2017 Pivot Switchblade Carbon 29 XTR 1x Complete Mountain Bike

Since the platform was first introduced, it seems that each successive generation of 29ers has been met with a new body of prejudicial assumptions. The kneejerk push back against wagon wheels is so pronounced that Pivot Cycles’ Switchblade Carbon 29 XTR 1x Complete Mountain Bike, just released for the 2017 model year, may be the first 29er that hasn’t set sail with an equally large barge of critical baggage in its wake—it’s pretty much a faultless 29er. There are several reasons why, but the most immediately obvious one is that it comes equipped with rear hub spacing that’s even Boostier than Boost.

When naming the new standard, Pivot showed a bit more ingenuity than us, calling it Super Boost Plus 157. The key takeaway is that the rear hub is a gravity-tier 157mm wide, which makes for a stiffer spoke bracing angle (no more “twenty noodler” jokes) and packs a chainline with 12mm of additional tire clearance. That added clearance lets Pivot shove the rear wheel up even more than a standard Boost axle, chopping the chainstays down to a mere 16.85in while allowing 27.5+ or (as is the case here) 29in wheels and preserving a Q-factor on par with typical 5in bikes.

The increased wheel stiffness conspires with a double wishbone rear triangle and Phoenix-inspired clevis to stiffen both the pedaling interface and the linkage design. This makes the rear triangle more resistance to torsional flex, which increases pedaling efficiency and decreases the stress put on the pivot bearings. It’s easier on your legs and on the hardware you rely on to bail you out of situations where overly ambitious line selection lands you in water that’s just a little too deep.

The rest of the geometry is similarly capable. Where the concise back end makes for a sharp knife while dicing rooty sections, the relatively steep head tube and low bottom bracket height make for a slack, low chassis that further contributes to DH stability. Despite the frame’s big-line parachute qualities, its seat tube sits relatively steep, keeping you forward and on top of the pedal stroke while climbing. Compared to Pivot’s Mach 429 Trail frame, the Switchblade is slacker up front and steeper in the seat tube, perfecting the art of aggression whether you’re climbing out or dropping in.

In case you’ve missed it, the undertone of all of the above is: this is a trail race bike that’s ready to go as hard and fast as you are. Given that sky’s-the-limit attitude, we’re not surprised Pivot opted to upgrade the usual DT Swiss alloy wheels to Reynolds’ Enduro model. Not only are the rims full carbon, but they’re laced to a set of hubs machined by the CNC geniuses at Industry Nine. The rims are also 28mm wide, internally, so they allow for a greater air volume and lower PSI. With the exception of a Race Face Next SL crankset, the entire drivetrain is Shimano’s peerless XTR model, and the build is finished with a stealth-routed KS LEV dropper.