Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR 29" 2020 on test: Camouflage trail weapon

Test: The US manufacturer Pivot regularly makes people's eyes shine at product presentations, as does the new Pivot Switchblade 2020. This is a convertible, flexible and highly potent trail bike. The Switchblade is offered in three variants – Race, Pro and Team – within these variants you can still vary the drive groups and chassis (Fox Live Valve – only with Team) and the wheel sizes.

So there should be the right bike for every rider and every budget. The entry-level price is an RRP of 6.699 euros. However, we tested the Fox Kashima equipped Pro version with XT/XTR equipment and 29 inch wheels. How high the enthusiasm is and whether we have found points of criticism can be found here.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: Unpacked and set up.

The Pivot Switchblade came pre-assembled to the editorial office and as with every Pivot that comes our way, we are struck by the attention to detail. This is how the Ahead cap is aligned, the labeling of the tires is aligned with the valves and of course it is always freshly serviced. Also the new color Treeline green with black decals we noticed immediately. A subtle matt lacquer in modern and simple green. Is this "camouflage color" understatement and announcement at the same time? The decals of the Fox 36 suspension fork were also chosen to match the frame color. Matt black, matt green and shiny neon green, this is repeated in the colors of Pivot's new Phoenix grips.

The first impression is typically Pivot excellent and value is placed on the important components such as chassis, brakes and drive. The anticipation and excitement grows as the Switchblade 2020 performs on the trails.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: New frame design with standing damper

Let's start with the heart, the frame. Pivot is breaking new ground with the Switchblade 2020 frame design and its clearer lines make it appear more potent than its predecessor. Another novelty is the damper, which is now positioned upright. So far and in all current Pivot models, this is still in the frame triangle and absorbs the impact. Thanks to the newly developed deflection, Pivot can now place the damper in an upright position without sacrificing the driving characteristics. On the contrary, the DW-Link rear end works here, according to the driving impression, even more lively and playful.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: Optimized Fox chassis

Furthermore, the Americans rely on the specially established Super Boost 157mm standard, which ensures even more rigidity even during lateral acceleration. A Fox Factory Float DPX2 damper with Pivot-typical sag indicator, optimized by Pivot in cooperation with Fox, is used on the rear triangle. Thanks to these optimizations, the shock absorber adapts perfectly to the DW-Link rear end of the Pivot Switchblade with its damping properties. Of course, the Fox Float DPX 2 damper can be flexibly adjusted and optimized to the personal preferences of each driver.

The proven Fox Factory 36 with Kashima Coating is used at the front, which, like the rear triangle, offers space for the large 29 inch wheels as well as 27,5+ inch wheels. Both variants are offered ex works. A Fox Grip 2 cartridge works in the Fox fork, which offers many adjustment options.

Since the wheel size is now a science in itself, Pivot also offers a flip chip in the rear triangle in the new Switchblade, in the frame geometry to 29 inches, 27,5+ inches or even mullet (front 29″; rear 27,5+ inches ) to adjust.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: Geometry

You can influence the geometry yourself via the flip chip, which is why Pivot also provides two geometry tables: the low BB variant and the high BB variant.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: Complete equipment package

Basically, the Pivot Switchblade is offered in different configurations. There is plenty of scope from 6.549 euros to 13.999 euros. However, the Pivot Switchblade PRO, which is available with Shimano XT/XTR components or SRAM Eagle/X01 components, seems to be the most conclusive and reasonable.

It is shifted with a combination of Shimano XT and XTR components. The rear derailleur comes from the XTR series and cassette, chain and trigger from the Shimano XT series. It is well known that the components are compatible and the combination also shows the focus that Pivot puts on the Switchblade Pro XT/XTR: precision before weight.

The combined crank comes with its 32-tooth chainring from Raceface and is made entirely of aluminum.

The wheels are also made of aluminium. The DT Swiss M1700 w wheels with DT-Swiss hub show a decent price-performance ratio and still play at the top in terms of performance. But of course carbon wheels would be stiffer and more direct, the aluminum ones provide more comfort in comparison.

The current four-piston brake calipers from the Shimano XT series with the appropriate levers are used to decelerate, these press the pistons of the Ice-Tech brake pads with sufficient power onto the new 2020 Ice-Tech brake discs. At the front, these are larger at 203mm than the 180mm at the rear wheel.

The seat post, a Fox Transfer Kashima Coating with 150mm stroke, was also cleverly combined. The combination with the Raceface lever is absolutely practical and the lever can be combined with the Shimano brake levers.

The entire cockpit looks extremely tidy thanks to the Shift-Mix option, more is only possible with the SRAM AXS variant. Unlike the predecessor, new handles were installed, a small drop of comfort compared to the version released in 2018. Here it is clearly back to standard in order to offer more possibilities in terms of individualization. A 780mm wide Pivot Phoenix carbon handlebar was installed in our test bike in size M, which provides enough control even on rough trails.

Another new detail is the chainstay protection newly developed by Pivot. As other manufacturers are already doing, the wave shape reduces the chain noise to a minimum and the entire ride is significantly quieter.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: The features at a glance

Pivot Switchblade 2020: Confident on the climb

But enough of the technical details, because in the end it's all about the question: "How does the plane drive?" and the answer can be short and sweet: "Excellent!".

We start the first test drives with a big grin on our faces, because what the predecessor released in 2018 did, the current Pivot Switchblade 2020 should be able to do at least as well. The steering angle has become flatter by almost a degree, so the 66,5° have a positive effect on the driving characteristics. The Pivot Switchblade 29 inch ran very smoothly in the test and made a very good impression even on steep climbing passages.

The combination of 29-inch tires and the 32-tooth chainring is quite exhausting. Here the option of a smaller chain ring would definitely be recommended for hobby cyclists. Racers, on the other hand, are well served with the factory equipment. The Shimano XT/XTR shifting components deliver perfect shifting results even under load. Only the tension of the cable had to be readjusted a bit in our approximately 150 test kilometers in order to maintain the perfect shifting result.

The seat angle is also not too slack at 76°, so you sit upright and comfortably on the bike on climbs. The load distribution is always balanced without the front wheel lifting. Our test bike was size M with a height of 180cm. This gave the impression that the bike is a bit too small, but this was not confirmed in the downhill performance. So personal preference is required here.

Pivot Switchblade 2020: guaranteed fun on the descent

Get on the trail and enjoy! This is how you can briefly summarize the downhill performance. We tested the Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR 2020 extensively on our home trails and in Vinschgau. The valley of apples already offers the best bike weather on the sunny slopes at the beginning of the year. The large 20-inch tires roll smoothly through the dust-dry trail of sand, gravel and stones and consistently provide the best contact with the ground. The Maxis Minion tires offer the ideal compromise between rolling resistance and grip. Even on wet and muddy trails, the Maxxis tires are not overwhelmed.

The relatively short chainstay of the Pivot Switchblade invites you to play with it without having to get used to it. The eye immediately looks for small natural kickers or opportunities to use the terrain for maximum fun. But the sense of security is never missed. With 142mm at the rear and 160mm of travel at the front, there are enough reserves and the mountain bike forgives even major mistakes. Here it becomes clear again how well the spring travel difference harmonises.

In fast and rough passages, the rear wheel literally sticks to the ground and the brakes are often left open. If you let the bike work under you, even the most demanding obstacle is mastered. The enormous agility meets the incredible smoothness here. The MTB does exactly what the rider wants in curves and does not have to be pushed into the curve with unnecessary force, but does not overreact to the impulses that the biker gives the bike.

A purchase recommendation is definitely made for those who have 7.649 euros on the high edge.

All information and variants of the Pivot Switchblade are available at: www.pivotcycles.com