Wil reviews the new Pivot Switchblade

It was all the way back in 2016 when we were first introduced to the Pivot Switchblade. Featuring super short chainstays with oodles of tyre clearance, the Switchblade made quite the splash with its ability to fit both 29in and 27.5+ wheels. It was also the first Pivot mountain bike to debut Super Boost hub spacing and the associated wider chainline, which stirred up plenty of controversy at the time. That hub standard is now utilised on almost every Pivot full suspension bike, and it’s since been adopted by the likes of Evil, Devinci, We Are One and most downhill bikes on the market.

Pivot then overhauled the Switchblade in 2020 with an updated frame and suspension design that introduced a more aesthetically-pleasing vertical shock layout. That model still had heaps of tyre clearance, but there was less talk of 27.5+ compatibility, since the market had moved away from plus tyres. Instead it was billed as a more conventional mid-travel 29er trail bike, and as we discovered, it was a bloody good one at that.

For 2024 Pivot is ready to unleash the 3rd generation of the platform. It may initially appear quite similar to its predecessor, but a raft of updates to the frame, geometry and suspension platform have merged together to elevate its descending capabilities and overall appeal.

To test out the new Switchblade I was fortunate to be invited out to Phoenix in Arizona, home of Pivot Cycles, as part of the official launch. As well as getting an intimate look at the R&D lab where Pivot designs and manufacturers its stunning CNC machined lugged and carbon-tubed prototypes, I spent three days dodging cacti and smashing into rocks aboard the Switchblade to see what it’s all about.

Watch our video review of the Pivot Switchblade:

An overview of the 2024 Pivot Switchblade

Slotting in between the Trail 429 and the Firebird, the Pivot Switchblade is the brand’s do-it-all mountain bike. It’s equipped with a 160mm travel fork, 142mm of rear travel and 29in wheels. That sees it occupying similar territory to other long travel trail bikes such as the Trek Fuel EX, Specialized Stumpjumper EVO and Scott Genius.

To keep up with the competition the Switchblade has received a new carbon chassis for 2024. The overall profile and weight remains much the same, despite it being considerably longer and slacker than the old bike.

Pivot’s engineers have also maintained similar stiffness and strength values, which are specific to each frame size. This is achieved by adapting the tube profiles, wall thicknesses and carbon layup of the front triangles to ensure a more consistent ride characteristic whether you’re a 50kg rider on an Extra Small or a 110kg rider on the Extra Large. According to Pivot, this pursuit of scaled stiffness represents the most challenging and time-consuming part of frame development.

Updated dw-link suspension

Along with its new front end, the Pivot Switchblade has been treated to a revised suspension design. Rear travel remains the same and you’ll still find a dw-link platform, but the linkages are all-new including a notably longer lower link that produces a more rearward axle path. The goal here was to elevate the Switchblade’s descending performance by improving its ability to gobble up square edge hits. Pivot says the updated kinematic also delivers more grip for technical climbing.

The links themselves are manufactured from cold-forged 7000-series alloy and are loaded with premium Enduro cartridge bearings that feature much tighter tolerances than what you’ll find on a typical mountain bike. This is possible due to the way that all the main pivot points and shock mounts are machined in sequence while the frame is suspended inside a 4-axis CNC machine.

After Pivot receives frames from its factory, alignment and tolerances are all checked in-house using custom-machined gauges that can detect variances down to the width of a human hair. Yeesh!

Frame furnishings

Elsewhere the changes are fairly minor to the Switchblade. I’d half-expected to see internal storage, but it seems Pivot isn’t quite ready to jump onto that bandwagon yet due to the engineering challenges involved with chopping a big hole in the middle of the downtube.

The vertical shock layout means there’s still plenty of room for a full-size bottle and you’ll also find accessory mounts underneath the top tube and downtube, both of which are well-suited to Pivot’s neat Tool Dock system. Designed in collaboration with Topeak, there are numerous options that incorporate multi-tools, tubeless plugs and CO2 canisters.

One thing you won’t find on the Switchblade is mounting points for the Fox Live Valve electronic suspension system. Live Valve was a big feature of the last generation Switchblade (and many other Pivot models since), but it’s no longer an option on any of the builds for the new bike, adding credibility to the rumours that the next generation Live Valve system will be a considerably different beast.

Otherwise the Switchblade sticks with its 92mm wide press-fit BB and Super Boost 157x12mm rear hub spacing. Pivot states that these features allow it to build a sturdier and more durable chassis, and that the wider hub flange spacing creates a stiffer rear wheel. The shapely chainstays and seatstays also offer massive clearance for fitting up to a 29×2.6in or 27.5×2.8in tyre.

The swingarm comes lathered with rubberised protection to dampen chain-slap, and there’s also a generous layer of amour underneath the downtube. Tidy bolt-on ports are used to secure the cables and brake hose, while foam insulating tubes are employed to eliminate rattling inside the frame. Speaking of cables, Pivot is continuing to flip the bird at the trend for thru-headset routing – hallelujah!

Geometry

There have also been some notable changes to the geometry on the new Pivot Switchblade. The head angle has slackened out almost a full degree to 65.2°, and reach measurements have grown by 10mm.

To compensate, the effective seat angle has steepened by half a degree to 76°. It’s worth pointing out that Pivot measures this angle based on the average saddle height for each frame size to provide a more accurate real-world figure.

Also size-specific is the rear centre length, though the variance is minor. The rear centre grows from 431mm on the smaller frames up to 436mm on the XL, which hardly seems worth it.

The new Switchblade retains its two-position flip chip, located in the upper seatstay pivot. From the factory the chip is set in the Low position, though by flipping it into the High position you’ll lift the BB by 6mm and steepen the angles by half a degree. According to Pivot there is no change to the suspension kinematic between the two positions, making it purely a geometry adjustment for dialling in the handling and weight distribution to your preference.

You can also use the flip chip to set up the Switchblade as a mullet, with the High position helping to lift the BB back up when fitting a smaller 27.5in rear wheel. More on that in a bit.

Pivot Switchblade price & specs

The Pivot Switchblade can be had in a broad range of spec options with prices kicking off at $9,999 AUD for the Ride SLX/XT build.

It’s worth noting that all models are based around same carbon frame, which is only offered in a single version. This differs to brands like Santa Cruz and Yeti that also produce a cheaper carbon frame to help lower the price of entry. Pivot states that due to the level of work that goes into optimising the size-specific layup for its carbon frames, it doesn’t make sense to try and build a cheaper and heavier version. As a result, every Switchblade customer is receiving the same premium-level frame.

There will also be a limited edition model with a ludicrous high-vis pink paint job that’s designed to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Chris Cocalis’ first production mountain bike; the Sun Eagle Talon. A bright and bold reminder of how far our sport has progressed over the last 35 years, there will be just 300 of these frames produced worldwide.

For the launch of the new Pivot Switchblade I was lucky enough to ride the very top-end Team XX model. This bike comes absolutely dripping in high-end components with no expense spared for the rider who doesn’t want to have to upgrade anything.

2024 Pivot Switchblade Team XX

• Frame | Full Carbon, dw-link Suspension Design, 142mm Travel
• Fork | Fox 36, Factory Series, GRIP2 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
• Shock | Fox Float X, Factory Series, 185x55mm
• Wheels | DT Swiss XMC 1501, Carbon Rims, 30mm Inner Width
• Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra 2.5in Front & Minion DHR II EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra 2.4in Rear
• Drivetrain | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/32T Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
• Brakes | SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth 4-Piston w/200mm Front & 180mm Rear Rotors
• Bar | Phoenix Team Low Rise Carbon, Width: 760mm (XS), 780mm (S-L), 800mm (XL)
• Stem | Phoenix Team Enduro, 45mm Length
• Grips | Phoenix Factory Lock-On
• Seatpost | RockShox Reverb AXS, Travel: 100mm (XS), 125mm (S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L-XL)
• Saddle | Phoenix WTB Volt Team
• RRP | $17,999 AUD

Pivot Switchblade sizing & fit

To suit my height of 175cm I’ve been riding a Medium sized Pivot Switchblade.

Both the reach and stack have increased over the previous version, making it feel notably bigger overall. Yes, the seat angle is a little steeper, but Pivot deliberately hasn’t gone overboard in order to maintain a comfortable seated position when riding undulating terrain.

The result is quite a stretched-out cockpit. As such, I’d suggest that riders who are on the fence between sizes may wish to go down rather than up.

I ended up sliding the saddle forwards on the rails to steepen the effective seat angle, chopped the bars down to my preferred width of 760mm, and lowered the stem by a couple of spacers. This proved to offer a still-spacious but comfortable fit.

One geometrical aspect of the Switchblade that hasn’t changed is its very short and straight seat tube, which allows for plenty of seatpost insertion and the ability to run a properly long-stroke dropper. Unfortunately the Reverb AXS post on my Team XX test bike only offers 150mm of travel, whereas every other model gets a Fox Transfer with 175mm of travel on the Medium frames.

The other benefit of the short seat tube and the Switchblade’s vertical shock layout is an abundance of standover clearance. This will be particularly beneficial for shorter riders on the Small and Extra Small frames.

Suspension setup

To help with suspension setup, the Pivot Switchblade comes with a nifty clip-on sag guide for the rear shock. It’s a simple but well-considered feature that Pivot has been offering for years, and I’d love to see more brands putting in this kind of effort to assist their customers with properly setting up their bikes.

For my 67kg riding weight I needed around 170psi inside the Fox Float X shock to hit the desired 30% sag figure. I set rebound slightly quicker than halfway (8/14 clicks).

Up front is the excellent Fox 36 GRIP2 fork that we’ve become very familiar with over the past few years. We’ve done a separate feature article on how to set up your Fox fork, and I’ve also pitched the 36 in a head-to-head review against the RockShox Lyrik for those who’d like to know more.

Pivot Switchblade weight

Confirmed weight for our Pivot Switchblade is 14.14kg without pedals and with the tyres set up tubeless. It’s worth noting that while the Team XX model is the most expensive option in the range, it isn’t the lightest. That mantel goes to the Team XTR model, which weighed in at a confirmed 13.94kg.

I also had the opportunity to weigh a Switchblade frame, which came in at 3.27kg including the Fox Float X shock. To put it into perspective, it’s a little lighter than a Trek Fuel EX carbon frame (3.4kg claimed), but heavier than a Scott Genius HMX carbon frame (2.7kg claimed).

In the case of the Switchblade, Pivot has clearly placed an emphasis on building a tough and sturdy chassis, and there’s also nothing particularly anaemic with the build kit either. The DT Swiss XMC 1501 wheelset is reasonably light (1,707g confirmed), and I think the Maxxis EXO+ casing tyres strike a good balance between weight, suppleness and durability. Even without a CushCore insert in the rear wheel (which I would always use on my home trails) I encountered no punctures on the rocky Arizonian singletrack, despite running pressures as low as 20psi in the front and 22psi out back.

What do we dig about the Pivot Switchblade?

I only had three days of riding on the Pivot Switchblade at the launch, so this is very much a first impressions piece. However, thanks to a detailed setup and the fact that I had plenty of experience with the prior model, it didn’t take long to get comfortable and feel out the character of the new Switchblade.

As is often the case for Pivot, the suspension performance on this bike is superb. The dw-link platform is consistent and predictable, with a stable quality that sees it riding high in its travel.

I found this to be particularly advantageous on the slabby and technical climbs of the South Mountain trail network, which is conveniently located within a 10-minute ride of Pivot’s factory. Since the rear shock doesn’t wallow in its travel, you’re treated to a useful amount of ground clearance that can often mean the difference between clearing and stalling over a crux point.

It’s still beautifully smooth and active though, no doubt thanks to the trunnion bearing mount and Pivot’s efforts to ensure all of the pivot points are aligned as accurately as possible. This sensitivity sees the Switchblade round off harsh edges effectively, while also eking out more grip than its predecessor.

The active suspension design means there is a smidge of pedal bob when you’re cruising along, which of course can be eliminated by flipping the shock’s blue compression lever. I never found it necessary though, even on long and steady fireroad climbs. Here the Switchblade delivers a comfortable and steady seated position, and as you push harder on the pedals, the shock tightens up nicely under power to keep propelling you forward.

Along with the taut chassis and short chainstays, the Switchblade is a remarkably adept technical climber that responds well to the high-torque power moves required to clear some of the more challenging trails in the Arizonian desert landscape.

Mini-Firebird feels

The new Switchblade is also a noticeably sturdier bike on the descents. There’s more front centre for you to push into, with the slacker head angle and longer reach encouraging a centre-forward attack position.

Credit must also be given to the updated suspension platform that kicks things up a notch. The new linkage sees the Switchblade edging towards the performance of the Firebird with its more rearward axle path. So although the suspension travel remains the same as the old Switchblade, the new bike swallows bigger impacts with noticeably less effort.

Of course the Fox Float X is also a top-notch shock. Pivot has gone for a neutral compression and rebound tune, and as a result it felt great from the get-go with very little fettling required. I didn’t need to touch the air pressure or rebound damping after the initial setup, though I did make use of the low-speed compression dial to adjust the bike’s attitude for different conditions. On the steeper and flowier terrain of the Hawes trail network, I opened up the compression damping to allow the shock to sit a little deeper into its travel. For the flatter and slabbier South Mountain terrain I set the dial in the middle of its range for added support and a taller ride height.

In either situation, the back end of the Switchblade felt smooth and controlled. There’s sufficient progression, but not so much that the shock gets choked deeper into the travel. And the thick MCU bumper inside the Float X does a lot to cushion those last few millimetres.

While I never felt a harsh bottom-out, the stock 0.5³ volume spacer means you can tune the air volume in either direction depending on how much ramp you’re after.

Combined with the longer wheelbase, the improved suspension performance really does elevate the Switchblade’s composure at speed. There’s more grip and stability to tap into, and that sees it effectively closing the gap on the bigger Firebird.

Any downsides so far?

I’m yet to encounter any glaring issues during time aboard the Pivot Switchblade. So far it’s been a quiet, smooth and confidence-inspiring bike to ride.

Admittedly there were some moments where I found the Switchblade’s newly enlarged proportions to be off-putting. As with any bike that’s longer and slacker than you’re used to, it’s important to consciously weight the front of the bike in order to keep the tyre sticking. This is more of a problem if your confidence gets knocked and you end up riding off the back of the bike. Combined with some overzealous braking, understeer can creep in as the bike wants to stand upright.

For those coming off shorter and steeper bikes, it doesn’t take all that long to acclimatise to the necessary change in your riding position. I found that to be the case during the Switchblade launch, and no doubt I’d become even more comfortable with it over time.

Still, I couldn’t help the feeling that I might be somewhat in between sizes. I’d be curious to spend some time on the Small, which has a 25mm shorter reach and a 11mm lower stack height compared to the Medium. Some changes would be required for the cockpit setup, but it’d be an interesting experiment for sure.

Mullet testing

Speaking of experiments, I managed to eke out some time to try the Pivot Switchblade set up as a mullet. We flipped the geometry chip into the High position and fitted a 27.5in rear wheel with the same Minion DHR II EXO+ tyre that comes on the stock 29er build.

Despite using the flip chip, the BB was still clearly lower with the smaller rear wheel. I had to nose the saddle down and slide it forward slightly to accommodate the change in pitch, and while I didn’t measure the head angle I expect it pushed into sub-65° territory.

On our way up the mountain, I was surprised to find that the mullet setup wasn’t overly detrimental on the climbs. The effective suspension does a lot of the legwork here, allowing the small rear wheel to get out of the way quickly when slamming into square edges. Some more body english was required to heave the bike over pronounced step-ups, but grip was still excellent and tight switchbacks were actually easier to negotiate.

However, I did notice that I was clipping pedals more. I’ve previously experimented with a mullet setup on the Specialized Stumpjumper, and by my calculations the change in BB height is around 10mm when switching from a 29in to a 27.5in rear wheel. The flip chip on the Switchblade brings you back up 6mm, which still leaves you around 4mm lower to the ground. With that in mind, I’d consider fitting a shorter set of 165mm cranks to claw back that ground clearance.

Really though, it’s on the descents where the mullet setup showed its true strengths. I felt more in-the-bike thanks to the lower BB and slacker head angle, while the 27.5in rear wheel made it easier to carve turns and flip-flop between corners. The whole bike felt more enthusiastic when hitting drops and seeking out transitions, making it intuitive to work the terrain. Of course down steeper chutes and over jumps, my short legs also benefitted from the extra arse clearance with the smaller rear wheel.

I’d love to spend some more time on the Switchblade testing both wheel setups on home trails, but I have to say I really enjoyed the mullet setup. The only bummer for those who are are also wishing to experiment is that the Super Boost hub spacing makes finding a compatible 27.5in rear wheel a little trickier. For that reason, it’d be great to see Pivot offering a mullet option with its stock builds.

Component highs & lows

As you’d expect for the price, the Pivot Switchblade Team XX leaves you wanting very little in terms of performance.

The SRAM XX Transmission continues to impress, and I really like the smooth lever feel and anchor-dropping power of the Code Ultimate brakes. While I would prefer a bit more travel, the Reverb AXS is a luxuriously smooth dropper with addictively fast and accurate adjustability.

Pivot’s own carbon handlebar offers a comfortable sweep and good vibration damping, and I love the traction and added cushioning of the subtly egg-shaped grips. These are nice touches from Pivot, literally.

I’ve not found the DT Swiss XMC 1501 to be the most compliant carbon wheelset in the past, but it speaks a lot to the Switchblade’s excellent suspension and chassis dynamics that I didn’t notice any untoward harshness given the overtly rocky terrain we were riding. I did have the Ratchet EXP freehub skip on a couple of occasions, which was a first us here at Flow. We opened up the rear hub and discovered a fair amount of grease inside, which may have made the spring-loaded ratchet a little sticky. After cleaning it out I had no such issues for the following two days of riding.

Value for money

Of course $17,999 AUD is wildly expensive for a mountain bike. However, for the riders who have the kind of cash to spend, it’s worth pointing out that this top-level Switchblade is in the same ballpark as the Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XX ($18,999 AUD) and Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO ($17,800 AUD).

There are other options out there that boast better value on paper, such as the Merida One-Forty 10K ($11,499 AUD), which features a similarly high-end build kit at a much cheaper price.

That being said, I get the impression that the riders who are attracted to a Pivot mountain bike aren’t the sort of folks who would be considering options from mass-produced brands. You really need to have an appreciation for the meticulous approach to R&D and the uncompromising level of detail that’s poured into these frames to justify the price tag.

It’s worth pointing out that you don’t need to spend crazy money either. Indeed if I was reaching into my own pocket, I’d be considering the Ride SLX/XT model at $9,999 AUD. It might not come with Kashima or a fancy electronic drivetrain, but it still features the same frame, quality Fox suspension, a Transfer dropper and DT Swiss wheels.

Flow’s Early Verdict

When I first got a look at the new Pivot Switchblade, I was surprised that it didn’t appear all that different to its predecessor. This in itself is an interesting point, and likely shows how happy Pivot already was with the previous version. Perhaps it also suggests how good modern mountain bikes have gotten in recent years, and the fact that the rate of improvement isn’t as dramatic as it once was.

Indeed the new Switchblade is more of an evolution rather than a revolution. However, it was clear from the first ride that the sum of all these seemingly small changes have merged together to create a noteworthy step up in performance, and for Pivot, an important one at that.

The new Switchblade is still a light, responsive and efficient trail bike that can scale some pretty gnarly technical ascents. However, refinements to its geometry and dw-link suspension platform have boosted its descending chops to make for a smoother, calmer and more stable ride at speed. That’s likely to win over some of those who had previously been looking at the bigger Firebird, with the new Switchblade offering a potentially more versatile package for those who don’t necessarily need a 170mm travel bike.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER - Wil Barrett

Hometown

Bendigo, Victoria

Height

175cm

Weight

65kg