Pivot introduces new long-travel 29er / 27plus Switchblade

 

Pivot has just announced the release of its new long-travel 29er trail bike called the Switchblade. If the name sounds familiar that’s because about 10 years ago Pivot’s founder and owner Chris Cocalis created the original Switchblade with his first bike brand, the now defunct Titus Cycles.

The Switchblade fills an open gap in Pivot’s current line, namely a long-travel 29er with 150 mm of travel up front and 135 mm from the dw-link rear suspension. But there’s more to it. The Switchblade frame is compatible with 27plus wheels and tires. To make all this work with very short 16.85 inch chainstays and dual chainring compatibility Pivot is using 157 mm rear hub spacing. Before you scream about another new spacing standard it’s important to note that 157 (also known as Super Boost Plus) isn’t all that new–it’s found on current downhill bikes and hubs are readily available.

Key features

• Compatible with both 29 and 27plus wheel sizes
• Fits 27plus tires up to 3.25” wide
• Fits 29er tires up to 2.5” wide
• Features Pivot’s new long and low geometry
• Ultra short 428 mm (16.85 inch) chainstays
  
• Front derailleur compatible with Pivot’s stealth E-Type mounting system
• 135 mm travel dw-link rear suspension with upper clevis and linkage and double wishbone rear triangle designed for a 150 mm fork and fits forks up to 160 mm travel
  
• 27plus spec’d with either 40 mm inner width DT Swiss alloy or Reynolds carbon wheels and Maxxis Rekon 2.8″ tires
• 29er spec’d with 25 mm inner width DT Swiss rims or 28 mm inner width Reynolds Enduro carbon rims and Maxxis High Roller II 2.3” tires
  
• Pivot Cable Port system for easy internal routing of shifters, brakes and dropper posts as well as full Shimano Di2 Integration
  
• New ultra-quiet low durometer rubberized frame protection 
• 6.4 lbs (2,900 grams) for a medium frame with rear shock

Geometry

Pivot includes a headset spacer with every bike so riders can personalize geometry to their local trails and/or tire size selection.

Pricing

As you’d expect, Pivot is a luxury brand so pricing starts at $6,299 for an XT/XTR 1×11 mix in either wheelsize and tops out at $10,099 for Shimano Di2 and Reynolds carbon wheels. It has been indicated that sub-$5,000 aluminum bikes will be available in the near future.