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Pivot Switchblade

496K views 3.2K replies 283 participants last post by  dan23  
#1 ·
Coming May 31st, according to Pivot website. Any ideas what it is?

My old Titus Switchblade was one of my favorite bikes ever.
 
#2,299 ·
I really enjoyed my first ride on the Switchblade, I managed to do stuff on it that I've not been able to ride in the past. Technical climbs, steeper trails than I'm used to and everything else in between. I'm impressed!

I've got to say that I wouldn't change a thing on the bike, it's perfect. The new stem, bars and Pad Lock grips are the exact right size and shape for me with the grips being ultra comfortable (I usually run ESI grips or Ergon GE1, both very comfortable grips). I'm even getting on well with the WTB saddle and Maxxis tyres that I've had differing results with in the past! By the way the bikes up the range come with WT tyres which was a nice surprise and there's still a tonnes of clearance there. I'd swear I could fit 3" tyres in there if it took my fancy to do so! Also the bike came with the latest Raceface Next SL G4 cranks which were also a pleasant surprise as I was expecting the standard SL's. Pivot have done an amazing job speccing this bike.

I was concerned that I wouldn't like the Fox Transfer dropper post, I've used Reverbs since their launch and have just upgraded to their new remote on my other main MTB. My fears were quickly dispelled though, the Transfer works extremely well and the remote is in the perfect position for me.

I'm used to Eagle and Guides so the gears and brakes are as expected, top notch.

The test bike I rode had the 17mm headset cup installed but I decided to have the flush cup put in as I wanted to bring the front down for better climbing. The climbing is indeed amazing, the front never wanders at all and I cleaned a climb that I've never been able to in over 20 years of riding it today! However, I am getting a few more pedal strikes than I would on the test bike, but these are manageable and I reckon good technique will come once I'm used to the bike some more.

The bike seems to beg me to take the bigger more difficult line, telling me that it has my back. It's quite surreal.

The X2 feels fantastic, I think I've got lucky with my tune because, as previously mentioned, I based it on Dan from Pivot's tune which is based on Fox's suggestion. I tweaked a couple of things but nothing major and it just works as I'd want it to. I tried the climb switch on the one small bit of uphill road I went on today but I don't think I'll use it too much as the bike and the shock are so well sorted.

The only thing I need to look at is the sag on the fork as I was running 30% today and need to knock it back down to around 25 to get the feel I need. It did work nicely though and it definitely saved me on at least one occasion this morning.

This bike has been the culmination of a lot of testing of bikes, research and testing of wheel sizes and components and I'm more than happy say that overall, yeah I'm in love and I can't wait for my next ride!

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#2,303 ·
SB owners:
Anyone interested in trading your stock DT 29er wheels for my stock DT 27.5+ wheels?

My 27.5 wheels have limited mileage, a few cosmetic scratches, but are generally in excellent condition. I'm interested in trading for a similar condition 29er wheelset, although we could +/- with $ if your wheel condition is notably better/worse.
 
#2,308 ·
The 28H make marginally more sense (or marginally less nonsense?) on the 27.5 wheels, given the shorter radius. But I agree, its sort of frustrating to be "stuck" w/ the 28H wheels.

Glad the XO is holding up for you. With only 2 of the 4 pawls engaging at any given time, the design wasn't attractive to me.

The really silly part of my hub preference is a fixation w/ centerlock. The Pivot hubs from DT are centerlock, whereas all the standard 157 hubs from DT are 6-bolt. Having two sets of centerlock hubs would be ideal, since you can move rotors from wheel to wheel in 30 seconds. That keeps the rotor/pad combination intact, matching bed-in & wear.

I know lots of folks like the i9 hubs, but they aren't for me.

I'll happily build a pair of i9 + chinese carbon wheels for a fellow Switchblade owner that wants some bling, *if* I can get their Pivot DT wheels from them as part of the deal! :)
 
#2,309 ·
I9 and Stan's have the hubs available, but you have to call and order. Special SKU that isn't on the website (at least when I was shopping back in February).

My 32h Stan's Neo hub has been going strong with a good amount of east coast abuse. Not as quick as a I9 hub, but 10* of engagement is pretty damn good vs a 18t DT Swiss hub without having to buy more stuff. It is also on the quieter side if you are comparing it to I9.
 
#2,310 ·
I'm not sure what the fuss is about with the I9/Reynolds, I'm 235lbs and there's no hint of anything but a very well built, stiff wheelset underneath me. They seems well suited to the burly nature of the frame and I only have confidence in them as I can usually tell pretty quickly if a wheel lacks strength or stiffness.

It seems like there are a few conflicting views on these wheels, for example, I've read and watched Bike Mag discuss how the wheels are possibly too stiff, others have said this too. Yet, I read Dirt Mag complain about how the 27.5 version of the wheels on the Firebird aren't stiff enough??!
 
#2,313 ·
They are expensive, and they are not light. But, I wouldn't trade the set I have for anything else. Hubs are so smooth and quiet. I bought them after getting some I9 Torch hubs on another bike. The noise of I9 has gone so far past "interesting". It's now become completely obnoxious. Especially if there is more than one set going at a time on a group ride.
 
#2,315 ·
What do you think of the Project 321 hubs so far? What other hubs do you have experience with? I'm building up some Farlows on P321 hubs for a new build right now. Haven't really found too many people with real world experience with the new magnetic pawl system. I'm stoked to try them out.

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#2,323 ·
Switchblade with I9 wheels!

SOOOO stoked about my Switchblade with new Industry Nine 29er wheels with dark green spokes and turquoise hubs! They now have the system wheels with Super Boost Plus hubs too! I'm super boost stoked about that!!! Got some beefy Maxxis 29x2.5 Minion DHF trail rippers on there too! So f*ing dialed! Included a nice muddy picture after its maiden voyage on the stock 27.5+ wheels. Those 27.5x2.8 Rekons are no joke either. Grip for dayz!
 

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#2,325 ·
SOOOO stoked about my Switchblade with new Industry Nine 29er wheels with dark green spokes and turquoise hubs! They now have the system wheels with Super Boost Plus hubs too! I'm super boost stoked about that!!! Got some beefy Maxxis 29x2.5 Minion DHF trail rippers on there too! So f*ing dialed! Included a nice muddy picture after its maiden voyage on the stock 27.5+ wheels. Those 27.5x2.8 Rekons are no joke either. Grip for dayz!
Very nice! I love my i9 wheels as well. I have a set of the new i9 backcountry 360 27.5+ wheels in my 2017 pivot les and they are awesome! Light and strong and look sexy. I kind of wish the switchblade had 148 instead of 157 for rear hub so I could toss my i9 wheels in the switchblade. Instead I had to buy 27.5+ and 29er wheels for both my les and switchblade. Lots of wheels laying around hah. Love the look of yours. It fits the bike great and looks awesome.

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