[PI=][/PI]
The course of the bike remains at 120 mm and, as in the previous version, riders can choose between running with 29 “or 27.5” + wheels. If riders choose to ride on smaller wheels, they will want to install a taller lower headset to keep the bike’s geometry in check and the front end where it should be.
• Wheel size: 29 “/ 27.5+
• Rear travel: 120 mm
• Fork 130-140 mm
• All carbon structure
• 66 ° head angle (bottom configuration)
• 75 ° seat angle
• 608 mm stack / 455 mm range (medium)
• 432mm Chainstays
• Weight: 27 lb (Pro X01 construction, medium size)
• Price: $ 5,599 – for $ 12,499 USD ($ 8,499 as tested)
www.pivotcycles.com
The new Trail 429 has more strength than before, while offering plenty of space to fit a water bottle inside the front triangle. There are five sizes, XS to XL, with XS adjustment riders up to 4 ’11 “and XL service riders up to 6’7”.
All models are carbon and there are several different construction kits available at Race, Team or Pro levels. Each level has the option of a Shimano or SRAM kit. Prices range from $ 5,599 USD for the Race XT built to $ 12,499 for the Team XX1 AXS Fox Live Valve built with Reynolds / Industry Nine carbon wheels.
Frame details
The Trail 429 brings many updates seen elsewhere in the Pivot line and loses a good weight from the previous Trail 429, tilting the scale to 5.9 pounds, almost 3/4 pounds lighter than before in a medium size. All structures are ready for the Fox Live valve, there is internal cable routing throughout and everyone receives a full-sized water bottle. There are also two screws at the bottom of the upper tube that can hold a tool, such as the Pivot itself or other accessories. There is frame protection integrated in the struts and the lower tube.
The 157+ Super Boost spacing remains in place, in line with other, more aggressive Pivot bikes. Pilots can mount 29 x 2.6 “or 27.5 x 2.8” tires with plenty of room. The pivot maintains this spacing, claiming that it allows them to build a better, stiffer frame with greater rear tire clearance, along with greater wheel rigidity. BB is the PF92 in which Pivot was a pioneer and, although there are detractors, in our experience it has proved to be totally reliable.
For the diverter hook, the Trail 429 uses the SRAM HDD, a welcome addition to any frame at this time. Live Valve is supported on all frames, and although there is a Di2 battery port, there is no hole between the front triangle and the swing arm for Di2 routing. Pilots can pass the wire externally, but not with the same integration that other Pivot structures have.
All structures use a specific layout of unique size and pipe diameters that correlate with the size of the structure. The Pivot does this to maintain driving characteristics similar to those of bicycles, so that a tall rider has the same experience and sense of structure that a shorter rider would have. Looking at the tube, the large one has a diameter similar to that of the Switchblade, while the medium and small frames clearly lose some weight from the previous iteration of the Trail 429.
Last but not least, it is worth mentioning and some applause that Pivot ended the Pivloc handlebar and handle system and developed a new handle that does not require cutting its elegant carbon handlebar. The new “Phoenix Factory Lock-On Grip” is designed internally at Pivot. It is specific for left and right and has a conical core to fit comfortably on the bar. The ergonomic grip decreases from 30 mm to 32 mm and has a soft rubber compound designed to dampen vibration.
Suspension
The trail 429 rocker llink has been inverted, but the amount of displacement remains the same at 120 mm. The damper is a metric trunnion type, 165 mm long and 45 mm travel. The suspension was made more progressive and the damper is higher in its course to keep the pedaling agile and to avoid that the height of the lower BB causes many touches on the pedal.
While the Switchblade can run with a coil shock, the Trail 429 cannot; even if the damper has a separate bottom control, it doesn’t provide enough progression for the frame, according to Pivot.
The bike is available with a DPS or DPX2 shock absorber, depending on the construction. The more aggressive “Enduro” construction uses the DPX2 coupled to a 140 mm Fox 36 fork compared to the standard construction that has a 130 mm Float 34.
Geometry
The geometry goes through the standard steeper and looser treatment along with more reach, although keep in mind that we are still talking about a 120 mm trail bike here. For a medium size, in the lower configuration, the Trail 429 now has a 66 degree HTA (clearance 1.3), 75 degree STA (1 steeper), 455 mm (15 mm longer) reach and 432 mm struts ( 2 mm longer). The addition of the 140 mm fork in the Enduro package will reduce the head angle by approximately 0.5 degrees.
The bike is able to rotate 27.5 “wheels with the addition of a lower headset that slightly changes the numbers. Riders can also choose to rotate the bike in a” low “configuration, which makes everything a little bit more tilted, using the flip-chip on the rocker link. The chip can be rotated simply by loosening the screws and rotating it, meaning there are no pieces to lose on the trail.
Walking impressions
I only had the new Trail 429 for a few days at this point, but I spent a considerable amount of time on the previous Trail 429 and still have a Switchblade in the fleet, which helps to make some comparisons.
The biggest conclusion is the increased efficiency of the Trail 429 over the previous model. The older bike was efficient in the grand scheme of things, but I found it a bit over the top, especially when compared to the latest crop of shorter bikes for travel trails. The new bike is light, agile and fast. The reduced weight is noticeable and the suspension increases in its course and with much more life.
The bike is easy to climb and go through confusing stretches of the trail while holding a line, and it remains planted when faced with out of bend chunder, the suspension remains smooth and flexible throughout the ride. On larger compressions, I struggled to find the bottom of the stroke, which is not always the case on shorter stroke bikes that offer a good amount of traction on the upper end. Greater flexibility coupled with more progression makes the new bike much more intuitive and easier to ride.
I will continue riding my bike for the next few months, hopefully, recording more kilometers when spring arrives and the trails thaw. My initial impressions of the Trail 429, or as I started to call it, the “mini-Switchblade” are positive and I am looking forward to seeing if this trend continues as soon as I am able to properly put it to the test. For many riders, the new Trail 429 will be a more versatile version of the Switchblade that is more uphill friendly and easier to maneuver in tight spaces.