First Look: Pivot Trail 429

The Pivot Trail 429 has always been the most versatile bike in Pivot’s portfolio. The new edition has taken things one step further, differentiating itself even more from its bigger brothers. We’ve put together everything you need to know about the latest Pivot.

First of all, what hasn’t changed? The new Pivot Trail 429 will still comfortably take 29″ wheels with a maximum tyre width of 2.4″ or 27.5+ tyres up to 3.0″ wide. The front suspension travel has remained constant at 130 mm, while the rear travel has increased by 4 mm, now offering 120 mm. Pivot also remains true to the DW-Link rear linkage, so that with it’s virtual pivot point the Pivot Trail 429 should be supple and sensitive while staying neutral when pedalling. Thanks to the elaborate manufacturing process of the carbon frame, Pivot provides a 10-year warranty on the frame.

The list of new features, on the other hand, is much longer. The Pivot Trail 429 will no longer take a front derailleur, so it’s 1x specific. In its place, you’ve got a considerably wider rocker link, which not only increases the stiffness and longevity of the frame but also makes 430 mm short chainstays possible. Pivot’s DH-Bike Phoenix inspired the design and construction of the new rocker links. Another new feature is the Super Boost Plus rear end, which, at 157 mm, is almost one centimetre wider than the standard 148 mm Boost. It shouldn’t only make for a stiffer, stronger wheel but for the first time Pivot is also able to offer a size XS 29er. The disadvantages are obvious: wheels are currently only compatible with DT Swiss, Reynolds or Industry Nine hubs and Super Boost Plus compatible cranks are also limited. Unlike its predecessor, the cables are now routed internally.

Features of the Pivot Trail 429

The three spec variants Race, Pro and Team, will be available in a 29″ and a 27.5+ version. Also, you can choose between a 1×12 SRAM or 1×11 Shimano drivetrain with any one of the spec and wheel size options. So you get a total of 12 available combinations. The SRAM drivetrain in the most affordable configuration is not a pure X01 groupset, but a mixture of a GX Eagle cassette and SRAM X1 cranks. The Pro build comes with a complete SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain. All 29″ models are shod with Maxxis Minion DHRII 2.4″ tyres at the front, and Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ at the rear and the 27.5+ models come exclusively with 2.8″ wide Maxxis Rekon tyres. To make the Trail 429 even more potent on the downhills, you’ll be able to mount a FOX DPX2 shock and a FOX 36 fork, offering a maximum travel of 140 mm.

The geometry of the Pivot Trail 429

In addition to the many new details on the frame, the geometry of the Pivot Trail 429 has evolved as well. Overall, the new Trail 429 has adapted to the modern requirements of a trail bike and got a 0.2° slacker head angle of 67.3°. The seat tube angle, on the other hand, has changed significantly, steepening to 74°. The reach is similar to that of the 5.5 and has grown by 2.85 cm on average. The chainstays have shrunk to just 430 mm so that the bike remains agile despite the lengthened front triangle. To ensure that the geometries of the 29″ and 27.5″ wheel configurations are approximately the same, each Trail 429 comes with a 17 mm spacer, which is installed under the head tube of the 650b version. The spacer can also be used on the 29″ version to bring up the front and make the head angle even slacker.

Size 27.5″/29″	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	365 mm	394 mm	425 mm	457 mm	495 mm
Top tube	554 mm/552 mm	583 mm/581 mm	616 mm/615 mm	638 mm/636 mm	661 mm/659 mm
Head tube	85 mm	90 mm	102 mm	108 mm	120 mm
Head angle	66.4°/67.0°	66.7°/67.3°	66.7°/67.3°	66.7°/67.3°	66.7°/67.3°
Seat angle	73.9°/74.5°	73.4°/74.0°	73.4°/74.0°	73.4°/74.0°	73.4°/74.0°
Chainstay	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm
BB Height	34.8 mm/34.3 mm	34.8 mm/34.3 mm	34.7 mm/34.3 mm	34.7 mm/34.3 mm	34.7 mm/34.3 mm
Wheelbase	1,116 mm/1,111 mm	1,135 mm/1,130 mm	1,169 mm/1,164 mm	1,192 mm/1,187 mm	1,216 mm/1,121 mm
Reach	384 mm/390 mm	404 mm/410 mm	434 mm/440 mm	454 mm/460 mm	474 mm/480 mm
Stack	588 mm/583 mm	594 mm/590 mm	605 mm/601 mm	611 mm/606 mm	622 mm/617 mm

Pricing and availability

All models will be available online and at your local Pivot dealer from 17 May 2018. The entry-level Race model with an XT drivetrain goes for € 5,399. The top of the range model with FOX Factory suspension, a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and Reynolds Blacklabel Carbon wheels will cost € 9,999. It’s possible to upgrade the middle configuration to the Reynolds Blacklabel enduro wheelset with Industry Nine hubs for approx. € 1,500 extra. For an additional charge of € 149, The FOX DPX2 is available on every version.

Conclusion

On paper, the new Pivot Trail 429 looks like a very successful revamp with lots of smart details. Whether the change to Super Boost Plus pays off on the trail remains to be seen. We can’t wait to have a closer look at the bike and take it for a ride!

For more information head to pivotcycles.com

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