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Pivot Switchblade

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497K views 3.2K replies 283 participants last post by  dan23  
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#1 ·
Coming May 31st, according to Pivot website. Any ideas what it is?

My old Titus Switchblade was one of my favorite bikes ever.
 
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#2,510 · (Edited)
Need frame only!! When will this happen? Maybe I'll just get a 429 trail and put my new 2018 Pike on it!! I had a chance to try the 429 trail the other day the trail really took off when putting the power down, light and playfull!!

Pivot please offer frame only ASAP!!
I have all the parts!! Onyx hubs there 157 hubs have always had the wide flange spacing and derby 29er 35mm rims, 2018 Pike only 66 grams more than the Fox 34 at 160mm air shaft coming on the 21st. Race Face G4 crank but I do not recommend this crank, they will break at pedal insert. 2 have been Warr. when it breaks again I will sell the new one! I may go with Project 321 Cannondale Hollowgram SL2 crank, I also love the new 216 points of engagement silent hubs, I have 2 sets that I love. Jake at Project 321 is the man!! Drivetrain its hard to beat Shimano xtr shifter and derailure with Srams XO1 11 speed cassette this cassette is the best on the market at 266 g and last 2 seasons. Take off the 42 large cog and put Wolftooth 46 on there and only add 8g of weight. 30 or 32 tooth ring on front and you have great range!! Bontrager XR4 2.4 tires, Fox dropper with Enve 40mm stem and 800mm bar, Ti bolts through out, XTR brakes with Shimano Ice Tech 180mm Freeza rotors on the Center lock hubs all on Med frame 27 lbs!!
 
#2,511 ·
8 days in Swedish forest with Switchblade

The bike suits very well for bike packing with a rucksack. It doesn't go over the bar easily, good pedaling efficiency on the trail, easy to stay balanced in slow speed as well, huge grip on tires. Quite a lot pedal strikes, Fox 36 went sticky after full day in rain but recovered after keeping the bike upside down over night, XX1 Eagle lost T10 gear due debris or damage, I9 free wheel skipped one click with loud bang too many times. If 27,5+ tire pressure is adjusted for wet root gardens, it will be quite a drag on road transitions. Anyways I can't think any better setup for this type of adventure. Soft , steady ride saves energy and your hands and ass will thank you, which is important during multi day ride with heavy load and very little recovery time.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Y639LDowS1nA8xbG6
GPS-track: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sTzy8HUrLb_e4EEkc-geQxn8Lrs&usp=sharing

 
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#2,518 ·
Hey guys I'm just starting to look into the switchblade. I did a demo on the Mach 429 trail and really liked it but I totally messed up and never took the switchblade out for a ride. I thought maybe it was too much bike but now am reconsidering. Anyways a couple questions, will this bike have room to run say a 2.5/2.6 in 29er mode? I am 5'10.5 with a 33 Inseem and rode the 429 trail in a large and it fealt good, Large or medium for the switchblade? Also any news on the horizon for 2018?
 
J
#2,519 ·
I'm running Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5 WT front and back with no issues. Large Switchblade should fit you fine I'd guess. I'm 6 foot even with a 6'3" arm span and I liked a large 429 Trail, but I preferred an XL on the Blade. Frame size is so subjective for each person when it comes to mountain bikes. I'd recommend you get a test ride on the frame size you're considering if you can. Some shops have demos you can take out for a small fee. My LBS in Houston does this and applies your rental fee toward your bike if you buy one. I think that's pretty cool.
 
#2,521 ·
What this thread needs is more pictures!

So here's a couple from my weekend ride in the Lakes District in the U.K.

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I'm glad that I've been spending quite a bit of time tweaking my X2 and fork recently as I've got the bike to exactly where I want it. The thing felt like a magic carpet this weekend, comfortable, Rocket fast on the descents and corners and fast on the climbs. Technical climbs were dealt with amazingly well on this thing and the whole poppyness thing is definitely on point now too. I was able to link trail features with a hop or a jump far better than I usually do and riding the SB all day in big mountains was an absolute pleasure.

The bike simply ploughs through trails, eating rocks and boulders for breakfast. I seriously expected to pick up some chips and scratches on the underside of the bike because of the speed I was riding through large, loose rocks and all the bangs and wallops associated with that. But after a good clean and service yesterday the only casualty was this:

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By the way I'm 5ft 11.5" on a large and the only thing I'd change is putting a 170-200mm dropped on there so I can get the saddle right out of the way on steeper descents.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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#2,524 ·
Got my hands on a demo coming up this weekend in a medium so I'm pretty stoked right now. Does it seem that the new maxxis rekon 29x2.6 that is suppose to be released will fit on this bike? Maybe pivot was ahead of the ball with the super boost and 29+ tires? Really want to put a set of onyx hubs on my next bike but do they even offer an option for the switchblade?

Thanks
 
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#2,527 ·
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#2,532 ·
I just ordered a set of 29er Minion's in 2.5 to replace the stock tires on my Switchblade. Curious what pressure you guys are riding them at? I've been riding 24 psi in the front and 28 psi in the back on the stock 2.3 tires. Hoping to run lower pressure with the 2.5'a so I can absorb more of the rooty and rocky trails.
 
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#2,541 ·
Put the minions on this past weekend and rode 20 miles of southern Indiana somewhat rocky trails. Ran the front at 22 psi and the rear at 28 psi. I could tell the front wheel provided more cushion. Made the whole 29er experience more stable and confident tackling rock beds and corners. Glad I switched
 
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#2,542 ·
I just had the opportunity to demo one this weekend. Overall its been my favorite demo so far. The bike really fealt great in alot of different situations. Very nimble, easy to get the front wheel up, playful, pedaled well, great suspension, gobbled up roots and rocks. My only concern was this bike was a medium and I am 5 10".5 so right on the edge of M and L according to pivots sizing. Pretty sure I would go with a large, kinda fealt like my knees were by my chest when pedaling. Also this bike was setup as 29er but also had the 17mm cup installed. I did notice maybe 3 times out of my 12 mile ride on steep uphills mainly with a switchback the front tire would come up wich resulted in me not making it up at least once. I deffinately had to place weight on the front end when climbing. Wondering if this was partly due to having the cup installed along with the 29ers and also being on a smaller frame then what i need? Any of you switchblade owners experience the same thing? I really did like this bike alot, super stiff and fealt like a monster truck that was agile and fun. Think i am going to try one more demo with a santa cruz hightower if i can get my hands on one to compare to the switchblade
 
#2,543 ·
When I tested a Switchblade back in February it was also setup with 29" wheels and the 17mm headset cup and I found the exact same thing you did. It was my deciding factor to ask the shop to install the zero stack cup before I picked my own bike up and I'm happy to say that that light front end went away as a result.

I think Pivot send the frames out with the 17mm cup installed just incase a shop cuts the steerer too low.

On the negative side (very small negative) you'll potentially get more pedals strikes with the lower cup.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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#2,548 · (Edited)
How many have had their rear triangle warranty replaced due to faulty lower linkage stress cracks around bearings? So far all three of my friends have and received replacements, you need to pull apart to see actual damage and or noticeable play like one of my friends had which started it all. I feel no noticeable play on mine but have not pulled apart yet, been distracted riding my Carbon Stache all summer.
 
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#2,549 ·
techfersure said:
How many have had their rear triangle warranty replaced due to faulty upper linkage stress cracks around bearings? So far all three of my friends have and received replacements, you need to pull apart to see actual damage and or noticeable play like one of my friends had which started it all. I feel no noticeable play on mine but have not pulled apart yet, been distracted riding my Carbon Stache all summer.
Click to expand...
No issues with mine. And I ride her hard! :)
 
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#2,552 ·
Only one showed noticeable play, two others nothing noticeable until pulled apart, the LBS we all bought from suggest pulling apart to assess any visual issues both did and have all been replaced.I actually was the first to purchase last September, all four bought in six month timeline. Mine feels fine and will pull apart soon for bearing maintenance anyways and will see.
 
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#2,564 ·
Anyone have pictures of their cracks so I know what I am looking for? Also, when you say take apart do you mean completely disassemble the rear triangle. How big of a job is this? I normally do all my maintenance. I'll have to look up all the torque specs to put back together.
 
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