Pivot Cycles’ Vault gravel bike has plenty of amazing tech securely (wink wink) stashed in the frame making for a comfortable and uncompromising riding experience. Spencer is ever chasing something other than geometry inflation to review and Pivot’s patented ISO FLEX technology caught his eye. Make sure you take a peek inside the Vault for all the hidden treasure below…
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Radar
First Ride Review: Introducing the Updated 2024 Pivot Switchblade
The Switchblade has been one of the best-selling bikes in Arizona-based Pivot Cycles‘ lineup since the first version dropped nearly eight years ago. Utilizing a DW-Link platform, it was one of the first full-suspension bikes to incorporate Super Boost rear spacing with either 27.5+ or 29″ wheels. Its last major overhaul was back in 2020 – which saw the bike grow bigger, longer, and lighter – and today Pivot introduces the next iteration of the Switchblade with geometry and kinematic advancements they claim “sets a new bar for how a 140-150 mm travel Trail/Enduro bike should ride.” This launch also celebrates the 35th anniversary of the first bike built by Pivot’s founder/CEO Chris Cocalis back in 1989: the Sun Eagle Talon.
Josh Weinberg, who lives just up the road from Pivot HQ in Phoenix, AZ, recently spent a couple of days getting to know the new Switchblade on some of his favorite trails and, below, shares a first look at the new model and some initial ride impressions…
Radar
Radar Roundup: Sklar Titanium Seatpost, Yoshimura Black, Fabs Abs Spicy Pumpkin, Groovy Barrel Adjusters, ORNOT Power Air, Are City Cyclists “Better” People?, Rivendell Visit, Contraire, and Sight Unseen: Norway
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Reportage
Flexing Muscles, Not Stays: A Pivot Mach 4 SL Review
In the world of cross-country bikes, there’s a trend of pivots disappearing. Not the brand “Pivot,” but the actual pivots. Specialized heaved the Horst Link, Trek axed its ABP, and Santa Cruz vetoed the VPP. The idea is, at around 100-millimeters or so of travel, weight savings and stiffness take precedence over kinematics. But Pivot (the brand) stuck to their guns for the recently revamped Mach 4 SL cross-country bike. They tweaked their DW Link and refined their carbon layup, claiming better ride quality and a half-pound lighter frame. They sent their flagship build to Ryan LaBar in northern Michigan, and it seems he’s putting this bike on a pedestal, without even needing to put it on a podium.
Radar
Radar Roundup: Globe Haul LT, Wolf Tooth Morse Cargo Cage, Otso Arctodus New Paint, Jones Schrader Valve Stems, CdC Solenne Hoodie, Alexandera’s 2023 Colorado Trail Race, The Meeting, and NRW Cross-Cup
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
Radar Roundup: Pivot Mach 4 SL, FESTKA Scalatore Ondrash & Kasparek Auction, New Cafe du Cycliste, and Dot Quba Rack
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
Radar Roundup: 800 Gram Pivot LES-LS Hardtail, For to Pedal, Buckhorn Panniers, Black Magic OPEN, and Burkard’s Trails
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
Sight Unseen: the Oregon Coast with Brice Shirbach
The Sight Unseen series captures Pivot Cycles‘ athlete Brice Shirbach’s passion for riding blind, with stunning “one take” edits from the PNW and the Colorado Front Range.
Radar
The Sound and the Trail: Pivot’s New Trail 429
With 120mm rear travel, the Trail 429 isn’t a big bike and because of that, it’s even more versatile. Here’s the launch video from Pivot, with the Puget Sound as the backdrop. See more of the Trail 429 at Pivot.
Radar
Les is More with Pivot’s New LES Singlespeed
Gordon Wadsworth walks us through the simplicity of Pivot’s new LES Singlespeed complete bike. These light SS MTB 29ers are in stock at your local Pivot dealers.
Reportage
Pushing and Punishing Pivot’s Insatiable Mach 6 Carbon 27.5″ Trail MTB
Chris Cocalis, the owner of Pivot Cycles, knows a thing or two about bicycle design and the popularity of his bikes prove just that. I’ve reviewed a lot of full-suspension bikes over the years and am accustomed to people’s reactions at the trailhead or on the trails but no bike received such trail accolades as the Mach 6 Carbon. Before I had even gotten to ride the bike, it seemed like everyone had something to say about it. Which, as someone trying to approach reviews without any bias, can be a bit much to handle. Yet, here we are, with a month on the bike and a month since I’ve ridden the bike, ready to talk about the Mach 6. Does it live up to the lore? Read on below.
Radar
Pivot’s New Vault All Road
With either 700×45 or 650×47 compatibility, Pivot’s newly designed Vault all road gains extra tire clearance, extra bottle bosses, fender mounts, a frame weight of 998g, stealth dropper routing, and now, with their ISO Flex technology, the Vault fits 27.2 or 30.9mm diameter posts and isolates the seatpost from the frame for added comfort or frame stiffness. See more details on the new and improved Vault at Pivot.