is going to work with the X2 on a large frame? Will I need a side loading bottle cage? Any suggestions please?

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I'm using an Arundel carbon sideloader with my med X2 equips SB with good results. I did have to redrill it to center it for a 21oz bottle to fit but it works great now. The bottle touches the frame but I just run a little protective tape to control rub. I haven't observed a cage that works with the X2 without modification.

 

I am using the Serfas side pull carbon cage. Works great!

 

Thanks, I'll have a look!

 

I put a 140mm Fox 34 I had laying around on mine with the 17mm headset cup. Wasn't worth the half pound weight savings. With a 135mm, you'd REALLY need to use the 17mm cup to keep the bottom bracket off of the ground. So the unsaved geometry would be about the same, bit would ride steeper and IMO would not work well with that bike. You'll definitely notice the lack of travel vis-a-vis the 150mm fork. There are much better places to save weight, unless that wasn't your motivation to use a shorter fork.

 

I was attracted to this thread because of Bicycling Mag's review. They use the p word. As in perfect.

I really should've demoed at SOC.

Which review?