The bike manufacturer Pivot from Phoenix in Arizona is starting the new year with a bang. Following the updates for the Mach 4 SL marathon fully (here in the first BIKE test!) and the Phoenix 29 downhill bike, the Switchblade all-mountain bike is now getting an update. Although the individual changes are by no means revolutionary, the Switchblade as a whole is a completely new bike in the showrooms.
Vertical damper, clear lines
The Pivot look speaks a clear language right from the start: the flowing lines of the old bike have given way to straight tubes, giving the bike a simple and modern look. Another striking feature compared to the old bike is the rear shock. It is now positioned almost vertically in front of the seat tube instead of lying in the frame as on the old bike. In addition to the obvious advantage that this allows water bottles to fit better in the frame, this should also benefit the kinematics.
Geometry update: Longer and flatter but not extreme
The Switchblade squeezes 142 millimetres of travel out of the rear end, 7 millimetres more than its predecessor. A flip chip in the rocker switch allows you to switch between two settings, which also lowers the bottom bracket from 19 to 28 millimetres. The geometry has been redesigned and, with a longer reach, slightly slacker head angle (66.5/66 degrees) and a slightly steeper seat angle (76/75.5 degrees), brings a little more comfort when pedalling and a little more smoothness to the bike.
The chainstays remain rather short (430/431 millimetres) for continued lively handling. In combination with angular headsets, the bike should be compatible with 29-inch, 27.5-inch, 27.5-inch Plus and combinations thereof without making any major compromises in terms of geometry.
Five frame sizes, Fox Live Valve
The premium claim of the American luxury bike is emphasised by the option of integrating the Fox Live Valve suspension on the bike and feeling secure for the future in this respect. Almost all riders already benefit from the low step-through and the low standover height of the seat tube.
With its five frame sizes, the bike should make riders between 152 and 200 centimetres tall happy and enable the installation of high-lift dropper posts. A newly designed, particularly quiet chainstay protector and a mount for a chain guide (ISCG 05) round off the package.
The frame weighs 2.57 kilograms in the smallest size without shock, which is a rather average weight. However, despite the DW-Link rear triangle, the stiffness should be adequate. We start at 6199 euros with the Race XT equipment. The upper end of the scale is only reached at 13999 euros with the full electronic equipment (Sram XX1 AXS, Fox Live Valve).
Adrian Kaether
Editor
