Wheel size: 29
Travel: 142mm rear
Riding Category: Trail/All Mountain
Short travel trail bikes have a knack for inducing words such as playful, agile, and poppy. The short travel aspect coupled with the typical 27.5” wheels are a fantastic combination to bring maximum ‘hoonigan-ness’ (yes, I just made up that word) to this bike. It’s a rare thing to find similar levels of fun-loving poppiness from a bike with 29” wheels and an almost-enduro-spec 142mm rear and 160mm front travel. The new Pivot Switchblade hits a sweet spot of feeling big, but not huge. Capable, but not a monster truck. Efficient, but not a cross-country bike; “jack of all trades” springs to mind.
From the steep climbs and descents of northern Utah to the unforgiving tech of the south, the new Pivot Switchblade does it all. It is stiff, and climbs quickly and efficiently, but also descends with confidence, playfulness and agility - a “jack of all trades” indeed. Build kits mostly hit boutique price brackets, but there’s a lot of bike to be had with even the most basic options from Pivot. Shimano and Sram build kits are plentiful, leaving a flavor for everyone.
The 2020 Switchblade comes in either Treeline Green or Horizon Blue2020 brings the onset of either Horizon Blue or Treeline Green colorways. Pivot’s matte colors have always been top quality and immaculately finished, and the new colors keep true to the brand’s production quality. Geometry numbers are on par with industry trends. A steeper seat-tube angle puts you in a more efficient climbing position. The longer, lower, and slacker treatment gives the Switchblade a much needed edge over the previous iteration. All around, the Switchblade’s geometry boasts a blend of enduro-trail geometry while giving you the climbing prowess of a (insert stereotypical climbing animal - mountain goat maybe?).
If you’re in the market for a trail-smashing, climber-friendly big-wheeled mountain bike, give the 2020 Pivot Switchblade a try!
- Andrew Bradford
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