Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro: Almost as good as back then - the new Pivot Trail 429 on test

The latest update of the Pivot Trail 429 in summer 2021. Compared to the brand-new competition, it almost looks a little outdated. Slightly retouched, we took the Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro in its latest evolutionary stage for a trail bike test.

As the model name suggests, our test bike rolls into the ring with an enduro equipment package. A Fox fork with thick 36 mm stanchions, a shock with a reservoir and chunky Maxxis tyres at the front and rear - hardly any other trail bike is as downhill-heavy as the Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro.

This is also noticeable in the overall weight. Weighing in at 13.43 kilos, the Trail 429 lands in last place. Thanks to the lightweight carbon rims, however, at least the wheel weight remains in the green zone. So the bike still gets going well.

The facts about the Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro

• Price: 9299 Euro
• Area of application: Trail
• Frame material: Carbon
• Suspension travel: 140 mm front / 120 mm rear
• Wheel size 29-inch
• Frame sizes: XS, M, L, XL
• Weight: 13.4 kg in size M (BIKE measurement)
• Weight of wheels: 4550 g
• Acceleration wheels: 3703 kg x cm² (BIKE measured value)

Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro - not on the pulse of time

First of all: The bike was only available in frame size M for our test. Despite the comparatively short reach, the riding position is longer than on some of the L bikes in this test. Why? The 73.6 degree (!) slack seat angle places the rider very far back on the bike. Despite the short main frame, this results in a decent stretch.

Seat length or not: values of this magnitude are a closed chapter in mountain bike development for a reason. Just the feeling of pedalling from behind puts a damper on the forward momentum. If you gain metres in altitude on steep forest tracks or uphill trails, the rear-heavy riding position also forces you out of the saddle early because you have to fight against the rising front wheel.

In short: As far as climbing performance is concerned, the more modern competition is superior to the Pivot. On the other hand, there is praise for the suspension: even if there are more drive-neutral candidates - response behaviour and traction are the benchmark in this test.

First-class downhill handling

The more the trail turns downhill, the more the Pivot is in its element. The successful interplay of reach and stack integrates the rider upright and safely behind the cockpit - good if you want to leave your comfort zone on the downhill. The riding position of the Trail 429 takes the fear out of even the nastiest steep descents.

The Pivot-typical DW-Link rear suspension also does a great job downhill. The name is reminiscent of suspension mastermind Dave Weagle, who is behind the design with a virtual pivot point.

At the beginning of the stroke, the rear suspension scans the ground very meticulously for unevenness and then quickly leads to a firm final progression. The Pivot Trail 429 literally sticks to the ground, but still has the pop to shoot the rider into flight mode at every edge of the terrain - bam!

Thanks to the very short chainstays, the steep steering angle and plenty of support in the suspension, the Pivot lets you romp through the terrain like a rodeo horse. It loves manuals, tricks and fast cornering like no other bike and thus secures the points victory in our playfulness ranking.

The equipment of the Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro

• Fork / Shock: Fox 36 Float Factory Grip2 / Fox Float X Factory
• Gears / range: Shimano XTR / 510 %
• Brakes: Shimano XT BR-M 8120 / 180/180 mm
• Wheels: DT Swiss XMC 1501
• Tyres: Maxxis Dissector; 3C Maxxterra Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.40
• Seatpost / Stroke: Fox Transfer Factory / 170 mm
• Max. system weight: 136 kg
• Warranty: 10 years
• Special features: VPP rear triangle, Enduro specification, Superboost hub

Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro: Lab results & BIKE review

Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor

If you were to reduce the Pivot Trail 429 Pro Enduro to its downhill fun potential, it would have won the group test. Unfortunately, its bulky equipment and outdated geometry earned it penalty points in the Uphill and Lab tests. In other words, other bikes are better suited to the all-round concept of trail bikes. On the other hand, if you're only after maximum trail fun, the Pivot is the perfect choice.