How Different Is It? 2024 Pivot Switchblade First Ride Review -
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- čas přidán 5. 02. 2024
- #mountainbike #loamwolf
Did Pivot Cycles take their most popular and hottest selling mountain bike and make it better? Or did they turn off fans who have loved one the most versatile and best mountain bikes on the market? Time will tell, but we think they did a pretty solid job making subtle improvements without taking away from what @pivotcyclesusa Switchblade lovers enjoy most.
Check out the site for more info: theloamwolf.com/2024/02/06/fi...
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I have the 2022 bike and it’s so much fun. The new bike has a longer wheelbase than the firebird in size M which blew my mind. After watching jeff kendall weed’s review and then seeing this bike in the shop, I realised it’s too big in a size M and too small in a size S and I’m 5”8.
Superboost rear end is the only reason I dont own a Pivot.
Bikes are certainly starting to plateau, as we see very minor upgrades from previous versions. Reminds me of iphones, yeah the newest one is slightly better, but is it really worth upgrading? I'd rather get an iPhone 14 at a 25% discount than a new 15 and pay full retail. Same deal with bikes right now.
Yeah, you're not wrong in some cases...If the updates here were to areas that made the last bike a deal breaker, then you're stoked. If you liked the last gen, score a sweet deal and still ride a bad ass bike!!
The global financial system is literally falling apart as we speak, so no matter what market you are in it can be scary to do much of a change if any. Personally I bought a Switchblade brand new in 2022 and it was the same bike in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Seeing minor changes for the upcoming bike actually is a good thing in my mind, because who can really afford to swop bikes in this price range all too often anyhow.
The bike industry as any other industry will have to adapt to global finance, and you can still sell parts even if it is in wrapping as well as do bike services.
As consumers we have to adapt our way of thinking to all of this, and a little helper of that is simply to think that new doesn't automatically mean better. Industries that have too rapid development can simply mean higher volume of shit products, so even though my own bike really released in 2020 it is still a great bike.
@@a8f235ya this switchblade release is really a very small refresh.
I thought we were over long cranks. My fluid fs came with 175 mm cranks but i haven't got a bike with 175 cranks since my 07 brodie onega. It sucks buying a brand new bike and having to replace parts right away
It does appear that sold bikes will come with 170mm cranks whereas our media bikes had 175mm. That will help a bit.
Bike will come with 170 they just gave the bikes to the guys that don’t buy anything and just review the longer cranks they had in stock.
For the long term review, I’d love to know your thoughts on switching to the high position. I demoed to the bike yesterday, and loved it, but didn’t get a chance to test it in the high position.
Thanks for your first impressions. I would like to get some more information about how a 150# rider would set up so it’s not so stiff. I never add volume spacers
You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it. Most likely you'd remove that .1" reducer as well and would be happy with how it rode!
What trails did you ride? I visit Phoenix sometimes and am looking for some good mixed trails to ride
Stoked 🤘. My only question, is the bike better than the old version with an angle set head cup? Or worth the upgrade.
Well, that’s a tough question! Yes it is better in terms of rear suspension, albeit marginally but it is definitely noticeable! That said, we loved the last gen and still do. If you don’t need to have longer reach, and are fine with an angle set, brunch ride or a last gen on sale is still a very great bike and would definitely be something we would consider given our budget as well.
I'd rather get the previous version at a 40% discount than this one at full retail.
My 2022 version started off at 66 degrees HTA and could only accommodate a -1 degree cup, bringing it down to 65. It works great for me. Looks like this 2024 version starts off at around 65 degrees. Not sure about the 2023. Also not sure if 2023 and 2024 can accomodate -2. I would have loved to try a -2 on my 2022
No frame storage, press fit bb, superboost. Ugh
That'll be $9000 plus tip
Awesome bike! They did what the people asked for and stayed true to their brand. Would you guys size up or down? I was previously on the edge of M at 5ft8
Thanks for watching. I would stay with a large for me 5'11. I'd say more important is to look at your preferred reach dimension and go with what's closest to that!
Wish you guys would've rode more of Hawes, there's so much more out there then RMR and Big sister. Please come back some time discover how great Hawes is.
We’ve ridden those before and do like the area a lot! Always open for a trip back to AZ!
If you owned the last gen with UDH, would it be worth upgrading? It sounds like it fixes the issues I have had with mine such as descending capability and control when at speed. Other than that, any major reasons to upgrade? I absolutely love my lime green colored Switchblade but this new one sounds amazing.
Another tough question... We really like the last gen, still do! However, it sounds like the two major areas you wished were improved are the two major focuses of this generation... If you said, I love my current bike and wouldn't change a thing about it, then, no, don't upgrade. BUT, it seems that you're looking for exactly what they deliver on this version. ORRRR, just take a really sweet bike trip and ride your current Switchblade somewhere new? haha. Either way, you're winning!
You are guaranteed to be at least 2% faster anytime you upgrade bikes
Have you tried an angle adjust headset on yours? That could be a cheap way to give you a bit more stability.
@@bjornfongern4850No but I am strongly considering it.
I am a fan of Pivot bikes and the new Switchblade looks like another great one. But...........man, no idea how they can justify such awful value for your $$$. $6400 for SLX, M1900 wheels and vanilla fox performance suspension (not even elite) is pretty bad value. Not bad parts, just bad for that excessive price point. I mean Yeti is also horrible value, but for a few hundred more compared to the cheapest Switchblade build you can at least get Fox Factory suspension on the C2 SB140 LR. OR literally for 1/2 price at $3199 right now you can get a Canyon Spectral 29 CF7 with similar kit (SLX, Fox performance, M1900 wheels) and also a carbon frame direct from Canyon. Or a Propain Hugene Base Carbon with similar grade SRAM kit, $3079 for full GX, Pike Select, Super Deluxe Select+, Bike Yoke dropper, Newman wheels direct from Propain.
Cool, but you can't really compare a bike company with a dealer network with a direct to consumer brand. Where do you go for test rides? How easy is it to get after sales service or a warranty issue sorted?
@@VredesbyrdNoir Canyon, YT and Propain as examples all have US distro centers and have demo days set up fairly often during riding season. Warranty issues are easy to sort with an email or call. They often will reimburse for a LBS to perform repairs if they are necessary. But I do all my own wrenching, so I never need a LBS. Granted it is often a little easier and sometimes quicker to get issues resolved with bike companies that do have a dealer network.
@superawesomefuntimego ah well, no such luck in Australia. It's pretty much mail order only for us.
@@VredesbyrdNoir I see what you're saying, but at the same time idk if it is worth an extra $3300 just to have dealer support/test rides. Maybe $1000
@whatsongisthis5691 I don't think the price difference is that much here. Between my Switchblade Pro X01 and my friend's Commencal Meta TR 29 Signature, it was about 25%. For that extra I got a much lighter carbon frame, arguably better suspension, much better dropper post and saddle, carbon bars and crankset with most of the other components being equivalent.
Confused how adding ant-squat would increase suppleness and square edge performance..
I’m sure Knolly would speak on that subject
Minimal changes. Maximum pricetag.
My point as well
Now how do you tell the difference between V2 and V3 when you're buying one 😅
Compare to the Trail 429, please.
I was considering the brunch ride but they did away with it for the new model. You can get the brunch ride for the last year which has the 66 degree head tube angle! And they don't sell frameset only...
We replied to a similar comment with some more thoughts on this topic. Check it out.
@@TheLoamWolf @TheLoamWolf thank you! I enjoy your vids! I want to like this bike but there are several issues for me. It does not use collet style bearing, it is not life time bearings replacement, it is super boost, no storage, the price is premium, no frame set only option, steep head tube, press fit, ... It's just a lot of qualifications for a very expensive bike.
Fair enough! Everyone has their opinions and things that matter to them. For us, this bike absolutely rips and some of the features that may be so important (internal storage for example, or the PressFit BB) are not issues to us. Combined with the ride quality, we find it to be a pretty sick machine. Perfect? No, but we haven't ridden a bike that is! haha.
@@rz893in other words, you like Santa Cruz over Pivot
@@topspot4834 I'm not sure if I like SC (b/c of VPP) the features I listed that pivot is missing (and that SC has) are things almost everyone is looking for and what most bikes are trending towards. I don't think they are that specific. I want to get into pivot but as mentioned they don't do framesets.
Better or just slightly different to give people a reason to ‘upgrade’.
Well, certain aspects are different, namely reach, size specific stays and HTA and STA. Those can be very personal, if someone doesn't like a 480mm reach and LOVES the reach of the previous gen, then no it's not better. If they felt the last bike was cramped or too steep, then yes, it got better for them.
As far as suspension performance goes, I'd say yes, it's better at delivering traction, conforming to terrain and smoothing out descents. HOWEVER, some folks who are very focused on climbing efficiency may notice some downsides for them...So, ultimately, better is subjective to the end user, but for me, this bike is better in more ways, than it is not.
upgrade when your bike will be worn-out, these bikes are not changing much now
Sounds like a great bike …
It really is.
So the $8K question, SB140 or new Switchblade?
Switchblade
@@grosmerou Me too!
or 2 entire non-dentist bikes with the same spec
Love your stuff, but i can’t help but say, this sort of felt like you were trying to help pivot clear out the last of the old inventory.
Thanks very much for the kind words and watching. If we may be so bold to poke the bear - if we raved about the new bike then we’d get people saying we’re “pushing new bikes that are barely updated just to help sales”. Yet here, we say that we loved the old bike, it’s still a good bike and presents a great buying opportunity for those who don’t feel like they need a longer reach or HTA change fr last gen, and now we’re helping clear out old inventory as an agenda…
We’re not trying to be confrontational or rude, just genuinely asking for feedback on how we can tell people information without appearing to be pushing an agenda or angle?
We’re always trying to get better at presenting unbiased and truthful opinions.
Drew
@@TheLoamWolf I appreciate the boldness. Keep doing you. I don’t mean to be critical. I’m a pivot fan boy but I guess my comment is meant more broadly at pivot and the state of the industry.
If geo and engineering is optimized for each segment, let’s start bringing prices down a bit.
Keep up the good work. I don’t mean to spread negativity. Nothing but love. Happy riding.
Thanks Mathew, we appreciate thoughtful and constructive dialogue. Always looking to improve!
Thanks for being here.
Drew
Wonder if they'll keep the Shadowcat now the Switchblade does mullet?
It’s always done mullet and 27.5
Didn't know. I thought it was with a 27.5+ rear? - and the Shadowcat did the more normal regular 28/27.5 combo...@@mathewmccabe2658
Switchblade has always been 27.5 compatible.
i live in arizona and still have never been to the pivot store and although i love their bikes i dont think or feel this bike is nothing to write home about except that it looks nice .
It is a very nice looking bike for sure! It’s one of those bikes that just does what it’s supposed to do and does it well!! Without any need to be outlandish. And we like that.
Why would Pivot use that crank knowing they break? I broke 4-429 Trail Pivot bikes All at the bottom bracket!! Never again while I buy a Pivot!!
Don't understand why the bike industry is bitching they are loosing money. Just tweak a bike slightly and charge more than the previous model. The Apple iPhone Samasung Galaxy model. At least lately the phone industries prices are bring held steady.
The consumer has finally got the clue and not falling for this crap anymore. Not at this price. PIVOT was always out to lunch with pricing, just like Santa Cruz and Yeti.
Hopefully, this hyperinflation will weed out the bike industry, and pricing will fall back down to 2015 to 2017 levels before pricing want crazy.
It would be better if Pivot engineered the entire bike to be highly adjustable like the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo.
You can have a new design but if you can't tweak it for very diverse runs you're just stuck with a limited geo, vs 😅 5:33 low, high, steep and slack.
Then Pivot should have the adjustability to run full 29er, mixed wheel, full 27.5,😮 steep and slack. I only say this because Pivot is the price of 2 decent mountain bikes. Might as well engineer it to handle trail to double blacks through adjustability.
Now Pivot should stop with the full build only crap and start selling framesets like every other bike company!
But then everyone realizes they are charging 4k for a frame made in the same carbon sweatshops as every other bike lol
Pivot: please get rid of annoying Superboost already. This is like the old Beta v VHS argument from the 80’s. Sure you might see slight marginal gains with SB, but most people wouldn’t notice and the rest of the industry has moved on and already determined a winner. Also, let’s spec 165mm cranks. Who needs 175mm on a trail bike meant for climbing and descending technical terrain? Thank you. Otherwise, sweet looking bike. Way too expensive, but looks cool.
I have a 2021 Mach 6 and if I had to pick any bike I could have, I'd still take that bike. Love it (sometimes I just stare) ... BUT I can't say I notice a single difference between boost and superboost. Compatibility isn't much of an inconvenience anymore, but it's enough of a hassle where I'd prefer they get rid of it. Same deal with pressfit, even though their tolerances are tighter than most brands and there's zero creaking, I'd prefer threaded for maintenance and repairability.
You're spot on about 165 cranks too. Should come standard, especially on small and extra small offerings.
Agreed, superboost is the VHS!
@@Dougsmithe hahaha 😆. Pretty sure the majority of the bike industry disagrees.
Who needs 175mm cranks? i do, with a 36.5 inch pant inseam! 165 is like trying to pedal a clown bike for taller riders.
@@bryanlatimer7653 that’s great, but you are an outlier. Bike companies try and spec their bikes for a majority of riders, and the majority of riders would benefit from a 165mm crankset on most modern trail bikes.