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#121 ·
BikeIntelligencer said:
Hmmm... great minds? (see below) As I'm typing you're posting...
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[emoji14]

I have no doubt how the Switchblade would descend. Seems very capable there. I am curious how it fares for XC riding and lots of climbing. When I am on the Mach 6 it climbs OK but not as good as the 429 carbon even with identical tires. The fork becomes an issue keeping down when getting around tight uphill switchbacks. Perhaps the steeper seat angle of this bike helps with that. In general I am about 20 percent faster climbing with the 429. Nice to have two, but it is very expensive and time consuming to keep two.

Come to think of it I think it boils down to this: when I am on the Mach 6, for that bikes's intention, do I miss 29er tires? I don't.

On the XC side I put on a lot of miles a year (around 4K) and I think for XC and light trail, my current 429 carbon with a 130 fox 34 is ideal for that. If I got rid of it I am sure I would miss it for that kind of riding.

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#122 ·
SDMTB'er said:
My dilemma - have both Mach 6 and 429 carbon - Rides I do are either lots of climbing and distance or lots of climbing with chunky downs. If more climbing or distance I pick Mach 429. If technical DH involved I pick the M6. You guys think this bike could cover all the bases? Something tells me I wouldn't be as happy on 40 plus mile rides with this bike.
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I'm sure the SB will be fine as a one-bike-to-rule-them-all-solution if you accept it won't be charging the DH as well as the M6 or grinding out the XC as well as the 429. It will be a compromise.

Doesn't mean it's a bad compromise...that really depends on your needs.

If it was me in that situation I'd just keep riding what I had. Give it some time once the SB is in the hands of customers that paid for their bikes you'll start to see the marketing hype evaporate and some reality come through. It will be easier to decide and you might even get a demo ride.
 
#123 ·
vikb said:
I'm sure the SB will be fine as a one-bike-to-rule-them-all-solution if you accept it won't be charging the DH as well as the M6 or grinding out the XC as well as the 429. It will be a compromise.

Doesn't mean it's a bad compromise...that really depends on your needs.

If it was me in that situation I'd just keep riding what I had. Give it some time once the SB is in the hands of customers that paid for their bikes you'll start to see the marketing hype evaporate and some reality come through. It will be easier to decide and you might even get a demo ride.
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Excellent points as usual Vic [emoji2]
 
#124 ·
Ryder1 said:
But one of the pleasure of owning 2 bikes is the ability to alternate. To have one, uhh, on the side. Also nice to have a backup when one is sidelined with maintenance issues.
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Very true. There's really no such thing as a one bike solution, and with one bike when you break a component or for whatever reason cannot ride it, that down time can be a b!tch. Although I have to say that if I was forced to have only one bike the Switchblade would probably be it.
 
#125 ·
ABQ Clydesdale said:
Repeating an earlier question: do any of you know if a frame only option will be offered?

This has me very interested, considering I could use my I9 wheels from my current Lunchbox...already have the rear spacing at 157.

I thought I had decided on a Riot, but this may sway me.

Thanks!
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Next year there will be a frame offering. For now it will be complete bikes only.

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#126 ·
fc said:
Heel clearance is excellent and better than their Mach 4 even. This is accomplished by highly curved stays and allowing a max rear rotor size of 180mm.
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I have size 48 shoes and had no issues on my ride.

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#132 ·
Right on, but I was more interested in the advantages (or not) of 1 bike that serves two riding purposes (or more) vs. two dedicated bikes. Francis made a big point of the Switchblade geo not staying the same in both configs. But wd familiarity with the bike in all other aspects outweigh the mental switching you do if you ride 2 bikes. It does take me a bit of ride time to adjust between the LT 27.5 and the ST 29 whenever I've been riding one for extended periods. Curious if the transition is more seamless when it's the same bike, just diff wheels. If there's no advantage then I go back to our original question: What reasons would be better to have one bike to do 2 configs instead of 2 bikes?
 
#135 ·
My thoughts on this is that Pivot is releasing the initial couple runs of these bikes as full kits to their best dealers only. By doing this they can control the customers experience with a controlled build and dealer service experience. It's really a good way to go for the dealers and Pivot but for those of us that like building and customizing our bike builds we have to wait for frames only.
My suggestion to those riders is ride what you got and get a frame when they release them.
This could be one of those quiver killer bikes (I personally like my quiver) for a large % of aggressive riders. Only time will tell.
There are other examples of this type of sales distribution currently in the market place.
Support your LBS as much as you are able to. It keeps the whole industry moving along and progressing.
 
#138 ·
flyinmike said:
I don't think the Fox 36plus has been released yet..
The fork being shipped with the Switchblade is the Boost version of Fox36.
This brings up the question of what fork will work with a 3.25 B+ tire and have 150mm travel
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I'd use either an MRP Stage/ 29 or a Fox 34/ 29 fork and adjust the travel accordingly for the wheel and tire size. Boost or no boost up front, either fork will accommodate up to a 29x3 tire.
Some bigger rides would surely benefit from the 36 and I'm sure it's evolving to accommodate some of the new ideas as well.
The Stage is a stout fork and super silky!
 
#139 ·
manitou2200 said:
I'd use either an MRP Stage/ 29 or a Fox 34/ 29 fork and adjust the travel accordingly for the wheel and tire size. Boost or no boost up front, either fork will accommodate up to a 29x3 tire.
Some bigger rides would surely benefit from the 36 and I'm sure it's evolving to accommodate some of the new ideas as well.
The Stage is a stout fork and super silky!
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I have a 29x3 setup and it can rub in an MRP Stage contrary to what has been said.
It is a super good fork.. And, I know MRP is working on a 110Boost version that should be good for a 3.0 tire
the Fox34+ fork is only available up to 140mm but it does have huge clearance and will handle up to a 27.5x3.8 Hodag

I'm hoping some new forks will be out soon.
But, for now I don't know of anything to handle a 45mm rim and 3.0+ tire and can be had with 150 travel..
 
#140 ·
I have a Stage and some Chupacabras on Dually's. They clear most conditions and I don't ride them in mud. It's kinda close but they work. I have an RS-1 for plus tires but it wouldn't work on this bike. Works well on my Following![emoji6]
 
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